Nothing much has changed in fishing around here. Would you believe ? Yet another snow cold weekend. As we've been saying since before Thanksgiving, winter fishing is here. Jimmy Buffett said it pretty well in one of his songs, "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes." My good friend Billy Barbour, retired a few years ago from the Sullivan County school system. Billy and his wife Karen pack up the camper with their dogs, stuff and fishing gear and spend the winter at Lake Okeechobee Florida. Billy fishes day and night and caught this largemouth bass while he was crappie fishing with ultra light gear. He caught an even bigger one in one of those canals last winter. Back here at home, we have more rain and snow to deal with. TVA continues to move water downstream so it's still boats only along the Watauga and South Holston tailwaters. Nothing has changed. Fly fishermen look for the blue wing olive hatches with a number 20 Adams or other mimics along with pheasant tail, scuds and other nymphs in the deeper runs. Spinning rod activity is good on crank baits, spoons and spinners. Of course, minnows and worms work best. Mountain stream trout are still waiting on spring. For those who can tough out the weather, winter bass fishing is great in the mountain lakes, South Holston, Watauga and downstream into Boone. In fact, the dreary breezy weather makes the fishing a little better. The bait schools have taken the fish down to about fifteen to twenty feet deep. The float and fly combination is still doing the job. Use the duck feather jig or tip that little tiny jig with a three inch long emerald shiner or watermelon pearl color Berkley Gulp Minnow. The tight line technique works for those who have problems casting a long float and fly rig. Fish deeper on sunny days, with jigging spoons and Silver Buddies. As for me, I'm staying inside and maybe go take in a boat and tackle show.
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