August 2002

8/30/02

Cut baiting trip down yonder.  Unsuccessful, but did learn that skipjacks are plentiful below Watts Bar.  Water temp was 81 there, so I don't think any big stripes exist in those parts.  Ft. Loudon and Melton Hill were bombs on jacks.  Temps there were 76 and 66.  We sat idle until 1:00 and caught one catfish.  Got home at 3:00 AM, long trip, no stripes.  Shoulda stayed in Ktown.

8/18/02

Good bait, one hit, no fish.  Did some downlining today all for naught.  Surface temp was 83, clarity was 3 feet.  Nasty weather, big S wind steady at 20 when we got there and thunderstorms on the march.  Wind stopped, it got hot and then it started to blow from the N at 15-20 and steady.  It started to rain and we were out of there at about 7:30, tails tucked.

8/17/02

New excursion to a different place.  The river is treacherously shallow and full of striper.  We boated 3, had one big fish break off and a few other hits.  It poured rain for about an hour at midday, soaking us to the bone.  Water temp was 67-70, clarity 4 feet.  My first striper was less than a pound caught on a small jerkbait.  The second was a good 20 lber and my third one took off, wrapped me on a stump and broke 25 lb test like it didn't exist.  Jason caught one about 14 lbs  .  Good weather except for the showers, light SW winds.