I got out fishing yesterday during the warmth of mid-day. The water in this creek was up and a bit off-color from all the rains middle TN has been getting recently. The stream temperature was 54 degrees. I fished with my friend and his father. We fished two spots on this waterway. The fishing wasn't fast but I did find some willing Smallmouth. Fishing the higher flows was more like trout fishing. Lots of mends and bouncy dead drifts. Down on the edge of a deep pool with fast water, I caught my first fish on my new rod, a fiesty Smallie. Nice! I was glad to catch a SMB on this new rig since they were my target with this new set-up. I really like the TFO TiCrX 6 wt. with the 7 wt. Rio Smallmouth line.
I also caught a Rock Bass out of the same spot. As usual, it hit hard then gave up.
I found a dead hawk in a big blowdown/brush pile in a fast eddie. Not every day you get an up close look at those talons. I took the opportunity to check them out. I am pretty sure it was a Cooper's Hawk.
We moved to a different spot. I started fishing this deep slow run. I pulled out 2 little Smallmouths from there too. My friend had not caught any fish. I said try that hole I was just fishing as I had missed a few other hits. Bam. He steps out to where I was casting from and catches 3 more SM in 3 casts. All the same 8 - 9" size.
We never saw any big fish, but these were the earliest I've ever caught bass in the season. On the way home we saw a flock of about 25 Turkeys in a field with a big ole Tom strutting his stuff along side them. First time I had ever seen that! All together a great early Spring outing.
