By James McManus
I always look forward to this time of year. Although this hasn’t been a really hard winter, there’s nothing like fishing in shirtsleeves for the first time of the year. Fish are either already spawning or thinking about it. Most fish are up towards the headwaters even if they don’t actually make a spawning run. In Fontana that means up any of the main Tuck, Nantahala or Little Tennessee arms, but there are also concentrations in any of the smaller creeks like Chambers. Hazel, Eagle and Forney.
There is more bait in the lake than there has ever been and everything we’re catching are just little butter balls. That actually makes fishing a little tougher at times because it seems most species don’t have to go far or expend much energy to fill those bellies. With live scope, or the equivalent, we are able to see fish ganged up on the bottom; sometimes they will hit and sometimes not. Your best plan is to locate them and then try and wait them out. There may only be an hour or less when they are really active, but at some point, if you are patient, they will get active.
Stay prepared this time of year. A 30 degree drop in temp and accompanying wind rise can change an enjoyable outing into a shiver fest. Well, enjoy this time of year, take a young’un on nice days and be thankful God’s given us such beautiful lakes to fish.
Later, Capt. James
Capt. James McManus owns 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day on the water at (828) 421-8125