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Dale Hollow - Float-n-Fly for smallie trip dates

3.5K views 37 replies 10 participants last post by  RodMan  
#1 ·
Going back again for our 8th FNF trip down to the holla! Anyone with a boat wanting to trailer down and learn how to fish the float-n-fly is welcome to join us as always. 5+ lb smallies are fairly common, with a few over 6 caught on our trip each year. Awesome fishery, awesome technique, and a great way to kick off the season!

This year, we're going March 8th - 13th, staying at Cedar Hill.

Won't be long!!!!
 
#2 ·
Brandon:

Hope you guys have a great trip. Me and my crew are heading down February 16th through 21st.

The same invitation applies to all who would like to give the FNF a try on Dale Hollow that can't make ShakeDowns March Trip.

Dale Hollow, FNF, & Late Winter - what a way to start the fishing season!!
 
#5 ·
Brandon:

Yep - Cedar Hill. Bringing a fire extinguisher and water heater just in case.

Dan -

Look us up when you get down there in February. We'll give you a fishing report and compare notes. Will you be fishing the FNF down the lake that far?
 
#7 ·
WN...we fished out of HC for a number of years, and still fish the same areas but stay at Cedar Hill anymore for a little nicer accomodations.

When you fished, were you f-n-f fishing? We go down strictly for the f-n-f bite. We've had days where we'll catch 6 each, and days where we skunk. All depends on the conditions, weather stability, etc...

Where to fish? Any/all of the creeks down by the dam...Kyle, Indian, Long Branch, even Horse Creek. We've taken them within feet of the HC bouys.
 
#8 ·
Shakedown's right! All those area's produced for us last year.

If you really want to learn the FNF and gain confidence in the technique hire a guide for a half day. It was the best $125 I've spent in a long time and it cut the learning curve dramatically. After spending a half day with the guide you can concentrate on the fishing instead of whether your rigging right, fishing the right spots, or working the lure properly.
 
#9 ·
I was fishing fnf, grubs and silver buddies. Did not catch any on fnf but finally got a bite going with the buddies. I was traveling with a fellow that has fished the Hollow for years and is a pretty good fnf fisherman. The week I was down there Jerry McGinnis was near us filiming a fnf show with Nuckles. I saw the show afterwards and they got very few on fnf. Nuckles ended up catching them on jigs...with pork...I believe. I must have been there at the wrong time for fnf.

I met a game warden that was doing creel checks and he said the fnf was a tourist gimmick and that the fisherman down there caught them on grubs. I have still not given up on fnf. I like the technique and it makes sense.
 
#10 ·
Do a search on float-n-fly on this site, and you can see plenty of our pics of "gimmick" fish :D hehe

Rodman is right...the best way to learn it correctly, is hiring a guide. The first year we went down we did, and it has paid off every year since! Most of the guides that I've met (Coan, Sanfer, etc) won't throw anything but the fnf in the winter. It's that hot!!!

If you have the means, you should considering meeting us down there. A lot of fun, and the bite is a true trophy bite that time of year!!

There's also a few internet sites (forums) dedicated to nothing but fnf...check em out, as you can learn a ton from em!
 
#13 ·
Looks awesome. I'm gonna talk to my buddy about it. We were planning on trying out Guntersville in March but DH is a lot closer. I'd rather catch smallies than largies anyday too. I've been just waiting on an opportunity like this to actually use my noodle rod.
 
#22 ·
Brandon:

We're in the Duplex again this year - both levels (Cabins 6 and 7). Feb 16 thru 21. Taking 7 people and three boats. Hoping the weather is a little less severe than last year.

We'll miss having you guys around!

Joe
 
#24 ·
I will be staying @ Star Point for 4 nights the 2nd week of march.

Gotta find some fOOtballs and that sassy hot country lady I found in the town of Static. What a woman!! She thought getting lost in the fog was romantic and even made the beds and cleaned the house boat....hahhahhahaaa :B
 
#26 ·
oh man...our trip starts on the 14th and we come back on Sunday the 19th

you guys will have them fully paterned for me by then ehh :D

seriously i want some details of whats going on before we start up
save me a headache guys.