Human activities have caused the amount of mercury in some areas to increase. Nolichucky River. West rigs this bait the same way he does a tube, except the bullet sinker is replaced with a split shot crimped 12 inches above the lure. The guide cautions against using leaders, since the nonstretch line tends to cause mono leaders of even 17-pound test to snap on the hook set. In August 2018, TDEC issued a precautionary advisory for smallmouth bass and channel catfish in the Nolichucky River from Douglas Reservoir upstream to the mouth of Bent Creek at river mile 14.9. Once you feel the strike, quickly reel down toward the bait and set the hook with authority.". During a day’s float you will have opportunities at Smallmouth bass, Spotted bass, Rock bass and Muskellunge. Cap'n Jack rigs tubes by inserting 1/8- to 1/4-ounce bullet head sinkers about halfway inside them. "For much of the day, a big smallmouth will hold in that depression, but he will also periodically roam up and down those 'sidewalks.' Jack was not only one of the best river smallmouth anglers I have ever met, but he was also an advocate of clean water and rivers — and my very good friend. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced the extension of the existing precautionary fish consumption advisory on the Nolichucky River due to mercury. Join us as we discuss the Tennessee Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing … The Holston River provides more consistent smallmouth fishing than any other we’ve found in the Southeast. The 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Scott Canterbury shows off a lineup of effective bass fishing knots. The big tube craze that has swept the lake largemouth fraternity is just as strong in stream smallmouth society, maintains the guide. Where new advisories have been issued, TDEC will immediately begin the process of putting up signs at primary public access points. From then on, I realized that there was no such thing as fishing too slowly in the winter, or any other time of the year for that matter.". Another go-to bait is a 6-inch Case Magic Stick (soft plastic stickbait) in the natural color. As a follow up to the August 2018 advisory, the department collected additional fish in the Tennessee portion of the Nolichucky River in the fall of 2018, plus the spring and summer of 2019. Excess line is a recipe for failure. "Because of the shoals, the water is well-oxygenated, so that hole offers a welcoming comfort zone. If you have never fished for river Smallmouth bass, you are definitely missing out. Supports an excellent black bass and striped bass fishery with the majority of interest directed toward largemouth and smallmouth. The only difference in boat positioning was that the Volunteer State guide fished closer to the shoals in the summer (15 to 20 feet downstream) than he did in the winter (80 to 85 feet downstream), and somewhere in between in the spring and fall. There’s a pig waiting just for you! A final favorite is a 1/4- or 1/2-ounce single blade (Colorado) spinnerbait with the concave side of the blade painted black and the skirt chartreuse-and-white. Nolichucky River: Great small-mouth fishing - See 111 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Erwin, TN, at Tripadvisor. This is a mega smallmouth fishery with plenty of fish for everyone! The river travels north from Ashville area up through scenic Hot Springs and beyond. There is no other opportunity that we offer than as many species to be caught either including Fresh Water Drum, Walleyes and Sauger as well. "Any time I can find a deep hole — 5 feet or more — following several shoals positioned close together, I know I'm about to get into big smallmouth," he said. The following spring on Tennessee's Nolichucky River, West, though faced with a bluebird sky and a cold front, guided a friend and me to a similar number of 12- to 20-inch bass — my buddy dueling with a pair of 4-pound-plus bronzebacks. For his main line, the Tennessee angler prefers Berkley SpiderWire Stealth in the 20-pound-test/6-pound diameter size. “We provide these advisories so the community can make informed decisions about whether or not to consume the fish they catch,” TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young said. Interestingly, West discovered three things, only the second of which he was expecting. "On this one cast, the time of the retrieve was just at the 9 minute mark when he had a hit, but that hit came from a 21-inch smallmouth that Barry caught and released. "I realized early on in my fishing career that big fish were like big people; they weren't usually the swiftest, but they had huge appetites," says West. The “Chucky,” in TN and NC has proven to be a fantastic fishery time and time again. You will be guided through class I-IV rapids while casting your line. “Unlike ‘do not consume’ advisories that warn the general population to avoid eating fish from a particular body of water altogether, precautionary fish consumption advisories are specifically directed to sensitive populations such as children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and those who may eat fish very frequently from the same body of water.”. At that time, the department pledged to collect additional data to determine if the elevated mercury levels extended any further upstream. Catch and release rates here surpass 90%. Many bigger fish … TDEC considers the source of mercury in the Nolichucky River to be atmospheric deposition. "Each category requires a different mind-set. We provide guided fishing trips in the region’s wide variety of rivers and small streams targeting some of the bass fishing and trout fishing the country has to offer. The Tennessee Water Quality Control Act identifies the commissioner of the Department of Environment and Conservation as having the authority and responsibility to issue advisories for either water contact hazards like pathogens or excessive health risks due to the accumulation of contaminants in fish or shellfish. Whether it’s a day float or an overnight trip, you’re sure to be inspired by this river’s beauty and incredible fishing. In the winter months, the upper part of the Nolichucky is stocked with rainbow trout from the nearby Erwin National Fish Hatchery. The common denominator in all these outings is that West employed the same tactic, what he calls BDSing (short for bigger, deeper and slower). The nine-mile Nolichucky Gorge is the deepest gorge in the southeast and holds class IV rapids, monster smallmouth bass, and musky. Precautionary advisories are issued when contaminant levels are lower, but would still pose a risk to sensitive subpopulations such as children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and those who eat fish frequently from the same body of water. Nolichucky Dam is a dam located just 7.1 miles from Greeneville, in Greene County, in the state of Tennessee, United States, near Allenbridge (historical), TN. Smallmouth Fishing The Nolichucky River Fishing the Noli is exciting all year round. The best times to book your guided fishing trip on this gorgeous river is March through early November. Test yourself on these smallies with a fly rod or a cast rod. If you are an enthusiast of fishing you’ll find the Nolichucky to be an excellent destination as well. Just below Erwin and the whitewater takeout, the water is somewhat quick-flowing but … Nolichucky River fishing guides Trophy Water Guide Service is a professional fly-fishing guide service fishing the Nolichucky River and surrounding areas in southern Appalachia . “Do not consume” fishing advisories are issued when levels of contaminants in fish tissue would represent a threat to the general population. — Bruce Ingram. "Since I like to make long casts, I need a low stretch line like SpiderWire so that I can have a good hook set. Second, truly large river brown bass, those over 18 inches, were strongly inclined to hit 4-inch-and-larger baits, and not at all likely to strike smaller offerings. The French Broad is the largest and most productive smallmouth bass and musky river in North Carolina. The point and the barb end up lying along the back of the tube. Although targeted for collection, few data are available for walleye, a popular target for fishermen, and the results were inconclusive. The Chucky is an awesome river for those who like to add the thrill of light rapids to their fishing adventure. Walleye are not included in the advisory. Those fish couldn't have been hungry when I placed a bait in front of them, yet they hit it.". Cap'n Jack considers a wintertime outing with Barry Loupe of Saltville, Va., a perfect example of the "slower part.". "As a guide, I always ask my clients if they are more interested in numbers of bass or size," he says. 4,510 acres. Join us as we discuss the Tennessee Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. First, no matter how large a lure he went to, sub 12-inch river smallmouth would still occasionally hit it. The river offers world-class fishing for a variety of bass, including smallmouth, rock, and black bass. Nolichucky River The Nolichucky River is a 115-mile (185 km) river that flows through Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. This trigger, 0.3 mg/kg (parts per million), was jointly recommended by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. To thoroughly work this area, you basically only have to make three casts. He prefers to deadstick the Magic Stick, or as he says, "throw it out there and forget about it." This is one of the area”s best kept secrets. Alternate names for this dam include Greeneville Dam. The name “Swine” is made up to protect our secret and describes the hogs that we consistently catch every Spring! … Reel back down to where your line is pointed at the tube, and repeat. "Slowly lift your rod tip to about the 10 o'clock position, being sure to feel for even the slightest bite. The smaller fish is simply a lot quicker. "That day, the air temperature was 23 degrees and the water temperature was 36 degrees, and all we fished were deep holes below shoals," recalls West. I like it better when my clients want to try out my BDS philosophy. Nolichucky means “dangerous waters, rushing waters, black swirling waters.” It is derived of a Cherokee origin and flows through the Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest. Fishing the Nolichucky Gorge is a premier adventure fishing experience with some of the finest Smallmouth waters that Tennessee has to offer. Then either change lures and work that same area again or move on to another boulder or some other form of deep water cover.". The winter raft trip down Virginia's James River was noteworthy for its cold rain, leaden sky, and the dozen-and-a-half or so 14- to 18-inch smallmouth that either Cap'n Jack West put in the boat himself or instructed a client and me how to do so. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/water/planning-and-standards/wr_wq_fish-advisories.pdf, https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech/epa-fda-advice-about-eating-fish-and-shellfish. There are two types of fish consumption advisories issued by TDEC based on the levels of contaminants present in fish tissue. On the first cast, retrieve the bait so that it swings around behind the boulder. Of course, locating such a hole does not mean that West has for sure found fish. The section of the Holston known for awesome bronzebacks is downstream of its famous trout water but still dam regulated. Cap'n Jack theorized that these larger bass have instinctively learned that the energy expended to chase down and consume something pint-sized is a losing proposition in terms of energy gained. His longtime fiancée, Raymonde, and son, Jason, asked that Bassmaster run this article as a remembrance both to Jack and his BDS philosophy. ", Sadly, Jack West suffered a stroke in May 2004 and passed away. "The effect created is that the Flash Minnow pops to the left, then pops to the right with a lot of commotion. This ensures a healthy smally population season after season with regulated flows and cold water temperatures all summer long. "How many times have we seen a 12-inch smallie on the end of our line, yet saw a much larger fish under it. "After the cast, I point the rod tip toward the lure, just to create a little slack, and then on the retrieve, I start to make these little snaps to the left and right," tutors West.