3-5 day trip ideas....need help

[Buzzard Breath]

Two lifelong friends and I are trying to put together a 3-5 day fishing trip and need some ideas on where to go and what to fish for, the dates will be some time in June or July.

A little history about us. Greg lives in Central Ohio and fishes some. Chris lives in Charleston, WV and hasn't fished in 20 years, but as long as there is 3-5 days worth of cold beer at hand, he's content with anything. I live in E. TN and fish at least every week. I'm the only fly fisherman, but I will fish with regular stuff, just don't own any.

We need to find a location that is convenient for all of us (7-8 hour drive, max). I've already suggested flying to the Keys, but that was shot down immediatelly. None of us own boats bigger than a canoe.

Any ideas?

 

[RTR]

With beer being involved, you could fish for some big blue cats at night on the Santee River. Eugene Rice at Arrowhead Campground could hook you up. I don't think he guides anymore, but, he will rent a boat.

 

[southpaw14]

I'd say Lake Fork Texas for Large Mouth, resorts there have boats to rent or you can hook up with a guide.

 

[SilverFox]

I caught some good cats right down from Arrowhead. It's just gonna be hot has heck that time of year. Too many alligators and Cotton Mouths for me anymore.

 

[stik]

outer banks. a little farther than 7-8 hrs but the very best fishing i have ever seen. it's the only place that i have ever been that i quit fishing because i was tired of catching fish.

 

[pressfit]

DESTIN>>>...

 

[jb3]

Had some friends that use to paddle canoes into Canada and camp/fish.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Good ideas so far. Has anyone done a 3-4 day smallmouth float in Virginia or W.Virginia?

 

[Football Hunter]

If its very early June,maybe Dale Hollow for smallmouth,if you know what your doing,if not there are some good guides on smalljaw.com.Of course Im biased to Dale Hollow.

 

[RUGER]

Just call Simms and get in the boat and relax.

Tell him you want to catch catfish, smallmouth and maybe some spots.

 

[JB1230]

reelfoot.. crappie and bream during the day and catfish (yo'yo's) at night. All conducive to having cold beverages close by.

 

[kdxdude]

Just call Simms and get in the boat and relax.

Tell him you want to catch catfish, smallmouth and maybe some spots.

I'll 2nd that on Simms. He has a website called ScenicCityFishing. Check it out. Plus Chattanooga & surrounding areas has a lot of great attractions.

 

[SES]

If you are wanting to catch smallmouth, float and wade the littel pigeon in Sevierville. Topwater action for big fish. You could also float the French Broad from the dam to hwy 66 bridge. Thirdly, I would float the clinch. I know you're a fly fisherman, but if they're running any generators, get the jerk baits out. Send me a PM if you want more details. I fish these areas a lot.

 

[turk870]

canada

 

[LA man]

south louisiana for reds and trout , its on right now. pm me for more info

 

[paincave_2000]

south louisiana for reds and trout , its on right now. pm me for more info

That one gets my vote for sure.

 

[gun nut]

canoe the buffalo river pack camping gear canp on creek banks fish for small mouth all day and drink beer and catfish all night i do this every year its a blast

 

[Travis E]

I fished most of my life in WV for small mouth in the New River. That would not be a mistake going there. I've been wanting to do one of those fly in fishing trips in Canada where they drop you off on some lake for a few days then come pick you up.

 

[adirondack46r]

Cranberry Wilderness area... trout out the wazoo. Remind me to tell you about it.

 

[TITANSFAN2104]

James river and monster blues at night in july. June probably will hit the spawn

 

[Bullfrog]

Ky Lake ledge fishing will be on absolute fire, in June. Reelfoot would be a great trip as well. Lots of history, and not many places like it

 

[Winchester]

Pipestone lodge in Canada. Im taking my 2 boys next June.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

I'm not sure about the travel time?? Is that driving or total travel time ??
If ya'll all fly into Memphis and rented a vehicle it is only a few hours to get to the North Fork of the White river and the River of Life.
The River of Life has good smallmouth and trout fishing.
It is a very unique place with excellent Hosts.
http://www.riveroflifefarm.com/

 

[Crosshairy]

I would personally get a guide on one of the Tennessee/Cumberland River impoundments (or travel to a different one each day). One day you could do catfish, one day stripers/white bass, one day smallmouth/largemouth (or something like that).

I've also used James Patterson for catfishing for *BIG* catfish on the Mississippi River out of Memphis - http://www.bigcatfishing.com/ . My dad, brother, and I used him a few years ago and caught 45, 41, and 68 pound catfish, respectively. It was like deep sea fishing sometimes with the gear we were using, but half the price.

The benefit with using guide services is you don't need to worry about figuring out the details regarding boat, gear and tackle. Fishing anywhere near the dams (doesn't apply to MS River, obviously) will mean cooler temps and a more comfortable time on the water. The biggest downside is the expenses go up, but you are paying for convenience, knowledge, gear, and low stress.

I will say that some of the ideas we are throwing around will not mix with the beer idea. You might want to plan at least one day (or maybe just in the evenings, if you can get a place to stay on the water and fish from the bank) for that type of stuff. There's no way your striper guide would let you get wasted below a hydro dam, for example (at least, I hope not).

 

[infoman jr.]

There were 3 or 4 years when a couple of buddies and me would fish Guntersville for an extended weekend. We would fish around goose pond and did well. Knowing what I know now about fishing mid summer on Douglas, I'd go there and chunk a big swim bait.