Actually I went fishing with Gracie, Gracie's Father Scott Echols (Callshy on the forum and owner of Hi-Tek http://hitekstuff.com/) and the one and only Charlie Brewer. What a great opportunity to chat and fish with some of the best.
Gracie posing in front of Crappie.com decal on Scott's motor right before we went out fishing.
It all started off when I was invited to fish Pickwick Lake Tennessee. I had no idea who I was going to be fishing with. This was all an arranged event, and I did not do the arranging. I was in complete shock that morning when I met Gracie, Scott and Charlie for the first time at breakfast that morning. Holy cow, this was going to be a good day.
Between Gracie and Charlie it was hard to get a word in edgewise. We had a great time. I'm not sure we ever stopped talking. Maybe a couple times to reel in fish, but even then we were yapping.
Gracie is quite the fisher girl. When fish were being caught, Scott did very little. Gracie reeled in her crappie, she netted ours, she did it all. I was really amazed. And she loved it. She talked more about the details of fishing than half the die hard fishermen I know. She would not stop. I'm telling you, the professional crappie fishing world needs to take notice of this pint sized fishergirl. She's going to be a force to recon with some day. And when I say some day, I mean real soon!
I have three daughters of my own, and I took them fishing often. But although they certainly seemed to enjoy fishing, they just did not get into it like Gracie. My girls would never hold a fish, or bait a hook. I had to do all of that for them. Gracie takes to it naturally. She could easily start guiding, all she would need is a driver. Oh, I forgot, she has one, Scott! lol
And Charlie, boy he's got the fishing stories. He was telling us about this trip and that trip. He just got done pulling cranks with the Ropers. He really gets around. Does a great job with his business too. I need someone like him to help me with Crappie.com. He had Slide Coffee Mugs for us when we greeted him with that date on it. Someone was thinking ahead.
Charlie with a nice one (above). Chartreuse/Yellow Sliders seems to be the color of the day. We were not killing the fish like crazy, and we moved often to try different spots. But you know what, by the end of the day we had a good number of fish. I think we caught about a dozen and a half in the four hours we were out there. I say "I think" because we threw most back. We kept only a hand full of the bigger ones for photos. Even those were released at the ramp to fight another day. I've fished with many great fishermen over time and the one thing I have learned from them all is to be "impatient". If you're not catching them, keep moving. Today was no exception. Once about 20-30 minutes passed without a bite, Scott would move on to a completely different spot on the lake.
And Scott had the boat all set up with the new Humminbird 360 which helped as well. Boy I thought that was cool. I've heard great stories of fishermen following the schools of fish while they move, instead of only seeing the fish on the sides of the boat as you pass them. What a great idea.
I think I need this setup! Might be able to catch more than my one fish limit! Wifey, what you think?
Charlie Brewer with a nice 4 pack, Crappie Pro style!
The scenery on Pickwick Lake is second to none.
I stayed at “The Inn at Pickwick Landing State Park” where I had an absolutely gorgeous view from my room. The park offers fishing, boating, camping, hiking and even golf. The park inn has 119 rooms each with a picturesque view of the lake and has a gift shop, restaurant, laundry facilities, meeting rooms, exercise rooms, outdoor and indoor pools and tennis courts. Located near the inn are cabins with central heat and air, cable TV, full kitchen, a patio and fireplace. Guests in the cabins enjoy all inn privileges including use of the tennis courts and swimming pool. Each cabin accommodates eight people. The park also offers 48 beautiful wooded campsites with electrical and water hook-up and a primitive campground with 43 sites (some located right on the lake). I just wish I had more time to enjoy all the amenities, but I was there to fish, and catching fish is what we did plenty of. If you have never fished Pickwick Lake you definitely need to add it to your "bucket list". Pickwick Landing State Park
Great article Ed! That Gracie looks to be the next women's world crappie champ for sure! Way to grow 'em up Scott. Charlie looks like he was having a great time too. Pickwick is on my bucket list.
Very cool, love it when a young en takes a holt of something, she will be a force and learning young like that is so awesome. Havent met Scott but always hear good things about him, have met Charlie and it was an absolute pleasure.
Sharing the boat with them would have been enuff but having the honor of fishing with Gracie as well was the icing on the cake.
Great story and trip, I'm jealous to say the least!!!
Great post Ed.....looks like an opportunity of a lifetime to fish with that crew......that Gracie looks like an accomplished crappie fishergal.....I have never fished that area but those pictures makes it look so very inviting.....and the facilities appear very accommodating......glad you caught some fish...gotta get up that way soon.....
I love the post and the stories about all on the boat.Charlie's holding some pretty big fish! Gracie sounds like my kinda girl and your right she gonna make her mark in the fishing world!
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