Greetings all - I wish I would have looked on this message board a little sooner. Would have really liked to attend the Douglas Fish Fry. If you have another one on an East Tennessee Lake, please count me in. I can bring tons of jigs and crappie fishing stuff to give away. I used to help host events in NC when I lived there. NCNat has carried on in my absence. We used to have a lot of fun and good food.

I live in Gray, near Johnson City. I have been fishing Boone Lake since I moved here about 2 years ago. Tried South Holston and Patrick Henry as well. None have produced very well. Boone gave up some fairly nice fish over the winter from brush piles I put in. But so far this spring it has been a bust. Water temp is now up in the 60's and still have yet to see any numbers of fish spawning. Trolled for fours last Saturday and caught stripers and small mouth, no crappies. Hit the docks and shoreline brush from 1' - 15', still not one crappie. I've talked to dozens of crappie fishermen over the last two months all with the same story - no fish.

Lord knows I've been doing this crappie fishing gig for a lot of years. And I'm not one to give up very easy. But I think it's time to come to Cherokee and Douglas. I've heard the crappie fishing is very good on both lakes. If there are any die hards that know either of these lakes that would like to hook up and show an old "has been" a little about your lake, I'm all yours.

I've heard conflicting reports on Douglas concerning water level and the stage of the spawn. Some say it's over and some say it hasn't started yet. I've also heard the water level is way down. The East Tenn TVA fishing report has proven to be very unreliable. So I'm looking for any information that may improve my odds on a trip as it is a pretty good haul for me.

Any and all information is greatly appreciated.

If you would prefer to email me directly, please feel free to do so.

Best fishes,
Mark