# rsimms, Nickajack (Riverpark), Smallmouth, Feb. 24, 2015, solo **URL:** \ **Category:** Tennessee Fishing General\ **Created:** [March 4, 2015, 10:00am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/rsimms-nickajack-riverpark-smallmouth-feb-24-2015-solo/429427 "2015-03-04T10:00:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FishNews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/47e85d/32.png) [@FishNews](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/FishNews)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 10:00am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/rsimms-nickajack-riverpark-smallmouth-feb-24-2015-solo/429427/1 "2015-03-04T10:00:03Z")
I may have given up my day job, but I really do still work a lot… writing and promoting the guide business.\
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HOWEVER, I sat at the computer way TOO long and about 3 pm I'd had enough. I hooked up the boat and headed for the Riverpark. Since capturing a trophy spot last Sunday, I've sort of been on a "Float & Fly High." Of course F&F is primarily a technique for extremely clear water. But I've always wondered how well it would work on the TN River so I figured, "What the heck. I'll try it."\
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I fished quite a while with nary a nibble. Then I got distracted looking at my depth finder. When I looked back up, my float was gone, gone, gone! It didn't take long to figure out I was hooked up with a beast… of course I feared it might be a beast of a drum. However the fish made some speed demon runs around the boat, and even moved toward the top as if to jump a couple of times… so I was really thinking, "Smallmouth?" \
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Using 4-pound test (S.O.S.) line, you don't make anything happen in a hurry… but finally the fish did break the surface and all I saw was brown… LOTS of brown. \
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Those of you who have played the Float & Fly game, with an 8 - 12 foot leader below a float, know it's a challenge getting a fish in the net even when there are two people. Try doing it with one person. emoEek Trust me, you have to fight 'em to the finish. \
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21-inches of smallmouth… I was pumped.\
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Ten minutes later, I saw the float go down this time. Second verse, same as the first … except this fish was a mere 19 inches. Oh woe is me. emoBigsmile \
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I fished about two hours and only got two bites… but they were the right bites, and that means life is good and gettin' better every day.\
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Post-script: I catfished for a couple hours after dark. Nary a nibble.