Smallmouth window shrinking
Forecast improves, but consistency questions remain
LENOIR CITY, Tenn. – Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this week’s FLW Tour event on the Fort Loudoun-Tellico lakes has been the ability of smallmouth anglers to duplicate their success. Known for their inclination to disappear, a handful of fishermen have been able to take brown bass further than expected. But the question remains. How long can it last?
Several of the sight-fishermen, including pro leader Bryan Thrift and third-place pro Chad Grigsby were concerned yesterday afternoon with Friday’s forecast. These smallmouth beds are nearly impossible to see under perfect conditions and the Knoxville-area weathermen were calling for scattered thunderstorms and increased wind.
But that changed this morning as the field took off under a thin, hazy layer of cloud cover. And most importantly, the wind was once again almost non-existent. A threat of showers remains for later this afternoon, but the smallmouth anglers should once again have ideal conditions to toil in.
Now it comes down to catching fish. After boating five spawners on day one that weighed over 20 pounds, Thrift was out of fish and thought his program was done. But when he returned to his area the next day, four more quality smallmouths had moved up. The Shelby, N.C., native, looking to become the first pro to win back-to-back FLW Tour events, will once again start on this smallmouth honeyhole. The question is what will he find?
Logistics
Anglers will take off from Tellico Recreational Area Ramp east of Lenoir City, Tenn., at 7 a.m. each morning. Today’s weigh-in will also be held at Tellico Recreational Area Ramp beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center located at 701 Henley St. in Knoxville beginning at 4 p.m.
Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Expo at the Knoxville Convention Center on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday prior to the final weigh-in from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a Can-Am ATV compliments of the Knoxville News Sentinel and rod and reel combos will be given to the first 300 kids under 14 in attendance on Saturday. The Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of events, additional information and to register for the ATV, visit the FLW Tour Fort Loudoun-Tellico event page.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field competes in the three-day opening round. The co-angler competition concludes at Friday’s weigh-in and the top-five pros continue competition Saturday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
On the Web
For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, an online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results, streaming video and audio.
In addition to FLW Live, FLWOutdoors.com is offering real-time updates from the water throughout each day of the Fort Loudoun-Tellico event. Simply click on the “On the Water Coverage” banner from any of the FLW Outdoors, Bass and FLW Tour home pages.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:52 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 57 degrees
Expected high temperature: 83 degrees
Water temperature: 68-74 degrees
Wind: S at 9 mph
Maximum humidity: 56 percent
Day’s outlook: afternoon showers