Other key areas include the tailwaters of Watauga Lake and South Holston Lake. The fall is not so much a dry-fly time as it is a time for nymphs and Woolly Buggers. Anglers drive in from Virginia and North Carolina, as well as other surrounding states, to take advantage. The winter rainbow trout fishing can be very good in the winter and is undoubtedly overlooked.

DECEMBER
Dale Hollow Lake
Smallmouth Bass
It's no secret the last few years of smallmouth success on Dale Hollow have come mostly on the Float-N-Fly -- the patented coldwater finesse technique. Smallmouths can't resist the small baitfish imitation in the wintertime.

Eddie Nuckols notes that the last time he checked, smallmouths have eyes on the top of their heads. When they're suspended, they're looking up, and they can't resist that small fly imitating an injured or dying baitfish dancing above them.

Nuckols' choice for best wintertime conditions involve the cold, miserable days most people avoid. Overcast skies with a light wind are the right prescription and a water temperature of 48 to 52 degrees is the perfect range.

Key depths for placing your fly under the float at Dale Hollow are from 8 to 12 feet. Nuckols suggests your boat had better be sitting in more than 30 feet of water. December Float-N-Fly fishing at Dale Hollow means targeting main-lake structure, mouths of coves and two-thirds of the way back in creek arms.