Watauga Lake TN- Is it worth a trip in the fall?

[XpressJeff]

It's been a rough summertime at our house. Between family hospitalizations, funerals and some generally crappy goings on of all types. Now that folks are healed up and trying to smile we need a trip somewhere I've never been. 

 

 

Can some of you help me out with a little inside information?

[BassNJake]

My mom lives just down the road and I can tell you it is beautiful in the fall.

As far as inside information, I haven't been there to fish in a couple of years.

I have caught some decent largemouth and a couple of nice smallmouth there.

It's deep and clear.

 

There is an Appalachian trail head that comes out in Hampton and has a nice waterfall at the end.

It's about 2 miles in and I would say its a moderate walk.

My 70 year old mother walks it a couple times a week.

[Choporoz]

Spent a night at Lakeshore Motel last fall; staff was great and price was even better.  Went out in kayaks one day, but wind was rather brutal.  We kept to a couple sheltered bays -- not much catching, but it was a beautiful lake that I'd like to return to. 

[TnRiver46]

Wind is brutal 99% of the time but big fish live there, usually takes over 20 lbs to win a tournament year round