KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Dixie Chicks’ debut single “Wide Open Spaces” wouldn’t be a popular tune on Fort Loudoun-Tellico Lakes, as FLW Tour anglers scratch and claw their way into practically any open spot they can find.
Day one saw better-than-expected weights, but even those who boated big stringers complained of cramped quarters and close-range recon. Simple observation, plus GPS mapping equals a whole lot of suspicion – especially when you sling a few keepers over the side.
Such was the sentiment of Lynchburg, Va. pro David Dudley, who opened the show in grand fashion 
by hauling a huge sack of fish through a crowd of gasping onlookers. One of the first to weigh, Dudley set the bar at 20 pounds, 2 ounces – a mark that would hold until the last half hour of the weigh-ins when Scott Martin came in with 20-11.
Dudley said he had identified a particular tactic that was triggering big bites, but he kept his cards understandably low on the where-when-how stuff. Apologizing to day one reporters needling for any shred of detail, Dudley said “I wish I could say something, but there are too many people looking, I just can’t say anymore.”
Land O’ Lakes points leader Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tenn. adds: “It’s a crap shoot out there right now. There are so many boats on so many places, that actually to get a place to fish is hard to do. I’m just fishing some really subtle stuff that nobody knows about – but they will by (today).”
One thing’s for certain, anyone who finds something good will likely fish it for all it’s worth. The concept of “saving fish” only works when no one else fishes behind you. That’s not the case, so Morgan said he plans to play the numbers game.
“If I get on a community place, I’m gonna burn `em up,” he chuckled. “I’ll catch everything I can catch because they’re rolling in behind me.”
Tournament Director Chris Hoover said that despite the crowding, FLW Tour anglers are adept at adaptation. Pointing to the fact that co-anglers typically throw baits that are different from their pros, Hoover notes that the same concept works among boats in close proximity.
“The anglers have done their homework, so they’ll switch up different baits and different techniques,” he said. “If there’s another fisherman in the area throwing a jig, (an angler) might throw a crankbait or a worm. They might back off or pull up on the drops. They’ll work together.”
Water flow is a major factor on impoundments and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s power generation schedule bears great affect on local fishing. When the TVA pulls water through the Fort Loudoun and Tellico dams, swift current tends to concentrate fish on particular structure and stimulate feeding, while slow-to-still conditions scatter the fish and diminish their appetites.
Day one leader Scott Martin was hoping the TVA would pull more water, but he has obviously 
maximized what he has had to work with. “I’ve been starting out shallow, throwing crankbaits and spinnerbaits. As the day progresses I’m moving out deeper and looking for the deepwater bite. The unfortunate thing is that they’re not pulling much water through the dam and there’s not much current. The deep water bite is not really happening for me so I’m focusing on the shallow to mid-depths.”
Clouds overtook the day two skies shortly after takeoff and daytime temperatures will be lower than the sunny conditions of day one. Weather forecasts show this trend continuing, with showers possible into the weekend. Lower light and cooler temperatures may trigger a strong shallow water bite with strong topwater potential.
Stacey King of Reeds Spring, Mo. took the Big Bass honors on the pro side with his 5-pound, 15-ounce largemouth. He threw a Texas-rigged plum colored worm around deep structure and will likely do the same on day two.
Takeoff order clearly determines who gets first crack at the early stuff and those with low numbers will seek to capitalize on what they found, saw or heard on day one. Notably, Martin was boat 3, while Dudley was 177 and Morgan 127.
Logistics
Anglers will take off from the Tellico Recreational Area Ramp east of Lenoir City, Tenn., at the junction of highways 321 and 444, at 6:30 each morning. Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at Tellico 
Recreational Area at 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, beginning at 4 p.m.
In conjunction with the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW Outdoors will host a free Family Fun Zone and outdoor show at the Knoxville Convention Center from noon to 6 p.m. each day.
The Family Fun Zone offers fans a chance to meet their Fantasy Fishing team anglers face-to-face and review the latest products from Berkley, Lowrance, Ranger, Evinrude, Yamaha and other sponsors while children are treated to giveaways, fishing themed games and rides like the Ranger Boat simulator.
Children 14 and under visiting the Family Fun Zone on Sunday will receive a free rod and reel combo while supplies last.
One lucky member of the audience will even win a new Ranger boat during the final 4 p.m. weigh-in Sunday, June 22. Admission is free, and you must be present to win.
The total purse for the Fort Loudoun-Tellico Lakes event is $1 million, including $10,000 through 50th 
place in the Pro Division.
Friday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:20 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 56 degrees
Expected high temperature: 83 degrees
Water temperature: 80-83 degrees
Wind: NW 5-10 mph
Day’s outlook: Cloudy