I was watching Espn2 last Saturday morning and they had on a "Fishing Hole" program hosted by Jerry Mckinnis (might have been a rerun). Anyway Jerry was fishing with an old buddy of his who he titled "the best smallmouth fisherman alive" I can't remember the guys name, although I think it might have been Bobby Spencer. He must have been about 70 years old, he was a retired telelphone lineman. They were fishing some lakes in tennesee. Live bait on a bobber about15 deep. RW, I couldn't help but think of you, thought maybe this was your fishing partner or maybe you knew of this guy. Have you seen the program or are you familiar with the name? Just curious.

The late Billy Westmoreland is generally recognized at the Greatest Smallmouth Fisherman of all time. A couple of names that are recognized these days are guides, Steve Hacker and  Jim Duckworth. I fished with Hacker several years ago and he's the guy that really got me interested in smallmouth fishing. I fished the taiwaters of Wilson Lake, or the upper portion of Pickwick Lake. We caught about twenty fish in three days, the largest was 6 1/2 lbs. We only fished jig head rigged single tail grubs and spent most of our time hung up. It was quite a trip.

yes,  I think it was Billy Westmoreland.  Thanks for clearing that up.

That believe that guy was the current world record holder for smallies. I saw only a portion of it but I thought of R.W. also. By the way, apparently McKinnis believe he has the right to crown who ever he wants. Maybe it's rubbing off from his role with BASS.

It wasns't  billy westmoreland on the show I don't remeber the guys name I just deleated it off the dvr lastnight too they was on dale holow lake and fishing in the area where the world record was caught this guy said westmorland taught what he knows

Agreed with MoBassfishin'..Mckinnis is just the best well known is probably why he was considered

David Hayes holds the World Record, 11 lbs. 15 oz.

Dale Hollow, 1955.

The only show I've seen recently on Dale Hollow is one in which they were using the jig & fly.

In that case the man's name was "Stephen Headrick", the owner of Punisher Jigs,

and the fellow who incepted the "float-and-fly" presentation for smallmouth bass.

As an aside, Stephen Headrick was the fellow who tied the once famous "Hoss Fly"

designed by the late Billy Westmoreland. Today he calls them an "aspirin head" jig (same lure).

Maybe it wasn't westmoreland,  I can't remember, but I do recall that the guys biggest smallmouth was 9 lbs and change.  It also seemed to be a fairly current taping, they did a flashback to 1975 when Mckinnis had him on the show back then.

Guys, the man who invented the Floatin Fly Rig and the the white haired 80year old in on jerry's show, that is currently living and fishing Dale Hollow as we speak, who is one of the nice's men in the world: is BILL NICKLES  

Bbob,

I think you are right, and Jerry did mention on the show atleast twice, that he is one of the greatest gentlemen.

Sodak, He usually wears that funny-lookin red ear-tabed hat in the winter. And I'll also bet he was in the front. LOL  ;D

When I fish Tenn. lakes he's the go to man! Lives on lake Norris. I got asked to take my boat down to Dale to help film that show. Didn't cause I didn't want showed  up by two old men. But I'm telling you in clear water Bill Nickles will plum wear em out!!!

I really miss small mouth fishing.  Back in NY I used to make several trips a year to the Wallkill river and fish for smallies up there.  I used a leadhead wit purple curly tail as my go to bait, but I would often catch em on topwaters like tiny torpedoes, and small crankbaits.   a few times a buddy and I would go with a screen.  One of us would kick up rocks etc. and the other would catch the crawfish and helgramites that shook loose.  Talk about hot action.  The crawfish were dynamite but the helgramites were nuclear    a highlight of the day for me was filleting some of the bass on streamside and having a breakfast of fried smallmouth bass.  Talk about the good ole days.  Man they just didn't get any better than that.  

Not from the area but I believe a guy named Charlie Nuchols (spelling?) invented the Float-n-Fly and was later quite tragecicaly lost in a fishing drowning accident) now I suspect the Jerry Mac has fished all over the smallie domain including up in the great state of Maine and might just have some bone fides for his judgement.

Billy Westmoreland was a gentelman and inovator in the sport of smallie angling, is there anyone out there of his stature?

Not from the area but I believe a guy named Charlie Nuchols (spelling?) invented the Float-n-Fly and was later quite tragecicaly lost in a fishing drowning accident) now I suspect the Jerry Mac has fished all over the smallie domain including up in the great state of Maine and might just have some bone fides for his judgement.

Billy Westmoreland was a gentelman and inovator in the sport of smallie angling, is there anyone out there of his stature?

In a word NO