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Tag Archives: smallmouth bass

Linden, The Little Town that Could With Help From the Dumonts

Lunch and music at the Commodore Music Café was a treat. Few restaurants offer live music with lunch.

American Press Travel News-June 19, Linden, TN.–Bob and Barb “On The Road Again.” When we arrived in the small town of Linden, Tennessee we almost immediately felt at home. We had been invited to stay at the newly remodeled, and upgraded Commodore Hotel. We met Kathy and later Michael Dumont, and realized they were on a mission. However, they were incredibly friendly and accommodating. Michael took us on a delightful trip through the county, and also showed us his remodeled B&B outside of town, and close to the Tennessee River (we’ll be back) that has more species of fish in its depth than any other American river (according to Mr. Benson of the Chattanooga Aquarium) and I plan to get close and personal with some of them as soon as possible. The Commodore held 22-rooms at the hotel and next door annex, and all done-up first rate, but with very reasonable cost. www.commodorehotellinden.com (931) 589-3224–114 East Main St. Linden TN. 37096

We were invited to fish with the Mayor, Wess Ward, and Perry Counties Sherriff, Nick Weems, who also brought his boat, and fished with us on the Buffalo River for smallmouth and largemouth bass (more on fishing in part-2 of our Linden experience later). Travel writers do travel on their stomachs, and we knew we would be in for a treat with the live music, as we chowed on terrific fare at the corner Music Café in the hotel.

While I fished, Barb went next door on main St., and just after I arrived back at the hotel, we availed ourselves of the opportunity to do “Wave- Painting” at the Buffalo River Co-Op Craft Immersion project. Lots of fun, met great folks doing their crafts “thing” in wood and textiles. We were sent our little paintings to our home after they finally dried. We walked main street and met proprietors of Sparky and Ringos, Dimples Shop & Restaurant, Custom Creations Jewelry and also ate at Tims Video Corner Café our second evening in town. We also met Allyson Hinson Dickey, the new Chamber Director who offered us the Keys to the town (so-to-speak) for us to visit and experience. The Dumont’s invited us to have dinner with them, even though their restaurant was closed that evening. Before I forget; we also visited Mouse tail Landing State Park with Michael Dumont ,and everyone that enjoys camping would love the facilities and hiking ops.

When Michael and Kathy Dumont decided to change their life from Rhode Island to a little town between Nashville and Memphis, TN., they moved to Linden, a town that had seen better days before the Interstate way-laid most of its business and tourist traffic, as new interstates have done so, all over America (remember route 66) they chose the gorgeous rural area between Memphis and Nashville, and purchased land for their home, and acquired several building in the town of Linden. Linden has a backyard of the Buffalo River and the Tennessee River, rife with fabulous landscapes and wildlife.  * Stay tuned for part-2 our visit to Perry County, fishing, The Buffalo River Resort,  and an unusual museum on the Tennessee River.

We were strolling the neat little town of Linden!!
Larger than life, Minnie Pearl statue. A well known figure from Linden. She is in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel.
Barb heading for the hotel. The red car is a 1949 perfect condition, Dodge that belongs to the Dumont’s.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the small mouth bass while fishing with the Mayor and Sheriff of Linden and Perry County,
Newspaper article reminiscent of how folks in a small town (Similar to Mayberry RFD) takes time out for just having fun! Article was on the wall of the hotel lobby.
Sheriff of Perry County took a time-out to take me fishing!!
Mayor of Linden also took me fishing!!!
Sheriff and mayor were a “hoot” to fish with and get to know!!
While I went fishing, Barb took a class in art at the Buffalo River Artisans Cooperative, next door to the Commodore Hotel.

Cabin Creek Trip to Sulpher Well, KY.

 

Fine meeting place for outdoor cooking events. Very family oriented and fun for all. The old cook shed is festooned with old tools of the past.

American Press Travel News–December 17th,-Richard Hines, guest correspondent–

From 1902 until 1969, Sulphur Well, Kentucky was a famous destination for people wanting to visit the Beula Villa Hotel. The resort was well known for its food and other local amenities including an Artesian well the town was named for. Drilled in 1848, the well has flowed continuously and is still visited by tourists traveling along Kentucky 70. 

Outdoor over wood cooking is what’s it all about!!!

When the hotel closed, the small town of Sulphur Well almost faded away but the community was far from giving up. The South Fork of the Little Barren River runs through the town. A park was established on the bank of the river accenting the old well. The towns old general store is still in operation. Some years back, the Lighthouse Restaurant was opened and has become a destination for many travelers who enjoy the large servings of catfish, chicken and other dishes served country style. It was recently voted the second best non-franchised restaurant in Kentucky.

Our main reason for our overnight trip to this small Kentucky community was the lodging at Cabin Creek. Although we live only a few miles from Cabin Creek, we decided to spend the night and get a feel for the place. Many times, our house is full during family gatherings and other events, so I wanted to be able to recommend other lodging options for our friends. We were very pleased.

Cabin Creek is the perfect setting in this historical town. Long-time resident Dean Rowe started the project 15 years ago when he moved an original 1820s log cabin to the 11.5-acre site next to the River. Rowe said, “we have period correct furnishings, but you will find modern conveniences with electric and running water”.  Everything is hidden away unless you open one of the kitchen cabinets where you will find a coffee maker, microwave, and toaster oven. The old claw foot tub in the bathroom is a nice touch but antique or not I still prefer a hot shower adding to essential items I rank as necessary.

Even with these modern but hidden amenities, you get the feel of living in the early 1800’s with the fireplace or waking up to water flowing through the riffles of the adjacent river.

Smallmouth bass and rock bass or as they are called around this area, “redeyes” are abundant in the river. In addition to the South Fork, there are at least six additional access points for kayaks or anglers who prefer wading for bass and redeyes.

With over 11-acres of land, birders will find a nice mix of birds throughout the spring and summer months with numerous neotropical migrant songbirds. Watch for the orchard oriole, summer tanager, eastern phoebe, or listen to the chattering of one of many resident belted kingfishers flying along the river. 

There is also an early blacksmith shop on the grounds, also constructed of half dovetailed logs and other buildings with antique farm equipment and many items to view and photograph.

Rates for Cabin Creek is $80 for two and $15 for each additional person. The cabin will sleep from five to seven.

For more information contact Dean Rowe at 270-670-8686 or check them out on Facebook at; 

https://www.facebook.com/CabinCreekKentucky c.n

Pictures of the Week

American Press travel News–11/17/17—-FL.-Bob & Barb “On the Road Again” and “Stopping to Smell the Roses.” Dining and fishing around our great country!

Jose Wejebe was a wonderful guy and angler. He is gone now in a plane crash and the young man in his teens is also gone now. He succumbed to CF.

Fishing Lake Chautauqua, New York

White bass a blast and good eating fish on light tackle.

Yellow perch are excellent food fare. They also put up a nice little battle on light tackle. If it moves, they will strike it!

AmericanPressTravelNews -Lake Erie, N.Y.-Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” catching up with some fish!

A relatively small walleye pike, but this lake has some big-un’s too!

Mike Sperry is more than a fishing guide. He also creates tackle that he sells for musky and all other gamefish.

White perch are prolific in most upstate New York.

Many different lures that target musky!

Guide and fishing entrepreneur Mike Sperry was a great fellow to fish with. He was quite attentive to his boat mates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I fished with Dave Barus and Mike Sperry of Chautauqua Reel Outdoors Guide & Tackle, LLC. on Lake Chautauqua-we were looking to pop a musky, but we ended up catching a mixed bag of yellow perch, walleye pike, and silver perch and bass. It was a great day of chit chat, hook photo and release, and a fine waterfront lunch with Dave and his friend and guide-Mike Sperry. Mike has a great personality, loves fishing, makes and markets his own lures and is very attentive to his anglers. His shops number is (716) 763-2947 you can get live bait and buy all manner of freshwater lures including his tried and true lures as well!  His booking number for all freshwater species (crappie, perch, bass, walleye, musky and steelhead too, is: 716 969-4633 and he is a licensed fishing guide. www.chautauquareeloutdoors.com