A look at Elite venues

A look at Cherokee Lake

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Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake is the site of the 2017 season-opening Bassmaster Elite Series event. There has been only one other Bassmaster tournament held on the reservoir. That 1981 B.A.S.S. Champs event was won by Jerry Knicely, who landed 20-14 in the late July derby.
Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake is the site of the 2017 season-opening Bassmaster Elite Series event. There has been only one other Bassmaster tournament held on the reservoir. That 1981 B.A.S.S. Champs event was won by Jerry Knicely, who landed 20-14 in the late July derby.
Cherokee Lake, also known as Cherokee Reservoir, has a surface area of about 28,780 acres and around 400 miles of shoreline, but both fluctuate tremendously because of the great changes in water level there.
Cherokee Lake, also known as Cherokee Reservoir, has a surface area of about 28,780 acres and around 400 miles of shoreline, but both fluctuate tremendously because of the great changes in water level there.
Cherokee Lake is in the far northeastern tip of the state, about 20 miles north of Douglas Lake, a regular Bassmaster venue of late. It’s about 45 minutes northeast of Knoxville.
Cherokee Lake is in the far northeastern tip of the state, about 20 miles north of Douglas Lake, a regular Bassmaster venue of late. It’s about 45 minutes northeast of Knoxville.
Built to help generate power for the World War II emergency, Cherokee Dam also plays an important role in flood control. The Tennessee Valley Authority constructed the 6,760-foot-long, 175-foot-high dam on the Holston River that flows out of the Appalachians.
Built to help generate power for the World War II emergency, Cherokee Dam also plays an important role in flood control. The Tennessee Valley Authority constructed the 6,760-foot-long, 175-foot-high dam on the Holston River that flows out of the Appalachians.
Daily takeoffs will be 7:15 a.m. ET at Cherokee Lake Dam and TVA Boat Ramp. The address is 2895 North Highway 92. Jefferson City, TN 37760. Weigh-ins on Days 1 and 2 also will be at this site at 3:30 p.m. ET. (Follow the signs to parking)
Daily takeoffs will be 7:15 a.m. ET at Cherokee Lake Dam and TVA Boat Ramp. The address is 2895 North Highway 92. Jefferson City, TN 37760. Weigh-ins on Days 1 and 2 also will be at this site at 3:30 p.m. ET. (Follow the signs to parking)
On Days 3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday, the weigh-ins will be moved to the Knoxville Convention Center about 30 miles from Cherokee Lake. They will start at 4 p.m. ET.
On Days 3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday, the weigh-ins will be moved to the Knoxville Convention Center about 30 miles from Cherokee Lake. They will start at 4 p.m. ET.
The convention center, at 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, Tenn., 37902, is a 500,000-square-foot complex. Not far from the University of Tennessee where 102,455 fans pile into Neyland Stadium for Vols football games, the convention center has plenty of parking.
The convention center, at 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, Tenn., 37902, is a 500,000-square-foot complex. Not far from the University of Tennessee where 102,455 fans pile into Neyland Stadium for Vols football games, the convention center has plenty of parking.
The 266-foot-high Sunsphere is the focal point of the Knoxville Convention Center, which occupies the former location of the U.S. Pavilion of the 1982 World’s Fair. When you see it, you’re close. Touch screens, boxed stable shelf milk and Cherry Coke were introduced at that fair.
The 266-foot-high Sunsphere is the focal point of the Knoxville Convention Center, which occupies the former location of the U.S. Pavilion of the 1982 World’s Fair. When you see it, you’re close. Touch screens, boxed stable shelf milk and Cherry Coke were introduced at that fair.
Right next to the Cherokee Dam Campground, at the conjunction of Renfro Road and TVA Parkway, is the Elite Series launch site.
Right next to the Cherokee Dam Campground, at the conjunction of Renfro Road and TVA Parkway, is the Elite Series launch site.
Elite pro David Walker, who lives not far away in Sevierville, Tenn., gave Bassmaster’s Thomas Allen a look at the lake. Let’s ride along.
Elite pro David Walker, who lives not far away in Sevierville, Tenn., gave Bassmaster’s Thomas Allen a look at the lake. Let’s ride along.
Walker pointed out to Thomas that in the summer he caught fish off that white wall up the bank. As a flood control reservoir, Cherokee Lake collects rainwater water in spring and holds it through summer before releasing and lowering the lake in the fall.
Walker pointed out to Thomas that in the summer he caught fish off that white wall up the bank. As a flood control reservoir, Cherokee Lake collects rainwater water in spring and holds it through summer before releasing and lowering the lake in the fall.
Walker and Thomas visited Cherokee before the cutoff and saw plenty of exposed rocks with the water down.
Walker and Thomas visited Cherokee before the cutoff and saw plenty of exposed rocks with the water down.
Docks designed to float up and down with the fluctuating levels are a bit more expensive but rather necessary.
Docks designed to float up and down with the fluctuating levels are a bit more expensive but rather necessary.
A number of Elites reported visiting Cherokee Lake before the off-limits, which can be helpful to see what might or might not be covered when they return.
A number of Elites reported visiting Cherokee Lake before the off-limits, which can be helpful to see what might or might not be covered when they return.
Cherokee Dam, which was built in 16 months and completed in 1941, holds back spring rains in the Holston River watershed and has prevented billions of dollars of flood damage over the decades. February is about the time the lake begins to fill back up.
Cherokee Dam, which was built in 16 months and completed in 1941, holds back spring rains in the Holston River watershed and has prevented billions of dollars of flood damage over the decades. February is about the time the lake begins to fill back up.
Walker showed Thomas these structures and brush piles placed to help fish recruitment.
Walker showed Thomas these structures and brush piles placed to help fish recruitment.
Before the off-limits, Dustin Connell visited the fishery and shows here the quality of smallmouth the lake holds. The lake also has populations of largemouth and spotted bass.
Before the off-limits, Dustin Connell visited the fishery and shows here the quality of smallmouth the lake holds. The lake also has populations of largemouth and spotted bass.
Britt Myers also was among the anglers who pre-practiced to a nice level of success.
Britt Myers also was among the anglers who pre-practiced to a nice level of success.
The Holston River flows west and runs into the Tennessee River just east of Knoxville, moving on to the famous TVA lakes B.A.S.S. has visited numerous times.
The Holston River flows west and runs into the Tennessee River just east of Knoxville, moving on to the famous TVA lakes B.A.S.S. has visited numerous times.

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