Fishing Club News

Next Meeting
Monday September 13, 2010
7:00 p.m.
NK-20, CWC Office
There will be a briefing on the TP&W Seminar that was attended by CFC members.

Make Note:

The annual ‘CFC Kid’s Fishing Tournament’ will be held on Saturday, September 25, Starting time: 9:00 a.m., at the CWC ponds on Hwy. 149. Every thing is Free!   CWC Leaseholders’ kids, grandkids, and friends are invited. Every participant gets a trophy.2010 CFC Fall

Bass Tournament Saturday, November 6, 2010. Make your plans to fish. The weigh-in will be at the CWC Office.


John C. Spradley Jr.
April 29, 1925 – August 9, 2010
Cherokee Fishing Club founder.

John C. Spradley, Founder of the Cherokee Fishing Club, has passed away. On August 9,2010, I learned that John had passed away. Or, as his obituary stated: “Honoring the longstanding tradition of the ‘Quiet Birdmen’, John C. Spradley Jr., the consummate pilot, flew west”.

For those unfortunate Lake Cherokee leaseholders that didn’t have the privilege to know John, I can assure you that you missed out on meeting a wonderful person. John loved Lake Cherokee with all his heart.

He was an original shareholder. He served a six-year term as a second-generation president of the Cherokee Water Company. John was an avid outdoorsman with a legendary interest in hunting and fishing.

John Spradley had the honor of being the founder of the Cherokee Fishing Club. John held the position of president of our club until the year 2000. At that time, he asked that someone else take over. John’s health was becoming a hindrance, but he still wanted to take care of his ponds and his ‘Coppernose Bream’. John’s goal was to catch a two-pound Coppernose off of his dock. The CFC is still working to make his dream a reality. With John’s stamp of approval, I was elected President and Joe Travis, vice-president. John stayed on as hatchery and pond director.

As time passed, John’s health declined. He asked Joe to temporarily take over the ponds, until he felt better. Truth is that Joe had worked hand-in-hand with John for as many years as I can remember, at least ten, doing most of the hard labor. Joe agreed to take on the job temporarily. That was seven years ago. That is also why Joe has two titles; V.P and Pond Director. John can rest easy; his hand picked replacements are doing their best to live up to his standards.

On a personal note, I will continue to miss the warm friendship that I shared with John. In my lifetime I have been fortunate to have several mentors. At different stages and ages in my life, they were there for me to draw knowledge, character and strength from. With their help, I achieved goals that I might not have met, was successful when I might have failed and forged friendships that can only be attained through total mutual respect.

John was one of my mentors: he helped me to learn my way around the lake, politically as well as geographically. Up until a year or so ago, I had frequent conversations with John. He would tell me about the ‘Lake Cherokee’ that he knew in his youth and we would discuss the changes thru time. We talked about fishing and politics; he had a passion for both. For a guy that couldn’t drive his old truck any more, John got around and knew every bit of news that there was to know on the lake. He would call and always start our conversations the same way, he would say “ Hello youngster, tell me, what’s going on in your life?” Then he would tell me everything that I needed to know. I have really missed those phone calls. We will all miss our dear friend John.

CFC guests Justin Vaughn and Van Vaughn

The Climate Change!

Is there anybody out there that doesn’t think that it’s hotter than it used to be? I didn’t think so! This may be the only true bi-partisan issue that Dems and the GOP can agree on. Not the ‘Global Warming’ thing, just that it is hotter than hell out there!

A short five years ago, at this time of year, I could leave at daylight and fish until late afternoon, oblivious to the temperature and the fact that the fish weren’t biting. Now, the trip from the house to the boathouse is about my limit. I have caught myself hoping that the boat wouldn’t start. Wringing wet, I trudge back to my studio (about 60’ from the boathouse) and throw myself in front of the air-conditioner. Isn’t that pathetic?

Thank goodness we have stalwart members that are willing to brave the heat and attend the CFC meetings. At the August meeting we had thirty-three members and two guests; Van Vaughn and Justin Vaughn.

The ‘Cookie People’ like the good little scouts they are, came prepared. Those earning merit badges were: Mary Floyd, Lou Caffey, Gloria and Fred Hammon, Babe Cole, Mike Kolb and Nita Smith.

Mid-Summer Tilapia Release

V.P. & Pond Director, Joe Travis, reported that on the first of August, he and his grandson Cody, released a pond full of Tilapia into the lake. This is the first year that we have raised Tilapia specifically for forage. We put them into the pond in early spring, after the water temp had reached 65 degrees. We also put several into the other ponds to help control the moss.

Tilapia are physically similar to bluegill bream but with the ability to grow larger. An advantage to growing Tilapia for forage is that Tilapia has more protein than any other species of fish.

Another advantage is that Tilapia spawn every six to eight weeks. Overpopulation isn’t a problem because Tilapia, a tropical fish, can’t survive the cold winter water temps of Lake Cherokee. When the water temperature reaches 65 degrees, Tilapia metabolism starts to slow down. They don’t die immediately, but because they can’t swim fast enough to escape, they become easy prey for bass. You will not see Tilapia floating dead in the water.

We will release the remainder of the Tilapia, along with the other fish in the Fall.

2010 CFC Kid’s Fishing Tournament

It’s that time again! September 25, Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The Cherokee Fishing Club members will get to fish and play with the kids. If you haven’t been involved before, this will be a good time to start.

We invite club members to volunteer for various jobs such as: A crew to set up tents; A sign-in crew; A crew to hand out bait; People to bait hooks and take off fish; A crew to hand out food and drinks. We will accept volunteers and discuss assignments at the September 13, meeting.

This kids’ fishing event is open to the kids, grandkids, and friends of Lake Cherokee leaseholders. Get a group together and take them fishing. Every kid will receive a trophy and all of the treats and lemonade they can hold. This is a free event courtesy of the CFC.

Call Ray Smith, 903-643-0670 for information.

Fishing Structures Delayed

Construction of the planned fishing structures has been delayed due to the ages of the old codgers doing the building. The hot weather is making cowards out of all of us. As soon as it cools down to double digits we will continue with our efforts.

August raffle winners (l-r) Bo Besharse, Jeff Sutton, James Nowak, Fred Hammon and Marvin Hart.

August Raffle Winners

Genia Holland, our CFC Social Director, has had her hands full caring for her invalid mother. Genia is a full time caregiver (God will bless her), so Bo is helping with the raffle gifts. The lucky winners were: Jeff Sutton, antique fishing thermometer; Bo Besharse, reel and fishing baits; James Nowak, two gift certificates to ‘Cancun Dave’s’ restaurant; Marvin Hart, $40 gift card to Academy Sports; Fred Hammon, fishing rod.

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