Stone’s Throw Adventures has had a very busy summer. Granted, the site has been having issues that are just being worked out as well as the messageboard, but we’ve been putting our time in. Jase Bouldin and myself, Cory Allen have been representing Jackson Kayaks well in their Coosa angling kayaks, boating several muskies into the mid-high 40″ range, as well as fish in the high-30s to low-40s and getting action from multiple fish nearly every trip. I took Dan Mullane from Charlotte, NC for his first musky trip ever in the Coosas yesterday, and he had a monster musky slam his Whopper Plopper right at his feet. After all the rush and excitement wore off from the fish waking several feet of water in the air only to swim off after a split second of hook connection, Dan’s knees were shaking so badly he fell out! Man, don’t worry…we’ve all been there. Either way, Dan got to look a 50″ class fish in the eye, and I’m sure he’ll be back for more. My former Tennessee Tech Professor Dr. Frye boated a 45″ musky, once again on the Whopper Plopper an hour after dark, his largest musky,and of all things, in a kayak. After a short fight and a couple quick pictures, the fish swam off safe and sound.

In-Fisherman Magazine writer Steve Ryan also found his way down to fish with myself and Jase for an evening in the Coosas, and I managed to connect with two fish at 40″, one hitting a figure-8 after dark, and Jase hooked and lost two more fish that appeared to be pretty impressive. Stone’s Throw Adventures musky guiding and the great year-around musky fishery we have here in middle Tennessee will be featured in next year’s In-Fisherman Annual Pike & Musky Issue, hitting newstands in January.

Be sure to check out our new partners in the outdoors in the Outfitters section of this site: Outdoor Experience, Big Rock Market [Fly Shop, Restaurant, and Jackson Kayak rental service on the Caney Fork River], Jackson Kayaks, Hook 1 Kayak Angling Store, Kayak Fishing Unleashed, Fontana Guide Service, Tackle Industries, Musky Armor, Simms Outdoors, Bending Branches Paddles, and Dunwright Tackle.

Of course, we regularly work with, utilize,and endorse all these figures in the outdoor world, and they represent the finest products and services you can find to make your adventure one for the ages. While summer is nearing an end, don’t expect us to be slowing down at all. While the booking for Rock Island Kayak Musky trips end in November, we’re of course, still booking trips for trophy brown trout on live bait and conventional tackle, and the musky bite in the big boat will only get hotter as the mercury gets lower. When others up north are sitting around a hole in the ice hoping a 10″ perch nibbles on their line, we’re slamming hooks into the jaws of trophy muskellunge all through the winter…and remember, winter is when these fish are at their fattest, i.e. your best shot at a state record.

As always, tight lines and if you wish to book one of our trips, please call 931-261-2483 or email us at stonesthrowadventures@gmail.com.

Tight lines, y’all. Whether you fish, hunt, hike, climb, paddle, swim, off-road, spelunk, wake-board, this is your place, and remember, the heart of adventure is just a “stone’s throw away”…

-Cory Allen

Stone’s Throw Adventures is always….ALWAYS….looking for the exciting, the unique, and the new to offer you in the outdoors. Whether it’s a completely new species to pursue, a new locale, or just a new angle or method of which to go after a popular species, our staff is constantly working hard to incorporate the latest techniques, or even better, be pioneers and innovators of the field. In that spirit, I’m pleased to announce that we’re kicking off two new trip offerings.

First up, Stone’s Throw Guides Jase Bouldin and Cory Allen are now taking bookings for musky fishing…in kayaks. As far as we know, we’re the first guides ever to offer trips for one of the most coveted species in freshwater, as well as one of the largest and hardest fighting from the intimacy of a kayak. Using and featuring Jackson Kayaks Coosa Elites, the premiere fishing kayak available on the market, Jase and Cory will take you into some of the most remote, scenic, and dragon-filled haunts in the entire country. These floats are absolutely LOADED with musky, and while lots of the fish run in the low-30″ to low-40″ range, both Jase and Cory have landed fish into the high-40″ range in the small paddle-craft, and have the expertise and know-how to get you hooked up with a “nantucket sleigh ride” getting pulled around by a giant musky. To not only pursue and hook, but safely and successfully land and release these big toothy predators requires precision and skill. We can not only get you hooked up, but make sure the experience is memorable, enjoyable, and painless for both you and the musky. This is a GREAT trip for someone who is just getting interested in the sport of kayak-fishing, or a die-hard musky hunter who is looking for a whole new way to approach the sport and access waters almost untouchable through any other means.

New for this summer, Stone’s Throw Adventures guide Cory Allen is offering the “The Caney Fork Slam” Combo Trip. In the spirit of the saltwater world, where the goal of many days is to land a highly coveted “slam” or a set-list of species to catch within a single trip. Here in middle Tennessee, we have the luxury of pursuing multiple trophy species within a short driving distance in the same day. Born from his own “marathon trips” with friends, Cory now offers the ability to chase and land not only trophy musky, trout, and striper, but take on all three in one fell swoop in one day’s span. Starting June 1st through August 31st, the peak of the striper season, a great time of year to pursue the trout, and some of the best musky activity of the year, you can book the Stone’s Throw Adventures Caney Fork Slam. A signature trip not offered anywhere else, the extended day trip spans from the scenic, musky-thick waters of Rock Island to the chilled flowing flows of the Caney Fork below Center Hill, where bomber browns and stripers the size of U-boats haunt the summer morning mist. On past fun trips, Cory and his friends have repeatedly landed trophy musky in the morning, only to jump ship, shift waters, and land multiple giant stripers and mix a few big browns into the bag as well. It takes hard work, discipline, and skill, but to those willing to take the challenge, the chalice of completing their own Caney Fork Slam awaits.

If either of these trips with Jase or Cory piques your interest, then get on the horn and book your trip today! These are becoming quite popular and bookings are already starting to come in. If you want to be apart of the adventures, call 931-261-2483 or email us at stonesthrowadventures@gmail.com.

Tight lines and remember, the heart of adventure, is just a stone’s throw away…

With the heat sweltering heat of summer just around the corner, we find ourselves staring some of the best fishing of the year straight in the mouth. Prime times for booking our musky, striper, and trout [both conventional/livebait with myself, and fly-fishing trout on Caney with Bill Bird] are coming up. The summer striper bite sees an average fish of 25 lbs in my boat, throwing the same gamakatsu tacos [that means big-@$$  jerkbaits and cranks] we throw for muskellunge, with fish regularly up to 40 lbs and the chance at an even larger specimen.
This summer we’ll also be utilizing large livebait alongside the standard conventional jerkbait tactics to try and fool even bigger and more giant trout in the blue waters of the Caney Fork [don't be surprised if we get a few cameo appearances on those trips from some other hungry river denizens]. This is also a prime time to book with Bill Bird for a fly float trip down the Caney, with trips regularly boating 40-80 fish a day.
And of course, there’s the musky….it always comes back to the musky. I will be guiding throughout the summer, taking care to quickly and safely release fish landed with the best tools available, and implementing new tactics that ensure a safe summer survival for these magnificent fish, which when not handled properly can be “fought to death” in the hot summer water. Unless you are experienced at handling these fish [and big ones], and have all the tools required [big net, hookcutters, heavy-duty musky tackle, big pliers are MUSTS, not suggestions...and preferably a livewell 50"-60" long to accommodate even the largest fish for recuperation before release], please do not pursue muskellunge in the summer. If you do, go with someone who has experience, or hire a guide to learn how to properly handle and release muskellunge during their most fragile state.
On that note, the summer heat and warm, long stable days results in some of the best musky fishing of the entire year, with incredible boatside maneuvers as muskellunge blast the largest baits we can throw, burned at the fastest speeds, with near demonic speed. And THEN, there’s the speed trolling….having a 35 lb muskellunge smash a bait trolled 10 ft behind the motor at 7 miles an hour  will compete with just about any experience [ANY experience....] in life.
Interested in some of our summer offerings? Call 931-261-2483 or email us at stonesthrowadventures@gmail.com to book with any of our guides [don't forget Dave Clark's incredible trophy trolling smallmouth and trout bite on Dale Hollow all through the summer, or Russell Woods' east Tennessee smallmouth river floats and hike-in trips to the Smokies for mountain-stream trout].

Be on the look out for some new-blood to the site, in the angling arena and in the white-water/recreational kayaking as well…very soon.

Never stop exploring, even in your own backyard…

-Cory Allen “Stone’s Throw Adventures”

After a spring of disappointing days and nice fish throwing the hook back at my face, with a fraction of the fish to show for it as compared to this time last year, the slump is over. On the past few guide trips, we’ve been averaging 3 fish a trip and losing just about as many. Fish are running up into the mid-40s but most are in the high-30s low 40s, and the possibility for a giant persists until the end of the spawn. I’ll try to get on and post pics once I’ve altered the images to protect the innocent [i.e. the fish]. Tight lines, y’all.
-Cory, “Stone’s Throw Adventures”

Stone’s Throw Adventures is happy to announce its mutual endorsement of two fine product manufacturers in the trophy game fish world.

First up, Simms Tackle, a branch of the widely popular and ever-growing outdoor multi-media powerhouse Simms Outdoors, owned and operated by Southern Illinois musky guide Colby Simms, has added Stone’s Throw Adventures Musky guides Cory Allen and Bryan Morris to their pro-staff. Simms Tackle is headed by the effective and innovative line of spinnerbaits called the “School-n-Shad”, a large bass-style safety-pin style spinnerbait built to the specs and demands of the most dyed-in-the-wool musky angler.

With the highest quality hardware components coupled with artistry in the aesthetic presentation of the baits born from Colby’s extensive experience pursuing muskellunge and other large gamefish across North America, these baits not only attract the attention of trophy muskies all over the country, but also come in sizes easily applicable for trophy bass, pike, and stripers anywhere these fish swim.

While the traditional musky bucktail is tough to knock off its pedestal for its versatility and sheer fish-hooking power, Colby’s bass-style spinners geared for the musky crowd offer the advantages of the safety pin, such as free-movement through he thickest cover with minimal snag potential, without sacrificing the hook-up ratio usually acquainted with such designs, through the addition of an extended main hook, coupled with a trailer hook treated with a soft-plastic shad body. Add 24-karat plated gold and nickel blades glistening down the main arm, and you’re dealing with one bad customer for big gamefish in just about any angling situation, but especially the high-density cover we so often encounter in our southern reservoirs.

Both Bryan and myself greatly anticipate adding these lures to our arsenal this season and seeing just what kinda of magic they can work on our fish. Muskies…big muskies are a given. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few exceptional largemouth take a shine to these studded lures this season. Perhaps these spinners could become a “game-changer” bait for the tournament bass angler looking for the edge with that big trophy “bumper” fish. Who knows…only time will tell. Either way, a thanks goes out to Colby Simms and all those at Simms Outdoors for providing such great lures and such great media representation of our great sport of angling. Check out their amazing line of outdoor services, as well as their great big-gamefish baits, at http://simmsoutdoors.com/.

Next, to be quite frank, is one of the single most innovative and paradigm-shifting tackle solutions to come down the pipe in years…decades perhaps? OK. Let’s use our imaginations for a second….think of every tackle box you’ve ever owned [long list isn't it?...]. What things about them did you find useful? Concise and easily-accessed storage? Perhaps. Transparency for ease of selection? Of course. Latches to secure the storage compartments when the box is not in use? Standard.

Now, what things can you think of that you did NOT find the most palatable about those characteristics?…limited dimensions and spacing available in the unit itself? Nod your head, “Yes”. Bleached baits due to over-exposure to sunlight in a translucent container, practically ruining your 10-40 dollar baits? Keep that head a bobbin’… No real security as far as tackle storage, leaving thousands upon thousands of dollars in musky/striper/bass/whatever tools at the mercy of those who do not care to swipe your arsenal in a matter of moments? By now you’re startin’ to look like that little Dog the Bounty Hunter bobble-head on a trucker’s dashboard…

Bob Schmitt, owner and manufacturer of JustEncase storage systems adapted his construction and technology from home and business security, using his knowledge with advanced plastics and engineering, to devise the ultimate tackle storage system on the planet. As a musky angler, he realized the need for himself and in the market for a storage system that could be fitted to specific spaces on board any boat, support inordinate amounts of weight, endure any elements imaginable, and provide maximum security for the expensive tackle most musky [and other anglers] use today. And he met this need with briliance…

His tackle boxes, or as I prefer to call them,  ”The Devil’s Tupperware”, are becoming the rage in the professional and recreational musky world, and beginning to be recognized for their value in other arenas, from the bass pro circuits to the world of saltwater angling. Bob’s boxes not only can be custom-made to mount into any size space on any boat, but can be fixed permanently into the hull, and are strong enough to serve as a casting platorm or casting deck extension that doubles as the ultimate in lure storage. Aside from all this, the patented polycarbon-lexan material he uses is completely transparent, but blocks 100% of UV rays, allowing you to immediately see the bait you want, but keeps your baits from bleaching out from days of direct sunlight, like normal plastic boxes.

Enough talk, check them out for yourself at http://www.justencase.com/water.html to see his selection of stock box designs, or even better, give Bob a call at 952-401-8909 for a personal consultation on your own custom tackle box. It’ll be some of the best money you ever spent in your angling career…I can vouche for that personally.

-Cory Allen, “Stone’s Throw Adventures”

…for the latest guide to join our Stone’s Throw Adventures staff. Bryan Morris is a young up-and-coming figure in the southern musky world who guides on Green River Reservoir in southern Kentucky. Though yes, not technically IN Tennessee, it is just a few hours from Nashville and Knoxville, and quite a fish factory at that.

Bryan brings a definite edge to the team, as well as experience in writing, speaking, and doing video work in the outdoor field. He has worked alongside the legendary Crash Mullins on several projects and will most certainly be both an actively booked guide and valuable asset to the team. Be looking for Bryan’s reports posted on the messageboard and the main page, and be sure to check out his guide page listed as “Green River Kentucky Musky”. Not a trip to be missed…

Before you consider booking us, please feel free to look through our growing list of testimonials of individuals who have been out on the water with us. As much as we can toot our own horns, what really matters is the experience our clientele has, and their evaluation of the day. Here is a recent accolade from a client who booked us for a musky trip…

“Winter musky fishing with Stone Throw Adventures guide Cory was a great time! The only thing better than Cory’s knowledge and friendly conversation is the amazing natural surroundings of the Cumberland Plateau. Cory’s skill is excellent and not only was the fishing great fun I learned some great new techniques and knowledge about the fish. Though during the trip we did not bring a musky to the boat we had a few bites and hooked a very large pre spawn female; though we did not land it we got to watch it fight and were able to get a great look at the fish before she got off. Musky fishing with Stone’s Throw Adventures is something I hope to do whenever I am in the Nashville area. Only an hour from downtown it is amazing what a beautiful escape it is along with great fishing. And you have a chance all year unlike northern musky where I call home. Thanks Cory for a great time!”

-John Clifford, Michigan

Lo, Adventurers,
The Stone’s Throw Adventures Campfire message board is now officially up and running. Whether you fish, camp, hike, off-road, kayak, hunt, geo-cache…WHATEVER…THIS is the place to share your story, make new friends, and we hope that this serves as your home-base for all things outdoors in the Cumberland. All you have to do is register by clicking on the link at the top right of this page listed below “Join the Discussion” ["Forums" is the actual link, click it...now...DO IT, don't ask QUESTIONS!!! Questions lead to ANARCHY...just kidding]

To decrease the amount of Spammers infiltrating the board [no, I do not need to "increase my size"....] just put in a very indicative name of yourself and your brand of adventure [i.e. James Hiker; Johnny Bassfisher] and even still, finish off the name with good ‘ol STA [Stone's Throw Adventures] so that I KNOW you’re a fellow adventurer and not some guy in Russia selling old Cold War munitions in bulk. For example…say you like to musky fish…like me…make your user name “Cory MuskySTA”. See? It’s easier than Paris Hilton after 5 vodka cranberries…without the subsequent rash.

This will ensure that everyone has a clean, safe, and productive experience on the board, and that I can catch all the imposters in my net.

Also…while this is an open discussion board, please refrain from vulgarity, lewdness, smack, jive-talk, etc….I have complete omniscience over who and what gets said, and while I ENCOURAGE open discussion [I myself have been known to "rattle a few cages"], going outside the parameters will not be tolerated.

We want a nice, clean fight, gentlemen [and ladies]….

Sign up, tell your friends, and join the fastest growing outdoor guide service and networking base in Tennessee. And as always, if you have any suggestions or complaints, notify me [Cory Allen], your friendly neighborhood fishing guide and moderator by emailing me at stonesthrowadventures@gmail.com.

Tight lines, dirty treads, all that jazz….

-Cory Allen, “Stone’s Throw Adventures”

Stone’s Throw Adventures would like to announce it’s pairing with a FANTASTIC local brewery….Calfkiller Brewing Company.

Based out of Sparta, TN, literally along the shores of its namesake, this small but passionate operation, run by Dave and Don Sergio, is quickly gaining a reputation locally as one of the finest brews around.

Once the bottling system is up and running, those booking trips with Stone’s Throw Adventures will have the treat of receiving a complementary bottle of this fine brew with each guide trip.

Whether just chilling out after a hard day on the water, or cracking a top to celebrate a huge musky swimming off, there are few brews that compare anywhere in the world to the selections that Calfkiller currently offers…and rest assured, more creative libations are “brewing” in the minds of Dave and Don as we speak.

Also, Stone’s Throw Adventures has teamed up with Country Inn & Suites to offer a discount to those traveling to our neck of the woods in search of adventure.

If you book a trip with our guide service and choose to stay in the Country Inn & Suites in Cookeville, Tennessee, you will be treated with a 15% discount at the room of your choosing. These are the finest lodgings available in town, located just off the interstate, and just a “stone’s throw” away from not only all the guiding tours in our repertoire, but also all the finest dining and entertainment the area has to offer. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and able to point you in the direction of anything of your liking.

To receive the discount, just notify us upon booking of your intentions to stay, and I will personally call ahead to ensure you receive the discount. Granted, you ONLY receive the discount after I confirm your booking with us.

If you wish to confirm your room with this fine hotel, here is a link to the site for online booking and confirmation, as well as online pay. Or if you’re old fashioned, just the plain ol’ digits to call and get your lodging booked for your time with us.

http://www.countryinns.com/cookeville-hotel-tn-38501/tncooke

We are pleased to team up with these two area businesses to help enhance your experience with us here in the heart of adventure in the Cumberland.

-Cory Allen

The lake being in the funk it is, but soon to be on fire, the river has been producing the most action, with no less than 3 active encounters and up to 6 for the past several trips with a few nice hookups. The fish are slow to take, but the chance at a lumbering dragon is great. Check out the “Rock Island Muskellunge” page for information on booking your day on the beautiful waters of Rock Island with the best equipped musky guide boat operating in middle Tennessee. Call today to lock horns with one of these beasts, and look soon for upcoming video of the recent trips, and some AWESOME tackle reviews [i.e. Musky Armor "Krave" crankbaits, Justencase Tackle Storage, Dunwright Soft plastic crankbaits, and Larry Dahlberg's new selection of incredible musky baits].

Join in the fun, join in the action, join in the HUNT! Email us at stonesthrowadventures@gmail.com or call 931-261-2483 to book today. Some of the best fishing of the season is just around the corner. Don’t miss out!

Oh, did I fail to mention we are literally the ONLY true year-round musky fishery. Not only do we have spring systems which protect our fish from the strains of summer heat and allow successful fishing and release in the hottest muggiest conditions [some of the BEST fishing mind you, speed trolling over 8 mph is a trip when a 30 lber rips the rod!], but we literally NEVER stop fishing. This year already we’ve napalmed the ramps with gasoline and rock salt to fish in sub-zero temps with great success, but our lakes NEVER freeze, and the river is ALWAYS open. While others are watching fishing shows on OLN and ESPN 2, we’re on the water pounding away for the next big gator to bring in the boat. Don’t miss out on one of the most diverse, productive, and definitely full-season musky fisheries on PLANET earth!!!