A true diamond in the rough backwoods of Tennessee, only minutes away from Nashville and Chattanooga yet decades away from the hustle of the city, Rock Island has always had an aura of intrigue and wonder that has drawn people to its cliffs and waters as far back as the roaring 20′s, where it was the backdrop of an illustrious resort getaway for the wealthy and prosperous during the decade prior to the Great Depression.
Located at the juncture of Center Hill lake, and the older and often overlooked Great Falls reservoir, the scenic hikes and breathtaking images of Rock Island have attracted in more modern times both the film industry, choosing the ragged limestone falls as the setting for a harrowing action sequence in the 1994 Sylvester Stallone blockbuster, “The Specialist”, and the outdoor industry, selected by world champion Olympic kayaker Eric Jackson as the place of his retirement from the competitive field and the new base of operations for his famous Jackson Kayaks Co. for its qualities as both a recreational scenic paddling setting and as a test-bed for his own exceptional skills and the limits of his ever-expanding roster of world-class white water kayaks.
…But Rock Island holds a dearly guarded secret kept safe from the casual eye. Something stalks these waters that makes far lesser gamefish, and anglers, tremor at the utterance of its name, for the mighty muskellunge, the dragon of freshwater, plies the waters here with merciless pursuit to prey and the lures of those anglers pursuing them. The small contingency of men and women who chase these regal creatures are modern day knights, who have spent years tempering their nerves, skills, and tackle to prepare them for a battle that is nothing less than epic. They are true specialists, obsessed to the point of seeming madness.
Muskellunge Guide Cory Allen is a true musky hunter, fishing Middle Tennessee Muskies for over for several years in the pristine waters surrounding Rock Island. Few are as familiar with the elusive predators that have prowled these waters since God forged the mountains and streams here and graced them with the presence of one of His most respected and fearsome aquatic creations.
Cory has been fishing muskies since he could pick up a rod heavy enough to pursue them and has thorough experience guiding for muskies on various bodies of water surrounding Rock Island, providing a variety of habitats for his chosen quarry, ranging from the thunderous hallows of mighty reservoirs, to the tinest meanderings of mountain streams. The bodies of water he fishes are perfect habitats for muskies and an above average number of fish will be encountered on his trips.
With Cory at the throttle of his 16’10″ Tuffy Esox Ltd powered by a 50 hp EFI 4-stroke tiller Mercury named the “Dunnigan Luck” in honor of his grandfather and the man responsible for his angling passion and legacy, his rig is complete with all the trimmin’s including a hydraulic jack plate and remote control trolling motor, allowing him to troll, cast, and shoot you through the shallowest of runs with ease at over 4o miles per hour. In other words…once you enter the “Dunnigan Luck” no musky is safe.
Even with the luxury of mobility at his disposal, Cory’s excursions are different than most typical musky guided trips. There is no racing all over the lake casting all day hoping to find a single fish, the “10,000 casts” of musky lore that most often prove to be in vain, leaving only sore shoulders…and egos at the end of daunting hours of casting to blank water. Cory knows where these fish are and he will put you on them post haste. He keeps a close finger to the pulse of these waters, hunting muskies on the water several days a week even when guiding is not in the books. More than career…it is a passion for him.
If you are a seasoned musky veteran looking for a new location and a new challenge amongst some of the most unique and breath-taking muskellunge habitat in the world, or someone that wants to learn the ropes and begin a lifelong quest in pursuit of these magnificent creatures, Cory Allen is the man to call for a truly satisfying experience that will leave you with years of fond memories. Not only is the musky fishing great, but the company, comradery, and Cory’s irreverent sense of humor are second to none on the water.
Cory’s rates are not only competitive, but money well spent both if you are just looking for a single day of excitement in pursuit of muskies, or wishing to expand your knowledge of these fish in the lifelong hunt of muskies.
Standard 4-hour Excursion: $250 for 4 hours
Advanced 8 Hour Adventures: $350 for 8 hrs
All terminal tackle [the finest available], handling equipment [crucial when musky fishing...], expertise, and snacks are provided.
If the angler so wishes to bring along his or her own tackle, this is encouraged, but not required by any means. Cory has a wide selection of the finest terminal tackle and lures at the disposal of his clients, both in vanity to provide the best coverage for the day’s conditions, and those necessary for the safe hooking, handling, and release of these voracious and down-right nasty super-predators.
Clients MUST provide:
-Valid Tennessee fishing license
-special dietary needs [diabetic concern]
-payment before entering the boat for the day’s adventure
Clients are HIGHLY recommended to bring:
-appropriate apparel for the season’s and daily conditions
-a hard work ethic
-POLARIZED sunglasses for seeing those ghost follows from massive fish [I recommend Oakleys]
Remember to dress accordingly…musky fishing can be messy business, with boat-side blow-ups [the theme park attraction warning "Caution: You WILL get wet" comes to mind], blood from the occasional less-than-savory hookup on a fish, and the very nature of the secluded environs they inhabit may require you to get a little muddy as well. Do NOT wear your Sunday best, and be prepared for the conditions as they present themselves daily.
If you feel up to the chall’unge’ of locking horns with one of the most savvy and malicious predators in the world of freshwater angling, contact us at stonesthrowadventures@gmail.com or by phone at 931-261-2483. Cory is chomping at the bit to get you and your friends hooked up with a merciless musky and an addiction that will last a lifetime.
Remember…whether in Cory’s boat or out on your own hunt, muskellunge, especially in Tennessee, where they are one of our most treasured native fish, are too valuable to be caught just once, not only for their sport fishing value, but as a vital part of the ecosystem as a super=predator thinning out other species such as redhorse sucker, carp, and buffalo which have a tendency to overpopulate and harm the well-being of other game species such as bass, crappie, and walleye.
Even if you do not wish to book a trip, but want to embark on the hunt yourself, please feel free to contact Cory for information concerning the proper tools to handle and release these fish so they can be enjoyed by yourself or another time and time again. Remember, our muskies have the potential to reach the mid-5o” mark and beyond. Give them every chance to reach that mark. Let them go…let them grow…
