Reelfoot Lake
Yesteryears
Explore more Reelfoot Lake fishing history through photographs and stories preserved by Judy Capps. From early fishing guides and commercial fishermen to the lake’s famous cypress stumps and traditional fishing methods, these memories offer another look at life around Reelfoot Lake in years gone by.
These photographs preserve another chapter of Reelfoot Lake fishing history, showing how generations of fishermen worked and enjoyed the lake.
Are you Stumped?
When it comes to Reelfoot Lake fishing history, these pictures tell are a great start. They teach a lesson on how to fish Reelfoot Lake. They were taken in 1910, supposedly to prove that Reelfoot Lake wasn’t a navigable body of water, which, as you see, it is not.
However, these stumps are still there today, but are now below the water’s surface. Fishermen look for these stumps to fish around because most are hollow and crappie, catfish, and bass bed up inside them. They quietly troll up to them and jig around the stump.
Fish Tales
This picture was taken in front of my place where there used to be a boat landing. Years ago, Miss Nanny & Mr. Red Boyette were the owners of my place and the famous Boyette’s Dining Room next door to me. As you can see, this was a place to sit and while away the day bragging about their day’s catch. I sure would have liked to have heard their tales. Many a book could have been written, I am sure.
– Judy Capps (owner)
Bill Reed
Bill Reed
Bill Reed from Samburg, TN, was a Reelfoot Lake guide & a commercial fisherman. Look in the background at all the stumps, which are either gone or under water. Some of the best fishing in those days was to jig around those stumps with a cane pole. To the right, you will see a number of boats tied together & Uncle Bill Reed sitting back and enjoying the ride. In their day, there were no motors, just oars for those who didn’t have the money to buy one.
So someone would go out to pull the guides in, and I am sure it was a welcome sight after rowing all over the lake. If you will look above that picture, you will see a guide using a push pole.
– Judy Capps (owner)
Bill Reed from Samburg, TN, was a Reelfoot Lake guide & a commercial fisherman. Look in the background at all the stumps, which are either gone or under water. Some of the best fishing in those days was to jig around those stumps with a cane pole. To the right, you will see a number of boats tied together & Uncle Bill Reed sitting back and enjoying the ride. In their day, there were no motors, just oars for those who didn’t have the money to buy one.
So someone would go out to pull the guides in, and I am sure it was a welcome sight after rowing all over the lake. If you will look above that picture, you will see a guide using a push pole.
Bill Reed Commerical Fisherman and Fishing Guide
The Leonard Family
The Leonard Family
Lexie and Dobie Leonard with a boatload of fish. They were commercial fishing for catfish and buffalo. This is when the restaurants were using all the catfish the fishermen could catch to serve.
Sitting on the boat is Mr. Lexie Leonard. Standing with can in hand is Mr. Lewis Leonard. Sitting on the pier is Mr. Henry Leonard.
Sitting on the boat is Mr. Lexie Leonard. Standing with can in hand is Mr. Lewis Leonard. Sitting on the pier is Mr. Henry Leonard.
Boyette’s Resort is proud to help preserve this Reelfoot Lake fishing history for future generations.