My journey down the Tennessee River with my friend Chris Howard and faithful hound Doug got off to a rough start today. We are attempting to take a 14-foot jon boat down the Tennessee and Tombigbee rivers all the way from Tennessee and cross Mobile Bay to complete the trip up the intercoastal waterway to Apalachicola, Fla.

The local news wanted to see us off from Volunteer landing at 1:30 p.m. (Milemarker 648), which put a hitch in our schedule.

Chris, Doug and I traveled up river 4 miles to start at the headwaters of the Tennessee, where the Houlston and French Broad rivers meet. The 8 mile round trip back to Volunteer landing took a whole hour, largely because we had too much weight on the boat.

We couldn't plain out and get above 10 mph. It was tough decision, but Chris decided it would be best if he did not go, rather than strip down the equipment needed. Barely an hour into our journey, and I’ve already lost a trusty friend with whom to share this amazing adventure.

Undeterred, Doug and I hit the water moving, ran until dark, pulled over, put some lines in and will probably stay here sleeping out tonight — just a pad and a bag by the poles.

We are at MM 622 at Carl Cowan Park.

Tomorrow, we will get up early, run to Fort Loudon Dam, try to catch some shad in the bait net on the lakeside, and then take the lock down to Watts Bar. Below the dam there should be some great striper fishing.

Only one nice little carp so far tonight, but it was fun to catch on a 4-pound crappie rig.