Scott Manning

Scott Manning, a U.S. Military veteran, has become a master angler and steward of the waterways in East Tennessee. He specializes in capturing Monster Catfish, a species that thrives in the deep waters of the Tennessee River Monsters. Manning's company, Tennessee River Monsters, offers a unique perspective on the catfish fishery, highlighting the importance of understanding and sharing knowledge about the great outdoors.

Instructor's videos

In the verdant heartland of East Tennessee, where the Clinch and Tennessee Rivers carve their serpentine paths through the Appalachian foothills, a man named Scott Manning has made a name for himself as a master angler and a steward of the waterways. A U.S. Military veteran, Manning has parlayed his love for the outdoors into a successful career as a professional fishing guide, specializing in the pursuit of trophy Stripers and Monster Catfish. His company, Tennessee River Monsters, stands as a testament to his dedication and expertise, a beacon for those seeking the thrill of the catch in the heart of America's freshwater frontier.

Manning's journey is as winding and rich as the rivers he navigates. His story is rooted in the transformative history of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), an entity born in the 1930s that forever changed the landscape of East Tennessee. The TVA's dam-building projects, aimed at power generation, flood control, and agricultural development, inadvertently created a paradise for freshwater fish. As the waters rose, swallowing valleys and forests, they created a labyrinth of underwater structures that provided an ideal habitat for a diverse array of species.

The result was a catfish fishery of staggering proportions. The deep waters, teeming with bait and boasting stable temperatures, coupled with a myriad of feeder streams and creeks, created an environment ripe for the growth of the catfish population. The predictable currents, generated by the release of water at the dams, further enhanced this underwater ecosystem, pushing bait towards aggregation points and, in turn, attracting the catfish.

Scott Manning, with a keen eye and an innate understanding of these waters, capitalized on this bounty. He studied the rivers, learned their secrets, and honed his techniques alongside the great mountain fishermen of Tennessee. His expertise and success have not gone unnoticed. Manning has become a respected figure in the angling community, invited to boat shows as a guest speaker, hosting seminars, and penning articles for prominent publications such as BoatUS Magazine, The Catfish Magazine, and The Southern Outdoors Magazine.

Captain Scott Manning, the man from Clinton, Tennessee, is more than just a fishing guide. He is an author, a speaker, a teacher, and a veteran. He is a man who has dedicated his life to understanding the rivers he calls home, and to sharing that knowledge with others. His story is one of passion and perseverance, a testament to the power of dedication and the enduring allure of the great outdoors. His legacy, like the rivers he loves, continues to flow, inspiring a new generation of anglers to cast their lines into the waters of East Tennessee.