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PHOTO BY NICK CARTER VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 271
F R A N C H I S E
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THEANGLERMAG.COM O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
SEPTEMBER 2017
W O R L D W I D E
8/15/17 11:51 AM
RADAR
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It’s the comfort of knowing you are safe. It’s Doppler Radar echoes changing color, showing which targets are a threat to you. It’s instant tracking of up to 100 moving targets. It’s Furuno’s Bird Mode tracking birds to find the best fishing grounds. It’s the “NXT” innovation in Radar, the all-new DRS4D-NXT Solid-State Doppler Radar for NavNet TZtouch & TZtouch2.
Target AnalyzerTM function, facilitated by Doppler technology, immediately alerts you to targets (displayed in red) that pose a threat to your vessel. Simultaneously track up to 100 moving targets, displaying their speed & course vectors.
RezBoostTM beam sharpening displays higher resolution targets, similar to those from an open array antenna.
DRS4D-NXT - 24” Solid-State Doppler Radar Experience The
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Radar at Youtube.com/FurunoVideo
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EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com VICE PRESIDENT : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
MARINE-GRADE BOAT COVERS
T-Tops
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA/SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com Laura Seitz • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA : Gregg Thompson • (864) 542-3112 • gregg@theanglermagazine.com WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Kenny Ritter • (910) 550-9094 • kenny@coastalanglermagazine.com
Chairs & Seats
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT / RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST
GALVESTON/MATAGORDA/UPPER COAST : Chanci & David Mowry • (713) 446-7395 • chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com • davidm@coastalanglermagazine.com MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com NEW ORLEANS : Dr. Dave Dunaway • (225) 400-8156 • nola@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES
UPSTATE NEW YORK : Frank Geremski • (518) 898-6484 • frankie@theanglermagazine.com WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL BAHAMAS : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
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no pressure
Gulf Grouper By CAM Staff
C
rystal LaFosse fishes a lot. She’s traveled to destination fisheries around the world. Everywhere she’s been has its own allure, but she said when it comes to catching fish, nowhere compares to Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. What would you expect to hear from a Louisiana girl? Cajun Tackle in Lake Charles, La. is the family business, which Crystal operates with her brother and her parents. She is the founder and director of the Salty Catch Fishing Rodeo in Lake Charles and director of the Tuna & Swordfish Challenge at Hurricane Hole in Grand Isle, La. Even with so much fishing in her work life, she relishes the opportunity to launch out of Lake Charles with family, friends and her 6-year-old son Cardyn. Despite the excellent inshore opportunities nearby in the maze of waterways and Calcasieu Lake, Crystal’s favorite destination is well over 100 miles out in the Gulf in grouper water. West Louisiana doesn’t enjoy the same proximity to deep water as destinations to the east. With runs inside 50 miles out of Venice or Grand Isle, anglers flock to the deep-water rigs and rock bottom where the edge of the Continental Shelf provides dramatic depth changes. Out of Lake Charles, it’s a 110- to 130-mile run to reach the 200-foot depths and prime grouper territory. However, those willing to make longer runs will find bottom that hasn’t already been picked clean by other anglers. “Most people don’t come here to target grouper because the run offshore is so far,” Crystal said, “but that also makes it good because the area is not over-fished.” Yellowedge, gag, and strawberry grouper are some of Crystal’s personal favorites, but she said it’s always fun when the rod tip bends over and you really don’t know what you’re bringing up. Regardless of the species, grouper are some of the best eating fish in the sea, and loading the box with delicious fish is half the fun. “There’s nothing better than cranking in a huge Warsaw grouper. That’s just the best!” she said. The challenge of strapping on a harness and battling a big Warsaw is enough to test anyone’s strength and endurance. Reeling up a 200-plus-pounder is on Crystal’s to-do list. “Typically the big grouper hang on the up-current side of the rigs in 200 to 250 feet of water,” Crystal said. “Bottom fishing, you’re looking for rock or reef formations, drop offs and drastic water depth changes. Usually anything over 200 feet is good grouper territory.” For Crystal, “anything over 200 feet” is sometimes 500 feet or deeper, when you never know what’s going to come up on the end of the line. Her rigs account for the dark waters at these depths with lights that mimic the bioluminescence of squid and attract grouper. “There are several ways to deep drop, and grouper rigs can be made with one to five hooks, ” she said. “Typically when you’re targeting a big warsaw, it’s with an 18/0 or 20/0 circle hook rig with glowing lights, a 3- to 5-pound weight and live bait around the oil rigs. I make my own three-hook rigs using 8/0 or 10/0 circle hooks, glow in the dark squid, lights, and topped with dead squid bait… You can use the 3-5 hook rigs around structure or just bottom fishing on rock piles. “The glow squid are from Offshore Angler, Fathom Offshore, and many other brands. The LED deep-drop lights range in colors of blue,
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red, green or disco, and there are many different brands from Offshore Angler or Lindgren-Pitman, which we have a selection of at Cajun Tackle,” she continued. “These lights and glow squid attract the grouper in the deep dark water. The squid are put on just above the hook, so when you add your bait it’s glowing right above it. The light is added about a foot above the rig and attached with a snap swivel or rubber band.” As much as anything, heading offshore is an opportunity to explore. Crystal said she and her friends all have the same standard coordinates marked on their electronics, but everyone has their favorites, and she’s had a few trips when they ran up on new bottom that turned out to be great. “We have spent time seeking out new numbers to mark, and that just keeps it interesting,” she said. “Keeping the depthfinder on while running from spot to spot, paying attention to any changes in depth and bottom, you can really find some good spots. The ocean is such a wonderful place, and there are so many new things to explore. I think that’s what keeps me coming back. Every trip is different and special in its own way.” When she’s not fishing, Crystal LaFosse can be found working the shop at Cajun Tackle in Lake Charles, La. After a successful second-annual Salty Catch Fishing Rodeo in July, the Tuna & Swordfish Challenge is coming up Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at Hurricane Hole Resort and Marina in Grand Isle. Follow Crystal’s adventures on Instagram @crystallafosse.
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Mountain Lakes Are Calling
By Nick Carter eering into clear-green water from the casting deck, frantic movement is the first thing to catch your eye. As a morning fog evaporates, rolling mountains rise up all around and the sun breaks through to reveal small groups of blueback herring. They dart back and forth, skittering near the surface to evade or confuse predators below. Then it happens. It starts with a few scattered topwater hits and intensifies. By the time you look up from impaling the nose of a blueback from the bait tank, there is an acre of water boiling. Big hybrid bass herd herring around the cove. The trolling motor whirrs to keep you in casting range. For the next few hours the action came in flurries, with multiple anglers battling through double and triple hook-ups whenever baits encountered a school of hungry hybrids. Some fish came on multiple downlines arrayed in rod holders. The most exciting takes
P
were on the pitch rods, lightweight rigs kept ready for surfacing fish. Either way, the key to drawing strikes was a lively bait, and this is the style of fishing you’ll experience with Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. They fish the gorgeous mountain lakes on both sides of the Georgia, North Carolina border. This trip was on Lake Chatuge, a 7,200-acre impoundment of the Hiawassee River that stretches 13 miles from Hayesville, N.C. south to Hiawassee, Ga. The lake is known for big spotted and hybrid bass. If you’ve never battled a hybrid approaching double digits on light tackle, it makes reeling in a 10-pound largemouth seem comparable to fighting a wet shoe. The same could be said for most of the species guides Shane Goebel and Darren Hughes pursue. Big Ol’ Fish concentrates on three lakes in the region and plans trips based on where the current bite is best. Southwest of Chatuge, Lake Nottely is a 4,200-acre impoundment of the Nottely River. Its primary draw is trophy striped bass. Stripers from 20 to 40 pounds show up regularly on this reservoir outside Blairsville, Ga. The elusive 50-plus-pounder is what everyone seeks, and very lucky anglers just might find it trolling bluebacks, big gizzard shad or trout. Those who prefer counting fish to weighing them will find fast action on Lake Hiwassee near Murphy, N.C. It is a 6,000-acre reservoir in the same drainage, which for some reason is spelled differently in North Carolina. Lake Hiwassee features breathtaking cliff formations and spectacular fishing for smallmouths that reach 6 pounds and larger, as well as big walleye and striper. Over a couple action-packed trips with Darren and Shane on their The Angler Magazine-wrapped Carolina Skiff, one couldn’t help ask why they don’t fish artificials when the bite gets so hot. Their answer, almost in unison, was: “Because we like catching lots of fish.” That sentiment is hard to argue with, but it’s worth noting that Darren owns Hughes General Store in Blairsville, the area’s primary purveyor of live baits. Rumor has it they make a mean biscuit. Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service can be found online at bigolfish.com. Call them at 828-361-2021.
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Micron : Generations of Innovation ®
The innovation continues… We are excited to introduce Micron WA as the newest addition to the Micron Technology family. Micron WA is a multi-seasonal, polishing, water-based antifouling with the unique Water Activated matrix. This novel paint technology delivers a crisp color, and premium long lasting protection for all waters! The Micron Technology family offers a range of premium products that meets your needs while delivering true and proven performance. For generations Micron Technology has been protecting boats coast to coast by improving fuel efficiencies while reducing paint build up through controlled polishing. Whatever the year, you know you’ll always have the latest and best in Micron Technology. Visit our website for more information – yachtpaint.com
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All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
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Huk Next Level Kryptek All Weather Bib
FOUL WEATHE
Perfect storm, meet the perfect bib. Huk’s Next Level Bib is built to keep Mother Nature at bay. They start with a lightweight stretch 3-layer, waterproof 10,000mm/Breathable 5000g shell. It’s 100 percent waterproof and windproof, which keeps all the elements out while maintaining best-in-class breathability. All the seams are taped and zippers welded to keep them from leaking. Non-binding and high-stretch, the bib is exceptionally comfortable and gives the wearer a full range of motion. Zip side entry allows for easy on and off, and there’s a zip fly for… well, you know. Gear can be kept handy in a large waterproof tape-welded chest pocket or dual front-thigh bellowed cargo pockets. There’s an internal mesh chest pouch pocket for items you keep close to your heart. Articulated knees are reinforced for durability. Velcro side tabs attached to a rear belt system and boot hem zippers allow the wearer to completely customize the fit. Elastic Huk-branded shoulder straps also optimize comfort. With Huk’s Next Level Bib, there is no such thing as bad weather.
www.hukgear.com Dakine Caliber Jacket The Caliber Jacket is Dakine’s go anywhere, do anything rain jacket. The company’s most technical men’s everyday jacket, the Caliber is sure to become an everyday, lightweight layer for guys who enjoy any type of outdoor adventure. Don’t let the good-looking modern tailored fit fool you. This is a hard-core weatherproof jacket with a waterproof shell that features fully seam-sealed, breathable construction with waterproof zippers and a helmetcompatible cinch hood to keep moisture out. Mechanical stretch 2.5 Layer construction provides a 20K/20K rating, which means this outer layer provides a wide range of motion with superb waterproof breathability. Underarm pit zips provide added ventilation for temperature regulation. Anglers will appreciate bomb-proof zippers that will stand up to the roughest marine environments and the clean exterior, which limits linegrabbing and tangling potential. Notable fit features include an extended back hem, articulated sleeves and adjustable cuffs. An invisible zippered media chest pocket keeps your electronic gadgetry safe, dry and secure. Dakine is based in the windy and wet Pacific Northwest, and the Caliber jacket is designed to keep wearers comfortable and dry in just those conditions.
ExOfficio Camino Convertible Pant-Short
ExOfficio prides itself on high-performance apparel for travel and adventure, and their technical clothing might as well be custommade for anglers. Their Sol Cool line is designed for the sun, and the Camino Convertible Pant-Short is perfect to keep you comfortable whether you’re wetwading a mountain stream, casting from the deck of a bass boat or poling the Bermudian flats. The benefits of zip-off legs are obvious for anyone who has spent any time on the water, and UPF 50 sun protection is essential for long days in the sun. The jade-infused Nycott fabric with Teflon Shield+ is very durable, stands up to rough treatment and even feels cool to the touch. Silvadur anti-bacterial technology helps eliminate odor, so you’ll smell fresher when you come off the water. The Camino Convertible Pant-Short features two security zip cargo pockets, a cell phone pouch inside the right leg pocket, two security zip back pockets, zippered leg hems, full inseam gusset, contoured tricot-lined waistband and an indestructible button system. All lengths zip off to an 8.5-inch short. And weighing just 10.5 ounces, you might forget you’re wearing pants.
www.exofficio.com Xtratuf Legacy 2.0 Engineered to withstand the world’s toughest conditions, the Legacy 2.0 is a hardcore fishing boot 50 years in the making. The latest addition to XTRATUF’s iconic legacy collection features an advanced new outsole that surpasses the SRC slip resistance rating, a textured heel for easy on/off that won’t get caught in gill nets and a contoured toppling binding so it does not rub harshly against calves. Acid- and chemicalresistant uppers along with shin and bib guards keep fishermen protected while a Polyurethane insole ensures comfort for long days on deck. All boots within the Legacy collection are 100 percent waterproof with unique performance features. Each boot is made with XTRATUF’s signature triple dipping technique, which creates a seamless barrier that is highly resistant to many organic and inorganic acids, chemicals and contaminants. The latex neoprene is ozone resistant and is softer, lighter and far more pliable than ordinary rubber. Cushioned insoles with arch support help fight fatigue and stress on the legs and back. All XTRATUF Legacy boots come with a non-marking, slip-resistant Chevron outsole that provides unparalleled traction on any surface in the most extreme conditions.
www.xtratufboots.com
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HER GEAR Sherpa Nilgiri Pant
If they’ll keep you comfortable in the Himalayas, they’ll keep you comfortable anywhere. Sherpa’s Nilgiris are the perfect soft-shell pant for any outdoor activity in cold conditions.
If there’s anyone who knows how to stay warm in bitter cold conditions, it’s waterfowlers, who view frigid temperatures as invitation to go out into the field. Heybo’s Delta Vest is designed to protect you from bitter winds on those cold-weather days. This classic-cut piece features Realtree Max 5 camo, a vertical zippered pocket on the left chest, and two lower zippered pockets. The Delta Vest is built to be worn in the field or as a casual piece. With a full zip front, the Delta Vest features 100 percent poly fleece to keep your core warm while allowing freedom of movement for your arms. Even in damp conditions, this moisture wicking garment will keep you warm. The Delta vest may have been designed for duck hunting, but any outdoorsman will appreciate the warmth and functionality of this versatile vest.
www.heybooutdoors.com
Stretchy and quiet, Nilgiris keep you feeling warm, dry and comfortable even as you work up a sweat. They are made of a three-layer softshell laminate and lined with a light, soft fleece, so they provide breathable, durable, wind and water repellant shelter for your legs. They are also stretchy, which means moving in them feels unrestricted and effortless. Wear them with a base-layer or on their own to suit conditions.
The North Face Men’s Venture 2 Jacket The Venture 2 Jacket is an unlined, packable, weatherproof rain jacket that is perfect for year-round use. Whether you’re in the backcountry of the Florida Keys or the Blue Ridge Mountains, this lightweight, waterproof and windproof jacket will be there to protect you from the elements when you need it.
The Three-layer softshell laminate is highly breathable and wind- and water-proof. A gusseted crotch accommodates a full and natural range of motion. Three zip pockets—two hand and one thigh—keep essentials handy. Long, twoway, ankle zippers allow for venting and easy on and off over boots. An integrated, adjustable belt customizes the fit, and there are no seams on top of the knees to chafe or cause discomfort. These pants are functional enough to keep you happy in the harshest conditions and comfortable enough to wear around the house.
www. sherpaadventuregear. co.uk Under Armour Storm Surge The Storm Surge is exactly the lightweight rain jacket one would expect from Under Armour, a company devoted to designing high-performance apparel. Unbelievably lightweight and packable, the Storm Surge is a jacket that is easy to keep on-hand, whether in a pack or stowed in a box, which means it is the jacket that will be there when those pop-up thunderstorms roll over the water. UA’s Storm technology has created a shell that is 100 percent waterproof, with fully taped seams to keep the wearer dry in wet weather. And this piece of gear does not sacrifice breathability. A 10K/10K rating means the Storm Surge has found a good balance between keeping water out while allowing airflow For those warm, humid days, when some rain jackets just leave you wet with sweat instead of rain, on-demand zip vents under the arms provide additional breathability to keep the wearer cool and dry. On cool mornings, windproof materials and construction block out the breeze with 2.5 layer bonded fabric and a durable, smooth exterior. The Storm Surge has a loose, fuller cut for complete comfort and a full range of motion. Adjustable cuffs and a bungee hem keep moisture from creeping in, while zippered hand pockets keep gear safe.
www.underarmour.com
Heybo Delta Vest-Max 5
The North Face’s DryVent 2.5L technology utilizes a polyurethane coating that is remarkably waterproof, breathable and durable to create a jacket for active pursuits where light weight and packability are essential. An inner layer finished with dry touch print helps raise the fabric from the skin for comfort and to enable quick transfer of vapor to the outside. The Venture 2 also packs up small into its own pocket. In short, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, this jacket is designed to be there to keep you dry and comfortable. A relaxed fit and adjustable hood provide a full range of motion as well as room for extra layers, hats or helmets. Pit-zip venting increases breathability. Hand pockets are covered and zippered to store gear safe and dry. Adjustable Velcro cuff tabs keep water from running down your arm while casting, and a hem cinch-cord stops wetness from coming in from below. With a durable yet breathable ripstop exterior, it is likely the wearer will never need to use The North Face’s legendary lifetime warranty.
www.northface.com HammerHead Mahi Mahi Ahi Gloves The HammerHead Dentex, Mahi Mahi Ahi gloves are protection on “rear-knuckle” steroids! Hammerhead has taken its best-selling red Dentex cutresistant gloves and added a thick coat of “EKP” or Enhanced Knuckle Protection to create the perfect gloves for spearfishing and lobstering. Dentex gloves were already the No. 1 best-selling protective gloves for warm water. Made from special UHMW ANSI Level 5 fabrics, they are light, flexible and offer incredible cut and puncture resistant protection up to 15 times stronger than steel. With chemical- and heat-resistant Nitrile Grip coating, you’ll never lose your grip on pole spears, rocks, fillet knives, lobster snares or with any application where extra grip is desired. With the addition of EKP, Hammerhead has brought a new and improved glove to the marketplace that offers complete protection for the front as well as the back of your hands and especially your knuckles.
www.hammerheadspearguns.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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What’s It Like to Live in a Log Cabin?
By Ben Martin • Editor in Chief
View time-lapsed video at www.blueridgelogcabins.net As an outdoor enthusiast, I’m naturally drawn to the aesthetic charm of log cabins. I have enjoyed numerous stays and vacations in log cabins over the years. Living in one on a long term or even potentially permanent basis is an intriguing thought for me. With that question in mind, I set out to speak with individuals who have taken that step, just to get their honest opinions, before I make the leap to a log cabin as my permanent residence. My first call was to Mark Alberghini, our Charlotte, North Carolina co-publisher. He and his family have been living in a log cabin for more than 20 years. According to Mark, returning to his cabin after a stressfilled day in the publishing business offers an immediate calming effect. He went on to say that living in a log cabin has left him less interested in vacations than at any other time in his life. His now-grown daughters tell him they are always pleased to return to the log cabin for holidays and family events, and that it seems to have created a deeper sense of tradition than many of their friends who live in conventional homes seem to experience.
I then contacted several Blue Ridge Log Cabin homeowners to see how they compared the experience of log cabin living to conventional homes. Jerry and Carol Clark, who recently moved into their Blue Ridge Log Cabin, said the experience of returning to their log home is much more enjoyable than that of their previous conventional homes. Blue Ridge Log Cabin owner and high school principle Charlie Burry informed us that, “As a high school principle, I value regular downtime away from the pressures of my job.” In that regard, Mr. Burry went on to say, “My wife and I greatly enjoy the peace and relaxation afforded by log-home living verses a conventional home.” Jim Austin, another Blue Ridge Log Cabin owner, commented, “several years ago we decided to change our lifestyle and head out of the hustle and bustle of city life and settle for the quiet and serene country life. We found the perfect wooded location in the foothills of the Appalachians, complete with a little stream running through it. These past five years have been fantastic. We couldn’t have picked a better location or company to build our home. We absolutely love the quietness of the woods in which deer and turkey abound. The sound of our little creek in the morning mist seems heaven sent. Perfect setting, perfect cabin. We love it and wouldn’t change cabin living for the world.” Throughout the numerous interviews that were conducted, the response was always the same. Those homeowners who had changed from a conventional home to a log cabin unanimously agreed, the feeling of contentment, relaxation and satisfaction with the log home was far superior to that of their conventional home. Had this little research project been a survey, it would have seemed artificially skewed. Rarely will you find 100 percent of your survey group in agreement on nearly any subject. In this inquiry, every single person, without exception, agreed that they would never trade log-home living for a conventional home. That’s what it’s like to live in a log cabin.
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SOUTHEAST
By Capt. Randy Cnota
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s you pull onto the side of the road, you see mullet being chased by predators in the skinny waters of St. George Sound. You can’t help but grin because you know this area is inaccessible to most boats, and you’ll likely have it all to yourself. Redfish, trout, flounder, jack crevalle, pompano and so many more species are yours for the taking once you’ve settled into your kayak and floated away from land. There are more than 40 canoe/kayak launches in and around Franklin County, Fla. Most are found within Tate’s Hell State Forest or the Apalachicola National Forest. The freedom kayaking offers anglers in this area is a refreshing alternative to motorized boating, and the amount of accessible waters seems endless. From the Carrabelle River to St. Vincent Sound, to include the Apalachicola River, Apalachicola Bay, St. George Sound and East Bay, these diverse ecosystems where fresh and salt waters meet create a kayak fisherman’s paradise. Slip your ’yak into Scipio Creek at the mouth of The Apalachicola River, paddle up the marsh and catch bass, trout and reds all in the same trip. Throw it in the Gulf of Mexico off of St. George Island and bag some pompano for the table; you can do both in the same day! You don’t have to be an expert kayaker to enjoy a day gliding across these pristine waters to cast for world-class fish or simply take in the amazing scenery; you don’t even have to own one. Places like Island Outfitters and Journeys have them for rent. Advice on how to catch what’s biting is always free, and they have all the gear you need for a successful day of fishing or just paddling.
The fall version of the Apalachicola Paddle Jam festival will be held Oct. 6-8 in Apalachicola and on St. George Island. This three-day festival celebrates the Forgotten Coast through paddlesports, music and food, with events happening at various locations in Apalachicola and St. George Island. The highlight of the event will be an attempt by paddlers to break the world record for the largest floating kayak raft. For those with a competitive fishing edge, there will be a kayak fishing tournament. This event promises to be huge fun! If you’ve never experienced the peace and joy that kayaking can bring, add this to your bucket list and give it a go. There’s a reason this sport is growing so rapidly… it’s a blast, and this area is a kayaker’s paradise! Franklin County features multiple kayak and boat rental options. For a complete list of rentals, charters and supplies, visit
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Boaters and mariners will find something to love in Franklin County. Carrabelle features deep water access to the Gulf of Mexico and freshwater rivers. Plan a kayak or day sailing eco-adventure from Apalachicola or St. George Island. Eastpoint and Alligator Point offer direct access to the best inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast. Bring your own boat or rent one here; there’s no better place to enjoy Florida’s Forgotten Coast.
Visit Floridasforgottencoast.com/ca for complete launch, marina, guide and tackle information.
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BLUE RIDGE
By Jimmy Harris • They might seem cute, but a mother bear with cubs is one of the most dangerous animals on the planet.
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lot of anglers make trips out West for the world-class trout fishing and magnificent scenery. My personal pilgrimages began in 1987, and I’ve tried to make it back at least once a year since. The Yellowstone region is my favorite, both in and out of the Yellowstone National Park. I’ve been fortunate to observe a lot of wildlife while fishing: black bear, bison, moose, elk, wolves, even a few grizzlies. I am always humbled to be fishing in their territory.
Until recently, I can’t say I’ve truly been fearful at any time. Grizzlies were elusive for almost 20 years for me. I’ve seen several big bears from a distance; I just never crossed paths with one up close. My relationship with grizzlies took an abrupt turn a couple of weeks ago while fishing the Firehole River. My partners and I were off the road a few hundred yards but still within hearing of thousands of tourists. We had split up on the river, and the fishing was excellent, with great dry fly action for beautiful browns. An hour into the morning, I began walking upstream to catch up with John and Vince. It crossed my mind that these were the “beariest” woods I had ever been in. It just felt different. My head swiveled in all directions, straining to tune in to my surroundings. Finally, I saw my buddies. Vince immediately yelled across the river that John just spotted a big sow and two cubs a hundred yards upstream out in the meadow, on my side of the river. John told me I needed to be on their side. No kidding! Problem was the river was too deep and swift to cross. My choices were to walk back through the spooky woods a quarter mile until I found a spot to cross or ease upstream toward the bear and cross where the meadow met the trees. John volunteered to slip up the other side and look for Mama Bear. I timidly followed on my side, staying behind so he could signal if the old girl was still around. Just as John was about to tell me he no longer saw the bears in the meadow, I stepped past a pine tree and looked to my right. There, about 10 yards away, was the 3-foot-wide hind end of a bear. Thankfully, she was facing away from me and the wind was in my favor. Otherwise, I might not be telling this story. Fear and clarity don’t begin to describe what goes through your mind at this point. It’s amazing how quickly your brain can send the signal to your feet to “Get outta here!” Fortunately, I think I escaped without her even knowing I was nearby. Interestingly, as I was hot-footing it downstream, I found a place to cross the river that minutes before seemed impassable. Here’s the advice I want to pass along: If you plan to fish in grizzly country, carry bear spray. Jimmy Harris owns Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Ga. Check them out at www.unicoioutfitters.com.
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Atlanta/N. Georgia/ Lake Country September 2017
PUBLISHER: BOB RICE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: NICK CARTER HENRY COWEN DR. ANDREW COX CAPT. JAKE DAVIS JIM FARMER THE FISH HAWK RONNIE HALL JMMY HARRIS CAPT. CEFUS MCRAE CHRIS SCALLEY GARY TURNER NOEY VINEYARD O'NEILL WILLIAMS RENE J. HESSE JIMBO MATHLEY JAMES BRADLEY DAVID HULSEY WAYNE WOOTEN STEVEN KING RYAN KENNEDY JAY STRIKER GRAPHIC DESIGN: KATHLEEN CARREIRO KATHLEENCARREIRO@YMAIL.COM A FREE PUBLICATION THE ANGLER MAGAZINE IS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST. THE ANGLER MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY B & B PUBLISHERS P.O. BOX 766 MADISON, GA 30650 706-614-8231 WWW.THEANGLERMAGAZINE.COM
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing
September Fly Fishing Report September in North Georgia is one of those funny fishing months where some years we start to see a little topwater activity shaping up by the end of the month and other years where nothing really happens until it cools down by the mid to end of October. What is great about September is that we are closer to the end of October (which is the true start of striper season). September is the one month where you really start to see the changes in the season taking place on all our area lakes. As a North Georgia fly angler, you have a few options to keep an eye out for when fishing our area lakes and rivers. Fishing for carp has anglers getting in their last licks of the season. As the nighttime temperatures start to cool slightly, the carp will again take one more look at the flats for a meal before heading back into the river to find some food. Not only are the carp anglers getting in their last licks, but so too are the river rats who search for stripers in the shallows before they make their journey south to get back to the lakes they call home for the next nine months. For river fisherman the best news of all is that September does not have as much pressure on the river fish as July and August does. Less pressure on a river usually means better fishing! September can certainly be considered as the month for changes taking place. It is also the time of the season for hybrids on topwater on Lake Allatoona and Lake Hartwell. While most of our impoundments throughout North Georgia will see cooler nighttime temperatures, those impoundments further south may have to wait until October for the changes to begin. Those lakes that will see changes occur will begin to notice cooler lake surface water temperatures. Temperatures will start to cool down into the low 80’s, and with any luck, by the end of the month maybe even dropping to the 70’s. Combine lower surface water temperatures with the lakes where the Corp of Engineers start to pull down the lake’s water levels and you have the perfect environment for hybrids to start hitting the surface. This can lead to some fast and exciting topwater action. The fish are feeding on threadfin shad that range 2 ATLANTA
SEPTEMBER 2017
in the 1” to 3” size. It is a perfect opportunity for fly anglers to get in some great fishing. The topwater bite will happen at low light periods, and you can expect that from first light until 9am and then again from 5pm until dark will see the most action. Even conventional anglers can get in on this great fishery. Just have a medium to medium light tackle outfit rigged with 10 pound test and a casting bubble along with a small fly and you will be set. Fly anglers should arm themselves with a 6-8 weight fly rod, intermediate fly line and a few small flies to be in the game. Best flies are small Clousers, Albie Anchovies and Somethin’ Else patterns. Lakes like Hartwell, Clark Hill, Carters, West Point and Allatoona (yes the Dead Sea!) will see this topwater action. Lake Lanier, while not a hybrid lake, will see similar action with spotted bass schooling in September. With any luck you might even see small stripers in the 2-5 pound class hitting the surface by the end of the month. Use the same tactics that applies for hybrids and you too can get in on this action. Lanier’s 2013 year class of striped bass are thriving and should be in the 7-8 pound range come this fall. These fish can handle the lower oxygen levels better than their big brothers. What this means for Lanier striper anglers is that you need to keep an eye out for surface feeding fish all over the south end of the lake. From Browns Bridge south to Buford Dam and everywhere inbetween is the area you might find surface feeding stripers. I would key in on the area around Three Sisters as a good starting point. Afternoons will be the time to look for these surface feeders (especially if they are pulling water from Buford Dam). Once we get toward the end of September, some folks will pull out their medium heavy tackle and start fishing at night for striped bass using Bomber Long A lures. While it might be just a tad early for this next pattern to heat up, you just never know when Lanier stripers will decide that fall is upon us. The changing of the weather will always cause the new season to begin. If you have had enough of summer, now is the time to clean
the tackle in preparation for the fall bite. Get new leaders rigged on the fly rods and change over the monofilament on your spinning tackle if you are not using braid. One thing I love about September is it also means our beloved Georgia Bull Dawgs will begin their new season. I fully expect a 10-11 win season for Kirby and the boys this year. By the time UGA is 8-1 or 9-0, it won’t be long before the terns and
gulls are back on the pond helping us locate the striped demons, and my drink of choice on the boat goes from a bottle of water to hot coffee. That is why I truly love September! We are simply getting closer to kick off on the pond. GO DAWGS and hope to see you on the pond as well. Want to see what it will look like this fall on Lanier? Click on the video and enjoy. https://vimeo. com/227188094
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing
The Guide's Angle
Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta Guide Service
Cicadas, Hoppers and Beetles, Oh My! By September, Chattahoochee trout have been feeding all summer on June bugs, Japanese beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars and ants. Although these are land based insects, keep in mind there are miles of shoreline along the river where
these hapless bugs fall from the overhanging flora. September seems to be that special time on the Hooch when this feeding behavior among brown and rainbow trout is consistent and voracious. Perhaps the terrestrial insect populations are
at their peak in early fall, and the fish really key in on this bonanza smorgasbord. Regardless, most Georgia anglers are getting ready this time of year for either hunting or football season, neglecting this rare window to fish terrestrials both wet and dry. Keep it simple when matching the “terrestrial hatch”, and don’t forget land based insects float initially but then sink and drown. A great general pattern to imitate subsurface land based bugs is a smallish black or greenish to olive Wooly Bugger (hook sizes #12 up to #8) presented wet fly style with a combination of stripping and dead-drifting is surprisingly successful. Try dropping a small black or brown
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Improve Your Low Water Tactics for Trout Contributed by James Bradley www.ReelEmInGuideService.com (706) 273-0764
September is a month when we usually have low water and some relief from the high temperatures that are usually widespread across the Southeast. Since we have had a good amount of rain as of mid-August, it is hard to tell what our early fall water conditions will be like. Normal September and early fall conditions with low water means Stealth! You simply cannot catch a trout that you have spooked and it has gone a hundred feet either upstream or downstream. Low water conditions also require some tactics that many anglers do not know about or simply choose not to do. Here’s the short list: observation, learning to use obstacles and cover and finding a trout’s new holding area. I always tell clients when fly fishing that they are a hunter. Those with a hunting background understand quickly the importance of stealth. Clumsiness, stumbling, stepping on a limb that breaks underwater or even up on the bank prior to entering the stream, wading too fast, talking to
loud, allowing studded boots to slip causing the grinding effect or allowing rod guides to reflect sunlight off them during a cast; these decrease your opportunities for hookups as trout have superior senses like eyesight, inner ear for hearing and even a lateral line for vibration sensing. Observation is a key component to know what is going on and where the trout are. Just because you are going fishing doesn’t mean it has to be fishing. Observe the stream from a high bank by staying low to the ground or from behind an obstacle like a tree to hide your presence. Take five minutes and watch everything that comes alive. You can learn more about trout and insect behavior in five minutes than you can fishing for ten hours. Have a decent set of polarized sunglasses as they are essential. I use amber lenses, but this color is not for everyone. It is easy to see a trout rise to a fly, but many will miss a trout sipping a fly. Be observant. You will have to train your eyes to see the flicker of a tail or to see a shadow of
a trout. Be observant. Trout turn sideways when feeding on nymphs off the bottom. This is a flash you may see. Again, be observant, as it will pay dividends in the end. Use obstacles and obstructions for your benefit. Here are just a few to be aware of: I see anglers that will climb up onto a large rock to cast from. This angler has spooked everything around that vicinity. What did not flee during the climb onto the rock will surely leave out as soon as the fly rod is raised. Stay down and behind the rock to make your cast. Most of our mountain streams descend quickly leaving higher white water to our front as we move upstream. Use the higher elevation of the stream for your benefit by making your approach to your casting spot as low as possible. Do not blow the opportunity by walking upright to this casting spot! Use that large log out in the stream as cover to cast from. These little things will make for more hookups. The trout you caught back in the spring will probably not be in the same riffle or run. As water conditions change, a trout’s lie will also change. This is not necessarily because they wanted to move but because of what Mother Nature is offering them. When low water appears, feeding lanes change. Learn to read the water and have a basic understanding of a trout’s needs. After you learn to read
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the water, you will know where all the trout’s lies are. You just simply target that spot and possibly hook up with a trout of a lifetime! Don’t forget about asking us about our float trips. We are currently doing floats on the Toccoa Tailwater at this time. She has been fishing pretty good with some days being awesome! Give Us a Call, and We’ll Hook You Up! Reel ‘Em In Guide Service is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide in North Georgia’s Historic High Country region. They have been offering their services to fly anglers since 2001. They have permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offering over 7 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and operate drift boat trips on the Toccoa River in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC.
Local Rivers & Fly Fishing
Casting Corner
Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer
Casting a Big Bass Bug Here are a few tips to help get a bulky bass bug to the target. Start by making sure you have the right leader to turn over the fly. You test that by having the fly tied onto your leader and only your leader extending out of your rod tip. Now try to make loops (cast the fly) with the leader only. If it is not allowing the fly to turn over, adjust it now. Don’t wait and think it is going to get better. A 7 ½ foot leader is all you need for bass. If the fly tends to spin, beef up the leader. I use an 18 and 20 pound leader all the time for bass. It turns over well and will not twist up as easily. If you use a medium to small popper, of course drop down the leader to maybe a 0X. Now that you have the equipment balanced, try this on your next cast. On the lift, make a small circle with your rod tip as if you were drawing a volley ball on a wall. When the little spiral in the line gets all the way down to the fly, it will lift the fly off the water and then you start your back cast. Wait till the spiral propagates down the line before you then start accelerating to the back. Try to accelerate the line by hauling on your back cast. You will be fighting the wind resistant bass fly, so get it moving. Use some authority in the stoke, and stop the rod tip so the fly is going in an upward
trajectory. It will take a little longer for that fly line to extend out in back of you. Watch it. On the forward cast to the target, you want to be feeling the tension of the line against the rod tip. Use a constant rate of acceleration to a stop for your power application. If you duck your rod tip just under the oncoming line, you can keep a tighter loop which will be less wind resistant and help carry the fly. Don’t forget to use that haul. Watch your back cast to see what the issue is if you are not feeling the tension as you come forward. Chances are the timing is too quick. It takes longer for a bass bug to travel because of its wind resistance. Don’t wait too long and loose the tension or let it drop too far. With bass fishing I tend to enjoy going for places that are tight in cover or difficult angles. The fish like to play, ‘See if you can get me, I am way back over here’. So I get hung on trees a fair amount. The stout leader allows me to get the fly out of the snags most of the time. The tighter loops and high line speed allow me to shoot into cover without hitting all the snags around it. And the spiral popping bug lift gives me instant tension on the line to start my back cast and breaks the water tension of the big old bass bug. Give it a try!
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing
BEARS! Contributed By: Jimmy Harris
www.unicoioutfitters.com A lot of Southeastern anglers regularly make a trip out West for the world-class trout fishing and magnificent scenery. My personal pilgrimages began in 1987, and I’ve tried to make it back at least once a year since then. The Yellowstone region is my favorite both in and out of the Park. I’ve been fortunate to observe a lot of wildlife while fishing; black bear, bison, moose, elk, wolves, even a few grizzlies just to mention a few, and I was humbled to be fishing in their territory. I can’t say I’ve truly been fearful at any time. Alert for sure when a big bull bison chooses to slide down the bank right behind me and cross Soda Butte Creek. Goose bumps maybe when a pack of wolves began to howl up on the shelf across the river from me right at dark. Then another pack howls in response from the ridge behind me. Wow! That was cool. Think I’ll mosey on back to the truck now. Grizzlies were elusive for almost 20 years for me. I just never crossed paths with one. Oh, I knew they were in the area. Occasionally, the Park Service would put up signs warning of them in certain areas or they may even close off an area, but I was never lucky enough to see one in the flesh. Twice I’ve found huge paw prints in the mud alongside a river that were probably only minutes old and certainly weren’t there when I fished through earlier. That will get your attention and heighten your senses. In the last decade, I’ve seen a fair number of the big bears from a comfortable distance and often
while standing in a crowd of tourists with spotting scopes. What amazed me was how a hillside of nothing but sagebrush could conceal a fully grown bear. If Old Scarface wasn’t on top of his dead buffalo, you could have been right on him without realizing he was even around. Amazing! My relationship, as well as my awe with grizzlies, took an abrupt turn a couple of weeks ago while fishing the Firehole River near Biscuit Basin. My partners and I were off the road a few hundred yards but still within hearing of thousands of tourists and traffic. We had all gone our own way, and I worked my way downstream leaving the other two to fish upstream. Fishing was excellent; great dry fly action for beautiful browns. An hour into the morning I begin walking upstream to catch up with John and Vince. It crossed my mind that these were the “beariest” woods I had ever been in. It just felt different. Thirty years of minimal interaction with Grizz began to fade away as my head swiveled in all directions straining to tune in to my surroundings. Finally, I see my buddies. Vince immediately yells across the river that John just spotted a big sow and two cubs a hundred yards upstream out in the meadow, on MY SIDE. John tells me I need to be on their side. No kidding! Problem was the river was too deep and swift where we were for me to cross. John even waded out to see if I could reach his outstretched hand, but it wasn’t going to work. My choices were to walk back
through those spooky woods for a quarter mile until I found a spot to cross, or ease my way upstream about 50 yards and cross where the meadow met the trees. John volunteered to slip up the other side and see if Mama Bear and her babies had moved on. I timidly followed on my side, staying well behind so he could give me a signal if the old girl was still hanging around. Just as John is about to tell me he no longer sees them in the meadow, I step past a pine tree and look to my right. There, about the length of a first down on a football field, I’m looking at the 3-foot wide hind end of a bear. Thankfully, she’s facing away from me and the wind is in my favor. Otherwise, I may not be telling this story. One of her cubs is standing up looking right at me. I have no idea where the other cub is. Fear and clarity don’t begin to describe what’s going through your mind at this point. It’s amazing how quickly your brain can analyze a situation like that and send the signal to your feet to GET OUTA HERE! Fortunately, I think I escaped without her even being aware I was nearby. It could have easily
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been a disaster. Interestingly, as I’m hot-footing it downstream in my waders, I find a place to cross the river that only minutes before seemed impassable. Here’s the bottom line and the advice I want to pass along. If you plan to fish in an area known to have grizzlies, regardless of your confidence level, carry bear spray with you. Not only in the back country but anywhere in the Yellowstone area. Nothing I can tell you can prepare you for a close encounter with a mama grizzly and her cubs. It’s one of the most dangerous scenarios you can ever face. Don’t take it lightly.
Guided Fly Fishing for Trout, Trophy Trout and Float Trips
Ellijay, GA facebook.com/theanglermagazineGA
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing henrycowenflyfishing.com. To book a trip, please contact us thru our website at www. by Capt. David Hulsey Contributed
Paradise
International Federation of Fly Fishers Master Certified Casting Instructor http://www.hulseyflyfishing.com 770-639-4001
In a high elevation valley just south of Blue Ridge, Georgia, lies a piece of sportsman’s paradise very different than almost anything in the Eastern United States. Twelve hundred acres of private farmland owned by the Owenby family for decades is open to the public for upland wing shooting, sporting clays and two glorious miles of trophy trout water. I’m personally not aware of any other place this side of the Mississippi where you can shoot a round of sporting clays, go quail hunting behind a world class bird dog, and catch a five pound rainbow without even moving your car. Noontootla Creek Farms is simply an amazing find for the folks that haven’t had the pleasure of visiting there. The fly fishing is stellar with rainbow and brown trout averaging twenty inches and with massive fish up to thirty inches a possibility on every good cast. The fish are “educated” and can be as hard to catch as any spring creek trout in the American West when the water is low and clear. On the other hand the seldom off-color water after a big rain storm can hide many mistakes, and the fishing can be off the chain. The guide staff here at NCF is second to none and can put you on the fish of a lifetime. The fishing is usually open yearround because of the cooler water temperatures on this side of the mountains. Beginning instruction and equipment is available to those just getting started. There is nothing like being behind a good Brittany or setter when they lock up on a covey of bobwhite quail. There are open fields and pine groves on the farm that are available to the bird
Acworth, GA
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hunter. Every direction you look is a postcard picture especially when that explosion of quail or cackling ringneck pheasant rises up to meet the surrounding mountain vistas! Our winter weather can be cold, but the sun hits the fields early and the birds fly hard and fast. The wingshooting season is open from November 1st until the last day of March. Hey, they’ll even clean your birds for you, and our guides hunt every day! Sometimes for a warm up, our hunters will shoot a round of challenging sporting clays before hitting the fields in the afternoon. NCF has an awesome course that winds its way up to the top of the ridge where the beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest is visible from the number 10 station. Golf carts are used for transportation to all of the 12 stations. One hundred shots completes the course or you can shoot as many as you want. A Wobble trap is on site and ready when you are. Guns can be rented and instruction is available to those wanting to try this addicting sport for the first time. Take a look at the Noontootla Creek Farms website for additional information and pricing at www.ncfga.com or give them a call at 706-838-0585 to book a trip!
September 22nd Full Harvest Moon 8 ATLANTA
SEPTEMBER 2017
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Local Lakes & Forecasts A Great Place To Stay In Blue Ridge.
LAKE BLUE RIDGE SMALLMOUTH AND WALLEYE By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER
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Lake Blue Ridge is not just one of the most idyllic settings in the North Georgia Mountains, it is also the source of some of the best smallmouth and bass fishing in the area, and September is a great month to hit the water as we move into the prime of the summer season. Currently, Lake Blue Ridge is 2 feet below full pool. Water temperatures are in the mid 80’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and in the creeks and rivers. Not a lot has changed out here. We are still catching substantial amounts of smallmouth and spotted bass averaging 20 to 30 fish a trip. The majority of our spots and smallmouth are being caught from the dam to Fish Hook Point. Target these fish off rocky points, ledges and shallow humps. We are finding larger schools of spots
mid-lake and in 25 to 35 feet of water. Downlining live blueback herring seems to be the best technique for the larger smallmouth and spots. Look for large schools of smallmouths in the Toccoa River and Star Creek area. Live bait seems to be the key out here lately, but a jigging spoon and shaky head can’t be ruled out this time of year. This time of year, spotted bass start to school up and feed strong, so keep an eye out for the topwater bite, too. When they start busting on the surface, they will hit just about anything you can throw at them. September is a fantastic month for catching some very big fish on this lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 guide service put you on some of Lake Blue Ridge’s best trophy fish. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, go check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. Now, hit the water, and go get your fish on! Good luck!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Another Crappie Story
Contributed by: Wayne Wooten On my last outing on Lake Deerfield, Larry Barnes and I started fishing around 8 AM with clear skies, 74 degrees and little to no wind. This was a little later than we planned, but we were having too much fun at breakfast shooting the bull with the guys at the “Table of Knowledge”. We were trying the Whopper Plopper and Larry did catch a few on the 3-1/2” WPL90/14 ” Bone” color, but the 4-3/8” WPL110/18 “I Know It” color I was using didn’t get their attention. Was the size too big or the wrong color; who knows? After spending an hour or so with the Whopper Plopper, we decided to pitch some jigs at the docks for some crappie action. We did catch a few, but the bite was slower than normal. After we hit the docks for about an hour, we decided to troll over to a big dock around the corner about 300 yards from our location. We hadn’t trolled 50 feet and both rods loaded up with doubles right off the bat! We continued to troll in a figure 8 and continued to catch 9 to 10 inchers. I knew the main channel made a fork making two 16 feet deep trenches with 10 to 12 feet deep flats between them and along the outer edges. We were picking up fish on these flats pulling 1/16 ounce jigs with blue/black/chartreuse 1-1/2 curly tails about 30 feet behind the boat at 1 mph. This method and speed allowed the jigs to run about 8 feet deep.
Specializes in Inshore Fishing Charters and Duck Hunting on Ochlockonee Bay. Duck Hunting Inshore Fishing Freshwater Fishing Scalloping, Saltwater Fishing
We continued to catch fish until 11:30 AM when the bite began to slow. It was now about 90 degrees with no breeze and lunch was calling, so we packed it in. This wasn’t the bass on topwater day we planned, partly because we got distracted by the crappie bite, late start or just the way it was! After all, it turned out to be a great morning catching 30 or so eaters in a short amount of time. This is why I carry a crappie rig every time I go fishing. Sure, I love wrestling a big ole toad to the boat, but it’s about catching fish to me! If I can’t trick a bass into biting, or they are just being stubborn that day, maybe the crappie might be in the mood.
9400 Highway 197 North Clarkesville, GA 30523
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SEPTEMBER 2017
ATLANTA 11
Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE LANIER STRIPER Forecast By: Steve Scott http://TeamLanier.wordpress.com/menu Targeting stripers in August with mid-eighties surface temps meant paying close attention to the DO reports and the thermocline. Dropping bait or artificials above the striper’s best quality water was ludicrous, but dropping within or below that zone brought success. For the most part that zone was between 30’ to the bottom. While these striper catches were mostly in the 25 to 30” range, there were occasionally some 30” plus fish. September brings us the downline bite and the trailing end of the trolling bite be it down riggers, Lead Core 8-9 colors with white on white or Dipsy Divers. Downlines fished at the boat and/or from planer boards will be the ticket for this month. Be sure to use a heftier planer board as the weighted downlines will tend to dig into the surface making your board less visible. Don’t forget to power reel a 2 ounce bucktail jig tipped with an 8” to 10” chartreuse paddle tail or a Ben Parker Spoon,
12 ATLANTA
SEPTEMBER 2017
Areas for these methods are the mouths of the creeks about 1/3 back early in the morning until 10am and then in the afternoon deep in the river channel still well below Browns Bridge. Then at midday, the areas for downlines are in depths of 48’ in patches of trees with any slight indentation in the creek channel or small bay off the creek channel and mouths of creeks up to about the 5th marker in each creek. If you are inexperienced in locating stripers, one valuable asset to have would be other striper fisherman. Staying in touch with others can greatly increase your chances of locating these stripers by networking, whether it’s at the bait store, texting each other, using the cell phone or VHF radio. This sharing of information usually pays off when you are struggling to find stripers. Update your logs. Be sure to check your logs from previous year-to-date to help you with methods and locations. TIP OF THE MONTH: Sometimes making the smallest change in your presentation will bring positive results. Speeding up and slowing down or using a split tail trailer instead of a paddle tail could make a difference. Need more details; go to https:// TeamLanier. worpress.com/menu.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Redfish with Captain Tommy By: Gary Turner The back right corner rod pulled way down toward the horizon, the reel was singing and line was peeling off at an alarming rate… It was a sunny morning when my family and I pulled into the gas station in Georgetown to meet with Capt. Tommy to follow him to the boat ramp to launch. We had talked the night before and planned to head out after Spanish mackerel and bonita. On several of his recent trips, they had caught a load of them. The fish were hitting hard and fast in two locations, so we headed there to see if we could find them. Well, if you have read even a few of my fishing tales, you know when it comes to fishing, a plan is a good thing, but catching fish is what we really want. When we arrived at the first location, there were gulls, but they were all hanging out, no diving or busy flights. We watched and waited a few minutes. Capt. Tommy was searching the water on his Humminbird Solix. No sign of them here, so we motored off to location two where the story was very similar. I don’t know about you, but I have been fishing with several captains over the years that said “Well, let’s just wait them out. They might start biting anytime.” Thank goodness that was not Capt. Tommy’s plan either. He said, “Well, this isn’t working, so let’s go to Plan B. Let’s try something else.” I am sure at this point I had quite a smile on my face because he was willing to go to Plan B. Off we went toward the jetties. When we arrived at the jetties, he searched a bit for a good spot and then dropped the Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra off the bow. Around us we could see a couple of boats on the other side of the jetty. They were catching ribbonfish and sea bass from what we could see. We set out three lines behind the boat and only a few seconds later we started getting bites. First in was a nice redfish. Then another, a few sea bass, then some more reds. We were having a great time! Several boats from the other side had seen us catching redfish and decided to move to our side
of the jetty. Then it happened. Something bigger bit. The back right corner rod pulled way down toward the horizon, the reel was singing and line was peeling off at an alarming rate. I wrestled it out of the rod holder and looked at the reel as the line was peeling out very rapidly! Captain Tommy had told me they had several reds bitten in half by the bull sharks cruising this area. I tightened the drag to see if we could slow it down, but it didn’t slow and the 75 pound braid was still singing out. Then just as fast as the bite was on, it was over. The line went slack, and I reeled in the cut leader. That few minutes of having that reel burning in your hands is so much FUN! Captain Tommy said normally he would have taken the boat and gone after that fish, but with all the other boats hugging our redfish spot, he thought we should stay there and catch some more of them. After catching a few more redfish, we had another hard hit with the line dragging out, but this time I could feel it was not too big and would probably come in to the net. After a few minutes of coming in and taking line, we finally saw it was a bonnethead shark, also known as a shovelhead shark. While I guided it alongside the boat, Captain Tommy grabbed it behind the head and lifted it into the boat. It was not happy, more like snappy. We left that spot and went to another spot where he said sharks hung out to see if we could hook into one more big one, and we did. He threw out two baits, and it was only a few minutes before we had a fish peeling the reel again. This time he picked up the Ulterra and off we went after it. The fish was going fast and peeling line. Even with us in pursuit the fish managed to pull away and break the line. I can’t wait to go back and fish with Captain Tommy again soon. It was a great fishing trip and a great time! I am already lining up friends to make another trip out with him. If you are going to be in the
Myrtle Beach area, Georgetown is just a little ways down the road and worth the drive. I would highly recommend booking a trip with Captain Tommy. For more information about fishing with Captain Tommy, you can reach him at 843546-3543, find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ GeorgetownCoastalAdventures/
or email him at tommy@captaintommy.com . I’m not sure what next month’s article will be on, but if you have an empty seat on your boat that needs filling, or a great farm pond you want to share, shoot me an email and maybe it will be about fishing with you! You can reach me at gary@gonefishinclub.com.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE BURTON
Forecast by: Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 www.georgialakefishing.com
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Water temperature: 80 degrees, lake level: full pool, clarity: clear. Bass: Bass are still on a summer pattern. Most of the spotted bass are deep on main lake points and ledges. They are hiding in brush piles and rock outcroppings. Drop shotting these bigger fish with Robo Worms has been the most effective technique lately. Look for these fish on a 25 to 38 foot bottom. We have been seeing some small schools schooling on top early morning to mid-morning. Keep a topwater plug handy for throwing at these fish. We have caught some TM
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monster spots doing this the last couple of trips. This bite should continue for the next few weeks. Trout: The brown trout bite has been a pre-daylight to early morning bite the last few days. Try split shotting crappie minnows over the main lake channel. Being able to locate the trout suspended is the key to catching trout this time of year. Pay close attention to your electronics for fish moving through the water column in the 30 to 40 foot depths. Most of these are brown trout. We have had some success trolling Little Cleo’s setting the downriggers at about 22 feet deep. We have been maintaining a speed of 2.5mph with lots of S turns when trolling. This bite should continue for the next few weeks. Look for the trout to start feeding more mid-day. Good luck!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts CARTERS LAKE
Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973
lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com
Water temperature: 85 degrees, lake level: full pool, clarity: 7 feet on surface. Deep, deep, deep. If you like to fish deep drop shots, downlines, big spoons, jigs, lead core or anything else that’s designed to fish the bottom of the water column, now’s the time. It seems that just about every fish in the lake of any size is below 40-50 feet after sunrise and will pretty much stay there all day. This time of year I switch from fishing locations to targeting fish I see on the sonar. I use the zoom function on graph and turn the sensitivity up a bit and slowly work the edges of timber and the main river channel. With the zoom feature you will see the slightest movements of the fish on the bottom, or you will find a school
of fish mixed in the timber just hanging there blending in with the trees. This is where it gets fun. Grab either the Ben Parker Magnum Spoon, a jig like a bucktail with a trailer or a live bait and send it down to the depth where you marked the fish. Working the bait just above the trees will drive the fish nuts, and they will either rush up to get it or totally ignore your offerings. If you don’t see a change in movement or behavior of the fish after your bait is in the zone, move on to another group of fish. Sometimes I will make a waypoint and come back to these fish later. It’s always worth checking back and trying again. I like 14 pound mono on my big spoons and jigs this time of year. If they won’t eat that, you can try dropping down line size and hooking up a live bait. This pattern will hold true with most of the targeted species on Carters right now including stripers, spots and walleye.
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won’t last long at those depths, so check and change them often. The nighttime catfish bite is on fire. Loading coolers with channels and blues can make for a good time and a good fish fry. Live baits, dead bait, it doesn’t really matter. Some nights I believe they will eat anything they can. Anywhere guys are catching bait there is catfish in the general area.
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The river bite has been decent above the big island. Fish are a little shallower upriver but still holding on the timber lines and sharp bends staying in the cooler water. We caught several stripers and a few nice hybrids in the mouth of the Ridgeway boat ramp cove as well as some nice walleye a little closer to the ramp recently deep dropping live baits. Remember, your live baits
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SEPTEMBER 2017
ATLANTA 15
Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE CHATUGE
Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchsguideservice. com 706-455-2323 Water temperature: 83 degrees, lake level: 1.5 feet below full pool, water clarity: clear. The bass fishing has been fair. The topwater bite has still been scattered. They have just not been pushing the bait around like they did this time last year. In the first couple hours I’m throwing topwater, and the baits I’ve been using have been a Strike King Sexy Dawg Jr., Whopper Plopper and a Zoom weighted Fluke Jr. Most of the breaking action has been in the mouths of creeks and the backs of
s
pockets. Once the sun gets up, the bass are going deep. Fish way off the long main-lake points in 25 to 40 feet with a drop shot or Texas rig. Also fish a shaky head around lay downs. Try dragging a jig around deep road beds and submerged creek beds. You are going to mark a lot of fish on your electronics, but getting them to bite has been the real trick. There has been some better fish being caught around deep docks with a shaky head and a jig. If you get a good windy day, throw a spinnerbait around laydowns, and Texas rig around deep rocky banks. The fishing should start getting better this month with the lake level lower. Give us a call for a great day on the lake.
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lately. September will be like August with many fish in the deep water July 31, Sept. 30,2017 2017 Forecast by: of the lower Lake. Most of the bigPreston Harden ger stripers that my customers have 071 caught have come from 80 feet to 120 feet deep lately. As of mid-August the water level The largemouth and spotted bass is 7 feet below full pool and the wa- are still off the bank around brush ter temperature is 84°. -618-7071 Fishing has been awesome in piles in 15 to 30 feet deep water. Good electronics will tell you if the August. The cool weather and the fish are under you whether you are cool water have the fish very active. looking 20 feet deep for bass or 120 Last year with the hot weather and feet deep for stripers. Be patient and •3X Harder than Traditional Clear Coat Paint the hot water, the fishing got tough trust your electronics. Have a Samin August. This year is much dif- my or other topwater plug ready in •Increases Speed and Acceleration Permanent formark paint, alloy wheels, rubber, glass and leatherferent. The hybrids and stripers are case fishprotection hit the surface. If you stacked up in the lower Lake. They fish on the sonar, don’t •Easy Cleaning and Maintenance be afraid to Delivers the ultimate in gloss & shine! have been schooling on the surface go small with light line. You have to most days, especially with the cool get the bite before you can catch the Ceramic Pro is 3x •Increases Fuel Economy harder than traditional and cloudy weather we have had fish.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE NOTTELY STRIPER By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER With the kids back in school and the start of fall in the air, it’s time to recover from the summer and visit Lake Nottely for some of the greatest striper fishing in the North Georgia Mountains. This is a perfect time of year to catch tons of schooling fish, and there’s no better way to do that than by booking a trip with Blairsville, GA’s #1 striper guide: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Currently, Lake Nottely is at 3 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear and slightly stained in the backs of creeks, and water temps are in the low 80’s. Striper fishing started off a little slower than normal during the month of August. Since then it has picked up, and by the time this hits the shelf it should be excellent. September has always been a great month for stripers for us. Currently, we are catching some decent fish in good quantities. There are a lot of smaller schoolies, but we are starting to see some larger stripers in the 15 to 20 pound range. The early morning and late afternoon bites are your best times to see action. Target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 7 to
the dam. Downlining live blueback herring over a 30 to 70 foot bottom has been the best technique, but we’ve actually had a pretty good topwater bite lately as well. Keep that Spook or RedFin at the ready to snag those surface-busting fish. The u-rig bite has also been working fairly well. The fish will continue to school up through the next couple months and will move to even deeper water. Just remember to keep an eye on your electronics and watch for schools of stripers when cruising the lake. Also, remember to try to get the fish back into the water as quickly as possible after they are caught. September is a fantastic month for catching a lot of stripers and bass on this North Georgia lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Nottely’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Blairsville, GA’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee and Chatuge (in North Carolina), and Lake Blue Ridge. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing and have the best live herring around. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!
ALLATOONA
Forecast By: Capt. Robert Eidson First Bite Guide Service 770-827-6282 eidson6260@att.net www.firstbiteguideservice.com Lineside fishing is decent. The approaching full moon has slowed the bite down compared to last week but it should be a temporary setback. We are still catching decent numbers, but we are having to run and gun right now. The fish are on the move and aren’t staying in one location for more than five minutes. Downlining shad is still working, but shad are dying very quickly on a hook. Be sure to take plenty of bait with you. Downlines fished at 14-21 feet deep are working best right now. The dissolved oxygen 18 ATLANTA
SEPTEMBER 2017
level is so low below 21 feet bait is dying in less than five minutes on a hook. Netting bait isn’t that hard right now, but if netting isn’t your thing, the Soup in Acworth has plenty of shad in stock. I have caught fish this week as far north as Kellogg’s Creek and as far south as Allatoona Landing. These fish are on the move and never seem to be in the same place the next day. Trolling is good! The trolling bite has been my better bite the last few weeks, and this will probably hold true into mid-September. I am pulling nothing but umbrella rigs right now, and color doesn’t seem to matter. It is more of a reaction bite right now. I have been having my best luck at 145 feet behind the boat at speeds of 2.4 - 3.1 miles per hour.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Lake Lanier in September-Make the Right Choice Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com A traditional September on Lake Lanier offers anglers many choices of approach. This September on Lake Lanier will most likely follow suit. The lake has been well below full pool all summer and we should go into September about 5 feet below normal pool. The water temperatures have been very moderate for late summer which has created lower than normal water temperatures around the lake. Often during these kind of conditions, you can find fish very deep as well as very shallow, and some in between. Today we will look at the options for fishing Lanier this September and how to approach catching bass in this key transitional month. Location: Understand that the primary concern of both game fish and baitfish are oxygen and food source, in that order. During a normal September, the “comfort zone” of both the baitfish and
spotted bass become multi-faceted. In September, we often find spotted bass in 3 different types of locations: 1. Very deep (30-50 ft) off the ends of humps and points, relating to timber lines. 2. Very shallow in the backs of creeks and creek arms in major tributaries around the lake or shallow on rocky bluff walls. 3. Suspended in the mouths of major creeks around brush in 2030 feet of water, as well as deeper pockets near the main lake. Now let’s look at some of the tools we can use to catch them in each of the above situations. Lures and Presentation: Deep 1. Drop-Shot – This is a great tool to target deep fish. This presentation can be made vertically into cover or it can be cast toward the target and slowly retrieved. I prefer the Lanier Baits drop shot worms. Light line is a
must with 6-8 pound test at the most. Light line helps provide a more natural presentation and will garner more strikes. 2. Jigging Spoon/Flutter Spoon – Always a great option when the fish are deep. In general, I prefer the Flexit spoons, but choose your favorite in this category. A flutter spoon can be a great option this time of year as well. Experiment with the presentation once you have located the fish. Some sort of rip/pause or fast reel/pause cadence should do the trick. Their mood and the presentation required to catch them will vary daily with conditions. Look around timber lines and tree tops near the mouths of creeks. Lures and Presentation: Shallow 1. Buzzbait – While Lanier is not necessarily known as a buzzbait lake, this can be a very effective tool in both shallow situations discussed above. Make your retrieve an erratic one and present around cover in addition to steep rocky banks early in the morning. I like the Picasso choices for a buzzbait. 2. Spinnerbait- An old favorite that can be deadly around flooded shoreline cover as well as by shallow docks and blow down trees, as well as steeper rocky banks. 3. Crankbait - Opt for a shallow to medium diving plug and work the same areas as you would the spinnerbait. I am a big fan of the SPRO offerings. 4. Jig/Worm - When the fish are not chasing, don’t be afraid to pitch worms and jigs to the flooded shoreline cover. This can be a very effective technique to catch fish with a smaller strike zone. Chattahoochee Jigs rule! Lures and Presentation: Suspended 1. Topwater – When the water starts to cool, the topwater action can be awesome. Look around man-made brush on off-shore structure such as humps and points for the fish that are hanging out. Topwater baits such as a Chug Bug and a Zara Spook can be an excellent way to catch these fish.
2. SuperSpin – This is an excellent producer on Lanier. Fish the bait at the depth you see the fish suspending near bait balls. Understand the fallrate for your rig and count the bait down to the depth of the fish and maintain that depth. 3. Jerk Bait – Another great tool for targeting suspending fish. Chose a bait that suspends at the depth the fish are holding and experiment with your retrieve cadence until you zero in on what the fish are looking for any given day. The SPRO McStick or McRip are great options here. I still have a few dates available this September, so call me to book a trip! Jimbo is a full-time, year-round spotted bass guide on Lake Lanier. Contact him today to book a trip at 770542-7764 or at www.jimboonlanier. com.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
LARGE
CHATTOOGA RIVER
by Karl Ekberg Chattooga River Fly Shop www.chattoogariverflyshop.cm 864-638-2806 The “Dog Days” of summer seemed to have passed us by as the summer heat has let up on the waters near Chattooga River Fly Shop. With the late summer rains and cooler temperatures, the fishing on the rivers has been good. Despite some heavy rains at times, the rivers have been subsiding quickly, and the water has been clearing up quickly as well. Folks have had good fishing trips on the Chattooga and Chauga rivers fishing for red eye bass and panfish. Using topwater poppers and terrestrials has proven to be a great day on the water for these fish. Small streamer patterns have proven themselves as well when the topwater bite subsides. Fishing for trout has been good and the fall fishing for trout will get much better as we receive the cooler fall temperatures and cooling water temperatures. As we look forward to the cooler temperatures of fall, we will start to see the emergence of the first of the “fall bugs”. The rocks in the rivers are loaded with very small dark nymphs as well. Try swinging the larger emerger imitation or a heavy nymph with a smaller nymph dropper through the riffle areas of the river and into the heads of the pools. As daytime temperatures heat up, the fish will move further into the depths of the rivers, so getting a bit deeper
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with a heavier front fly or a pinch of split shot will help greatly. Streamers are equally productive and will continue as well through the fall season. With the heat of the summer behind us and a good amount of water in the rivers, the fall fishing here looks to be excellent for another year. If you are interested in a mountain lake guided fly fishing trip, we have added this new adventure to our fly shop, in addition to our wading trips on the rivers. For one or two clients per boat outing, we are just a phone call away to book your trip in the beauty of the mountains on the lake. Please find us on find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for daily water condition posts, and we look forward to seeing everyone out on the rivers!
JACKSON LAKE
By Brian Lee leebrian16 @yahoo.com
Water temperature: 86-90 degrees, lake level: full pool, water clarity: stained/clear. The early morning bite has been the best throwing topwater around any structure. The bass are schooled up chasing shad. As the day goes on, target deeper humps
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or brush piles. Long rocky points are also being productive. Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, shaky heads and drop shots will catch fish on any of these areas. Watch your electronics. If you see baitfish with fish around, drop a drop shot down to the fish. Afternoons are starting to get better. The summer heat has slowed the evening bite down, but I look to see it start to get better. Till next month good luck and tight lines.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Old Dogs and Shade Trees Cloud Fishing
Contributed By: Noey Vinyard
If I am not up by four, Lucky Dog makes sure I am up by five. Every morning for a long time now Lucky Dog has come to my front door, gives me about 30 seconds to react, and if I don’t have him a treat in that time, the barking commences. When he is done with the treats at that door, he walks the 5 yards to my side door and repeats the performance. I don’t mind, and Lucky Dog carries the rank of senior here at the rescue. Nobody really knows how old he is, but he is one of the ranking members of all the animals here. Our best guess is 15 years, and back in his day, he was one of those dogs whose names started with No No. He was a fireball into everything, but these days, not so much. These days he spends a lot of time laying in the shade or on his mattress in the house and demanding treats from me, and I give them by the handful. It’s still sad to say that every time I see Lucky Dog his ribs are more and more pronounced, and the three of us here have resigned ourselves to the
fact that he is probably in his last days. But considering he started out life as a stray and ended up here at 30 Coveys, there is no place he could be more comfortable or loved. Down at the horse barn, Mama Kitty is laying straddled on one of the roof beams in that way that only cats can make look comfortable. Back in her day she was responsible for more piles of bird feathers and mouse bones than any cat on the property. Her prowess as a hunter was awe inspiring, and she rarely touched the cat food we provide. The lessons in manners that she taught rambunctious dogs cannot easily be counted, and still today, more than one dog carries the thin white scars from her claws. But like with Lucky Dog, the years have passed her by, and now she spends a lot of time laying around in the loft of the barn. I noticed that more of the cat food that I put out is being eaten. I have resigned myself to the fact that one day I will go down there and she will simply not be there. Cheyenne or “little Annie” as I call
her, peeks her head around the corner of the barn at me. She is one of seven horses and the Omega of the herd. Closer to 30 than 20, it’s not hard to see the age in her slow walk, and winters are hard on her, and another one is approaching. Last year, I recall very clearly René and I talking, hoping just to get her through one more winter. I find us doing the same thing now. I do what I can for her. I protect her from the other horses when they get jealous because she is eating and they are not, and I clear a space around the water trough, but there is not much more that I can do. One day she will kneel down in the thick sawdust we pad her stall with and refuse to get up. I dread the day, but hope I am with her. And so it is here at 30 Coveys rescue. We go about our day-to-day routine knowing that we will outlive the dozens of animals that occupy the place. And we do it knowing that more will replace the ones that go. And that’s not even counting the ones that are already in the ground. One of the things that makes this rescue special is that we do not re-home our animals. When they come to us, they live out the entirety of their lives here. Truth be told, we simply don’t trust other people to love our animals the way that we do. They did not end up here with us because they were being
taken care of where they were at, if they had a home at all. When people learn that you work on an animal rescue reserve, it gets a smile and usually a comment about how wonderful it must be. That’s true, and the three of us would be nowhere else or do anything else. But what they don’t realize is that there is an emotional price to pay, as it is quite impossible not to get attached to every animal that comes through here. We don’t have personal horses or dogs or any other animals. They are all here. They all get loved equally, and they all get the same amount of love and care. This piece is dedicated to my friend Dawn who had to say goodbye to her friend J.C., a gray and white kitty that greeted her at the door every day for 15 years. I know that she will miss the feel of JC curled up in a ball and a slight touch of kitty breath on her face. But Dawn is one of “us”, and when I say “us”, I mean the people who have never even had the idea of “I will never get another dog or cat.” Thoughts like that are simply not in our makeup. I am happy that there are people like Dawn, because there are certainly more homeless animals than there are people like us willing to give them a piece of our heart. See you next month.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE LANIER STRIPERS Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673 It is hard to believe September is already here. The weather is already starting to cool off, and the fish know that fall is on the way. We are already seeing signs of an early topwater bite. For September, the bite will always depend on the prevalent weather pattern. If the weather stays warm, stay with the downline, same as the last several months. As soon as the weather cools even a little, look for the fish to move shallow. The herring are already moving shallow
leading us to believe the topwater bite is rapidly approaching game time. Keep several rods tied up with various topwater lures. Be sure to keep one rod with a Super Spook, a 7’ medium spinning rod like the Fenwick paired with a Penn Battle 4000 with a 7” Redfin and a rod with a Sebile Magic Swimmer. The Magic Swimmer is deadly. Each day a different one will be the choice. All kinds of variables will affect which is best. All in all, if the weather cools, expect the fishing to be a chaotic, crazy pandemonium with fish crushing bait on the surface. See you on the water in the mornings and evenings. Both can be incredible.
“If the weather stays warm, stay with the downline, same as the last several months. As soon as the weather cools even a little, look for the fish to move shallow”
LAKE LANIER SPOTTED BASS Forecast By: Ryan Coleman LanierSpots Pro Guide Service 770-356-4136 Spotted bass fishing is good. The lake is 5 feet below full pool and still rising. The surface temps are in the mid 80’s and holding steady. I’d say we are about where we should be for this time of year. It has been raining a lot this summer so the temps have stayed down just a bit. There is still a good topwater bite at times, and the deep bite is coming on strong. I have been doing a little of everything the past few weeks and pretty much having success at all techniques. On top, there are schoolers early in the day, then you can draw up some fish off the manmade brush piles on a Vixen or Chug Bug. If the wind is going, you can toss the Whopper Plopper and they will still rise to it. For the suspended fish, I have been doing a combination of an albino 7/16 underspin with a Super
Fluke Jr on the back and a green pearl swim jig. The swim jig is much better when they are very aggressive or there is some wind present. For the calmer days, I am sticking with the underspin. Slow roll both baits over flats and man-made brush in 20-30 feet of water. My best bite has been on the bottom in 35-40 feet of water. A lot of the bigger fish have moved out to the timber edges and are just sitting out there getting fat on the abundance of bait holding in the same depth. You can find big balls of bait out there on your Lowrance if you look around. I have been doing my best on a drop shot but also catching some nice fish on a green craw and brown/ purple 3/8 casting jig. For the drop shot, I have been working a small nose-hooked 6” hand pour with a 3/8 drop shot weight. My best bait has been the SpotSticker 6” drop shot worm in Cinnamon Purple, Earthworm and Crushed Herring. It has been hard to keep those colors in stock this summer. Good luck out there!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Assessing Habitat in a Lake or Pond to Maximize Better Bass Fishing Contributed By: Steven King sking@ilmenvironments.com Field Manager at SOLitude Lake Management When it comes to bass fishing, any experienced angler would agree that targeting the correct structure is essential to catching fish on a consistent basis. Throughout the year, changing weather patterns and seasons can trigger the natural instincts of various bass species to behave differently and seek different types of cover. While this can make day-today bass fishing more challenging, improving your knowledge about the habitat tendencies of these fish can help improve catch rates. To anglers, the word “structure” is a very broad term that can be broken down into two main categories: 1) Natural (trees, brush, rocks, vegetation and natural contours of the waterbody) 2) Artificial (docks, bridges, seawalls, fish attractors or concrete blocks added to the water, like riprap often seen along dams). Having an adequate and diverse amount of structure in a waterbody
is necessary for the success of bass populations and is a key factor in managing for quality bass. To sustain or create a quality bass fishery, it is important to add or manage structures in the water to create an ideal habitat. To ensure a lake or pond contains the appropriate habitat, the various needs of bass species should be considered: 1) Protection from predators for newly hatched bass fry and the small forage species on which bass feed. This can help increase the survival rate of the forage fish, ensuring more reach maturity to reproduce and provide a sustainable food source. This will also increase the proportion of bass that survive to maturity to catch in the future. 2) Ambush cover for predatory fish like bass to catch prey. The less work and energy bass require to feed, the more successful they will be.
3) Shelter to provide relief from the hot summer temperatures. Bass regularly utilize various structures to cool down and reduce stress, which can play a vital role in overall bass success. 4) Cover during the spring spawning months. Spawning time is a stressful point in a bass’ life cycle, and they will use structures to rest and feed before and after they spawn. 5) Protection for their eggs following spawning. Bass will often choose a spot that has one or more protected sides to create a bed for their eggs. This makes it easier for them to guard the eggs from other fish and expend less energy as protectors. No matter the size of a lake, having an array of structure present is key to developing a healthy
and sustainable fishery. And even if your waterbody already has some cover present, it is often beneficial to add additional cover to create a more diverse habitat. To ensure the success of your fishery, consider working with a professional fisheries manager who can assess the habitat complexity in your waterbody and recommend other strategies, including selective harvesting, supplemental feeding, water quality testing, aeration and vegetation management to help you achieve— and exceed—your fisheries goals. Steven King is a Field Manager at SOLitude Lake Management, an environmental firm providing full service lake, pond, and fisheries management solutions throughout the United States. He can be reached through the website: www. solitudelakemanagement.com.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Fishing Resume…. What is that? Contributed By: Jay Striker www.jaystriker.com Last month I talked about sponsorship, and this month we go a little deeper in tools needed to showcase you as an angler. One of those tools is having a fishing resume. One thing that I have found is that each one of the fishing resumes that I have seen all looked different and contained different things. This is expected as all anglers will have varying backgrounds. What is a fishing resume? A fishing resume is a written summary of your fishing career that allows one to look at it in a quick fashion and determine several things like who you are, what you have done; and how and where you did it. Most importantly, it shows what you can do for your potential sponsors. Understand that a fishing resume is not like a normal resume that you would use in applying for a job. Your focus is on all your strengths that you have acquired being in the outdoors. Often I get asked to assist anglers in putting together a fishing resume, but I caution them that they need to have some experience in order to have an effective resume to show you in the best light. Be sure you have captured as much information as you can about your outdoor experiences. Understand that you are presenting a snapshot of your past and not a book about you. Most potential sponsors have seen enough of them and will stop reading after the first page. Make it no longer that 1-1/2 pages. I recommend these seven items to have in your fishing resume: 1. Photograph: A photo of you will give your sponsor a quick memory of who they were talking to when you do a followup later on. 2. Contact information: Who you are and where you’re from and phone number with email. 3. Objectives: This is where you
in print and on online
make a brief statement that provides the reader with what you plan to do and how you plan to do it. Keep this to one paragraph. Short and Sweet. 4. Education: Knowing that you have taken the time to study shows that you have a certain discipline about you. Education matters. Trust me on this one. 5. Fishing Background: I recommend putting only the last three years of events and trails you have fished because it shows you have been active in the industry. 6. Industry Outreach: Having a strong industry outreach activity on the fishing resume is a good thing. What it means is you are using your skills to benefit others and not just yourself. Items such as supporting benefit tournaments or organizations such as Wounded Warriors Project, doing boat shows and expos. 7. Current Sponsors and Goals: Having some sponsorships helps, and this is where you want to list all that you have and understand that they will be called to see how you are doing. If you don’t have any sponsors, make sure to show your passion in helping the sponsor meet their goals moving forward. Having a fishing resume is a must when trying to develop yourself in the fishing industry. It gives potential sponsors a way to look at you in a quick glance and make a determination if you can be an asset or a liability. You only have one chance to make a first impression, so make it count. Use professional resume paper, because when you are handing out your resume, it sends an instant message that you took the time to care and that speaks volumes. I hope this advice helps you achieve your goals. Please take the time to like my New FB page On Deck with Jay Striker.
“A fishing resume is a written summary of your fishing career that allows one to look at it in a quick fashion and determine several things like who you are, what you have done; and how and where you did it.”
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE OCONEE
by Mark Smith Reel Time Service at 404-803-0741 or reeltime@bellsouth.net Lake Oconee is full with the water clear on the south end, stained to muddy up the lake and water temperature 84-88 degrees. Striper fishing is fair. If Georgia Power is pulling water, the pipeline is the place to be. Live bait as well as spoons will produce good fish. You can also find a good school of white bass on the humps up the lake if the water is moving. There is also
a good early morning bite at the dam. Live bait as well as spoons will put fish in the live well. Crappie fishing is very good. The fish are in full summer mode. Look in the submerged timber from 10-20 feet deep. Live bait as well as jigging will put lots of fish in your boat. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools in the timber and start catching. To book a great spring trip on Lake Oconee, call Captain Mark Smith, Reel Time Guide Service at 404-803-0741 or at reeltime@ bellsouth.net.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Get Your Mojo On In The Sun! By: Ryan Kennedy YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing Instagram: ryankfishing ryankfishing@gmail.com
If you’re anything like me then you see the outdoors as a place of endless enjoyment and opportunity. Do you remember the age old saying of “Nothing is free”? Well in a way that saying holds true to the outdoors as well. When we are outside, we are exposed to sun’s rays. Whether it is sunny and 75 or an overcast day as far as the eye can see, the sun’s rays still manage to reach us. Let’s talk about the results of this as an angler. After a few days of doing what we do best on the water, we find ourselves in one of two situations. Situation one is as simple as it is painful. You decided to take the boat out for the day after a long, tough work week and hitting the gym every evening. Finally, you have a chance to show off those muscles you’ve been working on for months. The plan is to put the boat in the water and take your shirt off for the world to get a free ticket to your personal “gun show”. The day goes on and finally comes to a close; so now that the daylight is gone, I guess it’s time to put the shirt back on and go scarf down 10 pounds of protein bars, right? Oh wait... you’re having trouble putting your shirt on. No way... that’s impossible that Muscle Bob Buff Pants is having trouble putting his shirt on from a sunburn that has him as red as a fresh-cooked lobster. The pain is excruciating and you’re about to go buy a fivegallon bucket of Aloe Vera gel. Now let’s take a journey through situation two and see if we can end up with a more enjoyable ending to the day. Whether in your imagination you are the guy busting the seams of his shirt from so much muscle mass, one of the lady anglers of the fishing industry, or just the average Joe, we can all relate to the story and this unforgettable feeling of a fresh sunburn. In this situation, the beginning can be the same, but the precautions taken in the situation are different. We do need a name for this gentleman though. For some reason I like the name Ryan. Sound good? Great. I knew you would like it. Where were we? Oh yeah, so Ryan went out on the boat decked out in a Mojo 28 ATLANTA
SEPTEMBER 2017
Sportswear Performance Fishing Shirt with built in sun protection of UPF 50+, a good pair of protective shorts or pants (Recommendation: Mojo Sportswear Still Water Fishing Short), a comfortable hat (Recommendation: Mojo Sportswear Finny Bass Hat), and a pair of quality sunglasses such as any models offered from Nines Optics which offer nine different layers of protection. The point is that you want to stay protected from the sun to enjoy the outdoors without having to make the dermatologist your second home. Skin cancer is a very serious matter and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Anywhere that you aren’t covered needs to have a generous coating of sunscreen. I know, I know, sometimes it seems like such a burden and a time waster, but it’s all worth it to stay healthy. To hammer home a few key points; make regular appointments with a dermatologist, use sunscreen and wear quality apparel such as Mojo Sportswear to stay cool and protected on the water! In the meantime, look me up on social media to stay connected, and if you enjoy watching fishing videos please visit my YouTube channel ‘Ryan Kennedy Fishing’. Until next time, “Get Your Mojo On!” and Tight Lines...
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SEPTEMBER 2017
ATLANTA 29
Local Lakes & Forecasts
Fishy Gadgets By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series
Every July there’s a huge migration of tackle store owners, industry pros, outdoor press and fishing industry manufacturers to the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades Show – aka, ICAST. Unfortunately, ICAST isn’t open to the public. I’m not sure there’s a building on the planet that could hold everyone if it was. But not to worry, because you’ll soon be seeing all this new gear on the shelves of your favorite outdoor stores. This is my 14th or 15th ICAST show, and when you walk through the doors, you’re immediately immersed in everything ‘fishing’. Rods, reels, hooks, lures, apparel, accessories and lots of ‘gadgets’. This year, I was really impressed by all the ‘gadgets’ being shown. Amidst all the hoopla over the rods, reels, and lures, it occurred to me there are some noteworthy products that might get overlooked because they often wind up at the bottom of a rack or beneath the checkout counter. Here’s a few cool gadgets I saw at ICAST, and you might want to give them a glance the next time you’re refilling your tackle box. If you fish with live bait, you know how important it is to keep baits frisky over the entire day on the water. Oxygen systems are ideal, but not everyone has the budget or room for an O2 system on their boat, and they can be cumbersome if you’re fishing from a pier or shoreline. The Low Pressure Ceramic Diffuser from Keep Alive connects to standard ‘bubbler’ pumps that you’d use on a bait bucket or in a small livewell. It produces gazillions of micro-bubbles to keep minnows and shrimp lively for hours. We’ve all got our “go-to” lure, a plug that consistently produces fish. Perhaps it’s the way it’s tuned, the way it runs or some other characteristic that makes it your favorite. After catching lots of fish, or too many trips in the bed of your pickup, the finish
gets worn, cracks or peels. JigSkinz offers an alternative to retiring your lure, with great looking customizable sleeves that slip over your plug. Remove the hooks, cut the sleeve to length, slide it over the lure and dip in hot water for a couple seconds. Viola! Your old friend just got revitalized. Wish I would have invented that one! All too often, I lay my line snips or scissors down someplace on the boat, and when I need them to cut line, they’re impossible to find. Line Cutterz makes a neat line cutting tool that fits on your finger, or the handle of your fishing rod, or the upright on your T-top. The adjustable Velcro ring is a one-size-fits all, and has a double-sided blade that is tucked away under the ring top, so it’s safe to wear all day. And it cuts braid. It’s another cool gadget that serves a great purpose. Lure lights have been around for a while. Night fishing and deep dropping are just two situations where you can really benefit from them. Until now, the best ones only worked in saltwater. Project-X Tackle introduced their X-Light lure light at ICAST. It does all you’d expect from a lure light, AND it works in freshwater. It’s self-contained, automatically turns on and off and is easy to rig. Now striper, catfish, crappie and bass anglers can benefit from these cool attractors. I’ve used one for a variety of fish, day and night, and yes, they do seem to catch more fish than the rigs without them. These are just a few of the neat fishing gadgets I had the chance to get up close and personal with at ICAST this year. So be on the lookout for these and more cool accessories that will make your fishing adventures more fun and more productive. Take a couple extra minutes to explore the world of fishy gadgets, and you’ll probably find something that could help you put a few more fish in the boat.
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SEPTEMBER 2017
ATLANTA 30
Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE MARTIN Forecast By: Capt David Hare 256-401-3089 Alex City Guide Service Surface temperature: 87 degrees, water level: (490.56), full pool 491.00, clarity: clear. August fishing at the time of this writing has been a very tough month for catching most any type fish and for sure tough to catch a striper! I’m sure there are a number of reasons for the slower bites, but in my opinion, one of the reasons for the tough striper bite is that the oxygen level in the lake wasn’t normal due to lots and lots of rain and having to generate a lot of water to keep water levels from getting above full pool levels. So in return, this stresses the stripers for sure! However, by the time you’re reading this, my guess is that everything is back to normal and the fishing is once again awesome. September fishing in years past, and hopefully this year too, is a month where you should be able to catch fish both night fishing and early morning fishing. Lake Martin, like most any other lake, will start seeing less recreational boating in September due to various reasons: back to school, football season started and hunting season getting started. By saying this, when the boating traffic slows down, the fishing seems to pick up, and the fish seem to be less scattered. This month you should be able to have some good results in the water depths that range from 50 - 80 feet with the fish, especially stripers, being suspended in the 40’ range. The
KIM’S KITCHEN BBQ Cedar Plank Salmon • Marinade: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/4 cup lemon juice • 1 (2-pound) salmon fillet • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
15-year-old Cody Hanvey from South Dakota catches a 31 pound striper with Alex City Guide Service. first part of September I should be fishing the lower end of the lake, and hopefully start slowly working my way to middle part of lake north by the end of this month. September for me is both a trolling lures and a live bait fishing month. If you are having a hard time getting fish in the boat, never hesitate to make changes whether it’s your lures, your type of live bait or your presentation techniques. If bigger type baits aren’t working, try smaller baits. If the fast approach or retrieve isn’t working, then slow it down and vice versa. Never question yourself on trying new areas because you may have a pleasant surprise! Until next time, catch some for me and release what you don’t need.
Special Equipment: 1 untreated cedar plank Soak the cedar plank in cold water for 2 hours; the cedar plank should be completely immersed in water, so weigh it down (a heavy bowl works well). Combine marinade ingredients in a shallow non-reactive dish large enough to hold the salmon. Place the salmon in the marinade and turn to coat; let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat a grill to medium heat. Place the cedar plank on the hot grill. Once the cedar plank starts to smoke, place the salmon fillet on top of it, skin side down. Arrange the sliced onions on top of the salmon. Pour the marinade over all. Cover the grill and cook for 15 minutes. If the plank catches on fire, it can be lightly sprayed with water. The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the salmon; allow 10 minutes per inch of thickness. The salmon may be served on the cedar plank, but be careful not to overcook as the salmon will continue cooking while resting on the hot cedar plank.
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ATLANTA 31
Wall of Fame
Win A Free Angler Magazine Cap! A Angler Magazine cap will be given away each month for the best reader submitted photo!
WINNER! Gary and Tori Turner with a big redfish caught off the coast of Georgetown, SC.
Shane Shadburn with a handful of Lanier stripers caught using a Ben Parker Spoon.
Dick Gillespie with a big hybrid caught on Lake Chatuge.
12-year-old Jackson Denny caught this huge carp on Lake Lanier on his first cast!
Twelve-year-old Jackson Denny caught this big bass at a pond in Johns Creek, Ga. Carson Masters with a big bass caught on a white chatterbait on Lake Acworth.
Jimmy Hill with his personal best spot, 5.3 lb caught on Lanier with a Zoom Fluke.
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Spectacular Salmon Season is On! By Frank Geremski
L
ake Ontario consistently produces some of the best Great Lakes salmon catches, and this year’s fishing has been nothing short of spectacular. Significant early summer rains brought high water, which stimulated a feeding frenzy for giant king salmon. Recent summers have endured dry weather, low water and thinner salmon runs. Both lake and river health was questioned during these dry years, but cool and plentiful rains have done wonders for this fishery. It’s prime time to tangle with beasts that have been tipping the scales over 30 pounds! The experts are excited about lake and river conditions in New York’s Oswego County, holder of 12 New York state and world records. Bob Mallory is an expert on Lake Ontario and Oswego Harbor, where he pursues his passion for trout and salmon. Here are Bob’s thoughts on the 2017 Salmon Season: “Fishing in the lake out of the port of Oswego has Tom Fernandez of The continued to get better every Tailwater Lodge with a trophy week as the season has proearly season King Salmon! gressed. The number of fish being hooked and caught right now is nothing short of amazing and points to a great river season. Trolling in the lake with downriggers and Dipsy Divers with flashers and flies has been my go-to method. In low light conditions, white eChip flashers with A-Tom-Mik Hammer flies is producing. In overcast conditions, try greens; brighter days favor chrome and Mountain Dew colors. As fish get closer to the pier head, J-plugs will produce.” Tom Fernandez and the team at The Tailwater Lodge on New York’s Salmon River have developed a premier fishing resort. Huge salmon can attract a crowd when they blast up shallow runs and riffles on this picturesque river. The Tailwater’s 35 acres of private access solves that issue, and they provide a top-notch fishing concierge service. Tom is looking forward to an early salmon season with these words: “As the nights get colder in Altmar, we can only think about one thing, trophy king salmon exploding outside our back door in the Schoolhouse Pool. This year we are expecting the run to start earlier than we have seen in the past few years, with kings and cohos in the river system from September through October until we get deep into steelhead season. The high levels of Lake Ontario, the consistent good flow through the Salmon River and fish staging outside Oswego and Mexico Point have all the necessary ingredients for one heck of a salmon season. If I were looking for a time to experience the trophy fish on the Salmon River with thinner crowds, warmer temps and explosive fish, I would think about making the early run this year.” To truly experience the salmon spawning process and have a great adventure with the family, the Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Altmar, N.Y. will hold their annual open house Sept. 23, where you can view the complete spawning cycle. To learn more about Oswego County fishing, go to www.visitoswegocounty/fishing.com. Phil Belsito of The Angler Magazine of West Michigan said Lake Michigan fish are large and plentiful also. Go to www.theanglermag.com, then select Great Lakes Region for reports from both Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario.
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he quick answer to this question is “probably not.” The ideal lens for the visual rigors of hunting is an amber lens, sometimes referred to as a copper lens. Not to make this more complicated than it needs to be, but a green lens is sometimes referred to as a G-15 or gray lens. Depending on the time of day and sun coverage, the gray (green) lens may also be a preferred option for hunting. As a hunter, I prefer the low-light sensitive amber lens. The majority of my opportunities seem to come either during the early morning or late afternoon to dusk windows, when light enhancement is preferable to light dispersal. The requirements of your fishing sunglasses are starkly different than your hunting glasses. Looking deep into the water is directly in contrast to seeing long range with limited light. Selecting the perfect hunting sunglasses normally takes a bit of trial and error. My best advice when selecting a new pair of hunting sunglasses is to purchase them from a dealer with a liberal return policy. Finding your best fit and lens requires a little work, but once you find your perfect pair you will find that they improve and enhance your hunting experience. If you need any further advice on selecting your perfect hunting lens, always feel free to contact me or anyone here at Fowler’s. We know sunglasses. Fowler’s Pharmacy, 864-288-5905; 864-288-5920
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n late July, the attention of national news media turned briefly to a huge mako shark caught off the coast of New Jersey. The 12-foot-long, 926-pound shortfin mako outweighed the current state record by 70 pounds, but because the rod passed hands during the fight it will not be officially recognized as a new record. The big shark broke a rod in the fight to bring it aboard the 44-foot charter boat Jenny Lee, captained by Dave Bender. It happened during an overnight charter, drifting in 1,500 feet of water 100-miles out of Manasquan Inlet near the famous Hudson Canyon. Shortly after excitement began to fizzle over this great catch, information was released on a new tagging study that suggests shortfin mako sharks might be experiencing overfishing in the western North Atlantic. Researchers from Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI), the University of Rhode Island and other colleagues followed 40 satellite-tagged sharks in real time and 12 of them, or 30 percent, were captured in fisheries. This information suggests the fishing mortality rates of shortfin mako sharks might be considerably higher than previously estimated using catches reported by fishermen, according to the press release. And despite their small sample size, researchers questioned the reliability of traditional data collection methods and expressed a serious concern over whether the current level of fishery catches for shortfin makos in the North Atlantic are sustainable.
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FLY FISHING
Lefty’s Deceiver By Carlos Hidalgo
A
lthough he would deny it, Lefty Kreh is a legend. With great knowledge (he has authored or co-authored over 30 books and hundreds of magazine articles), boundless energy (he has performed countless lectures and casting demonstrations over the last 60+ years), down-home humor (a dumb person would “pick up a snake to kill a stick”), and showmanship (at casting demos, he finds a pretty woman and makes a cast that curls the fly line around her neck), Lefty has done more to popularize fly fishing than any other person in the last century. He has fished with Fidel Castro, Ted Williams and Ernest Hemmingway, but he hasn’t just witnessed fly fishing history, he has created it. His innovative fly casting techniques are used by millions of us today. Oh yeah, he also developed Lefty’s Deceiver, the best fly pattern ever devised. Lefty tied the first Deceiver during the late 1950s. He wanted a fly that was easy to cast, didn’t foul, looked like a baitfish and had great action in the water. The pattern can be easily described: a tail made up of several matching hackle or saddle feathers with a bucktail collar. Add flash material to either or both, eyes to
the head and some type of red material for the throat, as needed. The hook shank beneath the collar (the body) can be wrapped with the tying thread or a flashy material, like mylar tinsel or Diamond Braid. By the way, Lefty says the key to the pattern is to tie the collar at least as long as the rear of the hook, which keeps the hackle tail from wrapping around the hook. In appropriate sizes and colors, Lefty’s pattern has deceived just about every fish that swims, from four-inch bream to 400-pound billfish. Lefty’s Deceiver has even graced a U.S. Postal stamp. Lefty’s favorite Deceiver colors are chartreuse/white and yellow/ chartreuse. I tie them in many sizes and colors, and my favorite is tied in a Firetiger color scheme. This color works very well for many saltwater fish in sizes 1/0 to 3/0. It has also been very successful for me for peacock bass and largemouth bass in south Florida in size 2. I imagine smallies would jump all over it, too. Lefty’s Deceiver (Firetiger) Hook - Mustad 34007 or similar, size 2 to 3/0 Thread - fluorescent yellow Tail - two yellow and one yellow grizzly hackle on each side, topped with yellow Krystal Flash Body - yellow thread or Diamond Braid Collar - yellow bucktail with yellow Krystal flash and a small yellow grizzly hackle on each side, topped with green Krystal Flash and green bucktail Throat - orange bucktail, as long as the collar Head - fluorescent yellow, with painted orange/black eye, covered with five-minute epoxy Contact Carlos at cah6620@gmail.com to submit a pattern for consideration in this column or to order his book, “South Florida’s Peacock Bass.”
By John Rice
This is a simple tie and a very effective pattern for trout everywhere. Soft hackles are basically emerger patterns. They do not belong on the streambed like nymphs, so this fly should be dropped a foot or so off a nymph so it can suspend itself higher in the water column where an emerger belongs. Thread: 8/0 olive Abdomen: Olive goose biot Thorax: Tan superfine dubbing Hackle: Hungarian partridge Head: 8/0 Olive thread Hook: 1X long, size 18 Tiemco 3761 John Rice guides with Blackhawk Fly Fishing, which offers exceptional fishing for trophy trout in the north Georgia mountains. Contact john at jriceflyfishing@ gmail.com.
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UNDER THE SEA
before harvesting. Along with a closed mating season, this should keep the lobster population stable. 2. Mating season begins in the spring. Lobsters can be observed walking out of their holes in search of a mate, and males can be seen sparring for a lady’s affection. Mating season ends around August, here are a few good things about the fall season though egg-bearing females can be seen yearbesides cooler weather; one of them round. is the beginning of lobster season! 3. Males have proportionately larger legs and I dove with a commercial lobsterman for carapace, and females have a larger tail and extra a few years, and he was like a kid waiting pinchers on the abdomen to hold the eggs. for Santa. Teaming up with someone that Lobster tips from the master: knew where the good spots were gave me the 1. Let some air out of your BC, get your opportunity to spear some nice fish, but it buoyancy under control, and plant your knees in also gave me the opportunity to learn some the sand in front of the lobster. Your butt should tricks of the trade by watching a master not be up in the air! lobsterman at work. 2. Take your time and do not spook them. He First and foremost, you must learn said, “Lobsters are like cattle, you can herd them how to find lobsters. Fortunately, the same wherever you want, as long as you take your time.” territory that tends to hold fish life is also 3. The most common methods are the net good for lobstering. That is because life and tickle stick or looper, but there are some attracts life. When I was scuba diving beside interesting variations on the market now. Become Sheri Daye and Dave Earp display the results him and would see him approach an area of good at all of them, as some tools are better than of solid teamwork. the reef holding a school of fish fry, I knew others in certain situations. his senses were on high alert, and I’d start 4. When using a tickle stick, use aluminum looking for fish. Invariably, while he picked up instead of plastic. Lobsters do not respond as well a lobster or two, I would see a desirable fish. to plastic. Over the years, we honed the most efficient method for hunting as a 5. Be careful not to touch the antennas. Tap or nudge a lobster from buddy team. He focused on lobsters while I did all the spearfishing. He behind to move it into position and put the net over it. Measure the would tow the flag, which meant I could be faster and more streamlined carapace, check for eggs (by the way, extra skittish lobsters often have in the water while going after fish. We drifted with the current, parallel to eggs), then place in your catch bag, and enjoy your dinner! the reef, side-by-side. If he missed seeing a lobster, which was extremely Fall is in the air. Happy hunting! rare, I would bang my tank to alert him, and he would do the same with fish. Over the years, we became the best of friends and a formidable Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer hunting team. of The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow Lobster fun facts: “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram. 1. Lobsters reach sexual maturity in two to three years when the carapace is a little longer than 3 inches. Florida law requires a carapace For more Sheri Daye, go to to be longer than 3 inches, thus allowing lobsters a chance to reproduce
TEAMWORK IN SPEARFISHING AND LOBSTERING
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