GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION
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Fall's Best Bass Baits
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WARMWATER REVOLUTION
PRODUCT REVIEW
PHOTO COURTESY OF DENVER OUTFITTERS VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 295
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THEANGLERMAG.COM O P P O R T U N I T I E S
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OCTOBER 2019
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FANTASTIC FALL SAVINGS There's plenty of fish to pull in this fall season and your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals to get you out on the water. See your local Suzuki Marine Dealer for all the details!
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Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/19 and 12/31/19 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 10/01/19 and 12/31/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine. com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 10/01/19 and 12/31/19. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2019 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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NEW PRODUCT
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Filson Rugged Twill Compact Rod Case Filson has earned its reputation for sturdy quality construction and products that are overbuilt to handle the rigors sportsmen put their gear through. The Rugged Twill Compact Rod Case holds two 9-foot, 4-piece rods in their tubes with exterior pockets to hold reels and accessories. This lightweight yet durable case is perfect for days when you’ll need two rods and want to keep them safe when not in use. It’s constructed of water-repellant and abrasion-resistant 100 percent cotton Rugged Twill with brass hardware and bridle leather straps.
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Ross Reels Animas
Rod Vault ST Why waste time threading line through the guides? The vehicle-mounted fly rod storage solution from Denver Outfitter allows recreational anglers and professionals to arrive at their fishing destination with fly rods and reels intact, fully-rigged and ready to fish. Two roof-mounted aircraft grade anodized aluminum tubes hold two, three or four fully rigged fly rods up to 10’6 in length, and a locking reel housing area easily fits most fly reels. Protective polypropylene liners inside the Rod Vault eliminate rod on metal contact protecting guides and rod tips from abrasion. The Rod Vault was specifically over-engineered to keep valuable equipment safe in almost any circumstance. Stainless steel hardware ensures the RodVault will remain rust free no matter the fishing environment and fiberglass infused nylon construction protects the reel housing, mounting hardware and aerodynamic nose cone from UV degradation. Whether storing rods to fish before or after work or traveling across the country on an epic fishing trip the Rod Vault is designed to keep gear safe. Available in three models, the Rod Vault 2 holds two fly rods, the Rod Vault Original for three fly rods and the Rod Vault 4 holding four fly rods.
Ross Reels has taken the time-proven features that made the original Animas a guide favorite and introduced new machined features to bring the new Animas fly reel into the modern era of Ross. Proudly Americanmade in Colorado and weighing just over 4 ounces, the new Animas features a compositedisc drag system and an ultra-light canvas phenolic handle, which gets tackier when wet. A new troublefree spool release yields zeromaintenance performance, allowing the Animas to be ready for any fresh or saltwater excursion. The new Animas is available in sizes 4/5, 5/6 and 7/8.
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THE BAHAMAS: BEAUTIFUL, DANGEROUS
although great variability exists between the northern and southern islands. This variability is most easily seen on Andros, the largest Bahamian island, where pine forests dominate in the north and give way to more tropical vegetation in the south. The majority of The Bahamas are low lying, with about 80 percent of the islands less than 15 feet above sea level. This, along with the fact that the islands span a great distance in warm tropical waters, make them attractive to tourists, who flock in for beautiful beaches, friendly faces and fantastic fishing. The Bahamas are heavily reliant on tourism, and for many “Family Islands,” angling tourism is vital for their survival. Unfortunately, these geographical traits also make The Bahamas susceptible to flooding and damage from tropical storms and hurricanes. The expansive nature of the islands of The Bahamas is a mixed blessing. Being large means Bahamians are more likely to be impacted somewhere in the chain by severe weather, but it also means many areas will remain untouched. This was the case with Hurricane Dorian, which devastated the two most northern islands, Abaco and Grand Bahama, but left countless others unharmed. The impact from Dorian on Abaco and Grand Bahama is catastrophic, and the outpourings of aid a blessing. One of the best ways to help The Bahamas overcome this tragedy, and future events, is to help the tourism-based economy by travelling to untouched parts of the islands. The author with a Bahamian bonefish caught from Andros Island while fishing out of the Two Boys Inn with one of the many legendary Neymour For anglers, this is a great opportunity to fish new waters. If you have family of guides. never been, try Andros, the Exumas, Long Island, Bimini, Acklins Island, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, Inagua or many other fantastic destinations By Tom Karrow throughout The Bahamas. he Bahamas are roughly 700 islands and cays with an additionIn this time of need, take the opportunity to help The Bahamas and Baal 5,000 low-lying rocks. Only about 30 of the 700 islands are hamians by simply booking a trip and getting on the water. Grab your fainhabited, leaving hundreds of tropical islands for wildlife. The vorite rods, reels, lines and leaders, tie up some Gotcha flies and give it a go. chain stretches more than 500 miles from the Island of Inagua in the Tom Karrow, PhDc, MES, BES, BED, is nearing completion of a PhD in Gesoutheast, to the northernmost island of Grand Bahama, an economic ography and Environmental Management, focused on sustainability of The Bahahub for the islands. mian bonefishing industry through ethnography. He was a research fellow at the Situated off the southeast coast of the continental United States, University of The Bahamas and is sponsored by R.L.Winston Fly Rods, Nautilus the climate is dominated by warm tropical-like air and water currents, Fly Reels, FishPond Gear, Costa Sunglasses and Simms.
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Airline_CoastalAnglerAd_3-2016_Layout 1 3/18/16 1:07 PM Page 1
Fly Fishing for Southeastern Hybrids and Stripers
By Capt. Wayne Moore
A
cross the region, hybrid and striped bass are some of the most exciting gamefish in our reservoirs. Targeting them with flies can be difficult, but it has to be the most exciting way to catch them. Any article written about this subject better mention the name Henry Cowen. Having chased stripers on north Georgia’s Lake Lanier for more than 20 years, Cowen is a pioneer of the specialized techniques and tackle it takes. I fish middle-Georgia’s Lake Oconee, and much of what I do was learned from Cowen. There are differences between the two reservoirs, but I believe similar techniques, patterns and equipment can be adapted to catch stripers and hybrids on any lake. EQUIPMENT I like a 9-foot, 8-weight rod. Scott’s Meridian is my choice, but that model is being replaced by their similar Flex fast-action freshwater, which will probably do the job just as well. Stripers and hybrids pull hard, so you’ll need a decent reel. I use a Lamson Speedstar. It’s not too high end, but it does have a sealed conical drag. For line, I use RIO Intouch Outbound short intermediate most of the time. This allows me to fish both on the surface and below it without having to change spools. OPPORTUNITIES AND TACTICS Topwater: Fly fishing for stripers and hybrids when they are feeding on top is exhilarating. Imagine a school of fish knocking threadfin shad into the air. In some cases they’ll rise every 10 square feet for 30 or 40 feet around your boat. It’s amazing, but it requires specialized conditions. On Oconee, this occurs when water is pumping up from Wallace dam. When water temperatures are warm, it is a brief, first-light bite, but as the water cools it lasts longer. I cast a Cowen’s Somethin’ Else, a wiggle minnow, or a Pop-N-
Fly rig. The Somethin’ Else is my go-to fly. If they are schooling, I approach with as much stealth as possible and make a long cast just beyond and in front of the rising fish. The retrieve is critical. Cowen calls it “feeding the fish.” It is five short strips followed by a pause. If you get bit, get the fish on reel quickly. You’d be surprised how fast charging hybrids can snap a leader. The wiggle minnow is fished differently, same basic cast, but you need to keep the fly moving. Often it’s good to put the rod under your arm and strip with both hands. Gary Dubiel’s Pop-N-Fly is a popping cork for a fly rod. Tie in a feathered, white floating fly behind it, and it is deadly. Chasing Gulls: This usually fires up on Oconee in November and is very good in December. It’s a tactic employed by striper and hybrid fishermen all over the Southeast. While this is a topwater bite, and you will see the gulls dive bombing shad, use the Somethin’ Else exclusively during this time and you will have greater success. Night Fishing: If you like to get up very early or don’t mind fishing at night, darkness may offer the best probability of connecting with a striper or hybrid. Dock lights are key. Approach very quietly and work the outer edges of the light. Again, use intermediate line and Somethin’ Else. Be ready to haul a big fish away from the dock pilings in a hurry. If you get a big striper on, it might require assistance from the trolling motor. Fishing Humps: When the fish are not on top, it’s time to locate humps with your electronics and fish deep. On Oconee, this usually means humps that rise from 30 feet or deeper up to 15 feet. You’ll need sink-tip line for this tactic and a short piece of 12-lb. fluorocarbon leader. Cast past the hump and count down the fly as it drops to the fish. The count will vary depending on the fly and line you’re using. Capt. Wayne Moore owns Oconee On The Fly. Check them out at www.oconeeonthefly.com.
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North GA’s Full Service Fly Shop Book the Fishing Trip of a Lifetime in the Beautiful Mountains of North Georgia and Western North Carolina with the Area’s Top Rated Guide Service. Fish with the Pros and Get Featured in The Angler Magazine
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theanglermag.com/great-smoky-mountains Like us on Facebook at The Angler Magazine Western NC
For editorial comments, articles, photography, advertising and all other inquiries please email woody@theanglermagazine.com
2 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
OCTOBER 2019
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LAKES HIWASSEE
Wicked Fall Striper Fishing on Lake Hiwassee
O
By Shane Goebel
ctober in the western North Carolina Mountains is a fantastic time to hit the water. With the beautiful views of the changing leaves and the cool comfortable temps, a day on the water seems like a dream come true after a hot summer. Not to mention, the fishing is also super awesome. This is the perfect time to hit the lake and experience some extreme striper fishing, and what’s the best way to do that? By booking a trip with Murphy, NC’s #1 striper guide service: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We’ve been striper fishing these mountain lakes longer than anyone and have what it takes to put you on some huge fish. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 11 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear and water temps are in the mid to upper 70s.
Striper fishing has been absolutely phenomenal. We have seen some huge schools of stripers and these monsters are hungry! We’ve averaged 3040 stripers a morning for the last month or so on most of our
Lake Hiwassee trips. Talk about some exciting fishing. Plus, we’re starting to see a good increase in size. We’ve had a bunch of fish already in the 20-30 pound range! The early-morning and evening bites are your best times to see action. We’ve also had some heavy bites in the mid-day hours. With the cooling water temps, continue to target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel but also look for schools to move back into the creeks. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 8 to the dam. For October, in the early morning hours, freelines and planer boards will work well. As soon as the sun
peeks through, we are going right back to down lines. For those who wish not to troll, October is also a great downline month. Just keep an eye on those electronics. The top-water bite has picked up a lot, so keep a spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag surface-busting fish. The fish will start to spread out here soon and move in to the creeks. We will then move to all planer boards and free lines. We will also start pulling bigger baits. October is a fantastic month for catching some great trophy stripers on Lake Hiwassee. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of WNC’s most explosive striped bass. We are Murphy, NC and Blairsville, GA’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely, Chatuge, and Blue Ridge. And, for all your live blueback herring and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!
Shane Goebel is the Owner of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and a member of The Angler Fishing Team. Contact him at www.bigolfish. com or (828) 361-2021 / 1-(844)-4-ANGLER
SMSS has all the essentials for hunting, target shooting, home defense, reloading and more Call for date & time of monthly concealed carry class. 53 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC • 828-837-7677 Beside the Courthouse
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 3
Lake Chatuge Hybrids
S
eptember was an insane month out here! These hybrids and spots have been biting everywhere on the lake and we’ve been absolutely wearing them out. October should remain about the same. It’s definitely one of the best fisheries in the North Georgia and Western North Carolina Mountains and October is a perfect time to come get your fish on! Currently, Lake Chatuge is 3 feet below full pool. Water temps are in the low 80s, and water clarity is clear throughout the lake. Hybrid fishing remains excellent. The fish are still schooling in large numbers. Our average trips are still consisting of 30 to 50 fish in just a few hours. Most of our hybrids are averaging 5-10 pounds. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardestfighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The early
By Darren Hughes
morning and mid-afternoon bite has been prime. Look for schools of fish along the main channel and off points. Down lining live blueback herring has been the best technique. Search out your areas and watch your electronics. When you mark fish, drop your lines. Fish will be slightly shallower in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by mid-morning. Top-water bite has slowed down considerably but you can still find a few busting. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a plug, spook, or red fin at the ready. October fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in
Blairsville, GA--it’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. We also carry ethanolfree gas and have some of the best hot, made-from-scratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, Apalachia, Hiwassee, or Nottely,
or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes, at Hughes General Store. And whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give Chatuge a shot for some of the best spotted bass and hybrids in the area. Good luck, and get hooked!
Darren Hughes is the Owner of Hughes General Store & Bait Shop and a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team and Guide for Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Look him up at www.bigolfish.com or give him a call, (706) 745-6569 or (828) 361-2021
Ad intentionally upside down 4 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
OCTOBER 2019
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OCTOBER 2019
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 5
SWAIN COUNTY / BRYSON CITY
Then and Now
I
By Capt. James McManus
am writing this on 9/11 and just realized it has been 18 years, that’s half of my working life. I’ve been thinking about what has changed since that time, both personally and collectively, in all things outdoors. The state of our local lakes has certainly changed. Back then we were trolling Glenville and it was nothing to spend a couple of hours dragging Shad Raps or, as one of our drinking buddies would say “Rolling Shad Traps”, and end up with several nice limits of fat walleye. After some heavy rains, a couple of small ponds up Pine Creek were overrun and for years we caught beautiful rainbows up to nine or ten pounds. I hooked one by myself once, at the island just past Mill Creek, and fought it all the way into Norton Creek opening, before landing it. My buddy, Marty, and I had a standing date to fish on New Year’s Day for those trout; it was as close to saltwater drag pulling runs as you could get in Jackson County. If you were a jig fisherman, a brown, orange, and black jig would yield smallmouth catches totaling several dozen fish on almost every trip. Chunking nightcrawlers to the bank on cat’s paw spinners was another surefire way to catch everything. We had really basic fishfinders then, nothing like the beauties I have now, but then we didn’t need them, the fish were that plentiful. The same goes for Fontana,
although I do remember saying back then that if you hadn’t fished in a couple of weeks, you had to basically start over to find fish. Nowadays, the advantage is that we really do have the technology to look for and find fish, whether it is beside you, below you, or in front of you. The bummer is that it seems like it takes all that to locate fish every trip now, there just aren’t as many fish as there used to be, more and better fishermen and less to catch. I whine too much about that in these articles so I will just leave that subject and move on. I recently purchased a new trolling motor with a walkie-talkie sized remote that I have to put around my neck. It does everything but parabolic imaging (not even sure what that is, but it too seems out of my scope of fluency). There are so many programs you can run that I haven’t even tried but there is one I have mastered; A GPS anchor-lock. All I have to do when I want to stop is push that little button and the boat aligns itself with the stars and there is no fighting to stay put over fish or structure. I remember one trip when my sister and husband came for the weekend and we rented two small boats from Almond. No trolling motors and just small outboards, so to fish, we were using paddles to scull the banks and throw nightcrawlers for “pike”. In March on Fontana, the walleye would be on the bank and
6 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
OCTOBER 2019
would eat a crawler but in March, the wind could get up pretty good and all I remember was trying to paddle both boats along the shoreline with breaking waves since neither sis or her hubby could scull. We tied our boats together and I basically cussed the wind at every breath for the whole afternoon. Not sure if they have fished with me since, so kudos for new trolling motors. Speaking of improvements, the rod and reels I guide with are way, way beyond what we used to use. Gone are my Zebco “33’s” and gone are those heavy tipped metal handled casting rods. The rods I use now can be thrown all day without a masseuse needed at the end of the trip. Gone also is most of my monofilament. I have converted almost everything that I cast to braid and with heavy fishing, have to change out line only a couple of times a year, and that coincides with big tournaments. This doesn’t mean I necessarily save money, my leaders cost what my rod and reel combos used to cost, but time spent changing out line is greatly reduced with far superior casting
ability, even for beginners. That brings me to my fishing platform that, at present, is a Bay Ranger center console. Even used, for me, it cost more than any vehicle, land or water use, I have ever had. It is, however, loaded with all the aforementioned goodies, so it is a pleasure to fish out of, wind, rain or sun don’t much bother me anymore. Something I have done in the past, and hope to continue and encourage you to do, is support our warriors. Wounded or not, they are what stand between us and those that resent our lifestyle and values. That hasn’t changed in the years since, and here’s a “thank you” for all who protect us year after year. Hang on to the good and be willing to change as our sport and passion changes and give me a call if you want to catch a few. Later, Capt. James
Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing!
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OCTOBER 2019
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 7
Seasons Change
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By Ronnie Parris
s I write this it’s still in the high 80s and the leaves are mostly green, but you can start to see a tree here and there along the shoreline with a hint of color. The mornings are starting to cool down and a jacket is feeling good for the first hour or so. No other time of year sets my heart to pumping like fall. I don’t know if it’s because hunting season is around the corner or if it’s because I know the best fishing of the year is about to start. The lake has already turned over by this time, and the fish are putting on the winter feedbag. Delayed harvest waters are at the beginning of the catch and release rule change and a lot of hungry trout will be stocked in designated waters, with the Tuckaseegee and the Upper Nantahala being our closest. These fish are fresh stocked and usually eager to take
any bright colored offering. The dry fly bite for wild trout will be at its best the first part of the month, then as the temps drop towards the end, you will have to change to nymphs and streamers. Also good to remember, whether dry or nymph fishing, the best bite will be the mid day pattern when the sun is directly overhead. Lake fish will go through a drastic change and the bass are going to feed more in the shallows close to the bank with the early morning bite still being your best, but the bite will go through the day and not just stop at mid-day when the sun is overhead. If live bait is your favorite style of fishing, you should be happy as lots of smallmouth and chunky spotted bass will move right up on the rocky shorelines, and it always seems like the bigger fish, that have been missing during the long, hot summer, come out to play. This is an awesome time to take kids fishing as you are, about always, going to catch a good mess of fish. On Fontana, you’re also going to see a lot of wildlife, be it eagles or black bear, and white tailed deer. You may get to experience seeing
a bear swim, which is one of the coolest sites you will ever see. Take good warm clothes for the morning, but you probably will be in short sleeves by midday, and you should be in for some great fishing. As always, take a kid fishing, and you will build a bond that can last a lifetime.
Ronnie Parris is the Owner and Head Guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, North Carolina, heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. (www. smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com) (828-488-9711)
Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING We offer both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.
1012 East Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC • 828-488-9711, Cell: 828-736-9471
smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com
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Swainglers Gear Up for Another Year
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By Tammy Millsaps
ear four, for the Swaingler Club is already here! Plans, expectations and hopes are underway by club members and myself. Our first trip was in September four years ago at Lake Fontana 288 Boat Access. Most of the members from that year have graduated. Current Senior, Zach Franklin has been an active member since day one of the club. He states his favorite activity in the club is “going fishing during school and 288 is my favorite!” His hope for the club is to have more than one allday trip, like the end of the year fishing tournament. I agree with Zach. I would love to take the students on an educational field trip. The Swainglers welcome any ideas or suggestions. Email them to Tammy Millsaps at tmillsaps@ swainmail.org.
Swainglers have a lot of new faces this year with a waiting list already growing. Senior RaeAnn Hoke is new to the group. She wants to “have fun and meet new people”. The following group of freshmen are excited and expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming year: Ronnie Griggs said, “I’m gonna to outfish everybody!” Cayden Shuler said he plans to “Outfish Bubba!” Bubba Peterson said he intends to “Outfish Cayden!” Veteran member Campbell Fuller’s motto is “I’d rather be fishing!” Stefan Haymond stated his plans are to “Catch a fish for once and not to fall in the water!” As much as we all love to catch fish, it’s not the catch that counts.
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I love taking “my kids” on our trips. The beginning, when they board the bus with fishing gear in hand and a huge smile on their faces, excited to reach our destination. Once the bus stops and the door opens, the kids practically run to their favorite honey hole in high hopes of setting the hook. Forty-five minute fishing time is over so soon. Members are back on the bus bragging about their successes and, of course, the big one that got away!
I’m excited to see what this year brings to the Swainglers. Most of all, I pray for a safe year!
Tammy Millsaps is the Leader of The Swainglers fishing club at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. They fish once a month of the school year during club time. Contact her at tmillsaps@swainmail.org for more information or to support this popular club.
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 9
HAYWOOD COUNTY
The Bobber
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fter a long week of working, it’s nice to be able to relax a little and that’s what Tom and Jake decided to do. After some family time and supper, they loaded up Jakes’ jeep with all the necessary gear, climbed in and headed off to hit one of their favorite fishing holes on West Point Lake. When they arrived and hauled tackle boxes, rods, lantern, and chairs out of the jeep, they started looking for the perfect fishing holders, aka sticks with the “Y”. Jake lit the lantern, pulled out his trusty Old Timer and whittled points on the sticks. While he was doing this Tom was laying everything out, checking hooks and bobbers, opening tackle boxes and setting
By Chris Smith
up chairs. The pool level was at its normal low level, so Tom and Jake had to go out a little further on the shoreline. One thing you must know about Tom and Jake is that it really doesn’t bother them if they don’t catch anything; it was just as nice to get out and relax. Jake’s method to catfishing is to have two poles: one line to lay on the bottom and one with a bobber. Tom, on the other hand, believes on having one pole for each finger on one hand. Jake had cast his lines, placed the rods on the sticks and settled into his chair. He looked over to Tom and asked, “What are you doing”? Tom had four of his five lines in and set. He was trying to open
a small package. He said, “You just wait, I got something new”. Meanwhile, one of Jake’s rods was almost pulled into the water. Jake grabbed it and started reeling. A nice channel cat was pulled in, placed on the chain, hook baited and cast out again. Jake looked over to Tom and said, “That’s one”. Tom was still fidgeting with something. Now, those of you who like to fish from the shore at night know there are several methods. Hang a bell, prop an empty can on the “Y” if you’re using sticks, or high visibility bobbers. Tom said, “Check this out”. It was one of those fancy battery-operated bobbers. It was so bright that Tom and Jake were mesmerized by its beauty. Especially since they both need glasses but were ignoring it, like most of us do. Tom made a perfect cast. He set the pole down on the stick, reeled the slack out and said, “You just wait”. Both Tom and Jake caught several cats, but Tom was waiting for his new bobber to make a move. An hour or so went by and Tom decided to check the bait. He barely touched the rod and the bobber went under. He yelled, “I got one”. He started reeling and the bobber started dancing. Jake finally said, “It’s caught on something, isn’t it?” Tom looked over to Jake and, like a kid that just dropped his ice-cream, admitted defeat. Jake asked if he was going to cut the line and Tom said, “No”, I paid ten dollars for the bobber.
Well, the next thing Jake sees is Tom getting undressed. Jake starts laughing and asked, “What are you doing” and, without missing a beat, Tom looks over and says, “I’m getting my bobber”. It was cold on the shore so you can imagine what the water was like. As Tom starts to tiptoe into the water, Jake starts laughing a best buddy’s do. Tom got to knee-level and pauses. Jake asked if he’s sure he wants to do this? Tom’s response, “I’m committed now”. Tom wades waste deep and Jake loses it laughing so loud the campground on the other side of the lake probably heard him. Tom finally reaches his bobber, gets it free and starts back. Tom yells, “It’s so cold my boys have gone North”. Jake was on his knees on the shore, hardly able to breath from laughing. As Tom reaches the shore with a frozen smile and the bright bobber, Jake runs to the jeep and grabs a blanket and makes it back still laughing uncontrollably. Tom grabs the blanket, wraps himself, and straddles the lantern. Jake blares out, great – now we are going to have chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Tom proclaimed, yea but I have my bobber!
Chris is a Combat Veteran recently retired. A few places he has deployed are Afghanistan, Jordon, Panama, Haiti and various non-combat areas. He is an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting, camping, fishing. He lives with his bride of 29 years in Alabama who he calls “Household 6”. If any Veteran or family member of a veteran who sees changes in their loved one or for that matter anyone that is contemplating suicide, he urges you to contact him at combatvettalk@gmail.com 10 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD
Spin Fishing for Trout - Advice from a Guide By Ethan Hollifield
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pin Fishing for trout is a really fun way to fish, and this is coming from someone that spends most of the guide season teaching people how to fly fish. While fly fishing, overall, is by far the most effective way to catch trout out of any other fishing technique, there is something nostalgic about throwing a spinning rod that reminds me of the times I spent trout fishing as a kid. Coming from the fly fishing world, I understand the effectiveness that a Rapala or Rooster tail can have on trout that are keying in on baitfish. Particularly, when searching for larger fish or targeting fish during high water. Here, I’ll go over the gear that I use, and ways that you can use a spinning rod to maximize your time on the water chasing trout while doing it in a way that doesn’t harm the fish. I personally like rods in the 6’-6” to 7’ range in actions, from ultra light to medium, when targeting trout with spinning gear. I also find that I tend to have a better hook up ratio with a rod that has a slight moderate action that can help to absorb the shock being placed on relatively light line. Reels in the 1,000 - 3,000 range are all applicable, depending on the size of water/ trout that you are going to encounter the most. For line, it’s hard for me to beat Sufix Advanced Monofilament in 4-8 pound test for manageability and knot strength. I also always use braid as a backing on all my spinning reels to improve the overall sensitivity. I never use live bait on trout or, frankly, with any fish I target. Mainly because with live bait, there is always a greater mortality rate with fish gut-hooking themselves more often than with artificial baits. In my experience, the most productive artificial
lures I’ve used for trout have been more “old school”. I love throwing an Original Floating Rapala or Rooster Tail, as they are effective, in their own right, in mimicking the natural baitfish forage that is present in the Southern Appalachians. The Original Floating Rapala has a wobbling action that is very seductive to fish, and it’s buoyancy, due to being made out of balsa wood, causes it to deflect off of rocks and cover with ease. The Rooster Tail throws off excess vibration that can excel in murky/ high water conditions while having that extra “sound” for trout to pick up with their lateral line. I stick to more natural colors that best mimic the baitfish forage here but I find that, in most cases, color doesn’t matter as much as presentation. These are lures best fished with longer casts at a 45-degree angle to the bank. This allows for the lures to have the right action against the current while also having the most natural swimming action. This also gives the bait a much longer time in the water as it is being retrieved, increasing your chances of a trout being willing to move out of cover to ambush the bait. One thing that has to be noted is that you’re primarily targeting bigger fish in a river system with this technique rather than numbers. A trout’s diet is 90% aquatic insects, but bigger trout will start to change their diet to incorporate more baitfish once they hit the 16” mark. While the numbers of trout that are landed will not always be substantial, the size and quality of fish will be. Spin Fishing has accrued a bad reputation for “hurting” trout, primarily from the use of treble hooks. Most conventional lures come stock with treble hooks already on the bait, and this is
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contested in many fishing circles as to their effectiveness/ ability to harm fish. I always switch out my treble hooks with VMC 7327 Inline Single 1x Saltwater hooks. These hooks are sharp, strong and, in my experience, will do a better job with hooking trout than a traditional treble hook. Treble hooks are, by nature, larger and can do a number on a trout’s jaw, decreasing their overall chances for survival. I’ve also found my hook up ratio increases with single hooks because I’ve watched trout “bounce” off of bulkier treble hooks when swiping at a Rapala or a Rooster Tail.
As always, practice safe catch and release practices with trout when removing hooks by keeping them in the water and handling the fish as little as possible. I could write an entire book on this subject, but I hope that this provides some insight on how to maximize your time on the water when targeting trout with spinning gear. Fill free to reach out to us at Southern Appalachian Anglers with questions or to seek further advice, we’re always available to help anglers, of all types and skill levels, to excel in their fishing abilities.
Ethan Hollifield is an Environmental/Physical Science Teacher and is also a guide for Southern Appalachian Anglers
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RIVER REFLECTIONS
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‘The Great Tug’ By Matt Mittan
recently had a couple days out fishing on my canoe, on two very different bodies of water here in WNC. The first was on Lake Julian in Arden, just south of Asheville, with the lady that I love. The second was on Tanasee Creek Lake, a remote, high elevation body of water in Eastern Jackson County, by myself. Lake Julian is smack dab in the middle of Asheville’s most densely populated and busiest corridor. It has popular parklands, a power plant, manufacturing, a yacht club, a waterfront restaurant that you can pull your boat right up to the front of, and also residential and commercial properties. The hustle and bustle of I-26 and an increasingly constant stream of air traffic, landing and taking off from nearby Asheville Regional Airport, hang their sounds on the air here. Tanasee Creek Lake, on the other hand, which is mostly surrounded by dense wilderness, does not allow motorized boating, only has one road that comes close to its edge and that’s all the way up at the top of the lake. Other than the hydro dam at the lower portion of it, you can cover mile after mile of shoreline
The view from Matt’s seat, in his Old Town canoe, during a recent day trip on Tanasee Creek Lake in Jackson County, NC.
without seeing anything manmade. It meanders down a steep, narrow gorge. Some sections of it are bordered with steep rock cliffs. The only common sounds here are the echoes of trout breaking the surface, cracking sticks from wildlife moving behind the dense tree line, small creeks spilling over shoreline rocks, and your paddle pulling softly through the deep and dark water. At Lake Julian I was able to catch some pretty nice Spotted Bass, but I had to work for them. On Tanasee Creek Lake it was a steady stream of Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Brim that came with relative ease. Which sounds more serene to you? Ta-
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nasee seems to fit the bill better, right? In fact, there was even one stretch of my day where I went about three hours without a single scrape of evidence that another human being even existed on the planet. But here’s the funny thing, I found absolute serenity on both days. On Lake Julian, I set up Cleopatra-worthy seating in the bow of my boat for my girlfriend of four years to sit comfortably on a makeshift, air-cushioned recliner on the floor of the canoe, facing back toward me. The entire day on the water we were able to enjoy conversation, laughs, singing, and romantic moments
while sharing an appreciation of the hypnotic feel you can only get when on water. I got to show off my craft of fishing with her in a way I never have before. Fishing, for me, is more than just going out to try and catch something for the sport of it. It’s a way to connect with nature, and, in turn, connect more with myself. She loved every second in that world with me, and I with her. Here’s the thing, she is fighting through major health challenges and has been for a years now. We first met back in the 90’s and were friends and collaborators on numerous com-
CONTINUED, SEE THE GREAT TUG, PAGE 14
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THE GREAT TUG
continued from page 13
munity projects for years before becoming a couple. I have seen the strength it takes for her to do what she does. Those realities had been an excuse for me to spend our together time where we could more easily access help, if needed. That meant never having been out on a canoe day with me. But a few months ago, she made the decision that she wasn’t going to sit back and wait for a transplant in order to live out new adventures and create epic memories anymore. So we’ve spent the summer traveling, creating art, growing as individuals and as a couple. She’s reminded me, by her inspirational actions, that the gravitational tug in your spirit is a good thing to explore. You have to trust it. So, seeing her in that sustained state of serenity on Lake Julian, despite all the noise, the development and the busyness, gave me a feeling of gratitude
and bliss that I could not have imagined before we went. The shared, new memory we created put her right there with me on Tanasee Creek Lake and any other wild areas I may explore, from here forward. We are already looking forward to our next day on the water together, with her resting on her Cleopatra throne, letting her spirit fly as free as any bird, as I paddle us across shared serenity. As I reflected back on my two days, on two very different lakes in Western North Carolina, it occurred to me that nature, no matter where it is or how remote or developed it may be, connects all of us together and connects every location to every other one. John Muir once said, “When one tugs at a single thing in na- Matt shows off a Spotted Bass caught on a recent day on Lake Julian in ture, he finds it attached to the Asheville, NC. Photo: Michele Scheve”. rest of the world.” He was right. Matt Mittan is the daily afternoon host on Biz Radio Asheville. You can also follow his outdoors activities and photography at www.Facebook.com/ Go tug at a single thing in nature. MattsFishingDiary. Email comments to MattsFishingDiary@gmail.com And bring someone you love.
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Fantastic Fall Trout Fishing
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By James Bradley
like to promote Georgia in most of my articles, but it’s hard to deny the outstanding work of the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission when it comes to their delayed harvest (DH) trout fishing program. Our friends to the north have about seven times more streams and ponds set up for DH fishing. Their season basically opens October 1st, but bear in mind, that it will take the NCWRC about a week to get around to stock all these bodies of water. They will be stocking browns, rainbows and gorgeous brook trout. These DH waters will revert to general regulations on the first Saturday in June. So, by the time you read this, these trout should have had enough time to hopefully get spread out before you arrive for a day of fantastic fall trout fish-
ing. You may even want to look at getting their annual fishing and trout licenses. The cost is approximately $55, but you can get your money’s worth on just a few trips up to the High Country! To boot, for the most of us, it’s really not that far away, and it can be a beautiful drive. Heck, from Blue Ridge, it’s only an hour’s drive to Andrews and just another ten minutes to the Nantahala. Let’s look at the three closest DH streams to our area. First, we have Fires Creek just outside of Hayesville, NC. This is a midsized stream with plenty of casting room. From its beginning headwaters to the edge of the national forest, it has roughly ten miles of fishable water. Keep in mind, the DH begins just inside of the national forest and is from the foot-bridge at the picnic area upstream to where FS 340-A
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crosses. This DH section is over a mile in length. Second, we have the Nantahala River, which is just northeast of Andrews, NC. This is another mid-sized stream with plenty of casting room. Although it is a marginal stream due to how the
water is released, she receives some healthy doses of stocked trout several times during the DH season. There tends to be a lot of heavy usage on the Nanty, so go during the week to have more room and less anglers around you. The DH begins
CONTINUED, SEE FALL TROUT FISHING, PAGE 18
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It’s Fall. Let’s Go Fishing!
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ne of the best times of the year I like to fish is in the fall. You just can beat it. However, many anglers ask what baits should I be throwing in the fall to catch fish? What signs should I be looking for? And where do I go to catch fish? Let’s take a moment to review some of these questions and shed some light on one of the best times of the year to be fishing; the fall. There are primarily two times of the year when bass tend to make significant adjustments when it comes to location. One is the spring and the other time is the fall. In both of the seasons, you consistently hear of mega bags of fish being caught. In the fall, bass move from their deep summer haunts to shallow water, which brings us to our first question.
By Jay Striker
What baits should you be throwing in the fall? One of my top choices I recommend throwing in the fall is either the Strike King Red Eye lipless crankbait or a Zara Spook. They are perfect to match the big schools of baitfish bass are chasing while feeding up for the winter. The next bait I will throw is KVD Strike King 200 or 300 series jerk baits. It’s just hard to beat them in the fall, especially if there is a little wind blowing. Last, but not least, is the Fish Head Primal Spinnerbait. One way I use the spinnerbait in the fall, especially if the water is a bit stained, is to work the bait using short casts around cover such as laydowns and shallow brush. What should I be looking for in the fall to target fish? Some of the typical things you will notice in the fall is aggressive fish
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feeding. Look for schooling fish on the surface and look for the birds on the water as they will help you locate baitfish in the area. If you see great blue heron stalking the bank, this is a good indicator that bait is nearby, and bass are not too far away either. Where do you go to catch fish in the fall? Creek channels get my attention first, as bass tend to use the ditches to make migration routes toward the shallow water to feed. A flat area can be a feeding ground in the early morning. Most of the fall, I’m usually going to stay shallow unless there is a long streak of hot weather that keeps the lake’s temperature high, so the lake has a delay in turnover. I will then stay out a little deeper, but not much though. My next stop is holding
areas such as rocks and wood, as they will hold some quality fish. I try to stay fishing close to creek channel structure near shallow water as they tend to produce and reload throughout the day. Be aware of how fast the drawdown on the lake takes place, as this will pull the fish out of the shallows and into deeper water. Take time to enjoy everything the fall has to offer. Some impressive views of the trees turning colors and the crisp air in the morning can not be beaten. When bass fishing in the fall, you can really catch some quality fish. Knowing what baits to use, understanding what to look for, and knowing where to go will help cut down on the endless searching for bass in the fall.
Remember to take time to follow Jay on Social Media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at www.jaystriker.com.
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Giving Them What They Want
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By Scott Norton
ight now is the summerto-fall transition and bass are corralling shad. When fishing the fall transition you’ll see bass all over the lake. Some bass have made the move and some are still on the summer pattern. When they are blowing up on the surface for forage then you’ll know the transition is happening. What do you do when this happens at your lake? You give them what they want. All bass want something during a certain time of day and, as an angler, it takes more than casting and catching. We have to take clues that they give us and turn them into a plan or pattern. Everything is a clue and even the lack of clues, tell you something. Knowing the forage helps with determining where fish are and what behavior they display. If you’re in
a pond, you want to fish with bluegill and crayfish. In a reservoir, the main forage is shad. These are good starting points and branching off from these will help you narrow down what fish want. If you don’t second-guess yourself with where the clues tell you to fish, then you may stumble onto a pattern that’s out of the ordinary. Recently, I went fishing,on a bluebird sky day, and you could guess ahead that the bite would be slow and that you would have to fish slow. After cycling through lures, I had a feeling they wanted top water lures. I had followers on a glide bait and some takers on a wacky rigged senko, but they were blowing up aggressively on the poppers and walking bait at mid day. It didn’t make sense but I went with it and had some nice catches, not to mention
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how pleasing it was to the senses, to watch your lure getting devoured. To help with the location of bass, you really need to know what’s going on with the environment, such as water temp or weather blowing in. Cool nights at the end of summer will kick in with the fall transition and all the shad start filing in like a conveyor belt into the creek mouths. You start seeing activity associated with the fall pattern but other quality bass are being caught with a summer pattern, such as fishing docks, lay downs, and ledges. In some places, the grass has grown just a few feet from the surface and you can find quality fish there as well.
Pretty soon, the summer pattern bite will die down and the reactive bite starts to take over. Fish start wanting to chase their food. The bass you see blowing up on the surface are usually small while the larger and smarter bass are underneath these bass feeding on the injured shad for an easy meal. Large bass do not like burning calories for a small meal so using the small bass to serve them an easy meal is smart. They bulk up for winter much faster than the chasing bass. Having a good plan will help your fishing be productive. Good luck this fall and I hope you catch the fish of a lifetime.
Scott Norton is a native of Western North Carolina. Born in Asheville, NC, he is a long time avid hunter, angler, and weekend warrior. He is a member of Southern Raft Supply’s prostaff team representing them in his Jackson Kayak Coosa FD
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FALL TROUT FISHING
continued from page 15
just above the power house off Wayah Road and goes upstream to where Old River Road goes off to the right. The DH section is over a mile in length. Lastly, we have Big Snowbird Creek, which is outside of Robbinsville, NC. It is yet another mid-sized stream with plenty of casting room. This stream really came to fame being one of the best wild native brook trout streams in the Southeast! Problem is, from the Junction (old railhead junction) you must hike about 6 miles one way before finding these beautiful specs. Problem two, if you come in from the headwaters, you will pay the price climbing back out with an elevation difference at
the trailhead to Big Falls of about 1800 feet! Big Snowbird is a little more out of the way, so to speak, and she doesn’t seem to get anywhere near the pressure of the Nanty. During the fall season, you will run into several bear hunters. To find the DH area, look for the designated signs beside the stream as you drive in on Big Snowbird Road then upstream to the end of the road at what is called the Junction. This is another DH section that is roughly one mile in length. If fishing the early part of the DH season, use junk flies like eggs, Y2Ks, San Juan and Squirmy Worms for fast hook ups. As the DH season drags on, begin switching back to naturals!
James Bradley is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide in North Georgia’s Historic High-Country region. Reel Em In Guide Service has been offering their services to fly anglers since 2001. They have permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offering over 6 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and operate drift boat trips on the Toccoa River in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC. Look them up at www.ReelEmInGuideService.com or call (706) 273-0764.
Fly of the Month By Eli Crumley
Sexy Walt’s Worm Hook: Hazard Fly Fishing Jig Hook (size) 14/16 Thread: UTC 70 Denier (color) Fluorescent Orange Body: Natural Hares Ear Dubbing Segmentation: Silver Tinsel Hot Spot: Fluorescent Orange Thread Fall is right around the corner and so is delayed harvest. This is a pattern that has been really effective on delayed harvest fish. Stock 18 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
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up on some for your fall outings. You can contact Eli Crumley at Blackhawk Fly Fishing by email a keepemwet94@gmail.com
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Close Your Eyes and Cast By Rene J. Hesse
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ight fishing is a totally different world. The heart pounds a little faster out in the water when it’s dark. There is a hyper activity of your senses and a thrill of wondering what is on the end of your line as you reach into the black water. I really enjoy fly fishing at night. Anything from tarpon to snook and reds in salt, to bass and cats in freshwater. They are all more exciting in the dark. The fly ‘casting’ part of the adventure is much different too. The weight of the line against the rod tip as you lift the line is more prominent. The bending or loading of the rod is felt in a completely different way when we can’t see things happening. You notice the tip of the rod bending, then the mid-section as the weight of the rod seems to increase, and then the weight-
lessness as the rod unbends and sends the line out into the night. Then you have to wait and anticipate. Is the line extended? If I wait for the tug in the back, it may be too late to keep the tension or letting the line fall too far. The loop control is completely subjective. You can’t see the shape of the loop. How do you know when it’s a good one? Here is a good way to improve your casting day or night. If you have a buddy and can go out casting, set up a 40 foot target. Make some casts as your friend watches the shape of the loops. Then close your eyes, pretend you are on a flats boat in shark-infested waters with rolling waves about to cast to a tarpon. Never mind, skip that part, just close your eyes and make several casts and feel the rod bending and unbending.
Talk with your buddy as you do it, and tell him when you feel you have made good loops or bad loops. You will know. You will feel the rod loading and unloading, the timing coming together and the sound of the cast will be more of a whisper than a wooshwoosh (A term not found in the Fly Fishers International glossary, but should be).
Closing your eyes will get rid of the distractions and allow your body to feel what is going on. ‘Seeing’ what your cast is doing is super important too, but most of us only see about a third of our casts, the forward third. If you are going to open your eyes, open them and watch your backcast. It’s as important as your forward cast.
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 19
Why Do We Fish?
R
ecently I was reading an article in a trade magazine on why people fish, and it got me thinking that this is a question a lot of us ask ourselves. The summary of the article was that 40% of anglers fish for fun. That’s it, pure and simple fun. My granddaughter has recently been learning to cast a fly rod, and at one point her mom told me she was getting so nervous about getting it right that she wasn’t enjoying it. My response was that there’s no pressure to get it right; that takes the fun out of it. As my friend Henry Williamson says, “Dang, Jimmy, it’s just fishing.” Interestingly, in the article only about 14% of anglers fish to catch fish to eat. When I was growing up, long before the catch and release mentality took
By Jimmy Harris of Unicoi Outfitters
hold, we kept pretty much everything we caught and then we ate it. These days, I keep very few fish, mostly because I’m too lazy to mess with cleaning them, but I also realize there are some fish populations that benefit from catch and release. Another 33% of anglers reported that they fish to relax. It almost seems the “fun” anglers and the “relaxed” anglers could be lumped into one group, but I think I understand the difference. Personally, it continues to amaze me that after almost six decades of fishing how I can step into a stream with a fishing rod in my hand and totally forget about all the pressures of day-to-day life. It’s just me and that critter with a brain the size tic drug available to me, and I of a pea. take it as often as I can. My wife Fishing is the most therapeu- Kathy is fully aware of it, and will
20 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
OCTOBER 2019
often mention to me that she thinks I need to go fishing. She really loves me!
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 21
HIGH COUNTRY
High Country Offerings
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By Alex Dale
he high country in northwestern North Carolina offers the fly angler many unique opportunities within a relatively short distance. Our shop, Highland Outfitters, located in downtown Boone serves as a basecamp for anglers local to, and those visiting, the area. The high country offers a year-round trout fishery, with over a thousand miles of trout water located within an hour of the shop. Anglers can expect to fish everything from small headwater streams teaming with native brook trout, freestone streams that are home to brown and rainbow trout, all the way up to the tailwaters of the Watauga and South Holston Rivers just over the state line in East Tennessee. Backcountry areas, that require the angler to hike in, offer a unique wilderness experience for
those willing to make the trek. Pisgah National Forest and the Linville Gorge Wilderness areas are pristine environments where one can expect to find brook, rainbow, and brown trout as well as smallmouth bass. The scenery in these areas is truly breathtaking and is a defining characteristic of the high country. Wild trout call these areas home with the average fish being 8-12 inches and trophy size trout that can exceed 20 inches. The East Tennessee tailwaters, comprised of the Watauga and South Holston rivers, attract anglers from all over the world. The South Holston River boasts an estimated ten thousand trout per mile, while the Watauga holds around eight thousand per mile. Anglers can easily wade most of the tailwaters during low water. Drift boats provide access during both low
and high-water flows. The water temperature remains cold yearround as it pours out from beneath the respective lakes. The tailwaters offer a staggering amount of trout as well as the heightened chance of catching a trophy sized trout. Smallmouth can be found in the lower sections of both tailwaters and, during certain times of the year, striped bass will run up into the tailwaters. All of this makes the tailwaters a multi-species fishery that can be accessed year-round, making our area in western NC and eastern TN a destination for anglers of all disciplines and preferred target species. Summer fishing is characterized by high altitude headwaters creek and tailwaters fishing due to the cold water. Fall fishing is the
busiest time of the year, in part, for the color of the fall foliage as well as for the brown trout prespawn. The local brown trout turn into bars of gold dotted, with red and halos of white. During this time, the native brook trout are also showing their colors. Brook trout are the gems of the Appalachian Mountains and there is no finer time to catch them than during fall. Winter fishing is exceptional for those willing to be out in the cold with midges being the primary food source for our trout. Spring fishing is when mature insects start hatching and flying around our local waters. Springtime fish gorge themselves on these insects, offering some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Alex Dale is the owner of Highland Outfitters.
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 23
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchases 62 acres near Appalachian Trail
Acquisition in the Highlands of Roan permanently protects scenic views, wildlife habitat, trout waters
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n July, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) purchased 62 acres at Doll Branch in the Highlands of Roan, protecting important habitat resources and picturesque mountain views. The land in Carter County, TN, adjoins Cherokee National Forest and is less than a half-mile from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT). “This acquisition continues SAHC’s conservation efforts across the biologically significant Roan Massif, securing wildlife corridors and ridgelines reaching above 4,500 feet elevation,” says Michelle Pugliese, SAHC’s land protection director. “It provides high elevation sanctuaries for wildlife and plants. Hikers along the Appalachian Trail will continue to enjoy beautiful views
of these undeveloped, forested slopes.” Conserving this land also permanently protects water quality in the area. A section of Doll Branch flows across the northern edge of the property and into Shell Creek, which provides habitat for trout. The Doll Branch property adjoins the 324-acre Hump Mountain property that SAHC purchased in 2017 and transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 2018.
24 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
OCTOBER 2019
SAHC plans to own and manage the new tract until it can be transferred to public ownership for inclusion in Cherokee National Forest. Land and Water Conservation Fund funding has been allocated for this property, and the U.S. Forest Service is currently working on acquiring the land from SAHC. “The Roan Highlands are managed for protection of exceptional resources – unique scenery, geology and rare plant and animal species,” says JaSal Morris, Forest
Supervisor of Cherokee National Forest. “The proposed Doll Branch land purchase will expand this protected area and conserve these values for future National Forest visitors for generations to come. We appreciate the efforts of SAHC to help make this a reality.” About Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy: The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is a non-profit land trust conserving land and water resources in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, SAHC has protected over 75,000 acres of unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic views, and places for people to enjoy outdoor recreation. More info at Appalachian.org.
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EAST TN / GREAT SMOKIES
Fly Fishing On The South Holston River In Tennessee
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By James Marsh
he South Holston River is a tailwater trout fishery located in the upper northeastern corner of the state of Tennessee near Bristol. It is stocked with rainbow trout by the (TWRA) Tennessee Wildlife Agency. This is one southern tailwater that has a substantial population of wild brown trout. They are all wild. In addition, the stocked rainbows holdover from year to year because the stream stays cool, even during the summer months. It is probably the best tailwater in the southeastern United States. Fly fishing the South Holston River ranges from difficult to easy depending on the type of fish. The river can be waded when power is not being generated and
fished from a drift boat when turbines are running. You can access the river in only a few places, where wading is possible. The main attraction is the wild trout and extensive sulphur hatches. There are actually two different species of mayflies that the locals call Sulphurs. Most people call one of them Eastern Pale Evening
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Duns. The hatches occur for much of the entire fishing season. There are also excellent Blue-winged olive hatches. Caution should be used anytime you are fishing a tailwater, so
be sure to check on the discharge schedule and keep an eye out for changes in the depth. The TVA dam discharge schedule information is linked on the left side of this page. The schedule will tell when the best times to fish the river are, depending on whether you are wading or fishing from a drift boat. Fly fishing the South Holston River can be as good as fly fishing anywhere in the Eastern United States. The river is certainly worth any avid angler taking the opportunity to fish regardless of where you live.
James Marsh is the Owner of The Perfect Fly online and catalog mail-order store. www.perfectflystore.com
OCTOBER 2019
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 25
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA
Wading Into Fall
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hrough mid-September summertime has had a strong hold upon us here!! Higher than average temperatures, and no rain to speak of has kept the water temperatures above normal. The Bass and Panfish on the rivers have been great to fish for, as the trout have been for the most part on the bottoms of the rivers, seeking thermal refuge. The outlook for the weather forecast is for much cooler temperatures, and much needed rain, we are all praying for both of those!! As the cooler air temperatures start to arrive, the water temperatures will start to cool down, and the trout fishing will just keep getting better. Delayed Harvest season starts here on the South Carolina rivers, November 1st, and continues through May 14th. October is a great time to get out on the riv-
By Karl Ekberg
ers to stretch your line with some fish and enjoy the fall colors in the mountains. We’re looking forward to seeing trout as they move out of the depths of the rivers. Along with the falling water temperatures, the emergence of the fall hatches blesses us again. Swinging nymphs and soft-hackles, on a dead-drift are essential to a great day on the rivers. An upstream cast, a mend or two of your line, and letting these fine bugs drift freely, with no drag, all the way down stream, will produce fish. We have noticed, with the cooler than normal early Fall temperatures, that some of the Fall hatches are appearing on the rivers a little earlier than most years. Streamer fishing will be great this fall season as well. There are a tremendous amount of shiners, minnows, and sculpins through-
26 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
OCTOBER 2019
out the watersheds. Targeting fish in the seam lines, just off the big runs of the rivers, will be beneficial. Casting the streamers upstream, “dead-drifting and twitching” through the drift, and then a stripping and pausing retrieve, will be rewarding. For a full line of bugs and streamers, stop by and see us, and check out the new arrivals, to fulfill your fall fly fishing. As the Delayed Harvest season arrives, now is a great time to see the Walhalla Fish Hatchery in full swing. If you have never been to the hatchery, you will be able to see the thousands of fish in many sizes, getting ready for their journey to the rivers. From fingerlings, to show fish, one will be amazed at the variety of sizes of the Brook, Brown,
and Rainbow trout that the great folks at the hatchery have raised for us to enjoy out on the rivers. Bring along a couple of quarters when you visit, to enjoy feeding the large show fish that the hatchery has on display. After visiting the hatchery, try your hand at fishing the East Fork, a great small water fishery here in South Carolina. As we travel from one water system to another, let’s remember to give our equipment a good cleaning to avoid any transfer of invasive species. Also, as we are enjoying the scenery and rivers we are fishing on, please “Leave No Trace”. Just a couple of ways to help take care of the things we love. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers!!
Karl and Karen Ekberg are Co-Owners of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832A Highlands Hwy, in Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 or look them up on the web at chattoogariverflyshop.com
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Fall Means Topwater Fishing
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By Capt. Cefus McRae
y favorite type of fishing is with topwater plugs. It’s all visual. How you work the plug, watching a fish come up from the depths to check it out, and the explosive strike that follows, is what keeps me coming back for more. As summer fades away and the cooler days of fall show up, fish begin their seasonal movement to shallower locations as they start filling their bellies in advance of the winter. This is the perfect time to dust off those surface plugs and experience the adrenaline rush associated with topwater action. Topwater plugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Essentially, the idea is to present them as a struggling or fleeing baitfish. For shapes, there’s the chugging/ popper style, walk-the-dog style, swimming shapes, and variations of each. I’ve got an assortment of
sizes and colors in my topwater tray, and virtually any of them will catch fish, but I do have a couple favorites that I’ve come to trust. My go-to topwater bait is the MirroLure Top Dog. It’s a walkthe-dog style plug that has internal rattles, and it’s deadly on both fresh and saltwater game fish. My preferred colors are the blue back/ silver, the black back/silver and the black back/orange belly. They do a great job of mimicking a struggling bait, and they’re almost irresistible to everything with fins. The key to any walk-the-dog plug is getting the cadence correct with your retrieve. I like to keep my rod tip down, and use short twitches as I retrieve. This makes the plug ‘walk’ left, then right, with each twitch. I make a cast, let the plug sit for at least five seconds, then start the retrieve. Sometimes the fish will hit on
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the first twitch. Other times, they will literally follow the plug to the boat. So it’s important to work the plug all the way back. If you get a follower, keep retrieving. Your plug might get hit several times as you retrieve. Big fish like to play cat-and-mouse. They will slap the bait, knocking it out of the water. Ultimately, they will commit, and then it’s game-on. My other favorite is the chugging/popper style. Chuggers create a lot of commotion on the retrieve. The Chug Bug has been around for decades, and it’s pro-
duced a lot of fish. Again, I like the blue/silver and the orange/white color combos. The cast/retrieve formula is similar to the Top Dog, except I tend to slow down the cadence and use more forceful twitches to really displace some water with each pull. It’s hard to fish this plug wrong. Just remember to keep things at a slower pace. The strike will seem as though it comes from nowhere, and the fish
CONTINUED, SEE TOPWATER FISHING, PAGE 28
OCTOBER 2019
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 27
TOPWATER FISHING
What’s Biting on Lake Russell?
continued from page 27
will virtually hook itself. One skill you should learn is how to tie a loop knot. The open loop, versus the knot cinched down on the eye, allows the bait to work more freely and you get a better action from your plugs. You can get a great idea of how effective these plugs are by watching the Nuts & Bolts of Fishing Topwater episodes in our video library on CarbonTV.com,
and we show how to tie the loop knot in our Pro Tips segments on the Nuts & Bolts of Fishing website. Topwater plugs will fool fish from Oregon to Georgia. Spotted bass, smallmouth, stripers, pike and muskies in freshwater, and redfish, speckled trout, dolphin, sharks and mackerel in the salt. So add a few to your tackle box this fall and get ready for some explosive fishing fun.
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By Wendell Wilson
he shorter days and longer nights of fall bring cooler surface temperatures to our lakes. The morning air is crisp and cool and makes for a very enjoyable time on the water. The opportunities for a wide variety of species exist. You can choose to pursue crappie, yellow perch, white perch, bass, or striper. Bass – Bass are holding on points in the larger creeks. Look for them to be around schools of threadfin shad in 12-20 feet of water. Small crankbaits or drop-shot will be the lures of choice. Also, the chance for topwater action increases with the cooling temperatures. Crappie – Look for the crappie to be biting small minnows fished over brush piles and some-
times on the bottom on the lip of a creek channel. The best depth is 15-25 feet. Perch – The yellow perch and white perch sometimes school together. Other times they don’t but the pattern remains the same. Fish minnows on a drop-shot rig or jig a metal spoon on deep flats in 30-40 feet of water. Expect to catch a few bass mixed in. Striper – This is not my favorite time of year to target stripers on Lake Russell. There are a few fish still hanging in the summer pattern but most of theme have scattered because the comfortable water temperatures allow them to roam. Fishing for stripers will get easier when a true winter pattern develops.
Wendell Wilson is the owner of Wilson’s Guide Service and can be reached at 706-283-3336.
28 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
OCTOBER 2019
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