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Big Fish And Little Plastic Boats By Nick Carter; Photos by Eric McDonald
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hese guys stole a chapter out of “The Old Man and the Sea.” While fishing a 2014 kayak tournament in the Bahamas, angler Matt Eckert had an adventure of epic proportions. He hooked into a 500-pound blue marlin while sitting on the deck of a little plastic boat. It dragged him 32 miles over an 11-hour fight. Eckert admits he was unbelievably lucky to get his hands on the leader, making it an official catch before the fish continued having its way with him. “I grabbed the leader with my hand, and it was like a bomb went off next to me. It almost spooled me 10 hours into the fight,” Eckert said. “The only reason I was able to get the leader was he made a big airplane turn and swam right by me.” That’s about as extreme as fishing gets. The kayak trips Eckert and his partner Eric McDonald guide out of Boynton Beach, Fla., might seem tame in comparison. But there aren’t many who would consider catching sailfish from a kayak to be tame. Deep Blue Kayak Fishing offers standard inshore and freshwater trips, but they specialize in taking groups of up to six anglers off the beach in rigged-out peddle-drive Hobie kayaks to chase big pelagics. They don’t use motherships or support boats. Their location on the southeast coast of Florida is one of the only places in the world where their style of fishing is possible. At times, the Gulf Stream swings in as close as 8 miles off the beach and brings with it fishing that would normally require long runs offshore. “When the east wind picks up, it brings everything in,” said McDonald. “It brings in the grass and the baitfish, which brings in the pelagics.” Deep Blue doesn’t force clients on an 8-mile death-peddle out to the Gulf Stream. Less than a half-mile off the beach, the reef tops out at about 45 feet and drops precipitously into 100-foot depths on the backside. Within sight of shore, they drift with the current and slowly peddle-troll live baits from the reef out into 200-foot depths and back. Each kayak pulls a single bait on a kingfish-style rig, and six anglers working together can pull a pretty impressive spread. The fish are impressive, too. “We’re so close to the Gulf Stream, you never know what you’re going to get,” said McDonald. “It seems like everyone wants a billfish, and sailfish are our most common catch. It’s sailfish from October into maybe June. Then the rest of the year it’s big king mackerel.” A smoker king or 65-pound sailfish will take a kayak angler on a
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serious sleigh ride. The typical fight stretches out over 3 or 4 miles of water and lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. “We usually start out trying to get a sailfish first thing in the morning. Then you’re trolling looking for meat,” McDonald said. “A good day would consist of a sailfish and three or four more meat fish.” Kingfish, blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, grouper, snapper and cobia are some of the species that regularly find a spot in the deck-mounted fish bags. Because of a kayak’s limited range, Deep Blue stays in contact with the local charter fleet to share intel, and word of a good grass line might call for a trek out into 400-foot depths in search of mahi. But what kayaks lack in range they make up for in stealth. McDonald said they are sometimes able to peddle over and through bait balls and schooling fish that an outboard would definitely spook. “We just look like another piece of debris floating out there,” he said. “We get a lot of sea turtles that come check us out, and a lot of times mahi will be right under the boat.” Because of the physical nature of kayak fishing, Deep Blue limits its trips to five hours on the water. Depending on the wind and currents, a five-hour drift can take you 20 miles or more from where you put in. But they won’t make you peddle all the way back to the put-in. With a series of different take-out points, the end of a trip is usually a straight shot back to shore, hopefully in a kayak loaded down with fresh fish. Check out Deep Blue Kayak Fishing Charters at deepbluekayakfishing.com or give them a call at (561) 350-8764.
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Putting In The Time:The Man Behind The Design By Ryan Drygas
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evin Hawkins, owner of Kaku Kayaks, is not your typical kayak manufacturer. He’s a fisherman who tests and uses his own product and has made a living doing what he loves. In the quiet beachfront town of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Kaku Kayaks was born out of the idea of “life on the water.” Initially, Hawkins took up kayaking to get into springs, go scalloping, spearfishing and basic exercise. He fell in love with the ease of use, the peace of the water and the idea that you can pick-up and drop-in anywhere and take off to parts unknown. What started as a hobby turned into a passion, and an idea was born. At the time, Hawkins also had an interest in mountain biking, so in 2007 he started an outfitter shop to combine his two favorite outdoor activities. As time went on, Hawkins realized the products
he was selling weren’t holding up to his idea of a true paddle-craft, so he made the decision to stop reselling and focus on inventing. The idea was there, the knowledge was out there, all he had to do was find a way to put it all together. Hawkins spent five years working in other fields and saving money. All the while, he was learning the trade of roto-molding, studying different plastics, shaping, design and everything else he could possibly absorb about creating the perfect paddle-craft. Hawkins slowly made his dream become a reality by piecing together his company one step at a time. Eventually, the time came for Kaku Kayak to step out into the world of kayak angling. In late 2014, Hawkins took a crosscountry trip and tested his paddle-craft in every condition of water you can think of. From Florida to Texas, Hawkins fished rivers, creeks, lakes, inlets, offshore oil rigs and everything else in between. When he posted photos showcasing the Kahuna on social media, he knew he was onto something special. The Kahuna just might be the ultimate fishing SUP, designed, tested and tweaked by a hardcore fisherman. The response flooded in, with comments like: “Where can I get that?” and “That looks like a fisherman’s dream.” Requests for the Kahuna were not in short supply. Hawkins’ dream had become a reality, but he knew his inventing days weren’t over. The success of the Kahuna led to the birth of the Wahoo, a kayak fisherman’s dream. Designed to be simplistic yet fully capable of top-of-the-line rigging, the Wahoo will cut through the water like a downhill train. People from all over the country were noticing the unique design of the paddle-crafts coming out of Kaku Kayak. Still, Hawkins knew he could do more. The blended idea of the Kahuna and Wahoo brought forth one of today’s most sought-after paddle-crafts. The Voodoo is a combination of Kayak and SUP, a design that is a perfect mix of balance, comfort and mobility. We can only imagine what is going to come out of Kaku Kayak in the future! Check out Kaku Kayak at kakukayak.com.
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BOAT REVIEW NuCanoe Frontier 12
The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is an incredible fishing platform. Just spend a few minutes fishing on the Frontier 12, and you’ll be hooked. First thing you’ll notice is that, unlike other kayaks, it has a very clean deck with a lot of open space. There’s not a lot to get in your way, and there’s no limit to how you can set it up and outfit it. Solo or tandem, rigged up or stripped down, paddle, trolling motor or outboard, the options are unlimited. You’ll be blown away by the Frontier 12’s stability. It’s unlike any canoe or kayak you’ve been in before. You feel completely comfortable whether seated or standing. Your movements barely affect how it rides on the water. So, when it comes time to cast and fight a fish, you’re not even thinking about being in a kayak, you’re just locked in to the battle! Adding an outboard to the Frontier 12 is an ideal solution for anglers who want a great fishing experience but don’t want to spend a lot of time paddling. The Honda 2.3hp outboard moves the Frontier 12 at a very nice clip and is surprisingly easy to control. Whether you are going 500 feet or 5 miles, the outboard will get you to where you want to be quickly and comfortably. Then kill the motor, grab your rod, stand up and enjoy your unlimited fishing experience.
Learn more + find your local NuCanoe dealer at www.nucanoe.com | 888.226.6310
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“The most attractive option for boat and SUP storage.” -Cabin Life, June 2015
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Paddlesports| 1. Log Kayak Rack
Looking for a way to store your kayaks, canoes or paddleboards? You’d be hard-pressed to find a sturdier, more convenient or better-looking solution than a Log Kayak Rack. Individually constructed in the U.S.A. from weather-resistant white cedar, Log Kayak Racks are extremely strong and durable. They’re built to hold heavy loads and provide many years of service. They are available with capacity for two to eight boats, and racks can also be customized to meet your specific needs. Need a place off the ground to store a paddleboat, rowboat or any hand-launched vessel? Give Log Kayak Rack a call. They’ll custom design a rack for you. Well-considered design makes lifting boats in and out of the rack easy. Locking down boats is a cinch with standard cable locks. Racks can be bolted to a dock or anchored to the ground, and there are even Log Kayak Racks designed to hang on the wall. Visit their website to see what Log Kayak Rack has to offer, then give them a call at (715) 543-2006 to discuss the best solution for safely storing your fleet of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
Product Reviews
1.
LogKayakRack.com
2. 2019 Hobie Mirage Outback
For more than a decade, Hobie’s Mirage Outback has peddled along without any major redesigns. With a kayak this close to perfection, there hasn’t been a need. However, for 2019, Hobie has taken the world’s best-selling pedaldrive kayak and made it even better. The 2019 Mirage Outback is a fishing machine built to handle any trip, from pond prowling to offshore expeditions. An extra-wide deck offers an improved and more stable casting platform and vantage point for sight fishing. The revolutionary Guardian Transducer Shield protects your vision below. The new Vantage CTW seat is roomier and more comfortable. Four molded-in rod holders, multiple deluxe H-Track mounts and numerous high-capacity storage compartments ensure all your gear is at your fingertips. Powered by the MirageDrive 180 with ARC Cranks + Turbo Fins, this vessel is versatile, fast, quiet and nimble. It now features the Kick-Up Rudder system with dual steering.
3.
Hobie.com
3. Kaku Voodoo
Kaku Voodoo The all-new Kaku Voodoo is the ultimate sight-casting paddle craft. This authentic fishing paddle craft has a unique look and performance. It’s part kayak, part paddleboard, with some micro skiff qualities. The Kaku Voodoo is like a personal deck yak. It has incredible stability, while maintaining good paddling efficiency. The performance of this paddle craft is lifted to an even higher level with the included Voodoo Chair, which is unlike anything on the market today. The Voodoo Chair has a beefy aluminum structure, a perfect amount of cushion, and off-the-charts utility, giving the paddler a high and low seating position, leaning chair,
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as well as a standing platform, without having to adjust anything. It’s mounted securely on 30-inch aluminum tracks, allowing for trimming as necessary. Top it all off with great storage and five Micro Powerpole mounts, which allow for multiple or single Powerpoles while also offering motor mounting. Check out the Voodoo’s higher-level capabilities today.
KakuKayak.com
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2. 4. Watershed Goforth Duffel
A dry bag is a necessity when you’re fishing from a kayak, canoe or SUP. Watershed’s Goforth is a darn good one. Step on it, stand on it or stomp around on it, no matter what you do, it won’t leak. The Goforth is a dry bag with mobility and versatility in mind. It features low-profile lash points along with a 2” nylon removable waist belt to make it ideal for on-the-go water enthusiasts. From the incredibly strong Airtight ZipDry closure to the 420 denier Cordura nylon ripstop fabric coated with polyurethane, it’s hard to know what to love most about the Goforth. Ideal for fishing, boating or just messing about on the water, this madein-the-U.S.A. duffel also features rugged carrying handles and multiple compression straps. Plus, it looks great on! Specs: Dimensions Rolled - 9”x16”x7.25” Capacity Rolled - 640 cu in (10.5L) Opening Size - 13” Weight - 1.5 lbs.
Drybags.com
5. Salt Marsh Skiffs Savanna
The new Savanna from Salt Marsh Skiffs is a kayak/skiff hybrid that offers a kayak’s ease of use with the capability to handle more diverse conditions and loads. Designed to handle two full size adults, it has a self-bailing cockpit fully loaded. The overall length of 14’ is long enough to accommodate 4 fly rods. The beam is 40” at the waterline, offering great stability that makes it a great fishing platform. The Savanna can be paddled, rowed, poled or powered depending on the need. It can putt around with a lightweight 2.5hp outboard or go long distance at up to 21mph with a 9.9hp engine. Perhaps the most intriguing option is the 3hp electric engine capable of cruising at 3mph with a range of up to 12-miles. For short bursts, the electric can reach speeds close to 6mph. The Savanna is right at home in rougher water and heavy boat traffic with a 14” free board. It can be easily be equipped for a variety of uses with the many accessories available from the kayak fishing world. If you’re ready to move up from a kayak and expand your horizons without the complexity and expense of a full-size skiff, the Savanna deserves a look.
SaltMarshSkiffs.com
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DeFoe Slams Door On Hometown Bassmaster Classic Victory B.A.S.S. photo by Andy Crawford
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or decades, it seemed almost impossible for an angler to win the Bassmaster Classic in his home state. Now it’s happened four times in six years. On the final day of the Classic March 17, Tennessee pro Ott DeFoe, of Knoxville, caught five bass that weighed 18 pounds, 14 ounces to win the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing and the $300,000 prize. The event was held on the Tennessee River in Knoxville. DeFoe’s three-day total weight of 49-3
helped him slip past second-place angler Jacob Wheeler at the weighin before a raucous home crowd at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena. The world-championship bass tournament drew a record attendance of 153,809. “This is a dream come true—a dream I’ve had since I was a 9-yearold kid,” said DeFoe. “When we came over here and did the walkthrough the day before the tournament, I actually imagined hearing my name after the words ‘Bassmaster Classic champion.’ “For it to happen now… I just keep thinking I’m gonna wake up.” DeFoe lives in Knoxville—and since few others in the 52-angler field had much experience on the tournament waters of Fort Loudon and Tellico lakes—he was one of the obvious favorites coming into the event. But things didn’t go smoothly for him all three days. After catching 20 pounds during Friday’s opening round, DeFoe caught five bass that weighed just 10-5 Saturday—and he said that tough day might have been the best thing that could have happened. “If I would have had a good Day 2—if I’d had even 14 or 15 pounds—I might have been totally committed to what I was doing,” DeFoe said. “…But the fact that it just didn’t work for me, that caused me to just scrap it all. I just
went fishing today, and that’s exactly what I needed to do.” DeFoe spent Day 1 far from the shoreline fishing shallow tips of points. His primary bait was a Storm Arashi Vibe lipless crankbait in the “rusty craw” pattern, which he doctored with orange, red and black Sharpies. On the second day, DeFoe switched to shallow boat docks when a strong north wind interfered with his pattern. His bait of choice around the docks—a 3/8-ounce bladed jig— helped him land three of his five keepers on Day 2. He used the bladed jig again Sunday but moved to the outside wall of a marina after a conversation with Keith Poche, a Classic competitor who failed to make the cut for Championship Sunday. On the water Sunday, after boating one of the bass that helped seal the victory, Defoe said he was going to give Poche a big old bear hug.
Bassmaster Classic Top-10 1. Ott Defoe, 49-3, $302,500 2. Jacob Wheeler, 45-3, $52,500 3. Jesse Wiggins, 43-14, $40,000 4. Michael Iaconelli, 42-9, $30,000 5. Mark Daniels Jr., 41-12, $26,250 6. Brandon Lester, 40-5, $22,000 7. Wesley Strader, 39-8, $21,500 8. Edwin Evers, 39-7, $22,250 9. Dean Rojas, 35-6, $20,500 10. Brandon Palaniuk, 34-15, $20,000
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Unsinkable Polarized Mirror Sunglasses
KING KRACKEN Outdoor Clothing Co..
Unsinkable brings a lot more to the table than just being unsinkable. Their premium polarized glasses feature lenses made from a proprietary lens material called Polyamide, which has the optics of glass combined with the lightweight feel of polycarbonate, resulting in crystal-clear vision. New for 2019, Unsinkable’s lineup now offers blue and green mirror polarized lenses, providing another level of sun glare protection. These lenses reflect glare from every possible angle and offer super crisp, saturated, color acuity. A proprietary blue light barrier filters harmful blue light, allowing colors to blast, and a hydrophobic coating protects against salt, sweat and smudges. Other features include anti-scratch coating, 100 percent UV protection, they are BPA free, and boast injected and decentered optics. All Unsinkable glasses are lightweight and impact resistant, and provide 10 percent visual light transmittance (VLT). Blue mirror lenses are available in six wrap sunglass styles, ideal for blocking out glare while searching out signs of baitfish or gamefish. Blue mirrors are best suited for bright sunlight conditions and are an excellent choice for offshore and coastal fishing and boating. Green mirror lenses are available in four wrap sunglass styles, which reflect glare from every possible angle. They are best suited for variable light conditions and an excellent choice for anyone who spends a lot of time fishing or boating inshore waters or freshwater. Unsinkable Polarized Sunglasses will never sink, but in case they do float away, you are covered by Unsinkable’s groundbreaking Lifetime plus Loss warranty. The MSRP on the new Unsinkable premium polarized mirror sunglasses is $159. To checkout their complete lineup of products, go to https://unsinkablepolarized.com/.
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Center sp ie Vaine By Jeram
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tand up paddling covers a wide variety of activities. From the casual cruise on a calm lake to adrenaline fueled wave surfing. But I’ve found myself spending more time on my stand up paddleboard (SUP) with a fishing rod. Two good friends, Chris Hollingsworth and Ken Hoeve, opened my eyes to world of SUP fishing. Hearing their stories, seeing the fish they caught and the ear-to-ear smiles are what inspired me. I grew up on a small New England lake, where I spent countless hours fishing. But I never really thought about fishing from an SUP… until speaking with Chris and Ken. Besides hearing the stories and seeing the fun times, the biggest appeal of SUP fishing is its simplicity. All you need is a board, a paddle and a fishing rod. Whether you’re an angler who wants to try fishing from an SUP or a paddler interested in fishing, here are some tips for getting into SUP fishing.
• What’s the right board? These days, manufacturers make fishing-specific boards that make fishing from an SUP easier. They are awesome, but they’re not absolutely necessary for someone just getting started. The most important thing is to find a board you can comfortably paddle without falling in. My general rule is a board over 30 inches wide and longer than 10 feet. It will have the stability to stand and fish, while remaining portable. If you’re concerned about falling in or losing your fishing gear, use a tether to tie it off to your board. Don’t tie gear to your person, it could hinder your ability to swim if you do fall in. • Where and when to go? Like any outdoor activity, and probably more so, weather is crucial. With an SUP, calm days are definitely better. Wind and rough conditions make it challenging, which eliminates the fun factor. Smaller bodies of water are a great place to start, as they are more protected from wind and do not have a lot of boat traffic. For these reasons, I prefer freshwater lakes. But a little experience on a board opens up a whole world of inshore action on saltwater. An SUP is a great, elevated platform to fish from during a calm day along the mangroves or up in the backwaters. • What to bring? For beginners, it’s best to keep it simple. I started SUP fishing 18
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with one spinning rod, pre-rigged with a single tried-and-true lure. It limited my catch, but having just one option allows you to enjoy time on the water without fussing with gear. Again, experience will guide preferences, but starting simple can save a lot of headaches. Of course the safety rules of SUP still apply. You’ll need a paddle leash and a lifejacket. • What to fish for? I really enjoy bass fishing, but some of my most fun days were with my nephews catching perch. Other people seek out trout in rivers and saltwater fish like snook, seatrout and redfish. If it can be caught from a boat, it can be caught from atop an SUP. Head out on the water, take a few casts and see what you think. If it develops into a passion, you might find yourself paddling a board that resembles a fully rigged fishing skiff.
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Apalachicola National Forest features many paddling opportunities. Photo courtesy of Colin Hackney, Visit Florida.
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here may not be an area better suited for the paddle sports enthusiast than Franklin County, Fla. The Apalachicola River and its system of tributaries and creeks make the area a paddler’s paradise that offers paddling options for everyone. With more than 80 percent of Franklin County’s 545 square miles publically owned and preserved as wilderness areas, there are literally hundreds of miles of rivers, creeks and coastal shallows to explore by canoe or kayak. From floating pristine rivers by canoe to
Discover
the challenges of a long-distance sea kayak adventure along a remote coastline, Franklin County has it all! The Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System is broken into 11 separate smaller trail sections. Paddlers at all levels of ability will enjoy these canoeing and kayaking trails that are comprised of nearly 100 miles through the swamps of the Apalachicola River. Distances range from short, easy trips to multi-day river trips flowing into open bays of the Gulf of Mexico. These trails not only offer breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters, but the fishing in these places is amazing! As the river carries you to the bay, you can expect to catch both fresh and saltwater species like bass, bream, speckled trout and the mighty red drum. Tackle selection is easy. A few basic lures is all it takes: spinnerbaits, Texas-rigged worms and a topwater lure, like a Bagley Bang-O-Lure will get the bass bites in the flowing waters of the river. Cast to anything that creates a current break and hold on! As the water turns salty, a gold spoon and jigs tipped with curly tail grubs or a Gulp Shrimp are mainstays for trout and redfish success, but these fish smash topwaters, as well… especially walking baits like a Rapala Skitterwalk. Any one of the local tackle shops will help you gear up with lure types, colors and sizes best suited for the season and conditions. Or you can fill your bucket with the live bait. That’s always a sure bet. Don’t miss the Paddle Jam event and races April 5-7. Come be a part of this annual attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest raft of kayakers! Also enjoy other events like the Antique & Classic Boat & Car Show April 20 and the annual Carrabelle Riverfront Festival featuring maritime exhibits, arts and crafts, seafood, live music and a classic car show April 26-27. Bring your kayak or paddleboard and a love for adventure and fun. For more info and a complete list of rentals, charters, supplies and more, visit www.floridasforgottencoast.com.
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North GA’s Full Service Fly Shop
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his time of year, we’re usually writing about hatching insects and the blooming of springtime. With all the rain we’ve had, fly fishing high water seems a better topic. Fishing high water can be very productive, especially if the angler knows what to look for. Understanding hydraulics and likely locations to cast can produce good fish. Here are some tips for fishing high water: • High water is faster and causes insects to lose hold of whatever they’re clinging to. This means there is more food in the water, which makes trout lively. • High water is usually stained. Trout are not as spooky and many times will move into the open to feed. • High water, at times, will cause trout to move to the outer banks of the stream, where they can rest in less-turbulent water. • Use attention-getting flies. Try large streamers in dark colors, articulating patterns, large sculpin patterns, and do not forget about worm patterns like the San Juan or Squirmy Worm. • High water is a good time to fish with a buddy. • High water is also a good time to cinch that wading belt tight. It could help save your life. • Use a wading staff for balance and to check depth. • Bring a heavy 5- or 6-weight. Do not be shy with weight. Use whatever amount is needed to get flies to the bottom. When casting weight, be sure to use more of a lob cast. You don’t want that weight to hit your rod. • Rig your leader with 3x or even 2x tippet. Line is less visible in stained water, and big trout might be on the prowl. • Throw streamers either at or along the bank and strip. At times, throwing across and stripping back on a swing can get the rod almost jerked out of your hand. Cast to breaks caused by logs or large rocks, where trout hold out of the current. • Know when to stop because of unsafe conditions. Reel Em In Guide Service will be at the Blue Ridge Trout Fest in Blue Ridge, Ga. on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’ll be giving a presentation on private water. If you are a first-timer, we have several instructors schooled in the art of teaching fly fishing. If you are new to the area and need a place to go, give us a call. If big water is intimidating or if the Toccoa River DH is too rough for you to wade, we float the Toccoa with drift boats.
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new term is being thrown around in the bass fishing world, and it is spreading like wildfire. This term is “hawg wallows.” It describes a concentrated area where a school of mature female largemouths settle to the bottom. Each individual selects a spot to rest and relax while staying in close proximity to all other fish in the same school. While lying almost motionless with tail, anal fins and pectorals moving slightly to maintain balance and stability, silt is gently removed. This action creates a small crater, very similar to a shellcracker bed, only much larger in individual size. It is not unusual to detect 50 or more wallows in an area about the size of a two-car garage, or 300 to 500 square feet, which in turn indicates 50 or more
bass. Yes, 50! This pattern is not a shallow-water anomaly. Actually, it is more likely to be found in deeper water, from 15 to 25 feet, near separated contour lines that identify gradual depth changes. Don’t look for hawg wallows on sharp ledges or rocky outcrops. They will usually be along sloping ravines where there is a soft bottom. I think these schools of bass are prespawn fish biding time for egg development or waiting for conducive water temperatures and weather patterns to migrate up to the spawning grounds. On the other hand, the wallows I found in February last year emptied out only to refill throughout the early summer. Now, let’s get down to the brass tacks on how to detect these hawg wallows and determine which fields of wallows are active versus those that are abandoned. Using side scan only on your Humminbird, adjust to 75 feet on either side with contours showing. Investigate the areas in your lake that match my description of likely locations. Look closely for multiple large indentions near the suggested depth. When spotted, move your curser to hover over the targeted area and zoom in. Mark the spot, especially if a white streak or multiple streaks are detected in or near the selected crater. Then mark a GPS location and toss a buoy marker. Back off to casting distance, put your Minn Kota on spot lock, pull a Big Bite Fighting Frog into the chaos and hold on. Repeat. With the newest side-imaging technology, Humminbird and Minn Kota with the spot-lock feature have changed the face of bass fishing forever. Try it. You’ll like it. During the last weekend of February on Lake Eufaula, a bass tournament was won using this method with a total weight of 34 pounds for the best five and a total of 40 bass caught by two anglers in three hours. With the win assured, these anglers departed to look for more wallows and future success. P.S. In the Deep South, we might just call them “wallers.” Billy Darby is a retired professional guide on Lake Eufaula. He can be reached at imfishing4u@windstream.net or 229-768-2369.
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LAKE HIWASSEE
Wicked Striper Fishing On Lake Hiwassee
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By Shane Goebel
pril is finally here, and it brings with it some rip-roaring striper fishing action on Lake Hiwassee. Springtime is the most exciting time of the year for us on this lake. It’s the perfect time of year to get hooked up with some huge, hard fighting striped bass and trust me, we’ve been slaying them out here. So, enough sitting around complaining about all this rain—the weather is getting warmer and spring is in the air. Time to get out of the house and book that striper trip with Murphy North Carolina’s #1 striper guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 10 feet below full pool. Water temperatures have been in the low to mid 50’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and just slightly stained in the backs of the creeks and rivers. Striper fishing has been super out here lately. We’ve have had such an amazing late winter striper run and it’s only going to get better! Most of the stripers we are catching have been in the 20 to 40 pound range, and we have been loading the boat with these monsters. We have also been wearing them out on light tackle, which is so darn fun! This pattern should continue into the month of April and increase as
the stripers start their pre-spawn. Pulling planer boards with live herring and huge gizzard shad in the backs of creeks and around shallow, sloping banks is going to be the best technique. It’s also a good idea to work the banks by casting a Zara Spook or a Red Fin. As the sun comes up, turn your focus to fishing the mouths of creeks, as the stripers will follow bait to deeper water. With pre-spawn in mind, more and more stripers will start to stage in the mouths of creeks in April and start to work their way to the backs. Also, Keep an eye on your electronics for schooling stripers, and pay attention to where the bait balls are. I guarantee you, if you find the bait, the stripers will be close by. The smallmouth and spotted bass bite has been extremely good. We are catching some very nice smallmouth and spots in the 3-5 lb. range and in large quantities. We are at least averaging 20 to 30 smallmouth and spotted bass a trip. Several largemouth in the 8 to 10 pound range have been caught as well. These spotted bass and smallmouth have been schooling up on points and shallow areas around the lake. Down-lining live bluebacks has been the best technique for catching a slew of these great bass in 15-25 feet of water.
April is a fantastic month for catching a lot of trophy stripers and smallmouth on this western North Carolina lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1-rated guide service put you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely and Chatuge (in North
Carolina), and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, GA. 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!
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
Lake Chatuge Hybrids and Spotted Bass
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arch was another great month of fishing on Lake Chatuge and with this warmer-than-usual spring in place, we expect April to be even better. Currently, lake temps are in the upper 50’s. Water clarity is clear all over the lake and water levels are holding at about 1 feet below full pool. The hybrid bass bite has been crazy. We’ve been catching some nice 10 to 13 pound fish in good numbers for early spring. The hybrids are presently staging in their spawning areas in the backs of creeks and feeding on some huge shad. This should continue through the month of April and into May. Early morning planer boards and free lines have worked the best. As the sun really comes out, the fish are moving to slightly
By Darren Hughes
deeper water and hitting on our down lines. Live bait is key here to catching some quality fish, but don’t hesitate to cast a spook, Red Fin, or sexy dog, especially when theses hybrids are busting top-water. Our spotted bass bite has also been insane. We are averaging anywhere from 30 to 40 fish a trip out here. Lake Chatuge offers the best spotted bass fishing in western North Carolina, and I highly recommend booking a trip with us to experience this super exciting fishing thrill. These big spots are stacking up on shallow points, humps and flats all over the lake and preparing for the spawn. Look for these fish in the 10-30 foot range. The early morning bite has been okay, but it really fires up once the sun comes up.
The late afternoon bite has also been pretty productive. Once you find these fish, they are hitting just about anything you can cast at them. Jerkbaits and crankbaits have been working great, but as always, our super lively blueback herring are the biggest producers for some huge spots. April 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 ethanol-free gas and have some of the best hot, made-fromscratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, 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
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MURPHY LAKES
Spring on Murphy Area Lakes
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By Aaron Kephart
t would seem that spring is finally here and I, for one, have certainly been looking forward to it. Our Murphy area lakes are all still a bit high and stained due to the unprecedented amount of rain we have received so far this year, but the fishing has been awesome. We have been catching an incredible number of stripers and bass recently, and we have had some big ones mixed in. One of the positive effects of all of this water is that, for the most part, the rain has been somewhat warm, and it has contributed to an increase in water temperatures. The fish have been active and feeding, and the bait location has been predictable because of all the current the TVA is running. The good news is that April and May are traditionally my two favorite months for targeting trophy stripers and big bass, I can’t wait to see what is in store, as good as March has been. With that said, expect me to run the largest herring I can find, and I will also be utilizing good sized gizzard shad, with the occasional jumbo trout thrown in the mix. Don’t discount large topwaters and swimbaits either. While spring weather does make for incredible fishing and relaxing days on the water, it does bring along more boating and fishing pressure. It can be quite an adjustment for a year-round angler who has grown accustomed to no crowds at the boat ramp or on the water through the winter months, to suddenly see the masses coming back out. With that in mind, I would like to take just a minute to mention a few unwritten rules and common courtesies for this time of year that might make everyone’s time on the water just a little bit better. 1. Don’t cut other fisherman off. This used to be as written in stone as any unwritten rule can
be, but with the increase in tournaments and guiding pressure (hence, financial incentive), this rule seems to be falling by the wayside. Yes, it is public water, and everyone has the same right to it. However, if you want to fish a particular area and someone is already on it, consider getting there earlier next time. 2. No hole is “your” hole. This goes along with number 1. Remember, it is public water, and berating someone for being on “your” fishing hole is a sure sign of either a beginner, an unprofessional, or worse. A good angler will just go find fish somewhere else. 3. Don’t back down the ramp and then start loading your coolers, rods, life jackets, batteries, radios, 6 changes of clothes, dogs, cats, kitchen sinks, etc. This is a personal pet peeve of mine. A lot of ramps are now implementing designated “boat prep areas.” If the ramp you are using doesn’t have one designated, just know that it isn’t on the ramp itself. 4. Turn off headlights once you have backed down the ramp in the dark, especially on two wide ramps. Remember, lots of people are using the water this time of year, and they are trying to get an early start just like you are. Leaving your headlights on while you launch and park your boat makes it essentially impossible for anyone else to back down the ramp next to you. 5. Don’t cut between an angler and the bank, especially at speed. It’s rude, and a particularly skilled angler might just whip a giant topwater at your noggin for doing so. By the same token, don’t block whole creeks like a shrimp boat. Us striper anglers are particularly notorious for this, but at some point the creeks narrow to the point that 12 planer boards are simply impractical and a nui-
sance to everybody else. 6. Slow down. Spring floods and rising reservoir levels almost invariably mean that there will be a ton of floating debris, and a lot of it will be waterlogged and level with the surface. In addition, there are simply more boats on the water, and some of our turns can be tight. We are exceptionally blessed in this area to have the diversity and quality of fisheries that we have, almost all of them public.
I view fish caught on private waters the same way I view big deer killed in a high fence preserve: I am unimpressed, and I have to stifle the notion to ask if it was at least untied before it was shot. With that said, our Murphy area fisheries offer you some unprecedented opportunities for some incredible fishing, available to all, and if you would like to get out with me and give it a shot please give me a call at 865-466-1345. Thanks, and good luck!
Aaron Kephart is the Owner of Mountain Lakes Guide Service. To book a guided trip on one of the Murphy area mountain lakes, contact him by phone or by email at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com Check out his website at http://www.mtnlakesguideservice.com and catch him on facebook@mountainlakesguideservice
Murphy North Carolina’s
premier trophy smallmouth and spotted bass guide service
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Hiwassee - Apalachia - Chatuge Aaron Kephart 865-466-1345 mtnlakesguide@outlook.com
Crappie, Trophy Trout, Stripers, and more available APRIL 2019
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 5
Don’t Bring A Knife To A Gun Fight! By Capt. James McManus
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ish that have been off-andon all winter should be full on by now. I am not a tournament bass angler, but I fished the recent tourney out of Fontana Village and was reminded of that all too well. A buddy and I fished the weekend before and we found a few and I thought that, as scattered as fish have been this winter, we could maybe do pretty well. As the old saying goes, “Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” and I feel like that’s what I did. My favorite thing to do and has been my favorite thing on Fontana, is to throw a 1/8th ounce jig with a Zoom mini fluke or small Kitech. Well my buddy couldn’t
fish so I was solo. I caught what I normally do, pretty good numbers but no monsters. As a guide, I like to keep the action up and what that means for most folks is a greater number of bites vs. a greater size of fish caught, especially based on various skill levels. To not make too much out of it, the local bass guys wore me out. I hardly ever see, much less catch, the size of fish a lot of them were weighing in. I left as early as I could load my boat, tail between my legs, not wanting to see how far down I finished. So this is to admit I will never be invited to fish the BassMaster Classic, or really almost any other bass tour-
ney unless they need more prize money for the real bass guys. But it did make me think. All of us fish for a different reason. You may just want some fresh fish filets and if that’s the case, then a few spotted bass fit that bill and my little baits are the ticket. Several trips each season, I have folks that want to catch their first smallmouth. On Fontana, what you use and where you go will give you the best chance to get that bucket list smallie [by the way, that’s what I caught at the bass tourney]. Anywhere downstream of point 6 or 7 will greatly increase your odds. Walleye are fish that fit both of these wish lists and, although harder than it used to be, there are still some to be had using live bait, jigging or trolling, preferably up towards the river mouths. The harder a species, or size, is to obtain the more specialized and hard core the angler and methods. To catch what is almost non existent now, a big largemouth, means throwing really big baits right in any debris pile backed up in the back of flooding coves. Crappie gurus won’t even look at anything as large as an eighth ounce jig. Many years ago, a young guy
turned me on to some crappie at the mouth of Alarka against the rock cliff. It being spring, I was looking for crappie and had what I thought was a small jig with a green twister. After watching him catch 6 or 8 right in front of me, he showed me his jig and even gave me one, it couldn’t have weighed 1/64th and had one little sprig of marabou about half an inch long. I became a crappie guru on my next cast and loaded the boat several times that spring just by downsizing. I have said all this to make excuses for my tournament failings based on stubbornness. I know this stuff, but did I use larger baits to catch larger fish? No. Did I throw Alabama rigs all day long for only five or six bites? No. What I did do was what I enjoy and so, until the weigh-in, my tournament was a success…just don’t expect to see me in the next BassMasters, but I will be having fun and ain’t that what it’s all about? Give me a call if you want to probably catch a bunch, but may need to call someone else if you just want a few bigguns. Stay safe, thank God for our beautiful mountains and fish on... Later Capt. James
Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing! 6 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 7
SWAIN COUNTY / BRYSON CITY / NANTAHALA
What You Leave Behind
H
e was born June 25th, 1943 on the head of Alarka Creek, which is located in Bryson City, North Carolina. He was the son of Fred and Wilma Parris, and was one of their six children. He was married to the love of his life, Linda Gunter, in 1967 and was blessed with her love for the remaining 52 years of his life. Dale was blessed with two fine boys, Brad and Chad, with whom he loved to spend time in the outdoors. He was also blessed with the diamonds of his eyes, two beautiful granddaughters, Caroline and Chloe. His career choice was in education and he served as principal at Morning Star Elementary until 1976, when he was asked to be the first principal at Junaluska Elementary School, where he stayed until retirement in 1996. Dale was my uncle and throughout my childhood, he was always larger than life to me. We both shared the same love for the outdoors whether it be hunting or fishing. I’ll never forget when he told my dad he was going to retire. Dad tried to get him to stay saying, “You will not be able to get a job as good as this and you can’t hunt and fish everyday. You will get tired of it and want to go back to work”. My uncle’s response was, “Son, I’ve worked all my life so I could get to enjoy hunting and fishing and now I’m gonna get to”. About 10 years ago, I reminded uncle Dale of that and I asked if he had ever gotten tired of it over the years. With a big grin, he laughed and said, “Son, the only thing that’s changed is now I don’t have to get out on the nasty days when the weather is bad, like I did when I was working at the school”. As a boy, I would sit for hours and listen to Dad and Dale tell hunting tales about when they were boys hunting Fog Mountain, Bearmeat Branch and back in the Big Laurel. Back then, the meat
By Ronnie Parris
was a valuable staple on the dinner table and Dad would always tell me about how they would swap a pound of Gensing for a box of shells. Dad was always the best shot I knew and he said that when they were growing up, Dale hardly ever missed. He was one of the first people to get me hooked on turkey hunting and was one of the best callers I’ve ever known. On one hunt, we went together and as dawn was breaking, we split up-Dale going up one hollow and me taking the other. As it was barely light enough to see, I heard Dale “owl hoot” and sure enough, at the top of the mountain in the hollow I was walking, an old Tom gobbled. I would sneak as quietly as possible and every few minutes Dale would hoot and old Tom would gobble. While the gobbler was focused on Dale’s owl calls, I was able to sneak to around 200 yards of the Tom’s roost. As soon as it got good light, I started calling on my old box and slate calls and the tom couldn’t stand it and pitched down close and, with a few more soft calls, was in my sights. After the shot, I had my bird and was heading out, I thought how lucky would it be if Dale was able to get on a gobbler too. I was almost back at the truck when I heard his 12-guage roar. It was a awesome morning with both of us bagging a turkey. We enjoyed so many fishing trips whether it be fishing at night with a nightcrawler for an ‘ol walleye or casting a minnow for bass. Dale taught me so much over the years, from fly fishing for our mountain trout, to trying to get my first birddog trained. The dog seemed to think I was the one needing to be trained. Dale always seemed to know what to do, where to go, and what flies the fish would hit best. He was always happy to help anyone in anyway he could,
8 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
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never being jealous of someone else’s success. I remember on one hunting trip to Georgia, he put his arm around my neck an asked me if I knew the lord and that I needed to make sure I knew where I was going when I leave this World. Well, Uncle Dale passed away January 11th of this year, and I may not know much but I know where his soul went. He
left a lot of family behind that will miss him terribly. He left so many friends and neighbors who thought the world of him, as was evident by the numbers that came to hear his eulogy. But to me, what he left behind was a legacy of love and a love for the outdoors that will live in those lucky enough to have known him, for the rest of our lives.
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)
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.
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Swainglers Brave the Soggy Weather By Tammy Millsaps
D
edicated Swainglers braved the rain and cool temps the beginning of March to cast their lines and expand their fishing tales! The week prior to our trip, Bryson City was in a flood stage after days of continued rain. The creek and riverbanks mostly disappeared under running, muddy water. It was too dangerous to take the kids to the raging waters. We postponed until the next week, even though some of the anglers weren’t happy with me, safety comes first! A week later, the waters had dropped and we actually had a few days of sunshine! The morning of our trip, the rain decided to reappear. We braved the elements and headed to Bryson City Island Park and fished the banks of the Tuckasegee River. The river was still a little high and muddy, but we ventured on. We had forty-five minutes to fish. Soon,
tree into a dang good pocket and the fish came in and grabbed it!” Ben cast and his line, which had a pearl white twister on a green leadhead, went over a tree limb in the middle of the river. The line
Ben Franklin
freshman Trevor Jones caught the first of his two catches. Shortly afterwards, Senior, Ben Franklin reeled in a nice trout. Trevor tricked his fish with a black, single hook, silver bladed Panther Martin spinner. He explains, “I found slow moving water, cast under a
fell into the water, the fish bit. His fish was dangling in the air while stuck on the tree limb. He worked his rod/reel and finally got the fish to shore. He said, “Who said you can’t catch fish in a tree!” A huge shout out to Swaingler members Levi Fowls, Ben Franklin, Stefan Haymond, Trevor Jones, John Nations, Austin Pyles, Seth Shuler and Wyett Hampton and parent volunteer, Charles Fowls for braving the elements! Dedication does pay off! It was a wet, cool day but a great time was had by all. Why wouldn’t it be fun, we get to leave school during the middle of the day and go fishing!
Trevor Jones 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.
Take Your Pick! By Ken Kastorff
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nce again, April is here and with it comes the most versatile fishing time for the entire year. There are not enough days in the month to take advantage of all the different fishing opportunities. All of the Delayed Harvest
streams are still being stocked through April and May. So local anglers can still plan to enjoy floating or wade fishing the Tuckaseegee River. The Upper Nantahala, Snowbird Creek and Fires Creek will still be full of trout waiting for anglers that prefer to wade fish. Trout season will open the first Saturday of April. At that time, hundreds of miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters will open up for fishing. All of the native streams in the Smoky Mountain Park will remain open as well. So get your hiking shoes out and you will find miles of secluded streams to fish. If you have been trout fishing all winter and are looking
for something different to throw flies to, you are in luck. April is a prime month to check out the mouths of all of the streams that flow into Fontana Lake. Walleye, white bass, smallmouth and lake
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run steelhead will be migrating up out of the lake into the mouths of streams like the Little Tennessee, Tuckaseegee and Nantahala Rivers. If you have boat access you can find great fishing at the
CONTINUED, SEE TAKE YOUR PICK, PAGE 14
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 9
ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD
A Pile of Sticks and a Crazy Mockingbird By Wilson Love
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ust off the edge of our backyard, in a slightly open area, is a little spot affectionately known as the burn pile. We’re outside the city limits (thank God!) and the county graciously allows folks to burn “naturally occurring vegetation from your own property”. With a winter of wind and rain like we’ve just had, the burn pile saw plenty of action from the weather stripped trees around here. Add to that, the limbs trimmed for tree health and appearance, and we reduced a lot of ugly sticks to ash. Now imagine a place where that same pile of ugly sticks would have great value. I’ve just returned from the nation of Nicaragua, one of the small countries south of us between Mexico and Panama. My church and many others send
teams there regularly to help the impoverished people. It staggers our pampered minds to see firsthand those without decent shelter; living in the dirt and often without clean water and enough to eat. Outside the cities, the only means most people there have to cook food is over a wood fire. They cut and bundle sticks, up to about baseball bat thickness and six or seven feet long, to be either carried by hand, loaded on a feeble horse, or moved on some sort of makeshift cart. At the cook pit a tiny fire is kindled; just enough to prepare the day’s ration of rice, beans, or fritters. As soon as cooking is finished those burning sticks get plucked from the pit, red coals are scraped off with a rusty machete, and the unburned stubs saved for another
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day’s fire. So a pile of sticks can be trash or treasure, an eyesore or a lifeline, depending on where you live. As I pondered this while sitting in my comfortable living room, a mockingbird appeared outside the window. We’ve seen this particular bird many times and refer to him as that crazy mockingbird. This species is territorial to put it mildly. Males and females will aggressively fight off other mockingbirds that happen to trespass into their space. The craziness happens when our pet mocker sees himself as a reflection in a windowpane or truck mirror. You guessed it; he attacks the “intruder” by flying right into the glass, not once or twice but over and over again. Some people never learn. The thought came to me that we fat and sassy Americans – like the mockingbird – don’t know who we are. Our self-image is out of whack. We don’t know that we’re the most blessed and abundant people on the planet. We cook on wood fires and sleep on the ground for fun when camping. Could it be time to look in the mirror and once again see a people who called ourselves “one nation under God”? Our oneness of purpose has given way to self-in-
dulgence and argument. It seems that whoever has the loudest, nastiest voice receives the most press. Internal fighting rules the day. But one of our greatest strengths has always been the unity of common goals. We did not gain our independence from tyranny with social or political debates, or grow into the greatest country on earth by way of internal division. As a nation, we were born and built by standing together on our Godly values – and fighting together against those who stood against us. (Luke 11:17) I’m thankful to have my eyes opened to how good we have it. Anyone who visits a Third World country is likely to return here more appreciative of who we are, and more protective of losing our identity.
Wilson Love is Owner/Operator of The Practical Outdoorsman
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828-277-9767
THREE LOCATIONS: 720 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 1600 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28792 125 Asheville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
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10 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 11
The Fins & Gills Classic Fishing Tournament
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he Fins and Gills Classic is a fishing tournament for kid, teens, adults, and families. The tournament is designed to teach kids of all ages the joys of fishing and teach them how to enjoy the great outdoors. The first 200 kids (12 and under) will receive a free rod and reel, tackle box, tackle, and bait. There are three different divisions for the tournament: kids (12 and under), teens (13-15), and adults (16 and older). Prizes will be awarded in all three divisions for largest stringer (total weight) for places first through tenth, biggest fish, biggest game fish, smallest fish, first fish (boy, girl, teen,
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adult), river buffet (5 different species), largest trash bag, and whatever else we come up with. The event offers a number of things to do. There is a trout pond for all to enjoy, live music (The Doghouse Band), archery, yard fishing and more. The Craggy Mountain Line (train shuttle) will be providing a shuttle from the parking area (The Old Burlington Mill) to Woodfin Riverside Park (event location). Rocky and his team are also offering a couple of train rides
to come and enjoy the festivities. There are two ways to fish the tournament, from the bank or from a boat. The boundaries for the tournament are from the Richmond Hill Bridge to the dam below the park. No fishing below the dam. I know it’s good fishing, but we have to enforce the boundaries for safety. All North Carolina fishing regulation apply. This is a catch and release tournament. All fish will be safely returned to the French Broad River. There will be over $7,000 dol-
throughout the day. Don’t worry about not knowing how to fish or what to do. There will be experienced fisherman on hand to help in any way that is needed. We will teach you how to tie, cast, and bait. The catching is up to you. Lunch will be provided for all that attend. There will be raffle prize given out every 15 minutes, from 10 am to 2 pm to a kid, teen, and adult. Spectators are welcome
lars in prizes given away at the tournament. For more information visit us on facebook or visit our website finsandgillsclassic. com. I hope to see all you experienced and aspiring anglers at the tournament. Remember, it does not matter what you catch as long as it has “Fins and Gills”. Phillip T. Martin Founder
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Wild, Native, and Stocked Trout – What’s the Difference?
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By Ethan Hollifield
he ecological history of trout in Western North Carolina has created a relatively diverse fishery as it stands today here in the mountains. Our waterways currently hold four primary species of trout: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Tiger Trout. These can be further broken down into subcategories of these fish species. Through much misinformation, however, there has been a lot of misclassification between these species and their subclasses based on the sharing of ignorant ideas. Here, I’ll try to differentiate between what trout species are wild, native, and stocked here in North Carolina. For brook trout, we have Northern Strain (stocked brook trout) found in Northern watersheds on the Eastern Seaboard, and Southern Appalachian Speckled Trout (if you call it anything other than a “Speck”, it’s blasphemy). The Southern Appalachian Speckled Trout is the only salmonid species that is native to the mountains of western North Carolina. The term “native” describes a species that was present, at least in our case, before European Settlement. Southern Appalachian Speckled Trout populations have declined since the late 1800’s due to the over
that spans before European settlement within a given watershed. Rainbow trout in their various subcategories are predominantly native to the Western side of the Continental Divide of the Rockies and even parts of Russia. Brown Trout are native to Europe and parts of Asia, and can also be divided into two strains that we have in the mountains: “German Browns” and “Scottish Browns.” German Browns are categorized by having pronounced red dots along the sides of wild specimens, while Scottish Browns are descendents of Brown Trout that are found in the British Isles, lacking in red dots and instead sporting a distinctive blue hue
extraction of our forests from and bred in the stream during its industrial needs and the Chest- lifetime. A native species of trout nut Blight in the early 1900’s (I’ll has a distinct ecological history detail this in my next article), CONTINUED, SEE WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE, PAGE 14 as well as from threats of development, habitat loss, encroachment of other trout species, and over fishing today. Northern Strain Brook Trout are what the NCWRC stocks, and can be found in various streams across the state with hatchery stockings. Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are the predominant salmonid species across the state, and can be found in their wild versions as well as stocked. Here is where people miscatagorize the terms “wild” and “native” species of trout. A wild trout was born
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TAKE YOUR PICK
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE
continued from page 9
mouths of Forny, Nolan, Hazel and Eagle Creeks as well. If you are okay roughing it a bit, then check out the Cheoah River in Graham County for some early spring smallmouth fishing. This is one of the most challenging wet wading streams in the area. By April, if the weather cooperates, the water will be warm enough to start wet-wading this stream. Its water is usually crystal clear, even when other streams in the area get muddy after a spring rain. It is full of smallmouth, some getting into the 4-5 lb range. This is not the place to wade with waders. The Cheoah is a very difficult river to wade and I would not recommend doing it alone. Misery likes company, but it is still worth checking it out. April also is when the tail water of the Nantahala River will open back up for fishing. This is
one of the top 100 trout streams in the United States. I love trout fishing and guiding on the Nantahala. While the Nantahala does get stocked some, the river also has one of the healthiest populations of native brown and rainbow trout in the southeast. It is real trout fishing at its best. It is also a challenging wading stream when there is no power generation. Anglers need to be careful not to spook fish and can oft times have fun late afternoon dry fly fishing. During periods of generation, the Nantahala is, hands down, one of the most fun and challenging Nymph fishing rivers around. There is nothing better than floating the Nantahala during a generation release. You never know what its fast waters will give up. Several state record brown trout have come out of its cold deep runs.
Ken Kastorff is a Guide and the Owner of Endless River Adventures. To book a guided trip near The Nantahala Gorge or the Cheoah River, give him a call at 1-(800) 224-7238 or look him up at www.nantahalariverflyfishing.com.
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on the gill plate. While wild populations of both rainbow trout and brown trout exist in the state, neither are originally native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and were brought over as a result of habitat degradation that caused a decline in native Speckled Trout populations. The last species of trout that can be found in North Carolina is the rare hybrid of either strains of brook trout and a brown trout, which when spawning on the same redd, result in the creation of a Tiger Trout. Tiger Trout are sterile hybrids with distinct markings that resemble that of a brook trout, depending on which strain of brook trout was bred. I have caught Tiger Trout with both the characteristics of Northern Strain Brook Trout and Southern Appalachian Speckled Trout. Stocked trout, hence the name, are raised in hatcheries
continued from page 13
before being released into waterways. The way to differentiate between stocked and wild trout is most commonly done by appearance. Stocked trout are often, to be frank, ugly looking critters often displaying missing fins, deformed facial structures, and muted color schemes. Wild trout are considerably more attractive, featuring full healthy appendages, no unnatural deformities, and boasting beautiful, vibrant markings and patterns. I’m saving my thoughts on the ecological ethics of stocking, non-native fish populations, and other problematic issues occurring in our waterways for a future article. However, if you are new to fishing for trout, I hope this serves as a guide to help educate yourself on the different categories that can be found in Western North Carolina.
Ethan Hollifield is an Environmental/Physical Science Teacher and is also a guide for Southern Appalachian Anglers
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Kayak Fishing: Paddle vs. Pedal
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By Chris Bubenik
any of us got into kayak fishing because of its affordability, ease of entry, and overall simplicity. It’s also an eco-friendly way to have fun and get exercise. With the addition of pedal drives becoming more prevalent, choosing your next kayak is more complicated than it used to be. However, the innovation in design provides anglers with a better selection if they know what they’re looking for. Pedal drives look like bike pedals and provide a lot of water propulsion and speed, welcome allies on a lake, river, or stream. However, pedal drives really came into their own when Native Watercraft introduced their version with the Propel in 2008. The Propel uses rotational pedals combined with a propeller rather than push pedals with fins. Pedal kayaks come with a higher price tag, one that might not be worth it to everyone. So, should
you go with a pedal or a paddle • Cargo Space – The center deck when kayak fishing? of your kayak will be basically disappear, though many models have Pedal Pros • Speed – If getting to your found new spaces to stash what “honey hole” quickly on the week- you need for a day on the water.
end or after work is important, you’ll be able to cut across a lot more distance in less time than paddling. • Hands-Free Control – Managing the position of your kayak is one of the most difficult parts of fishing from a kayak. Pedal systems give an insane amount of control with your legs, freeing up both hands. You’re also using your legs, saving arm strength for fishing.
Paddle Pros
fishing gear and your paddle is tricky, especially on a windy day or in a strong current. You’ll sacrifice full kayak control for your rod and reel and tire your arms quicker. • Speed – This might not be much of a factor if you’re already fishing with a traditional kayak. However, if you’re an angler short on time, you’ll spend more time getting to your destination with a paddle. Like other kayak equipment, the decision to peddle or paddle is connected to your style and preference. You can’t go wrong either way, as they’re both more affordable and healthier alternatives to motor-powered boats powered. They also both offer access to water otherwise off-limits to powerboats.
• Tradition – Paddling means less steps to get your boat on the water, less maintenance, and a general sense of simplicity. A pedal may also be less disruptive than a propeller, which is a major plus for kayak fishing over motorize boats in the first place. • Affordability – Pedal kayaks start around $2,000, while a traditional kayak starts closer to $500. A pedal system is probably somePedal Cons • Underwater Clearance – This thing most anglers will invest in isn’t as much of an issue with larg- after spending at least a couple of er bodies of water like lakes, but seasons with the sport. mountain rivers like the French Paddle Cons Broad change depth quickly and • The Paddle – Juggling your often. If you’re familiar with your Chris Bubenik is the Community Collaboration Specialist for path, you can flip your fins or pull Buncombe County Recreation Services and an avid outdoor your drive up. enthusiast and dedicated kayak fisherman.
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Home Field Advantage
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By Stephen Tomasovich
probably know the area of the Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam as well as anybody. I have spent, on average, about 500 hours a year fishing there for the past several years. While there are some disadvantages to fishing one location so frequently, the advantages far outweigh them. Everyone should have a place to call home. As I have broadened my horizons a little and fished numerous rivers in the southeast, there is no doubt they all fish differently. However, here are five things that I have learned on my home turf that translate anywhere.
Confidence tells me when to switch out flies. At one time, I thought that if I only caught a few fish that day, they just weren’t eating well. While at times this is true, more often than not they aren’t eating what we are throwing, where we are throwing or how we are throwing it. Even if I am catching some fish on my home waters I will change flies, location, and/or technique if my catch rate isn’t where I think it should be. On rivers I am unfamiliar with, that practice has taught me to change something if I am not getting bit in areas that are likely to hold fish.
Confidence
Learning to fish B, C, D water
It matters. If I know a particular fly works well on a body of water and I don’t have confidence in that fly, I fish it on my home waters in areas I know are heavily stocked to catch some fish on that fly.
Fishing the same body of water encourages you to fish all the water, otherwise it gets boring. You will discover new fish holding spots every trip if you
try. Anyone can catch fish in “A” water. You know - the beautiful run or nice pool. Fishing all the water teaches you to catch fish in the smaller pockets and riffles other folks pass by. Take mental pictures where you consistently catch fish and look for similar water on new rivers you fish. Fish with different people on your home water and watch where they catch fish, it might open new areas to you. I fished with a member of the USA Youth Fly Fishing Team recently at the dam and it encouraged me to fish tiny pockets and faster current. I caught an additional four or five browns that day alone doing this.
Safety
Home waters can help you safely learn your wading limits. Because you know where the dangers are, you can push your limits a little more to find what
is comfortable. I feel comfortable wading places on rivers that I would have never ventured to, had I not waded similar water at the dam.
Testing
Home waters are the best place to experiment because you will have a better base line for comparison. I know, on average, how many fish I typically catch per hour depending on the time of year. Use new techniques where you can gain confidence in them. Try out different flies, leader combinations, tippet sizes etc.
Friends
The best part. Nothing is better than the people you will meet that frequent your home waters. The bonus is when you meet someone that pulls you away on an adventure to a new river to show you their home. Fish on – Big T
Stephen “Big T” Tomasovich is the owner of Big T Fly Fishing, Outfitter and Ecommerce Fly Shop. Visit them at 106 Grand Ave, Suwanee, Georgia, or look them up online at bigtflyfishing.com
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EAST TN / GREAT SMOKIES
Spring Fishing Forecast for GSMNP
Fly of the Month By Eli Crumley
Blackhawk Fly Fishing keepemwet94@gmail.com
By Chad Fouts
National Park–
The fishing in the National Park right now is slower in the morning due to the drop in temperatures at night. You will not be disappointed in the water levels! We are catching most of our fish between 10am and 5pm. We are throwing many different dries from blue wing olives, parachute adams to quill gordons. Dry dropper rigs have been particularly excellent on most rivers. Higher elevation streams are still relatively cold, so definitely spend most of your time on the lower elevation rivers. Some of the droppers we are using are sexy waltz, HS pheasant tails, hares ears, black stoneflies etc.
Gatlinburg Stocked Waters–
The City of Gatlinburg is still stocking every Thursday and wa-
ter temperatures have increased, which has made the fishing amazing. There are several very large fish hiding in those waters. Any bigger, flashier fly will catch these freshly stocked fish while more natural stonefly imitations and worm flies work well for fish that have been in the river for a while.
State Stocked waters–
Such as Low Little River, Middle prong of the Little Pigeon and West prong of the Little Pigeon. They are being stocked every other week. The size of the fish they stock does not disappoint. We have yet to find a nymph that will not catch one of these large state stocked trout. Feel free to give us a ring at The Smoky Mountain Angler with any questions about the fishing, 865-436-8746.
Caddis Pupa Hook: Tiemco TMC2457 size 14/16 Thread: UTC 70 denier (color) olive Body: Micro tubing (olive) Thorax: Natural hare’s ear Head: Black UV dubbing Legs: Hungarian Partridge
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A great caddis hatch is any fly angler’s dream. Don’t neglect the opportunity to catch fish with other caddis imitations. The caddis pupa has been the key to many successful days on the water for me.
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Brook Trout – Anthony Creek & Little Cataloochee Restoration Projects
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Contributed by The Great Smoky Mountain National Park Fisheries Department
nce upon a time, the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) was abundant and widely distributed within eastern North America. These fish thrived in the cold, clean streams where they reigned as the only native salmonid in Appalachia. These incredible fish were perfectly adept for life in these waters… until the very waters they were built to survive in began to change. As timber companies and settlers changed the land around them by logging and farming, the loose soil once held by roots was washed into the streams, and the cool waters, once shaded by the trees, became hot without the dense canopy to protect them. In addition, logging companies and the National Park Service (NPS) stocked over 1.4 million non-native rainbow trout into park streams, which outcompeted and further displaced native Brook Trout populations. Since the 1900’s, the Brook Trout, which were once abundant, declined by 75% in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GRSM) due to logging practices performed before the creation of the park in 1936. Even as the land began to heal from these transgressions, the sky above became polluted from the gasses released from factories, cars, and power plants. The rain that once brought relief to the drying earth below, now brought an assault of acid that altered the chemistry of the soil and the streams. The hardships that came with the changes to their habitat were only compounded by the introduction and expansion of non-native Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from the West. With their habitat altered by humans and new competitors dominating their territory, Brook Trout populations have continued to decline through the mid-1900s. The NPS sought to restore the
Brook Trout, not just because they are native to the local streams and rivers where they have dwelled for millennia, but because these fish are intertwined with southern Appalachian heritage. These Brook Trout are the descendants of those who saw the first European settlers arrive in Tennessee, the same lineage as those who supported Native American settlements for centuries, and of the same blood as those who knew these waters when they were fed by the glaciers covering North America. In 2016, the NPS began efforts to restore Anthony Creek by dividing the stream above a barrier mill dam into 34, 100 meter sections and removing non–native rainbow trout using the 3-Pass Depletion method and backpack electrofishing units. Backpack electrofishing units send 600-700 volts of electricity into the water, which stuns the fish, and allows backup netters to net and capture the non-native Rainbow Trout. Each section is worked through three times to ensure a high capture rate. Using this method, 2,284 Rainbow Trout, or 99.3 percent of the trout population, were removed in 2016. In 2017, the NPS conducted a second effort to remove Rainbow Trout from the area, which resulted in the capture of an additional 52 Rainbow Trout. Following the removal of all non-native Rainbow Trout, the NPS began the reintroduction of Brook Trout from local source streams. The first reintroduction collected 269 Brook Trout from Bunches Creek and relocated the fish to Anthony Creek in hopes of establishing the Brook Trout population. Bunches Creek, located near Balsam Mountain, NC, was selected for the source stock as the stream lies within the same Little Tennessee River watershed as Anthony Creek and the Brook Trout were known to be genetically pure,
Little Tennessee drainage fish. In 2018, the NPS continued reintroduction efforts by capturing approximately 230 Brook Trout from Deep Creek and Sahlee Creek within the Deep Creek watershed (also a genetically pure Little Tennessee tributary). With the help of our friends from the NPS trails crew and their trusty mules, the fisheries crew were able to haul the trout safely up the mountain trail, and from there transport them to Anthony Creek. If all goes as planned, these new recruits will disperse, multiply and reach carrying capacity within 3 years. The restoration of Little Cataloochee Creek began in 2017. This restoration utilized a different method to remove Rainbow Trout due to the larger size of the stream, which includes many holes deeper than 3-4 feet deep, complex habitat and wider stream sections. Instead of backpack electrofishing, the EPA approved piscicide Antimycin A, which was utilized to remove Rainbow Trout from a 3 mile section of stream. Antimycin A acts by inhibiting cellular respiration of fish, including Rainbow Trout. One 8-hour treatment of Antimycin A depleted all Rainbow Trout within the restored section of Little Cataloochee Creek. Below the barrier waterfall at the lower end of the treatment zone, the antimycin was neutralized using potassium permanganate; once neutralized, the antimycin becomes ineffective and no fish are killed downstream of the barrier falls. Given that Little Cataloochee Creek included both Rainbow and Brook Trout, prior to Antimycin A application, a significant effort was made to remove all Brook Trout from the treatment sections with
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backpack electrofishing and hold them in a large fire tank or untreated headwater areas until treatment was complete. Once treatment was complete, the captive Brook Trout were redistributed to the newly reclaimed stream segments. In 2018, the stream was monitored to evaluate the condition of the reintroduced Brook Trout. An additional 151 Brook Trout were captured from Correll Branch and transported to Little Cataloochee Creek to augment the existing population. The 2018 Brook Trout population surveys indicate Little Cataloochee Creek is recovering very nicely and should be back to carrying capacity within three years. The successful restoration of Little Cataloochee Creek brings the total number of Brook Trout streams restored within GRSM to 13 and includes 30.5 miles of stream habitat. The GRSM Fisheries Department conducts several Brook Trout restoration projects, as well as dozens of water quality monitoring activities with the help of Park Fisheries employees, seasonal staff, interns and large numbers of volunteers from western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, western South Carolina and north Georgia. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department, please contact: North Carolina Volunteer Coordinator for the NC side of the Park, Mike Kesselring (828) 736-6929, mikesseL59@gmail.com, or Tennessee Volunteer Coordinator for TN side of the Park, Richard Barnes (949) 212-8480, canceleer1@gmail.com.
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HIGH COUNTRY
Albert’s Lodge – Mountain Bliss on Mount Mitchell
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lbert’s Lodge at Mitchell was the creation of Albert Badschild, who came here from Bavaria in the late 70’s to purchase a van for ski trips to the Alps. Upon seeing the Black Mountains, he immediately fell in love with the area and set out to build a restaurant and inn. Fast forward about 35 years when Van & Debbie Roldan from South Florida were looking for a B&B to retire to and came across Albert’s Motel, which was for sale. They, too, fell in love with the area and took over ownership of the inn. Albert, who lives across the creek from the inn, settled into a leisurely retired mountain lifestyle and can often be seen walking his dogs around the neighborhood, as well as at the restaurant next door which was also sold and is open during the season. Van and Debbie set out to create a destination for outdoor-loving people including hikers, cyclists, and anglers, as well as tourists traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, located only 5 minutes away. Busily bringing the inn into the twenty-first century, they have been upgrading the infrastructure to include modern amenities like flat panel HD TV’s with all HD cable content; high speed fiber optic internet service running at a blazing 125Mb, with a robust WiFi system often only found in much larger hotels and businesses and Bluetooth enabled
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alarm clocks with USB connections to facilitate guest’s electronic charging needs. Looking to the future, the Roldan’s have also replaced the old hot water tank system with a modern and much more efficient tankless hot water array that provides instant and endless hot water to guests after a day of adventure. They have also installed a solar powered system to help keep costs down and provide power in any all circumstances. As time passed, Van & Debbie began to purchase homes nearby and set them up for vacation rentals, allowing for families and larger groups to stay in the comfort of a private house with all the amenities necessary for a comfortable visit to the mountains. Because of this, neighbors began asking Van & Debbie if they would manage their vacation homes. So, the Roldan’s initiated a property management company and started managing the vacation rental homes of their friends and neighbors. The number of homes they manage now stands at twelve with more on the horizon. Located within the Pisgah National Forest, and in close proximity to the Mt. Mitchell State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Albert’s Lodge is the perfect setting for all the outdoor activities available in the North Carolina Mountains.
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W
Visit and Explore Burnsville, NC
hether you’re hiking, fishing or camping in the mountains or attending a performance at Parkway Playhouse or coming to the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair or Carolina Mountains Literary Festival, there’s always a good day waiting for you in Burnsville, North Carolina, especially for travelers who like to discover their own journey. Yancey County is home to waterfalls, campgrounds, backroads, hiking trails, clean rivers, and six of the 10 highest peaks in Eastern America. Located in southern Yancey County, Mount Mitchell (6,684 feet) is the highest mountain East of the Mississippi River. It was designated the first state park in North Carolina in 1916. Today it features an observation platform on the summit next to Elisha Mitchell’s grave, and an interpretive museum with historical and environmental
exhibits. The restaurant, concession stand and gift shop are open May thru October. Campground has 9 tent sites only. Winding along the southern edge of Yancey County, the Blue Ridge Parkway gives travelers an amazing view of the Black Mountains and the South Toe River Valley. Stretching for nearly 500 miles through the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia – and not one single redlight – the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best scenic drives in America. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the only access to Mount Mitchell State Park at Hwy 128 and milepost 355. It’s five miles to the summit. The Parkway was built by CCC labor in the 1930s. Workers used dynamite to blast tunnels through the mountains and carve a road through rough, remote terrain. The Parkway rises to an elevation over 5,000 feet as it passes
through Yancey County. Enjoy a fun filled day on the water, catching the fish native to our mountains. We guarantee your fishing trip will be full of fish-catching Observation platform at Mount Mitchell State Park. experiences! Toe River, Southern Appalachian MounCarolina Hemlocks, and Black tains. More info at www.snakeMountain Campgrounds are all lorootecotours.com. cated off Highway 80 in the South The Burnsville-Yancey ChamToe River area of Yancey County. ber of Commerce and Visitor Mount Mitchell State Park and Crabtree Meadows are accessed by Center is located at 106 West Main Street. Inside you’ll find a helpful the Blue Ridge Parkway. Snakeroot Ecotours offers cus- staff and lots of information on tom tours of one of the wildest attractions, lodging, shopping, and most scenic corners of West- dining, and local businesses & ern North Carolina. We invite you services. Visitor Center and office into astoundingly diverse habitats open Monday thru Friday 9am to and reveal the mysteries of the 5pm. Call (828) 682-7413.
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APRIL 2019
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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA
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Dodson Fishing Company OPENING APRIL 2019
ave you heard that a new fly shop is coming to Upstate SC? Well, it’s true! Dodson Fishing Company will be opening in April. The shop will be located at 533 N. Hwy 25 in Travelers Rest, SC – we’re on the left as you head north on Highway 25, just past Spinx. Watch our Facebook page or check out our website at http:// www.dodsonfishing.com for info and dates. The shop is dedicated to being your full service destination fly shop. With a robust selection of rods, reels, flies, clothing and accessories we can provide everything you will need to get on the water. Want to travel alone or
with a group? We can help with Montana, South America, The Bahamas, The Keys, Alaska, or virtually anywhere people cast fly rods. Tie your own flies? We will have the best selection of fly tying materials and supplies in the area. Want to learn? We also have plans to offer tying classes taught by local expert tiers. One thing we are very excited about is our commitment to being a friendly and inclusive shop where everyone who loves to be outside and wants to fly fish is welcome. We didn’t invent fly fishing, but we are passionate about it and know there are many ways to enjoy our sport. We will
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feature top brands for all anglers, including stylish, technical clothing that will make you comfortable and look the part too. Our professional staff is waiting to provide advice, instruction,
and assistance with all of your fly fishing needs. Come by when we open and look around, have a cup of coffee, and let us prove this fly shop is the real deal. We’re here for you and we’re here to stay!
Stocking Fly fishing gear from great companies like Tibor!
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Nymphs, Emergers, Dry Flies, Oh My!
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By Karl Ekberg
warm spring breeze, blue skies, and plenty of water in the rivers, embrace us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop. Winter has passed us by, and now the bugs are hatching in full swing. Cooler mornings and warmer afternoons delight us, with trout rising to many bugs hatching on the rivers. The winter rains have been more than generous to us this year, as the rivers are at great levels as we enter spring. Let’s hope we continue to receive ample rains to keep river levels at a comfortable height heading toward summer. Temperatures, as of now, seem to be a little cooler than average, which leads to cooler water temperatures. The water temperatures will start warming as we will most likely not see another frost, and the southern breezes bring us some delightful warm afternoons. Nymphs, emergers, dry flies, oh my! Where do you begin? Let’s
break this down as easy as we can. Starting out the day, a tandem rig with a nymph and emerger trailer will be a good set up, as the bugs have yet to hatch early in the day. Starting at the tops of the riffles, a slight upstream cast with a mend or two of the line, and swinging this tandem rig will work well. Slowly working the entire riffle area, a step at a time in the river, with numerous casts along the same area to make sure you cover behind every rock or boulder in the riffle, will reward you with trout in hiding, awaiting a drifting morsel. Once the riffle is covered, swinging this tandem rig into the heads of the pools, and a pinch of weight, may be necessary to get the flies down to the fish. Also, swinging these flies along the seams will be just as productive. As the day progresses, the sun starts to warm the waters, the temperature rises, and the bugs
emerge from the nymph shucks and emerge to break to the top of the water to fly away. This is when our day gets exciting! A glimpse of the first rising fish, then a few more to follow in the slower moving waters below, and now its time to tie on our dry fly. A little more precision in our cast and mending techniques will be tested, as you will want to cast well above these rising fish. After the cast, a mend or two of the line, and releasing some line so the fly will have a “drag-free” drift into the location of the rising fish, will be key. One word of caution, don’t set the hook too early, as it is very easy to do, as you see the fish rising to the fly you have perfectly presented. Hook set too early, fish is gone, and we’re back to square one, and
casting to another rising fish. If you are new at this, don’t worry, persistence pays off. We have all been too anxious to set the hook seeing the fish rising at our beautiful dry fly drifting toward the fish starting to open its jaws to inhale our fly. Once, the hatch has subsided, and fish have stopped rising, it’s time to switch back to the tandem rig and swinging. Not sure if you have the right bugs in your arsenal? Please stop by and we will help you with a full selection of flies for your day on the river. We are a full service Fly Shop, with everything you need for the rivers, with full and half day guided wading trips as well. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers and lakes, and let’s remember, leave no trace!!
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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Chicora Alley Opens Third Location in Fire Station Downtown Travelers Rest
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hicora Alley opened the doors to its third location last November, right off of Main Street and The Swamp Rabbit Trail, in downtown Travelers Rest, South Carolina with a full restaurant, bar and coffee shop. Partners, Corey Fulmar, Greg Gimpel, and Clay Hall took a leap of faith after Ben Dixon, Owner/Founder of Chicora Alley in downtown Greenville, came across the old vacant fire station while out riding motorcycles towards the end of 2017. Greg was the first bartender Ben hired downtown in 2003 and Corey came along just 3 months after they opened and has been
with the company ever since. Over the years, the three have maintained a steadfast friendship. Greg and Clay previously worked together at another location in Greenville and when
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that closed, they decided to jump on board with Ben and Corey to open up a new Chicora Alley in Travelers Rest. Collectively, they came together to design a place where they would want to come
to themselves, not something trendy. The menu features many of the staples from the downtown location, such as Chicora’s Famous Mile High Loaded Nachos, Mom’s Cream Cheese Enchiladas, Caribbean Chicken Chili, or the newly added variety of Street Tacos! With Corey running the kitchen, there are also many vegetarian and vegan options available, they have a sweet potato veggie burger that even people, who are not vegetarian or vegan, rave about. Come Check out the new digs located at 117 North Poinsett Highway in Travelers Rest!
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Bushes in the Spring
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By Jay Striker
pringtime is a unique time to fish. It can bring with it some of the best a lake has to offer, and sometimes the worst. I have been fishing in the spring when it looks like the lake is about to overflow. When I see this situation, I am excited, because it’s time to “beat the bushes.” Beating the bushes means that it’s time to start looking for fish in brush piles near the back, or in the back, of the coves. You may ask, why go to the back of the coves when the lake has risen? The primary reason I have noticed is that when a lake is rising, the fish tend to move shallower. The same philosophy holds when the lake is falling, however, the bass tends to move out deeper. The process of locating bass in brush piles is easily done using sonar on your electronics. The echo from the sonar will produce a clear picture and definition of
what brush piles tend to resemble. Since it is the springtime, you can expect fish to be using the brush piles for different reasons. One such reason bass use them in the spring is because of its location. If the brush pile is at the front of the cove heading back to the back of a creek, then the bass will use this brush pile as a staging area. This location, if found, will hold some fish. Once you know what brush you want to fish, spend a little time fishing it from all different angles with all different baits. One of my favorite baits for this type of fishing is a 3/8 ounce Fish Head M1 Jig because it has a six-sided head and allows me to work it out of cover much easier with little to no snags. My last piece of advice is to fish the brush that you can see, the type of brush that we call “overhang” brush. This brush is the type that is alive and is literal-
ly hanging over and into the water. This type of brush is perfect for bass to hide in and ambush prey as it comes by. So when the water is rising, don’t leave the cove without fishing the brush that hangs over into the water, as it will most likely hold fish, and perhaps the fish of a lifetime. So let me close by saying that
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beating the bushes is one of the things I do in the springtime when the water on the lake is rising or the lake has taken on much rain. The bush piles and overhanging trees should not go un-fished. In fact, I would suggest that you fish each one from all different angles. Good luck and tight lines.
Follow Jay Striker on social media, www.facebook.com/jay.striker.52 and at www.Jaystriker.com
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Wet Wonderland
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ost anglers, this pre spawn, found themselves dealing with soggy, muddy, and cold conditions. I will discuss some of the problems and solutions in dealing with these conditions. Some people sit these conditions out and wait for better weather and some of you take advantage of being the only one fishing. Learning how to catch fish during a flood will test your patience, you will to change gears, and your habits. Let us start with where fish are during a flood. You would think that bass would stage up on the secondary points on the way to the spawning flats but the question is, “Why do they stage on the points in the first place?” Bass have an incredible hunger leading up to the spawn and the secondary points are the ambush areas for feeding. When a flood
By Scott Norton
happens, they skip the secondary points and go all the way to the backs of creeks for food spilling into the lakes. Shad will also go there to feed as well and you know, where the shad are, so are the bass. This is basically a buffet or a conveyor belt of food. Now that we have found their location, let us talk about colors to use. In muddy waters like chocolate milk, you want to go with dark and opaque colors. Dark lures throw off a silhouette and will be more visible to bass. Opaque lures will throw a glow if you want color. For example: if you use a spinner bait you can use a painted blade because there is not enough light penetration for reflection from a metallic surface. Now is a good time to use those bright red and orange colors since they also feed heavily on crawfish. When the water hits 50 degrees,
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they just lash out at colors that are red so this will also be a good color in your tackle box. Next, we want to select a lure that throws off some sound and water displacement. With visibility down to inches, you need a dinner bell to guide hungry bass to the target-lures such as crank baits, spinner baits, jerk baits, and jigs with rattles. These sounds will be picked up by the lateral lines on the side of the bass. Be sure you plan to wear a good rain suit before going to the lake during a big rain. You need to be as comfortable as you can in uncomfortable weather. You
will find that you took advantage of a really good time to fish and if you catch that new personal best, you’ll have a great story to go with it. I hope this helps and enjoy fishing this season.
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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Fishing In The Rain By Capt. Cefus McRae
Capt. Cefus & Buck the Wonder Dog
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can’t remember when it has rained so much, so hard and in such a short period of time. It seems like it’s rained nearly every day for the past couple months. That’s not the case, but it sure seems that way. Lake levels are at full pool or above, and rising. If you fish our southern impoundments and rivers, you
may have noticed some of them look like chocolate milk. Creeks are overflowing and all that water movement downstream tends to muddy-up the lakes. Plus, there is a lot of debris being pushed down too, so you have to be vigilant and on the look-out for floating hazards. I’ve seen dock steps, dock floats, trees, lumber and other stuff
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adrift on the lake recently. So what’s all this rain done to the fishing? With “normal” rainfall, the increased current helps stir nutrients and critters off the bottom. The raining motion agitates the surface and adds oxygen to the upper column. In the summer months, rain can help cool the surface allowing bait and game fish to come closer to the top. All those can be positive effects of a ‘normal’ rain shower. But sometimes too much of
a good thing can be detrimental to the fishing. When we have frog-strangler after frog-strangler and the lake rises quickly, I believe it upsets the balance of things, especially in the early spring. Fish that spawn in eight feet of water are still going to spawn in eight feet of water, but rising waters change the landscape of what’s down below. A rock pile or long point that always produced spawning bass, is now in twelve feet of water, in-
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stead of eight. That grassy bank that was a great spot for spawning shellcrackers is now completely submerged. What do you do? First, don’t give up. Think back a few years ago, when a similar weather pattern occurred. What did we do? We adjusted, adapted to the conditions and we caught fish. It may have been a little more challenging, but fish still got to eat and still have to spawn. It could be that Mother Nature simply tells them to hold off for a couple weeks to let the crazy weather subside.
was a slow easy pull, almost like they were just tasting the bait. You have to really be aware of what your bait or lure is doing and be ready to set the hook, and you have to be patient. The rain was so heavy that morning, it just shut the bite down. I knew there were fish there, and we simply waited them out. When the weather is as awful as it’s been lately, there will be days when you go ‘fishing’ instead of ‘catching’. This is the time to pull all the tricks out of your bag. It’s a great time to try something new like dropping
In the summer months, rain can help cool the surface allowing bait and game fish to come closer to the top. In these turbid waters, slow down your presentation a bit and select baits that work for the conditions: darker baits for dark water and slower presentations for cold water. If you’re using live bait, shorten your leader so the minnow doesn’t have as much leeway to run away from a sluggish, but hungry, striper. As I found on a recent charter trip, the distinct ‘thump’ wasn’t there on the strike. Instead, it
shiny spoons instead of purple worms or exploring new areas looking for clearer water because your usual honey holes are totally stained. We were able to turn lemons into lemonade that day in the nasty weather. I’m sure you can too. By the time this article makes it to the newsstand, the weather will be better, so go fishing!
Tight Lines and Calm Seas with Capt. Cefus McRae, 201 Woods Lane, Hartwell, GA 30643. Connect with Capt. McRae on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nutsandboltsfishing. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Fishing High Water
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fter all the rain we had in March, hopefully April has a little more sunshine than clouds! With all the rain this winter, good high water fly fishing and wading skills were required to produce fish in less than ideal conditions, on many occasions. First off under high water flow conditions, safety is number one. Watch for newly formed holes or debris that have blown out or blown in, so to speak. The speed of the water is usually much faster and you can’t wade as deep. In other words, don’t do anything stupid and you’ll normally be fine. Having a sturdy wading staff will be an essential tool for the wading angler. Get a good one, don’t go cheap when your safety is concerned, as I have seen junky staffs collapse and make folks take a scary swim or two. Know-
By David Hulsey
ing your stream inside and out will not only help you stay safe but also catch some nice trout in the process. High and discolored water can hide an angler from the fish but also hide the fish from the angler. You will be able to get extremely close to the fish but probably won’t be able to spot them. Knowing where the slower water pockets and holes are can really up your chances of hooking up. During strong flows, trout will not only naturally seek these areas to weather the storm and conserve energy but big’uns will use these spots for feeding on the smaller fish packed into a small area. This is a time for big streamers enticingly swung through these areas with a chance to pick up a monster trout. If the water is really dirty, like dark green
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to brown, a big white or flashy articulated streamer is hard to beat. Make sure it’s getting deep enough to get in their face. Adding split shot may be necessary. I always use Fluorocarbon leaders and tippet when fishing subsurface with streamers and nymphs. Not only is it less visible and abrasion resistant but it sinks much quicker than monofilament lines. Nymph fishing at these times can be productive too if you can reach the bottom. Additional weight and tungsten beads are the name of the successful game. Big rubber legs on your nymphs and brighter colors than normal seem to work better. Getting a big rainbow’s attention while a million things zoom by him can be
quite the challenge. Hot pink San Juan Worms, Egg patterns, Big Rubber Legged Stones and Wooly Buggers dragged every few inches along the bottom, are on the top of the list. Dry Flies are normally a waste of time except in pockets and eddies along the bank. I’ve caught a good number of trout in these spots after being surprised by a rise in these mini slow water pockets. Some high elevation streams clear faster than others after flooding rains. Knowing which ones these are can save your weekend. Give us a call at Noontootla Creek Farms when every other fishery is blown out a lot of times we are still fishing!
Give David a call to book a class or trophy trout guide trip at Noontootla Creek Farms. We can make learning to fly fish easy and fun! You can make the switch.
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Fly Fishing the Chauga River
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By James Marsh
he Chauga River is a little known, and far under used, trout stream that’s located in northwestern South Carolina. Recent improvements in the quality of the water, in the middle and lower sections, has helped but the upper, headwater sections offers the most for those willing to put a little effort into their fishing. The Chauga River is thought of, by most anglers, as a put-andtake fishery and much of it is. The main portion of the river is regularly stocked in many areas. The best sections of the stream are far from any roads. It flows through a wilderness through a very rugged canyon, or gorge like area, that requires a good bit of hiking to reach. The Chauga River has lots of cascades and waterfalls and plenty of white water. Although the main stream has some stem-bred trout and holdover trout from previously
stocked trout, most of the fish that are caught from the Chauga River are those most recently stocked. The Chauga River isn’t exactly a small stream. Many areas of the stream average as much as forty feet wide. It begins in the mountains near the little town of Mountain Rest and eventually flows onto the Tugaloo arm of Lake Hartwell. The main part of the river is stocked where there are accessible sites for fishing. The remote areas of the river are stocked from helicopters during the fall. Most of the wild trout reside in the uppermost reaches of the stream as well as the many tributaries. Some of the tributaries are on private land but it is very doubtful anyone asking permission would be turned down to fish the tributaries that are on private property. Don’t underestimate the effort required to reach these backcountry areas of the Chauga River. It’s
wild country that’s very difficult to reach in areas. It requires long hikes on less than ideal trials. The stream doesn’t have a nice trail that follows alongside it like South Carolina and Georgia’s more popular Chattooga River. Some sections don’t have a trail. In most headwater areas where you can reach the stream, you will be limited to fishing within the confines of the stream. There’s another little known fact outside the local area about the Chauga River. It holds some very large, holdover brown trout in the main part of the river where, during the summer, the water is marginal for rainbows from a water temperature standpoint. The state of South Carolina has done a great job of improving the Chauga River. They are stocking fingerlings in some areas, fitting
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lakes that feed tributary streams with bottom release devices to keep the water cooler, and many other things that are greatly contributing to this river’s ability to support trout.
Seasons: The trout season follows
the general South Carolina regulations.
Spring: Spring is the best season to fish the river
Summer: The water can get a lit-
tle warm during the hot summer in the mainstem but it stays well oxygenated and cool in the remote areas of most of the uppermost sections.
Fall: Autumn is a good time to fish the river.
Winter: Fishing during the winter can be good on warm days.
James Marsh is the Owner of The Perfect Fly online and catalog mail-order store. www.perfectflystore.com
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n March 11, striped bass harvest closed in many North Carolina waters. Management measures were implemented for the Central Southern Management Area, which encompasses all internal waters from just south of Oregon Inlet to the South Carolina line. Waters impacted include, but are not limited to, the Pamlico and Core sounds and the Tar, Pamlico, Pungo, Bay, Neuse and White Oak rivers and their tributaries. In those areas, harvest of striped bass is closed, but recreational catch and release of striped bass is still allowed in the coastal fishing waters. Recreational fishermen are encouraged to use non-offset circle hooks and to limit handling of released fish. The recreational season remains open in joint fishing waters managed cooperatively between the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission until April 30 with an 18-inch minimum size limit, no possession of fish between 22 inches and 27 inches total length and a two-fish per person, per day bag limit. A recreational no-possession limit, essentially a year-round recreational season closure for striped bass will take effect in coastal fishing waters managed by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission. The closure does not impact striped bass fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, Albemarle Sound Management Area, Roanoke River Management Area, and inland waters under the sole jurisdiction of the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission. The new management measures are meant to be temporary restrictions to protect naturally spawned year classes of striped bass. Research has shown that striped bass in the Central Southern Management Area are not a self-sustaining population and that fishermen are mainly catching hatchery-raised fish; however, data suggest there have been two recent naturally spawned year classes.
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
Serving Lakes Nottely, Hiawassee, Chatuge, Blue Ridge and more. We run trips 365 days a year. Book your trip now!
828-361-2021 www.bigolfish.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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igger is better, right? Maybe, but when it comes to spring bluegills I like to go small. Everyone knows the ubiquitous bluegill or bream. A member of the sunfish family, the bluegill can be found in lakes, ponds and streams from the Rockies to Florida and is arguably one of the most popular, best known and most commonly caught freshwater fish. They are, however, the quintessential bait stealers and are often the cause of frustration, sometimes thrown back because they’re “just bluegills.” It took me a while to realize that the diminutive bluegill can be a bruiser and is hard to beat beer battered with a plate of fries. Going small is of course relative. Bluegills are small to begin with, and to put it into perspective, winter and early spring fishing calls for jigs as small as 1/64 of an ounce. Fast-forward to spring and comparatively large jigs of 1/32- to 1/16 of an ounce become the norm. Orange, yellow, white, chartreuse and purple Teardrop jigs, and
red Rat Finky and yellow or black ball jigs rule the day. Tipping the jigs with a wax worm, several red spikes or some other meaty offering is irresistible, especially when vertically jigged. The tiny baits are virtually weightless and casting, though not impossible, does create challenges. Vertical jigging keeps the jig and bait combo on the spot and in the strike zone far longer than drifting baits beneath a float. I’ve used crankbaits, spinnersbaits and bucktails larger than most bluegills I’ve caught, but big bull ’gills longer than 10 inches are pound-for-pound one of the strongest fighting fish that swims. They are great fun on very light tackle. A 4-foot, 6-inch to 5-foot ultra-light spooled with 4-pound mono is about perfect for catching the little brutes. If you plan to cast, the ultra-light is great, but a light action 6-foot, 6-inch crappie rod can provide a bit more distance. In early Spring, during prespawn when water temps push over 50 degrees, big bulls will begin moving out of their winter areas and start gravitating toward mid-depth structure. These areas include weed edges, rock piles or submerged timber; anything that provides protection will be sought out. Muddy bottoms and sunken brushpiles can be prime areas. Locating structure can be tricky, but when fishing muddy lakes look for slight changes in depth including depressions only inches deeper than the surrounding area. These “bowls” are big bull hotspots. A jig tipped with waxworms, spikes or grasshoppers work well here, but a 1-inch chunk of nightcrawler or leaf worm is better. If available, hellgrammites—sometimes locally called “wigglers”—will outshine any other offering. They’re typically more expensive, but you will not be disappointed. Be prepared, however, because largemouth bass love them too and will certainly test your light tackle. Vertical jigging is a great technique. Dangling a tempting morsel over a rock pile, suspended weeds, sunken brush or muddy bottom can mean the difference between fishing and catching. Sometimes bigger is better, but for these feisty little Frisbees, smaller is often your best bet.
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he N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission closed approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters to fishing onehalf hour after sunset on Feb. 28 to prepare for opening day, which is April 6. During the closure, commission personnel stocked all Hatchery Supported Trout Waters in preparation for opening day. Staff stocks Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, which are marked by green-andwhite signs, at frequent intervals in the spring and early summer every year. This year, commission personnel will stock approximately 930,000 trout—96 percent of which average 10 inches in length, with the other 4 percent exceeding 14 inches in length. While fishing on Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, anglers can harvest a maximum of seven trout per day, with no minimum size limit or bait restriction. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are open from 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April until one-half hour after sunset on the last day of February the following year. For more information on trout fishing in North Carolina, visit the Commission’s trout fishing page, or call the Inland Fisheries Division, (919) 707-0220.
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OAA has announced recreational red snapper seasons for the South Atlantic, which includes fisheries off Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The recreational sector will open for harvest on the following days: • July 12-14 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) • July 19-20 (Friday and Satur-
day) During this limited open season, the recreational bag limit is one red snapper per person, per day for private and charter vessels. The captain and crew on for-hire vessels will be allowed to retain the recreational bag limit. There is no size limit. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council identified the following best practices to reduce release mortality and further protect the population as it rebuilds: • Avoid areas likely to have red snapper if you already caught your limit. • When red snapper are out of season, avoid areas where they are common. • Use single-hook rigs to reduce the potential for catching multiple red snapper on a single drop. • Use non-offset circle hooks while fishing in areas where red snapper are common. • Use a dehooking device to remove the hook. Keep fish in the water if you plan to release them or return them to the water as quickly as possible. • Use descending devices when releasing fish with signs of barotrauma.
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3/18/19 10:59 AM
The Return of a Custom Built Quality Outdoor BBQ Products Since 1989
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Tim Barefoot
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here are several ways to make this double tackle, but one simple knot makes a wonderful, heavy-duty presentation. Some folks refer to this as a “high/low rig,” and you can call it anything you want, but for the sake of this article I’ll just call it a “double tackle.” To start with, consider the fish you are targeting and choose the correct size fluorocarbon for the leader. You can tie this knot in almost any size fluoro up to 80- or 100-pound. A rig like this is extremely effective on quite a few species and gets a lot of “reaction strikes” due to the multiple offerings presented and the erratic action of the baits. Using a heavier jig on the bottom keeps the lighter jig, streamer fly or unweighted soft plastic in place. It’s less likely to foul and makes the action more erratic, which draws the instinct strikes. The darting action resembles a scared or confused baitfish, which is irresistible to predatory fish, and the trailing bait is an easy target. These are the baitfish they have been programmed to eat since birth. It makes perfect sense, as they exert less energy to catch disoriented baitfish than those swimming perfectly in open water. There are two primary considerations when choosing the poundage of the fluoro leader material, water clarity and quarry. After choosing the correct size jigs and fluoro, it’s time to determine the lengths of the two legs of the rig. I start with about a 4- or 5-foot length of leader and make a 10- to 12-inch diameter loop in the center of the leader. This is typical for smaller inshore or freshwater fish, but can be made larger and longer for larger fish and jigs for a variety of offshore fish. Next, make eight turns with one of the tag ends through the 1-foot diameter loop. Find the center wrap of the tag end and separate it large enough to pass the 1-foot diameter loop back through (as shown in the photo).
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Shot Placement Sheri Daye
W
hen you watch experienced spearos, you will notice they are relaxed in the water, they don’t take long shots, and they make it look easy. You will also notice they have a high percentage of kill shots. That is because they are disciplined and practice good shot placement. Perfect shot placement means you achieve a kill shot, also called “stoning the fish.” In other words, the fish is instantly put to sleep, lifeless as a stone. There’s a multitude of reasons to strive for this shot. For one, a kill shot is the most efficient and humane way to dispatch a fish. With a head shot, the fillets will be in better shape, with no holes, blood marks, or chance of bacteria entering the meat (from a gut shot). Also, the fish does not have a chance to struggle and bend your shaft, or worse yet, to get off the shaft. There are added safety benefits to stoning a fish. You will avoid ringing the dinner bell for sharks attracted to a struggling fish. Also, a live fish has the potential of tangling on the bottom or around you, so a dead fish makes for a much quicker and safer extraction. Finally, if you quietly put the fish to sleep, you won’t spook other fish in the surrounding area, giving you and your buddy a chance at more fish. To stone a fish, the shaft needs to hit the brain or spine. The ideal shot is a quartering shot from above and behind, hitting the spot where the lateral line meets the brain. This sweet spot is at the top of the gills and behind the eyes. Of course, the closer you can get to the fish, the higher the likelihood of proper shot placement.
Here’s more tips for achieving kill shots while spearfishing: 1. Refine your diving/stalking technique so you can get closer to fish without spooking them. 2. Don’t rush the shot, take your time and try to get a more accurate shot.
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3. Buy a good quality speargun and make sure your shafts/floppers are in good shape (not bent). 4. Practice hitting an underwater target, such as a weighted foam fish or net. Try shooting from different distances so you know your range versus accuracy. Don’t take “iffy” shots. 5. Take the time to study fish anatomy and examine them at the Sheri Daye fillet table. shows what good shot There are excepplacement tions to the rule. For on cubera example, when taking snapper looks a long shot on a spooky fish with a narrow like. body, such as a wahoo, you might want to aim for “center mass.” Otherwise, take the time to learn one of the most fundamental rules of spearfishing—that is, good shot placement! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
For more Sheri Daye go to,
CAMSPEARFISHING.COM
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TIPS FROM A PRO
EXPERIENCE THE
TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER Why Do Hooked Fish Get Off?
B
BRANDON LESTER
ass get away for two basic reasons: the hook coming out of their mouth and line failure. If you can keep those from happening, you’ll land the fish. Sounds simple right? Well, it is and it isn’t. To keep these from happening, you’ve got to have the right combination of hook, line and rod… and then you must use them all properly. Let’s start with the hookset. If the hook isn’t properly buried into the fish’s jaw, it is obviously easier for it to come out. The hookset is predominately a factor of the right hook paired with the right fishing rod. You generally want to use the biggest, sturdiest hook and the heaviest power (basically its stiffness) rod the particular technique and lure will allow. And you’ve got to learn to set the hook as hard as your equipment will allow you. Watch the hooksets of pro anglers on the Bassmaster television show. We do not mess around. The hookset is powerful and fast. The biggest challenge with matching hook and rod power is learning how big you can go with your equipment and still present the bait properly. You’ll get more bites using smaller hooks and lighter line, so you can’t always use the heaviest equipment. Pay close attention to the bait and lure weights that rods are rated for. I
build all my rods with blanks and supplies from Mud Hole Custom Tackle (www.MudHole.com). All of their blanks come with that information included. Winn Grips are a must on all my rods, as they ensure a proper grip on the rod for that big hookset. A good quality hook is one that penetrates a fish’s mouth and stays there until you get your hands on the fish. The sharper the hook, the better it penetrates into the fish’s mouth. Once there, the hook has to be strong enough to not “flex” or open up. A flexing hook takes pressure off the bass and allows him to pull off during the fight. A lot of baits come with cheap hooks that will flex even on the first fish. Lesser-quality hooks will often become dull very quickly, too. Not all hooks are made the same. Mustad is the world’s No. 1 hook seller, and it’s No. 1 for a reason. Fortunately for us bass anglers, years ago Denny Brauer and Kevin VanDam got together with Mustad’s engineers and designers to create the basic hooks needed specifically for bass. Mustad hasn’t stopped improving the line of hooks either. The Big Bite worm hook is a hook I helped them develop. In many countries, they don’t use a separate term for “fish hook.” They simply call it a “Mustad.” In a future article, we’ll discuss fighting the fish and the importance of choosing the right fishing line. Until then, go fishing and work on that hookset!
For more on Lester visit,
FISHINGMAGAZINE.FISHING
M
35 PM
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MARK SOSIN There is a lesson to be learned. Shortly before he vaulted to stardom on the largemouth bass tournament trail countless years ago, Rick Clunn discovered that he spent so much time searching for magical techniques and secret lures that he almost lost sight of the basics. When he paused to reflect, he realized there were no curealls or panaceas that applied to any type of fishing. The answer centered on a more simplified approach. It suddenly became apparent that almost all bass tournaments were won by somebody who used a spinnerbait, plastic worm or a crankbait. It didn’t matter where the contest was held, who fished it and won, or what time of year it happened to be. Armed with that valuable bit of information, Rick decided to change his own fishing style and substitute simplicity for the complex techniques he clung to in the past. It occurred to him that if he learned to fish these basic lures with equal skill, he should be able to catch fish anywhere. Some of us have a tendency to insist on making fishing much more complicated than it actually is. If fish were that hard to catch, few of us would ever be successful. Impatience and lack of confidence force many anglers to search frantically for solutions that just don’t exist. These fishermen would do better if they learned one or two techniques thoroughly.
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Certainly, there will be times when their basic method does not produce, but over the long run they will catch more fish. My late father never heard of Rick Clunn, nor did he ever fish competitively for anything. Over many years, he fished for countless species in freshwater and salt, always limiting his approach to a few basic lures or some simple bait. When he finally retired and moved to Florida, his lure of choice was a small, yellow bucktail which he could fish better than anyone I ever met. His tackle box became the two side pockets on his jacket. A handful of bucktails were in his right-hand pocket and some leader material in his left pocket. There’s one other facet to Dad’s thinking worth following. He always insisted that the law of averages held the key to success. Those who insist on specializing on a particular species of fish or seek one of an extra large size are missing out on a lot of fun. All you have to do is keep casting and catching. The law of averages will eventually produce trophy fish for you as well as species that seem important. If you’ve been seeking a way to catch more fish on every outing, try this simplified approach that worked for Rick Clunn and my father. Many of the leading anglers of our time depend on it, and it just might turn the trick for you.
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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
H
ave you ever wondered why your buddy fishing next to you is catching more fish when you are both using the same lure? Chances are it has to do with the way he’s retrieving his lure that entices fish to strike. What is the first thing you do when the fish are not biting? Most people immediately change lures. If that doesn’t work, the next step is usually to move locations, only to work the lure the same way when it clearly was not producing. You must try working a lure several different ways before ruling it out as ineffective. Here is an example. One chilly morning I was throwing a Controlled Descent Jerk Shad set to sink very slowly. It had a rattle in it. Since the water was in the mid 50s, I concentrated on an area that was 3 or 4 feet deep with a soft silty bottom. I started out keeping my lure near the bottom and working my rod parallel to the water. The lure was basically suspending 6- to 18-inches off the bottom with a side-to-side motion. This is a proven technique in similar situations; however, I didn’t get a strike. After some time covering the area with that technique, I changed my retrieve and worked the same area with the same lure. I started to twitch my lure slowly to the surface, almost as if it was climbing stairs, but very slowly. Since this lure had an extremely slow sink rate, it would almost suspend when paused after
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“climbing a few steps.” Once the lure reached the surface, I would let it slowly sink back to the bottom and repeat. I started to catch solid trout up to 6 pounds when the lure would almost reach the surface. Later that day, I fished a different spot with similar conditions. I was working the lure the same way that had produced earlier, and I was getting some very light bites once the lure would reach the bottom. The fish would pick up the lure and swim off, or at times they would swim toward me and I never really felt the strike. I landed a couple but missed and lost many more. Since they were definitely on the bottom and not really aggressive toward the slow-moving lure, I changed it up. Since I had a rattle, I started vigorously shaking my rod tip to make the lure rattle and twitch on the bottom without a lot of forward motion. This was most likely stirring up some silt, as well. This erratic action enticed the trout into a more instinctive strike. I began getting very aggressive strikes and landed every fish that hit. I never changed lure color, style or weight all day. Had I simply switched lures like most people do and worked them the same way as I started, I might not have caught anything. Try changing your retrieve before tying another knot. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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BEATS HONDA* 2000 WATT SUPER QUIET INVERTER GENERATOR
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
rom
, TX
PREDATOR 2000
NOW
RUN-TIME
3.4 HOURS
2000
MAX. STARTING WATTS
2000
1600
RUNNING WATTS
61 dB
NOISE LEVEL
59 dB
48 LBS.
WEIGHT
45.6 LBS.
1.2 GAL
TANK SIZE
.95 GAL
3
OUTLETS
3
YES
OVERLOAD PROTECTION
YES
79.7 cc
ENGINE SIZE
98.5 cc
YES
LOW OIL ALERT
YES
YES
PARALLEL CAPABLE
YES
YES
POWER SAVER
YES
499 99
$
99 $429
SAVE $ 580
4.7 HOURS
PRICE
ANY PURCHASE
7 FUNCTION DIGITAL MULTIMETER
1600
• 3.5" LCD Display • Battery Included COMPARE TO
1,00999
*HONDA EU2000i stated specs
LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
SUPER COUPON
30", 5 DRAWER AMMO DRY BOX MECHANIC'S CARTS Customer Rating
PROSKIT $ 23
16
ITEM 98025/30756/63604/63758 63759/69096/90899 shown
HONDA EU2000i
$
*81919993 * 81919993
ITEM 62523
WITH
BLACK
ITEM 64032 64030 64033 shown
20% OFF
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
*81915925 * 81915925
MODEL: MT-1210
*81912409 * 81912409 Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/3/19 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
BLUE
ITEM 64031
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/3/19.
SUPER COUPON
• 1000 lb. capacity
18" x 12" MOVER'S DOLLY
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
8 GALLON, 125 PSI PORTABLE OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR NOW
Customer Rating
RED
ITEM 64061 64059 64060 shown
$3 99 6 SAVE COMPARE TO 9 ITEM 63135 RANGEMAXX 60% 61451 shown *81938538 * 81938538 $ 99
$ 99
MODEL: 1312-92
COMPARE TO
$
Snap-on
BLUE-POINT
$1 89
21999
$59
151
$
MODEL: KTI63094
99 COMPARE TO
GPL
$
$1 9
5145 SAVE
99
$ 61% 2999 *81970776 * 81970776 MODEL: H-21
ITEM 62515/66911 shown
*81970270 * 81970270 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" CAMOUFLAGE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP Customer Rating
8
MODEL: 300083999
COMPARE TO
189
$
MODEL: 1125220
ITEM 61765/46411 shown
NOW
10-5/8" W 6-1/8" H
$499
194
MODEL: 1450
NOW
6999 $49
99
ITEM 68146/61297/63476/61840 shown
• 5400 lb. capacity
$5 99
NOW
7
$ 99
ITEM 97581, 97582, 37051, 37052, 64417, 64418, 61363, 68497, 61360, 61359, 68498, 68496 shown
*81979263 * 81979263
*81981882 * 81981882
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
7 AMP ELECTRIC POLE SAW 1000 LB. CAPACITY 9.5" BAR SWING-BACK TRAILER JACK . to
8 ft
. 10
"
Customer Rating Customer Rating • Height range:
NOW
$59 COMPARE TO
99 $
79 98 $
99
MODEL: WG309
99
SAVE $39
ITEM 68862/63190/62896 shown
1000 LB. CAPACITY MOTORCYCLE LIFT
COMPARE TO
REESE $ 99
49
MODEL: 74410
NOW
99
$1 7 $
2599
ITEM 69780/41005 shown
COMPARE TO $
MIBRO
$1 999
64 99 SAVE
$ 69% 3999 *81983669 * 81983669 MODEL: 426920
ITEM 60658/97711 shown
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
29 PIECE TITANIUM DRILL BIT SET
• Diamond plated steel platform and ramp • Lift range: 7" to 29-1/2"
12-1/2" to 24"
SAVE 64%
SUPER COUPON
3/8" x 14 FT., GRADE 43 TOWING CHAIN
Customer Rating
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
SUPER COUPON
14 99
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
NOW
14
$
*81972603 * 81972603
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
*81976889 * 81976889
6 ft
GO GREEN POWER
*81970975 * 81970975
MODEL: VEN4145
ITEM 64110
COMPARE TO
Case contents and locks not included.
VENOM $ 97
6
$ 99
SAVE 66%
SAVE $ 164 ITEM 63927
PELICAN $ 19
COMPARE TO
COMPARE TO
SAVE 50%
Customer Rating
3999
SAVE 59%
SAVE $140 SUPERWINCH $ 99
250 LUMENS POP-UP LANTERN
• 5 mil thickness
SUPER COUPON
WORX
9 $299
19649
MODEL: 8010
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
POWDER-FREE Customer Rating NITRILE GLOVES PACK OF 100
2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
$
COMPARE TO
CALIFORNIA AIR
LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
NOW
5
ITEM 95386 67501/69667/68740 shown
*81953176 * 81953176
MODEL 3800
$
SAVE $96
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
Customer Rating
• Weighs 14.3 lbs. • 11-1/8" L x 4-1/2" H
$ 99
$799
11999
*81948161 * 81948161
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
SUPER COUPON
WEATHERMASTER $ 99
SAVE 65%
MODEL: HDFDOLLY
NOW
ITEM 64545/64552/64832/64980 68053/62160/62496/62516/60569 shown
COMPARE TO
1099
ITEM 60497/61899/63095/63096/63097/63098 shown
• 350 lb. capacity
79
$4
22
NOW
18" WORKING PLATFORM ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF STEP STOOL WEATHER-RESISTANT Customer Rating LOCKABLE CASE NOW • 14-7/8" L
Customer Rating
99
49
$
BUFFALO TOOLS $ 99
SUPER COUPON
NOW
COMPARE TO
YELLOW
ITEM 56239 64720 shown
$ COMPARE TO
LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
• 3-1/2 pumps lifts most vehicles • Lifts from 3-1/2" to 14-1/8" • Weighs 34 lbs.
K TOOL $ 42
ITEM 56238 64722 shown
MODEL: KRBC10TBPES
®
SAVE 91
ORANGE
99
• 15,000 cu. in. of storage SAVE $ 830 lb. capacity $ 640 •• 700 Weighs 139 lbs. *81944866 * 81944866
SUPER COUPON
$
ITEM 56237 64721 shown
YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM FLOOR JACK
$9999
GREEN
NOW
Customer Rating
NOW
99 $299 $
NOW
39999
COMPARE TO
DIRECT-LIFT
$
COMPARE TO
82999 SAVE $530
MODEL: 873100
ITEM 69904/68892 shown
DEWALT $ 14
68
MODEL: DW1369
SAVE 85%
ITEM 62281/61637 shown
$999
$
1799
*81985915 * 81985915
*81990164 * 81990164
*81990776 * 81990776
*81994559 * 81994559
LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 8/3/19*
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was COASTALANGLERMAG.COM THEANGLERMAG.COM I APRIL 33 advertised for•sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in 2019 the U.S. withinItheNATIONAL past 90 days. Prices advertised by others
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/3/19.
CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 33 hft_coastalangler_0419_M-REG163326.indd 1
may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
3/18/19 3/1/1911:19 3:10AM PM
Start the new boating season off right with the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard from Suzuki. Buy during our Spring Sales Event and get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.
3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
INST
ANT SAVIN GS SAV
SELECE RIGHT N T SUZ UKI O OW ON UTBO ARDS
REPOWER FINANCE
Instant Savings on select models when you buy during this promotion. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]
To learn more, visit www.suzukimarine.com. 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. “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.
34
NATIONAL
I
CANGL_NAT3-NAT32.indd 34
APRIL 2019
SZ_Q2 Promo_1PG_WIP.indd 1
I
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
3/18/19 11:19 AM
3/15/19 2:26 PM
1782-18B Coastal Angler.indd 1 COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 3
For: Coastal Angler
12/19/18 3:50 PM 3/18/19 9:38 AM
NEW FROM THE ALL NEW
Introducing the newest member of the NauticStar family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater
NAUTICSTAR
HYPER HYBRID...
performer delivers all the necessary fishing features for the serious angler with a smooth, dry, comfortable ride, and cutting edge styling and comfort never before seen in a boat of this class.
IT’SXS CRAZY 32 COOL! OFFSHORE
With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a [a] spacious and comfortable bow that features a large forward lounge seat and plush wrap-around seating. The head console has a fully lined interior with a stainless steel sink, SeaDek® floor and electricSEE flush porcelain toilet. [b] IT It has a large helm station to allow for dual 12-inch (standard) or 16-inch AT THE MIAMI INTL (optional) multifunction displays. [c] The leaning post features ergoBOAT SHOW nomically correct Llebrock® double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters BOOTH A237 and pivot arms. [d] It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35 Qt. YETI® cooler or optional refrigerator. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade, and folddown cockpit television. Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a roomy fishing deck with [e] port and starboard 8.8 cu.ft. in-floor fish boxes and large port side dive door.
NAUTICSTAR’S
251 HYBRID
Build the boat of your dreams on NauticStarBoats.com
a
b
c
Call (662) 200-4664 or visit our website:
d
e
Factoryinstalled installedwith with Factory
NauticStarBoats.com Some photos shown with optional equipment
COMMON CVRS_0419.indd 4
3/18/19 9:38 AM