The Angler Magazine | July 2020 | Great Smoky Mountains & The Upstate Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION

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LIMITING OUT ON GULF SNAPPER

ast month, a couple buddies and I booked a charter for the opening day of Florida’s Gulf red snapper season with Capt. Brian Smith, of Big Bend Charters out of Steinhatchee. Capt. B. has a 34-foot power catamaran with enough room on the deck to play a game of volleyball. If you’ve ever been red snapper fishing, you understand the process. The day starts with loading the boat with tackle ranging from 8-pound light tackle to 30-pound bottom fishing rigs. A complement of frozen baits, including Spanish sardines, squid and chum blocks fill one of the big coolers. We ran out to a spot south of the Steinhatchee River and broke out light tackle to catch live bait. It’s basically bream fishing gear, using tiny slivers of squid to catch pinfish and other finned critters. All would be used to create an offshore smorgasbord for snapper, grouper, king mackerel, cobia and more. With the livewell full, it was just over an hour’s run at 27 knots to reach our first drop in 65 feet of water. We were anchored over a ledge with about 3 feet of relief. That doesn’t seem like much, but in the vast expanse of flat bottom out there, a small change in the topography can create an entire ecosystem. Each of us took a corner of the big catamaran and dropped live baits down. Before the bait could reach the bottom, our offerings were usually inhaled by either a grouper or a snapper. These were not small fish. The snapper averaged about 28 inches, and the grouper

were well in excess of the 24-inch minimum length. We would catch a couple fish at a spot and then move to another. The idea is that once you get a couple fish on the line, the remaining fish tend to get a bit finicky, and the bite can slow down. When a fish came on board, we paused for a quick photo and shouted “atta-boy” from across the boat. In all, we limited out on red snapper and had five gag grouper as bonus fish for the day. From first-hand experience I can tell you there’s no shortage of bottomfishing adventure to be had in the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida Gulf snapper season remains open through July 25. Alabama’s season runs Fridays through Mondays until July 19. Louisiana will remain open Fridays through Su nd ay s , and on

By Capt. Cefus McRae

holidays, until the state quota is met. Mississippi is open seven days a week with an undetermined closing date as fisheries managers closely monitor catches to avoid overrunning the quota. The Texas season ends Aug. 2 for charter boats and Aug. 3 for private vessels. As summer gets in full swing, give some thought to ways you can get outdoors, enjoy each other’s company at a distance and get rid of those social-distancing blues. Cefus McRae is host of the Nuts & Bolts of Fishing Series, contact him via e-mail at Cefus@ NutsAndBoltsFishing.com

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J.O. SPICE COMPANY CELEBRATES 75 YEARS AND 4 GENERATIONS

teamed blue crabs seasoned with J.O. No.2 or a custom blend that J.O. manufactures is the flavor people experience at crab establishments all over. Most people credit this crab house seasoning to another product but J.O. has been the crab houses’ seasoning of choice since 1945. J.O. Spice, started by J.O. (James Ozzle) Strigle and his wife Dot in Baltimore City in 1945, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. A native of Tangier Island, Va., J.O. Strigle brought the seafood spice blend he created in his kitchen on the island to Maryland. Jane McPhaul, J.O.’s daughter took over operations of the family business in the late eighties while her son, Don Ports, was serving in the Marine Corps. In 1990 Don joined his mother in the family business with a vision to expand. In the summer of 1991 Don met his spice girl, Ginger, with the pick up line, “you’re destined to be mine; you’re named for a spice,” said J.O. Spice Company president Don Ports to wife Ginger Ports the moment they met. Twenty eight years later, Don and Ginger- alongside their children Brittany, Tyler and Bethany, are continuing the family traditions of quality seasonings, spices, and more at reasonable prices at their Halethorpe based J.O. Spice Company. “We can provide crab houses everything they need for the crab eating experience, minus the crabs”, Don says. The company added crab boxes, crab paper, bushel baskets, crab knives, crab mallets and a variety of other items to their offerings. “We purchased our first laser engraver and that opened the door to the retail gift world and personalized options,” Don says. J.O. specializes in custom blended seasonings for pizza companies, pit beef stands, butchers, potato chip companies and more. We are more than seafood seasonings. “My children, the fourth generation, and our amazing team work side-by-side to make all of this happen,” Ginger says. “At J.O., we are all family who enjoy working with so many other family businesses. We are blessed.” Please visit us at jospices.com.

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uring the 2016 Southern Kingfish Association National Championship in Fort Pierce, Fla., Capt. Steve Sprague of Team Tuppens used Garmin electronics with SiriusXM Marine weather to guide him on a last-minute change to his game plan that made all the difference. Moving south to warmer water identified by the Sea Surface Temperature feature of his SiriusXM service, Capt. Sprague guided Team Tuppens to an SKA National Championship with a $140,000 purse. With that kind of cash, it’s safe to say his SXM service paid for itself for many years! Capt. Sprague has relied on SiriusXM’s satellite-delivered weather and Sea Surface Temperature data for years to help locate edges of temperature breaks faster and stay ahead of the weather.

HERE'S WHAT THE PROS SAY ABOUT SIRIUSXM MARINE: “Using SiriusXM’s Sea surface Temperature feature I saw that cold water had moved in all the way down south near Jupiter, so we decided to head down there until the water temperature came up a little. That’s when we caught that big 62.33-pound kingfish which held on to be the largest fish of the tournament. The Garmin GXM-54 weather receiver allows us to receive SiriusXM Marine weather and other important water temperature data that helps us make critical decisions about where we fish. Without this information, I wouldn’t have known to make the decision to head south that ended up helping us win the SKA National Championship.” — Capt. Steve Sprague, Team Tuppens

Now SiriusXM Marine has added more fishing features in their newest, most comprehensive service package, Fish Mapping. Delivering regularly updated, science-based data via satellite to compatible Garmin multifunction displays, this service is available well beyond cellular range to help you find the hot fishing spots faster—saving time and fuel. Fishing features include recommended locations for specific game fish, Weed Lines, Sea Surface Temperatures and Front Strength, Sub Surface Sea Temperatures, Sea Surface Height Variance, and Plankton Concentration data. Fish Mapping also includes all the weather information in SiriusXM’s Marine Offshore package. SiriusXM Marine weather and fishing data are great for offshore anglers fishing in tournaments, taking clients on charter trips or just fishing for fun. For more information, visit www.siriusxm.com/FishMapping

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TROPHY HUNTING

Finding a productive pattern and making high-percentage presentations wins tournaments; it does not typically catch double-digit bass. Bass large enough for the record books are loners. Anglers who pursue them are looking for one big bite. Here’s a little insight on how successful trophy hunters fish:

LOCATION: With a few exceptions, large reservoirs are not the best trophy bass fisheries. It’d be a good wager that more giant bass are caught from jonboats than from high-performance bass boats. There is a south Georgia gentleman, who prefers to remain unnamed, who has caught countless 10-plus-pounders and several fish that weigh in the high teens. He’s made a practice of looking for out-of-the-way lakes and ponds. Upon getting landowner permission, it takes him a single trip to determine if he’s found the right mix of depth, water flow, vegetation and forage to produce monster bass. If the lake doesn’t have what he’s looking for, he moves on. If he sees what he likes, he fishes it hard, often at night and often concentrating on just one point or drop-off where the biggest fish in the lake is likely to be. The strategy is to make a thousand casts to the best holding water or to sit there quietly By CAM Staff for hours keeping a live bait fresh. When it comes to public waters, smaller reservoirs or hidden gems like oxbow lakes off productive rivers can be pay dirt. Find waters with a reputation for large fish, and then scour them with electronics for the edges where sunken creek channels with plenty of cover lie adjacent to shallower feeding areas. Keep in mind that large fish dominate prime holding areas. Find that magic spot, fish it hard, and it will produce year after year, even if hile perusing the various big-bass records lists, it becomes readily it’s just one big fish for a week’s worth of fishing. apparent that huge bass usually come from lakes with a bigbass reputation. Also, anglers appearing in these lists often have TACTICS: Giant bass don’t like to chase food, and they prefer large multiple large bass to their names. meals. Trophy bass hunting with lures is slow and tedious. Drag a big jig with There is a lesson here for anyone in search of their personal-best a chunky trailer across the bottom, Texas-rig a big 12- to 16-inch worm or largemouth. Whether it’s a 10-pounder or one that weighs into the teens, slow-dance a swimbait. Fish as slow as you can, and then slow down more. luck is rarely the primary factor that leads to a true giant. Most of the time Stick with it and remain vigilant. Remember that you’re fishing for one bite. anglers who catch monster bass use specialized tactics to specifically target If you’re not snooty about it, live bait will absolutely increase your odds. them. Go with the natural forage for the water you’re fishing. If it’s gizzard shad, These are not the tactics used by professional tournament anglers. fish a big one. Largemouth bass have huge mouths relative to their body size.

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TIME TO SWITCH TO SUMMER TACTICS

Keep at least one person on the sabiki until the livewell is completely full. Keep a big beautiful bait out under a float and one down 20 or 30 feet deep right around the outside of the circle of light. I like to call this area “the ring of death.” It is where the light dissipates into dark water. Don’t act surprised when a large wahoo swims right by the boat Tim Barefoot for a good look and then returns 30 seconds later to smoke a bait. The anticipation followed by the visible ferocity of a bite hen it comes to like this is exhilarating. summertime This time of year is also fishing, here when some of the snappers are some observations I’ve and the kingfish spawn. made over the years. Typically it peaks on a new Around the end of or full moon in mid July. June and the beginning of It’s a good time of year to July, changes in daytime catch a real “smoker” on temperatures and the light line. duration of daylight hours The night bite can be make it wise to fish at awesome this time of year, night. The major feeding but another advantage periods each day occur to fishing at night is the at dawn and dusk. It’s the comfort factor. Set up time of year when you offshore just before dark, need to set aside some and you don’t have to time to fish both inshore worry about sunburn. and offshore at night. Catch the livewell full of Offshore fishing can squid and baitfish, catch be red hot right now with U.S.A.F. Photo by William Blankenship fish all night, and be there the use of lights. Full disclosure: I know the owner of Hydro Glow and have used his products for the early morning bite. Get your work done in the early morning, then go home and get some sleep while the fish are “chillin’ out” in the cooler. for years. I am convinced the green light draws fish to the boat. I always anchor when I’m in water shallower than 200 to 250 feet, and this is a perfect time to put the lights out to attract bait like flying fish, For rigging and fishing videos, go to squid, sardines and cigar minnows up to the surface where they are very BAREFOOTCATSAND TACKLE.COM vulnerable to a sabiki.

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GILLZ PERFORMANCE FISHING APPAREL

ummer is here. It’s time to cast off and fish on. Gillz’ innovative fabric and design enhancements keep you cool and comfortable even on the hottest summer days. Gillz shirts move effortlessly and won’t cling as you twist and turn in a battle of wills with a feisty snook. From their 30 percent cooler GillzTec fabric to their cross-breeze ventilation system, Gillz strives to make its gear the freshest and most comfortable on the water. And of course, they provide all-day protection from UV rays that are particularly harmful during the summertime. So, grab yourself a t-shirt, shorts, a hat, a pair of sunglasses and rock the boat. Gillz has everything you need for a summer of tight lines. Summer fishing has never been so comfortable.

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JULY 2020

NATIONAL 13

FOUR DAYS

OF RED SNAPPER IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC By CAM Staff

PHOTO BY NICK CARTER

omething is better than nothing. That seems to be the consensus of anglers after NOAA’s early June announcement of a four-day recreational red snapper season in the South Atlantic. With open dates set for July 10-12 and July 17, recreational anglers and charter captains are hoping for good weather during what promises to become a mad scramble at boat ramps from the Florida Keys up the Atlantic coast through Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The well-known reefs and wrecks will be packed with anglers dropping baits and jockeying for position to catch their one fish per person, per day limit with no minimum size. For some, catching those limits won’t take long at all. Reports from captains in the fishery tell of areas where an over-abundance of red snapper is making it tough to target any other species. All the while, data used by federal fisheries managers indicates overfishing for the species is still occurring. Since 2017, the South Atlantic red snapper season has been curtailed each year. Since 2010, a cumulative total of just 37 days has been allowed in South Atlantic federal waters. In May of this year, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) was scrambling to make rule changes that would allow any 2020 season at all. Effective July 15, regulations require descending devices be on board and readily available on all vessels pursuing grouper or snapper in the South Atlantic. Non-offset, non-stainless steel hooks are mandatory north of 28 degrees north latitude, which is near Cape Canaveral. It’s a similar scenario to what played out with red snapper seasons in the Gulf of Mexico over the last decade. Bound by legislation, federal managers are forced to make decisions based on available data on snapper stocks. At the same time, anglers and groups pushing for angler access insist the data is badly flawed. According to the American Sportfishing Association, the trade organization that produces ICAST and lobbies on behalf of the industry, an updated and improved red snapper stock assessment is due in spring of 2021. In the meantime, recreational anglers must be happy with what they get, which is roughly 70 percent of the total allowed catch. Commercial anglers get the other 30 percent.

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MURPHY AREA LAKES

Lake Hiwassee Summer Striper Explosion By Shane Goebel

ummer is finally, officially here-the weather is beautiful, the water is warmer, and the striper bite is insane! We’ve been averaging 30 to 50 fish per morning out here. This is the perfect time to hit the lake and experience some extreme striper fishing, and what’s the best way to do that? By booking a trip with Murphy, NC’s #1 and only fulltime striper guide: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is at full pool. Water clarity is clear throughout the lake and water temps are in the low to mid 80s. Striper fishing has been excellent. We have been loading the boat with some big fish in good quantities, and I mean loading the boat. These Lake Hiwassee monsters are schooling up big time and are hammering our baits. The earlymorning and evening bites are your best times to see action. We’ve been finding good schools from 40 to 80 feet deep. Down lining live herring is going to be the best technique. This is the time of year you’ll want to pay close attention to your electronics. While searching for

schooling fish, target creek mouths and rocky points along the main channel. As the top-water bite has also been good, keep a spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag those surface-busting fish. July is a fantastic month for catching ton and tons of stripers on this beautiful mountain lake. From smallmouth bass to hard fighting stripers, there are many great opportunities to catch a number of fish species on Hiwassee 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 fish. We are Murphy, NC’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lake Nottely, Chatuge and Blue Ridge. And for all your live blueback herring and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

Shane Goebel owns Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and is a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team. See the website at www.bigolfish.com or call (828) 361-2021.

Fishsizzle

By David Hulsey

ummertime in the Southeastern Mountains can be a hot steamy affair, to say the least! Daytime temperatures can reach the 90’s in the valley floors forcing cool water loving trout to migrate up the smaller, cooler tributaries to summer over. The higher you go, the cooler it gets and the more active the fish will be. Early morning and late evening will almost always be more productive too, with midday being a better time to hit a local brewery or two. Take a thermometer and test the creek before fishing. The last thing you want to do is kill a bunch of fish because the water temperature is too warm. Temperatures in the mid 60’s or less seem to be the safest and most productive. A handful of terrestrials is about all you’ll need barring you don’t get hit by a stray thunderstorm that jacks up the water level. Beetles, crickets, hoppers and ants are deadly right now. There’s lots of protein in a

big old hopper compared to a Blue Winged Olive and the fish know that. It’s not uncommon for a trout to move several feet to eat one. A 7½ foot leader of 4x or 5x should be about right in the smaller tributary streams. Rods of seven to eight feet in length and about 3 or 4 weight should suffice also. Casting up under overhanging brush and bushes will yield more fish. A few flies will certainly meet their doom also. If you aren’t getting hung up every now and then, you aren’t getting your fly close enough to structure. Being ready at the moment the fly hits the water can’t be stressed enough. Trout become tuned in to the plop of a fat bug hitting the water and will hit within a second sometimes. Remember to land them and release them fast and keep the trout as wet as possible. Don’t forget about our warm water fisheries too. Those fish, such as

bass, bluegill and carp, like the warm water and will be very active at this time of year. Your trout rod will be fine for all but the largest of these

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battlers and it is fun sight fishing to these guys. I’ll see you guys on the creek and get out and enjoy some hot summertime fishsizzle!

Give David Hulsey a call at (770) 639-4001 to book a class or a guided trout trip. See his website at www.hulseyflyfishing.com.

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

www.smokymountainshooters.com www.facebook.com/smokymtnshooter

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 3

Hybrid Bass Mayhem on Lake Chatuge

By Darren Hughes

n July, fishing on Lake Chatuge, which borders Western North Carolina and North Georgia, really gets fired up and I mean FIRED UP! With warmer water temps, the hybrids and bass school up, which means we are able to load the boat with tons of trophy hybrids and spotted bass. Currently, Lake Chatuge is at full pool. Water temps are in the mid 80s, and water clarity is clear throughout the lake. Hybrid fishing is explosive for us right now. The fish are schooling in large numbers, and we are catching some big quantities. We’re catching between 40 and 60 hybrids and bass in just a couple of hours. Most of our hybrids are averaging 7-10 pounds. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest-fighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The early morning bite has been prime. Look for schools of fish off shallow humps along the main channel, clay banks, and off points. Downlining live blueback herring has been the best technique. Search out your areas and watch your electronics. When you mark fish, drop your lines. Fish will be slightly shallower

in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by midmorning. Top-water bite remains very good as well. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a plug, spook, or red fin at the ready. July fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. You won’t regret booking a trip with Murphy NC and Blairsville GA’s #1 guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. 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-from-scratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, Apalachia, Hiwassee, or Nottely, or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes, at Hughes General Store. And whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give Chatuge a shot for some of the best spotted bass and hybrids in the area. Good luck, and get hooked!

Darren Hughes is the owner of Hughes General Store & Bait Shop, a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team and a guide for Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Look him up at www.bigolfish.com or give him a call at (706) 745-6569 or (828) 361-2021.

Fly of the Month

By Eli Crumley, Blackhawk Fly Fishing keepemwet94@gmail.com

Crystal Bugger Hook: Dai-Riki #700 (size) 10 Bead: Wapsi 5/32 (Gold) Thread: UTC 140 Denier (Color) Brown/Olive

Body: Crystal Chenille (Color) Olive Hackle: Whiting Tail: Marabou (Color) Olive This is an all-around awesome fly. Try dead drifting, swinging, and stripping these buggers. 4 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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EAST TN / GREAT SMOKIES / SWAIN COUNTY

Basics of Sonar

By Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com • 770-889-2654

nglers of all skill levels spend lots of time and money on equipment, from fishing lines to all kinds of other equipment, and on one of the least understood products in today’s modern fishing electronics: sonar. Sonar is an acronym for Sound Navigation Ranging. This is an electronic machine that sends sound waves called pings into the water and then receives these pings back. Understanding what this machine does and how to interpret the data is important so anglers can find fish, bait and structure. In 1906, an American made the very first two-dimensional world machine called sonar. It was invented to find icebergs. Then, in 1915 the Allies used sonar to find submarines during the First World War. So sonar has been around

a long time, and the basics have not changed much at all. In the 1950’s, Carl and son Darrell Lowrance came up with the Little Green box and called it a Fish LO-K-TOR. This Little Green Box changed sport fishing forever. With this device, anglers learned how to find structure, bait and schools of their favorite fish. This technology remained unchanged for many years as anglers came to understand what the machines would reveal. With this machine, anglers learned how to find and catch fish out in open water. Now with the latest technology, anglers have access to threedimensional technology called Side

Scan and Down Scan. This technology can scan waters to 300 feet deep and from one side of the water column up to 600 feet on each side. With this new technology, anything in the water column can be easily spotted and marked with Global Positioning Systems. This Structure Scan technology can not only find fish, but search and rescue services can find cars, bodies, aircraft and much more with great accuracy. These high tech units can be tuned to the angler’s requirements and conditions with very little effort. One of the most commonly neglected is the power or the sensitivity setting. Set the sensitivity to AUTO and the microprocessor will automatically adjust the

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sensitivity based on the depth of the water. Another common installation problem with these units is that the transducers are not in the right place. This part of the unit is sending and receiving echoes through the water. In order for it to work properly, it must be in direct contact with the water. This transducer must shoot straight down for it to read properly. Once these machines are tuned properly, they can show anglers structure and fish as never before. Just hit the “AUTO” for SENSITIVITY and DEPTH RANGE. Copyright, Southern Fishing Schools Inc.

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Steelhead In The Heat

By Ronnie Parris

uckaseegee River has always been the source of some of the biggest brown and rainbow trout taken in the Smokies. As a kid, I remember looking on the wall at the Cullowee Trading Post at monster browns that had been taken from the Tuck. The owner would tell tales of how he would fish the deepest hard-to-reach pools and how he would use live knotty heads and silver sides as bait to catch these big trout that were too smart to hit the small offerings and wanted to get a meal in one bite. As a kid, I would have dreams of hooking up to one of these giant trout the fight that would ensue. Over the years, fishing in the Tuck has changed and, contrary to most things I think, for the better. A few years ago, the Chamber of Commerce worked with the state fisheries to designate sections of the Tuck as Delayed Harvest; which simply means that, from October thru the winter months, you can fish with only artificial lures with a single hook. The state also stocks DH Waters several different times with rainbow, brown, and brook

trout. All fish during this time must be released. In June, the restrictions are lifted and anglers can use live bait, treble hooks, and may posses 7 fish per person. Although the tuck is accessible by wading from the shoreline, some of the stocked, wild brown, and rainbow will seek out the more secluded, deep and hard to reach pools. That’s where the drift boat comes in; whether you prefer a fiberglass boat, rubber raft, catraft, a canoe or float tube, this will allow you to cover 50 times the water and also help you get to where the big boys live. Techniques are so numerous that there’s no way to list them all in one article. My clients are about a 50% split between fly anglers and spin anglers. I’ve had more big fish taken while spin fishing simply because you can cast so much farther from the boat and not spook fish by getting too close. But that’s by no means saying they aren’t caught on fly fishing tackle because we catch some brutes on flies every year. Fishing the tuck with a fly, I usually only fish nymphs and underwater offerings. I have caught

a few trout in the Tuck on dries, but I don’t see a good surface feed most days. Anglers that want to test their abilities with a fly rod should try the Tuck at least once in their lifetime. There are some truly amazing fish both wild and hatchery reared

fish. Anyone wanting to try his luck with one of these giant fish can give me a call at 828-488-9711 and I would be happy to help you out. Be safe on the water and, as always, take a kid fishing.

Ronnie Parris is owner and head guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, N.C., heart of the Great Smoky Mountains (www.smounlimited.com; (828) 488-9711).

Where There’s A Will ~ There’s A Way

By Eddie Hudon

f someone wants, or wills, something strong enough, a way can be found to make it happen. It’s an old proverb, but true. Such is the case with a friend of mine named, John Van Deun (JVD). John and I went to high school together in Connecticut. Over time, we met at our class reunions. At the last reunion, John told me he had a moderate stroke, which paralyzed his left arm and his left leg. He also told me that he was an avid fly fisherman before his incident and wasn’t able to fish much at all anymore. He mentioned that he was following me on Facebook and wished that he could fish the waters I guided in. So, I offered to guide him. We made plans that included a weekend at my cabin. During his stay, we fished in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the West Fork of the Pigeon. In both

instances, we only walked a few feet into the water. John was able to cast with his right arm and did a great job of mending and getting good drifts. It was obvious that John was a good fly fisherman. John caught several trout in both locations. This gave him the encouragement and inspiration to fish more often when he got home. I had another fishing trip last year with a client that had two full knee replacements. We took the same precautions entering the water and fished from a safe position. He said he enjoyed himself and would be back. I have two more scheduled trips this year and those clients also have knee replacements. In both case’s, they have the will, and I will show them the way. Don’t let your handicap keep you from considering a fishing trip.

Eddie Hudon is the Owner of Blue Chip Fly Fishing headquartered in Whittier, NC.

Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING We offer both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.

1012 East Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC • 828-488-9711, Cell: 828-736-9471

smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com

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Keep The Faith By Capt. James McManus

hese are surely amazing and eventful times. Every day we seem to be surrounded by some new peril, either of our own doing or thrown at us from the cosmos, it seems. It is times like this that a return to what is real, what gives us life and hope, what makes life on our planet a joy, is what is called for. So...let’s go fishing! With so many opportunities there will be some choices as to where, how and with whom we go. Time alone or at least with a limited crowd has given me insight into some of these choices. Choices now that I am considering more thoughtfully and openly. For the where, it comes down to old or new, near or far, familiar or a little frightening. I just signed up for the Redfish World Series tournament in Hopedale, Louisiana. Limited to 60 teams, it will be the equivalent of the Bassmasters in saltwater, or at least the preliminary event. I have fished redfish tourneys for a lot of years and having finished pretty well in several, I feel confident of at least holding my own. At my age, there aren’t too many years left to be able to hit it hard for a week, all day, every day so I just decided what the heck, lets do it. The how was the easiest, because of the times, working a little less, taking a week off just isn’t that big a deal, like it would have been in the past. Almost every year I’ve been lucky enough to be able to fish in Louisiana and if you have bucket lists, this surely needs to be in your pail. Sight fishing for these guys is my favorite of all the fishing I have done. There isn’t a stronger fighter that may walk right up to you and beg to see what you have.

The scary part for me is being outmanned boat-wise. This new insight has made me realize it ain’t the size of your boat that matters, it’s what you put into it. I just got back from Morehead City and saw all the 60 to 80 foot sportfishers get outfished in the Big Rock Marlin tourney by what they called a little outboard job. Mind you, it was a 35 foot Contender with at least two 300 horse Yammies but a child’s toy beside its competition. So my little Ranger will be just fine with those Yellowfins, Majeks and Egrets, most being six figure flats boats. I just signed up for the tourney and not sure yet of my partner for a couple of reasons, but my first choice would actually be a 13 year old from Asheville. No names but this kid has fished with me for a couple of years and I have rarely fished with anyone more intense than him or more tuned in to what he is doing. Striper fishing, redfishing or trout fishing; it doesn’t matter, he is all in. He does his homework, commenting on what we might try next if they aren’t biting. His granddad said he watches every fishing show made and his passion is inspiring and gives me faith in the younger generation. In a couple of years, I intend to partner up with him just because he’s going to be that good. So put away those fears, take a chance, explore new places, try a new body of water or revisit one of your favorites. The important thing is to just get out there and enjoy what God has given us. ,n Jeremiah 33:3 “And I want to show you great and marvelous things.” Later, Capt. James.

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Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing!

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HIGH COUNTRY

The Hike

By Chris Smith

othing is more calming then watching the sun crest a ridgeline in the morning. The way beams of light punch through the wood line to awake the forest floor below. Birds start to sing; small critters start to forage. The smell of anew. Ah, nothing like it….. Then you start to come to your senses, the ringing in your ears, blurred vision, smells, and the sound of firecrackers going off. Yes sir, thank God, you think to yourself, you made it through another one. No time to waste, you must get situational awareness and get things rolling. Then black again…. After spending time in the WTU stateside and finally being discharged, it was like heaven to be back home with family. The son wanted to go on a hike, not being 100% yet, I said sure, but I might be slow. The wife on the drive to the drop off point kept asking, “Are you sure?” I said, “not really, but I have to keep moving to get my strength

back.” The son was excited and so was I but inside I knew it was going to be a challenge. We picked a trail section from the top of Cheaha Mountain to a waypoint where the wife would pick us up. Only a mere 12 miles, lol. So, with fresh bandages, water, and snacks, we said, “bye” and headed off. The son was so excited, and I was too to be with him and back in the woods. At certain points, we would pause and just take in the sights, sounds and smells. At one point, I grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. I took my hiking staff and pointed. A large black snake was crossing the trail just a few feet from where he was. Once the snake was off the trail, he asked, “How did you see that?” I just said it was luck. In my mind, I thought back to why my leg was throbbing and had to fight to keep the memories from coming back. At the valley floor, we paused at a large creek before crossing. As we ate some snacks and drank water, he

asked if I was able to go hiking “over there”. I said, “Yes, but this was much better”. As we sat there listening to the water running over the rocks, I fought back tears and memories, so thankful to be with my son. We crossed the creek and resumed moving out. The pain grew more intense in my leg. I kept getting slower and slower. I checked the GPS. It was getting close to the time for pick up. I knew my wife would be there early. I showed my son the GPS and asked if he was ready to practice “busting bush”. I showed him where we were and the waypoint on the road that was the pickup point. I said, “Don’t worry about me keeping up”, just take a knee every 15 minutes; once

I get there you can move out again. He had a ball reading the land, navigating a path, and waiting on me to catch up. I was struggling; the pain in my leg was increasing with every step. I forced myself to be thankful for the pain because I wasn’t dead. The little hike was therapy for me in more than ways than one. We ended up being 15 minutes past the pickup time. The wife, of course, was worried, but I assured her everything was fine. My son had learned something new and had a great time. Later that night, as I had my leg elevated, I thought to myself how lucky I was and promised myself to always take the time to enjoy the little things in life.

Chris is a Combat Veteran recently retired. A few places he has deployed are Afghanistan, Jordon, Panama, Haiti and various non-combat areas. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, camping, and fishing. He lives with his bride of 30 years in Alabama whom he calls “Household 6”. If any Veterans or family members of a veteran see changes in their loved one, or for that matter knows anyone who is contemplating suicide, he urges you to contact him at combatvettalk@gmail.com

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Wilson Creek, North Carolina

Trout Fishing Through History

By Nick Carter

hile rock hopping and prospecting with dry flies for brightly colored brown trout, it’s easy to imagine the upper end of Wilson Creek as it was more than 250 years ago. But the forest is younger than it was when Native Americans likely pulled native brook trout from the creek. Logging began in the 1750s, when pioneers settled this remote area of western North Carolina’s Caldwell County. For nearly two centuries a timber operation and the communities that grew around it thrived in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain. Mortimer was the largest settlement on Wilson Creek. It was home to the Ritter Lumber Mill Company sawmill as well as a small textile mill. The ruins of Mortimer lie near what is now a stretch of prime trout water. The story of Mortimer is one of nature reclaiming itself. Beginning in 1916, and probably exacerbated by

the clearance of the land, a series of fires and floods twice destroyed the narrow-gauge railroad used to haul out timber. A final massive flood in 1940 swept away both the sawmill and the textile mill, and without industry the surviving residents abandoned their homes. Since that time, a good portion of Wilson Creek’s more than 23mile corridor from its headwaters on Grandfather Mountain down to its confluence with Johns River has regenerated to a mostly wild state. In 2000, the stream was designated a National Wild and Scenic River, which provides special ecological protections. Trout anglers should delight in the transformation. On its upper end, Wilson Creek plummets cold and clear as a small to medium sized stream through a steep wooded valley on Pisgah Game Lands. There is access by foot to miles of creek that offer anglers one waterfall and plunge pool after the next. Small

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but bright stream-born brown trout dominate the fishery. In this stretch it is managed under catch-and-release, artificial-only regulations. Downstream, after flowing through roughly 4-miles of private property, Wilson Creek emerges again to the public as a larger flow. The mouth of Lost Cove Creek is the upper boundary of delayed harvest waters. October into June each year, this beautiful 3-mile stretch is managed under catch-and-release, singlehook, artificial-only regulations. The state stocks it heavily. And for anglers who’d like to keep some trout for the

table, Wilson Creek is open under regular hatchery supported trout regulations for another 5 miles down to the remains of an old lowhead dam near the Adako community. This section is big water. It is punctuated by a gorgeous rock gorge. Wilson Creek falls from North Carolina’s high country around the towns of Boone, Blowing Rock and Linville. Fishing it would make for a good day trip or weekend adventure from Winston-Salem, Asheville or any of the towns on this eastern edge of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of Wilson Creek and all of North Carolina’s and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by emailing nsc8957@gmail.com.

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June Bugs and July Flies By Jimmy Harris Unicoi Outfitters

ne of my favorite seasons for fishing in the Yellowstone region is hopper time. Unfortunately, in the southeast, we don’t get much in the way of predictable, huge hatches of terrestrials like hoppers. Actually, they’re very predictable, just not very frequent. Like every 17 years. I’m referring, of course, to the Cicada hatch, and it’s happening this year. Let me qualify that. The huge hatch of 17-year cycle bugs will hatch this summer. In 2020, it’s primarily going to be in North Carolina and Virginia, but it’s well worth you planning a trip to coincide. I know folks who complain about the noise Cicadas make, but it has never really bothered me. This may have something to do with my slowly progressive loss of hearing. The noise actually gives me an indication of which fly I should be fishing with. There are flies available now that look exactly like a Cicada, but you can also tie on a Chernoble Ant with good results. The cool thing about fishing a Cicada hatch is almost every fish in the river or lake will feed on them. I recall, several

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years back, when one of our guides (Rex Gudgel) was absolutely slaying the carp on Lake Hartwell as they rose to take Cicadas off the surface. Another reason I have such a fascination with these monster bugs goes back to my childhood and summers at the pond. My dad taught me at a young age how to catch a June bug and tie a thread to one of their legs. Kids nowadays have radio-controlled planes. We had better. We had something with a pilot that would fly around and around our heads until we tired of it and cut them loose. Cicadas (July Flies) were simply impressive due to their size, like something out of a Godzilla movie or, at least, The Ten Commandments. We’ll get smaller hatches of Cicadas in Georgia in the next few years. There will be one next summer in 2021. After that, we’ll have one in 2024 and again in 2025. If you want to start planning now, you can go to www.cicadamania.com. Of all the uncertainties in our lives, I think we can count on Cicadas to be there when they say they’ll be there.

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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD

The Casting Corner: Accuracy By Rene J. Hesse

hy do some fly casters seem to catch more fish than others? It is a combination of things, obviously, but given the same fly and fishing the same water, some fly anglers just catch more. Want to know why? I guess you already know the answer due to the title of the article. Do you want to know how? Here are some tips for catching more fish using accuracy as the focus. Let’s start with the target. Knowing where you want the fly to land before you start your casting sequence is very important. If you are wanting to land the fly next to a tree stump, just past the lily pad, just short of the bank in a little black piece of water, look only at the black piece of water. Narrow your focus down to the size of an average fly box. Now, look at it again and visualize the path the line will need to take to get there. Picture the loop size and plane off vertical, trajectory

and distance needed to drop it in that little black piece of water. Now start your cast. We don’t always have the luxury of making the first back cast straight away from the target, but we can

make the first forward cast to it. Watch that loop. Was it off to the left, right, too high a trajectory, or too short? This is our gauge on what to do with the back cast and forward cast coming up. Make your

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adjustments while in your back cast, and then pick up your target with a strong visual focus. As you focus on the target, you will be seeing the loop forming as the line approaches. If it is not what you want, adjust in the back cast and visualize the line path to the target before you start your next forward cast. If you really want to get your fly up under the trees, or right in front of the fish’s nose, or between two logs, you have to see the cast develop before you make the cast. Observe the line path as you focus on the target, but really see the target. This is no easy task, but most things worthwhile are not easy. Train you brain to focus, and the casting will become almost as much fun as catching a fish. You can always challenge yourself with a cast, but you can’t always count on the fish to strike.

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Become a Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer

pplications for the 57th NCWRC Basic Academy are now open. The Basic Academy is scheduled to begin in January 2021. Please go to the Careers in North Carolina page to apply. We appreciate your interest in becoming a Law Enforcement Officer with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers enforce state and federal game, fish and boating laws in the state of North Carolina by: • Patrolling fields, forests and inland waters via automobiles, boats, ATVs and on foot. • Reporting to a Sergeant and patrolling a district either alone or as part of a patrol. • Checking licenses of hunters and fisherman and examining the game or fish taken to determine compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. • Seizing illegal hunting and fishing devices and all game and fish taken illegally. • Investigating violations,

•

arresting violators and presenting court testimony. Investigating conditions and recommending whether to issue permits to private citizens to raise game or fish in captivity, or to trap and net game or fish. Checking boats for proper certification and boating equipment and observing boat operation for detection and apprehension of reckless or impaired operators. Assisting in search and rescue operations for the victims of boating accidents or for lost hunters and anglers. Experiencing considerable public contact, often explaining game, fish and boat laws and regulations to individuals and organizations and presenting safety promotion programs. Applying knowledge of

state and federal laws and regulations relating to the protection and management of game and fish, boating and North Carolina game and fish species, their habitats and natural requirements. • Demonstrating skilled use of firearms and hunting and fishing equipment as well as outboard motor boats, automobiles and other vehicles. • Maintaining routine records and writing standard reports in the pursuit of duties.

Applicant Requirements • All candidates must pass extensive background and psychological screening, and complete a vigorous 28-week training academy before

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receiving a field assignment. • Be 20 years of age at the time of final exam. • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience. • Demonstrate a 10th grade reading comprehension level to be sworn as a law enforcement officer in North Carolina. • Never been charged with or convicted of a felony; never been charged with or convicted of certain misdemeanors within five years of date of application. • When necessary, be willing to relocate anywhere in North Carolina for training or permanent assignment.

The Application Process

The selection process is highly competitive. Applications are only accepted when there is a need for more wildlife officers and a recruit training academy has been scheduled. Typically, the agency receives nearly 2,000 applications, while class size

Continued, see WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT 21

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Improve Your Efficiency And Catch More Fish

uro-Nymphing has become an extremely popular technique, and many people say they catch more fish than ever using it. While it is very effective, I think some of the reasons folks catch more fish using the technique is the increased efficiency it can create. First, let me define what I mean by efficiency. It is maximizing the time my flies drift through the most productive water. So let’s talk about ways we can improve. Ditch the False Cast – Yes, sometimes it is needed. However, many times – actually I would argue most of the time, it is not necessary. Just pick up the line at the end of your drift and recast. Not only will you keep your flies in front of fish more often, you will also keep them out of trees more often. Practice Rigging – When I started getting serious about

By Stephen Tomasovich

fishing, I would sit and practice tying the handful of knots I most frequently use. I suggest you find the way to tie them which most fits your dexterity. In a half day of fishing, I might change flies twenty times so, if I cut 60 seconds off my rigging time, it will give me 20 more minutes with flies in the water. Oh, and swallow your pride and get cheaters if you need them (the author should take note I have been fighting this). Limit Your Casting Distance – Most of our bodies of water allow us to wade within 25 feet of our targets. Don’t make a 50 foot cast if you can wade to within 25 feet of that spot. Long casts tend

18 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

JULY 2020

to produce m e n d i n g nightmares, too much slack or drag, spook fish by overlining, and often require multiple false casts. If you are the guy that feeds line out at the end of his drift to get another ten feet, please STOP! You are not well connected to your flies, the drift is unnatural at that point, and you could have recast into a more productive drift in the time it takes to feed line out. Learn to Read Water and

Pattern Fish – Watch videos, read books, or hire a guide to help you read water. You will be able to identify where the fish are likely to be, which is key. Once you start catching fish, make a mental note of where you caught them. Did the majority come from the tail out of pools? Was it the front end of runs? Riffles? Once you figure out where they are feeding the most, you can spend more time fishing similar water types. While fish might be holding in all of these water types on a given day, fish that are feeding the most are often found in a similar type of water. 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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast July 2020 By Preston Harden

As of 6-11 20 - Water temp.-84 degrees, Water level- full pool

uly can be hot. The fishing in Lake Hartwell can be hotter. July means looking deeper and farther down the lake for stripers and hybrids. Most bass, especially spotted bass, move off the bank to brush and structure in deeper water. Look for stripers and hybrids from mid-lake to the dam. In June, the thermocline forms in the creeks and up the river arms. The stripers and hybrids migrate down lake looking for cool oxygenated water. They group up in big schools. A good sonar unit is important to find the schools in deep water. They will eat a lively herring lowered to right

above the fish. Artificials that will work include a big spoon or a 1 oz. Jig and a 5 inch swim bait. The spotted bass also group up on offshore structure. There are not many largemouth left in the main lake as spots have taken over. The largemouth bass get pushed to the backs of creeks in shallow water. The spots rule the main lake. I like the spots because they are easy to catch and are good to eat. They fight better than largemouth bass. Bass tournament anglers like to catch largemouth bass because they get bigger.

Preston Harden / Bucktail Guide Service/ 706-255-5622 / bucktailguideservice.net

Lake Russell By Wendell Wilson

The best thing about fishing this month is probably the consistency; something we have not had at all during the spring months. The weather will be warm in the mornings and hot in the afternoons, with a chance of thunderstorms in the evenings. You can get in the boat with shorts and a shirt and not worry about getting cold or having to bring a jacket. The mornings are pleasant and, for that reason, we start at daylight and finish by noon. The fish are in the summer patterns and feeding in the warm water. The stripers are either deep or in the cooler waters upriver. They can be caught on live herring presented at the level they are holding. Bass fishing is better early in the morning or late in the afternoon. They will be on main lake points where the

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Dan Keever with a wonderful lake Russell crappie.

current sweeps by, bringing baitfish near the feeding areas. Crappie will be on brush piles in 20-30 feet of water and biting minnows 10-15 feet down.

Wendell Wilson / Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide Service / 706-283-3336

JULY 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 19

Another Try

By Karl Ekberg

ummertime in the South is upon us here in the South Carolina mountains. Warm days, afternoon thunderstorms, and fly fishing for trout, bass, and panfish - How much better can it get? Water heights and flows have been great, and will continue as long as we continue to get substantial rains every three days or so. Avoiding the summertime heat will always be a concern, all we can do is pray every year that we receive a cooler than average summer. Above average rainfall has the water table in good shape as we approach the summer months, although any bit of precipitation and high heat will raise water temperatures to a level unfavorable for trout. Wondering if you should bring the waders? Leave them at home and just bring the wading boots, we have been wet wading now for over a month, which has made for enjoyable days on the rivers. Wading socks will fill the void of the neoprene from the waders, and we have a couple of

great options here at the shop. For the bass and panfish on the fly, the lower stretches of the river are fishing well. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s and the fish are active. Fishing both top water and subsurface have produced good numbers of fish. Finding the back eddies, and slower water areas of the river have been the spots to target. A small pack, plenty of fluids (to keep hydrated), a small fly box, a good pair of polarized sun glasses, and exploring waters you might not normally fish - what a way to spend a summer day…And did we mention, catching fish on a fly rod. For the trout fishing, early mornings until 11:00am have been good along with early evenings until dark, as daytime temperatures fall off, late in the day. Pick your “cup of tea”, as we have had tremendous successful days with dry flies, streamers,

20 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

JULY 2020

nymphs, and terrestrials. During the sunny days, target the overhanging foliage of the riverbanks, and the shaded areas of the rivers. Also look for deeper runs, as the fish will seek thermal refuge during the heat of the day. While out on your day of fishing, expect afternoon thunderstorms and the river level

to rise slightly. Although it may not be raining where you’re fishing, the river level may start to rise as rain may come over the river upstream. Be sure to keep an eye on the water level around you. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers and let all of us remember to Leave No Trace!

Karl and Karen Ekberg are co-owners of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832-A Highlands Hwy, Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 and visit their website at www.chattoogariverflyshop.com.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Tracking Patterns

By Scott Norton

ow that the spawn in the higher altitudes is finished, tracking bass should be easy as they are on their way back to the deep holes in the main lake. Some bass will stay behind and go into shallow holes. Nobody knows what tells a bass to go deep or shallow, except the preferred food is in those areas. You will see bass spread out from the bedding areas to the main lake. They are looking to feed up, so this will be a fun time for people to get some great catches. Once they reach their destination, bass will start schooling up and this will cause some competitive feeding. In the shallow water, they will wolf-pack and fight over food. You can find them running up and down the shoreline. Bass in deeper water on structures will school and fire up if you fish through them with fast reactive lures, such as a crank bait. Their forage will be shad, bluegill, perch, and crappie. Lures

that will imitate these food sources are what you want to have in your line-up. Your color selection can be used with other baits as well. Colors like orange, green, and purple will relate to bluegill. White, chrome, and bone will relate to shad. These color patterns will do very well for jigs and worms. If the water gets murky, switch to brighter colors whereas, in muddy water darker colors will be more visible for those bass. Early morning hours, until the sun hits the water, you can take advantage of a shad spawn. Flukes and walking baits are some of the best ways to catch them. You’ll want a weedless set up, since they spawn super shallow for these moments. When the sun comes up, they will back off into deeper water. most fisherman go home, but if drawing power than a glide bait. I A lipless crank bait is perfect for you switch gears, you can fish always have some kind of follow-up this scenario. the shadow line or docks. At this bait just in case they don’t bite it. After the morning bite is done Soon the night fishing will be time, bass become very predictable and easy to catch. I had success ramping up with everyone’s favorite: a glide bait close to shade topwater fishing. With so many WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT continued from page 17 throwing lines and when the big ones come options to fish, there’s something academy are placed with a veteran nosing at it, they give up their for all who want to participate. It is averages 20 positions. The initial phase of the application wildlife officer for at least six months location. I used a senko to skip it a very exciting time to be out there, process consists of a Modified POPAT for on-the-job field training. Upon under vegetation to catch bass that especially after staying home for a completion of on-the-job field won’t commit. Nothing has more few months. and Reading Comprehension Test. training, a permanent assignment is made. The officer remains stationed Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is Required Physical a long-time hunter, angler and weekend warrior. He is a member of Southern in their permanent assignment until Capabilities Raft Supply’s prostaff, representing them in his Jackson Kayak Coosa FD. the officer requests a lateral transfer, In addition to being in an is transferred by the agency or is excellent physical condition, promoted. candidates must meet vision, hearing, and other sensory perception Additional standards. Maintaining a healthy Recommendations physical regimen is a required part of job performance upon becoming a While not required, criminal wildlife officer. justice courses at the university Recruit Training Academy or community college level are recommended prior to application. and Field Training A thorough knowledge of fish Assignments and wildlife species native to North Carolina is preferred. The majority of the 28 weeks Recruits receive Basic Law of basic law enforcement training Enforcement Training (BLET) is held at the North Carolina curriculum mandated by the Justice Academy in Salemburg, Department of Justice, Training NC. Recruits are housed in dorms Standards Division, during the with fellow recruits. The training is training academy. So in most cases, highly structured (very active, with prior BLET certification is not 5:30 a.m. physical training most necessary. mornings). The training academy It is strongly recommended for usually begins in late January with candidates to maintain a physical graduation in late June. training routine while awaiting Graduates of the training application opportunity. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

JULY 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 21

DIY Guide to Kayaking

By: William Reed Nucanoe National Pro Staff Writer • will@nucanoe.com • IG: @wde_will

aving the right accessories within arm’s reach could be the difference between a great day and a bad day on the water. Looking at bass boats, they have every feature installed, including the kitchen sink. Today’s fishing kayaks can be fully outfitted as well; less that kitchen sink. I am a firm believer in only having what is needed. The addition of too much gear can create a cluttered space and take away from the functional use of your kayak. After all, fishing kayaks took off for the mere concept of being able to get anglers easily into places big boats couldn’t dream of going, and catching trophy fish in those places. The last thing we want is to lose that trophy because our line is tangled on that new “must have” accessory. When I first began kayak fishing, the only equipment that made the trip with me were my rods and my paddle. Space was limited and stability was questionable. In today’s kayak fishing scene, you will

quickly notice anglers with ten rods, dozens of Plano boxes, a Lazyboy for a seat, and more electronics than a tournament bass boat. Kayak manufacturers such as Nucanoe are even rated for a 2.5 HP gas motor that bridges the gap between a kayak and a boat. As sit-on-top kayaks became the norm for kayak anglers, manufacturers quickly took notice. They began incorporating gear tracks for mounting accessories while other companies began making plug and play accessories that were almost a universal fit. An item one would not typically deem a modification, but is crucial to the angler on long days is the seat. Obtaining the perfect seat, one with height adjustment and lumbar support, means less fatigue and discomfort, which leads to more time on the water. Most of today’s kayaks include

22 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

JULY 2020

some form of storage built in, but never enough. The BlackPak, made by YakAttack is a superior solution for storage. It is capable of holding several Plano boxes, includes 3 vertical rod holders and a lid with closure. Fitting securely behind the seat of your kayak, it is secured using straps or bungee cords for when the water gets rough. Rod holders are essential with many being compatible with the gear track mentioned above. Many manufacturers pre-install the tracking, but if your kayak comes lacking or you need tracking in a different location, additional tracks can be added at home. YakAttack again comes to the rescue offering not only the tracks but other accessories as well. They manufacture a plethora of products to include straps, cup holders, camera mounts, paddle holders, anchor management solutions and

even landing nets. Propulsion being the last of this discussion; there are options. Today’s kayaks can be propelled by paddle or by pedal, or for those with more demand, a motor as well. To highlight Nucanoe, their kayaks come standard for paddling. However, in less than five minutes can be configured with a pedal system, trolling motor or even an outboard. Some companies have ditched the paddle all together and solely cater to pedal kayaks or electric propulsion. Many innovations have opened the door to full-blown kayak fishing tournaments sparking big sponsors while the same innovations have offered accessibility to people with disabilities. There are zero excuses for not outfitting your kayak to suit your individual needs.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 23

Tips for Grilling Fish

rilling fish is one of the biggest challenges in grilling. Just look at all the devices, such as fish baskets, grill pans, etc. designed to make grilling fish possible without it falling apart on the grill. Many people don’t even try, or they wrap fish in foil. That’s not grilling, it’s steaming. However, with a few tips and tools grilling fish can be as easy as grilling a steak. 1. Oil the fish, then season it. Lightly coat with olive oil or avocado oil, if grilling very hot, for fish such as tuna or wahoo. The oil helps the seasoning stick to and penetrate the flesh. The oil also helps when the fish is placed on the grill to prevent sticking. 2. Grill on a HOT / clean grill. Most people don’t grill fish hot enough. Oil the GrillGrates (use a paper towel with Canola oil) just before putting fish on the grill. Don’t touch it! Leave the 3. fish sitting where it hits to allow

Brad Barrett, GrillGrate LLC

searing and better release. Grill 60% of time before turning and cook to finish. One flip is enough. 4. Two skewers are better than one. Smaller shrimp and scallops are ideal to skewer but only one skewer allows them to rotate and some will not turn. Using two skewers solves this dilemma and makes turning all at once easy. 5. Leave the skin on. Think of the skin as a flame shield and flavor saver. Grill skin down and baste but never turn. Marinate for added 6. flavor and moisture. Simple oil and spice mixtures are easy and flavorful. Give the fish a soak prior to grilling. Use GrillGrates. The 7. raised rail design coupled with the and turn with the GrateTool. salmon, mahi mahi, snapper etc. GrateTool make it easy to handle If you are new to grilling Oil and season the fish and grill it fish and prevent sticking. Fish can’t fish, start with firmer fish such as hot and fast like a steak. fall through the grill and the wide, raised rails sear even the most Brad Barrett is the owner of GrillGrate LLC and an avid fisherman who delicate fish, making it easy to lift loves to grill his catch. Find out more at grillgrate.com

24 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

JULY 2020

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From the outset, Blue Otter had a plan to produce the best sunglasses available. With stylish Italian frames crafted to provide comfort and perform under the most rugged conditions, their sunglasses are built for both the avid outdoorsman and the city slick’n bartender. The versatile Oconee model seamlessly blends sport and fashion. For day-to-day use, Oconees are as comfortable as they are good-looking. When it’s time to hit the water, the full-wrap frame protects your eyes through long days on the casting deck with high-tech, 100-percent polarized nylon lenses that provide excellent clarity and contrast as well as extreme durability.

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Flying Fisherman Freeline

Built for fishing, Freeline shades feature a medium fit in a durable, lightweight frame with performance features like non-slip nose pads and temple padding to ensure comfort and fit. Scratch-resistant, AcuTint polarized lenses sharpen optics, reduce eye fatigue and penetrate the water’s surface allowing anglers to spot fish and structure. The AcuTint lens coloring system eliminates glare and enhances color contrast, without distorting natural colors, enhancing visual sharpness and comfort and maximizing the outdoors experience. Available in matte black frames with smoke or smoke-blue mirror lenses, and matte tortoise frames with amber lenses.

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THE BAHAMA S BEGIN TO REOPEN

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Maui Jim’s Southern Cross sunglasses were designed to be timeless with a triple-injected nylon frame in three unique frame colors to match any style. Durable frames in a rectangular wrap shape are perfect for anglers, with a saddle style bridge and embedded rubber nosepads providing comfort during long days on the water. Maui Jim’s Polarized Plus2 lenses eliminate 99.9 percent of glare, block 100 percent of harmful UV and absorb harmful HEV. Their SuperThin Glass provides the crispest optics available and is thinner and lighter than standard glass, with the best scratch and solvent resistance. Certain styles are also available with prescription lenses.

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n June 15, The Bahamas began phase 1 of its Tourism Readiness and Recovery Plan by welcoming international boaters, yachters and private aviation across all the Islands of the Bahamas. Hotels were also allowed to open during phase 1 so that staff could return to work and put in place measures required to ensure readiness to accept guests at the onset of phase 2. Commercial airlines will also be allowed to bring in Bahamian citizens, legal residents, homeowners qualifying for economic permanent residency, or immediate family members or significant others of any of these groups. This is the first step in a phased reopening for the tourism sector that ensures health and safety protocols are being adhered to, and that the health sector remains well equipped and ready to respond if necessary. At presstime, the second phase was scheduled to commence July 1. The phased reopening is subject to change based on COVID-19 trends. For a list of procedures and protocols for boaters entering the Bahamas, see https://bahamasmarinas.com/procedures-and-protocols/.

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JULY 2020

NATIONAL 17

BRING YOUR

A-GAME SECOND CREEK TO

WEST VIRGINIA

By Nick Carter PHOTO BY JACOB OTT

n the mountains of rural southeastern West Virginia, Second Creek has gained a reputation for large, sometimes difficult brown trout. It is a hatchery-supported, spring-fed tributary to the Greenbrier River that runs the Monroe/Greenbrier county line near the Virginia border. Second Creek is a long way from anywhere, with the nearest major population center being Roanoke, Va. some two hours away. But if you happen to be in the area, perhaps to fish for smallmouth on the Greenbrier or New rivers, Second Creek is definitely a worthwhile side

trip. It features a mile and a half of water regulated year-round for catch-and-release, fly fishing only. That’s not a whole lot of water to fish, and it does receive pressure, yet the allure of large cagey browns—as well as a few rainbows—rising to dry flies is enough to warrant a trip to this out-of-the-way gem south of Ronceverte. “That stream is a bug factory, and it’s different day to day and pool to pool,” said Jacob Ott, of Otters Guide Service. “If you’re looking to throw dry flies, and if the water conditions are fishable, something will be rising.”

Whether it’s terrestrials like Japanese beetles in summer or tiny midges in winter, bugs bring fish to the surface year-round in clear, mostly shallow water. Black stoneflies, blue-winged olives, sulphurs, March browns and others will be present in spatterings at different times of year. But the black caddis hatch is a highlight. From roughly April into July, Ott said mid-morning brings them on like clockwork. “When it hits, it’s on. It’s a full-bore, blizzard caddis hatch,” he explained. “Once it starts, it will happen at pretty much the same time every day until it ends.” These are small black caddis. Ott throws a simple size 16 or 18 CDC caddis pattern. He’ll hedge his bet by dropping a soft hackle or a Fox’s Pupae—or both—beneath the dry fly. “You’ve got to be on your A game. It’s smaller, clear water that gets pressure from some good anglers,” Ott warned. “By the end of the season, we’re fishing 7x and 8x tippet and long 12foot leaders. It’s technical fishing that requires accurate casts, good drifts and stealthy wading.” For such a technical stream, it’s worth getting the help of a professional for first-timers who hope to catch a few fish. Contact Otters Guide Service through their website ottersguide.com, call (304) 667-8337 or e-mail ottersguide@gmail. com. For maps, GPS coordinates and tactics for the Southeast’s best trout waters, get a copy of Nick Carter’s book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It’s available on Amazon, and autographed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

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NATIONAL 19

Surf Casting Tips & Techniques

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By Richard Matteson

asting lures on the beach is one the best ways to catch fish. You can catch monster snook, tarpon, kingfish, giant jacks, mackerel, pompano, bluefish, croaker, blue runners and ladyfish. Here are some suggestions to learn how to catch more fish. Gear: I like a 300 series spinning reel with an 8-foot rod. I use 10-pound braid and prefer white for its visibility. I tie in a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader with a double uni knot. A standard reel size for big fish is a 400 or 500 series reel and 20-pound braid. For tarpon, you’ll need at least 50-pound braid and a 60-pound leader. Go at the right time: Early morning is the best time to fish the beach. Baitfish are close to the shore and schooling near the surface at daybreak. The next best time to fish is in the evening about an hour before dark. Consider the tide: As long as the water is moving and there’s bait around, you’ll catch fish. Dead high or dead low are the two worst times to fish. Low tide pushes fish away from the trough, which is the deep cut near the shoreline. The trough is a fish highway and feeding area. Find the bait: When bait is present, so are the fish and birds. If there are no birds in the area, I go to another beach. Sometimes bait will be a hundred yards away, and you can walk the beach to find it. Consider the weather: If it’s a calm day with light wind or the wind is at your back, you can throw a light 1/8-ounce jig or a light spoon. Heavy winds and surf mean you’ll need some weight to cast far enough to be effective. Cast and Retrieve: You need to be in contact with the lure as soon as it hits the water. Before the lure hits the water, close the bail and retrieve any slack. When the fish hits, you need a good hook set and constant pressure. I use a number of retrieves. My favorite is to keep the jig or spoon near the surface with a steady retrieve. Keep your rod tip high and jiggle the lure to give it action. Another good retrieve is letting the lure hit the bottom then jerking it up toward the surface. Waves: Usually fish are behind a wave being pulled in the direction of the wave. Sometimes, they are inside the bottom of a wave or below the wave in the trough. Do not cast directly into a breaking wave. Not only do you lose contact with the lure, fish have a hard time finding the lure in the surf. When the lure gets caught in a wave, reel faster. Do not lose contact with it. Except for snook, or if the bait is on the beach, most fish will be caught on secondary waves beyond the first breakers. When a wave is approaching the lure from behind and pulls the lure, be sure to reel slower or stop reeling until you feel the wave pushing the lure.

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reat white sharks are fearsome predators, but what can you say about an animal that takes a white shark, breaks its pectoral girdle and then bites out its liver before discarding the rest of the carcass? According to Monga Bay News, that’s exactly what orcas were doing to great white and sevengill sharks in False Bay, South Africa before both shark species vacated the bay in 2019. Following the discovery of numerous washed-up shark carcasses with the same tell-tale injuries, many researchers are pointing to orcas as the reason white sharks are gone from an area once famed for cage-diving. Two orcas in particular, named Port and Starboard, arrived in the bay in 2015. Marine biologist Alison Kock was the first to describe this brutal and novel feeding technique. “Teeth marks clearly pointed to orcas as the predators,” wrote Monga Bay’s Heather Richardson. “Sharks’ livers are rich in fat and make up a third of their total weight, so it’s no surprise these incredibly intelligent predators target this nutritious organ.” Orca predation and long-line fishing that targets shark prey species are the two predominant theories being floated for the disappearance of white sharks from False Bay and the coast of Gansbaai. Scientists, however, are quick to point out that shark numbers have increased in other areas of the South African coast. Liver-eating killer whales in the neighborhood is a pretty good reason to move.

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NATIONAL 21

Clouser Fishing WITH THE MAN HIMSELF By Capt. Michael Mauri

ob Clouser is a legend in the fly fishing world. His Clouser Deep Minnow is one of the most versatile flies ever created, and his innovative fly designs have driven the evolution of the sport. I met Bob at the Somerset Fly Fishing Show over a decade ago. I remember how excited I was to meet the real Bob Clouser. From there, we saw each other every year at the shows, and I always enjoyed our chats. But we never got to fish together until recently, when Bob and his wife Jackie came to Stuart, Fla. to get in on our great Treasure Coast fishing. When Bob and Jackie arrived, the weather was nice and the fish were on fire, but it was a busy Sunday on the water. It was unusually busy for this time of year, but since 2020 is everything but normal, we had to make the best of it. I checked a few spots and found a good school of bait with some nice snook in it. It is still amazing to see 30 or 40 snook busting bait all at the same

time. Bob and Jackie were blown away, and you could tell they were excited! Since Bob was the oldest, he had the right-of-way to start, and it wasn’t hard to convince him to do so. I tied on a little white fly for him and his cast was dead on, naturally. Strip, strip and the first fish of the day was on. Seeing Bob’s excitement made my day. Within a few more casts, Bob pulled two more snook out of the same school before he turned the rod over to Jackie. It took her just a few casts to hook into a big snook, and the tug of war was on. She stood her ground until the leader broke. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. This one really hurt. Jackie soldiered on, and it didn’t take long for her to hook up again. This one was smaller, but who cares! It was a great catch, anyway. Jackie caught a few more before we decided to run back to the dock. What a great day! I’m very excited the Clousers were impressed with our fishery in Stuart, and that they will be back regularly. I look forward to visits filled with new

stories. Bob has a deep history in fly fishing, and each tale always ends with his even deeper sense of humor. Having worked in the fly fishing industry for more than 22 years, I’ve met a lot of the legends. Bob is pretty much on top. It is not only his knowledge and how humble he is, Bob’s passion and excitement for trying something new is endless. Bob Clouser is the real deal. He loves our sport and has done so much for it. If you want to get an original Clouser, tied by him, go to www. clousersflyshop.com.

The Return of a

Capt. Michael Mauri can be reached at www.mauriflyfishing.com, michaelmauri@ mauriflyfishing.com or (772) 485-3321.

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NATIONAL 23

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tlantic striped bass are among the most heavily targeted recreational species in the United States. In 2017, nearly 18 million angler trips targeted or caught striped bass. Striped bass harvest, by weight, was the largest of all recreationally targeted species in the nation. In 2019, a new benchmark assessment found the stock to be overfished and experiencing overfishing. “Anglers place a relatively high value on catching trophy-sized stripers—fish that are about 34 inches or longer in total length,” said Andrew Carr-Harris, co-author of a January 2020 study with colleague Scott Steinback. “But trophysized stripers are almost exclusively part of the female spawning stock, and if too many are removed from the fishery the stock has trouble rebuilding.” High levels of removals were found to have contributed to a steady decline in the numbers of female spawners during the last decade. A mandated harvest reduction in 2015 from two fish to one fish, 28 inches or longer, did little to increase the female spawning stock. In 2017 the stock was at a 25-year low.

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Researchers wanted to better understand what policies might work to rebuild the fishery while minimizing adverse impacts to anglers. Carr-Harris and Steinback evaluated the immediate economic and biological impacts of different recreational Atlantic striped bass fishing policies. Results were published in Frontiers in Marine Science. The first step was to understand angler behavior. Data from a survey of 469 recreational anglers who fish coastal waters from Maine through Virginia were integrated into a model that simulated the effects of policy changes in trip expectations, fishing mortality and female spawning stock biomass. This approach examined the economic and biological consequences of full or partial harvest restrictions on trophy-sized striped bass. To date, these restrictions have not been considered in policymaking.

Dozens of Possible Options Evaluated “We found that there are many economically efficient management policies available if the primary objective is to control fishing mortality, but few policies if the primary objective is to protect female spawning stock biomass,” Steinback said. “Of the 36 possible policies we evaluated, only one achieved the intended reduction in fishing mortality while at the same time mitigating removals of the mature females.” That policy was taking one-fish per trip in the harvest slot of 28 to 36 inches. Implementing that policy achieved a significant reduction in both total and female spawning stock removals. This policy produced only a slight reduction in angler welfare, due to the relatively low rate at which striped bass larger than 36 inches are encountered. “Our findings provide empirical evidence supporting the recent decision made by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to direct Atlantic coastal states to eliminate minimum size restrictions for striped bass in 2020 and instead impose a slot limit of 28 to 35 inches to reduce spawning stock mortality,” Carr-Harris said.

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Summertime Flounder

By Michael Okruhlik

argeting flounder is most likely not on your mind in July. This is typically a conversation for fall, when flat fish embark on their annual migration to open water to spawn. However, for those who love to bring a few of these tasty fish home from time to time, don’t count on the fall flounder run to stock your freezer. It’s worth knowing a new trick to satisfy your taste buds year-round. I primarily fish the Texas Gulf Coast, and while the exact timing of flounder movements will vary depending on where you fish, the patterns will be similar. Apply these tactics in your home waters, and I bet you’ll find a few flounder for the supper table. During spring, flounder slowly trickle back into the bays from their short stay in open water. This is more of a gradual entry than their exit, and it doesn’t draw the crowds of the fall migration. Although you can target spring fish with the same techniques as fall, the timing is more difficult to judge. I feel they spend some time running the beachfront as they find their way back into the passes, bays and finally into the marshes.

I have caught many more flounder on plastics, even when fishing side by side with others using shrimp. As a rule of thumb, I prefer white colored lures or something that imitates a mullet or shad. The areas I target are drain openings on an outgoing tide. These drains can be small; 1 to 2 feet of width is all it takes. The key is the size of the marsh behind it. As long as there is sufficient water to hold bait, it’s perfect. Flounder stage at the opening of large drains as well, but no drain is too small. The key to catching flounder is to keep the lure in constant contact with the bottom. Pointing the rod tip to the water, utilize a sweeping motion. Twitch the lure to kick up mud and sand, and then pause. Hold your horses when you feel that first tap from a flounder. Wait patiently for a second and usually a quick third tap before making a solid hookset! Unlike trout, flounder will hold onto a soft plastic. I feel they want to cripple their meal before they swallow it.

PHOTO COURTESY CAPT. TIM CUTTING

July through September is a great time to target flounder in the Texas back bays and marshes. Look for bait to determine the timing where you fish. These shallow estuaries will be teeming with juvenile shrimp, mullet, shad and a host of other flounder food sources. I like to use soft plastic swimbait/paddletail style lures. In my experience, flounder prefer fish over shrimp. That’s why I choose this style of lure.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik invented Knockin Tail Lures and Controlled Descent Lures. He owns www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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JULY 2020

NATIONAL 25

A WORLD RECORD ALMOST...

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n May 30, David Anderson set out alone at about 9 p.m. to fish from the bank at Tennessee’s Nickajack Lake. A few hours later, he really could’ve used some help when a 103-pound blue cat picked up his nightcrawler and began peeling line off the reel. With a medium-action rod and 12-pound monofilament, Anderson was in for the fight of a lifetime. It took about an hour for Anderson to get the fish shallow enough to wade in and net it. “I saw it roll, and I saw the tail fan,” reported Anderson to TWRA. “I was in disbelief. I put the net under the fish, and it dropped its head and bent the net. “It was like I was walking a dog, and then it would walk me!” As he retreated to shallower water, Anderson tried to scoop the fish with the bent net, which completely broke. “I was not going to let this fish get away after the fight, and I gathered both net and fish and took them to the bank,” said Anderson. Weighed on certified scales, the huge catfish came up a few pounds shy of the 112-pound state record, which was caught by Robert E. Lewis on the Cumberland River in 1998. Fisheries Biologist Mike Jolley said the fish was at least 25 years old.

26 NATIONAL

JULY 2020

fishing guide enjoying the rare opportunity to actually fish caught a new Oklahoma record paddlefish on May 23. The 143-pound behemoth is just a pound shy of the rod-and-reel world record. Jeremiah Mefford, who operates Reel Good Time Guide Service, was fishing with his family on Keystone Lake when he snagged the huge paddlefish. Weighed on certified scales, it broke the existing state record by 10.5 pounds. Mefford’s is a huge fish by any measure, but paddlefish get even larger. Back in February, an estimated 157-pounder was also caught from Keystone. That fish would have shattered the 144-pound world record caught in Kansas in 2004, but regulations called for the immediate release of the potential world record. The new state record was also released back into Keystone after being weighed on certified scales by an Oklahoma fisheries biologist. That means there are at least two future world records swimming in this Arkansas River impoundment outside of Tulsa. Mefford’s catch was 76 inches long with a girth of 44.5 inches. The previous state record weighed 132 pounds, 8 ounces. It was snagged about two years ago by Larry Dale Morphew out of the Arkansas River. Paddlefish are primitive fish with a fossil record that shows them sharing the world with dinosaurs some 75 million years ago. American paddlefish roam the Mississippi Basin and feed on zooplankton, so snagging them is the most effective method to catch them on rod and reel.

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Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 07/01/20 and 09/30/20 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. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 07/01/20 and 09/30/20. 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. 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 creditworthiness. $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 07/01/20 and 09/30/20. “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. © 2020 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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6/9/2020 1:45:55 PM

Secrets of a Billionaire Revealed “Price is what you pay; value is what you get. Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.” — wisdom from the most successful investor of all time

e’re going to let you in on a secret. Billionaires have billions because they know value is not increased by an inflated price. They avoid big name markups, and aren’t swayed by flashy advertising. When you look on their wrist you’ll find a classic timepiece, not a cry for attention–– because they know true value comes from keeping more money in their pocket. We agree with this thinking wholeheartedly. And, so do our two-and-a-half million clients. It’s time you got in on the secret too. The Jet-Setter Chronograph can go up against the best chronographs in the market, deliver more accuracy and style than the “luxury” brands, and all for far, far less. $1,150 is what the Jet-Setter Chronograph would cost you with nothing more than a different name on the face. With over two million timepieces sold (and counting), we know a thing or two about creating watches people love. The Jet-Setter Chronograph gives you what you need to master time and keeps the superfluous stuff out of the equation. A classic in the looks department and a stainless steel power tool of construction, this is all the watch you need. And, then some. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the Jet-Setter Chronograph for 30 days. If you’re not convinced you got excellence for less, send it back for a refund of the item price. Time is running out. Now CLIENTS LOVE that the secret’s out, we STAUER WATCHES… can’t guarantee this $39 chronograph will stick around long. Don’t overpay to be “The quality of their underwhelmed. Put a precision watches is equal to many chronograph on your wrist for that can go for ten times just $39 and laugh all the way the price or more.” to the bank. Call today! — Jeff from McKinney, TX

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JUNE 2020

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