The Angler Magazine | March 2023 | Great Smoky Mountains & The Upstate Edition

Ifyou’re anything like my dad, you give your family everything. Your name, your time, your values — the people in your life know they can depend on you for practically anything. In exchange for imparting all of this energy and experience, you expect nothing in return.

e point? You deserve to treat yourself once in a while. You do so much for the people you care about. Now it’s time to focus on you for just a few minutes. at’s where the Men’s Due Volta Watch comes in. is astonishing innovation provides a digital readout that’s powered by a precise quartz engine, combining both analog and digital timekeeping.

Out tted with a stopwatch, alarm, a.m./p.m. settings, and day, date and month complications, this timepiece stands out from the crowd. With its large face and handsome, masculine design, this watch is perfect for the back nine and the happy hour afterwards. Water-resistant up to 3 ATM, this timepiece won’t wimp out if you have a run-in with a water hazard. Other hybrid watches can sell for thousands of dollars, but because we’ve built more than 1 million watches, we know how to create real value. at’s why we can o er this timepiece for just $59! If you’re not completely satis ed with this watch, return it for a full refund.

Act quickly! is one-of-a-kind watch has been one of our fastest sellers this year. Of our original run of 2,872, we only have 389 left for this ad! In the last couple of years there’s been a watch shortage, but Stauer has got you covered. If you’re the kind of man who gives everything and expects nothing in return, it’s time to treat yourself.

Watch Speci cations:

• Complications: stopwatch, alarm, a.m./p.m. settings, and day, date and month

• Precision movement chronograph

• Stainless steel caseback and crown

• Water-resistant to 3 ATM

Men’s Due Volta Watch $399 $59* + S&P Save $320

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

A MODERN-DAY TED WILLIAMS

By A. DeGruchy

Major League Baseball’s JD Martinez has garnered a lot of accolades, including three Silver Sluggers, a Hank Aaron Award and MLB Player of the Year. e man is a vetime All-Star! What some folks might not know about the former Boston Red Sox turned Los Angeles Dodger is he’s also an avid sherman.

Growing up in Miami, he o en escaped to sh the Florida Keys. rough the years, that passion never faded. He now lives in Islamorada and spends the o season shing with Capt. Brandon “ e Bean” Storin.

Capt. Bean grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and has vacationed every year in the Keys since he was 5 years old. He shed with Capt. Jimmy Willcox, who inspired a dream to become a backcountry guide. In 2021, e Bean ful lled his dream.

Together, JD and Capt. Bean have made memories while landing some awesome sh. eir rst trip in the Islamorada backcountry produced JD’s personal-best tripletail. It was JD’s rst time tripletailing, and they were sight-casting buoys. Just like hitting a 95-mph fastball, timing and execution are everything, and JD made the perfect cast when they spotted a stud tripletail. Several runs and exhales later, Bean swooped deep and netted the 20-plus-pound

beast. It was JD’s rst, and it is a personal best that will take some work to beat.

Another epic adventure took place during a sunset black n tuna mission. Capt. Bean knew ns, and they used light spinning tackle to make it more fun. It didn’t take more than a couple minutes for JD to get tight on a monster n. All you could hear was the reel screaming, and the rod was doubled over the whole ght. It was JD’s personal-

full-grown one to boot.

On their most recent adventure, Capt. Bean and JD were bottom shing for mutton snapper when an unexpected bite inhaled a whole ballyhoo. It ended up being an almost record-breaking yellowtail snapper, which at 29 inches was the sh of a lifetime. Gray’s taxidermy commemorated the yellowtail to add to JD’s mount collection, along with the aforementioned tripletail.

JD is a good angler, and he is not the rst Red Sox slugger to nd a shing home on Islamorada. Ted Williams, considered by many to be the greatest hitter of all time, played for the Sox from 1939-1960. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, and he is also a member of the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame. Williams resided and shed in Islamorada for bone sh and tarpon with legendary Capt. Jimmy Albright. It is said he became as good an angler as any of the guides.

MLB and the Islamorada backcountry have a shared history. Capt. Bean and JD continue adding to the legends to this day.

Follow JD Martinez (@jdmartinez28) and Capt. Bean (@bnmbean) on Instagram. Some of their adventures are featured on YouTube at Bean Sport shing TV.

Noodling for Cat sh...what have I gotten myself into?

is past summer, I wanted to do something exciting and di erent with my friends for my “bachelorette” getaway. I always thought noodling would be a cool experience.

If you’re not familiar with noodling, it’s a technique anglers use to catch cat sh with their hands. In the lead-up to the spawn, cat sh nd holes in the banks where they will eventually lay and guard their eggs. It’s up to the angler to locate either a natural hole or a strategically placed box that a cat sh has decided to call home. e angler then sticks their hand into the hole, triggering the cat sh to chomp down on their hand and forearm. en, it’s a wrestling match to the surface.

e athead cat sh we pursued don’t have teeth, but they do grow large, with some sh reaching well over 50 pounds. It takes all your strength to get them out of their happy place and up to the surface to become sh celebrities.

Because it takes place during the spawn, this style of shing has become almost 100-percent catch-and-release for many noodlers. A er a few photos, sh are released safely to return to their holes and continue spawning duties.

When my two best friends and I le the familiar clear Florida waters for the beautiful state of Alabama, we had the goal to get one of these monster cats to bite... our arms. I’m not going to lie; I was a bit nervous getting on the boat. It was beautiful and peaceful on the river,

TO REMEMBER

By Deidra Thrappas

but the water is murky like chocolate milk and the banks are muddy. Shoes are highly recommended.

When I entered the water at our rst spot, it kind of hit me: “What have I gotten myself into?” But there was no turning back. Our guide located the wooden box he had planted earlier in the season and instructed me to hold my breath and lie on the bottom while slowly sliding my hand into the hole.

At rst there was nothing. en… WHAM! It was like a toothless gator grabbed me. I had been instructed to grab that sucker by its lower jaw with both hands and not to let go. So that’s what I did. A er a brief struggle, I had a dandy on the surface staring right at me! rough the day, we tried many holes, some empty and some with sh. Each time we stopped, the anticipation and excitement were the same as at the rst hole. It was a great experience, and I plan to go again soon. If you’ve ever thought of going noodling, I highly recommend it, 10/10.

e noodling season runs from midspring through the summer, depending on the location. Get online and nd a local guide for the area you’re interested in. Feel free to contact me with questions on Instagram @ get_outside_with_deidra or my husband, Capt. Jamie rappas @yellow_dawg_ shing.

Deidra and her husband Capt. Jamie rappas are co-publishers of the Volusia County, Fla. edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.

Historically, gold has proved to be a reliable hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Plus, gold bars are a convenient and popular way to invest in gold. PAMP® gold bars are one of the most trusted gold investment products on the planet.

Who Is PAMP® Suisse?

In a nutshell, PAMP Suisse is the world’s leading independent Precious Metals refiner. An acronym, “PAMP” stands for Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux (“artistic precious metals products,” in French). The company is completely independent of any government, and provides more than half of all the gold bars under 50 grams sold around “the world. They are so well respected in the gold industry, they are assigned as an ‘Approved Good delivery Referee’ to determine the quality of products by the London Bullion Market Association. Located in the southern part of Switzerland in Castel San Pietro, the company was founded in 1977.

The Highest Quality Standards!

PAMP Suisse Minted Gold Bars are certified, assayed, guaranteed, and struck in 999.9% pure gold! These gold bars feature an obverse design portraying Fortuna, the Roman Goddess of fortune and the personification of luck in Roman religions. PAMP Suisse’s exclusive Veriscan® technology uses the metal’s microscopic topography, similar to a fingerprint, to identify any registered product, aiding in the detection of counterfeits. The tamper-evident assay card makes it easy to tell if the bar has been questionably handled, while guaranteeing the gold weight and purity.

Order Now for Doorstep Delivery!

Add gold to your portfolio. PAMP Suisse Minted Gold Bars are available here in a wide variety of sizes—from one gram to one ounce—at competitive prices. PLUS, you’ll receive FREE Shipping on your order over $149. Call right now to get your PAMP Suisse Minted Gold Bars shipped to your door!

PAMP Suisse Minted Gold Bars

1 gm Gold Bar $96 $89 + s/h

2.5 gm Gold Bar $229 $199 + FREE SHIPPING

5 gm Gold Bar $449 $379 + FREE SHIPPING

10 gm Gold Bar $735 $699 + FREE SHIPPING

1 oz Gold Bar $2,229 $2,049 + FREE SHIPPING

FREE SHIPPING! Limited time only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any). Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases. Actual sizes are 11.5 x 19 to 24 x 41 mm

A CHANGE OF PACE

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Today we are going to cruise past the shallow South Texas ats, through the pass, and nd some nearshore rocks loaded with huge legal Texas red snapper! What a di erence a few miles and 68 feet of water can make.

I typically make a handful of trips to the short rigs or rocks o the Texas coast each summer for a change of scenery. On the calm summer days, the mosquito eet (smaller bay boats) breaks the jetties and heads out for kings, cobia and red snapper. ese shallow-water snapper are typically in the 16- to 20-foot range. ey are tasty none the less, but nothing like what you nd close to shore in winter, as I recently observed during my rst winter o shore trip. Recently, we were in between cold fronts and had our rst sunny day in more than a week. Several days of windy, cloudy, cold, rainy days had me longing for some sunny rays. When my brother called and asked if I wanted to join him and his neighbor for some Texas red snapper, I didn’t hesitate to say yes! e photos he sent of the previous trip’s catch were the icing on the cake. e forecast called for 2- to 3-foot seas—which turned out to be less—70degree sunny temps, and wind at 6 knots from the east. is was a one-day window.

When we pulled up to a small set of rocks, there were two other boats there and four rods were doubled over! One of the boats was doing a bag check, and I watched him tossing and counting 15- to 20-pound snapper into the cooler. His count ended at 14, two shy of his limit… and they had two on the line. Keep in mind, at this time my personnel best snapper was about 8 pounds, and everything I was seeing was more than twice that size. e anticipation was high as I waited for the trolling motor to lock in.

Once the trolling motor settled into place, we pinned chunks of squid onto bottom rigs weighted with 8 to 12 ounces of lead and the fun began! It became a bit chaotic with doubles on while trying to coax a 20-pound snapper into an oversized net while still trying to catch one yourself.

It is hard to beat the drag zinging of a king mackerel or the Mack Truck power of a cobia during the calm days of late summer, but I might have to switch my snapper season from summer to winter! When the smallest winter ones are twice the size of your largest summer catch, it’s an easy switch.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures® and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

EAST TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY

CAPTAIN JIM DURHAM FISHING

KY / TN FISHING

REPORT

Owner StriperFun Guide Service, Tennessee and Kentucky Walleye, Bass, Trout, Crappie and Muskie Charters, Superbaittanks.com, Captain Jim Marine Electronics and much more…… DATE OF REPORT: March 2023

Greetings to my readers! I hope that the world finds you and your family doing well!

KENTUCKY MUSKIE CHARTERS - CAVE RUN LAKE

The late Winter and early Spring Muskie fishing on Cave Run Lake in Morehead KY with Kentucky Muskie Charters produces fantastic big Muskie on many days and the occasional 25 pounder as well! We cast Captain Jim “Magic” glide bait lures concentrating on main creek channel points as well as long sandy flats with lots of “hiding place” stumps. Our award-winning guide Bob Kisler can put you on huge fish!

TENNESSEE MUSKIE CHARTERS – DALE HOLLOW LAKE

Similar to Cave Ruin Lake, the late winter and early spring Muskie fishing on Dale Hollow Lake produces fantastic big Muskie on many days with the chance of nailing a true giant of 40 pounds or better! On Dale Hollow, as the owner, I handle the Muskie charters. I troll handmade antique lures (at least 100 years old), concentrating in the backs of creeks in 20 feet of water or less, following old road beds.

Continued, see CAPTAIN JIM FISHING Page 5

Aliens Invade the Mountain South–Again

By David A. Ramsey

The forests, waters and wildlife of the Southern Appalachian Mountains have certainly had their share of environmental invaders over the past three centuries—the great wave of European settlers, beginning in the late 1700s, carving out thousands of farms and homesteads, the axe and saw-wielding armies of loggers in the 1800s, felling vast forests for the wood of westward expansion, the coal industry in the 1900s, digging, stripping, and blowing off mountaintops to fuel the nation’s industries, and finally, the ridgetop and steepslope vacation and residential developers, from whose actions there is no recovery or regeneration—all taking their toll on our mountain ecosystems, our vital rivers, streams and fisheries. Now today, almost unbelievably, the Mountain South faces its most insidious invasion yet from none other than Mother Nature, herself.

This most recent, “natural” marauder comes in many deceptive, sometimes even attractive forms, which infiltrate the mountain landscape with hardly a notice by most people. We have labelled them “exotic invasive species,” though I’d suggest “alien invaders” is more fitting. They include various insects and animals, but most of the attacking horde is made up of non-native, invasive plants, which disrupt and alter native ecosystems, rare species populations, stream and wetland dynamics and vital wildlife habitats. Hence, biologists tell us the bill for about 300 years of non-native plant introduction to our region is now coming due.

With names like multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet and mimosa, some of our worst invaders sound harmless, almost charming. But

it’s important to learn to identify these and other such devil plants and report them to the appropriate land managers. For those who want to join the battle more directly, there are various agencies and conservation groups that need volunteers and other resources to help with their identification, removal, and control programs. A lot of information on these efforts is available online and directly from relevant state, federal and nonprofit sources.

From a mountain angler’s perspective (without counting non-native rainbow and brown trout, brought to the region a hundred years ago), no other alien species has impacted Appalachian wild trout streams as much and over such a short time, as a pinhead-size critter known as the hemlock wooly adelgid. Just since about 2002 this little killer has infected most of the region’s headwater-loving eastern and Carolina hemlocks, including in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Of course, this means trouble for the health of the streams that sustain our only native wild trout species, the much revered brookie.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments for the hemlocks. But the fact they exist in such great numbers, often in some of the wildest, most remote country in the eastern U.S., has made it impossible to avoid a mass die-off. Thus, the subsequent impact on stream temperatures and fish and aquatic insect populations has already been considerable. The good news is that state and federal agencies, partnering with several major university programs, have developed a set of strategies and tools

to prevent this invasion from becoming a full-blown extinction event. No hard numbers are currently available on the dollar costs associated with invasive species in the Southern Appalachians. Defenders of Wildlife states that the cost, nationally, in damages to property and natural resources and control of invasives, is approximately $137 billion per year. As the invasion worsens, the price for fighting it will, no doubt, climb accordingly.

Not to add doom to the gloom, but complicating the battle against invasives, of course, is the massive problem of climate change. Increasing temperatures affecting sensitive habitats can make native species more vulnerable to encroaching non-natives, accelerating the spread and dominance of the invader. Already, there are estimates that approximately 40% of endangered and threatened native species are now significantly impacted by invasives.

It’s a bit hard to wrap an old brain like mine around, but I believe the takeaway in all this is that we’re not just talking about “maybe someday” having less of our favorite game fish to pursue on those hard-earned days off. We’re talking broken natural connections, degraded streams, changing habitats and whole landscapes—future breakdowns of the vital and diverse ecosystems of our cherished region of the world.

But lest we sink too far into the depths of dread and despair, we can take a little comfort in a few facts:

First, some high-powered minds are working overtime on solutions for controlling, repairing, and reversing the damage inflicted by the invaders, as well as heading off many future assaults before they can get a foothold. Second, as we’ve seen since those early times of widescale degradation of the Appalachian environment, our mountain lands and waters are resilient, and with hard work, some money and wise management, they can come back strong from some seriously epic abuse. And finally, we’ve all experienced the power of passion

for something important, something that really matters. What matters more than the natural world that sustains us all?

Let’s turn up the power.

KENTUCKY WALLEYE CHARTERS - LAUREL LAKE

Laurel Lake, located west of Corbin, Kentucky, is one of the top Walleye lakes in America! Our Kentucky Walleye Charter guides are Fred Hoskins and Bracken Castle. They are KY licensed guides who have many years of fishing experience for Walleye on Laurel Lake. We offer both day and night trips. The fishing is phenomenal! We fish live bait and jig under lights on night trips as well as troll and cast Captain Jim “Walleye Magic” lures during day trips, concentrating on where creek channels hit the river channel.

It is great to be alive and be a “free” American! I look forward to seeing all of you this year on the water. Always remember to stop and shake the hand of a person in uniform or wearing garb that shows they are a veteran! Their service is why you speak English, can vote, and can enjoy the freedoms you do!

Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!

With full USCG and State licensing and insurance, all guides who take Captain Jim’s clients (15 guides on 14 waterways) can take you on a safe, fun, and unforgettable fishing adventure! Check out all of our fishing services as well as our exclusive “online” store at www.striperfun.com or call 931-403-2501 to make reservations today.

David Arthur Ramsey is an outdoor photographer, writer and conservationist, born and raised in the mountains of northeastern Tennessee. His outdoor writing and photography have been published locally, regionally and nationally and are most often associated with work to preserve and protect threatened lands and waters throughout the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

CAPTAIN JIM FISHING continued from page 2

By Perry Hensley

On November 19th 2022, my fishing buddy and Slab Happy Pro Staff Member, JD Dyer, and I decided to fish our first ever crappie tournament here in East Tennessee on Cherokee Lake Right off the bat, we were extremely impressed and humbled to be fishing with some of our area’s best crappie anglers. We finished 15th out of 23 teams without live sonar so, needless to say, we were proud to just get 7 crappie in the boat and a couple of culls before our trip back to the ramp for weigh-in.

Let me say that although we were not familiar with fishing any tournament, JD and I were familiar with the way tournaments are run. That being said, from the get-go, we were treated with respect and courtesy without anyone beating their chests or trying to intimidate us being newbies. Everyone made us feel welcome. It was clear that tournament director and angler, Matt Xenos, is running a professional club/trail for this

region. Not only that, but he includes a faith-based element to the trail. Now this thoroughly impressed both JD and me, like I mentioned earlier. Matt Xenos himself has been involved and has done so much for the sport of crappie fishing in our area. His passion runs deep for the sport, to say the least. Matt hosts a YouTube channel known as Wired for Crappie where he gives tips, techniques, and electronics education on each video. He also offers a YouTube live every Wednesday to just talk crappie. Matt Xenos has also just completed a series of videos. This series is known as “How to become a better crappie angler” where Matt talks techniques, equipment, and locating these sometimes-elusive jewels of the lake. I am confident that it has helped many beginning or struggling anglers. Now! Getting back to the ETCC Tournament Series: The trail runs

Continued, see CRAPPIE CLUB Page 21

By Capt. Cefus McRae

The early spring can be a fickle time of year for fishing. In many areas of the country, winter is still in full force and in other areas spring is almost in full bloom, depending on where you choose to fish. It’s during this time of year that we anglers find ourselves in the fishing “Neutral Zone”, between two relatively consistent fishing weather patterns - winter and spring. In some areas, Mother Nature can’t make up her mind. One day it’s 70 degrees, and a couple of days later, it’s 29 degrees. Those kinds of weather pattern swings can really put a damper on the fishing. Radical temperature and barometric shifts can upset fishing any time of year, but the changeover from winter to spring seems to be the most intense.

Crazy weather doesn’t mean you can’t catch fish, but it can be frustrating. In freshwater environments, the fish could be up on the shallow points one day, and then hanging out near the deepest part of the channel the next. March can be a crazy month…with rapidly moving fronts, roller coaster temperatures, barometric swings, and rain that tends to put fish

in the dazed and confused mode. Large impoundments and inland rivers get muddy and take forever to clear up. This could mean you’ve got to go further upstream or downstream to find unstained water alogn with fish that are ready to eat.

Right now, bass are in the spawning mode. Stripers are in the backs of creeks chasing small bait schools. Crappie are coming up from their deep holes to their spawning grounds. But one cold snap could put a halt to that, and you’ll be waiting for another few warm days, or consistent weather pattern days, in a row.

One strategy for fishing the Neutral Zone period is to adjust your fishing tactics to the conditions. Cold water -- deeper and slower. Warmer conditions -- a little shallower and perhaps a more energetic presentation, including trolling.

For the salty critters, the same holds true. In the winter, you can count on redfish to congregate on shallow mud flats on a bright, sunny day, looking for warmth and food. But with the crazy fluctuations of temperature, the inshore species become less predictable, and you’ve got to spend a little more time hunting for them. Offshore, the migratory species will start their annual movement north, and a cold snap can halt them in their tracks, or even drive them back south again.

Another fishy suggestion is to locate schools of bait (fresh or salt), and fish around them. During the winter, bait can get scarce, and you can count on big fish to hang close to the kitchen well into the early spring. When the bait wads show up on your sonar, that’s a good place to start fishing, because the game fish won’t be too far away.

Fishing the Neutral Zone this time of year can be aggravating and rewarding. Remember, fish are usually focused on the Big Three: Food, Comfort, and Safety. This time of year, the food and comfort components are high on their priority list. Even in the coldest months, fish still gotta eat. And they are going to congregate where they can be comfortable, both in terms of oxygenated water and water temperature. So, try to think like a fish and fish places that offer those two items. There’s a good chance that you’ll discover how to crack the code on catching fish in the Neutral Zone. Tight Lines and Calm Seas, Capt. Cefus McRae

Fort Loudoun Reservoir in Tennessee

Fort Loudoun contains 14,600 acres and was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1943. The reservoir supports a variety of recreational activities and provides hydroelectric power and flood control. It connects to Watts Bar Reservoir via a lock and directly to Tellico Reservoir by a canal.

The reservoir is located at the headwaters of the Tennessee River near Knoxville and extends 55 miles upstream from the dam to the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers. Since Fort Loudoun is a navigable mainstream waterway, the annual drawdown is only six vertical feet. Water levels fluctuate between 813 and 807 feet above sea level and there are 360 miles of shoreline.

Fort Loudoun is surrounded by private and commercial development and is used extensively for fishing and other aquatic recreations. The most commonly harvested fish are largemouth, smallmouth, and white bass. Bluegill, crappie, and catfish are also present in good numbers.

Health advisories issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation against the

consumption of catfish, largemouth bass over two pounds, and any largemouth bass from the Little River embayment are still in effect. These advisories are due to PCB and mercury contamination and account for the low number of fish harvested.

Although there are problems with contaminants in the reservoir, dissolved oxygen levels are generally good throughout the year. Fertile reservoirs like Douglas and Cherokee can experience low oxygen levels in the summer due to thermal stratification which can cause stressful conditions for some fish. This is not the case with Fort Loudoun because water is constantly flowing through it.

Fort Loudoun is a mainstem Tennessee River reservoir, fluctuations levels are not as great as seen in tributary reservoirs due to year-round navigation requirements. Because of this, traditional enhancement work using the brush to concentrate fish for anglers is not needed reservoir wide. The reservoir has several access points which can be found on TWRA’s website.

UltraTRX Electric Bikes Named Leading Innovator of Fat Tire Electric Bikes

UltraTRX based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina, unveiled several groundbreaking 2023 Fat Tire Electric Bike models at the Great American Outdoor Show, February 4-12, in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Attendees were astounded at the patent pending innovations destined to change the electric bike industry for generations, overcoming many of the disappointing aspects of traditional electric bike manufacturing.

UltraTRX innovations include:

Plug and play and retrofittable components, allowing consumers to replace parts as needed. UltraTRX bikes are easily repaired and do not require a professional shop, technician, or inconvenient shipping to the manufacturer for repair. Retrofittable components means you can get parts for all year models of…keeping your bikes operational and not an expensive paper weight.

GenerTRX Power Generation System, a patent-pending coil/disc rotor system charges the bike’s battery while you cycle, creating 35-50% more distance. Perhaps the biggest concern with electric bike owners, especially bike owners who take their bikes into the wilderness, is running out of power. 35-50% more distance will give the back country

fishermen piece of mind, allowing him or her to go that extra two miles and still get back to the truck.

ThermoTRX Battery Protection System, alleviates the well documented problems lithium-ion batteries have historically had in frigid temperatures. ThermoTRX utilizes heat strips inside the cells of the battery to maintain an optimal temperature of 32 F, ensuring the lithium-Ion battery will maintain a charge in cold temperatures. At 20 F your distance per charge can drop in half. You can also damage the battery if charging in sub-freezing temperatures.

UltraTRX uses only marine-grade 18-8 stainless steel nuts, screws, and bolts on all bikes. Other manufacturers use 15-5 stainless hardware, known to rusts over time. 18-8 hardware is more expensive but, demonstrates UltraTRX’s commitment to building high quality long-lasting electric bikes designed to provide more torque, power, speed and distance per charge than any other manufacturer in the industry.

UltraTRX electric bikes also produce no sparks…critical while riding in drought conditions. Sparks are the main culprit in starting many fires in our more drought prone world.

Why would you get any other electric bike.

Hall of Fame Weekend –

May 5-6, 2023

The 2023 Hall of Fame Weekend will feature: A Friday, pre-event evening fundraiser: ‘Lagers with Legends’ on the rooftop at Mountain Layers Brewery, 90 Everett Street, downtown Bryson City. 6- 9 pm. No cover charge.

On Saturday, the Hall of Fame Ceremony will be at the historic Fryemont Inn, 245 Fryemont Street. The event begins in the back garden with a ‘Meet and Greet’ at 12 pm offering light hors d’oeuvres and drinks. We will move inside at 1 pm to enjoy a luncheon prepared by the Fryemont’s Chef, George Brown.

The Induction Ceremony will begin immediately following lunch. Categores are: Communications, Conservation, Recreation, Crafts, Humanity, and Ambassador. The 2023 ceremony welcomes the first Saltwater Inductee into the Hall of Fame. Tickets are Adults $45; and Children 16 and under $25.

2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

Jen Ripple, Tennessee (Communications) - Inducted for sharing her knowledge and experience as a writer and editor of Dun magazine and many other publications, as an instructor, volunteer, teacher and public speaker. For her dedication to bringing recognition to women working in the industry, and for her work to introduce new women to the sport.

Walter Babb, Tennessee (Crafts) - Inducted as a nationally recognized professional fly tyer and rod builder, a historian and scholar of flies specific to the Smoky Mountains and developing many patterns specific to the region. He is widely known for sharing a lifetime of knowledge and being an avid fly fisherman.

Mike LaVoie, North Carolina (Conservation) - Inducted for his many years of conservation, environmental and national resource oversight for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. For being the bridge of understanding to connect reservation authorities with local and regional authorities. For finding funding partners to implement significant projects for endangered species, river conservation and bridge removal to open regional waterways. For his work to build the economic impact of fishing in Cherokee and Western North Carolina.

Captain Jacob (Jake) Jordan, North Carolina/Florida (Recreation) - Inducted for his sixty years of contributions to the saltwater fly fishing industry. Known nationally and internationally as a big gamelight tackle Captain, business owner, educator, author, conservationist, guide, industry consultant and world record holder many times over. At 81, Jake still owns and operates the Fly Fishing School, the Marlin school and Tarpon fishing Charters in the Key’s.

Don Ray Howell & Dwight G. Howell, North Carolina (Ambassadors) - Inducted together poshumously for their leadership and commitment in sharing a lifetime of knowledge as regional pioneers as TU state board members, rod builders, guides, and teachers. As shop owners, the Howell brothers were the first to bring tying materials to the area. As nationally and internationally recognized fly tyers, they even tied for the Prince of Wales.

John Zimmerman & Taylor Sharp, North Carolina (Humanity) - Inducted for their work together creating and cofounding the nonprofit Casting for Hope and the Casting for Hope retreat center. Casting for Hope supports women battling ovarian and other gynecological cancers while using fly fishing as a catalyst. Shop owners and avid fly fishers they are known for thinking creatively to host unique ways of fundraising to support their cause.

By Capt. James McManus

There are times of the year that everyone is a hero on the water, that time on our mountain lakes is now. Almost any lake, almost any bank, will hold fish; some days, there may be more on clay banks, sometimes gravel, and again on boulder banks. I think it’s whether they are primarily feeding or just looking for that perfect spawning area. Seems like, regardless of the reason to be there, they are hungry when they arrive. I love to throw two main baits, Rapala jerkbaits seem to work when I’m around points and on straighter banks, I give the nod to jigs. The jigs I use are typically 1/8th ounce with either Zoom or Kietech swimbodies. If I am on a lake with stripers, then I am throwing the Rapala regardless of the bank.

Some of our lakes still have seagulls; never ignore even one or two birds. There are times when stripers are in the middle of large coves,

Continued, see MARCH IS FOR HEROS Page 29

From The Locks to The Rocks

By Capt. Craig Hensel

Welcome Everyone, to my column. My name is Captain Craig Hensel, Owner of Awol Fishing Charters with Captain Craig Inc. In this new column, I will be writing about the entire 191 mile stretch of the Cape Fear River, from the Locks to the Rocks. Everything from what is biting, where they’re biting, how to catch them, and much more. Let your eyes hit this page again because we will have some awesome stories to throw at you

throughout the fishing seasons.

I guide a good portion of this river all year long from the waters of Wilmington NC, all the way up to where the Haw and Deep River form the Cape Fear River at Mermaid Point, just south of Jordan Lake. The greatest part of this River is that the fishing is never “hit or miss”. There is always something biting during every season. From the American Shad and Striper runs starting in the spring, to giant flathead and blue catfish all year round.

We will pick up some massive largemouth bass, spotted bass, and a few good sized hybrids, crappie, bream, bowfin, and much more along the way. We will also be talking about the best ways to catch different species of fish. We will cover some safety tips, water levels, fishing forecasts, and a few other tactics to help you improve your experience and fishing From The Locks to The Rocks. I am Captain Craig and until next time, keep those lines tight!

Captain Craig Hensel is the Owner of Awol Fishing Charters with Captain Craig Inc. Look him up at Awolfishing.net; Youtube@awolfishing; Tiktok@awolfishing

Catchin’ Perch IN SPRING

By Ronnie Parris

I’ll never forget a trip I took several years ago. My clients that day were from South Louisiana. When the client asked me if we had any coon tail in our lakes, I replied that we didn’t. A little while later, he caught a really nice yellow perch and as he saw it, he hollered, “Yeah, yeah, big coon tail!” I’m not sure if the wildlife resource department stocked them or if they were always a few here because I never caught one ‘til I was probably 18 or 19 years old. Vic Bridges and I were fishing Noland Point, catching crappie, when I caught a small perch. Not really knowing what it was.

Well, several years have passed since then and all our local lakes seem to be getting more and bigger perch every year. The perch are one of the prettiest fish I’ve ever seen. Bright yellow and green stripes with brilliant orange fins. For table fare, they just can’t be beat. We recently fried up a big mess and I really think they’re better than walleye. My favorite bait to catch perch is minnows but I’ve caught them on crickets and worms to. They are aggressive feeders and I’ve had good luck on ice jigs and crappie lures like the smaller Bobby Garlands. I’ve caught them on spoons and small plugs too. If you have good electronics, you can usually find them, especially from December to March when they bunch up for the spawn.

Contrary to their cousin, the walleye, they don’t run up in the headwaters in the moving water but prefer to spawn on shallow flats. After the spawn, they tend to migrate back to deep water for the summer and can be caught all year long. I’m not really sure why the perch are doing so well with the walleye numbers going down, despite the state’s stocking

CRAPPIE CLUB continued from page 6

from September to May on generally 6-7 different lakes in our region, or East Tennessee, with such big-name sponsors as ACC Crappie Stix, Crappie Cove, Crappie Magnet, and Sniper Marine. ETCC also has some pretty well-known angler champions from the larger known crappie tournaments such as the Crappie USA Trail. Those names include Neal Alvis and Scott Bunch, Winners of the 2020 Crappie USA Points Champions.

In Closing, let me say JD Dyer and myself were treated like friends by everyone and we were honored just to fish with this caliber of passionate anglers. For anyone looking to fish this trail or sign up as a member of this brotherhood of anglers, contact Matt Xenos, Scott Bunch, or me and we will be happy to steer you in the right direction to do so.

Tight Lines and God Bless, Perry Hensley

efforts. I think it’s because the walleye still try to spawn in the headwaters and at this time, the bluebacks are there by the millions eating all the walleye eggs as well as the small walleye that are lucky enough to hatch. Hopefully, we can get stripers stocked soon and they can eat enough bluebacks to lower their numbers so the walleye can bounce back. At the time of this article, it’s still a little cold so be careful when taking kids out for a day of fishing. You don’t want them to have a bad experience with the cold and not want to go back. Be safe, have fun, and go out and catch a good mess of coon tail!

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.

We o er 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.

Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING

Shane Goebel Fishing MARCH MADNESS STRIPERS ON LAKE HIWASSEE

February is in the books and it’s that time of year again. The time of year our mountain stripers become crazy active. The warm early spring days are what these trophy fish thrive on. Especially the closer we get to April. March has, historically, always been an excellent month for catching some huge Lake Hiawassee stripers. So, get out of that cramped up house and get some fresh air while catching some nice trophy fish with us! March is probably one of our favorite months for fishing. With that said, give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and book those trips. Let us put you on some of the biggest fish the mountains have to offer. WE ARE MURPHY NORTH CAROLINA’S ORIGINAL STRIPER GUIDE SERVICE. Mention The Angler Magazine and get $25 off your trip.

Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 31 feet below full pool. Water temperatures have been in the low to Mid 40’s. Due to all the recent rains, water clarity is stained in the river and creeks and clear towards the dam.

Striper fishing has been super out here lately. We’ve had a very successful January and February. Most of the stripers we are catching have been in the 15-to-35-pound range, and we’re averaging about 10 to 20 stripers a trip. The warmer water temps have played a big role on the increase in numbers this year. So, this spring should be amazing!

This pattern should continue into the month of March and increase as the stripers start their pre-spawn. Continue the same techniques as the previous months, pulling planer boards with live herring and shad in the backs of creeks and around shallow, sloping banks. As you pull boards, it’s always a good idea to work the banks by casting a Zara Spook or a Red Fin. As the sun comes up, turn your focus to fishing the mouths of creeks, as the stripers will follow bait to deeper water. With pre-spawn in mind, more and more stripers will start to stage in the mouths of creeks in March. Keep an eye on your electronics for schooling stripers and pay attention to where the bait balls are. I guarantee you, if you find the bait, the stripers will be close by.

One last note, the smallmouth and trout bite has been extremely good. We are catching some very nice smallmouth and trout on nearby Lake Apalachia. in the 4-5 lb. We are at least averaging 15 to 25 smallmouth and trout a trip. These trout and smallmouth have been feeding great. Down-lining live bluebacks and lite tackle has been the best technique for catching a slew of these great fish in 15-25 feet of water.

March is a great month for catching a lot of huge trophy stripers on this Western North Carolina lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1-rated guide service put you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s and Blairsville Georgia’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely (in North Georgia), Chatuge, and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, GA. 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

Trout Streams are Miracles

The first rays of sun beamed through the first bright green leaves of spring, as I sat tucked away, camouflaged by the shadows of mountain laurel and rhododendron, I watched the crystalline light dance off the water’s surface while I habitually threaded the fly line through the guides of my rod. In my mind’s eye, I can see myself on the bank surrounded by the trilliums, spring beauties, and dwarf iris’s peeking through the leaf mats of the previous autumn, soaking up the final abundant rays of sunlight before they’re blocked out by the new leaf growth of the taller trees, to hide back underground until next spring. I was maybe around 13 or 14 years old at this time, but it was one of the first times I got to put into practice, on my own, some of the most fundamental lessons of Southern Appalachian Fly Fishing:

By Ethan Hollifield

the opportunity to contemplate the importance of these two rules, particularly the second one, that I took a few moments to reflect on that which I was witness to. The first rule is a practicality that most people can understand, but the second is more abstract that can only be realized when your bloodline has roots embedded in these hills as long as mine has.

1. Never crawl through a laurel thicket to a trout stream with a rigged-up rod, unless you like breaking rod tips.

2. Never make a cast into a trout stream without firstly sitting in its reverence for even just a moment, because every trout stream is a miracle.

Maybe it was because of my newfound maturity along with

Once my rod was rigged, I found a somewhat level rock that had been carved and shaped by the eons of water and time into something resembling a chair and began fumbling through the rather mediocre selection of flies I had as a kid. I would look up through the mist exhaled by my own breath to see the trout I had spotted from the bank. It was a beautiful, maybe around 7” long, speckled trout along the tailout of a run, feeding whimsically on the few mayflies that had started to hatch in the coolness of the morning.

Occasionally, the sunlight flashed off its back as it repeated a process that had been ingrained into its mind since its ancestors migrated here during the last ice age over 10,000 years ago. They then had to survive the influx of man, and his insatiable appetite for “progress” that led to many of our streams being decimated by logging and development in the years following the Civil War. Later, the Chestnut Blight, then the encroachment of the speckled trout’s non-native cousins. All these things and more have edged this species further to the brink of extinction.

And here I was; a naive kid, with a hand-me-down fly rod and barely any sense, bearing testament to one of the greatest ecological miracles in the natural world: a 7” long wild brook trout in a small Appalachian stream.

The events I witnessed that cool, late spring morning made me aware of such things, and how blessed I was to be a part of nothing short of a miracle. In the Psalms, pausing to reflect on these things is referred to as Selah, and I think there’s no better phrase to describe the feeling of being on a wild mountain trout stream.

Ethan Hollifield is a member of a conservation organization called 2% For Conservation and a guide for Southern Appalachian Anglers

Spring Outlook

By Karl Ekberg

Springtime arriving to the mountains of South Carolina brings a wilderness song of rejoicing among the forest creatures. The warmer wisps of southern breezes start to whisk away the colder morning air, and the sun starts to peak over the mountaintops a little sooner each morning, and settle down over the western sky a touch later every evening. These warmer breezes raising the temperatures with ease each day, bring the subtle warming of the mountain creeks, streams, and rivers. The winter grip is not always willing give way easily to spring each year, as we have seen an occasional snowfall accumulation, although this is a rarity rather than a normal occurrence, and as for this year, no snow has fallen at the time of the writing of this article. As far as winters go, this winter has been quite warm, although blessed with plenty of rain precipitation to keep all the waterways in great shape for fishing. Long term outlook has the temperatures a bit warmer than normal and the continued slightly above average, precipitation gauge.

As the warmer spring weather graces the mountains following the drab color of winter, the waterways start to awake with the emergence of bug life again bringing many midge, mayfly, caddis, and stonefly hatches. Hatches for mayflies occur after the nymph has reached maturity, and the bug breaks out of the nymphal shuck and emerges to the top of the water, where the fly awaits for its wings to dry, and fly off the water. At the start of the day of fishing, use the nymph and a soft-hackle pattern for an emerger, each of appropriate color and size, and mayfly will be essential. Great hatch days start with the weather temperatures starting in a range of thirties to

forties, and then a warming trend of the highs being anywhere in the fifties and upward. Sunlight beaming down will encourage the hatches to come to life on the river. Take time to stand on a high enough point, riverside on a slick calm pool (polarized sunglasses are a must) and watch the fish start to react as the bugs start their emergence to the surface. Observe also the subtle and acrobatic eating habits of the trout as the bugs helplessly slide down the river awaiting take-off.

Caddis fly emergers are also of great importance at this time of year. Small pupa and the emergers in the mornings up until the hatch happens and fishing on the swing technique will aid in catching fish. Watch the water as double winged bugs start to skitter along the river surface and trout swipe to eat them. Having a dry caddis on at this time, with a dead drift, and as the fly quarters down stream, slowly lifting the rod so the fly will gently bounce across the top of the water, will entice even wary trout.

Exact size and color of flies are important and we take care of making sure we are fully stocked on all hatches of the south here at Chattooga River Fly Shop. Guided trips are always a great outing, try our new three-quarter day trip with a great lunch provided by our in-house chef. We hope to see everyone out on the water and let us all remember to bring out a little more than you walked in with and “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.

By Gary Turner

At 28 years old, my friend Danny had the first fish of his life on the line! These are the moments I love sharing with my friends. I’ve taught a lot of kids how to fish, and I’ve seen their happy faces when they catch that first fish. Seeing one of your friends who has never caught a fish growing up about to land a nice fish, is what it’s all about. I have probably said this before, but I’ll say it again; you will reach a stage in your fishing life when it is almost as satisfying to see your friends catch fish as it is for you to reel them in yourself.

My friend Matt and I were looking forward to our trip down the Toccoa River with Guide Joe Dipetro, but the weather had other plans and we had to reschedule. I also had a couple of trips lined up to go to Santee, and the weather wasn’t looking great for those either, but Capt. Dewayne has a cover over part of his pontoon that we hide in sometimes while waiting on the bites, so fish on! Stacy, Danny, Rafi and myself were planning on two days of fishing Lake Marion with Capt. Dewayne, but, as luck has it sometimes, Danny and Rafi had some work they had to finish up on Wednesday and Thursday and said they would come

catch up with us Thursday night. Thursday night came and they were not there, so I called them. They were finishing up one more job. At 10 minutes after 3:00 in the morning, they came rolling in. I welcomed them to the place we had rented, showed them the 3:00 a.m. tour and their accommodations, and I hit the hay. We were meeting Capt. Dewayne at 8:00 a.m., so Stacy and I headed to Loves at 7ish for some snacks, drinks, and my breakfast of champions: Two jalapeno cheddar dogs! Danny and Ravi rolled out to grab some McDonalds. We finished up and headed for the dock.

When we got there, Dewayne was unloaded and waiting for us. We all boarded his pontoon and took off out of Goat Island in search of Catfish, Blue, Flathead, Channel, we didn’t care. I just wanted to see these guys reeling some in! The day before when me, Stacy, and Capt. Dewayne were fishing, we caught a bunch of nice fish including a

By Scott Norton

Winter can be great for big catches, but we are now entering the really cold months and the bites will slow down. The key to fishermen that get the itch to fishing the winter is downsizing. This is a really good time to focus more on finesse and slowing way down. You will need light line and hooks for this technique. The good thing is

the fishing industry has created some interesting technique-specific set ups such as the BFS set up. BFS stands for Bait Finesse System and if you have not heard this term, you will soon. Now you can use bait casters to finesse fish and you’re no longer forced to use a spinning set-up if you don’t want to. The advantage in the BFS set up is that you make longer casts without the line twist.

Now it’s time for the pre-plan; most anglers will travel south to get into warmer water. If you like to keep it local, just find a lake in lower elevations. Rainwater runoff warms lake water rapidly. If you live in the mountains, you do not have to go far to find one these spots. The water will still be cold, but it is about the water warming up as a trend, especially on warm days. If you can find a time and place where these scenarios come together, you will have your pre-plan set up for success. This is now the time to look at Google Earth for a place you think these bass will be hanging around. Google Earth provides you with a time laps of these areas so you can see when the water was low, revealing under water structures and cover you will want try out. The plan you make ahead of time will greatly increase your odds of catches. Looking at these features will tell you what you’re going to use as well. Knowing what you’re going to use in those spots you choose will keep you from taking too much gear with you as well.

When selecting your spots, do not stay too long in one place. You can fish slow, but you want to think about finding that first bite as a starting point. Once you have established that, then you can go back over those spots in different times. Maybe the other spots will turn on later in the day. You can still power-fish those long tapering points with a crank bait or an A-rig to see what the mood of the fish is like. Just pay attention to what the bass are wanting, they will let you know. I hope this helps some of you going out this month. Have fun and maybe you will learn a new way to catch fish.

Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is a long-time hunter, angler and weekend warrior.

FISHING WITH MORE FRIENDS continued from page 26

38-pound Blue Stacy pulled in. We knew a front was coming but had high hopes that Friday would be as good as Thursday, or better. Well, as most of us that fish much know, those fronts can be brutal on the fishing, and that was the case this time. We marked fish all over, but they were like little kids at the dentist, those mouths were shut real tight! The wind was blowing and it was cold, but we didn’t care, we just wanted bites. As the day went along, we started picking up a few fish. Rafi got the first fish, then Danny hooked up on his. This was the first fish he had ever caught! He had been fishing before but never caught anything. It was so awesome to see him reeling in that first fish! Rafi and Danny both reeled in several nice blue cats that afternoon. Now they are both Hooked! After we finished fishing, we went to the Lake House in Summerton for dinner and then Danny and Rafi said they were gonna pack up and head home so they could work the next morning. They are half my age, but I can still remember the days I could do that! Dewayne wanted Stacy and me to go check out some swamp with him the next morning, so we did. At the landing, there was a curious little bait shop that had a sign that read “Knock Please”. When the little old man, 82, opened the door, he welcomed us into his neat bait-taxidermy shop…that’s a story for another time. Just let me say that was a very neat experience!

You can get more information on fishing with Capt. Dewayne Profitt by calling him at 740-404-3900 or 803-478-6479. His website is TakinitEasyGuideService.com

Get with some of your friends and take a fishing trip. Whether with a guide or just on your own, GO FISHING!

I’m not sure what next month’s article will be on but remember, if you have an empty seat on your boat that needs filling, shoot me an email and maybe it will be about fishing with you!

If you want to see Danny’s first catch or other videos I have recorded, check out my YouTube channel here https://youtube.com/@ FishingWithGary. You can aso reach me at gary@purgeright.com.

Please remember, if you are not going to eat it, don’t kill it. “Tight Lines and Squeal every time.” Gary Turner

MARCH IS FOR HEROS continued

from page 18

they may show themselves breaking on surface bait but other times I’ve seen them cruising just below the surface. A lone gull will follow these cruising fish and it’s even better if there are more of their flock. Of course, there’s no missing that jolt of adrenaline when you come around the corner and the water is boiling, birds are diving and squawking, rods are tangling, and baits are snapped off because you forgot to open the bail. All hell breaking loose is one of the most addictive things you can run into on the water.

Waters like Fontana have mainly spotted bass and they can tear up the water on their own. Typically, they will break but in smaller groups. When fish are breaking, the most fun bait to throw is a top water for spots or stripers and there’s nothing like a bone-colored spook. I’ve seen them get knocked four feet in the air and then swallowed whole when hitting the surface. So, this is one of the best times of the year to be on the water. Don’t forget to take kids of all ages, nothing like nonstop action to get them started on a lifelong love of fishing. Thank the Lord for our beautiful waters and stay safe. Later, Capt. James

Capt. James McManus owns 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day on the water at (828) 421-8125

You can reach Gary Turner at gary@purgeright.com.

You’re drifting the shallows and there she is…She must be over ten pounds, and she’s just lying there in four feet of water waiting to be caught. To many, this is the most exciting scenario possible; fishing for bedding bass during the spawn. It’s the magical time of year when bass move up from deeper into shallower water to lay and fertilize eggs. It is thought, much like the rut with deer, to be one of the easiest times to catch largemouth.

When water temps hit 58-60 degrees, young bucks begin building nests, then find a female with ripe eggs to nudge into the nest. She lays eggs. He fertilizes them, then looks for another female. He may get three or four females to spawn in the same nest. The spawn all occurs within cycles of the full moon.

The main trigger is water temperature, so the spawn and hatch occur at different times in different regions. In late January, when Virginia lakes may be frozen, Northern Florida guides may see fish on beds. “I may see beds in early January, and I may see them in April,” says Captain Keith Austin, a guide from Crystal River.” There are so many factors you can’t pin it down to a specific period.” Allen Martin (Florida Fish and Wildlife) agrees. “Florida is its own world,” he says. “Winter swings are drastic, depending on where the weather comes from. We can have winter highs in the 70’s, then a front pushes down and it’s in the 40’s.” Martin agrees with Austin about timing. “It’s not unusual to see fish on beds January through April.”

400 miles north, it’s a different story. It’s February 5th, and South Carolinian Dave Thomas checks water temperature at his lake. It’s 48 degrees. “We’re right at the cold point, “he says. “It should start moving up this week. We’re looking at 60’s and 70’s this weekend,” Thomas, a serious sight fisherman, fishes as much as career allows. “Probably midMarch before we see our first beds, maybe earlier.” Scott Lamprecht, SC DNR Fisheries biologist, agreed, saying “Mid-March until mid-May is a typical range for us in this region.”

By Mike McSwain

By David Skinner

Ihear the coffee maker ding; I know its 3:30am. As I lay in bed, I mentally clock in and start the day reviewing the prep list from the day before.

The kayaks are cleaned and loaded, the reels are rinsed and oiled, and new hooks have been put on new lines. The SUV is packed with kayak crates, pedal drives, life vests, snacks, and drinks, and it’s ready to pull the trailer out from the garage. The electronics are still plugged in and waiting to be loaded at the last minute, along with frozen bait. I have four hours and counting until game time.

The drive is always dark, and it takes longer than it should. Although the fastest route tends to wind through narrow roads littered with potholes, the highway is the safest. Forty minutes later, as I near the boat ramp, the beauty of the Wando River exposes itself, the tree line pulls back, and exposes the tidal saltwater river. I spin the trailer and park off to the side where I begin unload equipment and prep the kayaks. Once finished, I examine the water, its flow, clarity, wind direction, temperature, and local birds hunting overhead as the sun cracks the horizon. I decide on a route for the day based on what I see and feel, not the apps on my phone. Two hours until game time.

The outings start off by greeting the clients and placing names with faces. Unknown to each of them, I have already memorized their names and the cities they are visiting from. The range of experience between clients is diverse, and I make mental notes about who to stay close to. My morning speech is always the same.

“Goal one: Safety! You go home the same way you showed up. There are no ouches, boo-boos, Band-Aids, pregnancies, or divorces allowed during our outing today.” This tends to break the ice; clients chuckle, and smiles brighten.

“Goal two: You will get an educational experience in an amazing environment. You’ll have several hours of my voice teaching you everything I can. This includes everything from our fish to our feathered friends, from the alligators and sharks to the dolphins. In addition, you’ll get to know a bit of Charleston history and the habitat you’re entering”.

“Goal three: We fish, we catch.”

One hour.

As a local guide, I know where the oyster beds lie beneath the surface and where the marsh drops off into large underwater trenches. Years of

experience have taught me how to read the landscape, wildlife, and patterns of the local fishery. My eyes constantly scan the area, paying particular attention to the water’s edge along the marsh line around us. The bait fish keep breaking the surface, creating tiny ripples. However, I’m waiting for a sudden push of bait fish through the water, shadows just under the surface, or movement along the reeds. The client rods have a variety of small plastics and baits based on color and local feeding habits during this time of year. The Reds and Speckled Trout hunt year-round here, and it’s just a matter of time before someone lands a cast in front of one. Suddenly, there is an excited yell from a client, “I’m on!” their rod is in a beautiful arch, pointing into the water and the client’s face is filled with excitement. Game time.

The same day, Virginia Fisheries biologist Scott Herrmann is out sinking brush piles… Water temp is 46 degrees. “Last year, we had a really cold spring, with ice into March. That pushed back the spawn. But generally, the first week in April through late May is when it happens,” he said. Herrmann also pointed out how many factors are involved and used one word when asked about weather this year: erratic. “12 degrees in Richmond this morning, but 60’s this weekend.”

Travel 700 miles from Richmond up the coast and you’re in Maine. The spawn here probably begins long after it’s finished in mid-Atlantic states, and regulations are tighter. Jason Seiders, a biologist with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries, said that weigh-in tournaments are prohibited between May 8 and June 14. Scott Lamprecht says this makes sense. “Up there, the recruitment window is small, the spawn is really contracted.” Seiders said mid-May until mid-June is the typical spawn in Maine, but timing can be unpredictable there as well. A few years ago, guide Don Kleiner reported water temperature still at 54 degrees on May 25th, which meant fish could be on beds in early July, 24 weeks after the northern Florida spawn.

So, start in January in Northern Florida and work north. You’ll have about 24 weeks of bed fishing. That is, of course, if nature cooperates. And if you succeed, don’t stop. Canada awaits!

FOLLOW THE SPAWN continued from page 30

Experience Real Florida.

Located within two hours driving distance to all major attractions in central Florida, international airports and Florida’s beautiful beaches, Putnam County’s outdoor recreational choices are legendary. Between world class fishing, boating, hunting, cycling, hiking, golf, and more, Putnam County has it all. Whether you are seeking real Florida culture and heritage, recreation, or just relaxing in a small historic town, the residents and businesses of Putnam County invite you to Experience Real Florida visitputn

2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic Returns to the Tennessee River

The prestigious championship bass tournament—widely known as the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing”—will be held March 24-26 in downtown Knoxville and on the University of Tennessee Campus.

e Bassmaster Classic pits 55 of the world’s best bass anglers against one another for the title of Bassmaster Classic Champion. e Classic is a catch-and-release event, with bass being returned to the shery under the supervision of the TWRA.

Daily takeo s will be from Volunteer Landing on the Tennessee River in downtown Knoxville each competition day, and weigh-ins will take place in the ompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee campus. e fan-favorite Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will be held Friday through Sunday, March 24-26 in the Knoxville Convention Center and the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall.

All activities and venues are free and open to the public. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.

B.A.S.S. PHOTO

COLOMBIA: A GOLDEN ERA OF FISHING BEGINS

By Riley Love

Twenty years ago, I wrote an article on the Golden Age of Panama shing. Long have anglers waited for access to the salt and freshwater environments of Colombia.

In 2016, a lengthy peace process was negotiated and a nal agreement for a cease re and cessation of hostilities between the government and militias. In truth, there are still areas of the country to be avoided and cocaine production remains high, but the political and drug-crime environment has improved enough to move Colombia nearer the top of the target list for angling. e country’s upward trajectory with new tourism outstrips its neighbors. e latest three trips we’ve taken to the country have been completely safe.

Fishing the Amazon and Orinoco River basins are “peacock bass trips.” It is a stunning shery, where you routinely encounter fellow anglers from the far side of the world. From there, these trips can be divided into peacocks and “what else.” In Guyana it was giant arapaima. For the last Brazil trip, it was big wolf sh. is venture was to the Guaviare River, massive itself, a tributary to the mighty Orinoco. It is hard to understand the size of these watersheds until you see them yourself. Our quarry here was payara, the vampire sh.

e dichotomy of life in the tropics is the wet and dry seasons. During the time of rain, the rivers swell from their banks into dense rainforest. Sitting in your boat, you listen to peacock bass bust prey far back in cover where no cast can go. e shing season is re ned to those months when the rivers shrink back into their skeletal forms and sh are targeted in remaining aneurysmal pools. But the payara have a need for speed. ey stack up in current and mouths of tributaries where more water ows. ere is something about going a er speed freaks… it presses my buttons.

Alberto “Beto” Mejia is the young progenitor of FISH COLUMBIA. He has developed lodges here, on the Orinoco and on the Paci c coast at Punta Ardita, just inside the Panamanian border. He is a stone-cold payara y sherman. is lodge is more rustic, and you really feel away from it all.

Peacocks and payara take ies very well, both poppers and streamers. For the conventional sherman, it’s a chance to use multiple baits and techniques. Very large topwater prop baits and poppers, big minnows at multiple depths. e Dramatis personae includes numerous others- pacu, sardinata, also the opportunity for multiple species of cat sh, some in the 400-pound range. Uraima falls in Venezuela was a specialized lodge for payara. is is o the list as a destination for various sordid reasons. I have bagged them across the frontiers of South America. Most run 6 to 7 pounds, and a very good one about 15 pounds. e sh on Columbia’s Orinoco run twice that size. I believe this is the best payara lodge on the planet.

For more information, go to www. shcolombia.com. For more from Riley Love, go to rileylove.com and nd him on social media @rileyloveauthor.

FastTrack™Angler 385fta

The Fastest, Most Stable, Best Paddling Fishing Kayak

The in atable shing kayak is super rugged and ready to take on hooks, ns, and rocks. Tough, fast, portable, and built especially for anglers. The patented NeedleKnife™ keel cuts through the water so you can paddle or motor your way to your favorite spot quickly and easily. The Angler 385fta is 12’6” x 36” fully in ated and holds up to 2 people or 635 lbs. of people and gear. Packs down to 36” x 15” x 20” to t in a car trunk, SUV, RV, any small place. Various seating and trolling motor options are available.

console or tackle bag. You’ll nd other uses as necessity dictates.

Soft Baits: You’re throwing away money if you sh so plastics and don’t use super glue. Most so plastics are designed for action rather than durability. ey’re disposable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get the most you can out of them.

If you’re shing a paddletail, grub, eel, worm or any so plastic on a jighead, a small drop of super glue will extend the life of that bait inde nitely. Secured to the jig, it will never slide down to the bend of the hook like a loose sock. To a lesser extent, this trick works for bare hooks, as well. Forget multiple sh, a so bait can last multiple trips when it’s glued in place— barring, of course, interactions with toothy sh.

When it comes to sh with teeth, there’s no way to avoid rips and tears in your so plastics. Even toothless sh will beat up a bait with extended use. Super glue repairs slices and gouges in so plastics. e rigidity of the repaired area will a ect the action of the lure, but this can be a trip saver when you’re down to the last in a bag of that one color sh are biting.

Hard Baits: With hard baits, super glue is for on-the-water repairs. If the lip on your crankbait gets loose, a tiny dab of glue will hold it tight and keep your lure swimming true. If the screw eye comes out of your favorite topwater or swimbait, gluing it back will render it stronger than it was to begin with. Super glue extends the life of expensive lures that would otherwise be headed for the trash.

By CAM Sta

SUPER GLUE BELONGS IN YOUR TACKLE BOX

Just like pliers or a good knife, super glue is an essential item in your shing kit. ere are numerous practical uses for this stu in shing, and it’s also a catch-all tool. It’s like liquid duct tape. When you have it, there’s no end to the situations when it comes in handy. Here are a few good reasons you should keep a tube of super glue in your

Knots: e debate is ongoing on whether super gluing knots increases their strength. Most folks who do it are in the “it can’t hurt camp.” However, there are a couple situations when it just makes sense. Coating line-to-line connections that frequently run through the guides smooths the knot and protects it from wear. With braided line, good knots, and the right knots, are crucial. Even so, braided line can cut itself when knots shi and tighten under stress. A drop of super glue keeps knots snug and secure.

Miscellaneous: Super glue can save the day when an eyelet or rod tip comes loose. It’ll also keep you on the water when you cut yourself chunking bait. Glue the wound shut and keep shing. Save the emergency room for later.

For more tips, go to coastalanglermag.com.

By Molly Kirk

GOLDEN BASS CAUGHT IN VIRGINIA

Virginia angler Jacob Moore was quite surprised when he reeled in this largemouth bass from the James River. Moore was expecting to catch a largemouth—he was targeting them. But he de nitely wasn’t expecting to catch a golden largemouth!

“I was out there practicing for a tournament, catching a bunch of sh,” said Moore, who works as an arborist and participates in local tournaments. “I was on the lower James near Chippokes [State Park]. When I hooked into that one, I thought I had a saltwater sh on at rst, but lo and behold, it was a largemouth! A very di erent largemouth, though. I haven’t seen anything like that before. I’ve seen bass with black spots, but I’d never seen an albino one.”

“Golden largemouth bass are extremely rare and most anglers have never seen them, let alone heard of them before,” said Alex McCrickard, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Aquatic Education Coordinator. “ e sh is a product of a genetic mutation that alters the skin pigments called xanthism. Yellow pigmentation dominates in xanthism, as you can see in Moore’s golden largemouth.”

Moore measured the sh at 16 ½ inches, took a few photos, then returned it to the water.

For more information, go to dwr.virginia.gov.

TIES STATE RECORD

This big Georgia sheepshead tied a two-decade-old state record for the species a er weighing in at 14 pounds, 14.37 ounces.

e angler, Ben Golden III, of Midway, Ga., caught his sh near the Sunbury community outside of Midway on Feb. 3. e catch quali es as a tie with the existing record of 14-pounds, 14-ounces set by Ralph White, of Rincon, Ga., in 2002.

“To be honest, I’ve been telling folks it’s been my goal to catch a state record for 10 or 12 years,” said Golden, who grew up in Midway and has been shing the Georgia coast most of his life. “I’m excited to say that I did it.”

Sheepshead are common around 7 pounds but can easily be found up to 10 pounds. ey reach maturity around 3 to 4 years of age and primarily live inshore, o en near rocky areas, docks, bridges or arti cial reefs, or other areas with barnacles.

Between 2017 and 2021, NOAA Fisheries estimates that Georgia recreational anglers caught an average of 490,197 sheepshead each year, with an average of 262,457 being harvested.

For more information on the Georgia Saltwater Game Fish Records program, visit www.CoastalGaDNR.org/SaltwaterRecords.