The Angler Magazine | May 2021 | Great Smoky Mountains & The Upstate Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION

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VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 314

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MAY 2021

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

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Jackpot! Hoard of 1881-S Morgan Silver Dollars Found & Secured Mintage accounts for only 1.94% of all Morgan Silver Dollars Struck!

In 1859, Nevada’s Comstock Lode was discovered, and soon its rich silver ore made its way across the nation, including to the respected San Francisco Mint—the U.S. Mint branch known by collectors as the source of some of the finest U.S. coins ever struck. That includes the 1881 Morgan Silver Dollar, which exhibits crisp details, blazing luster, and the iconic “S” mint mark of the San Francisco Mint. Now you have the chance to add these historic, 90% pure U.S. silver coins to your collection!

Here’s the breakdown: in 1881, just 4.25% of the total Morgan series was struck. Less than half of those coins came from San Francisco. In the end, the 1881-S Morgan Silver Dollar accounts for just 1.94% of the entire series—and that’s before the mass meltings that have left so few coins for collectors to secure. And we can expect that even fewer of the survivors are of collector grade...

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The Morgan Silver Dollar was struck from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. In the 100 years since, most of these beautiful U.S. Silver Dollars have been worn out or melted down for their silver. It’s estimated that as little as 15% of all Morgans struck exist today in any condition. Even fewer come from this particular mintage.

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THE BASICS

By Michelle Dalton

Flying OF

Kites T

here’s something about kite fishing for big pelagic gamefish that gets me going. Flying kites presents baits with a natural appearance and allows you to cover lots of water for higher catch rates. Also, the technique provides the ultimate adrenaline rush, as you get to watch the strike happen. For those unfamiliar with kite fishing, let’s go over the basics. Captains consider everything from water color and clarity to baitfish and birds to determine where to start fishing. I like fishing edges, where water color turns green to a deep blue, usually somewhere in 100 to 300 feet of water. There are different kite designs for different wind velocities. Kites are typically launched and retrieved with electric reels. Launching kites is not a piece of cake, but with the right equipment, patience and steady winds, a beginner can practice and perfect the skill. Attached to your kite line are three release clips.

Each clip is assigned to a rod. An experienced crew will fish three live baits off one kite, with each reel’s line clipped to the main kite line. Although it seems like a potential tangled mess, it’s rather organized. For the bait lines, I use high-capacity baitcasting reels spooled with 20- or 30-pound monofilament. Attached to the mono, above the leader, there are a few terminal tackle items that make up your rigs.

First, a ceramic ring is attached to the kite line using release clips. Next, a neon float dangles in the sky above each bait to help track them from a distance. From there, a small egg sinker maintains the vertical drop that keeps baits at the surface. Finally, a bead separates the sinker from your leader. Your leader depends on the targeted species. For the toothy critters, I use an 18-inch wire leader connected to fluorocarbon with an Albright knot and a 7/0 live bait hook. For sailfish, I use 10 to 12 feet of 60-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 7/0 circle hook. By paying attention and adjusting the lines, the angler keeps the baits on the surface where they make the slight commotion predators find irresistible. The rigs suspend in air above the baits, completely out of sight of the fish. I prefer fishing goggle-eyes, threadfin herring and sardines. Healthy bait is far more likely to be eaten. Ahead of tournaments, my team and I spend weeks feeding and nurturing bait to keep it healthy. If you’re fortunate enough to hook a sailfish, don’t immediately clear the other lines. Sailfish often travel in groups. Leave those other baits in the water for a chance at additional bites. Traditionally, when winds start to die at the end of spring, the number of boats trolling offshore grows. However, kite fishing goes on year-round in South Florida. Even with very little wind, a kite will fly with the help of a helium balloon. Next time your friends want to troll around offshore, tell them to “go fly a kite!” Michelle Dalton books charters through her social media pages: @Bombchelle_fishing.

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on ply. ce mer ect ely. ng. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAY 2021

NATIONAL 7

Humbled

ON THE DAVIDSON By Nick Carter

he Davidson River in Brevard, N.C. is one of the most widely publicized trout streams in the Southeast. It’s a challenging fishery with beautiful water that holds some very nice fish. Part of the Davidson’s appeal, or its main drawback, is easy access. The river flows roadside through most its publicly accessible length. There is small water in the headwaters accessible only by foot, but for the most part it is a park-and-fish kind of place. On a gorgeous summer weekend, a buddy and I heeded advice from the guys at Davidson River Outfitters to join the dawn patrol. We arrived on

the river at first light to find a pod of big fish, maybe four or five in the 16- to 20-inch range, hovering near the bottom of a bellybutton-deep run. They were clearly visible in low summer flows. For the next hour, we worked the run together, one or the other of us making the same drift repeatedly as the other man tied on a new fly. It was a challenge that bordered on infuriating to see those trout, an occasional belly flash belying the fact that they were eating… just not what we offered. We tried everything, right down to a size 22 red midge pupa recommended at the fly shop. Finally, because we had tried everything else, I

tied on a white Woolly Bugger—another Davidson River staple. Just twitching it through the hole, a fish we had not previously seen streaked from the periphery to slam the streamer. Those big fish didn’t even flinch as I stripped in a pretty 11-inch brown. As I released the fish, an older gentleman waded down the side of the run. He glanced out at the pod of big fish still sitting on the bottom. “Wasn’t the one you were after, was it?” he asked. My response was to offer him a shot at the run. He declined. “Don’t want any part of it,” he grumbled. “Spent all afternoon yesterday standing right where you are.” That’s a snapshot of what fishing the catch-andrelease, fly fishing only section of the Davidson is like. The river is full of fish—and some big ones. It is also frequently full of anglers. The steady pressure makes trout wise. Of course, there’s always a guy who lights up Internet message boards with a photo of a big old bruiser. He’ll give advice like, “Use a little split-shot to get it down,” but I suspect there’s more to it. Pressured fish are on guard. Catching them requires perfect presentation of the perfect fly and also being in the right place at that right time. Arriving early, staying late and fishing hard makes it more likely you’ll be there when a 2-foot-long trout makes a mistake. This story is an abbreviated excerpt from the book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia,” which includes maps and GPS coordinates to access points for all the region’s best trout fisheries. Purchase the book on Amazon or by contacting the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.

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EAST TENNESSEE GREAT SMOKIES

Stealth On The Stream: Part 1-Blending In By Jim Parks

everal years ago while visiting a popular fly fishing shop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I was reminded of the need to carefully approach the “spooky” cutthroat trout in nearby Flat Creek. At the end of the day, I realized how “tame” those trout were in comparison to the wild rainbows, and especially the wise old browns, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Since the cessation of stocking in the 1970’s in the Park, the trout have continued to be born and spend their entire existence in a daily struggle of life and death. Needless to say, by the time a brown trout reaches the 20” mark, it has achieved several years of mastering the avoidance of predators, man being one. Fortunately for the trout, all too often, anglers come dressed as though for a deer hunt, in bright orange, or imitating anglers they’ve seen portrayed in many magazines wearing brightly colored

clothing. Just last weekend, multiple fishermen could easily be seen from a hundred yards away, down in the creek from the adjacent highway or trail. Whether due to the lack of knowledge or underestimation of a trout’s ability to see or detect danger on the part of the angler, attire worn and stream approach is low on the list of priorities for many anglers. While many anglers will spend hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars and many hours finding the magic fly and using the lightest tippets, they’ve already greatly reduced their likelihood of success before reaching the water. This is a first in a series of articles devoted to what I’ve learned in my 44 years of chasing the wild, elusive trout of the Smoky Mountains. The actions and literal steps taken prior to making your first cast will have the greatest impact on the outcome of your day on the water and your chance to get that once in a lifetime trout.

2 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

MAY 2021

The visual acuity of a wild trout to a potential predator and its reaction to a threat in clear water can be amazing. This lesson hit home with me one sunny December morning while trophy “hunting” with a friend as we drove along Little River Road between Townsend and Elkmont. When my friend spotted a large trout in the tail-out of a long pool, I eased over into a pullout. From well over a hundred feet away, the trout darted into hiding. To me, that was a wake-up call for the need for stealth, which I’m still working to improve upon. As any successful predator learns, blending into the surrounding environment until the moment to strike is the first necessity in taking prey. Whereas most predators are born with a head

Continued, see STEALTH ON THE STREAM Page 10

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ge 10

Blue Ridge Trout Trek

By David Hulsey

e get these questions all the time: Where are the public access points on the Toccoa River? How do I get to the best fishing areas on Coopers Creek? I’ve heard of Fires Creek but how do I get there? It’s hard to decipher the public/private land deal in North Georgia and Western North Carolina. The National Forest lands are sometimes intertwined with private property and figuring out where to fish can be difficult. Getting a ticket is no fun for anyone but can easily happen if you stray onto the property of an angry landowner. That’s why we launched a new trip for the angler wishing to explore new areas without wasting precious fishing time trying to find a good fishing area. The Blue Ridge Trout Trek takes you to the best public fishing areas on 6 different streams in the North Georgia and Western North Carolina Mountains. All three different Trek days are about 6 hours long. No more wasting time and guessing if you in an area that is okay to fish or not.

On Trout Trek Brown, we take you to the 3 wade-able public access points on the Toccoa tailwater. Timing your trip to avoid the generation from the Blue Ridge Dam and where to wade this sometimes tricky, piece of trout water will be covered in addition to fly selection and specific holding areas for trout. All three have different approaches to being successful. On Trout Trek Rainbow, the upper Toccoa River access above Lake Blue Ridge will be covered, in addition to Coopers Creek, Rock Creek, and Noontootla Creek public access points. These small streams are great destinations for the fly angler and are just a few minutes away from one another. Forest service roads run beside each, providing easy access to these crystal clear tributaries to the Toccoa River. Fires Creek and the Nantahala River in Western North Carolina

are both “must fish” destinations for the visiting fly angler and local angler too. Trout Trek Brook reveals the fairly easy access, in addition to good populations of both wild and stocked rainbow, brown and brook trout that beckon anglers from all over the Southeast. These two streams are within an hour and a half drive from Blue Ridge Georgia,

the epicenter of fly fishing for trout in the lower southern range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our mission is to make fly fishing for trout easy and fun for everyone, from beginner to expert! Give us a call if you are interested in checking out some new fishing water, we can get you familiar with where to go and what to use to be successful.

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.

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MAY 2021

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Cast Away Your Troubles!

If you’ve come to experience a taste of the outdoors…we’ve got a great catch waiting for you.

nicoi County is teeming with great fishing spots. Our pristine waters boast record catches, and an unmatched variety of fish. From the Nolichucky River to the many streams and creeks in Unicoi County, you’ll find an impressive variety of bountiful fish and stunning scenic backdrops for your angling adventure. From smallmouth and largemouth bass to bluegill, catfish and trout, you’ll get hooked on our fishing opportunities in Unicoi County. Before you head to the water to fish, be sure to stop by the nearest Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) regional office or a license agent to purchase a fishing license. Your fees go toward fishery management programs that help ensure your future recreational fishing opportunities. Visit the TWRA for more information on fishing regulations in Tennessee, maps or brochures. Also visit the Cherokee National Forest site for more information about fishing in the national forest. Fly fishing guides are available through several outfitters.

Craving Adventure?

You’ve come to the right place… Rafting the Nolichucky River provides some of the most exhilarating river experiences in the world. Endless in scenic wonder and majesty, any trip on the Noli will be the adventure of a lifetime. The Nolichucky River’s churning white waters wind through the deepest gorge in the eastern United States. With steep mountain slopes and cliffs rising more than 2,000 feet, adventure-seekers will experience the breathtaking scenery along the way. Public boat access is available upstream in Poplar, North Carolina, as well as a take-out at Chestoa Recreation Area. In addition, several local rafting companies provide guided whitewater rafting trips and equipment.

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Learn more at realwildunicoicounty.com

MAY 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 5

ANDREWS / MURPHY

Springtime Striper Fishing in Murphy, NC

t’s time for some monster trophy stripers on Lake Hiwassee. Yup, it’s May…. Our favorite time of year for the big-uns. I’m talking about those reel screaming, line pulling, explosive hits that will make you wanna smack your granny it’s so awesome. No offense to granny, but this is most definitely the best time of year for trophy fish. May brings in the warmer weather, which gets these stripers in the mood for spawning and really fires up the bite. We’ll also start catching number as well. So if you’re looking for something to do or an avid fisherman looking for that record fish, give us a holler and get your fish on with the area’s #1 guide service. We specialize in striper and hybrid fishing. Check out our Facebook and Instagram page Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and give us a like. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is around 15 feet below full pool. Clarity

By Shane Goebel

is mostly clear and slightly stained in the rivers. Water temps have been in the mid 60’s. The striper bite has been wicked lately! We are starting to catch some good numbers, Averaging 15 to 20 stripers a morning. The majority of our stripers have been in the 15 to 30 pound range. In the early part of the month, you’ll still find a lot of these fish in their spring spawning areas in the backs of creeks and in the river. As the month progresses, they’ll start working their way back to deeper water in the mouths of creeks and around shallow humps all over the lake. The early morning and late afternoon bite has been the best for catching these beasts. Pulling planer boards and free lines with live herring will be your best technique. As the sun comes up, it never hurts to throw out a couple of down lines. Try to pay attention to areas that are holding a lot

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of baitfish—the stripers will be close by. Also, watch for an awesome top-water bite to fire up. I always like to keep a Red Fin or a spook at the ready to work the banks as we troll around. Just keep an eye out for busting fish. May is a fantastic month for catching a lot of 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 Lakes Nottely and Chatuge (in North some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy Carolina), and Lake Apalachia for stripers during the fishing trip of a smallmouth and trout. So, come fish lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s and with the pros for the opportunity to Blairsville Georgia’s premier full- be featured in Angler Magazine, and time guide service, specializing in let us help you get your fish on! striped and hybrid bass. We also serve 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.

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MAY 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 7

Leave No Trace Fishing By Paul Wright

“Take only memories, leave only footprints” ~ Chief Seattle Fishing presents opportunities to enjoy the wilderness without leaving impacts.

s parking beside the river the best approach? Or could we gain peace of mind, and some exercise as well, by parking at paved areas further away? When the temptation

arises to steer a vehicle off the pavement, will that damage the roadside habitat and cause rainwater from the road to carry sediment into the stream? With a little thought,

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we can enhance our experiences by choosing the paved parking area. We might ask similar questions when choosing a path to a pristine stream. Do we really need to create a new path by forging through the brush? If a path is muddy, is that because someone put sticks or rocks down to create a water crossing – which blocked the flow of water from running OFF the path and kept the water on the path instead? Is it really okay to toss my apple core or banana peel by the path, as biodegradable and therefore not really “trash” or is it possible that a young and impressionable critter might learn to treat that morsel as part of its natural diet, and begin to look to human contact as a source of food? Or will my trash lessen the experience of the next person to come by? It’s not “just an apple core,” it is also a reminder to others that someone else was there –

just like the initials carved into a tree or rock, or a rock cairn that says “I was here [BEFORE YOU].” The point is simply that we choose whether to leave impacts. Almost nobody really wants to harm the wilderness, or someone else’s experience. But we have all experienced the impacts others leave when they do not think as clearly as we wish they had. By the same token, others probably have experienced impacts we have all left by failing to think as clearly as WE wish we had. By focusing on how to leave as little impact as possible, we can enhance our own wilderness experiences as well as the experiences of those who come behind us. By making a “game” of becoming skilled at not leaving any evidence at all that we were ever there, we can harness our own competitive nature in a rewarding and responsible way.

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MAY 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 9

Lake Chatuge – May Hybrids and Spotted Bass

By Darren Hughes

he hybrid bass bite is in full swing. These Lake Chatuge monsters are right in the midst of their spring spawn. Currently, they are feeding pretty aggressively on bait in the backs of creeks and in shallow areas around the mouths of creeks. The far south end and far upper ends of the lake have been pretty decent. We are seeing most of our fish in the 5 to 25 foot range. Your early morning and late evening bites will be the best. Pulling planer boards and free lines with live blueback herring and shad will be your best technique. Towards the end of this month, we’ll start to see these hard-fighting fish school up in the mouths of creeks and off points around the lake. When these hybrids school up, it can most certainly make for an unforgettable fishing trip. We typically average 30 to 60 hybrids in a morning and sometimes in less than 2 hours. These fish will range in sizes from 6-15 pounds and fight like no other. Also, look for an awesome topwater bite to get fired up soon. I

usually keep a Red Fin or a spook at the ready. The spotted bass bite has also been excellent. Fish should be coming up off their beds and are super hungry. They will be schooling up off shallow points and humps throughout the lake. Recently, we have been boating 25 to 30 fish per trip. A lot of these spots have been averaging 4 to 6 pounds. Focus on shallow areas around creeks and off points and humps. Down-lining live bluebacks has worked the best. Also, watch for a strong top-water bite to start. When these schooling spots start chasing up bait and busting on the surface, they’ll hit almost anything you can throw at them. May is a fantastic month for catching a lot of trophy hybrids and spots on this North Georgia lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1-rated guide service put you on some of Lake Chatuge’s best trophy hybrids 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 Hiwassee and Nottely, 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!

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.

STEALTH ON THE STREAM continued from page 2

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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start on humans, we must start with the most appropriate attire so that we, too, blend into the environment in which we are hunting. To do so, we must consider what is seen from the trout’s perspective. Without going into the angles of light bending due to surface refraction, simply look behind you. Unless you are positioned directly above the trout (not recommended), you should blend in with what is in your background. This changes by the season, but rarely is it fluorescent yellow, bright white, or blaze orange, yet I see many anglers proudly donning these colors, often with long sleeves flashing around with every cast. Also, the hat, which is the highest point of your body should not be a bright color or have a bright logo. Whereas the western states may be best suited for light brown or khaki, the Appalachians tend to have more dark green rhododendrons.

In order for me to have my best shot at the wild, alert trout of the Smokies, I wear drab green and brown camouflage, long sleeved shirt, brown hat and pants. Lately when I’m fishing low, clear water, I’ve added a camouflage neck gaiter and fingerless, camouflage gloves to hide my hands as I’m making casts. I always wear brown polarized glasses as well. Now that colors are blended, take a close look at those shiny tools attached to your pack or vest. Does anything, fly rod, reel, wristwatch, ring, snipping tool, forceps, etc. have a potential to reflect light onto the water’s surface? To a trout, it would be akin to a strobe light. While trout can and are caught by anglers wearing bright clothing, taking the next step to catching more and larger wild trout may be as simple blending in. Now that you’re dressed for success, comes the hard part. Part 2 will be…..The Approach!

Jim Parks, a native of Newport, Tennessee, has spent forty-three years fly-fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which he considers his home waters. He has written articles for Fly Fish America, taught courses, and spoken to civic organizations on flyfishing. Jim is the author of “Tails of the Smokies” COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GREAT SMOKIES

Magic Catches

By Scott Norton

e have waited so long for this moment and the bass are ready to play. The winter slump is clearly behind us. The elevation game is on and now is the time to ride that wave. I have experienced one of the best pre-spawns to date. I predicted that the spawn would hit early this year and it has. Coming out of the winter, with all the rain and warm weather, caused a magnificent beginning to the season. This year has had its downside with being prepared for the spawn. Shipping and availability of your favorite tackle has been a challenge. The silver lining is what we already have. What I mean is we all have those lures and setups we do not really touch because we have confidence in our favorite baits. Yes, we have problems this year but we can also learn new techniques with tackle we have never used or

did not spend the time to master. You know you have been battle tested when you become successful, even out of your comfort zone. I have to say, my best techniques have developed this way. In a crowd of anglers, using new ideas can earn you success in an unconventional way. Doing things differently than the crowd can give you results. If other anglers do not know the spawn is early this year, then this is the opportunity you may need to get into those fresh bass from the deep. A plan has many facets for success. The more you fish, the more you start to see patterns. You can use this to your advantage such as fishing through the winter gives you an insight on where the bass are and what they are doing when you are tracking them. Things like what they are eating, when they feed, and where they are in their migration.

Information that is valuable to know when starting the season strong. Your troubleshooting can be cut exponentially. The lack of tackle could force you to look at things systematically instead of from what worked in the past. I know a lot of anglers that plan from memory instead, and

this can throw you off from reading the actual situation. Learning to switch gears is the best plan because most of the time, it is not going to go as planned. You always have to be prepared for that. Be versatile, adjust to the conditions and situations and you will end up being an angler in a different class.

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

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MAY 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 11

Salmon in North Carolina By Capt. James McManus

read an encouraging story on NC Angler, a local fishing report site concerning a good thing the wildlife folks have done. In this column, I have often criticized the folks for not doing enough to help our local waters. Looks like they did the right thing for Nantahala Lake. The report states that 41,000 fingerling kokanee salmon were stocked, with another stocking coming this month. Yee Haw! If you have never caught one of these

never had lightning on a string like those kokes. If you’re not familiar with the species, they are native to more northern waters all the way to Alaska. One of the strangest fish that swims in my opinion, they change from a mirror slick silver with very slight build until the fall when they grow humpy back and turn scarlet red, preparing for their annual spawning run. They are also filter feeders so they

Salmon are filter feeders so they only eat plankton and other micro bugs they can filter out of the open water. This trait makes them a little hard to catch, but they are catchable. little salmon you don’t know what you’re missing. I have caught a bunch of trout trolling but have

only eat plankton and other micro bugs they can filter out of the open hard to catch with conventional water. This trait makes them a little tactics, but they are catchable. Several years ago, on the 4th of July, my wife and I took a trip up to Nantahala Lake. After reading up on them, I was determined to snag some. Small hootchies, trolled behind a small dodger, was the recommended bait with the compulsory piece of shoepeg corn attached to the hook. Well, I don’t know what shoepeg corn is so I put a gulp maggot in its place. Slow trolling at 100 feet was the ticket and to my delight, I caught three. I can tell you they eat really well and

I planned more trips. Like other lakes here, people put blueback herring in the lake and, like the walleye in Glenville and Fontana, in a year or so there were no kokanee left. Thanks to the wildlife folks for being proactive in this case, I look forward to catching those little fellas again. I also hope this is a start for NCWRC to take more proactive steps with our other local lakes. Let me know if you want go and thank you Lord for all our finned friends. Later, Capt. James.

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

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Old Dogs…New Tricks By Capt. Cefus McRae

ook in my tackle boxes, and you’ll find a lot of lures, hooks, and rigs that have been catching fish for decades or longer. Those unimpressive purple plastic worms rigged on a Tru-Turn bass hook with a bullet sinker still fool bass. The WhoopAss bucktail jigs continue to catch stripers, hybrids, snapper, grouper, cobia and a variety of other species, and my scratched up MirroLures will catch just about anything that swims. These rigs have been doing the job for as long as I can remember. For the most part, they still are a vital part of my go-to portfolio of confidence lures and rigs. Every season, tackle manufacturers debut new lures that are sure to be the next wave in fish-catching. Some of them are so

realistic that it’s almost impossible to distinguish them from the real thing. In truth, many of them are essentially the same lure with a different coat of paint, a slightly different swimming action, or a different size, and, yes, they will also catch fish. Every so often, a rig comes along that has a distinct impact on the sport. Remember when the Alabama Rigs first came out? They were so effective, many tournaments banned them from use. Some state regulations now only let you have three hooks on a five-hook rig. It is crazy how these micro versions of the time-tested umbrella rig attract game fish, and a lot of companies jumped on the bandwagon to produce similar (but improved) versions of that rig. The Captain

Continued, see OLD DOGS Page 15

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

John Singer from Perry, Florida, with a huge Smallmouth taken from Nantahala Lake while fishing with Ronnie Parris from Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

MAY 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 13

ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD

Learning Personal Responsibility Through Fishing

ersonal responsibility and fishing are two words that aren’t often mentioned together within the same sentence, but I think that now, more than ever, it is necessary to try and draw a connection between these two subjects as it relates to the future of our sport and our environment as a whole. We stand at a crossroads in our society that also trickles down into the angling culture; which path we decide to take individually will have lasting effects not only on our fisheries but also within our own personal lives as well. Fishing in general, regardless of what species is targeted, has gotten insurmountably easier in terms of finding information. This

By Ethan Hollifield

information can come in the form of finding specific locations, howto videos on techniques, and the affordability and availability of equipment is drastically different compared to only ten years ago. New generations of anglers now have access to almost every facet of knowledge, much more than I ever had when I was growing up. While this notion of available information isn’t inherently a negative connotation; what it does mean is that new anglers are learning in ways that are completely different from previous generations of fishermen. Now, how does this all relate to having a sense of personal responsibility? The connection

for me is steeped deeply in the environment in which I was raised. I grew up watching members of my family, particularly my grandparents, who had a strong sense of work ethic in almost every aspect of their lives. It wasn’t just that they worked hard for the sake of being able to provide for their families, but also because it gave them a sense of meaning in the work that they did. They took pride in every single thing they built, created, or said, because to them it mattered immensely. I was raised with that attitude of caring and appreciating what I was working at, which ultimately translated into how I learned to fish. I believe that when you look at some of the best

anglers in the world: Lefty Kreh, Joe Humphreys, and others, that this same work ethic is also evident. It wasn’t just that they were really good at catching fish, but they also understood how and why they caught fish in the first place through what I would ultimately imagine to be a prolonged series of trials and errors, and studying both successes and failures on the water, for years on end. When information becomes widely available, it is then very easy for people to stagnate in their personal drive to better themselves. Why work hard at finding solutions for problems fishing on your own when that information is only a quick search queue away

Continued, see LEARNING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Page 16

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ge 16

Help Keep Our Waterways Clean Adopt a Storm Drain

iverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground— where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream. With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed. The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm,

of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Are you ready to adopt a storm drain?

convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between How does it work? Select a storm drain in a rain events and keeping it clear and if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

Visit www.riverlink.org/work/ adopt-a-storm-drain/ and choose a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed. Click on the dot for the storm drain you want to adopt, and follow the link in the pop-up to fill out the adoption form.

OLD DOGS continued from page 13 Mack’s Mini-Mack and Project X X-Rig are two good examples of taking a good idea and making it even better. Hard plastic and soft plastic swim baits have been around forever and are probably the most continuously updated lure style. My grandfather had one of the original Animated Minnows, and lots of lures from Creek Chub and Heddon. They all caught fish. Fastforward fifty years and innovations in manufacturing have created more lifelike action and amazing graphics. Two that come to mind are the Sebile Magic Swimmer and Savage Gear’s 4 Play 2.0 look like real baitfish swimming in the water, and they catch fish. In the soft plastic realm, the paddle-tail lures have really come into the limelight. New ways to rig them, like using a Flutter Hook, are putting lots of fish in the cooler in both fresh and saltwater. Spoons and jigs have been used since caveman days. Although they were primitive, they still

put meat on the table. Today’s shinier versions work on the same principles, but now we have terms like Slow-Jigging, Deep-Dropping, and Butterflying. These tactics all revolve around dropping a heavy piece of metal over the side and using a variety of retrieve tactics to entice a bite. Our ancestors did the same thing with their homemade rigs. They just called it “fishing”. They say you can’t teach an old dog, new tricks. After thinking about it, I’d say the old tricks worked pretty good back then and still do today. But regardless of whether you’re fishing with this year’s latest gadget or a rig that your grandfather used, the key is to get out on the water and start fishing. I really don’t think a hungry fish cares whether it’s the latest rage or a time-tested favorite. So while you’re re-stocking your tackle box for spring fishing, consider blowing the dust off some of those old standbys from a few years ago too. I’d wager if they caught fish a few years ago, they’ll still catch fish today.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 15

LEARNING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY continued from page 14 on your smartphone? To me, this presents a bigger problem within the angling community that I have been pondering on over the last few years. It’s not necessarily that the information is out there, but that it negates the sense of personal responsibility to become better as an angler. Being a better angler means being willing to care deeply about the sport. This affection for fishing stems from having a very deep connection and understanding about the environments in which fish reside. Once one understands the complexity and interconnectedness of the ecology surrounding aquatic ecosystems, it instills a sense of personal responsibility to better care for those ecosystems because, frankly, we love them and the angling opportunities they provide us. Stocked fish from hatcheries in artificially made fisheries have

their place, but when our entire experience is relegated to something that inherently takes very little skill, then we will never grow individually as anglers. Studying every aspect of fishing takes someone who is dedicated, and I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not entirely possible for every person. However, the culture and mindset of being personally responsible in how we learn as anglers can create a better appreciation and respect for the environments that we fish in. After all, the only way inherent meaning is found through any activity is through consequence. I fervently believe that it is our responsibility, as so-called stewards to the sport, to instill this attitude if we want future generations of anglers to enjoy the same experiences that we enjoy on the water today.

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

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‘Hot List’ Hatches

ge 14

By Karl Ekberg

e’ve had many great days of fishing with all of our guides hosting clients on the waters surrounding the Chattooga River Fly Shop. Both the big rivers and small streams have had great hatches so far this spring, and it looks to continue into the early summer. Our water levels have been a bit high at times from some tremendous storms thru the middle of April. This is actually great for our river systems with all of the foliage blossoms popping throughout the forest. The Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron will bless the riversides in May, which makes any day of fishing picturesque. Fishing on the delayed harvest sections has been outstanding with large fish being caught with dry flies. We’ve been fishing the riffles to the heads of the pools with the most success. Dry fly fishing the slower water areas, when the hatch is happening, has also produced great numbers of fish as well. During early

mornings and late afternoons, longer casts with long swinging dead-drifts of flashback nymphs and emergers have been the key to success. Crystal clear water equals the fish seeing movement from a further distance. Lengthening the leader, and a size smaller tippet, will make a difference with finicky and wary trout. As the hatches progress with the warmer weather, we look forward to seeing many more May Flies and Caddis - Stop by the Fly Shop and check out the “Hot List” for hatch updates. Another large emergence is that of the Oak Worms. These fine little creatures are a tasty treat that even the largest of trout cannot pass up as they fall from the trees into the rivers. Casting imitations of these, under the over-hanging bushes, and dead drifting them with a twitching technique will be very beneficial for a large day on the river. Anywhere you find these worms dangling from their silk lines from the trees, do not

hesitate to stop and watch the worm finally hit the water, and see what happens! The next step would be to work your way into a good vantage point to make your cast to the fish, which just ate the natural. Do not worry about a delicate cast, even splatting the worm on the water, will be just as effective, as they also fall out of the trees from far above. As the late spring temperatures rise, fishing the shady areas of the rivers will be essential, as the fish will move out of the high sun and warmer temperature waters. Let’s all remember to “leave no trace”. Packing out with what you brought in with you is essential, and bringing something back out with you that someone else has left behind, does not hurt either, to keep our beautiful streams and rivers

Dan Whitmire from Evans, GA, with a Chauga Brown.

how they should be. Keeping them clean now, means future generations will still be able to enjoy what we are enjoying now! Check out our daily posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, giving you the daily water conditions on the Chattooga River, and please share your big fish pictures with us!! We hope to see everyone out on the rivers!

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.

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MAY 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 17

HIGH COUNTRY

Rugged Land, An Ancient River and Smallmouth Bass: The French Broad River in Madison County, North Carolina

f you know Madison County NC, you know a place of beauty and unique character. I’ve been trying to get to know Madison County for more than 25 years, and I believe that I have only scratched the surface. The first thing to know is this: It is a rugged land shaped by an ancient river, and people shaped by that land. It’s rich in life and history. It is diverse and beautiful beyond comparison. So much has been said of the scenery and history of Madison County, yet one critical point is often missed in those tales. The overlooked point is fishing. There is excellent

By Pete Dixon at Broadwing Farm Cabins pete@broadwingfarmcabins.com

fishing here and it is one of the most scenic watersheds in Eastern North America. There are over 80 species of fish documented in the French Broad. I myself have caught at least 10 species of gamefish, within just a couple miles around Hot Springs largemouth, spotted bass, rock bass, white bass, musky, walleye, sauger, catfish, drum and bluegill. The list goes on and on, but the stand-out in the French Broad is the smallmouth bass. Smallmouth fishing can be exciting in the extreme, the kind that can leave your adrenal gland in the gutter, and if you’re not prepared, you may end up wishing

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you had stronger hooks. The Habitat- The French Broad is mostly rock and sand, with lots of rapids, ledges, cliffs, and pools. There are eddies ranging in size from a bathroom sink to a couple of acres. The valley through Madison County is mountainous with forested slopes and rocky bluffs around every bend. In Madison County, there are putins at Redman Damn, Barnard, Stackhouse, Hot Springs, Murray Branch, and informally Paint Rock. To fish Section 9, which stretches from Marshall to Hot Springs, you

should start with a guide or fish from the bank, unless you are an experienced whitewater paddler. It’s class 2 whitewater through section 9, with some class 3 moments and it’s very remote so, if you get in a pickle, help is not right around the corner. With all this moving water, the pools and eddies make excellent smallmouth habitat. Section 10 starts in Hot Springs and goes to the Tennessee border. The rapids are more mellow and novices commonly navigate this section. There is also excellent shore

Continued, see RUGGED LAND Page 20

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Catch More Value with Trout Insurance

e met the staff of Trout Insurance recently in Weaverville NC. From here, they serve the needs of their clients through the mountains, the upstate and beyond. Think Martinique. A forward looking and innovative group of dedicated professionals, we discussed some recent trends: New Savings on Health Insurance The Covid relief bill increased Marketplace subsidies. And you can change plans for better coverage. Plus, the income cap on savings has been eliminated. It’s a great time to review. No Exam Life Insurance As we have seen over the last year, financial protection for those you love is primary. And life insurance is more affordable than ever. Get a quote directly from their website.

For Business Owners They offer all lines of business coverage. And most important in today’s labor market; a benefits package to find and retain great employees. More dollars in the catch bucket.

More Value and Protection for Your Auto & Home

As an independent, they shop the market for you. New driving apps can provide savings. And for you readers Fifty Plus - special values thru AARP.

And Yes – they do Boats

Talking with Dave Trout, I discovered he is not a great angler, despite the name. However, prior to insurance, he was a chef for twenty-five years. We talked fish after the catch. Dave has agreed to share recipes!

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 19

RUGGED LAND continued from page 18 fishing upstream and downstream from Hot Springs.

Break it down by seasons

Convenient to Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Beech Mountain Our resorts offer the perfect vacation or getaway in the mountains of Western North Carolina

Located on the headwater of the Watauga River, we are convenient to all of the wonderful attractions of the High Country like Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Falls, Gem Mining and more. Enjoy the adventure at affordable rates! Hook up your RV, pitch your tent or rent on-site lodging. We are conveniently located 10 miles south of Boone on Hwy. 105 or 7 miles north of Linville on Hwy. 105. You’ll find the High Country of N.C. offers many activities for everyone in the family!

Call Today 800-788-2582

www.grandfatherrv.com 125 Proﬁle View Rd., Banner Elk, NC 28604 20 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

MAY 2021

Summer: Post spawn, fish can be plentiful. Food is abundant and the temperatures support active feeding. Look for fish close to, or in current. Micro eddies will consistently hold fish. Bigger fish will often be in bigger eddies, but close to the current. For bait, soft plastics are king, but try anything. I use ¼ oz jig heads with my plastic, because this river is big and strong. Avoid jig heads with thin wire hooks! Switch colors often, looking for the bite if you aren’t getting consistent action. Small crank baits can work well in small eddies. Surface action can be great any time, but most often it picks up in the evenings, in shadows and around limbs and overhangs. Most fish will be close to moving water, especially in the day, but they typically spread out in the evenings to some calmer areas. The trick in the summer is to remember there are feeding fish all around you. Switch it up frequently until you find that bite. When the water temps get very warm, oxygen is limiting, so you are looking for fish in proximity to churning white, oxygenated water, they will be right up on some bubbles. Summer fish are, on average, smaller and some days the size may average out to only 12”. But those same days you may see 30 or even 50 fish and that’s a lot of fun. And bigger fish will be encountered occasionally feeding along with the smaller fish. Sometimes evening attention to shadows and larger eddies with surface lures can tempt out the big ones. Fall: When the water starts to cool off, the fish will move out of the current, away from bubbles and micro eddies, into medium sized eddies and pools, behind ledges and behind rocks. Many of the summer holes still hold fish, but they will have loosened their attention on fast moving, bubbly water. Soft plastics are still excellent, but now presented slower and lower, in

deeper pools. Slow presentation of crawdad patterns is one of my goto’s in the fall. Bigger crank baits, cast across wide stretches of deep water, can turn up some big solo fish in surprise action. Fall fish run the gambit in size, but include more +15” fish. Hinged Rapalas and other minnow patterns can be hot in the fall. Winter: Winter fishing is my favorite and possibly the best kept secret of the French Broad. I am skunked more in the winter but it’s worth it because when you find the fish, buckle in. Winter fish are big, strong and cooler temperatures don’t dampen their will. Now the fish have congregated around the edges of big pools, still close to the current, but big eddies and slower currents are involved. Look for schools on the tail end of a pool and over upstream facing drop offs and ledges. They surf the big underwater waves around interesting structures. If you get a fish, stop moving and start fishing right there, because they stick together in the winter. A good winter spot can be a very particular and compact spot, and that little spot can pay off again and again, for years. Crawdad colored grubs retrieved low and slow, and big deep diving crawdad colored crank baits pay off during the winter months. Strikes in the winter can be subtle compared to spring and summer fish. While spring fish often attack with a devilish TAP! or more frequently TAP! TAP!, the winter hit can be subtle, even a suspicious slacking of the line. If you’re not sure, set the hook anyway! Start watching the USGS temperature gauge online. The afternoon temperature peak during the last 2 days of a warming trend can be awesome. Fish can average 17” this time of year, and it’s your best shot at a rare +20”. Get your forearms in shape, and don’t skimp on hooks, unless you like to see them straightened. Spring: When daytime water temps start to average in the 60s the fish will fan out from the big pools to faster, smaller eddies and towards spawning areas. Jerk baits, and minnow patterned plastics and

Continued, see RUGGED LAND Page 26 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Primetime for Trout

By James Bradley

ay is an outstanding time to be up in the North Georgia Mountains. Signs of life are everywhere from the opening of apple houses to seeing lawn keepers weed eating. Being a guide, I have always loved the month of May. It is perhaps the best fly-fishing month on the calendar. Many may argue otherwise, but it’s hard to beat this month with its ideal water temperatures. Having prime water temperatures allows trout to become super active eating and chasing food items to eat. Don’t forget that it will not be too much longer until the water gets to a comfortable temperature for us to wet-wade most mountain streams. Retiring those old worn heavy waders for nothing more than nylon fishing pants is a delight. I’m looking forward to this as much as the trout are to looking up for some of their daily meals!

Although, I am not a dry fly purist, May is an outstanding month for the surface bite. Trout only take about 10 percent of their diet from the surface. The remaining balance is taken subsurface. But, the excitement of this time of year is having trout rise to dry flies. To see a large trout come from the depths to inspect a fly is undeniably an adrenaline rush! It could be a huge 20-inch trout appearing to slowly take your fly or sadly, even turn away. Or what if it’s one of those feisty little, wild rainbows that come up from the depths like a rocket heading to Mars to smash the hair right off the fly? Yes, this is right around the corner in just a matter of days, and counting. Your setup can be from a dry fly to a hopper. Even using search patterns like a dry/dropper combination will work well. Dry fly search patterns are more commonly Stimulators. Dropper flies can be

small caddis flies, mayflies, stoneflies, or even wets or emergers. Dry fly time in the mountains has sprung, so get out there and tie one on! If you are a beginner wanting to learn how to fly fish, we have a great staff of instructors who have been schooled in the art of fly fishing. One of the best ways to learn about fly fishing is to spend time with those of us who are professional full-time guides. Don’t forget to ask us about our float trips! Currently, we are doing floats on the Toccoa Tailwater and on the

upper river as well. Give us a call to book your amazing trip on the water and don’t forget that we offer gift certificates!

James Bradley is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide. Call him at (706) 273-0764 or look him up at www.ReelEmInGuideService.com. Reel ‘Em In Guide Service operates as an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter in North Georgia’s Historic High-Country region. They have permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offer over 7 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and operate float trips on the Toccoa River in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC.

Roan Mountain Gateway

outhern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy recently transferred 91 acres to the USDA Forest Service, adding to public lands just south of the popular Carvers Gap area on the North Carolina and Tennessee border. Collectively known as the Roan Mountain Gateway, these 91 acres encompass the last privatelyowned land on NC Hwy 261 before reaching Carvers Gap. The Roan Mountain Gateway is prominent in views from Round Bald and Jane Bald, iconic locations along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in the Highlands of Roan. The land contains high elevation habitat, including restored habitat for neotropical migratory Golden-winged Warblers and other species, as well as headwater tributaries that flow into local trout streams. “This is a beautiful tract of land within the Highlands of the Roan that can now be enjoyed by all and seen from scenic viewpoints along the Appalachian Trail,” says Jen Barnhart, Appalachian District Ranger with Pisgah National Forest. “We are proud to be the stewards of this land among a majestic part of

the Pisgah National Forest that was secured collaboratively with SAHC and support from Mitchell County Commissioners. Additionally, the local communities will benefit with the protection of the headwaters of Carvers Gap Creek, a NC classified ‘high quality water’ stream that contributes to providing drinking water to North Carolina residents.” Scenic views of the surrounding landscape can be enjoyed from the property, which reaches above 5,200 ft. elevation. In the future, the opening of this land for public access may help alleviate impacts from overcrowding at Carvers Gap. The Roan Mountain Gateway is located within the Audubon Society’s Roan Mountain Important Bird Area. As part of the Roan Massif – a compact collection of connected mountains – preservation of the land contributes to protection of ecologically sensitive, globally important ecosystems. Headwater tributaries of Carvers Gap Creek, which flows into the North

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Toe River, originate on the property. “I fell in love with the Roan Highlands at first sight, and I’m not alone in this sentiment,” says Michelle Pugliese, SAHC’s land protection director. “The section of the Appalachian Trail running through the Roan has experienced a huge increase in visitation over recent years, leading to some damage to the fragile ecosystem. The Roan Mountain Gateway property lies just below Carvers Gap and is a valuable addition to Pisgah National Forest. In addition to its biological significance, it can provide an alternative location to hike and enjoy long-range scenic views, helping to reduce the impact of visitation on the nearby Southern Appalachian grassy balds.” “Thousands of Appalachian Trail hikers each year are drawn to and inspired by the Roan Mountain landscape, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and Pisgah National

Forest in this essential project,” said Sandra Marra, president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “Protecting the Roan Mountain Gateway is a boon to the A.T. landscape, providing not only greater protection to iconic views and native flora and fauna, but also options for local hikers to lessen their impact on fragile natural resources without compromising on the Roan Highland hiking experience.” “This new acquisition will further preserve a beautiful and unique area of the North Carolina highlands for generations to come,” said United States Senator Richard Burr, who led the effort to permanently and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund for over a decade and visited this property with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell in 2015 when it was initially proposed for inclusion in Pisgah National Forest. “I’m glad the SAHC was able to make this happen with help from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is designed to improve access so everyone can better enjoy America’s parks, landscapes, and wildlife preserves.”

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call to water er gift

The Casting Corner

Leaders Matter

By Rene J. Hesse

few years back, I took a trout fisherman out to bass fish for the first time. He bought a 7 wt. rod and a bass taper WF line to balance it. The plan was for me to be paddle boy in the canoe and he was going to catch more fish in a day than he ever had. It ended up that way; however, right at the beginning of the day, there was some difficulty. How do you tell someone who is a better trout fisherman than you that they are doing something wrong? Let them get frustrated and then tell them you want to change the fly and make some adjustments. So what do you think was wrong with the situation? We had a great caster, no wind to speak of, and the right fly. It was the equipment. The leader was a trout type leader: 9 foot 4X and we were casting a big bass

popper. All we had to do was cut about 2 feet of line off the tapered end, and now we have about a 1X. With a big bulky fly, we need more of a mass profile in the leader to help turn over the fly. With bass, we don’t need to make gentle presentations, so a shorter leader is generally a safe bet. So let’s look at the other end of the spectrum; when we are using a weighted fly. If we have a 7 foot leader and are casting with a 0X or 1X, the fly will tend to kick over or to the side due to the energy of the fly line leader not dissipating the energy. The answer to that is to lengthen the leader, and if you can, drop down in the diameter of the tippet. Maybe a foot or two of a 2X or 3X will do it. Watch what the fly is doing on a

consistent basis. Is it not making the target because the line is collapsing? Is it going off target at the last second? These are generally leader issues. They don’t take long to fix, and it is worth it. Now you can buy leaders designed for whatever you are going for or the type fly you are using. Just make sure you switch out

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if you switch situations. So, back to my buddy, who was a great trout fisherman and caster. All we had to do was cut a few feet off his leader, and he was casting like a champ, hitting the target and catching fish. The only downside is he started calling me paddle boy.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 23

Eastern America’s Highest Town B eech Mountain is the highest town in Eastern America and an ideal vacation spot in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Our elevation (5,506 feet) sets us apart 12 months a year. A visit to the Town of Beech Mountain offers exciting outdoor recreation and milehigh relaxation. In summer, adventure seekers flock to the Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain, a trail park which features more than eight miles of gorgeous trails near the top of the mountain. Hiking, mountain biking and trail running are prevalent in the Emerald Outback, as well as on several other miles of in-town trails maintained by the parks & recreation department. Downhill mountain biking trails, complete with lift service, are available during the warmer months at Beech Mountain Resort. Those trails range from beginner to advanced. The most challenging trails at the resort have twice hosted USA Cycling’s Mountain Bike

Gravity National Championships. The resort’s biking operation is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and offers bike rentals and lessons in addition to lift service. Families and seniors also covet summer vacations on Beech – hiking to waterfalls, enjoying 100-mile mountain vistas, visiting the animal habitat at nearby Grandfather Mountain and taking in a round of mini-golf in mild temperatures that average in the low to mid 70s. Fly anglers enjoy finding hidden trout streams across the mountain, while recreational fishing is available at Buckeye Lake and Coffey Lake, both of which are stocked annually. Coffey Lake also has a paved 1/8-mile trail around the lake that’s ideal for walking and jogging. The Mountain Heritage Trout Water (MHTW) program is all about convenience. It allows North Carolina residents and nonresidents to fish in MHTW streams simply by

Buckeye Recreation Center

Beech Mountain Resort

A fabulous indoor facility for residents and visitors with a full-size gymnasium, indoor tennis court, pickleball courts, meeting areas, fitness area with state-of-the-art equipment, kid’s playroom, living room area, and indoor walking track.

The premier winter ski resort in North Carolina, providing skiers and snowboarders with upscale amenities, superb terrain, and learning center. In summer, the slopes convert to downhill mountain biking trails, making it the highest lift-serviced mountain bike park east of the Rockies.

(828) 387-3003 1330 Pine Ridge Road Beech Mountain, NC 28604 beechrecreation.recdesk.com

828-387-2011 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway Beech Mountain, NC 28604 beechmountainresort.com

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purch alread specia Tr stream Febru parkin Cente as it fl are se stocke Po hook Comm Lakele stretch inhabi Ot and B by the is des Bucke receiv brook inland Be Beech of Bee Learn appro info an

A p visitors use of t 18-hole with a s

purchasing a three-day license for just $5. Anglers who already have a statewide fishing license do not need the special MHTW three-day license. Trout Fishing Buckeye Creek is a hatchery-supported stream (open first Saturday in April through last day of February) that flows out of Buckeye Lake, with nearby parking available at the town’s Buckeye Recreation Center. Buckeye Creek has some nice pools and riffles as it flows out of Buckeye Lake, and further downstream are several good fishing areas below a waterfall. It is stocked annually with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Pond Creek is designated catch-and-release single hook artificial lures only by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Parking for Pond Creek is available off Lakeledge Road at Lake Coffey. Pond Creek has a longer stretch of available water than Buckeye Creek. It is inhabited by native brook trout. Other options on Beech Mountain are Lake Coffey and Buckeye Lake, two small lakes stocked annually by the Wildlife Resources Commission. Lake Coffey is designated as delayed harvest trout waters, while Buckeye Lake is designated hatchery supported. Both receive a large annual infusion of brown, rainbow and brook trout. Anglers need a regular North Carolina inland license to fish in those lakes. Beech Mountain Guided Fishing presented by Beech Parks and Recreation. Get in the back country of Beech Mountain’s streams and secrete fishing holes. Learn to read water, bait selection, fly casting and how to approach mountain fishing. Call 828-387-3003 for more info and RSVP.

Trout anglers have multiple options on Beech Mountain

Beech Mountain Club A private club offering activities and facilities for visitors to enjoy year-round. Most lodging rentals include use of the Club and entitle visitors to amenities such as the 18-hole mountaintop golf course stretching 6,099 yards with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

828-387-4208 103 Lakeledge Road Beech Mountain, NC 28604 beechmtn.club COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Fly Fishing Wilson Creek North Carolina

ilson Creek, a tributary of the Johns River, flows from its headwaters on Grandfather Mountain near the Blue Ridge Parkway above Edgemont, North Carolina. It is a National Wild and Scenic River. The creek flows through several different sections of private and public lands. For purposes of fly fishing, there are two basic sections. Wilson Creek in the Wilson Creek Gorge area, and the upper Wilson Creek headwaters. The lower section in the gorge is just over two miles long. Just above the gorge is more public water mixed in with private sections of the stream. The lower end of the gorge section ends at the Brown Mountain Beach Campground. The creek in this section is rather large, with deep pools and short sections of riffles.

By James Marsh

It’s heavily stocked by the state. Ralph Winchester Road follows the creek through the gorge up to state highway #90 but access is not exactly easy. The road runs high above the water and you have to follow steep trails down to the stream. Above the gorge, there’s another mile plus, of public access mixed in with private property. Fly fishing Wilson Creek, in its headwaters where the stream is managed as wild trout water, is well worth the effort. It’s fly fishing only, single hook artificial - catch and release regulations. It has a good population of both wild rainbows and brown trout. There are some brook trout in its uppermost headwaters. The upper part of Wilson Creek is more typical of the small to medium size freestone, mountain trout stream with runs, riffles, plunges and short pools.

The only problem with this section of Wilson Creek, if you want to consider it a problem, is access. You have to hike to reach any of its water, although it can be reached in one area with about a halfmile hike. Downstream of Forest Service Road #192, Forest Service Trail 258 follows the creek through the public lands, but reaching its fishable waters can require a long hike depending on where it’s accessed. You should have a map for sure because the trails that reach the creek are rather complicated. There are other small tributary streams in the area such as Buck Timber Creek and Cary Flat Branch. The trails range in length from a half mile to three miles from the trailhead to the stream, depending on which one, or combination of trails, you select.

Although Wilson Creek is a little difficult to access in its upper parts, it’s well worth fishing. It’s lightly pressured and it seems to have a good population of trout. Wilson Creek also has a “Delayed Harvest Section” that runs for three and a half miles from the game land boundary downstream of the Lost Cove Creek bridge on state highway #90 and follows state road #1328 to the Phillips Branch bridge. This has become a very popular area to fish. It’s heavily stocked with rainbows, brook trout, and brown trout. There are two other main tributaries of Wilson Creek North and South Harper Creeks and Lost Cove Creek. Both of these streams and their tributaries are large enough to warrant their own article. Lost Cove Creek is an excellent, small wild trout stream.

RUGGED LAND continued from page 20 swimbaits can be great. Shallow pools and small edge eddies will again be productive. Accurate casting to edge pockets with jerks and grubs is called for. The big ones will be hungry pre-spawn, so be ready for a good number of +15” fish.

Gear

The French Broad is big and pushy. When you hook a +17” fish out across a hundred feet of current, your pole is going to earn its keep. And with a lot of “Broad” water, long casts can boost your odds. My favorite rig is a fast or mediumfast 7’ graphite pole loaded with 8 pound monofilament. And I tend towards big heavy lures to cover more water with long casts. I never go out without a large selection of

soft plastics and crank baits. Next down the list are stick baits, hinged Rapalas and spinner baits. The best color can be hard to predict, but it makes all the difference so come prepared with a variety. Crawdad color and white are the top picks, but blue, black, red and fuchsia have all had great days. Crawdad crankbaits are another favorite and a variety of swim depths is important. It’s a wild and wooly river so unless you’re an experienced boater, you would be prudent to come with a guide. Matt Cook with Elkcreek Outfitters is a local legend. If you can catch him for a trip, you’ll be off to a good start. And stop by High Ridge Adventures Outfitters on your way into the county for top notch barbecue, gear, fishing conditions and tips.

Pete and Mary Dixon have been living the good life in Hot Springs beside the French Broad River since 1992. Together they run Broadwing Farm Cabins on their 85 acre farm, growing vegetables, eating blueberries, hiking, and fishing. Pete and Mary love their community in Hot Springs, the French Broad and especially, beautiful Madison County. 26 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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Season:

The season runs year-round.

Winter:

Trout can be caught on most warm winter days.

Spring:

Fly fishing Wilson Creek during the springtime isgood due to the hatches of aquatic insects.

Summer:

Summertime is okay in the headwaters.

Fall:

Fall is a beautiful time to fish this stream.

Fly Line:

You would probably want a 4 or 5 weight fly line for your dry fly fishing on Wilson Creek. You could get by using a 5 weight floating fly line for everything. Many anglers that fish heavy nymphs and streamers would want a 6 weight fly line but it wouldn’t be absolutely necessary.

Fly Rod:

I would suggest a rod for the

4, 5 or 6 5 weight lines that is nine feet in length, in a medium to medium fast action.

Fly Reel:

The reel for the four or the five weight rod should have a decent drag. It should be smooth. A disc drag that adjusts in fine increments would be best. The reel for the six weight line should fit the same description.

Leaders:

You should probably be using at least a 7 and half foot leader anywhere you fish Wilson Creek. There are situation where you would want to go up to 9 feet. I would suggest having them in sizes ranging from 1X for streamers, up to 6X for small dry flies and midges, in both the 7 and half and 9 foot lengths.

Tippet:

You should have extra tippet in James Marsh has made his living fishing since 1980 through hosting and producing sizes ranging from 1X to 6X. the first ever national syndicated weekly TV series on saltwater fishing for five years; hosting and producing forty-six instructional saltwater fishing videos more of which have been sold on saltwater fishing than anyone’s in the world; and for the past twenty-two years hosting and producing nineteen instructional videos on fly fishing and founding the Perfect Fly Company.

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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

The Boating Season is Here!

oth water and air temperatures are ramping up which ushers in the boating season on area waterways. Hence, our waterways are becoming crowded with pleasure boaters and anglers. Boating safety is important to minimize potential boating and other water related accidents and mishaps. Boating safety and operation tips and procedures are readily available. One useful reference for Georgia boat operators is the Handbook of Georgia Boating Laws and Responsibilities. This publication is available through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (www.gadnrle.org). A similar publication is available for Alabama boat operators through www.outdooralabama.com. These handbooks will answer questions about boat operation and navigation. As a boat operator on the

By Dr. Andrew A. Cox

increasingly crowded waterways in Georgia and Alabama, you may want to consider taking a boating safety or boat operator course; both instructor-led live course or online course instructional formats are available to accommodate your schedule and learning needs. Some are free or charge a nominal fee. A few potential boating safety or socalled boating education providers are listed below:

U.S. Coast Guard available. You should also be aware of • United States Power Squadron. the licensing and boating operation www.usps.org – Another source of regulations in effect for both Georgia boating education programs and Alabama. These regulations can • Several non-governmental be reviewed through the Georgia providers of boating safety and Department of Natural Resources education programs are available to and Alabama Department of include www.boatus.org and www. Conservation and Natural Resources. boat-ed.com -These sources include Being knowledgeable in boat on-line boating safety courses. operation, being observant, and Useful information is provided anticipating possible boating safety for non-powerboat operators on hazards can keep you and your Alabama and Georgia waters. boating passengers safe, allowing • Georgia Department of Natural Information useful for angling, enjoyable times on area waterways. Resources. www.gadnrle.org; www. kayaking, canoeing and other non- Hope you have a safe and pleasurable gooutdoorsgeorgia.com; www. motorized watercraft sports is boating season! georgiawildlife.com -These websites Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and describe online and live boating newspapers. His writing interests specialize in angling and travel, education programs available within human interest, and general fishing technique oriented topics. He is the State of Georgia a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. He has been • United States Coast Guard fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over Auxiliary. www.uscgaux.info -Lists forty years. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be various boating education programs contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com. available through this branch of the

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The Basic Trout Fly Box

By Jeff Durniak

ly fishing for trout appeals to many anglers because challenges of the sport, from casting to hatch-matching, but those challenges can be intimidating to anglers who want to give the sport a try. We’re here to help! Let’s simplify one of the first challenges: your starter fly collection. For Southeastern trout, give this basic 12-compartment box of only a dozen fly patterns a try. A row of four dry flies, a row of four wets, and a row of four attractors will get you into fish in most cases. Let’s take a look at its contents. Row 1 has four dry fly patterns to match adult insects riding the water’s surface. Try a parachute adams (dark mayfly), parachute light cahill (light mayfly), tan elk hair caddis, and a yellow stimulator (stonefly). For the first three patterns, buy 2-3 flies in each of these sizes: 14, 16, and 18. Stock the stimmies in sizes 14 and 16. Row 2 holds your wet flies

that resemble immature stream insects crawling on the bottom and drifting in the current. Stock up these four compartments with goldribbed hare’s ear nymphs (#14, 16), pheasant tail nymphs (#16, 18), sexy Walt’s worms (#12, 14) and brown Pat’s rubberlegs (#10). The first two patterns imitate a wide variety of stream bugs, while the Walt’s will cover caddis larvae and the Pat’s resembles stonefly nymphs. Row 3 contains my four favorite attractor patterns. The first is the best fly ever created: the black woolly bugger (#10). You can’t fish it wrong, so try dead-drifting, swinging it in the current, and then stripping it in like a fleeing baitfish. Next is a bead-head prince nymph (#14), which is both flashy and buggy at the same time. It’s a great searching nymph when drifting deep or fast water. Third is a peach glo-bug (#12), which imitates fish eggs and

Purina pellets. Eggs are hot for wild and Delayed Harvest trout during fish spawning season (December through March) and for hungry stockers in spring when your local wildlife resources division plunks them into your favorite streams. The last pattern matches the spring/ summer “thunderstorm hatch.” It’s a red squirmy worm (#12). Storms wash in earthworms, discolor the water, and put trout on the feed. Hint: use heavier line (tippet) and carry a big net!

This basic box of 12 patterns should get you started in the trout game. Fish them well and you’ll be hooked on the sport. Soon, you’ll look like me, the “Michelin Man” with a vest bloated by too many fly boxes. But know that, despite toting around half a fly shop, I’ll usually knot one of my top dozen to the end of my line. Call 706-878-3083 or visit our fly shop if we can help you further. Also, give the awesome Orvis Learning Center a look (https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/).

You can find Jeff Durniak at Unicoi Outfitters. Stop in or call the Helen shop at (706-878-3083) or our Clarkesville store on the square (706-754-0203) if we can help you further. After all, we are pretty darn good trouting caddies!

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CHIRP, What is it?

By Ken Sturdivant

ne of the most asked questions we get in our SONAR classes is what is CHIRP? CHIRP (an acronym for Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse) is a game changing technology that has been used by the military for decades in both radar and sonar. Instead of pinging a single frequency like traditional 2D sonar, CHIRPing devices transmit a sweeping range of frequencies. It’s not so much a new type of sonar but rather a better way to process and display traditional 2D sonar. CHIRP Sonar was developed in the 1950’s as a military technology, and it’s recently been introduced by all the major fishing electronics manufacturers, but there has been precious little information produced about what CHIRP sonar is, what it does, and how you can use it to catch more bass. CHIRP uses bursts of different frequencies, and units with CHIRP technology are able to compensate for inconsistencies in the way

different objects and materials reflect the sonar pulse. By scanning over multiple frequencies, CHIRP units can produce much more detailed images than non-CHIRP units. Here is a good way to learn how these technologies can help anglers. Spilt the screens on SONAR; one with 200 kHz on one panel and on the same panel add a HIGH CHIRP. Now anglers can see the benefit of what the differences are with these two panels side by side. How can CHRIP help you catch more fish? Adding CHIRP sonar to your electronics suite will provide measurable gains to a number of important aspects of a sonar image. One of the most impressive things that CHIRP does for anglers is that it provides anglers an unprecedented representation

of the water column and a much better picture of bait in the water. With CHIRP, anglers have been getting target separations of less than two inches, making it easier to differentiate their weight and bait while drop-shotting. Having that level of detail gives anglers a much better idea of how bass react to their baits. Another huge improvement CHIRP technology provides is in image clarity, which can be a big deal for ledge fishermen

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that frequently try to categorize the images of fish on their units. CHIRP sonar will also allow anglers to better understand how game fish relate to baitfish and distinguish predatory fish from the image of the bait. CHIRP sonar allows you to see those predatory fish even if they’re inside a ball of bait or directly under it. Here is a good example of CHIRP technology. The image accompanying this article indicates a brick on the bottom with two

Continued, see CHIRP Page 32

MAY 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 31

Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast for May 2021

CHIRP continued from page 31 tennis balls attached to the brick. Regular 200 kHz beams see a “bump” on the bottom. The CHIRP beam sees “something” on the bottom. But, this is still a Sonar beam and at 20 feet deep the circle of sound on the bottom is only 8 feet in diameter. Learn how to use your machines with our exclusive 8 Hour,

By Preston Harden

ON THE WATER School on Lake Lanier. For more details, go to our website and look at the SCHOOLS PAGE for ALL the details or call 770-889-2654. For a FREE SONAR SET UP SHEET to get you started for ANY sonar machines; send an email to kensturdivant@att.net and tell us what machine you own. Screenshots courtesy of Lowrance.

Ken Sturdivant is a member of the Lowrance Pro Staff. You can find him at 770-889-2654; www.southernfishing.com, or kensturdivant@att.net

Water level- Full Pool Water Temp.-68 May is a great month to fish on Lake Hartwell. Most game fish have completed their spawn. They are hungry after the rigors of the annual spawn. Fish are still very shallow,

especially early mornings. Hybrids and stripers drop out to deeper water by late mornings but the bass will stay shallow all day. The herring spawn in May around shallow points. When you find the herring, you will find the fish.

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

32 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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SCENT

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FISH SMELL 1000X BETTER THAN WE DO. Underwater. In current. And even in nutrient-dense saltwater, fish can pick up a scent at the parts per billion level. Think that’s impressive? How about a bait with the ability to trick that sense of smell into believing it is even better than real food. In scientific tests, Gulp!® proved so effective on saltwater gamefish, it actually outfished real bait time and time again. Not only does the scent outperform real and artificial bait, it has 400 times the scent dispersion of the best competing soft plastic bait. Now, Gulp! is available in all of the most popular sizes, colors and actions, including the new Firetail options. Berkley® Gulp! We’ve done the science, now you catch the fish. berkley-fishing.com ©2020 Pure Fishing, Inc.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BITE Berkley Saltwater Gulp! Continues to Outshine Live Bait for Coastal Anglers

ll along the coast, as the highways near the busiest launch ramps, the bait shop signs announcing what’s for sale reinforce what most anglers already know: natural bait does a good job of catching fish. Live baitfish and live shrimp are almost always on the bait shop menu as they present the most natural food source. But even the frozen slabs of baitfish and chunks of cut bait that are also widely sold—baits which have no action to them whatsoever—are eaten by saltwater species if presented the right way. But why? The answer is simple, as it all pertains to one of the most misunderstood senses in fish biology: a fish’s sense of smell. It’s this sense of smell that inspired the development of Berkley Saltwater

Gulp!, the line of baits that has transformed saltwater fishing with their effectiveness, ease of use and value. For as effective as live or cut bait can be in saltwater fishing, it’s far from the perfect solution. Live bait can be very expensive and difficult to keep alive. Unused bait becomes a treat for pushy pelicans or gets dumped into the water. Presented with a problem, the scientists at Berkley set out to find a solution. Fish smell on the parts-per-billion level, the equivalent of a single drop of water in an Olympicsized swimming pool. This powerful sense of smell is extremely important to a fish’s ability to feed. Fish rely upon their sense of smell because they live in an aquatic environment filled with particles

and debris that can look like food. Their noses tell fish the difference between food and other organic compounds. Berkley scientists set out to make the first artificial bait that really appealed to a fish’s sense of smell. The first step was getting scent to disperse from a soft bait. While fish attractants and scents are nothing new, all of the competitive versions were oil-based. And just like the old adage reminds us, oil and water don’t mix. An oil-based scent that is smelly to a human has no effectiveness on fish since it is not soluble in water. That’s why Gulp! scents are water-based. The water-based scent formula, now known as Berkley Gulp! and which has since become synonymous with saltwater fishing across the country, caught more fish than live bait in headto-head tests. This scent, combined with the proprietary material used in Berkley Gulp! baits, disperses scent 400 times more effectively than any other soft bait, meaning it creates a scent field that is easily detected by fish and which continues to expand as the bait is retrieved. “I started really using Gulp! in about 2007, a few years after it came out,” said Capt. Jot Owens, who operates out of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., where he specializes in putting his clients on big redfish, flounder and other species. “And from the first year I started fishing with Gulp!, we were catching more and bigger flounder than we had ever caught before—and we were fishing in the same areas we had always been fishing. I don’t

know what the magic formula is, but it really wakes fish up.” Capt. Owens said he prefers Berkley Saltwater Gulp! for a host of species, but especially for redfish and flounder. His go-to set up for flounder varies slightly depending on whether he’s fishing inshore or farther out. The set up consists of a 6-inch Saltwater Gulp! Jerk Shad (Chartreuse/Pepper/ Neon or Firetiger) on a 3/8-ounce long-shank jig head. Because Gulp! baits are wet inside and out, they can come unrigged, so Capt. Owens relies on a Berkley Fusion19 jig that has lead lips and a wire hook to keep his Jerk Shad rigged properly. When fishing inshore, he uses a medium-fast Fenwick HMG Inshore paired with a Size 2500 or 3000 PENN Battle III DX spinning reel, which is spooled with 15-pound braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. Farther out, he will increase the line size to a 20-pound braid mainline and a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader spooled onto a Size 3500 PENN Spinfisher. “Just make sure the bait is bouncing on bottom; I’m typically jigging with the rod tip pretty high,” Capt. Owens said. “It’s not that you won’t get bit dragging it on the bottom, but the bait is more effective bouncing up and down.” For redfish, Capt. Owens has his clients using 3- or 4-inch Gulp! Shrimp (Sugar Spice Glow or Chartreuse) on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jig head, increasing the weight of the jig based on fishing depth and current. The rest of his redfish set up is similar to that of his inshore rig for flounder:

medium-fast Fenwick HMG Inshore paired with a Size 2500 or 3000 PENN Battle III DX spinning reel, which is spooled with 15-pound braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. “The best retrieve is a hop-hop; let it sit for a second or two then give it another hop-hop,” Capt. Owens said. “Redfish are really bottom feeders, so they’ll almost always hit it on the drop or while it’s sitting on bottom for the brief pause. The way the Berkley Saltwater Gulp! Shrimp is putting out scent, redfish pick it up with the same excitement as they would a hunk of cut bait even though it’s not moving.”

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Troll and Watch Bottom for Spring Grouper By CAM Staff

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t’s a lot more fun to fill fish boxes when the various Gulf and Atlantic grouper seasons open in spring. These days, advances in electronics have made finding good grouper bottom easier than ever. There is, however, a trade-off. In the good old days, captains precisely timed their courses out of the pass in hopes of coming off throttle near a fish-producing rock pile. Before GPS and sonar, the best indicators of productive bottom were boats already there and catching fish. Successful anglers even welcomed new PHOTO COURTESY OF CRYSTAL LAFOSSE boats to the party, reasoning that more baits in the water served to excite fish into feeding. In case you didn’t notice, that’s not the way things work any more. Now any yahoo with a boat can plug coordinates into their navigation system and sleepwalk straight to a ledge or wreck. Community holes and artificial reefs are crowded and sometimes picked clean of fish. To avoid this, a good set of numbers is a jealously guarded secret. Camaraderie on the open sea is officially a thing of the past when picking up and moving off productive bottom is a logical step to avoid being marked in the mapping system of a passing vessel. We’ve traded open sharing of information for technological advancements the old salts couldn’t have dreamed of. With advanced radar, sonar, mapping and GPS, it’s up to the angler to spend time on the water to locate their own magic numbers. With grouper seasons opening in state and federal waters off the southern states, most species have finished with the peak of spawning. They have begun moving to deeper water and are hungry to feed-up and regain what was lost to the rigors of the spawn. However, grouper are also spread out more thinly right now than they are when they group up on deep-water structure in summer. You might not have to run as far to reach productive bottom, but you will likely have to do more spot-hopping to fill the boxes. It’s a good time of year to troll. Some fish will still be shallow enough to target with deep-diving lures. Using planers and downriggers, it’s possible to get lures down to 60 feet or deeper, and some very deep-diving plugs can get down to 40 feet on their own with the right braided line. This allows you to cover ground on and around those ledge coordinates you have marked. It’s a throwback to the olds days, when trolling up a grouper was the method for finding an area to stop and drop baits. If you keep an eye on the bottom machine, you might even spot a small formation you didn’t know was there. These small blips are the honeyholes that produce when the larger reefs and structure succumb to constant fishing pressure. Don’t care for boat rides and watching rods? Traditional bottom fishing may still be the best method. Check your shallower coordinates as you head out this time of year. Many boats ride right over good structure on the way to their deeper summer spots. Reefs or rocks as shallow as 40 feet will hold fish before they head out to their mid-summer haunts. Just be sure to drop some chum down upstream of the structure to bring them out of their hidey-holes. See your state’s saltwater fishing regulations to determine which species of grouper are open for harvest where you fish.

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NATIONAL 17

On the Swordfish Ledge

off Marathon

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

f you’ve ever been swordfishing out of Marathon, Fla., chances are you were deep dropping the same area I was in April, when the U.S. Coast Guard ticketed us for fishing in Bahamian waters. Dropping for swordfish is exhausting. Staring mindlessly at one single rod tip, it’s easy to lose your mind questioning if every other wave was a bite. It is also possible to spend an entire day doing the crazy-eyed swordfish rod stare and never get a nibble. During a slow drift along the ledge in 1,800 feet of water, our luck finally changed. A flock of diving terns approached and crossed behind the

boat. We opened bails on the flat lines and let pinfish swim toward the commotion. Immediately we hooked up and stole a school of mahi from under the birds. With four mahi hooked up along the port side, we had just begun the assembly line from hook to killbox when we were informed the U.S. Coast Guard was about to board our boat. Approaching from starboard to accommodate our fishing, three “Coasties” boarded to conduct a routine safety check. After about half an hour with our official guests on board, we finished with the school of mahi and decided to reel up the sword line. We activated the electric reel, and— distracted by our visitors—it took a moment to

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realize we were hooked up. The Coasties were going to have to put a pin in it. “Hang on fellas; we’re hooked up!” For the next half hour, we didn’t hear a word from our visitors. As the fish began to surface, the line scoped out underneath the Coast Guard cutter raft. We radioed asking them to move. After a lot of chaos and tight boat maneuvering, we landed the 150-pound swordfish with the Coast Guard on board. They even took the catch photos. It was all high fives and celebration until they asked us for our Bahamian fishing licenses and informed us we were illegally fishing in the Bahamian Exclusive Economic Zone. Later on, extensive research by Steve Steenstra, owner of Blue Magic Charters, revealed the Bahamian EEZ line runs about 24 miles from land, straight across the U.S. sword ledge. None of us, not even our GPS mapping knew about this line. A law enacted some 40 years ago had just been enforced for the first time. We were the first vessel cited. As I understand it, after visiting the Coast Guard Station in Key West, the EEZ line was drawn straight down the middle by default. Now that they’re enforcing it, recreational swordfishing from the Keys is threatened, along with the livelihoods it supports. As the situation unfolds, it would be wise to stay up to date before venturing offshore from the Keys. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon and Blue Magic Charters are following this situation closely. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 or through Instagram @CaptainQuinlyn and @BlueMagicCharters.

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ach spring, inshore anglers are greeted with big winds, big tides and small baitfish. There is no time where the size of your lure can make or break your trip more than the spring season. With the abundance of small baitfish in the water, it can be difficult to get the attention of your target species, especially when you are fishing with artificial lures. It is also very common to find gamefish gorging themselves on tiny glass minnows. This is routinely evident when you land a fish and they spit up these miniature meals. As anglers, we have two obstacles here: the sheer amount of forage in the water competing with your lure and the small size of the lure required. What I have found to be the most successful tactic is to use the smallest lure I can cast and appropriately present to the fish. Both hard and soft lures can be effective. Another key to success is color. I prefer a white-and-silver combination that closely matches the natural forage. I like to fish these lures on the edge of large bait balls when possible. I try to keep my lure on the edge or under the school to let the fish focus on a single target rather than a large mass.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Using a slow-sinking lure is an advantage at this time of the year. A lure that will suspend or slow-sink is ideal. This allows the predator time to target your lure, and it also gives the appearance of a wounded baitfish, which is always a plus. When the bait is this thick, your lure needs to stand out, but you still need to match the forage in size and color. The use of tandem rigs allows for a couple of advantages. Casting two smaller lures could equal the weight of one of your typical offerings. This allows you to cast farther and still have the appropriate size lure. Rigging two small silver spoons with white bucktails is a great combination when fishing glass minnow schools. I also like to use a small floater/ diver with a small spoon trailer. The diving action in conjunction with the added weight of the spoon is a unique combination of action to entice strikes. Downsizing your lure presentation in spring can definitely up-size your catch. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

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NATIONAL 21

“For Me, It’s a Fishing Tool”

The 2021 Must-Have Anchoring System

“T

he easiest way I can explain ‘boat position’: if you’re at the baseball game, you’re either playing—which is fishing—or you’re watching the game, which means you’re not…” Capt. Mickey Brelsford decided he’d rather be in the game than on the sidelines, so installing the Rebel EZ-5 became a no-brainer after researching product information and helpful documents on the company website, then calling the drum anchor winch plate design that allows the drum to free-spool when the manufacturer’s technical support team for additional pointers. clutch plate is disengaged. To get that “ good, solid anchoring In the past, using a windlass yielded poor retrieval results position,” press and hold the “raise/power up” side of the and left no room for customization, like adding special button for about five seconds: this will cause the clutch plate to attachments or splicing rope and chain. Now, Capt. Brelsford once again rotate, but this time clamping down on the drum says his Rebel free-fall unit is the perfect fishing tool, providing and holding the boat at anchor. him a “good, solid anchoring position.” “Once I deploy my anchor and it goes into a free-fall, it’s “I don’t know how many times I’ve been on boats where straight down to the bottom as quick as it can go…” Brelsford [the line is] hanging up, snarling, getting knotted up in the said. “And then, once I set the anchor, I can free-line out as windlass or shredding line.” Brelsford said. much anchor rode as I need: that’s what I call ‘boat position’.” A retired policeman, Capt. Brelsford enjoys his time fishing As an added bonus, the Rebel drum anchor winch is near the coast of St. James City, Fla. on his 37-foot “Nostalgic compatible with an E-Z Anchor Puller wireless long-range Lady”: a 1981 Hatteras Sportfish that carries 300 feet of ⅝-inch remote, which controls your drum anchor winch from rope and 20 feet of heavy-duty chain. After adding a pulpit to anywhere on the boat. Capt. Brelsford purchased his on the his vessel, Capt. Brelsford used to pull up all his rope by hand, wasting time company website, ezanchorpuller.com. and energy on multiple retrieval and deployment attempts as he tried to find “This [unit] here—don’t worry about it—it just rolls right on and keeps on the perfect “boat position.” rollin’. That’s what it is: E-Z!” Unlike E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co’s two direct drive series (the Hero To learn more, call 1-800-800-1640 or visit ezanchorpuller.com. and Patriot series), the Rebel drum anchor winch has a clutch and friction

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