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

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION

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BASS IN THE GRASS

WEIRD PIEBALD CATFISH

TAILWATER BROWN TROUT PHOTO CREDIT: TREY JONES COURTESY OF AMY KENNELLY INSTAGRAM: @AMYKENNELLY

VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 320

F R A N C H I S E

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NYMPHING FOR WILD

Chattahoochee

BROWNS

By Nick Carter

rifting between forested banks over bedrock shoals, it’s easy to forget where you are on the Buford Dam tailrace of the Chattahoochee River. This beautiful stretch of water snakes southwest through densely populated suburbs north of Atlanta, yet riverside development is limited. There are long stretches where this river feels like wilderness— where the sounds of the city are replaced by lapping oars and the soft swish of fly rods cutting air. Chris Scalley, owner of River Through Atlanta guide service, manned the

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oars. He rowed and coached and again showed us the bounty of the “Hooch.” The Angler Magazine Atlanta co-publisher Bob Rice and I have fished with Scalley several times before. Our late-September trip was another good one. The river’s wild reproducing brown trout were active in cooling weather patterns, and they punctuated a steady catch of sleek and feisty rainbows. The Chattahoochee is one of the best tailwater trout fisheries in the Southeast. It is a success story for fisheries management. Georgia DNR stopped stocking brown trout in the river in 2005 after natural reproduction was discovered. Today, those beautiful butter-bellies still thrive. It’s a unique situation that has made this 30-mile-long stretch a destination fishery. The Hooch has produced a string of state-record browns, including the current nearly 21-pounder. But before you get geared up for 30-inch trout, realize that while monsters do exist in the river’s deep holes and log jams, they are not frequent catches. Over several trips with Scalley, it seems a pretty good day consists of numerous rainbows, a handful of browns in the 10- to 12-inch range and a fish or two in the 14- to 16-inch range. Of course, the opportunity for larger fish is always present. Early in our float, a wading angler hailed us over to show photos of a 20-plus-inch fish he had in his net earlier that day. It was proof the big girls were eating, and it inspired us to fish our triplenymph rigs more diligently. After bringing several 8- to 12-inch rainbow trout to hand, I hooked into our first brown, a gorgeous 15-incher that took the big black stonefly anchoring the rig. We went on to catch several more good browns and a bunch of rainbows. The bows preferred either the small Baetis nymph in the rig or an egg pattern Scalley called a Stormy Daniels. While fishing three nymphs at once might sound like a recipe for disaster, it’s actually quite simple. Under Scalley’s coaching, even beginners catch on to the looping lob it takes to cast such a rig. Once it’s in the water, nymphing with an indicator is a lot like the bobber fishing you did as a kid. You just float down the river and watch for a fish to bite. Those bites should be frequent over the next few months. Water temperatures remain consistent on the tailwater year-round, and fall and winter offer great fishing for wild browns. Contact Chris Scalley and River Through Atlanta through their website riverthroughatlanta.com, or call (770) 650-8630.

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NATIONAL 5

MUD HOLE URTESY OF PHOTO CO

Tailing the Kingfish Migration By CAM Staff

PHOTO CO

“K ‘th be lo URTESY O

F ERIC MAR

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erhaps more than any other species, king Texas. Some of these fish push farther south mackerel are temperature driven. Kingfish into waters off Mexico’s Yucatan. Regardless of where you fish along prefer a temperature range of about 68 to 73 degrees, which is extremely specific, and it these migrations, kingfish are looking for the same conditions. They can be found on keeps them on the move. That magic temperature window also makes ledges, reefs, oil rigs and wrecks, wherever them easier to find. With today’s technology and there are baitfish. They like nearshore subscription services providing daily updates and offshore structure and color breaks on offshore conditions and currents, identifying where plankton-rich waters exist in the prime hunting grounds for kings can be a matter temperature range they prefer. Trolling or drifting are the most of checking your phone or tablet in the morning effective methods to target kings, and before you head out. It’s no surprise that general seasonal good live bait is the best way to hook migratory patterns take king mackerel to up with big ones. Blue runners, pogies warmer waters as cold fronts of fall arrive. (menhaden), pilchards, threadfin Tagging and genetics studies have shown that herring, any bait with some silver Atlantic king mackerel push south to waters off flash is good. Switching them out and Florida to overwinter. Their numbers this time keeping them lively is important. A of year thin out the farther north you go, yet fall heavy chum slick can do wonders for can also be the best time to catch big isolated bringing them up near the surface. Idle speed is about right for smokers off the coast of the Carolinas. Off South Florida, Atlantic kingfish pulling baits. Stagger depth and intermingle with Gulf kingfish during the winter distance from the boat. Bump the months. This winter mixing zone is primarily throttle into neutral and drift when around the Florida Keys, where the December the sonar shows good bottom or kingfish bite ramps up along with the action for bait. other species like sailfish and wahoo. For more kingfish tips, visit In the Gulf of Mexico, kings spend summer coastalanglermag.com. in the northern Gulf, with high densities tracked to waters off the mouth of the Mississippi River. KINGFISH RIGS In fall, they push south in two separate groups. Some fish move east and then south along the A mainline of 20- to 30-pound monofilament will suffice, but with all the teeth in Florida coast, where anglers intercept them as a king’s mouth, a wire leader is required. Depending on water clarity, go as heavy as the fish will they move down the coastline. allow, but keep it light enough for your bait to appear natural. The other group of Gulf kings moves west A 24-inch, single-strand wire of 40-pound test is a starting point. Go lighter in clear water or with the arrival of cooler weather. They run with smaller baits; go heavier in dirty water or if you’re fishing big baits. down the Texas coast to winter2021 off the south 6 NATIONAL NOVEMBER COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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NATIONAL 7

g n i fish

THE EVOLVING ART OF DAYTIME

d wor

ithin the last decade, swordfishing has steadily evolved from being exclusively a nighttime pursuit into a roundthe-clock affair. The ongoing pioneering of daytime swordfishing techniques leaves room for experimentation to perfect personal preferences within this art. A lot of work goes into going after just a single bite, and many variables are at play fishing in 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Then, factoring in tackle, crew and the inconsistent bite style of these fish, the best way to figure out daytime swordfishing is to go do it. Although you might see little sport in utilizing an electric reel, this type of fishing requires an incredible amount of teamwork. There’s always a job for everyone on the boat. Good communication is essential, not only to land fish, but also just to set the bait correctly. Rigging a bait for swordfish is more satisfying than buying one pre-rigged. It’s a chance to flex your creativity and experiment with different styles and baits. After all, you want more than one bait on-hand during a sword trip. Whether you go with the tried-and-true squid bait or hardier mahi- or bonita-belly strips, the most important factor is whether or not the bait spins. If it spins on the surface, it will spin worse at the bottom, and it must be modified or scrapped. Personally, I like a glow-in-the-dark squid skirt on any bait, not just for added movement and visual enhancement, but the skirt also streamlines the bait and compensates for rigging errors. Once you’ve sewn the bait, slowly troll it behind the boat to check for spinning. If your Franken-bait is straight as an arrow 8 NATIONAL

NOVEMBER 2021

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

on the surface, send it on down. Affix breakaway lights along the wind-on leader near the bait. About 100 feet up the leader, use rigging floss to create a loop where the clip for the weight will attach to the main line. The clip is attached to about 30 feet of lighter leader, in the 50-pound range, that is then affixed to a weight. Adjust weight to the current. A reasonable go-to is 10 pounds. Again, ensure you have extra weights on board before investing in a sword trip. The last thing you want is to get revved up over a bite, come up without a weight and have to scavenge a tool box for your heaviest wrenches to toss overboard. There are a few different styles of driving the boat for swordfishing that have proven successful. Regardless of the method you chose, the idea is to keep the weight from free falling and tangling the line. Keep tension on the line while it is going down, take up the slack, and relocate the bottom. Come up off the bottom 100 feet, or so, and continue that process as you drift over varied depths. Keep eyes on the rod tip the entire time, and find the happy medium between not blinking and not losing your mind. Swordfish might swipe the bait before committing to the hook, or they might hammer it. Sometimes they just start swimming to the surface with it. All the different bites look different on the rod tip. You might see the rod bounce with taps, get heavy and not bounce at all, or just completely go slack. Whether the bite is obvious or subtle, setting the hook or knowing when to reel up to check the bait is a matter of experience. Swordfish are counted like tarpon, where the overall bite count is included along with those landed. Don’t even bother fishing for swords if

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you don’t have patience or enough love of fishing to be okay with coming home skunked. It’s all hands on deck boating one of these very aggressive, potentially large fish. If you’re lucky enough to get a swordfish to the boat, you’ll find out very quickly which friends to invite back on the next trip. While the captain remains behind the wheel, ideally someone will be on the rod with another person unclipping the weight and pulling off the breakaway lights as the leader gets to the boat. Once all that gear has been removed, there is the matter of hand-leadering the fish, gaffing it, potential use of tail rope, and heaving that sucker into the boat. There are many ways to go about this, and many ways the fish could react. Swordfish are well known for stamina and can be quite dangerous to green gaff. Be prepared for the fish to get a second wind boatside. This is where communication and teamwork can make or break the experience. Go into a swordfish trip with everything you’ve got, but with the intent to relax and hang out. You might sit there all day without a bite, so bring people you enjoy the company of, and leave the “I’m-so-bored” guy at the dock. He is worse than bananas, anyway. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters out of Marathon, Fla. Check her out her Instagram @CaptainQuinlyn, her website CaptainQuinlyn.com, or call (504) 920-6342.

EAST TENNESSEE GREAT SMOKIES

The Casting Corner: Caution– Retirement May Cause Big Loops

ainting, hammering fences, pressure washing, trimming hedges and taking care of my wife are my new main focus in life now that I have retired; oh, and fly fishing. As a carryover from my working days, I make a list for each day’s tasks. Then I check the lunar chart for the best fishing times, and try to maximize my day. When the best fishing time is in the early morning, my fly casting loops seem to be better than later in the day. As a matter of fact, they are a lot better. It took a few weeks of retirement to figure out what was causing my loops to be open and be

By Rene J. Hesse

poorly shaped. Can you guess what it was? Most of my fishing is sitting in a canoe and using a 7 or 8 wt. rod. Would you agree with me that the fewer the ripples we send out while making a cast, the better our chances of catching a fish? With that in mind, the cast is done with nothing but the arm and maybe a slight twist of the upper torso. Don’t rock back and forth or waves are sent out. Using a haul really helps too. With that combination, why would my loops be worse later in the day than in the beginning? Back when I was working, I did office work behind a desk,

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typing and writing. Now that I have retired, all of those, ‘I will fix that someday’, things are getting done, and all of it requires a lot of forearm and wrist use. At the office I may get writer’s cramp. At the house, my whole hand and forearm will cramp up from doing the chores mentioned earlier. With that being said, if I do my chores before I go fishing, it is painful to make a proper lift, back cast and stop when casting. My forearm is just too sore. I have used a compression band on my forearm, and it seems to change the focus point of the tension, and that helps. I have had to make a concerted effort to watch

my back cast because my lack of strength going back will send the rod tip in a downward direction. Then to make the forward cast, it has to come all the way over like a rainbow. That is where the bad loop is forming. Watching the back cast and making sure it is going upward, letting the rod do more of the work and hauling, seem to be the trick to fixing my poor loops. I have considered one other option to get my loops back in shape and that was going back to work. Guess which option I am choosing. Go fish!

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Have a Backup Plan

By Jay “Striker” Barnett

here are times when I have mapped out my entire fishing trip to a tee. I have made up what I’m going to throw and what areas I’m going to fish, and I cannot wait to get to the lake to start fishing. Everything seems to go as planned up until when one of the conditions change. The weather patterns may vary, the sun comes out, the wind picks up, or perhaps the lake authority starts to pull water. No matter the reason for the change, many anglers become frustrated because the fish are not cooperating. Trust me, the fish are still there, and instead of force feeding them, consider the changing conditions and react to them, not the fish. Allow me to discuss further the importance of having a backup plan. What is a backup plan? Is it the next thing you have to do to change a bad day of fishing into a

good day of catching? If you’ve been practicing for a tournament and have the fish dialed in, this is the first sign you will most likely need a backup plan. When you put down the baits, you get results and find new baits and areas to fish. The competition today is so good that the chance of other anglers who have seen that spot is very likely. One of my go-to plans is finding a different location that looks totally opposite to what I have found in the primary place. It is because it forces me to use totally different baits and different techniques in other areas. My plan might be somewhere in the back of the creeks when everyone else is focused on the main lake points. Or perhaps I may need to fish a Carolina rig and fish secondary points all day. I can’t tell you how many times my backup plan became my primary plan.

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So, if you are fishing and the bites get tough, especially while competing, have a backup plan. It can get you a few key bites and not leave you scrambling, due to not capitalizing on your key pattern. You cannot control the conditions, so be sure to take the time to fish them in different ways, because

NOVEMBER 2021

those who can adjust to the conditions can do well and turn a bad day into a great one. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read the articles each month. Please continue to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and at www.jaystriker.com

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 3

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GREAT SMOKIES

November Fly Fishing By David Hulsey

ovember is one of our favorite times to be on the trout streams of North Georgia and Western North Carolina. By mid-month, most of the fallen leaves have settled to the bottom of the river, no longer being hooked by every cast to spoil your drift. Fairly stable weather with nice days and chilly nights keep the trout active pretty much all day long. The delayed harvest streams are in full swing with great numbers of fish being stocked and no longer being plucked out the same day, letting everyone have a shot at catching a fish or two. My favorite part is the lack of snakes and yellow jackets, which lets my mind be free of that little detail. Brown and Brook trout usually spawn this month, so be alert where you put your feet and try to avoid stepping on a redd. Fragility is the name of the game for our southern trout populations.

someone hooked on fly fishing or spend a sunny day wrestling with a bunch of fish. Fly patterns need not be complicated. Traditional nymphs, such as a Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, and Prince nymphs will provide enough action to keep you amused from daylight until dark. Olive, Brown and Black Wooly Buggers normally will cover any streamer eaters out there. Dries, such as Blue Winged Olives, Parachute Adams and maybe a Griffiths Gnat pretty much cover the rare fish that’s looking up at this time of year. Winter is just around the corner so it’s a great time to book your cold weather outings with us. Pressure on the fish will be at its lowest and they aren’t as picky as they are during the warm parts of the year. Hope to see you on the river!

include the Toccoa River It’s tough just to get them near Blue Ridge, Georgia, through our steamy hot Fires Creek near Hayesville, summers, much less being North Carolina, and Big careful enough not to stick Snowbird near Robbinsville, a boot in a smattering of North Carolina. All three eggs. Traffic from folks funfloating the rivers are gone and only are delayed harvest streams and guide boats and hardcore fisher fish abound in November on these folks are usually out and about. This waters, providing a great place to get usually means nice experiences with Give David Hulsey a call at (770) 639-4001 to book a class or a guided trout people all day. Great streams to fish trip. Visit his website at www.hulseyflyfishing.com.

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American Pride

By Ronnie Parris

ey everybody! I hope this month finds you in good health and great spirits. I just want to take a few minutes to thank our great men and women in our military, and the ones who have long since gone, for their immeasurable sacrifice. You know, in the bible it says, “There is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend”. Everyday, somewhere in the world, our fighting men and women are asked to do this very thing, never knowing if this will be the day they don’t return home to there family and loved ones. I thank God that I live in a country where I have the freedoms to worship in the religion I choose, take my gun and hit the woods to hunt or use it to protect my family, get in my boat and hit the lake for a day of fishing…The list goes on and on, and are all things we take for granted. If you compare ours to some of the other countries, many of these are things their citizens are not allowed to do. These privileges weren’t given to use but paid for with the lives of our military veterans and for this, we should show them all the honor and respect they deserve. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, we should all be proud to live in this great

Country. The picture with this article is the flag displayed on the Hiwassee Dam and I would like to applaud them; it puts chills on me every time I see it waving in the wind, knowing what it stands for. Hopefully, our veterans are getting to be out on the water enjoying this fine weather and the great fishing. The last few weeks seem to have been some of the best of the year, no matter which lake I’ve been on. As the water levels dropping for the winter draws downs, the bite has amped up. The most aggressive fish have been the spotted bass, which has accounted for over half of our catches. The bait, in all of our lakes, has had the best hatches in years and, although that sometimes makes the fish not have to feed as much in the long run, it will probably make for more, and bigger, fish. My hopes and prayers are that everyone stays as safe as they can with this COVID pandemic and that they can get out and enjoy this great part of the country we are blessed to live in. Thanks again to our great military men and women that makes this possible for all of us.

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

SMSS has all the essentials for hunting, target shooting, home defense, reloading and more Call for date & time of monthly concealed carry class.

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.

53 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC • 828-837-7677 Beside the Courthouse

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

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

smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com

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Lake Hiwassee Trophy Stripers

By Shane Goebel

all is definitely for striper fishing, and November is one heck of a time to hit the water for some big, big stripers. November kicks off the start of our monster trophy season in this area and Lake Hiwassee offers some fast paced striper action. If you want some huge 30 to 50 pounders, it’s definitely time to hit the water! So, after filling up on that yard bird, grab the phone and book a trip with Murphy, NC and North Georgia’s #1 guide service: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We’ve been striper fishing these mountain lakes longer than anyone and have what it takes to put you on some huge fish. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page to see our latest catch. Give us a like and follow us. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 12 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear and water temps are in the low 70s.

Striper fishing has been insane lately. We’re still catching tons of nice schooled up fish. The unseasonably warm temps have these fish thinking it’s still June. On the other hand, our cooler nights have the bigger trophy fish up and feeding well. Early to mid-November is notorious for some big stripers and a bunch of them, at that. For now, the early-morning and evening bites are your best times to see action. With the cooling water temps, continue to target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel, but also look for schools to move back into the creeks. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 7 to the dam. The top-water bite has also been fantastic, so keep a spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag surfacebusting fish. We’ve been slaying them on ultra-lite rods, which is

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Continued, see LAKE HIWASSEE TROPHY STRIPERS Page 8

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Fontana is Back! By Capt. James McManus

ikes! November is here and I love it! This is my favorite month of the year. Cool temps, hungry fish, some football, lots of human food, what’s not to like? My hometown lake, Fontana, is coming on after a couple of down years. A couple of years ago, we had a fish kill in the middle of winter, never got much of an explanation as to it’s cause but, based on what I have seen lately, the spots in particular are back with a vengeance. We have caught great numbers and their

size is back to where it was several years ago. Most fish are hanging on points down between 25 and 50 feet suspended in about 60 to 75 foot depths. The most effective method has been to troll point to point with downriggers. Try and mark points that are holding more than one or two fish and usually you will hit two or three in a row that hold fish, then it’s a matter of going back and forth until the bite slows. My favorite bait has been the little bass or brown trout colored Rapala, which is about two inches long. Seems like the bigger fish have been down the lake. Been plenty of fish in the upper reaches, but their size hasn’t been as good. Another factor which has been a little counter intuitive is that there is way more bait in the upper end, which would seem to be where most fish would hold...”find the bait, find the fish.” In this case, I feel like there is too much bait; easy pickings for everyone with a set of gills, but competition for an angler looking to be chosen

for a somewhat devious dinner invitation. Just another reason in my little mind for the justification of stocking stripers or hybrids in Fontana. Seriously, let the wildlife folks know we need stripers or hybrids as, the more often they hear suggestions, the more likely we are to get results. Well, eat another slice of pecan pie, make a turkey sandwich and get to the lake; it’s a wonderful time of year to enjoy God’s gift to us hillbillies. Later, Capt. James.

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

LAKE HIWASSEE TROPHY STRIPERS continued from page 7 crazy fun. The fish will continue to be schooled up throughout the next month and will remain in deeper water before starting to spread out in their typical winter pattern. Just remember to keep an eye on your electronics and watch for schools of stripers when cruising the lake. Novemberr is a great month for catching a lot of schooling stripers on this Western North Carolina lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1-rated guide service put

you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s and Blairsville Georgia’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely (in North Georgia), Chatuge , and Lake Apalachia for smallmouth and lake trout. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

Shane Goebel owns Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and is a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team. See the website at www.bigolfish.com or call (828) 361-2021 8 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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Shop Talk: Leader and Tippet

t’s Delayed Harvest season, which also means its time to restock your fishing vest! I talk to anglers on a daily basis about the intricacies of gearing up for a day on the water, and often find that many anglers have not been educated properly in the jargon used to describe basics. Leader and tippet are a prime example. When should one use fluorocarbon vs nylon, or what pound test leader should I use? What is 4X? Leader and tippet describes two

By Jacob Milholland

different components to a system that work together to allow us to deliver our flies to the fish as well as create a tie-on point to our flies (you should never attach a fly directly to the fly line or tie knots in a fly line). Leaders are tapered from butt to tip, and the taper allows our near-weightless flies to turn over. Since our leaders are tapered, we would prematurely ruin the leader’s taper if we were to tie our flies directly. Think of tippet as

additional leader material. I can add tippet to the end of the leader with a connecting knot in order to create a termination section to tie the fly without cutting back into the leader. Tippet is also used to create a tandem fly rig (such as the dry-dropper), to lengthen our leaders or to downsize our tippet for line-shy fish. Monofilament and fluorocarbon are the materials that leader and tippet are made from. To keep things simple, monofilament floats and fluorocarbon sinks. I use monofilament for my dry flies, and I use fluorocarbon for all of my subsurface flies. Fluorocarbon also offers better abrasion resistance. With fly rods, we use delicate rods to protect very light line, so

I typically ignore the breaking strength unless I know that I will be around larger than average fish. If you look at packaging, you’ll also notice leader and tippet use the “x” system in addition to length and a breaking strength. This is a standardized measurement of line diameter. When looking at the “x,” the larger the number, the smaller the diameter. For example, 4X is larger than 5X. I almost always start with 4X for trout applications and will adapt to the conditions. Feel free to call us at the shop for a fishing report or come by and see us at the shop if you have questions! We are a full service fly shop and guide service with an inventory of guide-tested gear, located in the heart of downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Jacob Milholland is the Store Manager of Cohutta Fishing Company, Blue Ridge, Georgia. (706) 946-304.

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Fishing 6-304.

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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD

Change Of Pace

By Scott Norton

ost anglers dabble in other types of fishing to bring that “newness” that you once felt as a child or newcomer to the sport. Thanks to seasons, we enjoy changes to our sport anyway, but it’s not like going after something so different that you will need to buy new gear for it. I have fished for bass and trout all my life and it never gets old. If I’m going to fish on a vacation it will not be either one of those. Awhile back, I was doing these annual trips to Pulaski, New York for some salmon fishing. In the past, I have been known to deep-sea fish as well. Salmon fishing reminds me of both deep-sea fishing and trout fishing combined. Where else can you say you can catch ocean size fish in a river where you can fish also for trout. Now that I am a seasoned angler, I can easily learn new techniques. My first few years, I used what I learned and applied it to salmon fishing. I experimented with different lines, hooks, rods, and reels to see what gave me the best landing ratio. I learned the flossing technique my first year, so hooking up is not the problem; it is landing them. The power these fish posses is like no other. The first time you hook up and fight one, you will notice these fish tend to never get tired. They just do not stop fighting. Most would say they fight to their own death. So believe me when I say, it will absolutely blow your mind your first time, and it never gets old. I like to drive the distance because the fish are not the only thing to spark your interest.

There are so many places to visit on your way there that it makes the drive well worth it. There is the food factor, where you want try the best foods of that state, or culture. Once, in New York, we headed to Niagara Falls in Buffalo to see the falls and have that great New York pizza. While there, we met with some old friends for some great evening music…Good times. Next, you have the Thousand Islands nearby for some scenic views. Now that you’re ready to fish, the adrenaline you feel just walking to your spot for the first time this year is that feeling you always chase as an angler. It makes me feel young again. I feel like, this year, I am ready and confident that I can land these fish. I have two set ups that I use. I have a spinning and fly rod set up that I have been dialing in each year. What worked for me on the spinning set up is a medium heavy rod that holds line up to 17 to 20 pounds. I have settled on a 10 foot or 10 foot 6 inch length with a moderate action. I have messed around with shorter and longer rods but this is my sweet spot. A 4000 sized reel is the perfect size for line capacity. When selecting a reel, make sure it has a good smooth drag. My fly set up is a 9-foot 9-weight rod with a large arbor reel to take up slack when you need it. The line selection is 12-pound big game. After two good fights, change out the spool of line because the power these fish have will stretch that out and then your line is no longer good. There is nothing like trying something new in something you already love.

Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is a long-time hunter, angler, and weekend warrior. 12 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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Veterans May Now Fish Mountain Heritage Trout Waters for Free RALEIGH, N.C. (October 12, 2021) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission established the Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program in 2008 to promote trout fishing as a heritage tourism activity on trout waters that run through 17 mountain communities in western North Carolina. Typically, anglers 16 and older must purchase a three-day license or use any valid inland fishing license to fish these waters. However, the North Carolina General Assembly recently passed legislation that as of October 1, veterans are now allowed to fish these waters for free. The legislation states that a resident or nonresident who served as a member of the Armed Forces and who separated under honorable conditions is exempt from fishing license requirements while fishing in Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Veterans must always have valid

documentation of their service while fishing to be exempt. When fishing public mountain trout waters classified as Hatchery Supported, anglers may keep up to seven trout per day, per angler, with no bait or lure restrictions and no size limits. The season for Hatchery Supported Trout Waters runs from the first Saturday in April until the last day of February. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are closed to fishing from March 1 to the first Saturday in April each year. When fishing on public mountain trout waters classified as Delayed Harvest, anglers must use singlehook artificial lures and cannot harvest or possess any trout from Oct. 1 until the first Saturday of June. At that time waters re-open at 6 a.m. to youth 15 years old and younger under Hatchery Supported regulations, with no bait restriction, no minimum length limit and a

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7-trout-per-day creel limit. Waters open to all anglers that same day at noon. Hatchery Supported regulations remain in effect until Oct. 1 each year. To purchase a Mountain Heritage Trout Waters license, call 1-888248-6834 or purchase online at ncwildlife.org. About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission   Since 1947, the  N.C. Wildlife has been Resources Commission  dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and

NOVEMBER 2021

sporting activities.   Purchase   or a renew fishing, trapping and hunting a  license and renew a vessel registration online at ncwildlife.org.     Get N.C. Wildlife Update — news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more — delivered free to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

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HIGH COUNTRY

It’s All About That…Fish Or Is It? By Wayne Wooten

‘ve been asked, “Is it just about catching fish? Wouldn’t it be easier to go to the grocery store and just buy some?” I began to ponder these questions, and here is what I came up with. I started fishing when I was six or so. My grandfather (Pop) Wooten had purchased twelve acres out in the country with a big creek running through it. Pop and my dad would take me with them to work on the property. I was too young to help, so to keep me occupied, Pop bought me a cane pole, a tub of red wigglers and made some fishing spots on the creek bank. They were able to keep an eye on me and

interact while they worked, and it gave me something to do. I fished there for years and later taught my sister how to fish there too! So fishing was my first babysitter! When I was about ten, Pop bought a cabin on the Yellow River/Lake Jackson. I was now an adventurer because a wooden flat bottom boat with a 9.5 HP Johnson came with the deal! By now, I was taking friends to the lake with me for the weekend, and we would cruise the willows, setting limb lines and using our Johnson Centuries and Zebcos to cast to cover. It was sardines, crackers and cokes for lunch, and we talked about everything

under the sun. We didn’t have a care in the world, just two guys living the life! So fishing is my first social network! When we were not at Lake Jackson, my friends and I would get our parents to take us, or walk to local pay lakes. One of those friends was Larry Barnes. I was the first guy in our group to get a driver’s license, so we would load up my 59 Ford and hit Lake Jackson on our own, and we did it often! It was our first hangout and our parents approved too. After graduation, life happened, so Larry and I didn’t see each other for about 40 years. We reconnected in 2010, and what do think the first thing we 14 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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asked each other was? Have you been fishing? Well, it only took a month or so and we were back at it again until this day, like we never missed a beat. I’ve fished all these years and what started as something to keep me occupied; still is. What became my first social network; still is. What was a series of adventures; still is. I have barely mentioned catching fish, which we do, and like doing! I will have to say yes, it is all about that fish. Without that fish, we wouldn’t have a reason to go. And yes, buying fish would be easier, but then you couldn’t have these wonderful experiences.

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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

16 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE NOVEMBER 2021 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM 16 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE NOVEMBER 2021 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

The resort’s Saturdays ntals and

summer waterfalls, , visiting andfather mini-golf n the low

hidden n, while Buckeye which are s a paved ideal for

ut Water venience. and nonsimply by

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 NOVEMBER 2021 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 17 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM NOVEMBER 2021 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 17

Be Prepared

grew up in Scouting and earned the rank of Eagle Scout before I turned 16. Of course, the Scout motto is ‘Be Prepared’. I’ve tried to maintain that perspective throughout my life. On the water, you have to be prepared to deal with emergencies. On the water, things can happen fast. You hit an unseen submerged object, or you get caught off-guard by a fast-moving storm. You can have engine or electrical problems that leave you stranded in shallow water on an out-going tide. I’ve had most of these things happen. Add fishing hooks and bait knives to the equation, and the odds of experiencing a situation that requires immediate attention is greatly increased. Dealing with a problem can be a whole lot easier if you are prepared, and that’s exactly what happened on a recent fishing trip to the coast. Let me set the story. A buddy and his two young sons were fishing

By Capt. Cefus McRae NutsAndBoltsFishing.com

with me on the East Coast. It was bull redfish season. The weather forecast for the weekend wasn’t promising. My Simrad chartplotter has SiriusXM Marine Weather as an overlay on the display. They clearly showed the barrage of storm cells constantly moving in and out of the area, bringing rain showers and wind to churn up the water and make venturing offshore unsafe. An east wind and opposing tide turned the inlet into a washing machine. We decided to ditch our offshore plans and seek the relative calm of the backwaters and bay that offered some degree of protection from the stiff chop, and their dad agreed. The consensus was to fish in the rain, with a keen eye on the radar for larger storm cells. SiriusXM Weather shows precipitation, storm cell movement, wind speed, wave height, and lightning. By the way, if you don’t

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have SiriusXM on board, you should. A couple of times, I would see storms on the screen 20 to 30 miles away with embedded lightning headed in our direction, and we would head for the barn. Better safe than sorry. On day 2, I decided the weather was improving enough to fish the inlet for big sharks and bull reds. The boys caught several nice sharks, stingrays, and a variety of other fish, but no reds. After lunch, the rain diminished, but not the wind, so we moved into a shallow bay and possibly catch some trout or a smaller redfish for dinner. Being prepared, I already had popping cork rigs tied on to the inshore rods; baited one with a live shrimp, and the other with a Project X Saucertail. On the first day, these boys proved they could cast pretty well. So one went up front with the dad, and the other came back with me to

provide some distance between them, and prevent crossed lines. After a half dozen ladyfish, and a small shark, the action slowed as the tide went slack. Eventually, the tide started moving again, and the boat began to swing on the anchor. The youngest son and I were having a grand time at the back of the boat. Dad and the older brother were equally enjoying themselves up front. Then I heard “Captain, I need some help.” I was not expecting the visual when I looked toward the bow. Dad was on one knee, his hand grasping his neck, and blood was oozing from between his fingers. On a backcast, a 5/0 kahle hook found the center of his neck just below the jawbone; and it was driven in all the way to the bend. Fortunately, the reel was spooled with 8-pound test line, and the line snapped instead of burying the hook any further. The first words out of my mouth

Continued, see BE PREPARED Page 19

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ge 19

More Land for Roan Mountain State Park

hanks to incredible supporters like you, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased 150 acres adjoining Roan Mountain State Park in TN. This important natural area will be added to the park in the future, providing potential to expand trails and create backcountry camping sites. The main branch of Hampton Creek runs through a portion of the property, and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail passes along it. “I’m thrilled we had the opportunity to help our partners at TN State Parks expand one of the most beloved parks in the state,” says Land Protection Director

Michelle Pugliese. “From the higher elevations on the property where you can enjoy views of the Roan Massif to the beautiful stretch of stream, this property offers exciting opportunities for people to connect with nature.” “This was a great opportunity for SAHC and TN State Parks to work together to secure what is the first addition of land to Roan Mountain State Park since it opened in 1959,” says Park Manager Monica Johnson. “Acquiring the property was one of my 10-year goals, and obtaining that goal within the first year and half as the new park manager is really a huge accomplishment,

BE PREPARED continued from page 18 were “Lay down” followed by “Can you breathe and can you talk?” Dad acknowledged that he was not in extreme pain, but was obviously concerned due to the location of the hook. Suddenly, without warning, I’m in a situation where there are several things to consider, and it all needed to be done now. By now, the tide had turned and the current was strong. The anchor was stuck solidly on the bottom, and it would be difficult to maneuver the boat from the helm while trying to haul the anchor from the bow. Cutting the anchor line was not an option because I would have to drive right over it to get out of the creek mouth and potentially foul the props. The anchor had to come up. So, I engaged the crew. I had two little boys who were about to become men under pressure. The Honda 250’s

came to life, and I eased the bow toward the anchor, allowing the boys to take up the slack in the anchor line. It was up to them to free the anchor from the bottom and haul the last few feet of line, 8 feet of heavy chain, and the heavy anchor onto the deck. Without hesitation, they jumped to the task, and working together, they got the job done. I still had a little bit of idling to do, dodging an oyster bar and maneuvering against the full force of the current to get us out of the flowing creek. Dad was doing OK, but the situation was still tenuous. I got on VHF Channel 16 and hailed the marina. It was the closest destination where EMS could easily access. Hailing the Coast Guard or dialing 911 would only slow things down with the number of questions that have to be answered before help gets on the way. I

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one I could not have done without the help of SAHC and its members. A huge thank you to everyone involved. I look forward

to protecting and preserving the additional 150 acres for future generations to enjoy.”

explained my situation and the marina got EMS on the way, so I could focus on navigation, the boys, and their dad. When we arrived at the marina, EMS was pulling up. They stabilized dad, and were on their way to the hospital in mere minutes. There’s a happy ending to the story. About an hour later I got a text. My buddy was in good shape, and he was just waiting for a tetanus shot. The hook, although deeply buried, had not pierced a neck artery. The emergency room doctor removed the hook the old-fashioned way: with a piece of string. The boys and I picked him up from the hospital, and he now has two small piercings on his neck that look exactly like he was bit by a vampire. So, where’s the “Be Prepared” part of the story? Some of it is from training and experiences I’ve had as a captain. Every boat owner should take a first aid and CPR course. SiriusXM Marine’s satellite-based

weather radar came through to help avoid the worst of a developing weather system on the way to the docks. My Simrad chartplotter displayed my exact position and water depths to avoid the oyster bar, and allowed me to take the most direct, safe course back to the marina. Because I had a VHF radio on board, everyone else with a radio heard my call for assistance, including the Coast Guard. Cell phone service can be spotty or non-existent in some of these coastal areas. In my opinion, these are all essential items for a boat, whether you’re venturing offshore, or spending the weekend on the lake. Most memorably, I saw two boys transform to young men that day. They stepped up, got the job done, and I couldn’t have been prouder for them. Oh, and I failed to mention, they are both Scouts too. Now they truly understand the meaning of “Be Prepared”.

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N Proper Stream Etiquette with Other Anglers By Ethan Hollifield

I 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.

t’s no secret that one of the results of the COVID-19 pandemic is the massive influx of new anglers that have gotten into fishing. With this in mind, I thought I would share some of my thoughts on proper stream etiquette when fishing around other anglers in a river that many newcomers might be unfamiliar with. Nothing is worse than fishing on your favorite stream and having someone jump right in front of you without even acknowledging your presence. • Try to give other anglers at least 50 to 100 yards, or more, worth of space. This gives other people a chance to fish without being behind someone else the entire time. • Always assume other people are

fishing upstream, especially for trout. • Be polite and ask other anglers, if you’re in doubt! Most fisherman are more than happy to share the water with you, but nothing ruins a good day on the water like having someone jump right in front of you when you’re about to hit your favorite run. Communication goes a very long way in preventing unnecessary conflicts on the water. Following these basic ethical guidelines ensures that everyone gets an opportunity to enjoy the sport that we all love. We’re all out there for the same reasons - to enjoy being on the water, and basic communication with other anglers helps to make everyone’s experience that much better.

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

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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Delayed Harvest Pointers

By Karl Ekberg

ovember brings the beginning of the holiday season, and for the rivers around the Chattooga River Fly Shop that holiday season started with the helicopter stocking of both the Chauga and Chattooga. Many great thanks to the awesome job form the great folks at the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, for the incredible quality of fish that they have raised for everyone to enjoy. Many thanks also go to the folks at the US Forestry Dept. here for their help with this tremendous project. November 1st starts the Delayed Harvest time of year as well. On both the rivers, there is a section which are catch and release from November 1st through May 14th; during this time, regulations in these areas are single hook and artificial only. To clarify what “artificial” means, here is the direct information from the SCDNR hunting and fishing guide, page 33 for this year. “Artificial lure: means manufactured or handmade flies, spinners, plugs, spoons, and reproductions of live animals, which are made completely of natural, or colored wood, cork, feathers, hair, rubber, metal, plastic, tinsel, Styrofoam, sponge,

or string, or any combination of these materials in imitation of or as substitute for natural bait. Lures or fish eggs enhanced with scents or salts are not artificial lures. Artificially produced organic baits are not artificial baits”. Single hook is also a restriction in these “Delayed Harvest” waters as well. Now that the fish have flown, what, where, and when to fish is the next discussion. “When”, truly quite simple, is anytime for the first few weeks. “Where”, also easy, is most anywhere throughout the Delayed Harvest sections of the river. River access points, are the Hwy, 28 Bridge for the Chattooga, and Cassidy Bridge, and Hell Hole access points on the Chauga. “What” to fish is everything from the novice’s to the expert’s fly box, of bright, flashy, leggy, wiggly, buggy, or every combination thereof. There is absolutely no doubt that, as the fish are growing at the fish hatchery, they are pellet fed for the general majority of their lives. With that being said, the fish do not realize that dinner is not coming anymore so they eat foolish things. Bug life has not registered as part of their diet in

the first week or more. Whether it is a nymph, streamer, or wet fly type pattern, any combination of these will be beneficial for your trip to the river. Leader and tippet selection is quite simple. Just after these fish have been put into the waters, heavier is better. These fish are not shy about heavier leader and tippet size, only after some time in the waters do you have to down size; If you are not sure what size or length to use, we can help you out with your selection. We hope to see everyone

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.

Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast November 2021 By Preston Harden

ater Level: 3 feet above full pool. Water Temp:Upper 70s November can be a tough month to fish. Understanding the fall turnover will help you find active fish. Fish migrate looking for better water quality. When the lake turns over, the surface water sinks and the deep water rises and if you know what to look for, it’s easy to tell when the water is turning. It gets a dark color and may also get foamy, and smell like rotting leaves. Fish don’t like turning water, as the oxygen is depleted. They are looking for green

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out on the rivers; we are open Tuesday through Saturday 7:30am-4:00pm and on Sundays frin 7:30am-2:00pm. We have a large assortment of Christmas ideas, including gift certificates for guided trips or the Fly Shop, preset flies in fly boxes, fly tying materials, rods, reels, waders and boots, local artisans’ works; and we can ship all items daily. Let us know how we can help you with a guided trip, holiday gift ideas, or information, be sure to enjoy a great day at the rivers, and let’s remember, “Leave No Trace”.

NOVEMBER 2021

water that has already turned, or has not yet turned. The turnover starts up-lake and in the creeks and these same shallow areas complete turnover first. This is where the fish migrate to. Turnover gets worse after a cold snap and subsides after a few stable weather days. Look for green water and try to not fish after a cold snap. By late November, the turnover is usually complete. The water turns a pretty green. The sea gulls arrive and lead you to the fish. The game fish then go on a feed, getting ready for winter.

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Flying Fish By Jeff Durniak

t’s early November and you’re balancing waist-deep in a quiet Chattooga River pool. Your only accomplices are your fly rod, a chirping otter, and your high hopes for some fall trout. Suddenly, your solitude is broken by a distant thumping. Then it draws closer. Grouse? Bigfoot? Other infamous river monster? You think you might have even heard a banjo! Time to duck and cover, or run like a deer? You pause. Suddenly, a U.S. Forest Service helicopter easily clears the tree line. A bright orange firefighting bucket dangles 100 feet below it, but you see and smell no smoke. Where’s the fire? The copter dips between ridgetops, into the river gorge, and slowly descends upon your pool until the bucket is just a few feet above the water surface. Whoosh! Its load empties through the bottom release

and splashes into the crystal clear water. The copter lifts and vanishes, your heart rate drops, and your solitude is finally restored. Within the hour your trouting success rate skyrockets! You’ve just experienced the annual copter stocking of the Chattooga River backcountry. This remote, 15mile river reach, from Burrells Ford down to Reed Creek, is often too hot in summer to allow year-round trout survival, but it’s great trout habitat during the other three-quarters of the year! A grand cooperative called the Chattooga River Fisheries Coalition restores that reach to a prime trouting destination each fall, when roughly 10-20 copters drop and scatter bows, browns and even a few brookies over those 15 miles of hikein waters. The co-op, launched in the 1980’s, includes the partners of a) the

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U.S. Forest Service in GA and SC; b) both state wildlife agencies and their hatchery staffs; and c) both state councils of Trout Unlimited, who help pay for the copter time. The co-op’s donated time, trout, and funds make this annual fisheries management program a lasting success story. So take a friend (for safety and fish photos), hike into this remote wild and scenic river, and have fun this fall, winter, and especially next spring when the aquatic insects hatch and the trout rise. Then give thanks to the Chattooga Fisheries Coalition, where federal, state, and citizen partners work together for the benefit of all river anglers. If you’re lucky enough to hear

some thumping coming over the ridgetop, know that it’s probably not Bigfoot, but Big-Bucket with some flying fish! Join a TU chapter near you and be part of the fun and success of interagency partnerships like the Chattooga Fisheries Coalition. Good luck with your fall “fly” fishing!

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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This design proved to be so beloved that it was chosen for the Silver Eagle Silver Dollar series back in 1986, a coin that has been the best-selling coin in history! The Walking Liberty’s back depicts a bold eagle with spread wings perched on a rocky crag from which grows a pine branch, a symbol of strength. Together the two images perfectly portrayed the dual message that

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TIPS FROM A PRO

FLIPPING HEAVY GRASS FOR FALL BASS

time or two until I get a bite or two in an area. Once you know there are fish around, slow down, make very precise flips and work the bait up and down multiple times with each cast. I flip and pitch with a craw-style bait. If the water has a good stain, black and blue colors are a must. If you’re working with cleaner water, TYLER WOOLCOTT green pumpkin or brown variations usually do the trick. When you are dealing with pressured fish or fishing in colder conditions, downsize and flip a creature bait like the 13 Fishing Lunch Bug. When the ith fall upon us, it’s time to bring out the big sticks and heavy braid. One of my favorite techniques weather is stable and you are around aggressive fish, flip a full-sized to target bass is flipping and punching grass, and fall is a creature bait like the 13 Fishing Invader. great time to do it. Fish seek heavy cover Flipping/ Punching Gear and vegetation to feed up on forage and get warmth under matted grass. This presents It is important to use the correct the opportunity to place your bait right in equipment to get your bait into the grass front of them. and then winch fish out. I like a 13 Fishing Flipping and pitching grass can be hard 7’9” Heavy Fast Envy Black rod paired to learn, but once you get the hang of it, it up with a Concept A 8:3:1 reel. The long can be one of the most exhilarating ways to heavy-action rod gives you power to get catch a bass. I live in Florida, where grass a hook into fish and then get them out of is always prevalent. It has taught me a few grass. Pairing that rod with a fast-gearthings about how fish position in fall, and ratio reel allows you to make lots of flips I’ve been able to use this knowledge all and to pick up line quickly. over the country. Heavy braided line is imperative. I Seek out either a clean edge or patches like 65-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid of grass that are isolated away from in grey. I use a Woo! Tungsten weight expansive areas of grass. These areas between 1 and 2 ounces, depending on concentrate fish in targetable places and the thickness of the grass. Hook size varies give you the highest probability of getting depending on the size bait. I use between a your bait in front of a hungry bass. 3/0 and a 5/0 Hayabusa FPP Straight HD When flipping, cover as much water as hook. possible until you run into a group of fish. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament Fish tend to group up in the fall, and this is angler and guide. Check out his website at also true with fish in the grass. I like to flip www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com. fast, only pumping the bait up and down a

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Whether you take your boat out to the lake or the ocean, your 4-stroke outboard needs ECSTAR Suzuki Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil so it can run long and strong. ECSTAR features special additives that protect the engine in harsh salt and fresh water environments, advanced detergents that keep engine parts clean, and viscosity index improvements that help the engine start in cold conditions. No matter where your next boat ride takes you, go confidently with ECSTAR.

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Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-Approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. Suzuki, the Suzuki “S” ECSTAR and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC.

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StyleCraft and A&M Introduce Versatile, Premium Fiberglass Hull Pontoon Boats

ptimum durability and performance are the design achievements for an all new line of pontoon boats named Style Craft Boats. These premium fiberglass-hulled pontoon boats result from a partnership between Billy Chapman and John Hemken, and they are only available through factory direct sales. Chapman, pioneer of Amazon peacock bass fishing and creator of the Floating Suite mobile lodge, and Hemken, with over 25 years of perfecting new and innovative production and owner of A&M Manufacturing, are designing several models of pontoon boats. Flagship of the line is the Fun Slide boat, a 28-foot pontoon craft built on Bulldog hulls with a 10-foot-wide main deck and upper deck featuring two water slides. The 22- and 26-foot Outfitters are recreational tritoons with multiple floorplans for family fun and fishing built on Riptide hulls. Outfitter pontoon boats also feature multiple deck boxes with cushion seats, and much more. StyleCraft Boats also offers three different kit boats, allowing the DIYer to finish out the boat to their liking. The Kit Boat includes fiberglass hulls and heavy-duty aluminum C-channel floor beams ready for assembly. The StyleCraft Boats Tuff Boat is a workboat created for the rigors of heavy-duty operations. A deck boat that can be configured for any task, the Tuff Boat can be outfitted with a crane, welder and anything else a work boat

might need. StyleCraft works with the owner to determine the right size pontoon boat for the work at hand. All StyleCraft Boats are built by A&M Manufacturing and feature a heavy-duty set of fiberglass hulls measuring from 30 feet to 53 feet in length. The deck is built with marine-grade composite that is fiberglassed, gelled and webbed. No wood is used in StyleCraft Boats. Each boat can be configured with an outboard engine. More models will be introduced. The Fun Slide boat and Outfitter series are equipped with a Humminbird Helix GPS depthfinder, anodized aluminum railing and Phifertex rail coverings, upgraded custom upholstery with hydraulic steering and steering wheel on a fiberglass console. A&M Manufacturing is the contract manufacturer of Elite Craft leisure boat, hand built from fiberglass but with the regal look of real mahogany wood. Elite Craft boats have been built for over 30 years. For more information about StyleCraft Boats, visit stylecraftboats.com.

TRAVEL PROTOCOLS RELAXED FOR BAHAMAS INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL

ffective Immediately, the requirement for a travel health visa for inter-island travel within The Bahamas has been removed. Other important updates include: • Vaccinated persons travelling inter-island from New Providence and Grand Bahama will now only be required to produce a negative result of a rapid antigen test of the type approved by the Ministry of Health, and if non-vaccinated, travelers are required to produce a negative result of the RT-PCR test at the point of embarkation to the operator of the airline or vessel on which they are travelling. • For persons travelling inter-island from any other islands of The Bahamas, only a negative result of an antigen test of the type approved by the Ministry of Health is required. • The requirement for secondary testing for inter-island travelers is now removed. Curfew times have also been relaxed to 11:59 p.m. to 5 a.m. on New Providence and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Exuma mainland, Abaco mainland, Bimini and North and South Eleuthera, including Harbour Island. For entry into the U.S., beginning Nov. 1, 2021, all adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions. Additionally, unvaccinated U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents who return to the United States will be required to provide proof of a negative test result taken within one day prior to their departure. For more information on US requirements, visit https://bs.usembassy.gov/ covid-19-information. For full Bahamas Covid Protocols & Requirements for Boaters, visit www.bahamasmarinas.com/procedures-and-protocols.

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PHOTO BY CAPT. JOE JELLISON

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Rocco Mansueto (center) with his fishing partners, Jay Effner (left) and Phillip Mansueto (right).

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on the Tennessee River

By Richard Simms

olor mutations occur in a variety of wildlife species—albino whitetail deer, black (melanistic) coyotes and yes, piebald catfish. To witness, and especially catch, one of those unique creatures, however, is rare. Yet it happened recently for Rocco Mansueto on the Tennessee River. Mansueto was fishing in late September with Capt. Joe Jellison, a guide working with Scenic City Fishing Charters in Chattanooga, Tenn. Capt. Jellison also produces the popular YouTube Channel, Chatt Cats Fishing. Capt. Jellison routinely fishes on the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. His clients had already enjoyed a successful day, including a 27-pound blue caught by Rocco’s brother, Phillip, when Rocco hooked up again on a respectable catfish. When they fought the fish close enough to the boat to see it, Capt. Jellison, who has boated thousands of catfish, said he was awestruck. “Piebald catfish are quite rare. There’s one-in-a-million chance of getting one,” said Capt. Jellison. “They are actually blue catfish with a genetic mutation. I told Rocco many (or most) fishermen will fish their whole life and not catch a piebald catfish.” Piebaldism is the absence of melanin-forming cells (melanocytes) in certain areas of the skin. It is different from albinism, where all cells lack the ability to produce pigment altogether. Hence, piebald creatures do not have the pink eye characteristic of albinos. The piebald gene is often hereditary. Another Scenic City Fishing guide, Capt. Sam Simons, caught a similar fish in 2019. While it appeared to be a totally white albino, it did not have the characteristic pink eye, hence was probably a piebald as well. At the time of the catch, Capt. Jellison was drifting chicken breast as bait in the Tennessee River current, what Scenic City guides refer to as their “light tackle technique.” They use standard spinning gear and relatively light line (10-pound mono or 20-pound braid), which allows the bait to drift more naturally. Even though they use light tackle, the technique sometimes produces big catfish—up to 50 and 60 pounds. However, trophy-sized catfish are not as rare, or as cherished, as a once-in-a-lifetime piebald. Mansueto released his rare piebald catfish back into the river in hopes someone else might someday have the same experience he did. Richard Simms is an outdoor journalist and owner/guide at Scenic City Fishing Charters in Chattanooga, Tenn. Check them out at www.sceniccityfishing.com.

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719-POUNDER WINS BLUEFIN BONANZA L ocal captain Pete Speeches, of Scarborough, Maine, and the crew of Backstabber, brought a giant 719-pound bluefin tuna to the scale to win the Third Annual Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza out of South Portland, Maine. They took home their second consecutive Casco Bay Cup. It was a fretful year for the Bonanza, as proposed restricted fishing days threatened to scuttle the event. Then, an 11th-hour category closure forced postponement of the three-day tournament from early August to early September. Despite the tremendous inconvenience to all, and a less-than-favorable forecast, the boats set out and didn’t disappoint. First to the dock on Day 1 was Endorfin with a 511-pounder. Keith Jordan, of the Bailey and Bella, quickly set the bar higher with a fat tuna that weighed 700 pounds on the nose. Speeches was hot on his tail, arriving at the scales just 20 minutes later with what would eventually prove to be the tournament winner. He was preceded by Mitch Napalitano’s 598-pounder, moving Mitch down to a third-place position, at least temporarily. Perennial frontrunner Kurt Christensen and the Molly Jane came in with a 373-pounder with Wasabi, High Anxiety and Lion’s den bringing in fish of 478, 311 and 440 pounds, respectively. Forecasted high winds and thunder showers kept many boats off the water on Day 2, but Backstabber—vying for the cumulative-weight prize—landed their second, a 467-pounder followed by Bailey & Bella’s 582-pounder. Bounty

Hunter II, one of the smaller boats in the tournament went way offshore and after a five-hour battle managed to wrangle in a 422-pounder, and made the scales before they closed. Despite challenging conditions, the crew of Molly Jane showed their mettle, bringing in a 632-pounder to open Day 3 that would ultimately hold up in the top five. Hot on their heels was Bailey & Bella with a 646-pounder that would take fourth place and secure the overall cumulative weight. The final fish was ANUT’s 698-pounder, which moved them back into third place. In the end, over $18,000 in prize money was handed out, including a top prize of $7,500 and the Casco Cup for the largest fish. More importantly, the Bluefin Bonanza raised enough money to ensure that 14 students, two from each of Maine’s seven community colleges, will receive scholarships next year. The Bonanza will also be able to fulfill their endowment to the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges, ensuring there will always be scholarships in the future. Furthermore, a new endowment will be established with the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to support vital bluefin tuna research that will ensure the resource and the fishery remain sustainable. For more information, check out the Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza on Facebook, visit www.bluefinbonanza.org or email bluefinbonanza@gmail.com.

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SUZUKI’S SELECTIVE ROTATION

YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. All rights reserved.

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