WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA EDITION
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BOOST YOUR CATCH w/RezBoostTM Technology
Interested in getting the most out of your own trusted transducer, or not sure you’re ready for the expense of installing a new CHIRP transducer? Furuno has a solution that will get the very best performance from your traditional narrowband transducer. Our RezBoostTM Fish Finders deliver clearer images than ever before, we’re talking up to 8x sharper. Whether it’s NavNet TZtouch2 or the FCV588/FCV628 stand-alone Fish Finders, RezBoostTM will boost your catch!
Get up to 8x sharper resolution, using a standard narrow band transducer, to more clearly define fish targets.
Assess individual fish size and depth based on echo strength for fish from 4 inches to over 6 feet.
Identify the sea floor composition from four types (Rocks/Sand/Gravel/Mud).
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Electronics GARMIN INREACH EXPLORER+ Going where the fish are often means exploring places where communication becomes very difficult. Whether you’re far offshore, deep in a marshy backwater or high up a remote mountain stream, wouldn’t it be reassuring to know you can connect with someone in the event of an emergency? Or you might just need to let someone know where the fish are biting? The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a handheld GPS navigator and satellite communicator that allows you to explore anywhere and communicate everywhere. It is a rugged, compact unit that uses 100 percent global Iridium coverage for two-way text messaging and tracking anywhere in the world. Navigate with detailed, preloaded TOPO maps, follow routes, mark waypoints and find your way back with a high-detail bread-crumb trail. Using GPS tracking, you can easily share your location with family, friends, social media or emergency responders. In case of emergency, the interactive SOS allows you to communicate back and forth and receive confirmation that help is on the way. For added capability, use the free Earthmate app to pair your inReach Explorer+ with mobile devices and access unlimited maps, aerial imagery, NOAA charts, weather and more.
WWW.GARMIN.COM FURUNO DFF3D Turn your NavNet TZtouch or TZtouch2 MFD into a multi-beam sonar that can see 120 degrees port to starboard, allowing you to see the depth and direction fish schools are moving, while displaying the seabed condition in real time. Furuno’s DFF3D gives you real-time 120-degree port-starboard view of the water column and seabed in deeper than 650 feet of water, allowing you to find fish in deep water faster than conventional
single-beam sounders. Cross-Section displays the real-time sea column echo in 120 degrees port and starboard. This mode aids in understanding the distribution of baitfish and water column conditions. The 3D Sounder History provides an intuitive and easyto-understand 3D image of the seafloor, along with fish school icons. A single or triple-direction fishfinder image can be displayed. The triple beam display helps you understand the depth of fish and seabed condition in each direction, as well as the direction target fish are moving. Side scan clearly displays the shape of structure to port and starboard as a high definition image.
WWW.FURUNO.COM STANDARD HORIZON EXPLORER GX1700 GPS VHF RADIO The GX1700 makes DSC easy. With an internal 12 Channel GPS built into the front panel, there is no need to hassle with wiring the radio to a GPS for DSC. Out of the box and ready to go, DSC calling, position sharing, waypoint navigation and navigation to DSC distress calls can all be performed with just a few simple steps. The Explorer GPS VHF radio has a compact rear case of only 3.5 inches. The Built-In WAAS GPS receiver and antenna give flexibility to flush mount the radio in tight areas. The GX1700 is capable of entering and saving up to 100 waypoints, which may be navigated to by using a unique navigation compass display that shows bearing and distance to the waypoint. GX1700 is an ITU-R M493 Class D class VHF with a separate Channel 70 receiver, which allows DSC calls to be received even when listening to communications. The DSC DISTRESS function transmits a digital MAYDAY including vessel identification, latitude/longitude and time, to facilitate prompt response. Other features include a big, bold display; RAM3+ remote mic capability, easy position sharing, Clearvoice noise reduction technology, programmable channel names, NOAA Weather channels and Weather Alert. And it’s all backed by a 3-year waterproof warranty.
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Product Review ACR ELECTRONICS RESQLINK PLB
At 4.6 ounces, the ResQLink distress beacon weighs less than a couple of energy bars, and it’s smaller than the cell phone in your pocket. Small and mighty, the ResQLink PLB is a full-powered, GPS-enabled rescue beacon designed for anglers, pilots and backcountry sportsmen. With three levels of integrated signal technology—GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz signal, and 121.5 MHz homing capability—the ResQLink PLB quickly and accurately relays your position to a worldwide network of search and rescue satellites. A built-in strobe light provides visibility during night rescues. Even in extreme conditions and situations, the ResQLink activates easily. With its powerful 66-channel GPS, the ResQLink guides rescuers to within 100 meters of your position. And, in the continental U.S., search and rescue personnel are typically alerted in as little as five minutes. Other features include: no subscription fees, self-test and GPS-test features and typical performance 30 hours. If you have to use your ResQLink PLB, ACR will replace it free of charge.
WWW.ACRARTEX.COM
JL AUDIO MEDIAMASTER 100S BLACK EDITION The MM100s-BE is hitting the market just in time for summer. This latest Black Edition of JL Audio’s MediaMaster was introduced with an updated user interface that offers enhanced volume control flexibility and four fully variable zones, each with independent feature/control options; Volume, Tone, and Naming. NMEA 2000 interconnectivity is built into it and equipped with a NMEA2K Connector to integrate into existing networks, enabling MFD control functionality with Lowrance, Simrad and Garmin. Designed for today’s modern media environment, the MM100s-BE features a Digital AM/FM/Weather Band Tuner, Bluetooth connectivity, separate line level AUX and USB/iPhone inputs, and it’s SiriusXM-Ready. Available with an optional MMR-20BE Wired Remote. The MM100s-BE is a premium, single-chassis source unit with superb audio performance, excellent ergonomics and advanced audio features, specifically designed for marine applications. Check it out at http://www.jlaudio.com/. Available at HIGH TECH MARINE in Hialeah, Fla. 305-883-9700.
WWW.HIGHTECHMARINE.COM ANGLER’S PAL ELECTRONICS MOUNTS AND TROLLING MOTOR STABILIZERS
Boaters and anglers invest a small fortune in their equipment. Fishermen, for example, know that quality sonar, GPS, chart plotters and electric motors are vital tools that enhance their experience. For that reason, MarineTech Products, manufactures the Angler’s Pal line of electronics mounts and trolling motor stabilizers. Angler’s Pal mounts are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and provide rock solid stability with minimal space requirements. The patented universal Ball Locking Device provides 360-degree adjustability and the strength to support the heaviest equipment without “drift.” The Angler’s Pal Trolling Motor Mounts feature a unique rubber lock-down strap that protects your trolling motor from accidental deployment or excessive vibration that can damage the shaft. Overall length: 10” and now THE NEW 14” model for longer shafts and deeper gunnels. They are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and hardanodized aluminum for fresh and saltwater use. They are available in a variety of lengths, and all Angler’s Pal mounts can be easily removed for storage. Angler’s Pal also manufactures 700 and 800 Series Rod Holders. For information, contact Marine Tech Products at 1 651-4862010.
WWW.ANGLERSPAL.COM
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BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Mike Weber • (414) 531-4172 • mikew@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
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Garmin Introduces
W
hether it’s by land, air or sea, Garmin has made a name for itself as the industry leader in navigational electronics. Its popular and varied GPSMAP product line offers the perfect tool for anyone who needs to know where they’re going. In November, Garmin brought powerful new tools to the realm of marine electronics with the introduction of several new networking chartplotters and combination models to the GPSMAP line. Unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, these units lured in boaters and anglers with high-end features at a more than reasonable price point. “These new GPSMAPs are designed for the budget-conscious customer who desires premium features typically found only in a higher-end product,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “We’ve packed these plotters with industry-leading features, builtin conveniences, and we’ve added two new screen sizes to our lineup—a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch keyed—to offer something for every boater.” Ranging in size from 7- to 12-inches, these new plotters are available with and without built-in sonar.
gration, and a 10Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver for smooth on-screen navigation. These compact plotters offer full-network compatibility for the Garmin Marine Network, which allows support for sharing sonar, maps, user data, radar, IP cameras and Panoptix all-seeing sonar among multiple units. Plus, there’s NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 support for autopilots, digital switching, weather, VHF, AIS and other sensors. Anglers, cruisers and sailors alike will benefit from the xs series that comes equipped with built-in 1kW traditional CHIRP sonar and CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar capability for a near-picture quality view of what’s beneath the boat. Preloaded premium mapping features can be found on the GPSMAP 742/742xs and the GPSMAP 942/942xs, including both BlueChart g2 HD charts for the U.S., Canada and Bahamas and LakeVü HD maps. The GPSMAP 722/722xs and GPSMAP 922/922xs come preloaded with a worldwide basemap for general reference with support for optional mapping available at garmin.com.
GPSMAP 7x2/9x2 and GPSMAP 7x2xs/9x2xs Touchscreen Series
GPSMAP 10x2xsv/12x2xsv and GPSMAP 10x2/12x2 and Keyed Series
The GPSMAP 7x2/9x2 series plotters are 7- and 9-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen chartplotters perfect for any boater. The xs series offers the perfect solution for anglers with chartplotter/sonar combination units. These compact and powerful units are exactly what’s needed when functionality is essential and cockpit or deck space is at a premium. Building on the popularity of the 7-inch touchscreen Garmin pioneered in 2010, this series introduces a 9-inch touchscreen to the Garmin line. Both serve customers who value screen size as a compelling option. They feature builtin wireless connectivity for Garmin mobile apps and VIRB action camera inte10
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For those who prefer using a keypad, the all-in-one solutions offered by the new 10-inch GPSMAP 10x2xsv and the 12-inch GPSMAP 12xsv can’t be beat. With an all-new industrial design, these combos feature a large, sunlight-readable screen coupled with a keypad interface and new multifunction rotary control knob that offers precise, simple control for easy menu navigation and setting control, even in rough water. These units also offer four user-programmable hot keys for one-touch access to favorite features and functions. In addition to GPS and connectivity features also found in the GPSMAP 7x2/9x2xs series, the GPSMAP 10x2xsv and GPSMAP 12x2xsv also offer impressive sonar capabilities with built-in
CHIRP sonar, CHIRP ClearVü and CHIRP SideVü as well as support for Panoptix all-seeing sonar. Other premium Garmin sonar modules are also available, including two new CHIRP transducer options–the GT8HW-IH and GT15MTM. The GPSMAP 1042xs/1242xs come preloaded with BlueChart g2 coastal charts and U.S. LakeVü HD, while the GPSMAP 1022xs/1222xs offer a worldwide basemap. Two non-sonar versions, the GPSMAP 1022 and GPSMAP 1222 are also available with a preloaded worldwide basemap.
Advanced Features For Sailors
Premium sailing features have also been integrated into both new series, offering laylines, tidal information, enhanced wind rose, a current slider and other elements that prove beneficial to sailors. All new models also offer integrated ANT support for use with the quatix 3 marine smartwatch, the Garmin Nautix in-view display, gWind Wireless 2 transducer, GNX Wind marine instrument and wireless remote controls. Additionally, all sonar-enabled models feature built-in Quickdraw Contours software, a free, easy-to-use tool that lets mariners instantly create personalized HD maps with 1-foot contours on any body of water.
An Attractive Price Point
The GPSMAP 7x2/9x2 and xs series will range from $799.99 to $1299.99, while the GPSMAP 10x2/12x2xsv and non-xsv series will be priced from $1699.99 to $2999.99. This is exceptionally affordable pricing for top-quality electronics with so many sophisticated yet easy-to-use features. What more could you expect from Garmin, the company that was recently named Manufacturer of the Year for the second year in a row by the National Marine Electronics Association. For a full list of features and more information, visit garmin.com/newmarine.
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Adjustable cap with brim UV-blocking polarized sunglasses
F
Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
or nearly a century, Eagle Claw has provided premium hooks for all kinds of anglers using American steel and designing and manufacturing them right here in the U.S.A. Founded in 1925 in Denver, Colo., Eagle Claw is extremely proud of its long history of American-made fish hooks. And it is also proud of the high-quality product it produces. Trokar Eagle Claw’s Trokar hooks offer a competitive advantage for serious saltwater competitors. These premium quality hooks offer a faster, deeper, surer point penetration that requires half the pressure of the competition. Manufactured using cold forged high-carbon American-Made steel, they offer better durability and stronger holds for hard-fighting, big-game species. Trokar hooks are surgically sharpened, and their triple-sided points are regarded as the most innovative, sharpest, and most durable on the market today. The Platinum Black finish is designed to withstand repeated use in saltwater and harsh marine conditions. There are more than 20 models of Trokar hooks available for fresh and saltwater. A highlight of the Trokar saltwater line is the TK197 Primal Circle Hook, which is an awesome all-purpose bait hook with an offset, light-wire design. Made of high-carbon steel wire for strength and durability, this hook has a highly durable point and a salt-resistant coating. It offers stronger hold for battling fast and hard-fighting big game fish, and it is a dream come true for serious competition anglers who fish for serious saltwater species. Lazer Sharp Eagle Claw’s Lazer Sharp hooks are designed to be “Sharper, Stronger, Longer,” which means the patented Lazer Sharp needlepoint and forged technology ensures a sharper, stronger, longer hold than the leading competition. Lazer Sharp hooks feature uniquely blended coatings—Sea Guard, Platinum Black and Nickel— which are designed to be more durable and abrasion resistant after repeated use in saltwater. There are more than 30 Lazer Sharp saltwater models available. The L2004EL has become a staple on the boats of big-time billfish anglers. They are approved by the Billfish Foundation for tournament use, and were the original and once the only tournament-approved circle sea hook. The design of this non-offset, circle sea, with a wide gap, light wire and a forged point, results in more solid hook-ups and a much higher rate of fish hooked in the corner of the mouth, which equates to fewer escaping fish as well as less-stressful releases. To this day, the L2004EL is still the single best option for pro and amateur billfish tournament anglers looking for proven performance stemming from a decade of making champions out of competitors. Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle, Co. is an American-based company that has been designing and manufacturing innovative, high-quality fishhooks and fishing equipment for more than 90 years. Its family of brands includes Eagle Claw, Lazer Sharp, TroKar, Wright & McGill and Shappell. For more information about Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Co. and its family of brands, visit www.eagleclaw.com, find them on Facebook at facebook. com/eagleclaw/, facebook.com/TroKarHooks/ and facebook. com/shappellcorp/ or call 720-941-8700.
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ON THE COVER Editor’s Note:
Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE Costa Rica Sailfish
FREE
The great shot of a Pacific sailfish that graces Pacific Sails the covers of this month’s Coastal Angler In Costa Rica Electronics Edition editions comes from Costa Rica Pro Staff member Francisco Mejias. Francisco is one of the great captains who provide monthly Striped Bass forecasts for our local Costa Rica edition, Are Running Local and he captures some stunning photography as well. Knowing one’s way around a camera is important for getting cover-worthy shots. And it definitely doesn’t hurt to have a target-rich environment like Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coast to snap photos of trophy fish. Inside this month’s magazine, Francisco and several other Costa Rica Pro Staff members came together to share the Pacific sailfish experience with our readers. From smaller boats, they pull spreads for sails that can top 200 pounds. The techniques and tools for catching and releasing them safely are laid out in the article, and they are techniques honed by the knowledge that can be gathered during 50-sailfish days. No kidding. The fishing down there can be that good. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANCISCO MEJIAS, VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267
COSTA RICA PROSTAFF
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Hudson River Striped Bass
FREE
All over the country, wherever striped bass Striped Bass live, spring incites migrations of these bruisers Are Running up the rivers to spawn. This is the time of year when very large fish can be caught in skinny water. In the Southeast, runs of landlocked Electronics stripes can be roughly timed by the blooming Edition Local of the dogwoods. In the Northeast, anglers Picky-Trout Tactics await the arrival of the Alewives. Dave Maneri, of Tivoli, N.Y., caught the big striper on the covers of this month’s The Angler editions. His buddy Paul Hughes Jr. snapped the photo while they were fishing the striped bass run on the Hudson River, which feeds the Atlantic Ocean at New York City. It was an epic day for the two anglers. They caught multiple fish, including the cover fish and another one about the same size, which Paul is holding in the photo that appears with the article. In that article, Dave tells us all about the Hudson River striped bass run and how he goes about catching big stripers from the shore as well as from a boat. The uninformed might assume there’s no fishing to be done in such close proximity to one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world. But striped bass and baitfish still run up the Hudson each year to spawn, just like they have since time immemorial. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL HUGHES JR. VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267
F R A N C H I S E
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By Pro Staff Costa Rica • Photos by Francisco Mejias
T
he Pacific sailfish is one of the most sought after offshore game fish in Costa Rica. Growing larger than their Atlantic
counterpart, sailfish in Costa Rica average 60 to 80 pounds, but big ones can surpass 200 pounds! They are migratory, with the main concentration of fish arriving in our area of the Central Pacific as the dry season sets in the end of December. They move away as the wet season kicks in during early May. Even though this is the main migration, there are always sailfish present in our waters year round. We fish from smaller boats, so we use the traditional five-rod setup. A combination of natural baits and lures are used, and our main baits are ballyhoo. Our lures of choice are the Magna series from Santos. Variations of pink, lumo and blue combined with a Trokar hook are deadly combinations. If the bite is slow, we often sew a belly flap or strip bait into the lures for a more enticing bait. On the outriggers, we use teasers. A squid chain in pink on one side and a bigger lure like a Santos Carolina Seastalker on the other is a good start. The shotgun gets a Santos lure as well as the long rigger. The short rigger and the two corners are set up with naked swimming ballyhoos on Trokar 7/0 circle hooks. It is also handy to have a mullet, horse ballyhoo or tuna
rigged and ready to go as a pitch bait in case a marlin decides to crash the party. Once the fish is caught it is time for a few photos. This is a critical part of the process, as it involves fish handling. Even though some boats still bring up a sailfish for a photo, it is highly recommended to not do so, as it can be extremely harmful to the fish. It is the process of pulling the fish over the rail of the boat that causes problems. The protective mucus covering is scraped off, leaving an area of skin exposed to bacterial and fungal attack. This can result in death of the fish at a later time. Leave the fish in the water, and with a good pair of AFTCO gloves, grab the outer part of the bill and push the fish as far out from the boat as possible. Keep the head of the fish in the water as much as possible, and lift it briefly for a good photo. Take the shot from the tail end of the fish looking forward or from above if possible. Alternatively, grab the front part of the sail, pull it up and hold the bill with your other hand. Make sure the bill is always pointing away from you and not at you. Take the photo from the front of the fish. If you have never been to Costa Rica fishing, it is definitely worth it and you will be hooked! Pro Staff Costa Rica provides monthly reports for Coastal Angler Magazine’s Costa Rica edition. Search out Pro Staff Costa Rica on Facebook for more great photography, videos and fishing content.
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Spring Striped Bass Run The Hudson River By Nick Carter
E
ach spring, through the Hudson River’s mouth at bustling New York Harbor, a massive spawning migration of Atlantic stripers pushes some 150 miles upstream to the Federal Dam at Troy, N.Y. In this long stretch of tidally influenced river, striped bass show up when water temps reach the 60s. Dave Maneri, of Tivoli, N.Y., said the trick is to keep up with the migration and put yourself in the right place at the right time to intercept pods of transient stripers. “They move in big schools,” Maneri said. “Some days they’re there and you can catch them; other days they’re not. You gotta stay on the reports. They’re running the whole river, so you could travel to where the fish are or wait until they’re where you are.” Smaller schoolie striped bass show up first. They come with the spawning alewives, which are baitfish commonly called herring. Schoolies remain in the river for a couple months some years, and there’s also a year-round resident population. But Maneri said the big cows remain only for a week or two each season. They are always on the move, and connecting with them can lead to unbelievable action with big fish measuring past the 40-inch mark with weights heavier than 30 pounds. Fishing bait is generally the most productive tactic. The best bait is herring pulled right out of the river, either live or chunked. Most locals use a scap net to catch herring. A scap net is essentially a 4’x4’ dip net. The schooling herring will follow a swimbait right up to the net where they are captured. Maneri fishes his herring off the bottom using medium and medium-heavy rods with baitrunner-style reels that allow fish to run with the bait on free spool before the angler strikes to set the hook and engage the drag. He employs a main line of 30-pound braid with a 1 ½-foot leader of 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon. A 7/0 Gamakatsu Octopus should be hooked through the bait’s mouth, and the whole rig is kept down with a 2- or 3-ounce slide swivel teardrop sinker. Maneri said stripers don’t relate to any kind of structure on their spawning run, so the good spots are the drop offs, channels and shallows where baitfish might be funneled. Obviously, a boat gives anglers the ability to move and seek out fish. But fishing from shore is also productive. When he fishes from the shore, Maneri uses rod holders made from PVC pipe and rebar. They can be wedged into rip-rap to free up the angler while waiting on a bite. And the bite can be a tricky thing. Maneri said these stripers have a knack for spitting the bait. One thing is for sure, though; when the hook sets solid and the drag is engaged, a big striped bass in heavy current is a formidable opponent. Dave Maneri is a team member of Catskill Outdoors. Look them up on Facebook.
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The new Sea Eagle® inflatable FishSUP™ FS126 was designed specifically for anglers. A full 12’6” x 40” for incredible stability, EVA foam pad for secure stand up footing when needed, heavy duty two layer drop stitch construction for a solid, super tough, super rigid SUP board and multiple d-rings and elastic cord for gear. Motor mount holds up to a 55 lb. thrust electric motor. Paddle standing up or sitting on the Sea Eagle® Swivel Seat Fishing Rig. 800-748-8066 M-F 9-5 EST Dept CS057B 19 N. Columbia St., Suite 1, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
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Tips For Catching Picky Trout
By Charlie Warfield • Photo by John Winkler, redhouseflyfishing.com
T
he upper end of the Delaware River, and more specifically the West Branch of the Delaware in the Catskill Mountains, is a favorite of many fly anglers in Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. It can also be frustrating place, as it holds some very picky trout. The river has a reputation for crystal clear water, and because it is a bottom-release tailwater, it has a very consistent temperature, which makes for great hatches and healthy fish year round. It is known for being very technical, and this is just a nice way of saying it will sometimes make you want to pull your hair out. The first time I fished it, I was tested, even frustrated by this beautiful waterway. But besides the beautiful mountain setting and endless hatches, it is in part the challenge that drove me to go back time after time. I persisted and figured out ways of tricking the beautiful native fish. I learned lessons there that have made me a better angler. The following are some insights that will give you a leg up when you go fish the Delaware or any other technical stream. Downstream Presentation: Many anglers learned to cast upstream and let the fly drift down. But when fishing for spooky or educated fish, this method can sometimes leave you frustrated. It’s harder to get a good, long drift with a downstream presentation, but many times it is your best bet. Next time you’re having a hard time getting a take, cast out at about 90 degrees to the bank, and quickly give an upstream mend, this will help you keep a drag free drift for as long as possible. Keep mending as often as needed, letting the fly swing to its full downstream position. Sweep-Style Hook Set: The downstream presentation should be matched with a sweep-style hook set. To use this technique, swing the rod downstream and strip the line at the same time, this will pull the line through the water, creating tension and giving a good hook set. By swinging the rod downstream, you are also pulling the hook into the corner of the fish’s mouth rather than pulling it up and away from the fish. Slow Down Your Hook Set: Ok, we have all done it before. It’s a tough day on the water and all of the sudden you get a strike, BAM you set the hook… and nothing. I have heard people say things like, “Next time, set the hook faster.” But most of the time the opposite is true. A good technique is to wait one second and then give the rod a gentle lift or sweep. Match the Hatch: Picky fish know what they want to eat. There can be significant variation in color, size and body shape in the same species of fly from region to region, and there are many subspecies for each type of fly we fish. So do your homework. I suggest hiring a local guide or at least stopping in at the local fly shop. It is good to support the community, and you can never beat local knowledge.
For more tips on trout fishing, go to
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NORTH CAROLINA
N
ew size and bag limits for the recreational cobia fishery in North Carolina waters went into effect May 1. The minimum size limit increased to 36 inches fork length (measured from the tip of snout to the fork in the tail). The possession limit decreased to one fish per-person per-day, with a maximum of four fish per-vessel perday, if four or more people are onboard a vessel. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted in February to tighten recreational cobia regulations after the federal government closed federal waters (ocean waters beyond 3 miles from shore) north of the Georgia-Florida line to recreational cobia harvest. The federal closure took effect on Jan. 24 and will remain for the rest of the year. The federal action was taken to account for overages in the recreational annual catch limit and total annual catch limit of Atlantic migratory group cobia in 2016. In addition to the regulatory changes, the commission asked anglers to report the length and weight of all cobia harvested in state waters on a catch card, which can be found at official North Carolina Citation Weigh Stations or online. The recreational cobia season will close in state waters at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1. For more information on the cobia season in state waters or the 2017 Cobia Catch Reporting Program, contact Steve Poland, cobia staff lead with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, at 252-808-8159 or Steve.Poland@ncdenr.gov. Photo courtesy of Capt. Cephus McRae
By Will Robinson
F
ishing from a standup paddleboard is a blast. They are stealthy, agile and give you access to places otherwise inaccessible due to lack of water or no-motor regulations. Compared to fishing kayaks, SUPs are affordable and a great deal lighter, making transportation easier. Bare-boned they are good to go, but add some accessories and you have an incredible fishing machine. Likely the first addition to your new SUP is a simple milk crate. For less then 10 bucks you can strap one of these on to keep your gear in check. Add a PVC rod holder, and you are well on your way. But there is a lot more you can do to design the ultimate fishing platform. Most fishing SUPs are equipped with a number of leash plugs for connecting a variety of items. These range from rod holders to paddle clips. The two I find most useful are the camera mount and the Zooka Tube rod holder. There is nothing better than a picture of your trophy catch and the Ram camera mount works great, is
Huge Black Crappie Caught
H
ow do you catch a 4-pound state record crappie? On a bass lure, of course. On March 28, Kinkaid Lake in Murphysboro, Ill. produced a more than 4 ½-pound crappie that should narrowly eclipse the existing 41-year-old state record, according to The Southern Illinoisan. The angler, Ryan Povolish, of Carbondale, Ill., and his buddy Josh Jackson, of Cobden, Ill., headed out on the lake with both crappie and bass fishing gear. After working a weed bed unsuccessfully for crappie, they moved a short distance and Povolish picked up a bass rod armed with a Strike King Pure Poison Swim Jig and a Rage Craw. A big chatterbait-style lure proved too much for the massive crappie to resist. Throughout much of the fight, Povolish thought he was tied into a good-sized bass. With a length of almost 19 inches, a girth of 16 inches and an official weight of 4 pounds, 8.8 ounces, the slab will be the new state record once the paperwork is sorted out. The previous record of 4 pounds, 8 ounces was caught by John Hampton from Rend Lake on May 15, 1976. The world record black crappie, according to IGFA, weighed 5 pounds, even. It was caught from a Missouri private lake in 2006. Kinkaid Lake is a 2,750-acre reservoir that has become known for excellent crappie fishing. It produces crappie heavier than 2 pounds pretty regularly, and at least two other 4-pound crappie have been caught there in the last four years.
inexpensive and secure. The Yak Attack Zooka Tube is a rod holder for both spinning and baitcasting rods. Equally useful, swinging it to the side allows it to double as a stake-out pole holder to keep you on the fish. To take it to the next level, add a cooler. Coolers are awesome and the right one can provide additional storage and enhance your comfort and safety. One of the best features of fishing on an SUP is the vantage point you gain by standing. That said it is nice to have a place to sit and rest or to lower your center of gravity. This makes your board more stable in rough conditions or while fighting a big fish. Almost any cooler can be strapped to your board, but to get the most out of it you need to consider a few things like lash points, lid latches and the ability to accessorize. The Orion 35 is an extremely versatile cooler. This roto-molded beauty is virtually indestructible and has unique features that make it perfect for an SUP. Multiple latch points and cam latches keep all your stuff on the board and in the cooler in case of an inadvertent plunge. The lid comes with a traction pad that helps to keep gear from sliding into the oblivion and makes for a softer seat. Best of all, it has built-in Yak Attack rails on each side that allow you to attach any Ram-style accessory to the cooler. This gives you gear options like electronics holders, rod holders and even a mini bar. And here’s a bonus, genius, paddle-holder hack. To make a basically free paddle holder, take a length of rope roughly 18 inches longer than your waist. Tie 6-inch loops on both ends. Wrap it around your waist, putting one loop through the other. The hanging loop holds your paddle handle near your waist, which makes it easy to stow the paddle quickly and quietly, and allows some one-handed control while fishing. Souped-up and ready for a full day on the water, a well-equipped SUP is a versatile and fun fishing machine. Will Robinson is a seasoned tournament angler and has been writing about fishing for nearly two decades. Check out Orion coolers at Orioncoolers.com.
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MAY 2017
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The Heart Of The Season
In Nosara, Costa Rica
T
he best part of the fishing season is right around the corner for the northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The inshore bite for cubera snapper and grouper remains consistent up and down the Pacific Coast. These reef fisheries are less affected by bait movement, and seem to be more influenced by moon phase or tidal swings. Vertical jigs coupled with a cloud of chunked fresh bonita is the presentation that lures the big ones off of the reefs, with the more enterprising anglers dropping bridle-hooked live bonita. Boats going offshore are finding that the 1000-foot ledge at the 8-mile mark yields dorados of all sizes, from 5-pound schoolies to 60-plus-pound bulls. Dorado will rule this food chain until late May or early June when big yellowfin tuna will swarm in from the north. This changeover is marked by giant schools of spinning porpoises attacking the yellowfins mixed in with marlin and sailfish on the prowl. The extreme water clarity here dictates tackle choices when trolling for billfish, dorado and yellowfin tuna; brightly colored lures and complicated teasers tend to spook the fish. Successful captains report that a cleanly-rigged, unskirted Ballyhoo is the weapon of choice. The water temperature will stay high until late June, when the evening rains will begin to fill the rivers up in the mountains. In addition to taking the edge off the high water temperature, these rains will wash out trees into the ocean, and floating logs quickly become a full ecosystem for baitfish, table fare and predatory billfish. Protected bays dot the coastline of northern Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Peninsula on the central Pacific Coast, supporting old-school fishing villages even in the era of sprawling marina resorts in the southern region of the country. One such bay is Playa Garza, which is home to an armada of 30-
foot, sub-300 hp sportfishing boats operated by local captains. Visitors to this region trade the creature comforts and long boat rides of the big marinas for the chance to catch world-class billfish less than 15 miles from shore. In early April, the 2017 Ship of Fools Tournament was held in Playa Garza with 10 local captains vying for cash, prizes and bragging rights. The winning boat caught a 450-pound blue marlin approximately 12 miles from shore. Capt. Francisco Rosales on the 26-foot Explorer hooked the fish on a naked ballyhoo. The bite is expected to peak in July and August, just before the two-month rainy season begins. In August, it’s not unheard of to have double-digit sailfish releases on a single eight-hour trip. For the past few years, the late-summer action has been white hot with several boats reporting multiple billfish grand slams.
Flats or Bay, which one?
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Bow River Bullets • Bo
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2017
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ithout a doubt, Alberta, Canada’s Bow River is a world-class trout fishery. Glacier-fed and flowing more than 350 miles from the Canadian Rockies through the foothills and prairies of Alberta, it is big and scenic by the time it reaches the 50-mile section southeast of Calgary that author Jim McLennan called “the Blue Ribbon Bow.” It is here in this blue ribbon stretch that anglers flock to get in on some of the best brown and rainbow trout fishing in the world. Stephen Laurie considers the Bow his home water. Although most guide operations fish the river from drift boats or rafts, he prefers fishing it from a kayak most of the time. He said it’s a good way to access smaller runs that larger, less-maneuverable vessels can’t reach. Some of his best days of fishing have occurred in back channels that don’t receive much fishing pressure. When speaking of good days on the Bow, one must consider that
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the river holds 2,500 rainbow and brown trout per mile. Laurie said fish average about 15 or 16 inches, and that large fish longer than 20 inches eat lures and streamers daily. He has a fondness for what he called “Bow River bullets,” which are big rainbow trout renowned for their fight. He said visiting anglers are often surprised by how hard these big-shouldered rainbows pull. Early spring to late fall offers a long window when the Bow fishes well. Either end of that time frame can present huge snow banks and bitterly cold temperatures, though. The best fishing can be found following the subsidence of the spring runoff in May and early June. Trout remain hungry and susceptible to a variety of tactics through the summer months. Laurie said fly anglers should bring boxes loaded with streamers like Clouser Minnows, Rubber Buggers and Crystal Zonkers. Nymphs are also very productive, and patterns like Hare’s Ears, Rainbow Warriors, Frenchies and worms are a necessity. And it is definitely worthwhile to stop in at a local fly shop to ask about what hatches might be coming off. The dry fly fishing can be spectacular during heavy caddis or mayfly hatches. “I have always taken a spinning rod when on the river, as the winds can pick up any time and cause some real fly casting issues, especially when fishing from a kayak,” Laurie said. “Having a spinning rod with me has saved a few wind-filled days. Most common lures would be Rapala CD7 and typical spinners in varying colors.” Although it is possible to access stretches of the Bow to wade, float trips are by far a better option because access points are spread out. A floating angler could bite off between three and eight hours worth of fishing or even an overnight trip depending on the put-in and take-out points and how long is spent stopping to wade fish the more productive stretches. With summer vacations coming up, now is the time to start planning a trout excursion to the Blue Ribbon Bow to experience some of the best fishing on the planet.
For more fishing on Canada’s Bow River, go to
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MURPHY AREA MOUNTAIN LAKES Lake Hiwassee Stripers and Smallmouth By Shane Goebel
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’m constantly asked, “What is your favorite lake to fish on?” I always reply with, “Lake Hiwassee,” especially during the month of May. We’ve caught some of our biggest trophy stripers and smallmouth in May, and as the only professional striper guide out here, this month gets me excited! May really kicks off the start of summer, and it brings with it some large numbers of fish on this awesome Western North Carolina lake. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is around 18 feet below full pool. Clarity is mostly clear and slightly stained in the rivers. Water temps have been in the upper 60s. The striped bass bite has been great lately. We are starting to catch some good numbers, and the majority of our fish have been in the 10 to 15 pound range. These guys are really starting to get big now that they have been stocking them for three years. 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 up the Nottely and Hiwassee Rivers. As the month pro-
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gresses, they’ll start working their way back to deeper water in the mouths of creeks and off rocky points 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
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your best technique. As the sun comes up, it never hurts to throw out a couple of down lines and move to deeper water. Try to pay attention to areas that are holding a lot 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. The smallmouth and spotted bass bite is off the hook, too. Both fish have been schooling up on shallow humps and in the backs of creeks. We’ve been catching big numbers of both. The bigger fish have been closer to the bottom and the smaller spots have been in the upper water column. The trick is, getting your bait past the smaller spots before they hit. It’s not uncommon for us to catch 30 to 40 of these guys in one location. In most of our fishing holes, we are seeing the spots and smallies mixed together. Down-lining live bluebacks has been working the best out here. Now that the water levels are on the rise, you can start working brush piles and trees. We’ve been picking up some nice largemouth around these areas. We are also picking up a lot of our bigger trophy smallmouth on top-water early in the morning on planer boards and free-lines with live herring. Red Fins, jerk baits, and shad raps have also produced well, especially off rocky and long shallow points. We’ve also snagged some nice walleye while working these points. Walleye are starting to make their way into the rivers and creeks from the deeper water to stage in spawning areas. Try fishing bright-colored lures in yellow, orange and red. On occasion,
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trolling Rapala Jointed Shad Raps, Cordell Wally Divers, and Bomber Fat Free Shad will tend to work more efficiently than live bait. Sometimes, the more erratic movement and vibration of artificial bait will cause the walleye to strike. For the most part, however, we try to target these fish by slow-trolling live minnows and blueback herring pulled behind planer boards and down-lining night crawlers. May is a fantastic month for catching some big fish on this lake. From smallmouth bass to hard fighting stripers, we have many great opportunities to catch a number of fish species on Hiwassee Lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy fish during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hyrbrid bass. We also serve Lake Apalachia for huge lake trout, and Lakes Nottely, Chatuge and Blue Ridge. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in The Angler Magazine—let us help you get your fish on!
Shane Goebel is the Owner of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and a member of The Angler Fishing Team. Contact him at www. bigolfish.com or (828) 361-2021 / 1-(844)-4-ANGLER
College’s Annual Fishing Tourney Reels In Fun
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ore than 50 fishing teams eagerly revved their engines in the early dawn light as they awaited the blast off countdown at the Tri-County Community College Foundation’s 9th Annual Fishing for Scholarships Tournament at Lake Chatuge on April 1, 2017. “We are thrilled to have more than 100 anglers turn out for our event this year,” said Dotie Staf-
ford-Ortega, chair of the events committee at Tri-County Community College. “The weather could not have been more beautiful for our fishermen, and the weigh-in displayed some impressive numbers.” More than $3,500 in prize money was handed out, while proceeds from the registration fees will fund two $1,000 scholarships for future Tri-County Community College students. The annual tournament is a joint effort by the Tri-County Bass Club and the Tri-County Community College Foundation. For the second year running, the first place overall prize of $1,000, went to teammates Trevor Prince, of Blue Ridge, Ga., and Barron Adams of Mineral Bluff, Ga., with a total weight haul of nearly 22 pounds. The remaining teams that placed overall were: second place Michael and James Bradley, both of Cherokee; third place Robert Rogers
and Skip McKeral, both of Blairsville, Ga.; fourth place Darren Lail of Robbinsville and Blake Anderson; fifth place Nick Johnson of Franklin and Josh Stephens of Robbinsville. Teammates Storm and Jimmy Worley, both of Murphy, won $250 for the biggest largemouth bass (8.08 pounds), while Brett Gibson of Andrews and Skyler Matheson of Robbinsville took home the $250 prize for biggest spotted bass (5.12 pounds). Last, but not least, the
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team of Jeremy Cross and Butch Hooper, both of Hayesville, won $100 for the smallest fish (1.28 pounds). “We are already gearing up for our 10th annual tournament on April 7, 2018,” Stafford-Ortega said. For more information regarding TCCC’s annual fishing tournament, contact Stafford-Ortega at 835-4208. To view pictures from this year’s tournament, visit www. tricountycc.edu and click on the Flickr logo.
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Serving Hiwassee Lake, Lake Apalachia, Lake Chatuge and Lake Nottely STRIPED BASS • SMALLMOUTH • LAKE TROUT
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More Than Just BBQ By Joe Woody
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sk almost any angler what they love to eat when they go on a fishing trip and, most of the time, the answer will be Barbeque. We flock to a good BBQ restaurant like stocked trout to a feeder bin. If you’re ever fishing in the western tip of North Carolina or in North Georgia, do yourself a favor and stop by Rib Country BBQ. Rib Country BBQ began in 1998. The founder, Nick Fisk Sr. had two simple rules: Make the best BBQ around, and treat people like family. That simple philosophy paid off with Rib Country BBQ gaining the reputation of the best BBQ in Western North Carolina. Some menu item favorites include the ribs, brisket sandwich, and smoked chicken wings. Nick saw an opportunity with the growing communities around Lake Chatuge, in the early 2000’s, and decided to move his family to Murphy North Carolina. He soon opened the new Rib Country BBQ in Blairs-
ville Georgia. He hired great people, cooked BBQ with family recipes passed down through generations, and soon began expanding. He opened up a Rib Country BBQ in Murphy (NC) and has since expanded to six locations including Hayesville (NC), Blairsville (GA), Cleveland, Helen (GA), and Hiwas-see (GA). The restaurants offer catering services for events of all sizes and breakfast is starting to be rolled out at several locations. It’s currently available in Cleveland and will soon be available in Murphy. Nick Jr. and his Brother Tim took over the family business in 2014 sticking to the same philosophy…Making great BBQ and treating people like family. They give all the credit for their continued success to their hard working, warm and professional staff. When not running the business, Nick and Tim spend their spare time fishing. Nick loves to track down Bass and Stripers
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on Lake Nottely, Lake Chatuge, Lake Hi-wassee and Lake Apalachia. He is determined to catch a record striper and knows those lakes as well as anyone. Tim is a member of “Team Deaddrift”, a competitive fly fishing team based out of Georgia. He prefers to fish for trout in the many streams found in Western North Carolina, North Georgia and East Tennessee. There is a healthy ri-valry between the Fisk Boys as both strive, as with BBQ, to be the best. After talking with Nick in his Blairsville Restaurant, I was taking phone calls in my truck when I noticed Nick trying to get my
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attention. I rolled down the window to hear him. He wanted to guarantee I got his family priorities right…Family, BBQ, Boats, Fish-ing and Hunting. Family is always at the top…and everybody is family! As a side note…I had the best BBQ sandwich I have ever had during my talk with Nick. The Burnt Ends Brisket Sandwich is indeed like the Rib Country BBQ web site says…”So Good It’ll Make You Squeal!” Be sure to connect with Rib Country BBQ on Instagram. com/ribcountrybbq and Facebook.com/ribcountrybbq.
Myth of the Magic Fly
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By Justin Mickens
o learn a new hobby, and be proficient in it, takes thousands of hours of practice. Fly-fishing is no different. Casting, drifting, fly selection, and reading water are all learned abilities. The more time you spend doing them, the more proficient you become. Many anglers, who fly fish, are under the assumption that there is a “magic fly” that catches fish, no matter the presentation. Don’t get me wrong, some days a certain fly will produce more fish, but that same fly produces more fish when presented properly. In Western North Carolina, we can have many hatches at the same time. Sometimes, it can be very hard to narrow down exactly which bug fish are targeting. At other times, fish won’t be hitting the surface but the air will be filled with everything from mayflies to caddis. I remember a December, many years ago, when I was on the Upper Nantahala DH. I remember this evening, specifically, because of the Blue Wing Olive hatch I was witnessing. It was the biggest hatch I had ever seen. They were so thick, at times, that I couldn’t see my indicator. All during this hatch I was using a Y2K and catching fish after fish. It never occurred to me that I should change flies. Why would I? I was catching fish. Later, once I learned more, I begin to ponder why I had caught fish. If the hatch was so important, the fish should have ignored an attractor pattern and targeted what was hatching. That moment was when I really started studying fish behavior. Fish behavior can be one of the
most aggravating aspects of fishing. Water temperature, water flow, watercolor, food availability, and anglers are all factors that affect fish behavior. In a North Carolina Delayed Harvest, fish are stocked heavily. These fish have not experienced current before, let alone, seen a rock. They are extremely territorial and curious, usually trying to eat anything that comes their way. They prefer to sit on the bottom in pools where the water is calmer. This can present a problem when water flow is heavy. Faster flow can create cross-currents that can be very hard to read. Accurate casting, and mending your line properly, in these situations, can be the difference between catching and fishing. Human influence has a huge impact on how a fishery can fish. Hardfished water can be very daunting at times. The fish learn very quickly to avoid attractor patterns, and move to harder to drift runs. These streams demand accurate casting with no surface disturbance, proper mending, and almost flawless presentation…Might be one reason I stay off of the beaten path. Most fish are opportunistic feeders. They will eat about anything that looks like food. I have caught vegetarian fish, on the fly, because of their curiosity. Fly-fishing, in general, is about presenting a fly as it would be presented in nature. I, personally, think that most people have forgotten this important aspect of fly-fishing. Until next time, tight lines and stable rocks! Justin Mickens is Co-Owner and Manager of Appalachian Outfitters Fly Shop in Murphy, NC
Fly Shop Full Service Fly Shop Fly Fishing • Fly Tying Paddle Sports • Guide Services Your #1 Destination for Outdoor Activities in Western NC, Northern GA and Eastern TN
104C Tennessee Street, Murphy, NC • 828-837-4165
www.appalachianoutfittersnc.com
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 5
MURPHY AREA MOUNTAIN LAKES Lake Chatuge May Report: Hybrids and Spotted Bass By Darren Hughes
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ue to the recent rains in April, Lake Chatuge is almost up to full pool, capping out at about 2 feet below. Water clarity is mostly clear throughout the lake and slightly stained in the backs of creeks. Water temps are on the rise also, and are currently in the mid to upper 60s. The hybrid bass bite is very good. 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 25 to 50 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. When the water is calm, search out areas
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where there is a lot of bait. 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. This is when I highly recommend booking a trip with us. When these hybrids school up, it can most certainly make for an unforgettable fishing trip. We typically average 20 to 30 fish a trip, and the sizes range from 10-15 pounds. Also, look for an awesome top-water 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 a trip. A lot of these spots have been averaging 4 to 6 pounds. Focus on live bluebacks has worked the best. shallow areas around creeks and Also, watch for a strong top-water off points and humps. Down-lining 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 fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA--it’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. We also carry ethanol-free gas and have some of the best hot, madefrom-scratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes
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Chatuge, Apalachia, Hiwassee, or Nottely, or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes, at Hughes General Store. And whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give Chatuge a shot for some of the best spotted bass and hybrids in the area. Good luck, and get hooked!
Darren Hughes is the owner of Hughes General Store & Bait Shop and a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team. Look him up at www.bigolfish. com or give him a call him (706) 745-6569
MURPHY AREA MOUNTAIN LAKES
Summer Smallmouth and Crappie on Murphy Area Lakes By Aaron Kephart
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ummer will be on us before we know it, and I would like to spend some time talking about what to expect in terms of options for species and patterns for summer. Although I seem to end up guiding for everything that swims at some point in the summer (stripers, trophy brown trout, largemouth, spots, hybrids, and I even have people request bluegill and catfish trips, on occasion), my favorite summer species to guide for are smallmouth bass and crappie. Forecasting fishing trends in advance can be almost as difficult as predicting the weather. However, summer is pretty much a no-brainer because of the relative stability in weather patterns- meaning it is constantly hot! While winter and spring were exceptional for Mountain Lakes Guide Service clients and I hate to see these months end (we caught 36 in a short trip two days ago, with the 5 biggest smallmouth weighing just under 24 pounds) summer actually offers more predictable fishing. Just because the weather is heating up doesn’t mean the fishing is cooling down. In fact, the increase in water temperatures, and decrease in spawning activity, actually opens up new opportunities for big smallmouth and crappie on the lakes in, and around, Murphy, North Carolina. Summer may not provide the 40 and 50+ smallmouth days of winter and early spring but it also doesn’t come with the massive cold fronts that can completely kill the bite. You can realistically still have quite a few 20 smallmouth mornings this time of year, and if you hit it just right, you might even do a bit better than that. The key is to be on the water early, preferably as soon as there is enough light to see how to back down the ramp. I also like the transition of patterns and locations that the fish go through this time of year.
In particular, we often get on a great topwater smallmouth bite in the summer. There is nothing more fun than big smallmouth fighting over a topwater bait. Other seasonal patterns begin to develop as well. As an added bonus, we often
the big bass we catch, especially in the spring spawning season. They are a precious and renewable resource, but that renewability is dependent upon the trophy specimens being able to repopulate the gene pool. I offer trips for other species if clients are only
freshwater fish, than crappie, and one of the specialties of my business is night fishing, crappie trips in the summer. I normally start offering these trips in May, and often run them until it cools off too much at night, in the fall, for comfort. This is a wonderful way for a family, or just a few buddies, to get together and have a blast putting a bunch of fish in the cooler for a fish fry. They are just about as much fun to eat, as they are to catch. As an added bonus, there is no need to get up at five in the morning and then melt in the heat. We typically meet at the ramp around seven, in the evening, and fish until around midnight. If the idea of catching a bunch of big crappie, spending a fun night on the lake, and experiencing something different in the world of fishing interests you, I would love to hear from you. If you are interested in booking a trip, or would like more information, please give me a call at 865-466-1345, email me at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com, or visit me on Facebook@mountainlakesguideservice. As of right now I still have 3 dates left in May, and I have started booking June and July trips. I hope to hear from you!
catch our biggest smallmouths of the entire year in this time frame (last year we caught four smallmouth over 6 pounds and one over 7 pounds, between June and September). As a heads up to my clients, I am participating in a data collection effort for the biologists that monitor and study Lake Apalachia. Essentially, what this entails is documenting each fish we catch and recording the species, weight, and length. This information will be used as part of an effort for the biologists to collect data for an in-house study regarding public questions about the size and weight of fish in the lake. While this process takes up a few minutes of time in a day of fishing, it has proven to be of interest to my clients and I just want potential new clients to know in advance what to expect with this data collection process. As an additional note, I like for my clients to know, up front, that I make every effort to release
interested in keeping fish to eat, but my policy is to release the big bass we catch, except in the case of a true monster (and even then a replica mount is often a more affordable, longer lasting, and more attractive option). Speaking of trips I offer for people interested in catching fish to eat, there is no better eating,
Murphy North Carolina’s
premier trophy smallmouth and spotted bass guide service
Mountain Lakes Guide Service
Hiwassee - Apalachia - Chatuge Aaron Kephart 865-466-1345 mtnlakesguide@outlook.com
Crappie, Trophy Trout, Stripers, and more available
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MAY 2017
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 7
SWAIN COUNTY/BRYSON CITY
Nighttime Walleye Bite By Ronnie Parris
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very year, for as long as I can remember, after turkey season closes in May, I’ve always adhered to the same routine: Oil the old shotgun, hang the turkey vest in the back of the closet, then re-spool my favorite fishing rod with a high vis flora carbon line. I think that if a walleye breaths on my bait, I can feel it. Although the best bites don’t start till dark, I always get on the water two or three hours before sun down. My fishing technique is about as simple as it gets. I use two clip-on lights with 40 watt bulbs, aimed at the bank, so I can see where to throw my bait. I’ve used kerosene lanterns for years but the 12 volt lights are safer, cheaper, and easier to use. Make sure to have good batteries for your lights because, as your battery gets weak and your lights
start to go out, the fishing will always “turn on”. As far as bait, nothing beats a big night crawler strung on a painted jig head or Catspaw Spinner Rig. Color is
very important, so take several different jig colors. I catch a lot on ice jigs, while night fishing, too. I always have a few Hopkins Spoons and a Crippled Herron Spoon. Minnows are never a bad choice this time of year… especially if crappie or white bass come up under your lights. The first places I usually fish are clay banks that have a major point or deep rock structure close by. Really pay attention to where you get bites, as the Walleye will usually have a pattern. I have seen nights where you would fish a long stretch of bank and not get a bite ‘till you throw close to structure on the bank. The retrieve is also very important. I usually throw as close to the bank as I can without throwing my crawler on dry ground. Then,
barely pull in, pausing after each pull to make sure I keep contact with the bottom. When you feel a bite, don’t set the hook, lower your rod and give the fish a few seconds to get your jig in its mouth. Early hook-sets will result in you winding in half a crawler, as the fish usually takes the tail of the crawler first. Fishing at night is really fun and exciting and you will usually not see any boat traffic, but please, be careful and put safety first as it’s awful easy to get fouled up in the dark. If you aren’t familiar with the lake your fishing, be sure you have a GPS on the boat so that when your ready to come home, you don’t get turned around and get lost. Always tell someone where you plan to go and when to expect your return. Always take an extra light, and carry your cell phone in case you have trouble. As always, have fun and be safe. If you would like to try this style of fishing, give me a call and I can take you on the water! Ronnie Parris is the Owner and Head Guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, North Caronina, heart of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. (www.smounlimited.com)
Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING We offer both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.
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What “Swainglers” Do In Their Free Time
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 9
MOUNTAIN WISDOM
Nature’s “Spring Cuisine”
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By Ben Bailey
pring is here and the streams and the woodlands beckon, with visions of crisp, golden trout, baking over the coals of a campfire. Horace Kephart recommended frying them in bacon grease and I agree; Not only does it taste great, but you get the added benefit of the thrill of raising your cholesterol ten points. However, the woods offer more culinary delights this time of year. I remember as a boy, going to the woods to gather branch lettuce, which grows along small mountainside streams. My mother prepared this by shredding the leaves, adding diced onion and bacon bits, and just before serving, sprinkling on the hot bacon grease. Thus prepared, it was referred to as “kilt lettuce”. You can also do this with Ice-berg lettuce from the store, but half the fun is going to the woods to gather it.
Also, don’t forget the ramps. Eaten raw, they used to be guaranteed to get you expelled from school. My favorite ramp dish is
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Morel Mushrooms
fried potatoes and ramps. Some people like them with eggs and some even do ramp casserole. I might mention, that to conserve this plant, you can just harvest the tops, leaving the bulb in the ground to grow again next year. Another treat this time of year is the Morel Mushroom. A lot of
people are afraid to gather mushrooms, for fear of gathering a poisonous one, but the Morel has a distinct appearance that sets it apart. I like to sauté them in butter, then roll them in cornmeal, add salt and pepper, and finally, fry them to a crisp golden brown, and enjoy! Another spring dish, that is quite good, is Fern Fiddle Heads. They can be eaten raw in a salad, or sautéed and prepared like asparagus. Add a splash of little
Branch Lettuce
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Ben Bailey, is a native of Western North Carolina, avid outdoorsman, Master Carpenter, and Naturalist. blue violets for color…both the flower and the leaves are edible. My mother would not allow me to forget to mention her favorite spring dish of “Poke-Salad”. This is prepared by taking the young shoots or leaves of the Poke Plant, stripping out the stems, and boiling in two changes of water before frying in bacon grease… best eaten with corn-bread. I guess that is all for now. I’ll see you at Heart Path. Ben Bailey
The Art of “The Release” By Ken Kastorff
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recently had someone come into the shop and comment on a picture of a large trout one of my guests had caught. His comment was that, “any fish that is handled will die in less than a month”. Being a fishing guide, I see certain fish each year that have been previously caught and released. Brown Trout have individual markings that are just like fingerprints. There have been several times over the years, that I have had different people catch the same fish. Nevertheless, his comment gave me the idea for this piece. There are so many skills in fly fishing that an angler has to learn, in order to be successful on the water. Casting, fly identification, water reading, the list can go on and on. One of the overlooked and most important skills for anglers to learn, is proper fish handling, and fish releasing. It provides a way for anglers to return fish to the stream, unharmed. Even if you are keeping some fish for dinner, it is still important as it allows the angler a way to return larger fish back to the stream, where their genes can continue to produce quality offspring. All of our streams have limits on how many fish each angler can take home with them. On a good day of fishing, many anglers can catch more fish than their limit. Being able to release fish back to the stream will provide an opportunity to continue fishing beyond that limit. Our area of North Carolina offers a variety of delayed harvest streams. All of the trout caught must be released back into the stream. Here are some tips on proper fish handling. First and foremost, if you are planning to release fish, debarb
your hook. It amazes me that this is not a requirement for fishing delayed harvest streams. Many anglers think this will make it harder to catch fish. In some ways, it usually makes it easier, as you get a better hook set on the fish. It also makes it easier to release the fish without
that works well is to always try to hold the net under the fish when someone is holding it for a picture. That way, if the fish does decide to do a “flip,” it will land softly into the net rather than bouncing off the floor of the boat, or the ground. Another trick I like to use is hold-
touching it if possible. A good rule of thumb is that it is always better, if possible, to release fish without removing them from the water. This can easily be done with a pair of forceps while the trout is still in the net, without touching it with your hands. If you have to touch the fish, make sure to get your hands wet. Handling a fish with dry hands is basically a death sentence for the fish, no matter how good your intentions might be. If I use a net, I try to use one that has more of a plastic-type of material. Cloth style nets will ofttimes rub the slime off of the fish’s body. This body slime is what protects the fish from bacterial diseases. I will also get the entire net well soaked, before netting the fish. If you have to handle the trout, handle the fish with care. If you have to take time to set up a photo, leave the fish in the water. One trick
ing my breath for the duration that the fish is out of the water. This gives me a ballpark idea of how long the fish has been without its source of oxygen and makes me more aware of getting it back into its environment as soon as possible. It is important to handle the fish carefully, do not squeeze it while holding it and be gentle when releasing it. More times than not, it is necessary to revive the fish by holding it in the water, allowing water to pass by its gills. Many times, I will put the fish back in the net and move to a place where the current is not so strong, and revive and release the fish there. Hold the fish gently and wait for
it to swim out of your hands. I have taken up to 15 minutes or more to revive large trout. Many times these fish will swim a ways, and then rest. I always try to watch until I know for sure they will be okay. I am always appalled to see anglers just rip the hook out of a fish’s mouth and unceremoniously, toss it back in the river. Many of those fish do not make it back alive. Remember, these fish are just as much in shock as you would be if you had just been in a car accident and gotten hurt. They feel the same way as someone who has just run a marathon. A lot depends on how long it took to get the fish to the net, and the temperature of the water. A little TLC goes a long way to making sure that the fish you just took a picture of survives to fight another day! Ken Kastorff is the Owner of Endless River Adventures. To book a guided trip near the Nantahala Gorge or the Cheoah River, give him a call.
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 11
JACKSON COUNTY/FLY FISHING CAPITAL OF NC
Terrestrials: Summer’s Forgotten Patterns
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s we make our way into the summer months, our fly selections tend to change to classic dries, such as the Male Adams, Royal Wullff, Yellow Sallies, and Caddis, just to name a few. I believe that we should start shifting our thought process to other productive patterns, the terrestrials.
By Shannon Messer
I really started focusing a lot of energy to fishing terrestrials a few years ago and was somewhat disappointed in myself for not doing so sooner. Often, we find ourselves casting to rising trout, possibly sipping tiny dries, in the hope that we can excite a strike. At times, however, these efforts bear no fruit, other
than being in the beautiful outdoors. I enjoy my surroundings, but I would like to land more fish, and have found that fishing terrestrials, stepped up my summer fishing. If we are conscience of our surroundings, we will see so many of nature’s creatures waiting to be gobbled up by an opportunistic trout. Many times, we take for granted how many ants, beetles, hoppers, and crickets exist around the stream. Just think what happens when the breeze blows a terrestrial into the water, or a hopper makes an ill-advised leaping attempt that works out against them…A trout is probably just waiting for a ready made meal with protein value! Let’s start with the basic of all patterns to tie and fish, the Hard Body Ant. I like mine to have a section of red thread, a section of black thread, and Krystal Flash, to represent a wing of a flying ant. I do, however, coat the thread with thin UV resin for durability, and I like the way it looks.
Japanese Beetles and Foam Beetles work very well, either fished on top or subsurface. I like drifting a beetle below one of my own patterns that I call the Hopilator. I often take larger trout with this basic setup in the wild streams in North Carolina. Also, if you like fishing all day, terrestrials are always active- which, again, make it a great choice to fool a trout. The other thing to keep in mind, is how many anglers do you know that fish terrestrials? Often, when I mention terrestrials to customers in the shop, I get a strange look. I was that way once, until I found out what I had been missing. I suggest tying or picking up a few ants, beetles, and hoppers to try this summer. I think that you will be happy when you get an awesome tug on the end of the leader. Shannon Messer is the Manager of Blackrock Outdoors/Orvis Fly Shop located in Sylva, NC.
The Cabernaro Effect
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his story starts out after I had an extremely good day of fishing the Tuckaseegee River in Dillsboro, NC. Heading home late that evening, I saw a car parked in one of the pull-offs next to the “Tuck.” I stopped to introduce myself and ask how the fishing was for them. Quincy Thayer introduced herself and her two sons, Jake (17) and Bryce (12). She said, “ we’ve
12 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By Eddie Hudon
been here for over 2 hours and we haven’t gotten a bite!” I said that I could show them what I would do if I were fishing here. I went to my car, took out my fly rod, and we all proceeded to the river bank. I explained that I was going to throw my line upstream and let it drift down the river’s current. On my first cast, I caught a 12” Rainbow Trout. “HOW DID YOU
MAY 2017
DO THAT …THAT’S CRAZY! IT WAS LIKE MAGIC! HOW DID YOU DO THAT!” I said, “did you ever hear of the Cabernaro Effect? I’m a magician. I have a TV show called The Cabernaro Effect. Look across the river. Do you see the camera? NO… (LOL)” Well, it wasn’t magic, and we are not on TV. I was just lucky to have the right flies and the perfect drift, I explained. Quincy said they only have one day left before they go back to Florida, and wanted to know if I could show Jake how to fly fish. So she hired me for the next day. I decided to bring the family to the upper section of the Tuck, where Jake and I proceed to enter the river. After a few practice casts, Jake was ready to fly fish for the first time. I picked a nice section of the river and the fish were ready to play. One after another, Jake kept pulling them in. I asked Quincy if she would like to try her luck. It didn’t take long for her to start catching fish. In fact, she hooked and landed a 20” Rainbow! A real trophy fish. Next, I hear Jake yelling, “ I got a big one!” He was
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right. An 18” Rainbow. How could this get any better? Let’s not forget Bryce, who was sitting in the car watching all of this happen. I left the river and told him I brought an extra set of waders and boots that should fit him perfectly. Long story short, he also caught a 18” Rainbow. All three have made BLUE CHIP FLY FISHING’S Wall of Fame. Check out our web-site to see their trophys. I’m glad I stopped to meet the Thayer family. I believe that our time together helped to make their trip here to Jackson County, a memorable one. The Thayers tell me they are still talking about this trip. I’m sure they will be back to visit us! The Cabernaro Effect is a TV show, staring Michael Cabernaro. He is a actor, comedian and magician. I wish he had been there, at that moment, when Quincy said, “HOW DID YOU DO THAT!” I felt like a magician too. Eddie Hudon is the owner of Blue Chip Fly Fishing and guides on waters in Jackson and Swain Counties.
FONTANA LAKE
Fostering Future Anglers By Capt. James McManus
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ell, May is here and that means everyone that has been reluctant to get on the water is finally putting their rigs to work. Hardcore folks, like me, never put up their boats for the winter… they just get washed a little less frequently. It is so much easier taking along young’uns when they don’t have to bundle up like “Nanook of the North”. So you are getting out your boat, and doing all the checks. You have it serviced by a reputable mechanic, load all your gear, and head out with “littles” in tow. Guides take out kids a lot, so we have learned a few things about keeping them engaged without turning it into a grind for a day on the water. The first order is to be safe and legal, that means good fitting life jackets, some sort of hat, sunscreen, and layered clothing. It’s still cool in the mornings in May so, better safe than sorry. Next, and way up on the list, is a ready and varied snack and drink supply. Many a trip has been extended with the discovery of small pack Oreo’s, Pringle’s, or donuts. They aren’t fishing every day, so even bad snacks are something to make the trip special. Live bait is another item (especially for the youngest kids), playing in the bait bucket, picking up worms- it‘s all fun and something they don’t often get to experience. I have filled up a 5 gallon bucket, put in a couple of small bream, and let the kids stand
I like to have them kiss their first fish. Many times, the boys will act squeamish while their little sister will man up and plant one right on the smacker. Get some pictures, share them with friends and brag on them for anything accomplished during the trip. Positive encouragement will keep them coming back, so will memories of the “big one” getting away at the net. Wins and losses are, and always will be, part of the picture. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy God’s blessing of this thing called fishing! Later, Capt. James in the bucket with the fish…never gets old. You want to see jaws drop, take a cricket out of the box, pop it in your mouth and the squeals can be heard around the lake! What about the fishing? After all, that’s what we want them to enjoy the most. Start slow (that means shorter trip), using live bait for bream or small bass. Let them do things. I have had kids that didn’t want to reel in a fish but would fight you for the chance to net one. It doesn’t matter if the fish gets away- just don’t lose the kid by “ragging” on them if they mess up. Looking back, I think I was too intense with my boys at times. They were both good fishermen, but it is easy to lose sight of what is really important when you have them captive on a boat, and desperately want to share your love of the
sport. Desperation comes across, so try “chillin’”, and that will keep them “chill” and hopefully ready for the next adventure. Sometimes,
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Capt. James McManus is an expert guide on Lake Fontana and similar lakes in WNC and Upstate SC. He can be reached via email at 153Charters@gmail.com
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Combat Fishing In Maggie Valley By Dan Dry
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hat a term for fishing! This is a perfect description of fishing Jonathan Creek, which runs through Maggie Valley. Swift, close quarters, with holes and rocks, and most of all---trout… Rainbows, Browns, Brook and Native. North Carolina Wildlife and Fisheries stock the creek all through the spring and fall. I’ve fished from Soldotna, Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico. Despite this experience, it took me a while to figure out how to get Jonathan Creek trout to the dinner table. Actually, it took me a few years to really get it. Forget traditional corks, sinkers and heavy line, it doesn’t work that way. Fly fishing on Jonathan Creek is also difficult with its narrow width and trees. So you may wonder what I am getting at? My typical day starts with my hip boots, my ultra light spin cast, and a stringer in my back pocket (along with my license). I’ll park and walk the sidewalk upstream
for my approach. My spin cast is loaded with 4lb test and a small shank hook. I also carry extras in a small waterproof capsule. Short casts around the larger rocks, letting the worm drift to the backside, will bring them out. If you let the worm “surf ” the ripples, odds are that will be the only pull you will get. Finicky and hard to fool, is my take on them. Get your footing right and you can free line your
bait down stream with the current. These coldwater beings can bend the rod with a vigorous pull. You can’t horse them in the current so be patient and wear them down. The current and slick rocks add to the combat experience so be careful. Crickets, wax worms, night crawlers, and even whole kernel corn will work, but the ol’ red wrigglers are my favorite. Also, calm spots below the rapids will hold fish
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but the eddys are the best. Depending on the speed of the current, I have caught them on a gold spinner bait (Mepps)- smaller the better, and a small Rapala stick bait. However, these tend to get hung up more than the single hook. If you catch and release, take a small dip net. The less you handle the fish, the better. Single hooks give a better survival percentage. The town of Maggie Valley has a J-Creek clean-up once a year and being a volunteer, I have found many empty worm boxes along the banks, so please always cart your trash out. There is no size limit and the number is seven trout per day. Just remember the title “Combat,” I have broken rods and received a few bruises from falling so go slow and be careful. Happy fishing to all! Dan Dry can be reached on Facebook and dandry53@gmail.com
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ASHEVILLE AREA
Fishing Taught Me A Powerful Lesson About Parenting
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By Daniel Day
ou know you’re on the right track as a dad, when your three-year-old daughter asks to go fishing for her birthday. A few weeks ago, my kids and I were driving in the car, and I was listening to them discuss random topics. I have two boys and one girl, and when you have kids, you get used to hearing lots of random conversations. When you have two boys, nearly all of the conversations end up on the subject of farts. But that’s another article for another day. On this day, however, I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to hear. “Dad?” “Yes, Ava.” “Can I go fishing for my birthday?” My heart skipped a beat. I looked in the rear-view mirror and nearly lost control of the steering wheel. I hadn’t prompted this conversation. We hadn’t been talking about fishing. I hadn’t taken them fishing in several months. Yet, my three-year-old daughter, my only daughter, my favorite daughter was thinking about fishing all on her
own. I was a proud papa. “Yes! Of course we can go fishing for your birthday.” Her birthday isn’t for another few months, and I’m still thinking about that conversation. The more I’ve thought about that moment, the more I’ve realized a very powerful truth about parenthood. But before I can share it, I need to tell you about our first fishing trip. The first time I took my kids to the river was for selfish reasons. My wife was running errands, and I was watching the kiddos. It was a beautiful day, and I really wanted to get a line in the water. So I decided to take them with me. We drove out to Highway 9, between Black Mountain and Lake Lure, and I found an easy place to get down to the Broad River. I set up the kids on the pebble beach with a tub of worms and three poles, and I put a small weighted grub on my line. Within a few moments, my fiveyear-old caught his first fish. It was a 3-4” Smallmouth Bass, but his excitement would have made you think he had caught a 42” Musky
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or a 28” native Brook Trout. He was stoked! Over the next few hours, my kids caught a bunch of small fish, and I found out quickly that I would be spending the day baiting hooks instead of managing my own fishing pole. But I didn’t mind. I was still outside. I was still fishing. And seeing the joy on my kids’ faces when a fish got on the line was nearly as exciting as catching a fish myself. Although the decision to take them fishing was selfish, my kids had a great day, and I felt like a great dad. That’s when I learned a powerful truth about parenting—a truth that was reinforced when my daughter asked to go fishing for her birthday—kids, more than anything else, want to be with their mom and dad. Oftentimes, they don’t care as much about what you’re doing as they do about being with you. I talk to a lot of dads who want to be good fathers, but have a hard time figuring out what they should do with their kids. Just take them with you, and go do something you like to do. Do you like to hunt? Take them hunting. Do you like to
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fish? Take them fishing. Intentional dads spend intentional time with their kids, even if it’s on the river. And the exciting thing is that you might end up with a daughter like mine—a daughter who wants to go fishing for her birthday. Daniel Ryan Day is the author of two books, including his most recent work: Intentional Christian (now available). He’s also the COO of Cascades Mountain Resort, Old Orchard Tavern and Asheville’s Fun Depot. Daniel lives in Fairview, NC with his wife and three kiddos. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram or at intentionalchristianity.com.
The Fins and Gills Classic By Phillip T. Martin
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he Fins and Gills Classic is a fishing tournament designed to teach kids how to fish. The first 100+ kids will receive a free rod and reel, tackle box, tackle and bait. There are 3 different divisions of the tournament: Kid, Teen, and Adult. Prizes will be awarded for largest stringer (1-10), biggest fish, smallest fish, most species, largest trach bag, first fish, and whatever else we can think of. There are raffle prizes every 15 minutes for each division, as well. Lunch is provided for all. There will be live music, games and, of course, fishing! There is even a trout pond to practice fishing in, so you will
know what to do when you catch a fish (they do not count toward your stringer). It is a family fun event for all to enjoy. Thank you for anything you can send to support the classic and remember, it does not matter what you catch as long as it has “Fins and Gills”. Have a wonderful and blessed day! Phillip T. Martin is the Founder of The Finns & Gills Classic and can e reached at finsandgillsclassic@ yahoo.com. You can find more information on the tournament at finsandgillsclassic.com.
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ASHEVILLE AREA
Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing in Asheville, NC
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ater temperature will tell you a great deal about what the smallmouth are doing and where they are. In the spring, when water temperatures are in the 60-70 degree range, Smallmouth will be near oxygenated water and/or deep holes. For example, wherever you have a rocky, shallow shoal or rapid in a river, there usually lies a deep hole on the downstream side of the shoal or rapid. The water tumbling over itself as it passes over the shoal is a highly
By Galen Kipar
oxygenated area; therefore, making the deep hole on the downstream side a likely location to find fish. Smallmouth will rest in the deepest portion of the hole and move to its adjacent fingers to feed. Oxygenated water types like this offer fish a place to cool or warm their body as needed, depending on the season. Similarly, a south facing section of river will be more productive fishing during spring, because it offers warmer water temperatures for the fish. Subsurface flies are typically most productive in these water types. You want the fly to get into the strike-zone fast, and stay there as long as possible. The deeper and faster the water, the faster your fly needs to fall. Since we are talking about river fishing, keeping your fly in one place on a river, in fast moving water, can be challenging. Aside from color and water clarity, choose your fly according to depth and how fast the water is moving. If the deep hole is big, with no structure or obstruction to get snagged on, a non-weighted fly on a sinking line will get the job done. If the
deep hole is small and fast, I find a weighted fly on a floating line and fluorocarbon leader, works best. You want it to plummet. A fly that plummets will also have an augmented margin of up-and-down motion when stripping. Articulated flies enhance the side-to-side motion and give off vibrations when stripped fast. The combination of these two characteristics is effective, and something to consider when choosing your fly. If you are fishing a popper aggressively and the fish are not responding, try slowing down. Present the fly with a more natural, realistic behavior instead of just trying to tick them off. Make a cast, let the fly smack the water, and let the rings dissipate. Pop it again and wait 10 seconds. Pop it again and skate it across the surface a couple feet,
creating a wake behind the fly. Then pick it up and do the same thing in the next best spot. If you do this every 15 feet on a five mile section of river, that’s about 2700 casts and 5500ish pops or wiggles. It’s hard work, especially if you are throwing big flies with a 7wt. or 8wt. rod. This type of fishing is not easy and being able to double haul cast will help your arm last the day and allow you to tuck your fly into the nooks and crannies. Galen Kipar is a guide and owner at Asheville Fly Fishing Company. He is a problem solver who enjoys the connections and process just as much as the pull. Reservations: (828) 779-9008 Information: AshevilleFlyFishingCo.com
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RiverLink Is Kicking Off RiverMusic 2017 By Suzanne Moore
RiverLink is kicking of our sixth year on June 9th, 2017 with our first event in the RiverMusic series. This year, RiverMusic and RiverFest will he hosted by the Salvage Station right down the street from the former location at 466 Riverside Drive Asheville, NC 28803. The first event will showcase Coconut Cake, Travers Bothership, and headliner Black Joe Lewis. RiverLink is an Asheville based nonprofit that serves eight counties to promote the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed, as a place to live, learn, work and play. RiverLink accomplishes its mission to promote the experience of the French Broad River and its watershed by providing permanent public access to the river through conservation easements, reclaiming contaminated lands for public use and enjoyment,
and continuing to empower environmental stewards in our region. To learn more about RiverLink and the work we do visit www.riverlink.org. Suzanne Moore is the Development Manager at RiverLink. Become a Riverlover and show that you understand the economic importance of the French Broad River by suppoting RiverLink.
greenway development, adaptable reuse of historic structures and education over 5,000 K-12 students annually as well as the public at large about the importance of the river. If you live in Western North Carolina, chances are you have
enjoyed the French Broad River in some way. RiverLink has grown to be a regional environmental leader, providing needed stream restorations, greenway development, land protection efforts, and youth environmental education programs. We are looking ahead
Smoked Meat, Ribs, BBQ & More!
Down-home cooking in a laid back, funky atmosphere. We make everything from scratch. Our meats are smoked long & slow over select hardwoods. Our recipes are both old family favorites & new ones we've just come up with. We believe that simple ingredients & lots of care in preparation make the best food.
RIVER STORE: Monday - Friday 11am–4pm, 4pm-6pm Take-Out Only, CLOSED Sat & Sun 5 Foundy Street, Suite 10 Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 253-4499
SOUTH STORE: Tuesday - Saturday 11am – 4pm, TAKE OUT ONLY 4pm – 6pm, CLOSED Sun & Mon 3578 Sweeten Creek Road Arden, NC 28704 (828) 687-1395
The Citizen-Times named our Hogzilla one of the top 8 big, bad sandwiches in Asheville!!
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 19
Kayak Fishing: Paddle vs. Pedal By Chris Bubenik
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any of us got into kayak fishing because of its affordability, ease of entry, and overall simplicity. It’s also an eco-friendly way to have fun and get exercise. With the addition of pedal drives becoming more prevalent, choosing your next kayak is more complicated than it used to be. However, the innovation in design provides anglers with a better selection if they know what they’re looking for. Pedal drives look like bike pedals and provide a lot of water propulsion and speed, welcome allies on a lake, river, or stream. You might remember paddleboats from family vacations at state parks. Kayaks have been incorporating a similar technology for the last 20 years for anglers and recreational paddlers. However, pedal drives really came into their own when Native Watercraft introduced their version with the Propel in 2008. The Propel uses rotational pedals combined with a propeller rather than push pedals with fins. Pedal kayaks come with a higher price tag, one that might not be worth it to everyone. So, should you go with a pedal
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found new spaces to stash what you need for a day on the water.
Paddle Pros
or a paddle when kayak fishing?
Pedal Pros
• Speed – If getting to your “honey hole” quickly on the weekend or after work is important, you’ll be able to cut across a lot more distance in less time than paddling. • Hands-Free Control – Managing the position of your kayak is one of the most difficult parts of fishing from a kayak. Pedal systems give an insane amount of control with your legs, freeing up both hands. You’re
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also using your legs, saving arm strength for fishing.
Pedal Cons
• Underwater Clearance – This isn’t as much of an issue with larger bodies of water like lakes, but mountain rivers like the French Broad change depth quickly and often. If you’re familiar with your path, you can flip your fins or pull your drive up. • Cargo Space – The center deck of your kayak will be basically disappear, though many models have
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• Tradition – Paddling means less steps to get your boat on the water, less maintenance, and a general sense of simplicity. A pedal may also be less disruptive than a propeller, which is a major plus for kayak fishing over motorize boats in the first place. • Affordability – Pedal kayaks start around $2,000, while a traditional kayak starts closer to $500. A pedal system is probably something most anglers will invest in after spending at least a couple of seasons with the sport.
Paddle Cons
• The Paddle – Juggling your fishing gear and your paddle is tricky, especially on a windy day or in a strong current. You’ll sacrifice full kayak control for your rod and reel and tire your arms quicker. • Speed – This might not be much of a factor if you’re already fishing with a traditional kayak. However, if
Continued on page 21
By: Dustin Stanberry
Getting Antsy
Hook: Tiemco #101, Sizes 12-18 Thread: UNI-Thread 8/0, Black Abdomen: 2mm Closed Cell Foam in tan coated in CCG Hydro. Wing: Medallion Wing Sheeting, Clear Hackle: Light Ginger Head: 2mm Closed Cell Foam in brown coated in CCG Hydro.
Photo by Dustin Stanberry
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pring is in full swing and with it comes an abundance of terrestrial life. Among all of the land born insects, one of the most prolific, is the ant. Ants can be a huge source of food and protein for trout, as they frequently find themselves near the water and in nearby vegetation. Whether they fall into the stream by accident or get blown off of overhanging branches, they find themselves in the feeding lane of trout. A lot of ant fly patterns are of the dry fly variety; however, they don’t always float and eventually will sink. They sit very low in the surface film and I find that trout
feeding on ants are often mistaken for feeding on emergers of some sort. In situations where I see trout rising and feeding, if I cant indentify the aquatic insect, I will default to an ant pattern. They can be run in tandem or as a dropper to an emerger or dry fly pattern and can be deadly. Another way to fish an ant would be to tie it as a wet fly, or simply ad a bit of split shot to the tippet and fish it under an indicator. This method has proven to be very successful during terrestrial seasons. The above pattern is a very low riding ant pattern. The body is buoyant but adding the CCG to the foam offers
a little durability and weight. If dressed properly with floatant, it will remain just in the surface film, although I would say that my favorite way to fish it is subsurface. It has been a very productive pattern in red and black and I also tend to fish it on breezier days – days that lend to food being blown from nearby vegetation into the stream. Colors of the fly patterns can be adjusted for the ants you primarily see along the riverbank where you fish. As always, best wishes and tight lines!
Dustin Stanberry is an instructor at Biltmore Fly Fishing and Sporting Clays located in Asheville, NC.
Kayak Fishing: Paddle vs. Pedal continued
you’re an angler short on time, you’ll spend more time getting to your destination with a paddle. Like other kayak equipment, the decision to peddle or paddle is connected to your style and preference. You can’t go wrong either way, as they’re both more affordable and healthier alternatives to motor-powered boats powered. They also both offer access to water otherwise
off-limits to powerboats. If you’re ready to give kayak fishing a spin, Diamond Brand Outdoors in Asheville rents pedal and paddle kayaks for just $25 per day. Chris Bubenik is the Marketing Director at Diamond Brand Outdoors. He lives in Asheville, NC and is an avid outdoorsman and kayak fisherman. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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RIVER REFLECTIONS
Dwellers Of The Edge
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echnically, you could say we’re a good, dependable, community minded family and if there were rules of civility to gain a heavenly home, my bunch would get in on technicalities. Over the years, “Living on the edge” and its sister “The ragged edge” have become catch phrases. If you can imagine your total social circle as a large platter with jagged edges, and if you looked outward to see something like a firecracker fuse, dancing and popping along the edge, you have just met my boys. At times, they may seem haphazard, wild or dangerous. {My wife and I have heard all the adjectives.} But behind all this, there is honestly method and deliberate thought put into the way we have chosen to live. I have acquired many silver strands in my once curly, brown
By Danny Maybin
hair, as I allowed these two boys to take on all they could handle and try to appear “matter of fact” in whatever situation they had conjured up. Some of the sound bytes that give that “salt and pepper” look are, my wife calling me at work to tell me that my seven year old just got pecked in the eye while teasing the chickens. And then there are my favorites like “I think I smell smoke at the boathouse” or “the golf cart’s in the lake again”! I’ll never forget, while fishing below the lake at our house, my youngest yelling from behind a sandbar “Dad this darn gator won’t leave my lure alone!” If you want to sprout a little silver, arrive home late for an introductory meeting with the new game warden only to find your ten year old has had his rapt attention for the last twenty minutes!
We have taught our boys manners—and they know how to use them. They are not hoodlums or bad kids, they’re just out there on the edge because that is home to them. Incidentally, this is where memories are made. My wife is in total agreement with this method of raising our sons. If anyone is deserving of guaranteed passage, it is she. We’ve lived in countless locations, from the Georgia swamps to the mountains, and from lake houses to one room cabins, and one six month stint in a Holiday Rambler, her pregnant, with me and the boys, always in pursuit of the outdoor experience. Yes, we’re right out there with them, trying make sure they do say “yes ma’am” and “please” and “thank you.” They think I’m leading but honestly, sometimes it’s like
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MAY 2017
when grandpa’s horse would take the bit and run until you thought you would fall from exhaustion. Sure, some folks might look at us funny and maybe sometimes, they should, but these boys are at home where few seldom venture and can come to the inner circle without effort when need be. It’s not the life for everyone but it works for us, and who we are. I would that everyone could find their spot on this great big circle and reach out. Danny Maybin’s family has fished and hunted in the area of Lake Summit for at least six generations. He is a state firearms instructor, blacksmith, musician/luthier and his favorite, a fishin’, and hunting resort facilitator. He also does voice acting, copywriting, and short story humor.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 23
HENDERSONVILLE
The Green River By Michael Yelton
T
he Green River is a tail-water located in Polk County and is the main tributary to Lake Adger, which is part of the Broad River Basin. The Green is a national treasure for whitewater kayakers, which come from far and wide to run the rough and wild Green River Gorge section of the river- this is referred to as the “Narrows”. If you ever get a chance go to YouTube and search the Green River Narrows Race, you can see how intense it is, for yourself. The FIshtop Falls river access, which is the take-out for the Narrows, offers an interesting mix of kayakers, fisherman and hikers, alike. The one thing they all have in common is their love for the Green. So, if you’re going to fish the Green, don’t be discouraged if the parking lot is full. Over half of the vehicles are kayakers there to run the river. The Green has three different designations for fishing: Wild, Delayed Harvest and Hatchery Support-
ed water. The regulations for each designation can be checked at www. ncwildlife.org under the fishing tab. If you’re up for an adventurous hike, the Green River Gorge will have all you want and then some. It’s full of big drops and class 3-5 rapids. This section is designated wildwater and has a bounty of beautiful wild rainbows. If you are not in good physical condition, I do not advise this hike for you. There are also a healthy population of Timber Rattlesnakes in the Gorge, so please be advised. If a more laid back approach is what you’re searching for, the Delayed Harvest section would be your cup of tea. From the Fishtop Falls access downstream, there is a threemile stretch that offers rainbows, brookies and brown trout. With different water release schedules daily, be sure to check Duke Energy Scheduled Flow Releases webpage. www. lakes.duke-energy.com before you go. When Duke Energy is releasing wa-
ter, it takes roughly about 3 ½ hours to reach the Fishtop Falls access. Below the Delayed Harvest section is a 4-mile Hatchery Supported section where anglers can keep up to 7 fish per angler. However, this section is closed during the month of March every year. During the sum-
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mer months, this is a major tubing destination. All in all, the Green is a great river and fishery that offers up many opportunities to the outdoor enthusiast. If you have any questions about the Green, feel free to contact me at info@granddaddyflyfishing.com.
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 25
MORGANTON
Casting For Hope By John Zimmerman & Taylor Sharp
J
ohn Zimmerman and Taylor Sharp, the Upper Creek Angler boys out of Morganton, North Carolina, started Casting for Hope in 2011 as a charitable wing of Upper Creek Angler to raise money for women and their families battling cancer in Western North Carolina. Our first event was a 2012 fly-fishing competition in Bakersville, North Carolina. That first Casting for Hope was a collaborative project between Upper Creek Angler and River’s Edge Fly shop in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Fast forward six years and Casting for Hope is a leading regional nonprofit hosting fly-fishing retreats at the Casting for Hope Retreat Center after assuming management of the very place where we held our first fishing competition all those years ago, and providing financial assistance to women and their families who are fighting an ovarian or other gynecological cancer. Our flagship event every year is still the April fishing tournament—but it’s grown! Casting for Hope’s now 6th Annual April fishing competition is one of only two world-championship-modeled events in the country. This means that the event operates with five-man teams, across five venues, spans five three-hour fishing sessions, and is judged by a fleet of over 100 volunteers. The competition features the Upper and Lower North Toe in Spruce Pine, Cane Creek in Bakersville, and Big Rock Creek and Little
Photos: Tucker Horne
Rock Creek at the Casting for Hope Retreat Center. This year’s event was one to remember! The field was packed with many of the best anglers in the country—Devin Olsen and Michael Bradley of the US Men’s National Fly Fishing Team and a number of current and former members of the US Youth National Team, as well as many of the best competitive fly anglers from across the United States. The top three team finishers were Lee University (made up of Mason Sims, Gabe Wittosch, Noland Glenn, Grant Hawse, and Elijah Dale), Team Up and Coming (Michael Bradley, Devin Olsen, Elli Buchanan, Ryder Sutton, and Alex Boyer), and Team Stonefly (Chris Chapman, Michael Yelton, Forrest Johnson, Seth Drake, and Tyler Cornett). The top three individual winners were Gabe Wittosch with an incredible final score
of six placing points, Grant Hawse, and Eli Buchanan. Tough, high, stained water depressed overall fish numbers during the first session of fishing, but the falling limb proved for better than normal fishing during the normally very tough sessions four and five of the tournament. Across the five sessions of fishing, a mixed bag of 3,273 rainbows, brookies, and browns were landed, scored, and released unharmed on the five venues, with several 24-inch-class fish landed and released. After all was said and done, 40 anglers, over a hundred volunteers, five rivers, 3,273 trout, and a pack of donors and sponsors came together to use the spot of fly-fishing as a tool for good. Through donor
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pledges to contribute cents and dollars for every fish caught and Casting for Hope’s other fundraising, over $115,500 was raised for women and families in western North Carolina battling an ovarian or other gynecological cancer via Casting for Hope’s services and programs. For more information on Casting for Hope, volunteering with the organization, making a financial contribution to our efforts, or getting on our communication list to be informed of when it’s time to sign up for the next fishing tournament as an angler or volunteer, contact us at: john@castingforhope.org or taylor@castingforhope.org or give us a call at 828.443.4850. John Zimmerman and Taylor Sharp are the co-owners of Upper Creek Angler, a fly-fishing guide and custom tackle service based in Morganton, North Carolina. John and Taylor are also the founders of Casting for Hope, a regional nonprofit organization based in Morganton, Asheville, and Bakersville that serves women and families in western North Carolina battling ovarian and other gynecological cancers. through fly-fishing retreats and financial assistance. Find them on the web at www. uppercreekangler.com or www.castingforhope.org
Poppers and Droppers By Aaron Motley
F
ly fishing for bass and bluegill can be some of the best fly fishing. These species are found in so many areas such as ponds, lakes, and rivers all over the USA. They are known for eating top water lures too. This aggressive take can help any angler with setting the hook. Playing these fish is a ton of fun, and a helpful skill for a fly angler to master, as the fish get bigger. Casting is also another skill these fish can help a fly angler with. You may need to cast under trees along a lakeshore, around a tree or shrub, or as close to a dock as possible without ending up stuck on the dock. Casting just one fly on the top of the water can be very successful for catching bass and bluegill, but as most fish do, they primarily feed under the surface of the water on hellgrimites, dragonflies, damselflies, salamanders, or smaller fish. To imitate theses types of food, two very productive flies come to mind,
Girdle bugs and woolly buggers. Both patterns are frequently tied with lead wire on the hook shank to aid in quickly sinking the fly. To fly fish, casting theses two flies, we use a dropper system. This is where you tie your top water fly to your leader, then using fluorocarbon tippet, tie to the eye of the fly or to the bend of the hook. Your tippet can now be adjusted to your desired length and then attached to your dropper fly. If this system is new to you, come into Hunter Banks Fly Shop in Asheville or Waynesville, and we can set you up with a 7.5ft 3x leader and 4x tippet. The short leader will help roll the fly over and start with a dropper length of 24 inches. With warm temperatures in full swing, get out and try bass and bluegill fly fishing with a popper and dropper. Also, stop by Hunter Banks and let us help get you any gear needed for your next fun adventure.
Aaron is Operations Manager at the Waynesville Hunter Banks. His waterfowl hunting addiction supports his fly tying addiction. He learned his fly-fishing craft from “fishy” people and pursues large trout, bass and musky on a daily basis. He teaches others to do the same.
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 27
BREVARD
A Decorum Manifesto Part 2: “Should I pick this up…?” By Dustin Stanberry
A
t some point in our fishing excursions, we all have probably encountered some trash or litter on the stream. It seems that it is impossible to find a piece of water that hasn’t been fished, at least in my location, anymore. We want to believe that the more work we put into getting to that special spot will pay off by being a pristine piece of water. It’s only after we arrive and fish a few yards that we quickly realize, we aren’t pioneers and we’re just following the footsteps of someone who has already been there. Traces of human presence can often be found in the form of trash in or around the water. Something we can control, as anglers, is what we do when we see this debris. Sure, we could choose to ignore the litter or, we could take just a few moments to pick up the trash. I’m not suggesting that everyone carry a trash bag with them while fishing just to pick up after others but, how much could we clean up if everyone picked up one more piece of garbage than they carried in? Recently, while guiding, I retrieved a soda can, wine bottle and chip bag on the way back to the vehicle for lunch. The clients being guided were curious as to why someone would pick up another’s
trash. We ate lunch and I placed the refuse in the trash bag along side our trash. After witnessing how easily the trash was disposed of, they were on the lookout for the rest of the evening. The point of this story is quite simple, being bold and setting an example is not only a rewarding experience, sometimes it can initiate a change in the behavior of others. These changes can impact all of us in a positive way. Preserving the resource that we cherish is one of the most challenging goals we face as anglers. Something that all anglers are faced with is the scraps and snippets of leader, tippet or fishing line. Every time a lure or fly is changed we generally need to trim the tag ends of our knot. Ideally we want to pack all of our line out. Realistically, we drop small amounts of line from time to time for various reasons. Perhaps it’s windy and your fingers are cold and wet or, maybe you are in the middle of feeding fish and trying to make a quick fly change. I make a point to stow any of my trimmings that are over ½” in length. I just push them into my chest pocket on my waders and throw the line away when I get home. Cutting the line up into small pieces before placing it in the garbage will help to ensure
it will not be a problem later on. It doesn’t take much effort to do and I know the fish and wildlife will appreciate it. Along the same lines, I am constantly on the lookout for abandoned line while I fish. You probably won’t have to look hard to find line on trees and snagged in the rocks on the stream bank. Large amounts of line like this are tough on the fish and other wildlife so when you have a chance, take a moment to gather what you can and pack it out. It might make the difference to the life of a critter or the fish we try so hard to protect. If you find yourself asking the question “Should I pick this up?” then it’s probably the right thing to do. Another way to look at this would
be to ask yourself if you would appreciate someone picking up the debris in question. In the quest for good decorum on the water, picking up after each other, and ourselves, is one of the most important. Trash and litter on the stream is something that affects us all. We can’t walk over debris, expecting or counting on someone else to pick it up. We all have to do our part to keep the water we love so much clean and free of refuse. After all, if we wait to make a change, it could be too late. Dustin Stanberry is an instructor at Biltmore Fly Fishing and Sporting Clays located in Asheville, NC.
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 29
SALUDA
S
Discover Saluda, North Carolina
ince the turn of the century, Saluda has been a favorite vacation destination; an escape from the heat and from the hectic pace of life. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Saluda is small enough to retain a refreshingly old fashioned small town feel while still offering a wide range of activities and events for residents
30 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
and visitors. It is convenient to many wilderness areas and offers an exceptional variety of outdoor adventures, including whitewater kayaking, tubing or paddle boarding on the Green River, The Gorge Zip Line, mountain biking, waterfall repels, fly fishing and hiking. Saluda also offers a variety of shops and galleries offering fine
MAY 2017
American craft, antiques, gems and clothing, as well as many beautiful options for lodging. Home to numerous well known visual artists and sitting atop the Saluda Grade, the steepest standard-gauge mainline railway grade in the United States, the town has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The surrounding area has even
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more to explore. Local Fishing destinations include The Green River, Lake Adger, The Rocky Broad River, The Pacolet River and Lake Lure just to name a few. It is a fishing diamond in the rough but the secret is getting out.
SALUDA
The Purple Onion: “Peeling Back The Layers”
T
he Purple Onion was conceived in 1998 by two sisters who envisioned a gathering place reflecting the gracious, casual pace of Saluda; a place for friends and family to come together for good food, good conversation, and live music. One sister, Lynn Casey, fell in love, married and moved on in 2000 but the other sister, Susan, continues the pursuit of providing good food, good fun and good music, with help from a dedicated staff and many good friends. Located in Historic Saluda, with outdoor dining available and live music on Thursday and Saturday nights, The Purple Onion features a variety of ethnically inspired dishes with an emphasis on the Mediterranean’s simple and
healthful cuisine. The menu offers pizzas, pastas, seafood, vegetarian, and meat dishes using locally raised trout and organic, locally grown produce, when available, as well as antibiotic and hormone free meats and poultry. Fresh, locally roasted coffee and espresso are available as well as a selection of fine wines and beers including biodynamic and organic selections. The restaurant is open seven days a week in summer, serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday with brunch on Sundays. During the months of September through April, the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. The menu and live music schedule are available on the website.
Live music has been an integral part of the Purple Onion since its beginning. Robert Seiler, a longtime friend, has consistently booked quality entertainment since 1998. Since then, the Onion has hosted more than 300 different musicians. Robert keeps the music calendar filled with a talented and varied array of performers. Chambli Stuber is the executive chef and manager. She began washing dishes at The Purple Onion at the age of 15 and quickly moved up to head cook at the age of 17. After a 10-year hiatus, she returned to us after earning her Culinary Degree at AB-Tech,
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where she competed with the Hot Foods Team and won gold in the national championship. We, at The Angler, are always on the lookout to wrap up our fishing adventure with a fantastic meal in a comfortable, and “cool” environment. The Purple Onion fits the bill. Throw in a great beer selection and some live music and you could not ask for a better place to end your fishing day!
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BURNSVILLE
Advice to Make Your First Guided Fly Fishing Trip A Success
T
here is arguably, no better way to get into fly fishing then to start by hiring a professional guide for hands-on experience on the water. New anglers can benefit from the knowledge and years of experience a good guide has to offer. Even with a guide, it’s beneficial to have open communication and a few simple, but essential, items that will make your experience, and your guide’s experience, more pleasurable during the duration of any trip. Here, I’ll try to lay out, in my opinion, some of the most important things you should be aware of while booking a guide. It’s important to give an honest assessment to your guide, of what your fishing abilities are, along with your physical ability to perform in an outdoor setting. Guides base their locations heavily on both of these criteria when setting up a trip. It doesn’t do any good for you to exaggerate your experience fly-fishing, or your stamina, to a guide and, at times, it can lead to an extremely frustrating situation for both parties. It’s perfectly fine if you can’t make a 30-foot cast or have a medical condition that might hamper your ability. A good guide can work around these things most of the time, and giving an honest assessment of yourself goes a long way towards success. What you wear while you’re on the water can often have an impact on your catch rate throughout the
32 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By Ethan Hollifield
day, along with being an issue in order to stay comfortable outside for hours at a time. If you don’t remember anything else from reading this article: please note that bright colors can and will spook fish! Your coral colored, or bright neon, fishing shirt might make you look cool, but trout and smallmouth both, can see them very easily. Stick to natural browns, greens, and tans to help blend in to the surrounding foliage. I normally recommend long sleeve shirts to add in protection from the sun. A good pair of polarized sunglasses and a hat will help tremendously in spotting fish that your guide points out, even on a cloudy day. These also help in protecting your eyes and skin from harmful UV rays that can damage your eyesight. A good buff doesn’t hurt either if you have one to help you keep cool on hot summer days and aid as a sun blocker. My final piece of advice is to have a positive attitude while you’re on a trip with a guide. Clients who come with a willingness to genuinely learn about the sport and who listen, have a far better success rate then those who show up and just think it’s something cool to do. If your guide tells you to make a certain cast, tie on a certain fly, or move to a different location: I promise you that there is a good reason for it that will only lead to your gratification. Nothing can spoil a trip for a guide more than to have a person who is
MAY 2017
too stubborn to take advice or be flexible to changing conditions. We, as guides, love what we do. It takes years upon years of dedication and experience to become a good guide. There is never a more rewarding moment for a guide than to see the joy a client has when they hook into their first fish on the fly. By following these tips, it can help your life and your guide’s life be a whole lot easier while on the water.
Ethan Hollifield is a native North Carolinian from Spruce Pine. While earning a degree in Parks and Natural Resource Management from NC State, he was a member of the three-time national championshipwinning bass fishing team “BassPack”.
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Photo by Penn Waggener/flickr.com
Texas Wardens Break Up Illegal Seafood Ring
By TAM Staff
W
ith so much turmoil surrounding fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico, Texas game wardens have announced a potentially huge bust of fishermen plundering important recreational species in the Gulf. The Galveston County Daily News reports that Houston chef, Bruce Molzan, 59, has been charged with multiple misdemeanors involving the purchase and sale of illegally captured fish through his Houston-area businesses. These charges are related to Molzan’s alleged involvement with an illegal seafood network of about a dozen unlicensed commercial anglers that has provided tons of illegally caught fish to his businesses. Illegally caught species include such important game fish as red snapper, tuna, amberjack, grouper and redfish. Officials believe the illegal seafood ring has been operating since 2013, according to the Daily News report. A break in the case came in April 2016, when the U.S. Coast Guard stopped a commercial fishing boat near Freeport, Texas with 1,900 pounds of red snapper alleged to have been illegally harvested off Freeport and Galveston. Game wardens have written more than 200 Class C misdemeanor citations in relation to the case. Two Freeport recreational anglers have been charged with felonies. Molzan owns Ruggles Black restaurant on Kirby Drive in Houston.
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few years ago, Alabama native Jordan Lee was a member of the Auburn University fishing team with dreams of the big show. In late March, at 25 years of age, he ascended to the pinnacle of the bass fishing world by winning the Bassmaster Classic. He collected a $300,000 check, and the trappings of a Classic win will fuel his career for years to come. Lee rose from near the bottom of the heap through the threeday tournament at Texas’ Lake Conroe to claim the coveted trophy. On Friday, he wasn’t even able to put together a five-fish limit and brought three fish to the scales that weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces. On Saturday, he had better conditions on a hard-bottomed point he found during practice and hauled in four fish that weighed 21-0. It was good enough to push him into 15th place and make the cut for the final day. He had obviously found a big-fish pattern. To that point, California’s Brent Ehrler was sitting atop the leaderboard with 43-4 after two rounds. Lee, with 29-6, would need a monster bag of fish and a little bit of help on the final day. He got both. With engine trouble negating his ability to move, Lee settled in on that same point and worked it for all it was worth, catching a big limit on a football jig dressed with a Rage Craw. After hitching a ride back to the docks with a spectator, Lee weighed in a 27-pound, 4-ounce sack for a three-day total of 56-10. Ehrler managed just 1110 on the final day and fell to third place behind Alabama angler Steve Kennedy, who finished second with 55-1. Of all the stories that come with such dramatics, the most useful is of the location Lee was fishing. About 100 yards offshore, he targeted a section of hard bottom on a flat point. Lee said he thinks it was rock or gravel, and there was no brush. Finding such a magic spot requires an angler to know their electronics. It’s easy to identify structure with today’s technology. Reading bottom composition can be a little trickier, but it’s easy enough if you know what to look for. Hard bottom, whether it’s shells, a roadbed, rock or gravel, can be a magnet for baitfish and bass. A hard bottom reflects sonar waves emitted by the transducer more efficiently than a soft or mucky bottom. On a traditional unit, a hard bottom will show up as a dense, deeply colored line because of strong echoes bouncing off a solid surface. With soft bottom, some sonar waves penetrate the bottom and are reflected back as weaker signals. The resulting image is a thicker line with less density. Color indicators vary by unit, but you can bet Lee knew what it meant when the bottom was a yellow line on his Lowrance. This barely scratches the surface of the capabilities of today’s technology, but it’s a good example of information that can be gathered when one knows how to read and operate their electronics.
4/17/17 2:30 PM
FLY FISHING
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
I
love this time of year. With the warming Pacific water temperatures and the arrival of pelagic species like bluefin tuna, I know mako shark season is only a few weeks away. There is not a better saltwater game fish on the west coast for the saltwater fly angler than the shortfin mako shark. These apex predators are big, fast and aggressive, which makes them a prime sight-fishing target with the fly. However, it’s a lot like hunting, and to hook one of these amazing fish, an angler must have lots of patience. Chumming for mako sharks can be boring. Sometimes it takes a few hours for the first mako to show up in the chum slick. So, what do you do when you’re waiting for Mr. Grinner to swim up the slick? You play with blue sharks! Pass Time With The Blues The blue shark has helped me pass many boring hours bobbing around in my skiff waiting for a mako to show up. In fact, it’s the blue shark that got me started in saltwater fly fishing. I remember it well. The year was 1993, and I was looking for some adventure in my life. Bored with casting to bluegill and bass at the local lakes, I wanted something bigger, more extreme, a greater challenge. I discovered the blue shark. I don’t cast to blue sharks much these days. I would rather appreciate their beauty and companionship, sort of like a pet dog. The Art Of Chumming The art of chumming for sharks is more about the time invested chumming; sometimes many hours than actually catching the shark. Three things I’ve learned over the years fishing for Mako sharks is: 1) Have good, fresh chum 2) Find a spot where there is plenty of current
3) Find a good temperature break And… be patient. The longer you stay, the bigger the payoff. As my shark-fishing mentor once told me many years ago, “Stick and stay, and make it pay.” Sage advice. www.conwaybowman.com
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MAY 2017
NATIONAL
19
4/17/17 2:30 PM
By Jim Farmer
F
olks, it’s that time of year again and it’s started already. The other day, I received a text from a buddy. The text read, “It’s here” and showed a string of photos of nice spotted bass, lips adorned with a familiar topwater plug, a Chug Bug popper. The Chug Bug has been a favorite in the spring and fall for topwater bass and stripers the past few years. To be honest, it’s worth its weight in gold here on Georgia’s Lake Lanier. I imagine it will find similar success wherever there are spotted bass and stripers. This time of year, I’ll either be popping or walking the dog with a topwater walking bait. Now, the timing varies on different waters, but here the bait starts moving to the top when surface temperatures reach 70 degrees. Some of the bait is seeking warmer water, and some are entering their spawning season, so they are swimming the surface in the shallows looking for structure to spawn on. In May on Lanier, we are catching the tail end of the shad spawn and entering the blueback herring spawn. In both cases there are plenty of opportunities to find surfacing predatory fish looking for a big meal. In calmer early morning hours when the creeks are glassed over, I pull the boat out into the middle of the creek, shut the motor down and watch for fish chasing bait. They usually give themselves away on points and shorelines. I’ll make a mental note of the areas I’ve seen activity, and then I go to work hitting those locations. Generally, the fish stay and feed as long as bait is in the area. I’ll start out throwing a walking bait like the Lucky Craft Sammy. “Walking the dog” with this bait is very effective, and creates a wake on the surface the fish are looking for. This can be a lock very early in the morning on creek points. But if walking the dog doesn’t get their attention, I’ll break out the popper and start making some noise. “Calling them up” with a popper mimics fish feeding on the surface, and it’s sometimes the ticket when the quieter walking bait doesn’t produce.
E
This pattern usually goes on for a while, and fishing is easy. It’s when they quit surfacing that times get tough, and you need to go looking. The next place to look is main-lake humps, where the water comes up shallow out of the depths. The pattern is the same as in the creeks, and at times surfacing action on the main lake can last all day. A lot of times these fish go undetected, and throwing topwater baits around shallow-water markers can produce. Whether it’s the creek points and shallows or mainlake humps, there are two baits and two tactics for me in May. You can find me walking the dog with a walking bait or calling them up with a surface popper for some of the best topwater action in the South. Jim Farmer is an avid fisherman and owner of Cast Away Bait and Tackle, a custom tackle shop located just off the shores of Lake Lanier in north Georgia.
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik Photo Courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
ach spring, anglers are greeted with big winds, big tides and small baitfish. There is no time when the size of your lure is more important 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 very common to find game fish 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 available 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. Using a slow-sinking lure is also an advantage this time of the year. A lure that will suspend or sink slowly is ideal. This allows the predator time to target the lure and also gives the appearance that the lure is a wounded baitfish, which is always a plus. When the bait is this thick, every advantage to stand out is needed, but you still need to match the forage in size and color. The use of tandem rigs can allow 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 a white bucktail 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 a strike. Downsizing your lure presentation in the spring can definitely upsize your catch. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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By Nadeen Welch
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oing on vacation and trying to decide where your next excursion should be? Fort Myers and Sanibel, Fla. offer something for everyone. Beaches, hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping, birdwatching and shelling abound here. With mild temperatures and low humidity, outside is Photo courtesy of Capt. Terry Fisher/ where you want to be Fish Face Charters after being cooped up through the winter! If fishing is your activity of choice, you have made a great decision. You can take the whole family, only those interested or go it alone. Your best bet for a great day on the water is to hire a professional captain or guide. You can go out on a private charter, where you and your family are the only ones on board, or you may choose a “head boat” where there will be 50 other people fishing with you. Either way, almost everything needed will be provided—boat, license, rod and reel, bait, and a good time. Usually the only things not included are sunscreen and alcoholic beverages. Make sure you ask what is included, just to make sure. Charter guides usually specialize in a certain type of fishing. Inshore fishing trips will have you fishing the flats, mangroves and back-bays. The advantage of inshore fishing is it is usually a more active fishing day, and a windy day won’t ruin your day of fishing. Your guide will move to
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different locations to find the fish, which are not sitting still waiting for you, and provide you with a better experience. This time of year, redfish, snook, mangrove snapper, sea trout and tarpon are what you will catch. These fish will give you a good fight and provide an exciting day on the water. Offshore fishing trips will still provide most required items. The captain will travel anywhere from 20 to 50 miles or more offshore to find fish. While you may not catch as many fish, you Photo courtesy of Capt. Larry McGuire/Show will catch larg- Me the Fish Charters er fish like king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, snapper, grouper and sharks, such as blacktips, spinners, bulls, and possibly hammerheads. This is an entirely different type of fishing from inshore and just as fun. Then you have tarpon fishing. The “silver king” is world famous in these waters, and people come from around the world for the opportunity to land one. The food of choice for a tarpon is a pass crab. Boca Grande is famous for its tarpon fishing history and provides a beautiful environment, if you are here specifically for tarpon fishing and a laidback island environment. If fishing is not up your alley, visiting Sanibel and Captiva will offer you many options. J.N. Ding-Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on Sanibel Island. It is home to one of the country’s largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystems and is well known for its migratory bird populations. Captiva Cruises operates in two locations on the island and can take you to the private island of Useppa, Cayo Costa State Park, Cabbage Key and Boca Grande, as well as many other options. On the island’s beaches, shelling like you wouldn’t expect is the norm. Whatever you decide to do, relax and enjoy our “IslandOlogy.” Nadeen Welch is co-publisher of the Fort Myers edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.
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estled in the south Georgia pines just southwest of Adel, Ga. is 3,500 acres of sportsman’s paradise known as Live Oak Plantation. Campbell Roberts and I arrived with Ranger bass boat in tow via a fence-lined, well-manicured slice of green earth that led us to the lodge at Live Oak Plantation. This is where we met our expert bass fishing guide, Max Gresham. Max is a seasoned bass angler and a member of the Valdosta State Blazers bass fishing team. Max perfectly planned our day of bass fishing. With 10 ponds and more than 500 acres of fishable water to choose from, he had his sights
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set on two main bodies of water that had been producing quantity as well as quality bass for the past several days. What a breathtaking sight it was as we traveled the winding road past Jim’s Backyard Pond just as the fog was lifting off the water. We made our way to our first destination, Gator Pond and launched at about 7:45 a.m. Yes, there is a reason they call it Gator Pond and yes, we did see a couple of resident gators. The pond was impeccable, with its splendor of bass cover including grass, dollar pads, lily pads and submerged timber. We had a deck full of rods with an arsenal of big bass lures tied on: buzzbaits, frogs, flukes, trick worms and jigs. Campbell was first to hook up on 3-pound bass swimming a fluke across visible grass structure. Max and I followed with several bass including two massive topwater explosions on frogs that resulted in the big bass of the day. Gator Pond was very good to us that morning, yielding about 25 bass in about four hours. We took a break and headed back to the lodge for a quick lunch and then it was back to fishing. This time we launched the boat in Outback Pond. This pond was heavy in willow trees, laydowns and grass. The bass numbers rose quickly in this pond, one after another. The action was nonstop, cast after cast, bass after bass. We located a ball of baitfish, and the bass were close by. The fluke bite was the strongest around these schoolers, and we managed to bag another 40 bass in about four hours. We all caught our fair share of bass on both of these fine bodies of water. You would need a week or two to thoroughly fish all the beautiful ponds Live Oak Plantation has to offer. When you visit, you must stay and dine at the lodge. The lodge will accommodate up to 12 guests in 10 rooms. There is a conference center that will accommodate groups up to 20. In addition to some of the best bass fishing in the state, Live Oak Plantation offers quail, deer and turkey hunting. They also offer tower pheasant shoots. For additional recreation, there is a well-manicured golf course that has three greens and three tee boxes per hole that allows for nine different holes of golf, and there is also a driving range. For additional Information on Live Oak Plantation, visit their websites www.fishliveoak.com and www.huntliveoak.com or call direct at 800-682-4868. Live Oak Plantation is located at 675 Plantation Road, Adel, GA 31620.
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UNDER THE SEA 26
Diving in Tonga with my new PLB
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fter several years of traveling for work, I had enough frequent flyer miles to take my family to Australia to dive on the Great Barrier Reef. After returning home, we heard on the news that two Americans had accidentally been left at sea by the same dive operator we had chartered. The crew miscounted when tracking divers, and by the time the search began, they most likely suffered a slow, agonizing death. That nightmare incident was portrayed in a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, these “left-at-sea” stories are not uncommon. Boats can become incapacitated; divers can get caught in a current; the possibilities are endless. According to U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers, the key to getting rescued is to make yourself visible. A whistle or Dive Alert air horn might be enough to catch the attention of your boat if it is nearby. If lost, it helps if you are wearing a brightly colored wetsuit hood or deploy a brightly colored safety sausage. Even better, you can carry signaling devices such as flares, a mirror (requires sun), or glow sticks (at night). A small LED dive flashlight or strobe can be seen from afar—especially if the USCG is searching with night vision goggles. But what if your boat sank and no one was called? What if you are in a country where there is no coast guard? These thoughts rattled around in my head before a recent trip to a remote island off of Tonga. Fortunately, advances in technology continue to provide new solutions. PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) on the market today are small, waterproof devices designed to alert search and rescue services of your location anywhere in the world. When activated, it transmits a message on the 406 MHz distress frequency which is monitored by the COSPASSARSAT satellite system. The alert is relayed to the nearest Rescue Coordination Center. Once in the area, rescue services pinpoint your location using the 121.5 MHz homing transmitter. Unlike EPIRBs, which are registered to a specific vessel, a PLB is registered to a person and can be carried wherever you go. Before my trip, I bought an ACR ResQLink PLB from Bass Pro for
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$249. It can be used on land or sea, but divers need to know that taking it deeper than 5 meters could cause the device to activate due to pressure changes, so it should either be secured to a flag float on the surface or stored in a dive canister if taken underwater. The increased peace of mind was well worth the price. There are several similar products on the market. The Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 operates in a similar manner. Nautilus Lifeline makes a “Marine Rescue GPS” which broadcasts a distress message to all AIS equipped ships up to 34 miles away and to the marine radio on your own vessel. The ultimate survival tool is your ability to keep calm and maintain a positive attitude while taking action to make yourself visible. Prepare ahead of time, and your chances of rescue are very good. Safe diving! Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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CAPTAINS OF FISHER GUIDING 28
A CAPTAIN AND HIS LUCKY LADY, FISHING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
BY LUKE CAMBELL
R
obert Mitchell hasn’t stopped chasing marlin since childhood, when he would see the species or its larger-finned counterpart, the sailfish, mounted on walls of seafood restaurants. After catching plenty wall-worthy fish in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico over the years, Robert chose the Virgin Islands to begin living his dream as a charter captain. Now, he takes guests on his boat, The Lucky Lady, to catch marlin and other trophy fish surrounding St. Thomas and St. John. After visiting St. Thomas frequently over the last 10 years, local mainstays on the island have helped Capt. Mitchell settle in since moving there permanently in January. Mitchell said, “Jimmy Loveland has been great to go over to and get advice. Getting to talk to a legend like Jimmy has been fantastic. Jim on the Black Pearl (a fellow USVI sportfishing charter) came over and welcomed me into town. He is a good guy, and I would do anything for these two people.” The name Jimmy Loveland may be familiar to those who follow sportfishing. Loveland founded Marlin Magazine and the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament that runs every August in St. Thomas. In addition to advice from fellow anglers, Lady Luck has loyally followed Capt. Mitchell to teach him the nuances of fishing here. Mitchell explained, “Everywhere I have fished, I have been blessed with good luck in finding boils, birds and porpoise. Birds down here are very few. When you see a bird, you better follow it. When you see the porpoise, you might make one or two passes, but that’s it. The lonely bird has been far more successful. The other places I have fished, you looked for a flock of birds and when following the porpoise, you were just about guaranteed a tuna strike.”
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Another key difference anglers find in the Virgin Islands is distance. In contrast to other destinations Mitchell has fished, the boat ride is short. The South Drop is 6 miles from dock, and the North Drop is only 20 miles. These drops are famous. While fishing, Mitchell has watched the bottom drop from 90 to deeper than 3,000 feet in a matter of minutes. Paying close attention, and staying over the intended depth is important. Capt. Mitchell described a recent trip aboard The Lucky Lady when that awareness paid off for anglers. They started the day trolling around a FAD (fish-attracting device) when four out of six lines hit on a school of blackfin tuna. They put their spread out again, started trolling, and then the line popped with a 180-pound blue marlin. The group also caught a wahoo of about 45 pounds and a 25-pound kingfish. “It was a great day on the boat, and everybody got a chance to sit in the (fighting) chair and take a turn,” said the new captain. Luke Cambell is a co-founder of Fisher Guiding, an online marketplace to find and book fishing guides, which is proud to partner with Capt. Mitchell and The Lucky Lady.
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C
ustom rod building has entered an era of resurgence, with new components, fresh design concepts, and, most importantly, a broad base of sophisticated anglers and creative rod builders driving developments on multiple levels. Today’s avid angler understands the importance of the rod with respect to a given approach or technique. Credit this recognition in large part to the broader segmentation of the markets for fishing rods and lines. Anglers have a much broader selection of both to choose from. More importantly, they have learned to discriminate and apply the right variations to the proper settings. With better understanding and experience, a fisherman begins to dial in on the nuances that make a rod better suited to the technique and personal preferences. Custom rod makers can give an angler everything he wants from essential components to bells and whistles. While “personalization,” artistry and uniqueness drove custom rod making in the past, functionality and comfort are driving custom rod projects today. “I used to have three to five rods that I would use for a given technique,” recalls bass tournament angler and rod builder Chris Adams of Mud Hole Custom Tackle and a member of the Winn Grips pro staff. “One had the guides I liked. Another had a more comfortable reel seat that added to the rod’s sensitivity, but it didn’t have the backbone or action I wanted. Another had the right power and action but didn’t have the components I liked. I realized the easiest way for me to get everything I wanted into one rod was to build it myself, the way I wanted it!” Adams notes that rod grips from Winn (www.winngrips.com) factor into
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many rod-making decisions. The comfort and tackiness of these all-weather grips provide sure-handed angler control. Bass fishermen have driven a lot of technique-specific rod customization. But more and more saltwater anglers are tailoring rods to their task. Many saltwater anglers have taken up custom rod building as hobby or a basement business to build their own rod arsenals. Classes in rod building are available across the country. At the Saltwater Fishing Expo in Somerset, New Jersey, in March, the custom rod craze was evident. Fishermen were building rods for everything from flounder fishing to trolling for big game species. Saltwater anglers often have a more complex set of needs, from guides resistant to corrosion to rod handles that provide adequate control and comfort. A lot of attention at the Winn booth centered around the sneak preview of new tapered rod grips for heavy-duty saltwater fishing, available in multiple lengths and diameters, and the new Winn Rod Handle System. Winn also unveiled a durable and versatile extension of its very popular overwrap, Winn Superior Rod Wrap. Like its predecessor, it can be the primary material in an original rod handle or applied over an existing cork or EVA grip. Winn also will expand its Saltwater Straight Cylinder line of 1.25-inch diameter grips this summer with black grips ranging to 18 inches in length. Get to know a rod builder in your area to create the perfect rod for any technique or style of fishing. Or take up the practice yourself!
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ack when everyone else was rocking a 3.5-inch grayscale fishfinder, Gary sported a color 7. He always seemed to catch fish. One day I had the nerve to ask him, “Hey Gary, how much did that thing cost?” “More than the kayak,” was the deadpan response. That was years ago. Since then, sonars are more and more capable and feature rich, for less scratch. A Lowrance Hook-7 will run you $449, much less than the kayak. Downscan and side imagining are commonplace. Over time, screen sizes grew until Gary was no longer the exception, he was the rule. So how big is too big? The answer depends on your bank balance and risk tolerance as well as the water you fish and the kayak you captain. Five to 7 inches seems like the sweet spot for kayak use. The screens are wide enough to offer high-resolution readability, yet compact enough to stay out of the way of a cast—or your foot. These days the better question might be, “How big is the transducer?” For peak performance, it’s best to mount a modern transducer in direct contact with the water. Some transducers require adapters such as the Lowrance Ready Total Scan plate to fit properly. Alternatively, kayak anglers can go the MacGyver route and craft their own adapters. Where there’s a will and fish to be caught, there’s a way. Just ask Gary.
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hft_coas
# 1 SELLING
RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK ITEM 68053 62160/62496/62516 60569 shown
SUPER COUPON
$5999
$
20% OFF
3 GALLON, 100 PSI, OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS A. HOT DOG
• 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Lightweight 34 lbs.
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
A
B. PANCAKE
ITEM 95275 shown 60637/61615
SAVE 59%
99 79$129 .99
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
JACKS IN AMERICA
FREE WITH
6 PIECE SCREWDRIVER SET
ITEM 62728/62583 47770/62570 shown
ANY SINGLE ITEM
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
YOUR CHOICE
SAVE $70
$3999
B
$
Voted Best Winches
SUPER COUPON 2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
5499
Compare
Customer Rating
$98.62
ITEM 61258 shown 61840/61297 68146/63476
Customer Rating
$
SUPER COUPON
$4999
6999 $119.99
Compare
• Weighs 14.3 lbs. • 11-1/4" W x 4-1/8" H
SAVE $70
Customer Rating LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
MOVER'S DOLLY
• 1000 lb. capacity
ITEM 60497/93888 shown 61899/62399/63095/63096 63098/63097
ITEM 69249/69115/69137 69129/69121/877 shown
$2
99
4
Compare $ 34 $8.48
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
$799
$
ITEM 93454/69054 63395 62603 shown Tools sold separately.
SAVE $265
SUPER COUPON
$129
99
Customer Rating
$
15999
SIZE MED LG X-LG
ITEM 62434/62426 62433/62428 62432/62429
SAVE 60% $ 99
YOUR CHOICE
$399 Customer Rating
Compare
™
5
$9.98
$99
99
METRIC
7
$ 99 $14.97
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
CANGL_NAT3-NAT42.indd 33 hft_coastalangler_0517_M-REG109337.indd 1
SAVE $106
$
2000 WATT CONTINUOUS/ 4000 WATT PEAK POWER INVERTER
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
ITEM 60432/69662 shown
$
3/8" x 50 FT. RETRACTABLE
SAVE $138
AIR HOSE REEL ITEM 93897 shown 69265/62344
SUPER COUPON
$5999
$119
13999 $215.41 SUPER COUPON
12999 $205.99
Compare
LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
ITEM 69651 18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/ 62868/62873 68239 shown DRIVER WITH KEYLESS CHUCK
Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.
Customer Rating
$
Compare
LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 69043/63282/42304 shown
Blade sold separately.
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY
SAE
Compare
$339
99
ITEM 63054 69034/62858 shown
9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SETS
$599
Compare
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
YOUR CHOICE
19999 SAVE $95
Item 62429 shown
$395
ITEM 42305/69044/63171
$13499
LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
MECHANIC'S GLOVES
Compare
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
$
Compare
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
• With Laser Guide
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 5 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SAVE 59%
ITEM 69684 shown 61969/61970
1099 $19.97
LIMIT 9 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
204
$
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
60", 4 DRAWER HARDWOOD WORKBENCH
SUPER COUPON SAVE
SAVE 59%
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
LIMIT 4 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP
SAVE 64%
7
$ 97 VALUE
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/17.
Compare
ANY PURCHASE
7999 $198.45
Compare
LIMIT 5 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
SUPER COUPON
900 PEAK/700 RUNNING WATTS 2 HP (63 CC) 2 CYCLE GAS GENERATOR
ITEM 63024/63025 shown
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
$1699
SAVE 65% $1999 Compare $49
LIMIT 7 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Use Coupons: In-Store, HarborFreight.com or 800-423-2567
$8999
Customer Rating
SAVE NOW
$
10999
LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/1/17. At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at”
price2017 by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. MAY NATIONAL 33 Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other
meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go toHarborFreight.com or see store associate.
4/17/17 3:04 PM PM 4/6/17 4:35
suzuki spring savings Three Limited Time Offers Make A Good Deal Even Better Suzuki Gives You All Three So You Don’t Have To Choose One Or The Other
Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.
Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)
Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.
See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today and find out how you can get the ultimate deal on the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard.
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.
Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.
REPOWER FINANCE
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*
For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
34
NATIONAL
MAY 2017
CANGL_NAT3-NAT42.indd 34 SZ_Q2Promo_1PG_WIPv2.indd 1
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
4/17/17 3:04 PM 3/12/17 5:04 PM
You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2017 GEICO
COMMON CVRS_0517.indd 3
4/17/17 12:07 PM
© 2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
THIS SEEMS TO BE THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE FISH HANG OUT. I THINK I’LL DROP IN.
12”
PROGRAMMABLE
HOT KEYS
PRELOADED
BUILT-IN
BLUECHART® G2 + LAKEVUU¨ HD CHIRP SONAR + CLEARVUU¨ + SIDEVU¨
GPSMAP® 1242xsv
COMMON CVRS_0517.indd 4 Coastal Fishing Ad_US-8.125x10.875-CoatalAngler.indd 1 17-MCJT512 GPSMAP 1224xsv
4/17/17 PM 3/8/17 12:07 9:13 AM