Southern Trout Magazine Issue 26 by Southern Unlimited, LLC

issue 26

aug/sept 2016

Southern Trout

CLOSE LOOK The Virginias

It isn't an obsession if you make money.

It's a career.

DON'T MISS THE REMAINING 2016 FISHING TOURNAMENTS: The Qualla Country Trout Tournament SEPTEMBER 2 – 4

$11 entry fee and $20,000 in tagged fish

Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly-Fishing Tournament OCTOBER 28 –30

$225 entry fee and $10,000 in total prize money For registration details: VisitCherokeeNC.com | 828.359.6110

2 l April 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Publisher’s message

CROSSROADS CENTRAL It’s been a wild year so far. Southern Trout Magazine now has over 30,000 subscribers and the opening rate is just under 30 percent. (Who would have thought, eh?). The publication has continued to grow despite the fact my doctors gave me up for dead twice since last November (the rumor here is that hell is too nice a place for people with an attitude like mine…) At the same time, the Tennessee Fly‘n Shine Show to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee this past Valentine’s Day weekend did a spectacular crash and burn of Biblical proportions. If that which does not kill one makes them stronger, then it’s a safe bet to say our buns are made of titanium.

Personally, I credit Olive K. Nynne for the steady movement forward of Southern Trout Magazine (STM). The staff here believes that the key to STM’s growth is its regular smorgasbord of southern trout fly fishing articles written by the top writers in the region, and the design team dashing forward from the somewhat campy design of the first two years. The real truth though may be that we have made a concerted effort to reach out to local chapters of Trout Unlimited and the FFF, as well as 501C3 groups such as Casting for Recovery and Project Healing Waters to promote their efforts, projects and fund raising events. Our usual method for doing this is running ads at no charge, and coverage in the weekly Southern Trout Newsletter. We put a lot of effort into staying abreast the fast growing number of fly fishing festivals and events like the Tenkara Jam in Cherokee, North Carolina. We probably miss knowing about many of these, and sometimes there just too many too close together for us to cover. The plan is for STM and its newsletter to continue doing all we can do for these groups and events within our existing template limits. However, in the future these will be augmented with moving these and the “overflow” via social media postings and a new events calendar which will soon be on southerntrout.com

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Southern Trout Publisher Assoc. Editor Managing Editor Special Projects Dir. Photographer/Writer Editorial Consultant

Don Kirk Regan Whitlock Leah Kirk Loryn Lathem Adam Patterson Olive K. Nynne

Contributors Bill Bernhardt Bill Cooper Kevin Howell Harry Murray FIELD STAFF

Ron Gaddy Columnist Craig Haney Columnist Jimmy Jacobs, Georgia Editor Roger Lowe Columnist Bob Mallard Columnist Steve Moore Columnist Tim O’Brien Columnist

Publisher’s message

(cont.)

Here’s where STM needs your help. For us to achieve the goal of being a crossroads venue where people can be aware of all things pertaining to fly fishing for trout in the South, we need you to communicate with us. This is not limited to just direct contact by email or telephone (205-6652658). We also encourage you to ad us to you mailing list for newsletters and announcements. The email address is adam@southerntrout. com. Adam is responsible for reading these and distilling them to our format. We also want to encourage Christian groups holding fly fishing or other outdoor events to allow us to assist your ministries. Groups involved in water quality or land management issues are also invited to take advantage of our offer to serve as an information crossroads. Had STM not attracted its readership, it could not have grown sufficiently to genuinely serve as an information crossroads that can make a difference. If you have read this far---allow the STM family to tell you “thank you.”

ON THE COVER: Bob White is an artist and author whose work expresses a misspent youth. Instead of doing his homework, his nose was constantly in the outdoor books and sporting magazines. Visit www. bobwhitestudio.com

4 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

THIS ISSUE From the Editor

Gearhead Fly Tying Travel Kit

Fishhunter Adventures In Cuisine - Trout Tacos Sunburst Trout

Southern Trout History 28 Trout in Western NC Could GA Have a 38 Worldclass Trout Fishery?

Black Wing Olive Chronicles 46

Forbidden Fruit

Fly of the Month Orange Snipe

Rod Review Walter’s Fly Rods’ Laurel Fork

Take It to the “Bank”

Situational Fly Fising in 70 the GSMNP Summer Fly Fishing Challenges

Smoky Mountains West?? 80 Davidson River

6 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

THIS ISSUE CLOSE LOOK - THE VIRGINIAS

140

148

Close Look - Virginia

102

Waynesboro VAs Top Trout Town 118

88 192

162

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing

130

WV’s Mr. Fly Fishing Curtis Fleming

140

Craig Miller Lewisburg, VA

148

Virginia’s Trout Artist

156

Book Review 162 The Gift of Jeremy’s Run VA’s Cane Master Rick Robins

172 118

164

Shenandoah National Park Pocket Primer

172

FEATURES The Illusion of Deception 182

Made in the South 192 Ogeechee River Boats White River Christmas 204 Tree Wooly Bugger

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 7

Is Swain County NC a Fisherman’s Paradis Hundreds of miles of native mountain trout streams flow

through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park above Bryson City and Cherokee — freestone creeks with native rainbow, brook and brown trout. Most streams offer all three species.

Trout are also common in our four rivers – the Oconaluftee,

Great Smoky Mo National Pa

Little Tennessee, the Eagle Chambers Nolan Twentymile Hazel Creek Forney Creek Creek Creek Creek Tuckasegee and the Creek Fontana Dam Fontana Nantahala, one of Fontana Cheoah Lake Lake Lake Lewellyn Trout Unlimited’s top Fontana B Branch Fontana 129 Lake Boat Village Alarka 100 rivers. And now, a 2.2 Cable Ramp Marina Boat Dock Cove 28N Boat mile section of the Tuck Ramp Almond Lemmons Boat Park Branch through Bryson City has Boat Ramp Stecoah 143 been designated delayed 19 Wesser 74 Needmore harvest waters, and Road For more information, Nantahala River promises to have one of contact the Bryson City / the highest trout counts Swain County Chamber of Wayah Road (NC 1310) of any stream in the Commerce 800-867-9246. Upper Nantahala southeast. River

Public Access

tern g on at Wes in o g is g in “Three ay “Someth Lake that m rivers j a n ta n o F ’s ust ou na li ro a C p h o rt o tside A p N uth ular na o S e th in merica g in t h i s o fi t n u al park ’s most t r o to u a just send tro e t, suite are tee d id o o g a e b d t ming w for bot t migh angler ith h wad into orbit ...I n o s ry s B , in i a n nd sur g and stay to e c la p r a floatin ounde best sc book you g d by so enery leep in s to e v a h m i ’t n n o e S d u o o f the uthern City so yo Appala If you h mber.” e v o N in re chia. e aven’t fished your truck th produ t he qua ctive r int and ivers o Carolin f W e stern N a, you orth don’t k missin now w g.” hat yo u’re

Public Access

se?

Upper Raven Fork

ountains ark

Deep Creek

Indian Creek

Raven Fork Trophy Section

Lakeview Drive

Old 288 Boat Ramp

Tuckasegee River

k Alarka Creek Alarka Road

28S Little Tennessee River

Bryson City

Whittier Whittier Boat Ramp

EBCI Hatchery Big Cove Road

441 Tuckasegee River

Public Access

Conleys Creek

Heintooga Ridge Road

Blue Ridge Parkway Cherokee Indian Cherokee Reservation

Public Access

Raven Fork

Oconaluftee River

nd k

Straight Fork

441

Clingmans Dome

You be the Judge.

Straight Fork Road

Bradley Chasteen Kephart Fork Creek Prong

74 Conleys Creek Road

Dillsboro

441

Visit GreatSmokiesFishing.com for profiles of all 26 Swain County fishing locations on this map. All are just minutes from Bryson City, NC.

Two mountain lakes The 30 miles of trout offer trout fishing streams on the The 29-mile long, Cherokee Indian 11,700 acre Fontana Reservation are the Lake and its smaller downstream neighbor Cheoah Lake both have strong populations of trout, particularly near the mouths of streams flowing out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cheoah is regularly stocked by the State of North Carolina.

longest privately-owned and stocked fishing waters east of the Mississippi. The 2.2mile Raven Fork Trophy section is home to the biggest trout in the Smokies. This specially regulated section is fly fishing only and catch and release.

Cashiers, NC

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gearhead

n a perfect world we would tie all of our flies in a room dedicated to doing such. There would be a desk, custom fly tying table, large full-function vice, every imaginable tool, drawers and desktop holders for storing materials, and special lighting. There would be music, a trash can, and maybe even a small refrigerator to keep your favorite beverage cold. Everything you could ever need would be right there within reach.

Fly Tying T

16 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

gearhead

Bob Mallard

Travel Kit

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 17

gearhead In the real world however, we often have to tie flies in a places like lodges, cabins, camps, tents, outhouses, boats, small planes, picnic tables, tailgates, back seat of a car, a stump or a rock. In order to do this effectively and efficiently you need to be prepared. And if you don’t want to have to hire a Sherpa to haul your stuff around, you are going to have to be smartly prepared. Fly tying travel kits come in many flavors. Some are all-inclusive tying-ready kits that you buy, others are piece-meal kits that you throw together yourself, and some are a combination of the two. Some are permanent, some temporary, and some somewhere in between due to the fact that they need to be modified or replenished before each outing. But the one thing they all have in common, outside of never containing everything you need, is size—and by that I mean “compact”. A fly tying travel kit should not be much bigger than a shoe box--and it doesn’t have to be if you plan accordingly. While there are tools that you “like” to have around, there are some that you do not “need” to have around. Ditto for materials—you only need what you are going to use while you are at your given destination. If I am heading to Montana, I can leave the Hendrickson and Hexagenia materials home. And while a full-size full-function vice is great to tie on, you can get by with something much smaller in a pinch—and quite effectively. The easiest way to address your travel fly tying needs is to buy an all-inclusive kit. They vary considerably from product to product and cost between $50 and $200. Some are almost disposable—some are quite good. Kits are sold by companies such as Wapsi (www.wapsifly.net), Umpqua (www.umpqua.com), Orvis (www.orvis.com), Cabela’s (www.cabelas.com), and L.L.Bean (www.llbean.com). But even kits need to be replenished from time to time. And most are missing a few items that are hard to do without. As an experienced and somewhat picky fly tyer, I put together my own fly tying travel kit. This allowed

me to take advantage of “best-in-class” products while not paying for anything I was not going to use—or like. I started with a small Tupperware style container with a locking lid and carrying handle. This is more secure, easier to access, and better for carrying around than a simple flat top box. And it is relatively weather proof— an important feature. Next I picked a vice that while small and light, would stand up to being banged around, and be able to handle a wide variety of hook sizes. While others will work, I chose the DynaKing Kingfisher (www. dyna-king.com). I chose a pedestal vs. clamp model due to the fact that you can’t always find a place to clamp to. The Kingfisher uses the same jaws as my full-function Ultimate Indexer that I use at home—a real plus. I added a Lightweight Bobbin Hanger and appropriately sized Travel Pouch as well—both from Dyna-King.

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gearhead

For tools I chose a Fly Tyer Gift Set from Dr. Slick (www.drslick.com). I opted for the satin option because it looked cool and doesn’t show wear as much as the other options. I added a Barb Crushing Scissor Clamp from Dr. Slick as well so that I could barb my hooks at the vice. No need to unnecessarily harm something I am going to throw back anyway. Plus barbless hooks are easier to remove from my own flesh— something that happens more often than I would like to admit. To help keep things tidy I purchased a Desktop Organizer from PEAK Fishing (www.peakfishing.com). This small tool caddy is large enough to fit all of my tools, including my barb crusher with a minor modification—drilling out the bottom of the long slot. To keep the litter down—especially in lodges and other people’s vehicles, I bought a Waste Catcher from PEAK. While there are other products similar to these that will work, they were the most compact and light I could find.

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gearhead

I then added a couple of multi-compartment boxes with assorted hooks and beads, cones and dumbbell eyes. Plus a bottle of head cement and a small assortment of must-have thread in various sizes and colors—black, brown, olive, yellow, white and red. I threw in some lead-free wire and a few spools of colored wire and vinyl rib—red, green, olive and chartreuse. I added a few of my most used colors of Krystal Flash—pearl, peacock and red. Plus small packages of my favorite colors of marabou—black, olive, yellow and white. And some small patches of deer hair in the same colors. Natural coastal deer hair for comparaduns. Some black, brown, yellow and white rubber legs; and small pieces of sheet foam in black, brown, tan and yellow. Peacock, pheasant tail and partridge. A small assortment of loose dry fly hackles. A couple of spools of Antron for shucks— tan and olive. And a dubbing dispenser with hares ear, caddis green, olive, red, yellow, purple, yellow, etc. 20 l August June 2016 2016l Southern l Southern Trout Troutl www.SouthernTrout.com l www.SouthernTrout.com

gearhead Fly Tying Travel Kit Pros and Cons Pros: Having a dedicated fly tying travel kit helps you

get out of the house and on the road easier and faster. It also lessens, but doesn’t eliminate, the likelihood that you will forget something. And it can really bail you out in the field—especially when you find yourself away from civilization. Cons: Having a dedicated fly tying travel kit results in at least some level of redundancy. And while an allinclusive tying–ready kit can cost as little as $50, a custom kit like mine can cost over $300 to put together.

Fly Tying Travel Kit Do’s and Don’ts Never store anything wet in your travel kit. In fact, be sure to dry it out completely before you close it up if it gets wet. If you can’t do it on the spot, do it as soon as you are able to—or when you get home. Travel kits can remain inactive for weeks at a time. Moisture can cause mildew, mold and rust.

While I cannot tie everything I might need/ want to, I can tie a good percent of it. I can buy other materials in the field where available. Or scavenger the roads and woods… Or shoot something… Regardless of the shortfalls, a fly tying travel kit is a good idea and a great way to amuse yourself on a rainy day.

Always check your hook, bead, thread and material inventory before you head out. I keep a small pad of paper in my kit so that I can note what is getting low, or what I should have had but didn’t. Pay special attention to your head cement as it can dry up, yellow, or evaporate. Conclusion: Fly tying travel kits are insurance against running short of flies. It also allows you to tie patterns you cannot buy, as well as address location-specific issues on the fly-excuse the expression. I rarely travel without one, and while it does not always come out, sometimes it does and I am glad I have it with me. Whether you send $50 or $300, I consider it money well spent.

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout lTrout September 2016 ll 21 21 www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern l July 2016

Yep, it’s just that easy with Western North Carolina’s premier fly shop and guide service. Kevin Howell and his experienced staff have been fishing the surrounding 500 miles of prime trout waters so long, they know all the fish on first name basis. And they’ll be more than happy to make a few introductions.

PISGAH FOREST, NC

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fishunter adventures in cuisine

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ishing over the previous few days had been pretty good other than the heat. But the heat was not that bad since we had rented a cabin for this mid-July trip. Leaving at daylight-thirty and coming back to the cabin late morning was the plan. Back at the cabin, we would kick-back, have lunch, a nap and leave again around 4. Missing the mid-day heat was a major part of the plan. So far, it worked great. Nate was in the mood for trout at lunch so he kept a couple that he had caught that morning. Usually, we will fry a couple of pieces of bacon and then fry the whole trout in the bacon grease.However he was in the mood for trout tacos, so he picked up what we needed at the store before the short drive to the cabin. It did not take long to filet the larger of the two stockers he kept. The other we would save and pan fry in bacon grease for a late snack after the evening’s fishing. The meal was quick to prepare and looked pretty tasty when it was plated. When I sat at down to eat, Nate asked if I wanted a beer or sweet tea. I asked him what type of beer went best with trout tacos. He quickly replied, “ice cold!” He was right.

TROUT T

24 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

TACOS

Ingredients

•¾-1 lb trout fillets •McCormick Chipotle and Roasted Garlic Seasoning ( or use your favorite chipotle seasoning) •1 bag precut slaw mix •2 tbsp apple cider vinegar •1 bunch fresh cilantro •1 lime •1 pkg soft tacos •1 tbsp light olive oil (regular is fine ,also) •Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Add the apple cider vinegar to the slaw mix and stir to mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. 2. Slice the trout fillets into ¾-1 inch wide strips. 3. Dust the sliced trout with the chipotle seasoning. Be gentle with the seasoning unless you want “5 alarm” tacos. 4. Heat your cast iron skillet on medium.

Add olive oil. Add the trout fillets to the skillet cooking 2 minutes per side. 5. Chop the cilantro. 6. Add the trout to the taco. Then, add a squeeze of lime, slaw and cilantro. Serves 6 CRAIG’S TIPS Buy a Fish Turner to use when cooking fish. It picks up the fish better than a regular spatula and allows the oil to drain back into the skillet. Soft tacos are usually hard to hold in one hand and fill with the other. Turn an egg carton upside down, place your soft tacos in the slots and fill them. Much easier and less mess. For more recipes and tips, go to my facebook page: “Craig’s Camp Cooking”

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 25

ÂŽ

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go home empty handed!

Is located below the Shining Rock National Wilderness in the Pisgah National Forest. Since 1948 they have been growing rainbow trout, and the farm is now run by third generation brothers Wes and Ben Eason.

Sunburst has a long standing commitment to quality. Their fish are hormone and antibiotic free, and the feed is made especially for them containing no mammalian by-products. All trout are cut to order in small bathces, mostly by hand, thus ensuring all products are of the highest standard. In addition to Sunburstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship fillets you can also find their award winning caviar, as well as trout jerky, hickory smoked trout, cold smoked trout, smoked trout dip, trout sausage, and even some non trout products, pimento goat cheese and smoked tomato jam. Be sure to stock up on their Original Jennings Jerky! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shelf stable and perfect for those long days fly fishing. To order go online to www.sunbursttrout.com

314 Industrial Park Drive Waynesville, NC 28786 828-648-3010 â&#x20AC;˘ 800-673-3051

southern trout history

TROUT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA by Charles Egbert Craddock “Forest & Stream Magazine” July 15, 1886

t the request of a number of expert anglers who have enjoyed the delights of this sequestered retreat of brook trout — the genuine Salmo fontinalis — for years, I send you a brief description of the country, made famous by Craddock’s “In the Tennessee Mountains.” and of a fishing excursion just concluded. I do this for the information of those who truly love the sport, and who will be gratified to discover new streams and new scenes in which to spend their fishing vacation. I am seated in a log cabin that has withstood the storms for over a quarter of a century, in view of that huge archaeon pile, Grandfather Mountain — summit of ranges that never disappeared during the convulsions of millions of years — and at the foot of the knoll on which this cabin stands are the lovely meadows through which ripple the pellucid waters of Elk River after its animated descent. Down it has come from its source in a foothill of Grandfather,

Editor’s Note: This is one of the oldest published articles about fly fishing in the highlands of western North Carolina. While the byline is Charles Egbert Craddock, in reality, this is but the pen name of Mary Noailles Murfree, 1850-1922. Murfree was born on her family's cotton plantation, Grantland, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a location later celebrated in her novel, Where the Battle was Fought and in the town named after her greatgrandfather, Colonel Hardy Murfree. We hope you find it as fascinating as we do. FYI, Forest & Stream Magazine launched in 1879, and many years later was renamed Field & Stream Magazine.

28 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

over boulders and beneath blooming laurel (rhododendron), with banks bordered and pools shaded by ivy (kalmia) and honeysuckles (azaleas), pausing here and there to afford shady retreats for its royal inhabitants, and again dashing over rocky impediments until it reaches the pebbly channel of the Banner Meadows. Through these it sings and laughs, hiding its “beauties” under an occasional clump of laurel until it reaches the rocky rapids that lead on down to Smoky and Scaly mountains. And every pool at foot of rapids is alive with trout — a fish that above all others that swim, can thrill the nerves most deliciously when struggling on a brown hackle that has hooked him securely. And this Elk is but one of three limpid rivers whose sources are found in that foothill a couple of miles beyond the meadows. This charming spot, with its sublime mountain surroundings, five or six thousand feet above the tide, and forest-clad on their tallest summits, is never visited by anglers from the North because Bohemians have defamed and ridiculed these mountains out of consideration. Never was a greater wrong done to fishermen. For eight years successively and in the month of June the anglers of our city have gone to Banner’s Elk, and been welcomed with a hearty, simple, dreamy hospitality found nowhere else out of these mountains; have been fed on well-cooked and wholesome food at Mrs. Louis Banner’s and have caught thousands of trout ranging in weight from six ounces to one pound. True, these pink-dotted darlings are not so large as can be found in some streams of the North, but they are just as gamy when hooked, and just as delicious when lifted from the frying pan. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 29

southern trout history

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Banner’s Elk, headquarters for movements on the Elk, Watauga and Linnville rivers, is reached by the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway to Johnson City, twentyfive miles south of Bristol and about 200 miles northeast of Chattanooga. The East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad connects at Johnson’s and will transport you to Cranberry, thirty-five miles distant in the mountains, where there is a gem of a hotel kept in Northern style. From Cranberry you go in a hack or on horseback, as you prefer, to Banner’s Elk, eight miles distant. At Banner’s Elk you can be accommodated at S. M. Dugger’s, who keeps a regular boarding house, or at his father’s, a farmer who takes in fishermen. Our club, including our ladies, always stop at Mrs. Louis Banner’s, but as only ladies compose that family they are sometimes timid of entertaining those they do not know, realizing, no doubt, that few strangers turn out to be angels in disguise. Board is one dollar a day, and it is excellent for the mountains of any part of the country, railway ride from Johnson’s to Cranberry carries you through the Great Portal — the Doe River Gorge — into the Alleghenies. This gorge pierces the mountain that swings from the pillar of the Smokies — Roan Mountain — and latches on the pillar of the Blue Ridge — Grandfather Mountain— both of these lofty elevations entering the clouds 6,000 feet above the sea. The Doe has ground down a channel through this rocky spur, in places 1,000 feet deep, and alongside its rushing waters the railway ascends up grades 300 feet, and around curves as

short as 20°. Now it is on a level with the stream, again it is 100 feet above; now the iron horse pants so close to the rear coach you can almost toss a cigar to the engineer five car-lengths away, again it dashes into a short tunnel that pierces a section of the Potsdam vertebra. The peaks reach up into the clouds, usually clothed with pines, maples, beeches, linns and balsams, but occasionally exposing bare piles of rocks hundreds of feet perpendicular, which at times shut in our train as securely from sunbeams as if it was in the bottom of a deep well. Over the clear, cold water project fringes of blooming laurel, ivy and honeysuckle. From Cranberry the road ascends on the bosom of the mountain that bounds Cranberry River on the south, affording snatches of lovely mountain views. After three miles you ford the Elk and then you ascend that river. If you come in June not only will the oaks, the maples, the hickories, poplars, chestnuts, cherries, linns and beeches and balsams clothe Smoky and Scaly, but the laurel will have on its glorious white plumes, the ivy its delicately tinted and dotted clusters, and the honeysuckle the great redly golden blossoms that are the glory of the mountain sides all through Western North Carolina. For over three miles you will ascend through bough-embracing forests, along the bosom of the mountains at whose feet the Elk tosses, tum- bles and swirls, the water of which is clear as crystal, cold as ice and filled with speckled trout. Only the young and agile fishermen

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southern trout history

venture on these boulders, and they are always repaid with creels full of the largest fish found in this section of the mountains.

In the low mountain, three miles from Banner’s Elk— a foothill of Grandfather— rise the Elk, Watauga and Linnville, and the springs of their sources are not a thousand yards apart. The Watauga leaves the feet of Grandfather, flows on by Valle Crucis to the Tennessee and thence through the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. The Elk commingles in the same flood. The Linnville, however, pours down through a deep rift in the Linnville range, and after tumbling over a precipitous ledge one hundred feet perpendicular, it hurries on between the gloomy wall of a deep canon to the valley and thence to the Atlantic Ocean. I am told by those who have followed the course of the Linnville from its source and gazed upon its rapids, pools, falls, carious and beetling cliffs, that there is no sublimer scenery to be found anywhere on the continent It has been a wet June all over the country and these mountains have not been exempt from the discomforts of showers. We reached Banner’s Elk on June 13 for dinner, and at 5 that afternoon began our first assault upon the gamy inhabitants of the Elk. Only three of the four men were in this first engagement and one of these was hampered by the presence of ladies who attempted the sport for the first time, yet when darkness fell, after two hours of whipping, there were discharged from the three creels upon the floor of the porch seventy-five toothsome beauties, and over twenty had been thrown back to grow larger by next year. From that evening on we found the brown hackle and the king of the waters or the coachman the most attractive flies.

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We never caught a large trout on a miller, though sometimes a little fellow would rise to it. Tuesday we fished with three flies on a six foot leader, a brown hackle always at the tail, then a king of the waters or a coachman and a miller or another hackle. From Banner’s Elk an excursion is made through the McCandless Cabin Gap to the sources of the Watauga and Linnville. It is for a while up the Elk, then through the dense laurel and up the precipitous face of the foothills, with a soil of leaves and woods decayed during centuries, twelve inches deep, covered with trees of fifteen feet girth, and ferns and mosses that are as beautiful as found anywhere else on earth. There is excellent fishing in the Watauga, beginning a little after you leave Callaway’s, a mile or so below the source of the river. At Callaway’s you can ascend to the summit of Grandfather, from which can be obtained an almost limitless view of mountain

scenery. From Callaway ‘s you can fish down to Shull’s Mills, where the river makes a short turn to flow out into the valley of Valle Crucis. That journey will be an unalloyed delight — mountains, valleys, laurels, ivy, honeysuckles, dancing rapids, flowershaded pools, trout large and plentiful. At Shull’s Mills is Boone Fork, full

of trout, and Joe Shull’s residence, a reasonably comfortable lodging place. It is better to take lunch from Banner’s and avoid the wretched cooking at Callaway’s. Returning from Shull’s Mills along the highway, you enjoy the scenery to the full. After passing Callaway’s you reach the

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southern trout history

Linnville, and in about three miles excellent fishing, You fish on down to Webb’s Pond and spend the night at Estes, a half mile beyond; reasonably fair entertainment. In the morning you can go to Linnville Falls, then across to Martin Banner’s for dinner, where you will get an excellent meal. You will now be only five miles from your feather bed and big wood fire at Mrs. Banner’s, at Banner’s Elk. One pressed for time can fish the Watauga to Shull’s Mills, ascend to the summit of Grandfather, so down the Linnville to the falls, and be back to Banner’s Elk within three days, after having a bushel of sport and a barrel of enjoyment. There are other streams in Western North Carolina where trout are as plentiful and perhaps larger— as, for instance, the Nantahala, Toe (Chestatoa) and Pigeon — but my heart turns lovingly to the Elk, Watauga and Linnville, and my homelike home at Banner’s Elk. My residence is in Chattanooga, Tenn., and I will cheerfully answer all letters of genuine anglers who may wish to learn more of these arteries of the heart of the Alleghaniea. G C. GeiTNOB.

34 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Guided Fly Fishing in North Carolina at its finest! Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service located at 546 W. Main St. in Sylva, North Carolina offers first rate guided fly fishing trips on the Tuckasegee River including the Tuckasegee Delayed Harvest Section. We also offer guided fly fishing trips on the Oconaluftee Rive, Ravenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fork Trophy Water, guided fly fishing trips on the upper and lower sections of the Nantahala River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park streams, overnight camping and fly fishing trips. For more information, go to

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 35 www.Hookersflyshop.com

RIVER THROUGH ATLANTA CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER GUIDE SERVICE

RiverThroughAtlanta.com

710 Riverside Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 770-650-8630

Could Georgia have a worldclass trout fishery? Jimmy Jacobs

ne of the common themes in any sport are the, “What might have been,’ moments. Whether it is a base hit that did not fall in, a tackle just inches from the goal line, or the ball spinning round the rim but falling off, they provoke conversation long after a game ends. Even we fishermen get involved in such speculation as well.

Gaston’s Restort -Office

38 l August June 2016 2016l Southern l Southern Trout Troutl www.SouthernTrout.com l www.SouthernTrout.com

Over the years biologists, fishing guides and anglers have spoken of the Chattahoochee River’s possibilities as a world-class trout fishery. A strong case for the 48-mile tailwater section of the stream below Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier down to Atlanta’s city limits having that potential can be argued. The cold water released from the bottom of Lake Lanier keep the water cold enough to support brook, rainbow and brown trout yearround. It is the most heavily stocked trout water in Georgia, receiving some occasional releases of brook trout and around 180,000 rainbows annually. In 2004 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources stopped stocking brown trout because the river was found to have a naturally reproducing population of those fish. And, those browns get big. The last two state-record browns have come from the river that is fondly referred to as the Hooch.

Gaston’s Resort Cabins on the White River

A White River brown trout. Photo by Polly Dean

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Gaston’s Marina on the White River Chad Doughty caught the present record-fish in 2014. That monster tipped the scales at 20 pounds, 14 ounces. With these kinds of statistics to back up the argument, then why is the river always referred to as “potentially” world class? There are several reasons, basically having to do with water management. One is metro Atlanta’s appetite for growth. The expansion of the suburbs and addition of new people seems limited only by the having enough water to support that growth. There also is the need for electricity from the powerhouse at Buford Dam to run air conditioners in the summer. Finally, there are the demands by of Alabama and Florida for more water flowing in the lower Chattahoochee River valley. All of these result in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that manages Buford Dam having to make water releases that are not favorable for the fish or the anglers that pursue them. Probably the best way to see what the Chattahoochee trout angling has the potential to become is to take a look at a true world-class fishery that already exists and what it provides to its region. 40 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

The White River downstream of Bull Shoals Dam in Arkansas’ Ozark Region is arguably the best tailwater trout fishery in the nation. Releases from this dam provide cold water for trout for 90 miles downstream. The state of Arkansas stocks more than 1 million brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout in the tailwater annually. The state-record rainbow trout was taken here and weighed in at 19-pounds, 1 ounce. The real drawing card for this part of the White River, however, is the angling for big naturally-producing brown trout. Browns in excess of 30 pounds have come from this tailwater and fish in the 5- to 10-pound range are considered to be common in the river. So, how does such a fantastic fishery affect the region in which it is located? In the case of the White River, it is an economic engine. On the Chattahoochee the only amenities for anglers are a few small paved boat ramps. The White River tailwater supports a wide array of fish camps, commonly called trout docks in that area. Some of these are basic and rustic, offering launch sites and small bait and tackle shops. At the other extreme is Gaston’s White River Resort (www.gastons.com) that boasts the title of America’s No. 1 trout fishing resort. Angler’s flocking to the White to sample the fishing are greeted here by first-class air-conditioned cottages ranging from single bedrooms, up to a 10-bedroom lodge with meeting rooms and patio. Many of the cottages feature big redwood decks and wood-burning fireplaces.

A Gaston’s guide with his clients on the White River. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 41

Fly Fishing the Settles Bridge section of the Chattahoochee River. The resort also provides a swimming pool, conference center, full-service fine dining restaurant, nature trails, wildlife exhibits and even a grass airstrip. For anglers the contrast between the fishing on the Chattahoochee and at Gaston’s is also extreme. There are only a handful of fishing guides holding permits from the National Park Service for working on the Hooch. Gaston’s alone has a fleet of 60 guide boats that run out of their full service marina dock. Additionally, do-it-yourself anglers can rent a boat to challenge the ri Gaston’s guide, Patrick Chaney with a White River Rainbow ver on their own. The onsite tackle shop offers an array of gear and baits. 42 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Fishermen taking to the water with the Gastonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guides are offered the options of fishing with bait, artificial lures or even fly fishing equipment. Anglers can take home a stringer of the stocked rainbows for dinner, or leave with photos of some once-in-alifetime trophy brown trout. As noted earlier, this is not the only angling operation on the river, but rather just the top of the line. In total the angling along the White River constitutes an industry in the Ozarks. Could the waters of the Chattahoochee River duplicate the kind of success found on the White River? That is highly unlikely due to the White being a larger river and the Hooch being in a suburban area with expensive land values. Still, more angling friendly water management on the Chattahoochee tailwater could move the fishery a long way in that direction.

Gastonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide, Patrick Chaney with a White River Rainbow www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 43

black wing olive chronicles

espite promises of improved treatment and more palatable rations if I assumed the reins of this magazine, other than expecting me to do more, there has been precious little change in my life as of late. I always knew Daddyboy was pretty much worthless, but I expected better from Mommygirl. It’s really not her fault as attending to the every need and want of Daddyboy keeps her “rode hard, and put up wet.” My newly elevated position in the company has netted a few perks. I’m now allowed to sleep in the master bedroom, which means as soon as “you know who” goes into his nightly coma, I patrol the place for anything left out that might qualify as edible. It’s not that these bipods don’t feed well, as they do, but having been rescued from the streets of Anniston, Alabama, I am a bit of a gutter snipe when it comes to foraging anything my digestive system will process. Nothing is too small, rank or stale for me to relish. If Boy was instructed to sweep the dining room, you can bet that whatever was dropped or spilled on the floor is still there for me to find. I regard his efforts with a broom highly reliable, which really works out for me. On the other hand, if Mommygirl does the sweeping, it is an utter waste of time for me to peruse the floor in the darkness of night. I suppose it goes without saying that Daddyboy has never been caught with a broom in his hands other than the time he tried to kill on of Mommygirl’s cats for getting on the dining room table. I am not sure if he knows which end of a broom goes to the floor.

The best night time foraging place is Daddyboy’s couch in the game room. It’s called his couch for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact no one wants to sit on it. His couch is where he takes all of his morning naps, and most of his afternoon naps. Once a decent looking blue leather couch, now it is a color I cannot really describe (hell, yes, I’m color blind…) and has so many cracks in the leather that looks like a fresh harrowed field. No one but Daddyboy uses the couch, as it has a smell that is a bit like a stall in a horse barn, and often it has spots that are sticky. Personally, I love that couch, as when not sleeping on it, Daddyboy will sit there to eat. I don’t know how many kernels are in a typical bag of microwave popcorn, but I do know about how much of a bag will miss his mouth to fall between the cushions of the couch. My best guess is that I wind up eating about half of it. If his snack comes in any kind of wrapper, Mr. Tidy shoves the wrapper down between the cushions of the couch. For obvious reasons he is not allowed to eat wings on the couch, a rule he follows to the letter when Mommygirl happens to be home. Over the years the couch has enabled me to stave off hunger. If it’s edible, or even close to it, I wolf it down. Potato chip bags, Moonpie wrappers, McDonald’s biscuit wrappers that he hides between the cushions are duly retrieved by me. I shred them on the floor around the couch where they are

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Forbidden Fruit olive K. nynne apparently invisible to the eyes of Daddyboy, who has never picked them up. Coins of the realm are about the only thing one is likely to encounter under the cushions, as the ole miser squeezes them so hard they are probably scared to death to venture forth from the depths of pockets. Mommygirl is considerably more alert, and seems to never fail to discover the shredded paper. At this point, the predictable sequence of events occur. Mommygirl, says “Olive” in a raised pitch designed to loosen up her vocal cords for her next words that are directed not at me, but Mr. Tidy. You’d think ole feisty would object and plead innocent to the Gatling gun series of words flashing forth from Mommygirl. Conditioned not to interrupt, Daddyboy has mastered what I call the thousand yard stare while nodding his pumpkin size head up and down in affirmation to everything being leveled against him. Occasionally, he is so remorseful that he slips off into the kitchen to put yet another bag of popcorn in the microwave. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 47

fly of the month

Roger Lowe

Orange Snipe

n late summer and autumn southern freestone trout streams often require consider finesse to be successfully fly fished, especially when periods of dry weather shrink streams to a trickle. Once known only in and around the Great Smoky Mountains, the Orange Snipe has acquired a national reputation has a first class attractor fly pattern. At least a half dozen companies that provide fly patterns nationwide currently include the Orange Snipe to which they all give great accolades.

Hook:

94840 Mustad

Wing:

White hackle tips

Tail:

Deer body hair

Body:

Light orange poly yarn

Hackle: Grizzly and brown

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Roger Lowe's Fly Pattern Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains (8.5x11 inches, 40 pages, soft cover/full color is a perfect companion to Lowe's other book "Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns". If you are wanting to have color pictures and recipes for traditional Smoky Mountain fly patterns this book is a must have. It contains photos and recipes for 101 flies. Included are such flies as the Yellow Hammer (Yellarhammer), Thunderhead, Teillico Nymph, Tennessee Wulff and many others. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 49

rod review

alters

50 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

FLY RODS’ Laurel Fork

aka“The Mountain Tamer”

ly fishing the blue line streams of the Southern Appalachian Mountains has become the passion of many of the region’s fly casting community. The approach to fishing small highland rivulets has become more sophisticated, the demand for fly fishing tackle tailored to this type of fly fishing has grown. Matt Walters is one of southern fly fishing’s “Young Turks” who innovative approach to the sport in the region is perfect supporting example of this premise. This young man is the founder of Walters Fly Rods located in Georgia.

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rod review

While still in its infancy, Walters Fly Rod has already established a strong reputation for affordable quality fly rods. The company’s newly introduced Laurel Fork Fly Rod is going to turn more than a few heads. This little mountain tamer is a 7.5’ 3 weight, four-piece medium fast action fly rod designed specifically for fly flicking on small, dashing streams. Originating from a passion acquired on the mountain waters of Western North Carolina where Walters cut his teeth fly fishing while in college, the Laurel Fork is named in honor of a well-known trout stream in West Virginia. “After college I moved back to Atlanta from Brevard, North Carolina with a hunger for information on fly fishing for trout in Georgia,” says Walters. “I spoke with all of my fly fishing buddies about my idea for starting a fly rod company. There was an overwhelming support and excitement from all of them although everyone agreed it would not be an easy task. I have always wanted to have some sort of stake and part in this great fly fishing community, no matter how great or small. I like to have the thought that this will be something I can tell my grandchildren about, a tangible part of something you love to do, the ability to chase your dreams.” Aesthetically, the Laurel Fork Fly Rod is eye candy one cannot help but pick up and hold in hand. The blank is a unique gray accented with black. It appears to us that Walter’s chose exactly the shade of gray on General Stonewall Jackson’s smock, but perhaps that is merely coincidental. Highly quality cork with a baby’s butt soft feel and reverse half wells designed handle are only slightly upstaged by the eye catching up locking reel seat. The blank features chrome coated stainless steel snake guides and a ceramic coated stripping guide. 52 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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rod review

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The blank and its composition and taper are the true guts of any fly rod, and the Laurel Fork Fly Rod certainly is no different. These blanks are constructed of high quality IM10 modulus graphite. Walters chose this modulus as it offers a great middle ground between durability as well as a light weight feel. The blanks feature a compound taper that was custom developed by Walters through the assistance of the manufacturer of the blanks. “We have spent many years developing and testing our custom blank designs,” says Walters. We have been through multiple versions and each blank design is suited to the type of fishing it is made for. The input from many anglers goes into our design process. The Laurel Fork Fly Rod is designed to present flies delicately for a natural presentation at long and short range. The butt section of the rod has a deep backbone giving plenty of lifting power for fighting fish while still protecting light tippet. The Laurel Fork fly rod is an excellent small waters tool.” “The action of the Laure Fork Fly Rod is medium fast,” continues Walters. “Through a combination of our extensive testing, design review, and adjustments we have created a custom compound taper design that is only available through our company. The rod action was designed to allow short accurate casts in tighter waters and light tippet protection. The rod isn’t limited to just this use as it can also handle longer casting as well.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 55

rod review

Casting the Laurel Fork Fly Rod, we discovered that Walter’s description of the design goals for the rod were very accurate. Tipping the scales at 2.7-ounces, which is about the same weight as a hot biscuit, the rod is a cast all day long with ease fly fishing tool. The Laurel Fork Fly Rod is quite accurate and has a pleasing delicate touch that hardcore dry fly casters will appreciate. We were especially impressed with the fast action recovery of the rod. It proved to be quite the solution to working water surprisingly well in tight conditions where casting is often frustrating. Until Walters demands its return, it is our decision to keep fishing it. In the event he wants the rod back, we’ll just have to buy a couple, which is what a lot of southern fly fishermen will do when the lay hands on the Laure Fork Fly Rod. The Walters Fly Rod Company’s Laurel Fork comes with a cordura rod tube and blank cloth. The price is $249.99. Contact: www. waltersflyrods.com, Walters Fly Rods, LLC; 5330 Brookstone Dr., Ste. 250 #801072, Acworth, GA 30101; 404-507-6894; and email:Info@WaltersFlyRods.com 56 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Walters Fly Rods Pro Program Walters Fly Rods offer an annual Pro Program to qualified professional guides in the fly fishing industry. The Pro Program is limited in the number of participants annually. All applicants are thoroughly reviewed prior to acceptance into the program. Visit www.waltersflyrods.com and complete the application to begin the process www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 57

Take It to the Bank

Hoppers, Crickets and Bee September Time to Pound 60 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

ugust and September are usually times of hot weather and low water but it can also bring about some of the most exciting topwater action of the year. Terrestrial insects are at their peak during this time of the year and many of them find their way into the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge providing an easy meal for fish. This also comes at a time when aquatic insect hatches are slim at best so fish on the lookout for these high protein treats. Trout and smallmouth bass in streams and rivers take up station along grassy banks and under overhanging trees where these terrestrials are apt to fall or fly into the water. Even largemouth bass and panfish in ponds will gravitate to the banks in areas with over hanging grass and trees to dine on these bugs. There are other terrestrial insects which fish eat but the big three provide bigger meals and are more apt to move larger fish and they are also easier for my aging eyes to see.

etles make August and the Banks Marty Shaffner www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 61

Fishing hopper and cricket flies for trout requires pounding the banks with accuracy, casting as near as possible to the overhanging grass in meadow streams and rivers. Letting the fly â&#x20AC;&#x153;plopâ&#x20AC;? on the water is in this case a plus. The plop is the equivalent to ringing the dinner bell to bunch of hungry workers. Notice I said the fly should plop on the water but not the fly line. To ensure this happens a tuck cast works great for this application. The tuck cast is performed by pulling the butt of the rod back just as the loop is unfurling which forces the fly down on the water but the fly line lands softly. Fishing beetle imitations work along banks and anywhere trees are overhanging the stream. The same basic technique works for smallmouth bass working hopper imitations tight to grassy banks while cricket and beetle patterns work near almost any bank. When working rivers for small mouth start by making your first cast just inside the shadow line created by trees and working your way into the bank. Along grassy field and meadow banks make your first cast tight to the bank again using the tuck cast to ring the dinner bell. Even largemouth bass and bream in ponds can provide great topwater action at this time of year casting hopper patterns as close as possible to the grass and bulrushes that overhang the banks of most ponds. 62 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

My Chernobyl Ant Step one Put the appropriate hook in the vise and cover the shank with thread, tie in the tail, be it marabou, poly yarn, or round rubber strands, and leave the thread right behind the eye of the hook Step two Tie in the chenille or dubbing for the body. If using chenille bring the thread to the bend of the hook and wrap chenille back to the bend and tie off chenille or wrap dubbing to bend of hook. Step three Cut a strip of closed cell foam of appropriate color from 1/8” for trout flies to 1/4” up to 3/8” for bass sized flies. Cut a V-shape out of the tail end of the foam and tie it in just in front of the bend over the body with several wraps of thread and finish with several half hitches but do not cut the thread. Step four Pull the thread along the top of the body and wrap it a few times. Lay the foam along top of fly and tie it down right behind the eye. Do three or four half hitches and do not cut the thread Step Five Bring the thread back toward the rear of the fly 1/3 of the way from the eye of the hook. Bend the foam back toward the rear of the fly and tie down with a couple of wraps of thread. Trim the remaining foam sticking up to fit the size of the fly to form a collar, 1/8” for trout sized flies to as long as 3/8” for bass sized flies Step six Tie in the rubber legs on each side and do a hand whip finish or several half hitches and cement the thread here and at the rear where the foam was tied in. The purpose of the hitches and cement to make a durable fly that doesn't unravel after several fish. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 63

When fishing for trout and smallies I've had my most consistent success with a dead drift presentation but in a pond with no moving water slightly different approach is needed. Let your fly sit motionless for at least thirty seconds then ever so slightly twitch it. Just enough to nudge the fly and give the rubber legs a little motion. Largemouth will look at the fly and as soon as you nudge it they will crush it. I have some patterns I have created that have served me well for imitating hoppers, crickets and beetles that evolved from a foam slider pattern that I use for smallmouth bass. The original slider was a modified version of a very unimpressive fly I found on the internet that was called simply “Foam Slider”. I tied up a few with materials I had on hand, substituting some materials for others and making some modifications. When I fished them, much to my surprise they were very productive. Over time clients started saying “Let's try your fly” or “Is this your fly” After a while I just started calling it “My Fly”. 64 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

My Fly Hopper Hook- # 10 to #2 3x long for trout, Daiichi 2720 stinger hook #2 or 1/0 for bass Thread- Yellow flat waxed nylon Tail- Yellow poly yarn Under body- Yellow ultra or regular chenille Over body- Tan craft foam Rear Legs- Yellow/Black striped medium round rubber 2 per side Front Legs- Brown medium round rubber

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One day while at the vise I was going to tie some Chernobyl Ants and thought that with a few modifications My Fly could be turned into a nice terrestrial pattern and the “My Fly Terrestrial” was born and several other patterns including the “My Fly Hopper” have come about over the years with most of the additions to the original being dual purpose flies working for both trout and bass depending on hook size. Now these flies won't win any beauty contests but they catch fish, are simple to tie, consist of very few materials, and are very durable, everything a guide loves in a fly! As I noted these flies are an easy tie with the only tricky thing being that you dub or wind your chenille from the front to back instead of the usual back to front. This doesn't sound tough but it is really against the grain when tying, but once you get accustomed to this backward way of tying the body, this family of flies are quick and easy to tie. Turn a few of these out the next time you're at the vise and give them a try. I think you will agree with me when I tell you these terrestrial patterns produce great results during late summer, and you can take it to the bank, literally 66 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

My Fly Terrestrial A great all around terrestrial pattern an especially effective cricket imitation and good beetle pattern when tied in smaller sizes Hook- For trout #12 to #6 3x long, for bass #4 Gamakatsu B10S stinger hook Thread- Black flat waxed Tail- 4 Small black round rubber Under body- Peacock crystal chenille small or medium depending on size of fly or peacock ice dub Over body- Black craft foam with yellow or orange foam strip for visibility Legs- Small black round rubber www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 67

Nantahala River Lodge, a unique riverfront, pet friendly cabin near Bryson City.

World Class trout fishing just a few steps from your front door!

www.NantahalaRiverLodge.net Contact: Annette@ NantahalaRiverLodge.net 912-596-4360 Mickey@ NantahalaRiverLodge.net 800-470-4718 or 912-596-5259

608 Emmett Rd. Bristol, Tennessee 37620

www.southholstonriverflyshop.com

&Unwind Relax

uests breathe easier here, and it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just the mountain air. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the entire Eseeola experience: award-winning cuisine, exceptional service, and of course, first-rate fly fishing on the Linville River. Call Today for Reservations

175 Linville Avenue Linville, NC 28646 (800)742-6717 www.Eseeola.com

situational fly fishing

SUMMER Fly Fishing Ron Gaddy 70 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

in the great smoky mountain national park

Challenges The summer months will be

a more challenging time to fly fish than any other time of year except maybe for the winter months. July and August normally means you will be faced with some low and slow moving clear water in most Smoky Mountain Streams. Choosing where you fish, the type water to fish, the right flys, and even the time of day will increase your chances of catching fish.

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situational fly fishing Low and Clear water

For the last month or so, and due to a five to six inch rain deficit, the streams in the Western North Carolina region are running extremely low. This makes trout very spooky and in some streams trout will even hunker down and wait until dark to feed. Their visibility is practically unlimited so getting within range to deliver your fly without sending them into cardiac arrest is a hard nut to crack. Due to all the predators from above, trout depend on some sort of cover to survive, so when the water gets low they will migrate to more dynamic water, shady areas, overhanging bushes, and under logs to avoid being on the dinner menu for an Osprey or Heron.

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in the great smoky mountain national park Stealth

Being stealthy is more important during this time of year more so than any other time. Fish every run, hole and pocket like you know there is a monster trout in there. Use shade, rocks, trees and distance as not to spook fish. When a wild trout sees you, or your shadow, its game over. Sometimes just the shadow of your fly line will send trout scattering. Always fish upstream and try not to line the fish in the process. As you cast upstream show them the fly first and not the fly line. For heavenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake wear clothes that will blend in the background. Even going as far as wearing camo is not a bad idea. When stalking wild trout, a good presentations is showing the trout your fly without them seeing you.

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situational fly fishing

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in the great smoky mountain national park Choose Your Fishery Wisely

When the water is low and clear in most streams, choose to fish the larger fisheries where trout feel more comfortable moving out into the feeding lanes. Another good choice is a fishery where the water is normally considered to be stained or discolored. This would be streams that travel through urban sprawl and farmland. Stained water is very forgiving during low water events. Due to the poor visibility you are likely to spook less fish and trout have less time to decide whether or not to eat your fly. So tricking a trout into eating a less than perfect fly imitation could be much easier.

Water temperature

Low water events are normally accompanied by high water temperatures. When water temperatures reach 68 to 70 degrees and the oxygen levels get low, trout will tend to hunker down until things improve. High water temps can put trout in an uncomfortable and stressful situation. At this time dragging one around on small tippet is like putting the last nail in the coffin. When water temps get high it is a good time to tie some flys and leave them alone. Another option is too fish early in the morning or later in the afternoon, which is normally more productive anyway. If you just want to catch some fish to eat, then a good hatchery supported stream would be a good idea. Hatchery fish will feed all the time. If you know the water temperatures will be high then fishing at a higher elevation where the water is colder is another good consideration, although those streams would normally be low and clear as well so that brings up back to the spooky fish issue.

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situational fly fishing

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in the great smoky mountain national park Fish Productive Water

As mentioned earlier when the streams heat up and the water is low trout will migrate to the faster and more dynamic water looking to find water that is more oxygenated. If the water is low and well oxygenated then they will find cover where ever possible. Targeting the faster and more dynamic water in the shade during the summer months will produce the fish. If a trout is hunkered down under cover they will be in a position to observe all the trout food that is drifting by. Running your flys by or under these obstacles as opposed to the clear feeding lanes will also produce fish, as they may be a little timid about moving out into the feeding lanes.

Low Water Techniques

In low and clear water the best technique will be to fish top water flys or a dry and dropper combination. If there is no hatch then you just use your top fly as an indicator. I tie quick hoppers or foam body flys I use specifically for an indicator. Using a foam hopper for an indicator requires no fly floatant and the weight of the hopper makes shooting line and water hauls under those low lying bushes a breeze. A big fat stimulator would also work for the top fly and maybe provide a better chance of catching fish on your top fly.

Fish Responsibly. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 77

www.shannonsflytackle.com

A classic catskills fly shop for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fly fisher.

39 South Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 www.cohuttafishingco.com 770.606.1100 2441 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 868-1000 www.bullfishgrill.com

Guided Fishing Trips | Fly Fishing Schools | Destination Fly Fishing Travel

other trout

Smoky Moun Cody, Wyoming

Few towns are as associated with a single person as Cody, Wyoming. That person is William Fredrick Cody—better known as “Buffalo Bill.” Everywhere you look you see his name and likeness. Buffalo Bill is an American icon. He was a Pony Express rider, cavalry soldier, army scout, professional bison hunter, actor and showman. He hung around with General Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull. Buffalo Bill first came to what is now known as Cody in the 1870s. He returned in the mid 1890s to start a town. By 1895, the town was founded. In 1901 it was incorporated. And the rest is history...

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other trout

ntains West??

Bob Mallard Author fishing the South Fork Shoshone (Diana Mallard)

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other trout The North Fork Shoshone is the centerpiece of the Cody fly fishing scene. It begins in the Absaroka Range in Shoshone National Forest just east of Yellowstone National Park. It runs undammed for roughly 60 miles before terminating in Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The river serves as a corridor for wildlife moving between Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone National Forest and the Washakie Wilderness—including grizzlies. The river is home to rainbows, native cutthroat and cuttbows; with rainbows and hybrids most common. Lake trout enter the lower river seasonally to feed. The occasional brook trout is caught as well. Trout average between 14 and 16 inches. Fish in the 18” range are not uncommon and fish larger than that are always possible. The trout are wild and unusually strong due to rugged nature of the river. Much of the river flows through public land offering good public access. The North Fork can be waded or floated, with the latter being preferable. The Shoshone River is a tailwater fishery just outside town. It begins below Buffalo Bill Reservoir and ends at the fabled Bighorn River. It runs through rugged Shoshone Canyon. Rainbows, native cutthroat, cuttbows and browns are all present. The fish are wild, large, heavy and hardfighting fish. Trout average 12 to 16 inches with much larger fish caught—especially browns. The river can be fished year-round. It is also a good option when the other rivers in the area are low, high, off-color or warm. While public access to the upper river is very good, much of the river is too rugged to easily reach. The Shoshone can be waded or floated; with the latter offering you access to water you might not otherwise be able to reach. 82 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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Author fishing the North Fork Shoshone (Diana Mallard)

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The South Fork Shoshone is a hidden gem. While much of it runs through private land posted to trespass, it can be fished by the general public. Some of the access is via public land, some through access agreements between private landowners and fly shops and outfitters that guide the river, and some by staying at one of the guest ranches located on the river. The South Fork is easily waded. While it can be floated at certain times of year, it is often too low to effectively float. The South Fork begins near the border between the Teton Wilderness in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Washaki Wilderness in the Shoshone National Forest. It is home to browns, native cutthroat; and some level of rainbows and brook trout. Trout average a foot or so long with much larger fish caught. Like the North Fork, lake trout enter the lower river from the reservoir. The Greybull River south of Cody is a stronghold for pure strain native cutthroat. In the early 1980s it gained notoriety due to the discovery of a population of previously believed extinct blackfooted ferrets. While much of the lower river is posted, there is public access on state land and within the Shoshone National Forest in the Washaki Wilderness. The river is reached via a network of unmarked dirt roads, and reaching the water often requires a steep descent. Grizzly bears inhabit the area so vigilance is warranted. The Greybull is easily waded. Floating is an option on the lower river if you can gain access. The reward for those willing to brave the conditions is large, wild native cutthroat. You should consider hiring a guide when fishing this water.

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Shoshone brown (North Fork Anglers)

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At roughly 100 acres, East Newton Lake is one of the finest small stillwater trout fisheries I have ever fished. It was once used as a brood stock pond by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. East Newton Lake managed as a trophy fishery. The pond can be fished from a small boat or float tube. Some anglers actually wade it, working the shoreline looking for cruising fish. East Newton is a great place to go when the local rivers are running high—or when you just want to enjoy an easy day of float tubing. Rainbows can get over 20 inches, and browns even larger. All fish under 22 inches must be released, and tackle is restricted to artificial lures only. This is a beautiful little lake in a beautiful setting. Monster Lake was once one of the finest pay-to-fish stillwater in the country. It advertised “Alaska Size” rainbows and cutthroat. Fish over 4 pounds were common and fish over 10 pounds not uncommon. The average fish was between 3 and 5 pounds. Trout grew to trophy size on a diet of scuds, midges, damsels, dragon flies and leeches. Fishing was restricted to rods of 5-weight and greater to prevent anglers from overplaying the fish. Guides were required to ensure good behavior. While the property was sold and went underground for over a decade, it is once again open to the public on a pay-to-fish basis. If you are a history buff, you can visit Mummy Cave--one of the richest archeological sites in the region, Wapiti Ranger Station--said to be the first National Forest Ranger Station in the country, Pahaska Teepee—a lodge built by Buffalo Bill, and Old Trail Town—home to roughly 25 structures from the old west and other artifacts. The highlight is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The facility houses the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, and Draper Natural History Museum. If there is a finer museum in the country, I have not seen it…

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Author and Tim Wade with North Fork rainbow (Diana Mallard)

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other trout Cody hosts nightly rodeos and live musicâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;cowboy of course. The Irma Hotel hosts a theatrical shootout in the street featuring Wild Bill Hickok and Doc Holliday. There are close to 20 guest ranches along the two forks of the Shoshone. Yellowstone National Park is just up the road. There are lodging and dining options to suit any preference or budget. There are gift shops, jewelry shops and western shops. As they say, there aint much not to like about Cody, Wyoming. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been there, you owe it to yourself to get there. Mid-June through September is the best window for fly fishing in and around Cody. Mid July through mid August can be outstanding due to low, clear, cold water; great weather, hatches and terrestrials. For more information contact Tim Wade at North Fork Anglers at 307-527-7274, www. northforkanglers.com or flyfish@wavecom.net.

BOB MALLARD has fly fished for over 35 years. He owned and operated Kennebec River Outfitters in Madison, Maine from 2001 to 2015. Bob is a blogger, writer and author. His writing has been featured in blogs, newspapers, ezines and magazines at the local, state, regional and national levels. He has appeared on radio and television. Look for his books 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast and 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout (Stonefly Press). Bob is also a fly designer for Catch Fly Fishing out of Billings, Montana; as well as the northeast sales rep for both Stonefly Press and Catch. In addition he is on the R. L. Winston Rod Co. Pro Staff. Bob can be reached at www.kennebecriveroutfitters.com, www.bobmallard.com, info@ bobmallard.com or 207-474-2500.

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Davids River Jeff Furman fishes the Davidson River near the confluence of Looking Glass Creek. Photo Courtesy of Davidson River Outfitters 90 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

son Kevin Howell

he Davidson has long been the known as the best freestone stream in the Southeastern United States and is considered one of the top 100 Trout Streams in America. The Davidson is the only freestone stream that constantly produces wild twenty-eight inch and better Brown trout in North Carolina; when getting ready to write this article and looking back through fishing logs, I have landed 7 brown trout over 28 inches (8 pounds) out of the river.

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In addition to what I have caught I witnessed another 22 brown trout over twentyeight inches that have been caught from the Davidson. It has been home to numerous State Record Brown Trout including the one that was caught by my Uncle Dwight Howell. Not to be out done by his brother, my father, Don R. Howell broke Dwightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record a year later with an even larger brown from the Davidson River. Truth is, the fishing on the Davidson River is what drew the Howell brothers, to Transylvania County in the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and continues to draw anglers today from around the country. 92 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Davidson River Outfitters Guide Heath Cartee displays a 28 inch Brown Trout caught by Glen Richter. Photo Courtesy of Nancy Richter

The one constant of the Davidson is that it is ever changing. Over the past 4 decades I have seen the river go through several transitions. As a youngster I can remember fishing the Green Drake hatch in late May and Early June and there would only be 5-6 anglers on the river other than myself, and I was related to three of them. The last few years there have been more anglers than there have been Green Drakes, not that that is a bad thing. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 93

The insect life in the Davidson has remained strong with the exception of the Green Drakes which got washed out in a flood in 1995 that swept away the bridge at the Fish Hatchery and destroyed parts of Forest Service Road 475 which had to be rebuilt considerably higher on the mountain. The Drakes were just beginning to show back up when our friends Hurricane Francis and Ivan came rolling through in late summer of 2004 flushed all of the Drakes away again. Today the Drakes are slowly starting to rebuild again. Even with the absence of the Drakes, the Caddisflies, Stoneflies and other Mayflies like Quill Gordons, Hendrickson’s, Cahill’s and BWO’s are doing well and are consistently reliable. As a kid growing up the entire river was managed under hatchery supported or general regulations. In 1985 the Davidson River became the first in the state of North Carolina and to my knowledge the first in the Southeast to receive a Catch and Release Only, Fly Fishing Only Regulation. At the time the regulation seemed controversial. However today all but 3 miles of the river operate under a catch and release only fly fishing only regulation. With all of the pressure that the river receives today it is doubtful that the river could sustain any other type of regulation. Over 65% of the nations population can reach the Davidson within a one day drive. This does lead to some busy days in late spring and early summer. However for the local anglers some of the best fishing of the year starts in early November after the crowds leave and continues on through late April just prior to all the crowds showing up again. 94 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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I often hear anglers talk about there being no large fish left in the Davidson. However living near the river and having the opportunity to fish the river at various times and during adverse weather conditions. I am fully confident that the large trout that inhabited the Davidson when I was a teen are ever present. However they now hold a Phd. In Fly Tying. With the pressure that the river receives, most of the large trout have become nocturnal feeders. The other time you see and hear of a lot of them being caught is during adverse weather and water conditions (rainy days and high water). As with anything there are always exceptions. Last year on a photo shoot, we had kids throwing rocks in the river as we were taking photos for advertising purposes; not even trying to catch fish, Nick Roberts one of our guides hooked and fought a massive Brown that I would estimate to be well in the double digit range (10 pounds plus) on a tiny midge in the same spot the kids had been chucking rocks not 2 minutes earlier. With all of the pressure the river receives from anglers the largest problem facing the Davidson in the future, and all of the streams in Western North Carolina, is our overabundance and ever expanding population of River Otters. Reintroduced to Western North Carolina in a joint venture between the Biltmore Estate and the NC Wildlife Resource Commission; this apex predator of the trout stream can do more harm to a stream in a matter of hours, than a group of anglers can in year. So far the otters have been held at bay on the Davidson; however some of the smaller surrounding streams have not been so fortunate. 96 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Releasing a beautiful Rainbow Trout on the Davidson River. Photo Courtesy of Davidosn River Outfitters.

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Fishing the Davidson River in Early Spring. Photo Courtesy of David Cannon

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The other problem the river is facing is the decay of the Hemlocks. With so many dying and falling in the river the water is becoming increasing clogged with log jams. While a log jam can provide great fish habitat, they also present a challenge when large fish are hooked, the fish seem to run straight back through the log jam and out the other side relieving an angler of his/her favorite fly and the chance to land a nice fish. Even with the challenges that the river has gone through and still has facing it. The Davidson has always been a phenomenal fishery for decades and should continue to shine as the top freestone stream in North Carolina for years to come.

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The city of Waynesboro offers some of the finest trout fishing in Virginia. Trophy-sized rainbow and brown trout thrive in the South River Delayed Harvest Area, which flows right through downtown and has one of the two urban fisheries in the state. The South River Fly Shop on Main Street provies guided trips, classes and an extensive line of fly fishing products. Waynesboro is also home ot the South River Fly Fishing Expo in the spring. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy fly tying, casting, and fishing presentations by regionally known professionals. Visit our website to learn more about Waynesboro, VA.

visitwaynesboro.net

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Close Look: W

ith wild trout quietly lurking in 2,300 of its 2,900

miles of trout streams, Virginia’s state slogan should be “Virginia is for Anglers” instead of “Virginia is for Lovers.” In addition to water discoverable by those willing to wear out boot leather in search of a sparkling mountain stream in a private setting, Virginia has over 600 miles of delayed harvest and put-and-take destinations close to population centers and associated road networks.

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: Virginia

Steve Moore

Not surprisingly, the best fishing is in the mountainous west. A 31-minute side trip off I-81 at Abingdon leads to Whitetop-Laurel Creek, a freestone wild trout stream that is the jewel in the Virginia crown. Whitetop has two special regulation areas (single hook artificial) in addition to put-and-take. Whitetop is a medium-sized stream, typically 20 to 30 feet across, featuring the standard set of pools, riffles and runs associated with perfect wild trout habitat. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 103

close look - the virginias Its close proximity to the Virginia Creeper bike and hiking trail built on a converted rail bed with a wide, smooth surface and a gentle gradient makes it both unique and accessible. The trail gives those willing to sweat a bit the opportunity to get away from any real or perceived pressure near the trailheads. Instead of making a strenuous hike, smart anglers use a bike to move quickly from spot to spot. Given the popularity of the trail, there are numerous places to rent a mountain bike in both Abington and Damascus. For example, the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop in Abingdon, charges only $25 for a full day rental of a high quality bike (no department store cheapos) with an angler friendly after-hours return policy, allowing you to catch the evening hatch (vacreepertrailbikeshop.com). For advice on Whitetop, check in with the Virginia Creeper Fly Shop in Abingdon. As a full-service fly shop, it has gear, guides and friendly staff. In addition to guiding on Whitetop, their service covers the nearby trout heavens on the South Holston and Watauga tailwaters in Tennessee as well as smallmouth on the New River and the James. Use a 4 or 5 weight rod and fish the prime time from April through the middle of June with quill gordons, march browns, stoneflies, blue wing olives, sulphurs and even green drakes all making an appearance. Before you go, understand the

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new fly guy trick to fishing Whitetop! Since the Virginia Creeper trail gradient runs downhill from north to south, most bikers start at the northern terminus for an easy ride, coasting most of the way down to meet a bike shop shuttle at the bottom. This presents a minor problem to anglers where the trail is adjacent to the stream as wildly colored, psychedelic helmets and vests whip by, potentially spooking the fish. In addition, bikers sometimes stop to either watch or have a conversation as they take a break. If you prefer solitude, start fishing at the lower end at either the welldeveloped Straight Branch trailhead on US 58 (36.644122, -81.739857; restroom, picnic tables and bike rack) or the middle trailhead in Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Valley (36.630216, -81.707967; no facilities). Once the bike traffic eventually reaches your location, slide over to one of the many sections out of both ear and eyeshot of the trail.

A few cable ties on a rod tube converts a rental bike into a fishing machine ready miles of great fishing on the trail.

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Heading East, the next major trout stop has to be the South River outside of Waynesboro just off I-64. While the South River has a sad history as little more than toxic dump for the effluent from various industries lining the banks and even catching fire once, miracles do happen. As a result of the hard work of the Shenandoah Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), the river was completely cleaned up and now leverages the large limestone springs south of town pumping thousands of gallons of clear, cool water into a revitalized fishery for wild browns and the normal mix of stocked trout. 106 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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The South River is wide with an easy, wader friendly gradient

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close look - the virginias While the town of Waynesboro has an easily accessible, stocked urban fishery under delayed harvest and put-and-take regulations, a better bet is the four-mile-long special regulation area south of town opened to the public in 2011. Fishing there requires a free landowner permit obtainable from the VDGIF website or the South River Fly Shop; a full-service store only a block from the river with guide service covering not only the South River but the Shenandoah, James, Jackson and mountain streams in the Shenandoah National Park (southriverflyshop.com).

Dirty look from a feisty South River brown

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new fly guy In what is a consistent theme for Virginia, the best fishing is between April and June with sulphurs, light cahill, and caddis (check with the fly shop for the specific variant) being the flies to use on the end of a 4 or 5 weight rod. The special regulation area requires anglers be on their best behavior to prove to the landowners the risk they took in opening their land to public use was justified. Never stray from the marked angler trail and only use one of the five designated parking areas. All lead to good water with my favorite being the section upstream from South Oak Lane (38.043038,-78.925506).

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Just north of Waynesboro, the Blue Ridge Mountains scream, “Fish here!” Two choices. East slope or west slope? I recommend the east slope since the water is more reliable. The smaller streams on the west slope may go bone dry in years of drought (Paine Run, West Branch Naked, and Madison). The two largest west slope streams, Big Run and Jeremy’s Run, are popular destinations primarily accessible via a tough hike from Skyline Drive. If you want to fish the west slope, check with the Mossy Creek Fly Shop for real time advice (mossycreekflyfishing. com). Moving to the east slope, the famous Rapidan River is always a good choice, but do not neglect its lesser-known neighbors - the Conway, Rose, Hughes and Hazel Rivers. Ignore the “river” designation – these are small streams where short 10 to 15 foot casts do the job to waiting brook trout that will eat just about anything presented properly. Key flies are Mr. Rapidan, mosquito, adams, blue wing olives and terrestrials (ants, crickets). This is ideal Tenkara water with either the 8’10” TenkaraUSA RHODO or Temple Fork’s 8’6” Cutthroat rods being the weapons of choice. No Tenkara? A 3 or 4 weight works fine. Fishing is physically demanding given the need for stealth, slippery rocks, large boulders and dense underbrush making streamside movement challenging. Leaving the feasible, yet strenuous, hike to each of these rivers from Skyline Drive to the very fit, normal humans usually approach from the foothills.

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Paine Run and other small west slope streams can completely dry up in a bad year as shown in this 2010 picture.

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close look - the virginias The parking area for the Hughes River at the Old Rag Mountain parking lot (38.589848,-78.315321) is approximately a half mile from the trailhead (38.573030, -78.295552) and the public water is another half mile beyond that via an easement across private property. Public pressure on Hazel is controlled by the limited parking (3 cars) three quarters of a mile from the Park boundary (38.614976,-78.256624; walk up Hungry Horse Lane). Getting to the Conway requires bumping over a rough dirt road doable on a gently driven â&#x20AC;&#x153;flatlandâ&#x20AC;? vehicle to reach a small turnout at 38.432682,-78.4338. Once there, bushwhack west and carefully slide down the steep 20-foot embankment to reach the stream; the trail is on the far side. There are good hiking trails adjacent to the Rapidan, Conway, Hazel and Hughes rivers. The Rose River trailhead has room for six or seven vehicles (38.514334,-78.365769). After entering the Park, anglers can begin fishing immediately by walking 100 yards downhill to the stream. However, the best fishing is upstream from where the trail takes a permanent sharp turn away from the stream, leaving the angler in deep forest with not even a beaten game path next to the stream. Regardless of which stream you choose, bring a canister of bear spray or noisemakers (whistle, air horn) since the Shenandoah National Park has a robust population of black bears. 112 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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A better, more scenic option during the stocking season is Chopawamsic Creek on the Quantico Marine Corps Base (38.528413, -77.381977). The best fishing on Chopawamisic is beyond the final vehicle gate. Walk or “fish bike” upstream to the dam; paying special attention to the two ponds at the top. The creek is open to the public, but everyone, military and civilian alike, must have a Quantico license ($10) available at either the Game Check Station (38.512500, -77.388636) or on Base at the Marine Corps Exchange sporting goods counter (show your driver’s license at the gate). The Base Commander usually closes vehicle access at the turnoff from the main road when the trout are gone. In an article this short, I cannot discuss all the great places to fish in Virginia. In particular, where you may want to go depends on season, where you happen to be and what is close by. Unlike the days long ago when we would find out about fishing locations by getting friends drunk, there are no secrets any longer. Actually, that is a good thing. Secret water might get polluted or developed if it does not have a constituency. Google “paint branch brown trout” for an example of a wild trout stream in Maryland that would have been wiped out if kept secret.

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new fly guy The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has gone the extra mile to ensure anglers know every opportunity to wet a line. Not only does this increase license revenue and the sportsmen spend in local areas, but it gives everyone the opportunity to experience a broader set of locations than are documented in books, websites, or whispered about at Trout Unlimited meetings; spreading the pressure. If you intend to fish in Virginia, bookmark this webpage: www. dgif.virginia.gov/gis/google-earth-files.asp as it has a series of downloadable KMZ files readable in the free Google Earth application. Pretty much every fishing location in Virginia to include boating access, wildlife management areas, fishing lakes and other interesting spots is recorded as a “placemark.” A quick click reveals the species of fish, regulations, surrounding terrain and driving directions. Visit the KayakHacksFishing channel on YouTube for fly fishing and kayaking hacks (tips and tricks). For stream specific guidance on fishing in Virginia, visit catchguide.com or check out Steve’s books available on Amazon: •Wade Fishing the Rapidan River of Virginia •Wade Fishing the Rappahannock River of Virginia •Wade and Shoreline Fishing the Potomac River for Smallmouth Bass

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Waynesboro

icking Virginia’s “Top Trout Town” was an easy choice. It has everything a trout hungry fly fisher can hope to find: uality, ambience and abundance. If you live in the Cavalier State and own a fly rod, odds are that this designation does not surprise you. If it’s “news” to you, then you need to stop what you are doing, and head to Waynesboro.

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Trout Town

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close look - the virginias Home to over 20,000 residents, Waynesboro is a historic town located in the Shenandoah Valley. Important historical markers of the Civil War and Shenandoah National Park are found here, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, and the Appalachian Trail are less than five miles away. Despite all of this, Waynesboro has not degenerated into Vegas-style tourist trap, but is rather better described as getaway oasis, especially for fly fishers. While the shops, bed-and-breakfasts, and great dining venues found in Waynesboro are pretty impressive, the center piece that qualifies it as Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Trout Town is the South River. This smooth glide of water bisects the middle of town and is chock full of rainbow and brown trout. Great fly fishing for trout in this urban setting is no accident. One of the first free flowing streams in the South to be so managed, in the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) manages a delayed harvest (DH) section on the South River in Waynesboro. Stockings on the DH section of South River begin in October and continue through early spring. This twomile section of river receives three stocking during this period. Additionally, this section of the river also is the recipient trout stocked (permitted by the VDGIF) the Shenandoah TU Chapter of Trout Unlimited and funds by anglers, Waynesboro tourism groups, and the South River Fly Shop. Stockings include rainbows in the twenty-inches and larger class.

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Fly Fishers can access the DH section of the South River is at Constitution Park located on Main Street in Waynesboro. Less than a block away is the South River Fly Shop where you can get daily reports on the prolific Mother’s Day caddisfly hatch on the river, or what streamer pattern is performing miracles that particular day. Fly fishing in the HD section is outstanding until summer, but then makes a comeback in the autumn when trout are stocked to join those that survived the taking season. As important as the South River in Waynesboro is in it designation as a Top Trout Town, it is just the tip of the iceberg of hidden, nearby trout fishing waters. A short drive away is Shenandoah National Park that boasts almost four score dashing rivulet that many rank as the best native brook trout fishing in the South. Despite this, fly fishing pressure on many of the park streams is surprisingly light. Waynesboro also sets smack dab in the middle of large and small trout streams that are literally too numerous to list. The Shenandoah Valley that was so hotly contested in the Civil War is home to Mossy Creek, Beaver Creek, Ramsey’s Draft, St. Mary’s River, Jackson River, Dry River, Jackson Tailwater, Back Creek, Tye River, Upper South River, Moormans River and North River. Today is the controversy is where to fish.

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“Our downtown restaurants and businesses are very supportive and often contribute to projects that improve the fishery on the South River,” explains Tommy Lawhorne, President of Destination Downtown Waynesboro and co-owner of the South River Fly Shop. “There are lots of great things coming for the future on the South River including regulation changes to Catch and

Release, expansion of the streams that are full of South River Greenway for native brook trout” Community support better access, and the new South River Fly Fishing Expo and enthusiasm for nonobtrusive green tourism as an annual celebration and fundraiser for continued local economy are another improvements. The South reason why Waynesboro is the state’s Top Trout River flowing through Downtown Waynesboro is Town. “Community some of the best public trout leaders have always water in the Virginia, and recognized that the South Waynesboro is surrounded River was an asset to by The Shenandoah the City,” notes Courtney National Park and George Cranor, Assistant Director Washington National Forest of Waynesboro Economic

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Development & Tourism. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Throughout the years, various organizations have worked to improve the fishing experience both downtown and upstream by removing dams, creating put in areas, and repairing banks. Annual festivals are held in nearby parks to promote the recreational aspects and the environmental conservation of the watershed. In recent years,

the Center for Coldwaters Restoration has formed to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;foster long term and sustainable natural resource- based economic developmentâ&#x20AC;?. The organization is exploring a number of initiatives including an interpretive center, hatchery, research, and education to focus on the river and surrounding area. The Office of Economic Development and Tourism, in concert

with other departments and agencies, works to create recreational opportunities to improve the quality of life for residents and create new visitor experiences to enhance our ability to become a destination. The greenway trail, water trail, and improvements in Constitution Park which will provide easier access to the river, are all examples of how the City is working towards this goal.

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If the proof is in the pudding, consider that a couple of years ago Tycoon Tackle located in Waynesboro. One of the oldest names in fly fishing, Tycoon rods were the favorites of such notables has Ernest Hemingway. The resurrected Tycoon Tackle name has already created an enormous footprint in the fly fishing world. When asked what qualifies Waynesboro to claim the title as Virginia’s Top Trout Town, Dr. Tim O’brien, President of Tycoon Tackle responded with, ”Waynesboro is located on the edge of the Shenandoah Valley, many trout streams are easily accessible from the city. More importantly, the South River runs right through Waynesboro. It is a beautiful river that teems with life.” “I think in the coming years you will see increased growth and interest in both sports due to the natural beauty, the ecosystem, and the care of interested parties,” continues O’brien. “The fishing and kayaking to the business is important to the community of Waynesboro. There is a lot of room and opportunity to grow…I do think it is “still a secret” to many people beyond the immediate area.” Waynesboro is the home of the South River Fly Fishing Expo. Inaugurated in 2016 after the departure of a previous outdoor fly fishing venue, the new two day event celebrates fly fishing on the South River and throughout Virginia. The first year Expo hosted by Destination Downtown Waynesboro featured Stu Apte, Greg Senyo, Pat Dorsey, Will Turek, and Chuch Kraft, and Walt Cary. This year as last year, the speaker lineup is impressive

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and there will also be numerous presentation from local and regional guides and fly tiers. Proceeds from the event will be used to support Destination Downtown Waynesboro and habitat restoration on the South River. Even older is Waynesboroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Riverfest reaches more than 1600 children and adults and emphasizes our commitment and responsibility to the conservation of our natural resources. This free annual event takes place river-side at Constitution Park. Activities include: the Fish and Fun Rodeo, Stream electro-fishing with DGIF, and a Stream Safari. Commitment to a wonderful, God given resource by the community qualifies it as Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Trout Town (not to mention the incredible fishing).

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Harrisonburg, Virginia

ossy Creek Fly Fishing in Harrisonburg, Virginia is what southern fly fishermen wistfully refer to as their “Happy Place.” Well-stocked and tasteful, no matter where you are going fishing or what you are casting to, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing can outfit you. Also, they will ply you with all of the information you need to venture on a great fly fishing trip. It would not be inaccurate to say that it is a well-stocked, tasteful collision of Old South traditional fly fishing and New South cutting edge fly fishing. At Southern Trout, we too refer to the few such places that exist in the world as a “Happy Place.”

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing is the creation of two brothers, Brian and Colby Trow, who a couple of decades ago cobbled a fly fishing addiction into one of the top fly shops in Virginia, and a fly shop that has an enviable national following. From the outside looking in, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing is a textbook example of a well-conceived, execute and managed business plan. “My brother Brian and I have been fly fishing crazies since 1989,” explains Colby Trow. “Fly fishing and fly tying consumed our lives in middle and high school. The Fly Fishers of Virginia club based in Richmond help mentor us and provided a great platform for our fishing careers. We became featured fly tiers at local shops and events and even attended the College Park Fly Fishing show as featured fly tiers at age 13.”

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Early in life, Colbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knack for tying deer hair bugs enabled him to begin selling to fly shops and local anglers through his middle school and high school years. Later, while students at James

Madison University, Brian and Colby gained an opportunity to spend many summers daily fishing the Valley and the Shenandoah River. Colby began instructing and guiding for a local fly shop during the last two

years of college. Within one year of graduating JMU, Brian and Colby jointly invested in their own business. Colby and Brian (twins) were 23 when they opened up Mossy Creek Fly Fishing early in 2003.

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close look - virginias “Brian and I are and have always been the visionaries behind the shop,” says Colby. “However, we have an incredible team of 12 guides and staff. Guys like Bob Cramer and LE Rhodes, our veteran guides with 30+ years of experience fishing in the Shenandoah Valley provide incredible insight into what clients want and how to constantly provide better quality service. Tom Sadler is an AFFTA board member, president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Patagonia Fly Fishing Ambassador, and conservation lobby guru. Tom is so deeply entrenched in all facets of fly fishing he plays a critical role in helping keep the shop driving forward at rapid pace to stay ahead of the curve.”

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featured fly shop â&#x20AC;&#x153;Melissa is our new full-time team member who is an incredible artist and designer doing wonders building our brand. Our youthful guides Shane, Jacob, Wayne, Eric, Jess, and Buzz provide professional, fun, and enthusiastic flavor that makes our schools and guide service so popular. Brian and I take all of this and package into daily tasks of managing the retail operation, online store, social media, marketing, accounting, purchasing, fly fishing schools and fully booked guide service all while trying to give back as much as possible to the sport and the wonderful people that support us,â&#x20AC;? notes Colby.

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When asked what makes his part of Virginia a special destination for fly fishermen, Colby’s quick response is, “The diversity! We are 15 minutes from wild mountain trout in the Allegheny Mountains to our west and Blue Ridge Mountains to our east. Freestone streams tumble out of the mountains toward the valley providing some special regulation, delayed harvest, and stocked trout fishing opportunities. We have spring creeks minutes away from our fly shop holding some of our best brown and rainbow trout fishing. The Shenandoah River is less than 10 miles away and we are about one hour from the James River where we have world class smallmouth and musky fishing along with great opportunities for carp, largemouth, gar, and other warm water species. Lakes and ponds are also nearby with grass carp, bass, sunfish, and also some provide some good trout fishing. Mix that with two-hour drives from Richmond, Roanoke, and D.C. and we have found we are in a pretty prime location” When asked how has trout fishing interest and business grown in Virginia over the last two decades, Colby noted that he believes fly fishing in general is growing in Virginia and across the country. “As a board member of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association and paying close attention to trends and survey information, fly fishing overall seems healthy. We have been open since 2003 and we have grown greatly every year. We can attribute this growth to our amazing team of guides and support crew,” says Colby. Mossy Creek Fly Fishing is Orvis endorsed and has been a TU endorsed business almost from the beginning of the program. This year, through our many conservation efforts locally and regionally, TU endorsed us as a Gold Level Business Partner. The store stocks Abel, Orvis, Simms, Patagonia, Sage, Scott, Hatch, Lamson, Rio, Fishpond, Redington, Scientific Anglers, Umpqua, Tibor, Cheeky, Montana Fly, Rainy’s, Brodin, C&F, NRS, Tenkara USA, Renzetti, Regal, Loon, Dr. Slick, Wapsi, Rumpf, Spirit River, Hareline, Kreinik, and many more great products. The store also has the largest selection of flies and fly tying materials in the state. All of this popular product can be found at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing’s complete online store.

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close look - virginias “Tenkara is one of the biggest things we committed to in recent years,” says Colby. “A couple of years back a local magazine ran an article on the fun and simplicity of Tenkara fly fishing. The weekend the story was published, we sold twenty Tenkara outfits. Many of these were sold to people who were ardent hikers and saw Tenkara as a fun thing to do while in the backcountry, plus provide them with meals they did not have to pack in. We knew immediately that Tenkara was going to be

a lot more than a passing years old approach to fly fishing,” says Colby. fad,” say Colby. “Mossy Creek Fly Fishing has the distinction of being the first full service Tenkara fly shop in the US. Even today with the explosion in interest in Tenkara in the region, we are still rated as the top Tenkara shop in the country. While it is certainly a great gateway to more technical fly fishing, many fly fishermen have totally converted to it. We have a full-time Tenkara guide, Tom Sadler, who knows the ways of this 2,000

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing’s commitment to the angling community is impressive, if not spectacular. For the last ten years the shop has thrown it’s full supportbehind Project Healing Waters. “We hosted a few of the first outings with Ed Nicholson and participants from Walter Reed,” explains Colby. “After those 1st few outings hosted at Mossy Creek Lodge with Bob

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YOUR TIME, OUR PLACE

Fitch, we formed the Mossy Creek Invitational Tournament Fundraiser. We had a 10 year goal of raising a million dollars for the program. With modest beginnings the event grew huge and the support was overwhelming. We hit the million dollar mark two years ago in year seven! The event has currently raised over 1.4 million dollars in nine years and next year will be our 10th anniversary fundraiser. Brian currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Project Healing Waters.â&#x20AC;?

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West Virginia’s Mr. Fly Fishing Curtis Fleming

It’s a heady title, but as

Cassius Clay once noted, “It aint bragging if it is true.” Growing up in a small town in North Central West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains Curtis Flemings says, West Virginia has one of the largest outdoor playgrounds in the world with some incredible fishing, hunting, and recreational activities for all types of people. The outdoors is deeply breed into me, it’s a part of me.” Fleming is the host of the acclaimed television show, “Fly Rod Chronicles” that airs on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network (WFN), Wild TV in Canada and three regional networks in the Mid-Atlantic region. It is the country’s top rated fly fishing show, and it has allowed its host to travel worldwide to many of the top fishing spots most only dream about sampling. So, how did a West Virginia born and bred achieve such a lofty position in the world of fly fishing?

“I did not pick up fly fishing until I was 30 years old,” says Fleming. “I grew up spin fishing for trout and anything else willing to bite. My dad was the biggest influence in my life. He was a West Virginia underground coal miner that worked long hours. Anytime he had off, he took me hunting and fishing.” “During my early adulthood I was a teacher. Every year I took inter-city kids to a fly fishing school. It didn’t take long being exposed to fly fishing that the sport became an addiction for me and a true passion of mine. Next I started a fly fishing school. Deep inside I had long wanted to have an outdoor television show. The art of fly fishing was the catalyst for me to share my passion and travels with the rest of the world. Shortly after this awakening Fly Rod Chronicles (FRC) was coined as a reality fly fishing show and my conduit to share my travels and experiences on the water ”

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close look - the virginias “I take pride in being the ambassador of fly fishing in West Virginia”... Fly Fishing and FRC has not only allowed Fleming to travel the world seeing many incredible things, but also just as important, it has enabled his family to join along for the ride. Viewers of the Fly Rod Chronicles often think all Fleming does is fish. In reality though, FRC is an in-house production company. Besides fly fishing the company manages lots of relationships while striving to be on the cutting edge. TV is fast paced and constantly changing, notes Fleming, who adds that It take a lot of work to stay competitive in this market. “It’s a business just like any other with lots of different facets and nuances but at the end of the day we get to talk about the sport and industry that we love every single day”, says Curtis. “FRC is becoming a family business and it's the hardest work that I've ever done,” says Fleming. Our mission is to provide additional participation and growth within the fly fishing industry through the responsible development of the FRC brand. FRC is the steward and educator for the protection and enhancement of the environment for future generations.”

Despite his globe hopping fly fishing exploits, Fleming is West Virginian “to the core.” From the onset his dream has always been for the state of West Virginia to sponsor the show. The dream came true four years ago and now Curtis is honored to be "West Virginia's Fly Fishing Ambassador." Fleming loves meeting and fishing with fellow West Virginians and visitors that come to the Mountain State. “I take pride in being the ambassador of fly fishing in West Virginia,” explains Fleming. “I want to show the rest of the world what we have right here in my backyard. West Virginia is very special and rich in natural resources. My daughter, Laken, who co-hosts our show just broke an IGFA World Record with a carp on her fly rod in West Virginia. It humbles me and makes me proud to know that we have many world records right here in our home state. You cannot only fly fish for trout but multiple species throughout our state. Every river is different and has its own unique personality, plus they say you never step on the same river twice as its a constantly changing living ecosystem. Our home rivers have a special place in my heart.”

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close look - the virginias Fleming notes that the easiest part of producing FRC is that he is doing what he loves. Not everyone is so blessed to have his or her passion become a career. Of course, everyone thinks that all he does is fish, which definitely is the easiest part. In reality though, there is more to a fishing show than just fishing. If that were the case, everyone would be doing it! “The business end is probably about 95% of what I do,” says Fleming. “Fishing is the other 5%. Traveling can be stressing and brutal at times. Maintaining partnerships with sponsors is very important but consumes us as well. We air on multiple networks including Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network (WFN), WildTV in Canada and also three regional mid-Atlantic networks. Each of these networks require significant management and their own marketing strategies. Every day I wake up, I thank God for being able to do what I do.”

“I would like to share to anyone reading or listening,” notes Fleming, “when stressing over problems, grab a fly rod and spend some time with someone you love. Always find time to take a

kid, veteran, or loved one fishing.” “We are currently working on a nonprofit project called Curtis' Kids. We want to take as many kids outdoors as possible and teach them the art

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of fly fishing. We have turned this into a family business and I hope one day to pass it down to my daughters and let them enjoy the life that I live. We also are beginning to stream all of our episodes

online in a netflix-eque app put together by Outdoor Channel and their parent company. The app is called My Outdoor TV, download it and stream FRC anywhere, anytime. Also be sure to

use our promo code to get a our special offer. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FlyExporations.

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Craig Miller

Lewisburg, West Virginia “Some flies catch fisherman, while others catch fish,” says Craig Miller, a professional tier for Serenity Now Outfitters in Lewisburg, West Virginia. “Occasionally, you’ll find one that catches both.” Perhaps Miller did not actually coin that phrase, but it is beyond debate that he pretty much said all that can be said about flies in two sentences. Miller was born and raised in West Virginia, but he has also lived and fished along the South Carolina coast and in the Colorado Rockies. Like so many southern fly fishermen, he did you grow up fly fishing for West Virginia’s mountain trout, but early in life he primarily fished for bass species with his father on lakes and impoundments. “My father always got a kick out of fly fishing for panfish during the late pre-spawn period,” says Miller. “This was my first encounter fly fishing, throwing small surface poppers to hungry bluegill. I first picked up a fly rod for the first time when I was 7 or 8 years old. Roughly at around 11 years of age, I tied my first flies, Adams and Wooly Buggers, as part of a Cub Scouts’ project.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 149

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“Since the introduction to fly tying with the Cub Scouts, I have always had a fascination with the art of tying. It wasn’t until I was in Colorado in the mid 90s that I really began to tie proficiently. Even then, it was out of necessity due to the fact that I would regularly lose 10-20 flies in a day fishing the deep tailwaters with tandem nymph rigs. That got expensive really quickly.”

Miller notes that he is a largely self-taught fly tier. However, he is quick to point out that a friend who was a mentor of sorts. Rim Chung, influenced Miller not so much by his beautiful and effective fly creations, such as the RS2, but by his humbleness. “We shared the South Platte in Colorado for about three days in a row,” says Miller. “On the second day, we both took a lunch break roughly

around the same time, and he invited me to join him. Mind you, I saw him only as another fisherman that I was sharing the waters with during the time. As we began to speak and discuss the day’s events, I nonchalantly asked him if he ‘tied.’ He looked at me with a slight grin, and said, ‘a little.’ Rim proceeded to pull out three fly boxes with hundreds of flies crammed in each one, all organized to perfection, and then told

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me that these were his. It wasn’t another week or two before it dawned on me who he was, and that ‘his’ flies weren’t only flies that belonged to Rim, they were his own patterns. Rim was the antithesis of many of the fly fisherman I have run into over the years who rarely grow tired of constantly patting themselves on the back and pounding their chests.” Miller is the unassuming sort who likes to fly under

the radar, and to him Rim’s style was refreshing. He does not normally compete in anything fly fishing related such as fly tying competitions, as he is of the opinion that competition comes from within. Miller noted that he did come in second place last year at the Virginia Beach Iron Fly event sponsored by Pig Farm Ink, which he excused by saying, “A few beers, all bets are off…”

When Miller first began tying trout flies, some of the patterns he tied most often include midge patterns, such as the RS2, Miracle Nymph, and WD40. These were the most common flies that he tied due to their effectiveness, ease of tying, and his lack of funds to buy pre-tied flies in volume. Miller has developed a handful of musky fly patterns, which is what he mostly ties

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close look - virginias these days. However, he has also created a CDC stonefly pattern for use when early black stoneflies are about that has been quite effective. “When fishing the local trout streams of West Virginia, there are five fly patterns that I consider essential to carry,” notes Miller. “These are #16 Yellow Stimulators, #24 BWO Comparaduns, #20 Black Beautys, #14 Deer Hair Bees, and #16 Hares Ear Wets. Some of the older, traditional patterns you like to fish and tie include the Gray Ghost and Roy Mann Inchworm.” “As a fly tier who is also a fly fishing guide, I feel that being an experienced, knowledgeable tier enables me to give my clients a decent edge. It allows me to substitute and/or add certain materials for patterns to help improve movement, durability, visibility, and cast-ability depending on the client, body of water, and fish activity. It also provides us the means to replicate 152 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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what we see on the water in a fly form, possibly from a different viewpoint or an untapped forage item that we haven’t tackled before.” When it comes to tying materials, Miller notes that he has used everything and anything he can find that is commercially available or fresh out of the neighbor’s

dumpster. He adds too that he really likes the various fish skulls manufactured the Flymen Fishing Company. Miller also teaches others how to tie flies. Miller’s advice to would-be fly tiers is as follows: “The only way to succeed and grow in the art of fly tying is to spend

time at the vice. Not all flies will come out perfect, but they don’t always have to be perfect to the human eye. The fish ultimately have the final say on what works and what doesn’t.”

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Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trout arti

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ist

featured artist

eatured 2016 Virginia Fly Fishing Festival Artist, multiinstrumentalist, and song writer Deloy Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artwork is a beautiful clash of two natural elements: first the canvas of wood or rock pulled directly from the earth and second the subject, articulated beautifully onto said canvas. In colorful representation, Moore manages to relay the beauty and variety of trout while also maintaining individual style as an artist and letting his brushstrokes define his technique in the artistic community.

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Creative wood burning, pyrography as Moore clarifies, became a part of his artistic life in his twenties and soon after came pen and ink, then finally painting. “When in high School I took 3 years of Drafting and Design. But I had a good sense of perspective in my drawings. I have had drawing talent since my early teens, but painting came way later.” When asked where his professional career as an artist began, Moore explained the turning point. “I really did not see myself as a professional artist until I took a month off in December of 1984 and went to Beaverton, Oregon to do my very first art show. I took 500 pieces of different wildlife scenes, all on wood. It took me a year to wood burn and paint just for that show. I would have to say that’s when I became a professional artist. I was making money.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 159

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Born in Germany, Moore’s family migrated to the US when his father was stationed at Dover Airbase in Delaware. “the states when I was seven. My father was stationed in Dover Airbase in Delaware. When I was younger I used to hunt the marsh for ducks, with a Labrador dog, and the whole bit. Then I put the gun away, and started shooting pictures instead shooting wildlife,” Moore explains, “the states when I was seven. My father was stationed in Dover Airbase in Delaware. When I was 160 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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younger I used to hunt the marsh for ducks, with a Labrador dog, and the whole bit. Then I put the gun away, and started shooting pictures instead shooting wildlife.” Primarily painting in

acrylic and watercolor, Moore selects the canvas best suited for his work. “I now paint about fifty pieces a year, mostly on rocks, because they are my best seller. When I paint my fish I look for rock that is best suited for that fish.” Moore does commissioned work as well and says that the better the picture offered of the subject, the better the painting comes out. “Sometimes I have people just ask me to paint a certain fish and let me do it the way I want. It works really well that way.” The most challenging aspect of his work comes in the detail of the fish Moore paints and in picking the right rock or piece of wood to create the piece on. “My best received work so far is the brook trout I painted for the 2016 Virginia Fly Fishing Festival, where I received featured artist of 2016. The fish also made it on thousands of tee shirts, which I believe sold out. The next best-received work was a big brown trout I painted for a friend of mine. That fish was a commissioned piece.” “My advice for would-be artist is to get involved in the subject you are painting,” Moore says, “How it moves, what it eats, how it walks, swims, and flies. Go out in its environment and watch your subject and take lots of pictures. That really helps you become a great artist. As an artist I would like to share with other artists, you think the piece you are painting is finished, it may be but may not. I have had paintings I had to get away from, because maybe the color is just not right. Taking that extra time makes all the difference. It’s that passion to painting that can give you the most reward.” Moore’s many works can be viewed on his website at http://tangledrootsstudio.com/ .

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book review

ased on fly fishing for brook trout in the Shenandoah National Park, The Gift of Jeremy’s Run: Virginia's Hidden Gem (Createspace, 2013) by Justin Freehan is a delightfully, beautifully illustrated 86 page book that strikes you immediately as a labor of love.. The Gift of Jeremy’s Run: Virginia's Hidden Gem came about after Freehan’s countless adventures fly-fishing for

many of North America’s prized game fish. He discovered that one particular stretch of water holds a special place within his heart. Jeremy’s Run, a pristine mountain stream within Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, is home to a native population of brook trout. Through his photographic journey of Jeremy’s Run, you will learn everything you need to know about how to chase these beautiful trout on the fly.

Come explore the art of fly-fishing for native brook trout through his photographic journey. Interesting too is the fact that Freehan used the internet based kickstarter. com to successfully raise $3,003 with 40 backers to make the project a reality. To his collection of investors, Fleehan wrote, “After what seemed to be an eternity I can officially say that I am currently holding the first proof copy of The Gift of Jeremy's Run. Let me begin by saying thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this dream a reality. Not only that but also thank you for your patience as I underwent the publishing process and learned truly how taxing and long this process can be (that is much longer than expected).” If the brook trout has a place in your heart, this title has a place on the shelf of your favorite books on southern fly fishing. It’s a dandy read. Available on Amazon.com

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Rick Robbins: Virginia’s Cane Master

“I

only build bamboo fly rods,” states Rick Robbins, the best known cane builder in Lexington, Virginia, or for that matter, in the entire Cavalier State. “Every component of each rod, with the exception of the guides, is made from scratch in my shop in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Here, the ferrules and reel seat hardware are fabricated in nickel silver, the wraps in silk under spar varnish, the grips built from cork rings from Portugal, and the reel seats of a variety of hardwoods. The bamboo is harvested from a little ten-mile square area on the Sui River in China.”

“In college, I assembled and wrapped my first fly rods” says Robbins. “All were done on fiberglass blanks by Winston and Fenwick. Economy was a prime mover. Funds were most scarce during my student days. When I first started fly fishing, there were only three choices: fiberglass, bamboo, and the occasional steel-telescoping rod. Synthetic rod technology has changed dramatically since then with graphite clearly now dominating the market. Little has changed in bamboo rod blank technology over the past 100 years. Trends in rod length, ferrule design, hollow building, finishes, heat treating, guide design, and the like, ebb and flow, but at the heart of the blank, it’s the same as those first crafted by Samuel Phillipe, H.L. Leonard and others.”

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close look - virginias While a student at the University of Texas, I began to fish the Guadalupe River tailwater and met Bill Parvin, a dealer for H. L. Leonard rods. I was taken with the magic of bamboo, and ended up buying a Leonard 48 DF from Parvin before I graduated. It was the first thing I ever bought on credit. I fish it still.” Tom Maxwell, one of the cofounders of the Thomas & Thomas Rod Co. and later, he became the manager of H.L. Leonard Rod Co. He also was Robbin’s mentor and best friend for over 25 years. The two met on the banks of Falling Spring Branch in Pennsylvania in 1971. Robbins was fishing a 48DF and Tom was fishing one of his creations. They hit it off immediately. It wasn’t long before Maxwell was encouraging Robbins to take a hand at building his own cane rods. Maxwell gave him an old straight taper, nonadjustable Herter’s planning form and the

journey began. Over the next many years, Maxwell influenced Robbin’s taper designs, actions, finish work and most importantly the striving for quality and precision in every rod. Robbins spoke at Tom’s funeral and helped spread his ashes in 1998, noting that he still misses his friend and mentor. Robbins is a welltraveled fly fishermen who regards the South Holston River tailwater in Tennessee and the wee streams in Blue Ridge Mountain of Virginia as his “home waters.” In Pennsylvania, he notes that is quite partial to private portions of Fishing Creek and McMichael’s Creek. Out west, Robbins’ absolute favorite is a tailwater whose name name he would not speak, although he did cough up a passion for Silver Creek, the Henry’s Fork, and others in Idaho. The Big Hole, the upper Black Foot, and the Clark Fork in Montana often haunt his dreams.

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Robbins says that with the exception of his Steeves Series, his bamboo rods are all compound, progressive tapers and form the bulk of the tapers which he designs. Within that realm, most anglers choose a med-fast type action. Powerful butt sections coupled with faster tips that drop in taper significantly over the last eight inches below the tip top, seem

to be the most popular ones. “If you want a good bamboo ‘mountain’ rod, I recommend a 7 or 7.5’ rod for V weight lines,” says Robbins. “This may be slightly longer than some builders choose, but I find the extra length helps with the tight dapping-type casts and provides leverage to handle the occasional larger fish in small pools. I go with a V-weight line to cast offerings primarily to native brook trout. These gems of

the mountain streams are often suckers for a large bushy size 12 Royal Wulff or a size 10 bead-head wooly bugger. Lighter lines seem a bit handicapped with these sizes and styles.” “My recommendations for a bamboo tailwater river differs as most tailwaters are larger than the mountain streams,” continues Robbins. “Here, precision casting over a variety of distances is often key to success. Also, many of

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featured rod builder

the flies here are tiny. I rely on two rods for most tailwaters. One is an 8’ 3pc bamboo rod for IV weight lines. This past summer, I fished a western tailwater, whose name shall not be spoken, for three five-day weeks under a blizzard of trico spinners every morning. The fishing was world class and most of the fish were in the 15” to 22” range. The eight footer for four coupled with a 50” Cutthroat braided

leader and two feet of Trout Hunter 6.5X tippet and a size 24 spent wing trico was just the ticket for this short–cast fishing. When the wind comes up or the golden stones are on the water, I go to a 7’9” 3pc for VI. This powerful cane rod handles the larger flies and the wind. In extreme cases, I go to a Steeve’s Series 7’ 2pc for VI. That old reprobate and fly designer, and my best fishing buddy, Harrison

Steeves, had me design this rod to push large terrestrials into western winds. It will do that.” For more, visit Robbins at www. rickrobbinsbambooflyrods. com, or call 540-463-2864. He welcomes visitors at his shop that is located west of Lexington, VA, but askes that you please call beforehand to set up a time.

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Natural State Fly Shop is located within walking distance of the fabled White River, just up the road from the Cotter boat launch and public access. A full-service retailer and outfitter, Natural State Fly Shop offer flies, tackle, rental driftboats, shuttles, guided float trips on the White and Norfork Rivers, and guided wade trips on Dry Run Creek. Featuring products by Winston, Ross, Galvan, TroutHunter, Catch Fly Fishing, and many more; Natural State Fly Shop offers everything that the visiting fly fisherman needs. Natural State Fly Shop Shop: 870-471-9111

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close look - virginias

The author fishes many of the finest trout stream in the country every year and he rates the Shenandoah National Park streams close to the top of the list. 172 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK POCKET PRIMER

Harry Murray

The beautiful streams in the Shenandoah National Park provide some of the finest fishing for wild brook trout that one can want. From June through September natural terrestrial insects become an important part of these trouts' diet. Black ants, a broad variety of beetles and mountain wasp are all present in great numbers along these streams and the trout feed heavily upon all of them. Flies which are very productive at this time are the Mr. Rapidan Ant sizes 14 to 20, Murray's Flying Beetle sizes 14 to 18 and Shenk's Cricket size 16. The best fishing in the Park is from the middle of March through June. By parking at the trail heads on the Skyline Drive and hiking down to the upper reaches of the streams you will usually get the finest dry fly fishing the Park offers. During the summer the streams usually get low and the fishing is very challenging. However, by using a very cautious approach, a 6X or 7X leader and the terrestrials mentioned you can still catch trout. My basic fly selection for the Park includes the Mr. Rapidan Dry Fly sizes 14, 16, & 18, Quill Gordon Dry size 14, Blue Quill Dry size 16, Gray Fox Dry size 14, Light Cahill Dry size 14, Murray's Sulphur Dry size 16, March Brown Dry size 14, Murray's Little Yellow Stonefly Dry size 16, Shenk's Cricket size 16, Mr. Rapidan Dry Ant sizes 14 to 20, Olive Elk Hair Caddis size 16, Murray's Flying Beetle size 14 to 18, Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph sizes 12 and 14, March Brown Nymph size 14, and Mr. Rapidan Soft Hackle, Olive size 14 and 16.

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close look - virginias The brook trout is the king in the Shenandoah National Park.

Big Run Many anglers believe Big Run is the finest stream in the Park. There are two trails into Big Run from the Skyline Drive. The stream is quite small here so you will probably want to hike down this trail toward Rocky Mountain Run. The second access point is from Brown Mountain Overlook at Milepost 77. Take the Brown Mountain Trail down 0.7 miles to the Rocky Mountain Run Trail, and follow this 2.7 miles down to Big Run. East Branch Naked Creek The best access to this stream is from the Naked Creek Overlook just south of Milepost 53 on the western side of the Skyline Drive. There is no legal access at the lower end of this stream. From the overlook, hike down the left side of the grassy area past the tree line. Swinging left and down the mountain, you may be able to locate an old trail. Though rugged, this is one of the most beautiful parts of the Park. Hughes River 174 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

The top of this stream can be reached from two different trails from the Skyline Drive.The Corbin Cabin Cutoff Trail provides good access if you park at the Shaver Hollow parking area just north of Milepost 38. This trail meets the Nicholson Hollow Trail 1.4 miles down the mountain. The latter trail parallels the stream to the lower park boundary. You can also park at Stony Man Overlook between Milepost 38 and 39. About one hundred yards north is the head of the Nicholson Hollow Trail. Follow this 1.8 miles down to the stream. There is also access at the lower Park boundary. Take Route 600 from Nethers to the bus parking lot for Old Rag Mountain. About a half mile on the right take the Nicholson Hollow Trail up into the Park.

Ivy Creek The easiest access is at Pinefield Gap on the Skyline Drive. Park at the gate just south of Milepost 75 and walk north about one hundred yards to the Appalachian Trail. Take this trail east down to Pinefield Hut. From here, down to the stream, you must follow this drainage hollow. This stream supports a good trout population throughout the entire drainage, even in the upper section.There is no legal access at the lower end of this stream.

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close look - virginias Jeremy’s Run Access to this stream is from the Skyline Drive at the lower side of the Elkwallow Picnic area at Milepost 24. Park in the second parking area, and take the connecting trail for less than one hundred yards to the Appalachian Trail. This trail meets the Jeremy’s Run Trail in a short distance, where the former makes a sharp turn to the left. The Jeremy’s Run Trail follows the stream its full length.

Madison Run Access to the lower Park boundary can be gained by parking on Route 708 and hiking up the Madison Run Road. Top access is available by parking at the Brown Gap parking area at Milepost 83 on the western side of the Skyline Drive. Hike down the Madison Run Road. Since the stream flow is small up high and it’s about a four mile hike down to good water most anglers go in at the lower Park boundary.

The author dons wool gloves, a down vest and raincoat in order to fish in the Park in the spring because he knows that the brook trout feed well once the water temperature holds at 40 degrees for several days.

Meadow Run Many anglers know this stream as Riprap. There is access at the lower end north of Rt. 612. The best access is from the Wildcat Ridge Parking area on the Skyline Drive just south of Milepost 92. Hike down the Wildcat Ridge Trail 2.7 miles to Riprap Trail which follows the stream. There is good fishing both above and below this point. Another access point is from the Riprap Trail parking area at Milepost 90. A seventy foot connector trail takes you to the Appalachian Trail which meets

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accessed by parking at the Blackrock Gap parking lot just south of Milepost 87. Walk across the Skyline Drive and hike down the North Fork Moormans River Road. The cover, food, and fishing are better in the upper half of this stream than in the lower half. Paine Run Bottom access is good on this stream by parking on route 661 and hiking up Paine Run Trail. Park on the north side of the stream. Don’t block bus turnaround spot. At the top you can park at Blackrock Gap parking lot south of Milepost 87, and follow the above trail down the stream. From this point it is only 3.7 miles to the lower park boundary, and the trail follow the stream affording good access. Piney River This stream is accessible from the top by parking at the Piney River Riprap Trail in 0.4 miles. Follow Riprap Trail down to the Ranger Station on the Skyline stream. The best water is about three miles down the Drive just south of Milepost mountain from this parking area. 22. Hike down the Range North Fork Moormans River View Cabin Road to where This stream is managed as a “Catch and Release” stream in which no trout can be killed.Access to the lower the Piney Branch Trail leads Park boundary is available from Route 614, which is also off to the left. This last trail known as the Sugar Hollow Road. Park at the upper end follows the stream to the bottom of the mountain. of the reservoir and follow this same road up along the Pocosin River stream through the Park gate. The top of the stream is www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 177

close look - virginias

This stream is accessible from the Skyline Drive by parking in the area for the Pocosin Cabin, halfway between Milepost 59 and 60. Hike down the Pocosin Fire Road until you come to the Pocosin Hollow Trail, take this to your left, and it leads you to the stream. You can also access this stream at the bottom of the mountain by taking Route 667 from Route 230 through Kinderhook. Park in the wide grassy spot where Pocosin River runs into the Conway River. Hike up the trail until you reach Park land before you start fishing. The lower part is on private land. I’ve always felt it is one of the prettiest in the Park . Rapidan River The lower section of this stream holds the largest trout and produces the best hatches. This section is accessible by Route 662 through Wolftown and Graves Mill. Park at the end of this road. There is a good trail all along this section of the stream. The central part of the stream is accessible from Criglersville by Route 649/670. There is a good parking spot where this road meets the stream and you can easily walk downstream to the section holding the large trout or you can fish upstream from here. The road upstream from here can be very rough. This is a “fish for fun” (no kill stream). Rose River Top access is available by parking at the Fishers Gap parking area just south of Milepost 49 and hiking down

the Rose River Fire Road, which follows the lower two-thirds of the stream to the lower Park boundary. An alternate trail to the uppermost part of the river is available by parking at the above area, but shortly after starting down the mountain on the Rose River Fire Road take the Rose River Loop Trail to your left. One half mile down the trail take a blue blazed trail to your right for another 0.5 mile to the stream.

David Haskell, the former chief fisheries biologist for the Park carefully fishes a remote stream. He asked the author 25 years ago to write the book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park in order to show anglers how to find many of the wonderful streams that

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Top access can also be gained by parking at the Dark Hollow Falls parking area and following the Dark Hollow Falls Trail down to the Rose River Fire Road and then following the fire road down to the river. Staunton River This is the feeder to the Rapidan River, and it can be reached by Route 662

from Graves Mill. Park at the parking lot at the end of the road and follow Graves Mill Trail to the Staunton River Trail. This stream is managed as a Catch and Release fishery. White Oak Canyon Run The many beautiful waterfalls, the inspiring scenery and the good trout fishing, all make this a stream worth visiting. The top access is by parking at Limberlost, just east of the Skyline Drive at Milepost 43. Hike 0.1 mile down Old Rag Fire Road to White Oak Canyon Trail. Follow this trail to the right, and it takes you down to the stream, providing good stream access all the way to the bottom of the mountain. Route 600 west of Syria provides good access to the lower part of the stream. Park in the area beside the stream and follow White Oak Canyon Trail up along the stream. Reflections There are a number of exciting things about fishing the Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s streams, which Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll leave for you to discover on your own. A large part of the fascination of these streams is the individual personality they develop as you come to know each one. It would be meaningless, and a disservice, for me to attempt to reveal these hidden characteristics of endearment and challenge. What I see, you may not see, and you may see much more than I. Angling in the Shenandoah National Park is more than catching beautiful wild trout, more than inhaling its striking beauty, more than sinking into its peaceful solitude; it is a filling, of a previously undetected void, with an emotion of complete satisfaction that only God can give.

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The Illusion 182 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

n essence the artificial fly is an illusion that, coupled with the technique of fishing, will hopefully deceive a fish to take it. I, for one, have never been of the mind that three tails, six legs, and various other adornments, not to mention close copy imitations, will result in more effective fish catching fly patterns. In fact, l would go so far as to say you will be barking up the wrong tree if you follow that train of thought too closely.

of Deception

Dave Wotton

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All tied fishing flies, no matter how great of a representation they are of the fly tier's art, or how scruffy they look, will at some time or another catch a fish. The regularity that they do so is the crux of the matter at the end of the day. Even a bare hook can be used to deceive a fish at times! If you form a more generalized view of food forms available to the fish, and those that the fish is more likely to see on a regular daily basis, and couple that with artificial items fished in the correct manner, then you will almost certainly catch a great many fish.

There are, of course, times that various food forms are more abundant such as specific hatches, terrestrials, and so on, that it makes sense to fish such fly patterns that represent those food forms at that time, though not always. Take a look at this scenario. If, for example, you well know that a large abundance of scuds exist in a given body of water, then it makes sense to fish an artificial that represent this food source. A bright pink yellow scud is by no means a representation of a natural, as those colors do not exist in naturals, but they may well catch you fish. As a general rule of thumb artificial of this kind will have a very inconsistent rate of success. 184 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

The irony is that you never really know how many fish actually see your fly when you are fishing. It is a percentages game. You may catch 1 in 5, 1 in 10, who knows. The only real exception to that is sight fishing to a fish you can see. You will clearly see what is going on, and can alternate accordingly to deceive that fish or not. I have had more than 45 years of my life fishing around the world for trout and have learned a number of lessons that l will never forget. The first is that there is no such word as never when it comes to catching fish, like no fish is ever going to take that, or that will not work and so on. You will likely be proved wrong. The next is this, never ever become stereotype in your approach to catching fish. I will never forget the time l was fishing on Loch Corrib, a huge limestone lake found on the west coast of Ireland, way back in the 1960s period. Fish were seen rising all over the lake to the Danica mayfly. l cast all manner of artificial that to my eyes would do the trick. Not an offer did l get. Within sight of me was a fellow in a boat catching fish on a regular basis.

As you would guess l managed to catch up with this fellow as he started to leave the lake and asked him what he was using to catch those fish. He had a great bag of wild browns some of which were in the 3 to 5 lb class. To say the least l was amazed when he showed me what he had taken those fish on, and he gave me some of those flies. To my eyes they bore no resemblance at all to the naturals by way of size, color and all else you can think of. To the fish's eye they looked good and that is the simple reason why they took them. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 185

From that day on the lesson l learned well is that you never know how a fish sees what it does. The flies that he used are known as traditional style wet flies. Patterns that had been around for a very long time but more to the point, those that deceived the eyes of a Brown trout, no rainbows to be found in these lakes. There are, of course, other factors that come into the act of deception to catching fish. One of the most important of those is the interference of man and his methods, which will inevitably cause the fish to become used to over a period of time. Take for example the White river in Arkansas where l guide. I know the river well and know how to find fish in any given water level that exists at that time.

Take one of the White River trophy zones for example. I know for a fact that in certain zones a great many fish are to be found, related to depth, current seams, and other influential factors. If you are the first to fish the zone you will do well but even then the catch rate will slow down. Therefore, you will need to change tactics a number of times to maintain a catch rate, likewise the flies that you are using. Once fish have become aware of your routine you will not catch them so easily if at all. I firmly believe that fish have some means of communication, and to a large extent that factor has been proven in scientific tests. One prime example of that would be this. A number of fish that can be seen are given an item that resembles a food source, one that they would naturally reject. Not all those fish will check it out. At first a number will, and very quickly, become disinterested. Within a very short period of time the rest of the fish will totally ignore the same item without having touched it. Trout in the stream or lake will do exactly the same thing. If you think otherwise then you are kidding yourself. 186 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

You will have to change your means of deception and illusion to get some further interest, but the fly is not always the answer to success. The continual means of fishing in the same manner will also wise up those fish. For example dead drifting over the same zone, swinging wet flies or streamers will likewise keep those fish tuned in to your game. A case in point. A friend and l were fishing a larger reservoir in the UK. At the time a great emergence of large chironomids was taking place. The water was subject to great fishing pressure from fly fishers using floating line tactics fishing chironomid pupa. The normal way would be either to cast out and allow wind and wave to move the artificial, or to recover the fly back very slowly to ward you. To say the least the hook ups were slow. l know that the flies could be seen by those fish but, so too, were a number of other factors like leader material, surface wake, and so on.

If you are fishing to a rise of surface feeding fish and catching nothing then you are either doing something wrong or the fish have wised up to what you are doing. The deception is not working. The option l chose at that time was to set up with a wet cel 1 slow sinker and fish a large black streamer lure called an ace of spades. Bingo! In as many casts l caught the legal limit of 8 trout, and so did my companion by the same means. What possessed those fish to chase and take that fly that way, you tell me, when they could continue to head and tail and eat all the midge nymph they wanted. Show them something different. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the name of the game. It's a lesson l have learned well over the years. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 187

Much of the fun of fly fishing is related to figuring out what to do in a given situation. Of course, years of experience will enable you to come to the conclusion of what to do by a process of elimination. Even the best of us will still be caught out at times. My advice to you is to always keep a open mind. Most of the time there is a answer to be found, if you have the time under the prevailing conditions. Simple things like changing the tippet size, changing the fly to a smaller or larger, fishing a different way, changing your angle of approach say from upstream to across or down. Showing the fish your offering a different way can often be the answer. So, too, taking time out on the bank, giving the fish a rest period, is something l will do often, particularly when after a trophy or in smaller confined fishing zones.

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Fly fishing is not an exact science and never will be. But, there is, overall, a qualified reasoning that you can approach any given situation. After all, remember, it is that act of an illusion and deception that fools the fish. Tight lines for now.

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OGEECHEE RIV 192 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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tlanta, Georgia’s Jeff Robbins is keeping alive one of Dixie’s oldest river fishing boat traditions through his Ogeechee River Boats. Named after one of south Georgia’s most closely guarded redbreast sunfish secrets flows the Ogeechee River. Robbins’ crafts each of these floating works of art by hand, one at a time. As we at Southern Trout like to say, “By damned it’s southern made in the truest tradition of the Old South.”

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“All of my life, I wanted to be a storyteller, someone who passed on stories about long forgotten people and places,” says Robbins. “Despite being clumsy with a pen and paper, I found that I could take old wood, rich with history, and build boats that could bring these untold stories to life.” “Growing up I spent a lot of time fishing with my dad and hearing stories how his dad used to paddle him and my uncles up and down the Ogeechee River on an Ogeechee River boat. The boats I build are a variation of this boat that has been around for over one hundred years. The design is distinctive in that it allows for quick and effortless movements across the water. I build my boats with a deep rocker that allows them to slide over the water even more smoothly. This along with the teardrop design makes the boats fast and nimble on the water.” 194 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

“My boats are unique not only in the way I build them, but also in the material I use. Cypress, heart pine from my Granddad’s country story, ancient Cypress from the Ogeechee Creek, pieces of a Jack Daniel’s barrel, and Cedar all entwined into a single boat. Every piece of wood I use has a story it has been waiting to tell, and through my boat building, I am able to pass on its history to future generations.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 195

196 l August June 2016 2016l Southern l Southern Trout Troutl www.SouthernTrout.com l www.SouthernTrout.com

“Slow, steady, and by the drop – the way a fine Tennessee whiskey is made and enjoyed. The same can be said about my boats,” says Robbins. Robbins’ Ogeechee River Boats are built from memory which allows him the freedom to tweak the design depending on where each individual boat will call home. The process begins with Robbins picking the Cypress for sides, which is a job in and of itself. He often goes through many stacks of wood in order to find the few boards with just the right grain, knotting, and weight. Next comes planing the boards to the right thickness and squaring edges. The hardest part is convincing the cypress boards that they are not still trees standing in the southern swamps. But, with slow and steady pressure, Robbins says that he accomplishes this with a little help from the Allman Brothers playing in the background, and he convinces the boards to bend. “I build from the center out and work my way to both ends simultaneously. The center sections of the boats can be designed a couple different ways: a sliding front seat, a casting seat, or a stationary seat,” explains Robbins. “Over the years, I have widened the stern a little and deepened the seats. It seems that with time, the narrow stern gets a little tight for us older guys fighting gravity. The bow usually goes in with ease, but the stern is always a challenge, going from 40 inches wide to 9 inches wide in a 6 foot space can quickly lead to reaching my mental building capacity for the day.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 197

“The next steps involves adding a gunwale on the inside and out. I always like to use wood from interesting places for the spacers in the gunwale. Often time I will add a piece of wood from my granddad’s country store as a spacer in the stern. Then, at the bow, I always like to add a piece of Jack Daniel’s barrel wood. Years ago, my son and I built a guitar out of a Jack Daniel’s barrel. It turned out so nice that I sent a picture of it to the distillery in Lynchburg and, to my amazement, I got a call from Jimmy Bedford a few days later. Jimmy invited us up to the distillery and I never will forget how he welcomed us like old friends and how he took the time to make us feel special; he was a true Tennessee Gentleman.” “Fitting the bottom of the boat can be a challenge depending on how deep the rocker is. I first scarf the plywood together and then dry fit it to the bottom. 185 brass screws and waterproof glue hold it all together. After the bottom is fitted, sand paper becomes my best friend,” says Robbins. Robbin’s Ogeechee River Boats are in-house projects from steam to stern. He handcrafts every component such as rod holders in the center section and tackle boxes under the seats. Once everything is fitted, sanded, and sanded once more, a coat of epoxy resin is applied inside and out. That dries for a few days, then it’s time to sand some more. The last step is to add several coats of a clear satin spar varnish to protect the epoxy from UV rays. 198 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

“The majority of my boats are a natural finish to show off Mother Nature’s beautiful work. Occasionally, I will have some misguided soul ask me to paint one. I will paint it, but neither the boat nor I will be very happy about. At the end of day, our life is a story – make yours a good one,” concludes Robbins. For more visit www.ogeecheeriverboatworks.com www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 199

NEW FROM JIMMY JACOBS YOU KNOW HIM AS THE AUTHOR OF GUIDEBOOKS TO TROUT FISHING IN THE SOUTHEAST. NOW EXPERIENCE THE OTHER SIDE OF JIMMY JACOBSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WRITING. THE CERDO GRANDE CONSPIRACY IS A NOVEL THAT TAKES YOU ON A WILD RIDE FROM ATLANTA TO KEY WEST, FLORIDA. The Cerdo Grande Conspiracy was born in a tale related to me by a reserve officer with the Monroe County Police Department that serves the Florida Keys. It revolved around an escaped pig on Stock Island that becomes amorous with a motorcycle in a convenience store parking lot. The owner of the bike and the pig's owner ended up in a fight as the biker attacked the pig. While it sounds surreal, locals have good reason to call the city at the south end of U.S. Highway 1 "Key Weird." Anything is plausible in this slice of paradise. And if it hasn't already happened, it likely will. Admittedly, some liberties have been taken with the original tale, but that's what fiction is all about. From that incident the story of the conspiracy to save the porker took root. Hopefully, you'll find that it grew into an entertaining romp along the southeast coast down to the American tropics. And, should you ever visit there, you just might recognize some of the locales in the tale. Jimmy Jacobs Kindle Edition $4.99 Paperback $9.99 AVAILABLE AT WWW.AMAZON.COM/AUTHOR/JIMMYJACOBS

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The White River Christmas Tree Wooly Bugger By Davy Wotton

204 l August 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

ooly buggers are popular type streamer flies and certainly do catch many fish. This pattern of mine is based on the standard wooly bugger fly but contains other elements which trigger responses from fish, essentially mobility and color coordination. It is not a difficult fly to tie and should not present too many problems for the beginner level tier. Note the appearance of little lights in the tail from which this pattern draws its name.

Tying Instructions

Place the hook in the vice. Run a thread base to a position above the hook point. Tie in at this point a short section of either red or orange marabou. Above the lower marabou tie in a longer section of the olive marabou, take the thread to the tail end of the hook shank. At this point tie in about 6/8 strands of either gold or olive crystal flash. Here also tie in a section of the gold oval tinsel and also the olive or peacock chenille which ever color you choose. Take the thread to the hook eye position and wind your chenille body. Secure and cut off excess. Prepare now your hackle. Strip off all waste fiber and tie in the hackle below the hook shank by the hackle stem not the tip. Wind the hackle with two turns at the head end of the fly and then continue with 5 equal spaced turns to the tail end of the fly body. Bring back toward the hook eye the oval ribbing tinsel. This will secure the hackle palmer style. When you have reached the tying thread secure the oval tinsel. Cut off excess hackle tip and tinsel ribbing material. Finally at the head of the fly tie in and make one or two full turns of the gold tinsel chenille. Make your final whip finish. Good job!

Davy's Tying Tips

If you use the practice of ribbing a palmered hackle it is far more secure and will not be broken so easily by troutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teeth. When you come to make the final whip finish to the fly add your head cement to the thread just below the hook eye. When you make the final whip finish you have the head completed and do not have to mess around after with the fly is complete. This is by far the most efficient way to do it - particularly for real small flies when you run the risk of clogging up the small eye with cement. (Set off in side bar) Materials for the White River Christmas tree are: Marabou turkey - Olive-RedOrange Pearl chenille - Olive or Peacock Tinsel chenille - Gold Hackles - Regular rooster or grizzle dyed olive. Ribbing tinsel - Oval gold Crystal flash - Olive or Gold Hook - Any size of longshank. Size 10/8/6 the most useful. Additions - Cyclops or Cone head in gold.

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l September 2016 l 205

Building a Monument to the Rich Heritage of Fly Fishing in the Southern Appalachians

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our heritage is rich in personalities that fly fish. They tie their own flies, guide others, do the science to manage and improve the fisheries and even form the private clubs that ultimately protect our resources. In the same way we work to preserve our precious cold water resource, the trout and the stream, we must also preserve the stories about those that walked on the stream before us. The stories must be told and passed on.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alen Baker

For Inquiries or to make a Charitable Donation to the Museum Please Contact:

(828) 788-0034 516 Tsali Blvd, PO Box 1838 Cherokee, NC 28719 info@cherokeesmokies.com