issue 33
oct/nov 2017
Southern Trout
CLOSE LOOK: Cherokee North Carolina
www.southerntrout.com
Publisher’s message
They Were Right
M
y background in publishing goes back a number of years. Our current family of magazine titles makes this venture my third such startup. Yet, this is the first that I launched on my own. Magazine start-ups experience a 90 percent mortality rate before they reach five years. Unless a magazine title is a very well-funded startup or a spinoff from an existing publishing group, most experts agree that it takes at least five years for many titles to become viable. Publishing is a tough business. Publishing outdoor recreation magazines is really tough. Entering into the rarified world of fly fishing magazines is insanely tough. Starting up a fly fishing magazine
with zero capital…well, you are better advised to invest in winning a lottery. Back in 2012, we were two issues into Southern Trout Magazine (STM). At that time, while wet wading, I took a tumble in the Hiwassee tail waters in Murphy, NC. I’ve fallen a couple of hundred times and banged myself up pretty good on a couple of occasions. This time the damage was a pencil eraser-sized puncture just below my knee cap. We fished on. The next morning my knee was swollen, so we headed home. At Mrs. Kirk’s insistence, the following day I visited my doctor. Looking at my puffy knee, he said, “If you go straight to the hospital, there’s a fair chance they can save your leg.” For the following 28 days I was in the hospital. Three times they operated on my leg to remove a flesh eating bacteria that I brought home from the Hiwassee. Doctors at UAB’s Kirkland Clinic ultimately concocted an antibiotic that bested the evil germ—highly potent stuff. The collateral damage of the antibiotic was that it irreversibly damaged my kidneys. After two years of nursing them along, they ceased to function early in 2016. At this point I was placed on dialysis, and remain so now. The good news is that we do treatments at my office, and as of late, I have regained some kidney function. I do recall the exact number of hospital stays I have treated myself to since out 2012 launch, but it works to about a week or so every three months.
Southern Trout
Publisher’s message
(cont.)
Fortunately, at this time I have rebounded to my prefall vigor. Fortunately too, during my all too frequent medical challenges, we managed to keep STM in Publisher Don Kirk continuous operation. This did not occur because Managing Editor Leah Kirk any measurable level of tenacity on my part. STM Special Projects Dir. Loryn Lathem Photographer/Writer Adam Patterson stayed afloat through the sheer determination of Editorial Consultant Olive K. Nynne Mrs. Kirk and writers who never failed to hit their deadlines. God never failed to bless our efforts, or to provide for our needs. Without divine help and a Contributors few miracles along, STM would not have survived, Harry Murray much less prospered. That is where all of the credit goes. Right now things are running smoothly, and FIELD STAFF it’s a little scary. We even managed to locate and Ron Gaddy post all 31 past issues of STM. Now when visiting Columnist www.southerntrout.com you can go back and Craig Haney review/download any of the nearly 1,000 articles Columnist published since 2012. As much as it is a learning Jimmy Jacobs, Georgia Editor resource and source of entertainment, these past Roger Lowe issues chronicle the never failing effort of a family Columnist startup.
Bob Mallard Columnist Steve Moore Columnist Bob Borgwat Columnist
ON THE COVER
Southern Trout is a publication of Southern Unlimited, LLC. Copyright 2017 Southern Unlimited LLC. All rights reserved.
www.charleslawrance.com 4 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
RIVER THROUGH ATLANTA CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER GUIDE SERVICE
RiverThroughAtlanta.com
710 Riverside Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 770-650-8630 www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 5
THIS ISSUE Publisher's Message
3
Dixie's Living Legend Lefty Kreh
14
Hall of Fame
22
14 32
14 26
Product Review 28 Galvan Brookie Fly Reel Sunburst Trout 36 Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Stuffed Trout New Fly Guy 40 Dollar Store Fy Hacks Black Wing Olive Just How Old Am I?
54
60 30
46
CLOSE LOOK: Cherokee, NC
54
Cherokee: The Smoky's High Roller Trout Town
54
Camping on the River
60
Featured Fly Shop River's Edge Outfitters
72
Featured Guide Fly Fishing the Smokies with Eugene Schuler
82
82
6 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
THIS ISSUE
110
Harrah's: Super Duper Trout Lodging
92
Raven Fork's Trophies Large and Small
100
Harper's Creek Photo Essay
110
Fish Hippie Wine
126
Fun Times at the Fryemont 132
100
Kevin Howell: NC's Mr. Trout
Pocahontas Troutalotas 150
126 68
132
138
Reading the Feeding 156 Stations on a Mountain Trout Stream
156
Wading into Misery
168
Book Review
170
90 124
168
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SweetWater Brewing Company • Georgia • SweetWaterBrew.com
Dixie's Living Leg F
or the past sixty years, no individual has had a greater impact on fly fishing than Lefty Kreh. He has fished for nearly 70 years with everyone from Ted Williams to Fidel Castro and from President Jimmy Carter to Ernest Hemingway. Enshrined in numerous fishing “Halls of Fame,” he has been honored by the U.S. Postal Service who issued a stamp commemorating a fly that Kreh made. The only dissenter to the accolades of narrative devoted to him is Lefty Kreh. A remarkably humble individual, Lefty says that he knows himself quite well, and he is rather unimpressed with the public perception of him as something special. Those lucky enough know this fly fishing legend will agree that his humility is only exceeded by his legend. Born and raised within spitting distance of the Mason-Dixon Line in the technically southern state of Maryland, he was christened Bernard Victor Kreh. Part of the “Greatest Generation,” he was in the part of the US Army that received the full tour of Western Europe all of the way into Nazi Germany. Thereafter, Lefty left the glamour life of an infantryman to return to the smallmouth bass laden streams of his home state, beginning a career in fly fishing that has taken him around the world to 22 countries.
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gend Lefty Kreh
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After the war, Lefty spent a lot time for fly fishing for smallmouth bass. He lived in Frederick, Maryland which in those days was a small town of 7,000 people. In 1947, Lefty had the good fortune of being befriended by the legendary Joe Brooks. An incredible ambassador of fly fishing, Brooks became his mentor in his quest to make a living doing what he loved. Brooks taught many celebrities to fly fish and became lasting friends with them, including Bing Crosby, Ted Williams, Curt Gowdy and many other wellknown fly fishermen. His impression upon Lefty was lasting. “At the time I had developed a local reputation as guy who caught fish. A group of photographers for National Geographic was interested in my trade secrets,” Lefty said. “I taught them about fishing, and I learned more about using a camera. That gave me a tremendous edge.” During those early days, neither Lefty nor anyone else had any money. Over the next few years, he penned outdoor columns for a number of surrounding newspapers and gave fly fishing clinics and seminars. If invited to give a presentation at distant locations such as the Adirondacks or the Gaspe, Lefty would arrange trips that included a couple of days of fly fishing with the top local expert. While earning money for his presentations, Lefty was privy to crash courses on various waters cross the country. Also, his stature as a fly fishing guru grew as he moved from writing for the Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times to the Baltimore Sun in 1972. Among Lefty’s early milestone trips were treks to the Ozarks’ White River prior to its impoundment when it was a premier smallmouth stream. In those early trips, Lefty met Dave Whitlock, and began a dear, lifelong friendship that is still cherished by both men. 14 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
“Dave Whitlock can do deer hair better than any individual I have ever seen,” quipped Kreh. Until the late 1950s when making his first trip to West Yellowstone, Lefty’s fly fishing for trout had largely consisted plucking wild brook trout from the headwaters of Southern Appalachian streams in Maryland and Virginia. “West Yellowstone was a game change for me,” Lefty said. “In those days, the streets there were not even paved, and there were only two fly shops in the town. The rivers were free of drift boats, and fishing pressure was virtually nonexistent. It was a trout fishing paradise that I fell in love with, and it ignited a passion for western trout that burns strongly to this day.” Already the “Godfather” of the surging world of fly fishing, in 1972 Lefty made an amazing trip to the trout waters of New Zealand. “Some of the finest in the world,” Lefty said of his first trip to the volcanic island country. To him, this was the single most significant fly fishing learning experience. Taken in context to Lefty’s well storied fly fishing life, New Zealand must have been a remarkable event, indeed. His 60 year career in fly fishing is far more than the story of a man. It is the story of fly fishing of a lifetime. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 15
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“I have been extremely fortunate to have known so many great fly fishermen, and I have been privileged to cast flies on some great waters,” Lefty noted. “This began early on with men such as Joe Brooks, who literally defined the sport of fly fishing. However, it was Englishman, John Goddard, who was probably the finest fly fisherman I ever meet.” “He was good enough to get me on the ‘blue and purple blood’ streams in his country where fly fishing as we know it began. John Goddard was not only effective on rivers and streams, but he also understood how to successfully fly fish in lakes and reservoirs…such remarkable knowledge that has escaped the vast majority of U.S. anglers,” Lefty said. “I also spent time, too, with George Harvey, whose understanding of leaders is not likely to ever be exceeded,” says Lefty. “In the late 1950s, Joe Brooks suggested I make the 1.5 hour drive to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where a tight-knit group was developing a new way to create and fish terrestrial patterns,” Lefty said. “There, I was fortunate enough to study under some true fly fishing legends: Charlie Fox, Vince Marino and Ross Trimmer. They are my models for what I have always strived to return to the sport.” As is expected, Lefty has a cornucopia of stories that make you wonder and dream. Most of this stories are not about big fish. If you ask Lefty about his many honors and accolades, he changes the narrative, asking if you have fished New Guinea, one of Lefty’s favorite fishing destination. “In 1987 we went to New Guinea to film a television show,” began Lefty. “So far as I know, we were the first fly fishermen to visit this pristine corner of the earth where the natives still hunt with handmade bows and arrows. One day while on the water, we encountered a local in a dugout canoe piled full of watermelons. He was generous enough to share his melons with us, with the caveat that it would be necessary for us to gather and return the seeds.”
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From a personal standpoint of being an outdoor writer since the 1970’s, my interview with Lefty really jerked at my heart strings. Big fun, talking “shop” with a man who was unaware I had long been a distant admirer and student. I told him about H. Lea Lawrence telling me many times about the advice Lefty imparted to him in the 1960s. (In 1998 Lawrence authored Fly Fisherman's Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.) Lefty always wears khakis and his signature upper/down cap. Lefty told me that with the exception of fluctuating waist and hair lines, that he always has a reservoir of photography for illustrating magazine articles. “At Lawrence’s prompting, I bought a Woolrich bright, ‘Kodachrome’ red shirt that was pressed into use exclusively on photo shots for over twenty years. In fact, I still have it, but with digital photography having replaced the need for Kodachrome, it has not been pressed into service for a very long time.” Similarly, following a presentation at the annual banquet of the Great Smoky Chapter of Trout Unlimited in the 1970’s, Gerald Almy and I discussed his slide presentation. A few years ahead of me in the outdoor writing business then, Almy confided that Lefty had previously critiqued his presentation on fly fishing terrestrial patters. “Lefty pointed out to me that it needs some humor to entertain the spouses,” related Almy. A master showman, when I related these stories to Lefty and told him that since day one, he had been a mentor of mine from afar, Ready then to “talk shop,” Lefty laughed and asked me if I knew the story of his “two tone” fishing boat, to which I said, “No,” adding, “but do tell, please.” “Outdoor writing is a tough business where you quickly learn you must rely on your skills with a camera, as much as those of a wordsmith,” chuckled Lefty. “A caught fish is worth a hundred photos. Milking the opportunity is what is known as ‘working smart.’ To maximize the opportunities presented by catching a good fish when lighting is good, I painted one side of my boat yellow, and the other side red. I’d shoot a series of the standard series ‘grip ‘n grin’ shots on one side of the two-tone craft, then have the model change jacket and hat and go to the other side of the boat to repeat the shooting regiment all over again.” 18 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Going into the interview, my primary goal was to query Lefty about his exploits on the freestone streams and tailwaters of the Southern Appalachians. Four years earlier we’d spent a delightful evening at the Brook Trout Bed & Breakfast in Waynesboro, Virginia, where he touched on his many Dixie trouting trips. Fully aware of Lefty’s legendary globe hopping fly fishing life, I really wanted insight into his southern roots on this subject. Lefty’s says that his first fly fishing trip to the freestone streams of Western North Carolina he fished with Ed Jones, one of his many great friends. Ed had been an orphan under the care of Cap Weiss, headmaster at the Patterson School for Boys much of the first half of the 20th century. The historic agricultural and Episcopal mission school established in 1910 to educate rural boys. An avid stream fly fisher, headmaster Weiss taught his mastery of the fly to all of the boys who were interested in the learning. “Ed Jones said that Cap Weiss fished a big wet Adam-looking pattern that he referred to as a Sheep Fly,” says Lefty. “Weiss’s approach was to quickly bounce a Sheep Fly in the fast water. Ed Jones also spoke of another local favorite, the Yallarhammar that was also fished along the bottom of runs. At the time, it was some of the fastest water I’d fished. It took me longer than I want to admit for me to get the hang of it, and I start catching those lightning fast rainbows.” “Ed taught me not to spend time fishing a big pool, that probably does not hold many trout,” says Lefty. “You quickly learn not to waste your time on a single pool or two.” Lefty’s Deep South roots also include coauthored books with Harry Middleton, who is arguably the most talented trout fishing writer ever to hail from Dixie. However, if curiosity got the cat, Lefty’s curiosity in what he was hearing about the South Fork of the Holston River (SOHO) got him as an unabashed fan of this Upper East Tennessee tailwater trout fishery. 20 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
“The SOHO is the real thing,” says Lefty. “The SOHO often requires flies in the #20 to #22 category which are difficult for some fly fishermen to master. However, the SOHO tailwater has the most fabulous Sulphur hatch—perhaps the best in the world.” “It is where I learned to keep my rod tip down on big fish to reduce their advantage in really fast currents. When you keep the rod down it plies against them. You cannot give a big trout the advantage of the faster water.” “The SOHO is a big river with lots of really big trout, especially browns. Prime time is this time of year until after Christmas, the big browns move into the upper reaches of the river to spawn and are very aggressive. They like 6- to 8-inch flies and a fair sized hook. It is always a learning process.” At 92 years old, you will still find Lefty Kreh at fly fishing shows and seminars where crowds push and shove to watch him hold court at the casting pool. While he’ll scold me for saying this, but Lefty Kreh is the Master Emeritus of American fly fishing. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 21
2018 Southern Trout Legends of the Fly Hall of Fame Nomination Period Time Ends October 30th
Since early September of this year nominations have been pouring into Southern Trout Magazine office. It’s going to be a tough haul to whittle the number of new applications down to a field just over two dozen people for who we shall be voting on. Last over 13,000 votes were cast. Last year was also was special, as we had six positions “grandfathered” in in addition to the six new inductees. Some of the 2017 inductees such as Mark Cathey and Ernest Peckinbaugh have been gone with few peers to cheer. Others such as Dave Whitlock and Curtis Flemings had large follows who literally filled the place. Following 2017 are voting to fill the ten open positions that are left. We decided to remove the two poorest vote getters from the tally; Nat Winston and Wiley Oakley. They were defined “go to” fisherman in their day, but just too little seems to have been known about them by modern voters. In the future, the two people receiving vote will be removed from the list. This year we will have a total ten positions, and next year we will have seven new positions. As in the past, the ST “Legends of the Fly” Hall of Fame candidates will be nominated by and then voted upon by readers and others. It is a true ‘people’s choice’ award that from all reports received here was very popular. When nominating candidates, please do not allow your choice to be too greatly influenced by whether your candidate was a preeminent member of Trout Unlimited or the Federation of Fly Fishers. The same is true of people who drew a public pay check for just doing their job for a state or federal government. Heaven know they get sufficient reward each month. Nominees should be from your heart---an old man you once knew on Harper Creek, or a legendary trout catcher on the White, or a writer or painted who captured the essence of the sport on paper or canvass. This is not to say we don’t want to enshrine as many of the past and present in the HOF, but it is not necessary recognition for collecting a pay check. Lastly, some comments on last year’s voting. As you know, the nomination period ends on October 30, 2017. Voting for the full slate of nominees begins November 4th (Saturday). Biweekly vote totals will be give through midJanuary in the ST Newsletter (date: 11/8, 12/2. 12/16, 12/30, & 1/13). All voting for 2018 ST “Legends of the Fly” Hall of Fame will end on 12/27. Last many did not know about the voting until it was too late. We’re hoping that the revised procedure will keep everyone happy. Once again the installation ceremony will be held that the Atlantic Fly Fishing Show. The event is sponsored by Southern Trout Magazine, The Atlantic Fly Fishing Show, Sweetwater Brewing Company, Temple For Rods, the Sugarlands Distillery, Hippie Fish, and others. Good luck to all.
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GRANDFATHERED INDUCTEES
CHARLEY ELLIOTT
JIM GASTON
DAVE WHITLOCK
CURTIS FLEMING
DON PHITZER
DON HOWELL
HARRY MIDDLETON
GARY MERRIMAN
ERNEST PECKINBAUGH
SOC CLAY
J. WAYNE FEARS
MARK CATHEY
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INDUCTEE CANDIDATES
HARRY SLONE
Virginia fly fisherman, Slone authored one of the first comprehensive guides to fly fishing the streams of his state.
CHARLES DICKEY
Tennessee native, Dickey was one of the South’s best known outdoor writers and an avid Southern Appalachian fly fishing enthusiast.
ROGER LOWE
Living North Carolina native, Lowe is considered the most knowledgeable living authority on Southern Appalachian trout fly patterns.
KEVIN HOWELL
Living North Carolina fly fisherman, Howell is his state’s leading advocate for quality trout fishing & world champ fly fisherman.
CHUCK TRYON
Living Missouri native, Chuck co-authored the first trout fishing guide book Missouri’s trout waters.
HERBERT HOOVER
Former president of the country, Hoover was a passionate fly fishermen who regarded Virginia’s Rapidan River has his “home waters.”
WALTER BABB
Living Tennessee fly fishermen, Babb is known for his knowledge of traditional patterns and making bamboo fly rods.
JIM GASQUE
Mid-20th Century North Carolina fly fisherman Gasque authored several books on fly fishing the South in the 1940s.
JIMMY JACOBS
Living Georgia fly fisherman, Jacobs authored of several noteworthy books on fly fishing for trout in the South.
HARRY MURRAY
Living Virginia fly fisherman, fly tier and author, Murray is the best known fly fishing authority on the Shenandoah National Park.
REX WILSON
Living North Carolina tier of traditional Appalachian trout flies, Wilson travels widely to demonstrate tying traditional fly patterns.
EDDY GEORGE
Mid-20th Century fly fisherman, George was the creator of George Nymph and noted advocate for saving the Little “T.”
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JOHN BERRY
Living Arkansas fly fisherman, Berry is noted for his fly fishing knowledge and willingness to share it with many people.
JIM CASADA
Living North Carolina fly fisherman and author of many articles, Casada has written important books on fly fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
JOE MANLEY
Tennessee native, while a ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,Manley was the first to write a detailed fishing guide to these waters.
BEN CRAIG
Early North Carolina fly tier, Craig learned tying at a young age and passed it along the present day generation of tiers.
DAVY WOTTON
Living, English born resident of Arkansas, Wotton has contributed significantly to the fly fishing culture of the Ozarks.
RAY BALL
Living East Tennessee fly fisherman and fly tier, Ball is regarded as the last living link between old Smoky Mountains fly fisherman of the Volunteer State.
FRED HALL
Mid 1900’s Bryson City fly tier best known as the originator of the Thunderhead and Adams Variant pattern. He tied so many thunderheads that in the end he became one.
FUTURE NOMINEES Nominations end October 30! Nominate now.
Nominate at SouthernTrout.com www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 25
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Galvan Brook
“Perfect simplicity in your hand.”
28 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
kie Fly Reel: J
ust when it was clear to all that the single action reel had reached their zenith, along came the Galvan Brookie fly reel. Available in four sizes that are priced at $220.00 to $250.00, these seemingly simply made Galvan Reels are the ultimate in ultra-light weight fly reels. With the Brookie’s maximum large arbor spool design, these Galvan reels are lightweight and hail one of the best weight ratios of any fly fishing reels in their class. The Brookie Series of Galvan Fly reels are truly remarkable for a “mere single action” reel. They deliver and perform with an incredibly low startup inertia. These lightweight reels rate as the ultimate tools for today's lightweight fly fishing rods. The Brookie fly fishing reels are able to pick up line very quickly without any excess weight, and it features a revolutionary approach to line tension with a commitment to lasting performance. These Galvan reels are equipped with the new Click-Ball System, a foolproof departure from the old fashioned, traditional drag systems. This unique Brookie's Click-Ball System delivers the ideal balance between simplicity and versatility. We were impressed by
being able to achieving the desired drag resistance that was as simple as a few turns of an Allen wrench. The result gave us the ability to leave us to enjoy impeccable line retrieve without worrying about adjusting the fly reel drag. These Galvan series of fly reels are exceptionally smooth, and ideal for palming. If you are on those mountain trout, the reel has a soul for subtle play that's crucial to fly fishing with light tackle on technical water. Its performance takes the worrying out of failing drag systems. The Brookie has literally zero interference between you and the fish.
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Okay, so we came, we saw and we liked it (a real, whole bunch of liked it). Do you still need a few more reasons to buy the Galvan Brookie Series or any of their other reels? Buy American made products - Galvan Fly reels are made in the USA. Yes, sir, you read that correctly. It is machined from 6061 barstock aluminum. These reels are built to perform and to last. These Brookie Series fly reels feature distinct porting and a weatherproof finish that makes them extremely unique. The precision machining process eliminates virtually all excess weight from the fly reel. Combine that with the superior dependability of 6061 bar stock aluminum, and the Brookie reel is as strong and durable as it is light. These are not the latest output at Galvan. They have been around a solid two years. They have been tested by many anglers. Comments range from “The reel is light weight and balances, and the drag is a quiet click, which I like. It is also strong enough to strip line without it free spooling,” to “light as a featherquiet-- my new ‘toy’ looks and functions very well.” Or better still, try this, “After a lot of research, combined with the weight of the reel, this became my #1 choice for one of my 3WT rods. I fish for brook trout. I must say, and I am very critical and somewhat difficult to please, but this is a special reel in every way. Its build quality, smoothness of retrieve, looks, ability to adjust tension, just everything screams quality.
Boni Galvan is the founder, and is also a master machinist and the reel designer. He and Carmen started the company in 1994. As a family owned and operated business, their tribe stays involved in many roles and they all do what is needed to get the reels out the door. They admit that they consider themselves weak in the Southern market. However, they do get a lot of calls inquiring where Southerners can get a Galvan reel..
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“At Galvan, our fly reels are the result of 24 years of dedicated design and innovation. More than that, they are part of an ongoing tradition of family-run business, American-made products, and timehonored craftsmanship built into every reel we make. The industry has changed a lot in our time, but it’s what hasn’t changed that makes us who we are. Today, all Galvan fly reels are designed, manufactured, and assembled here in Sonora CA – to last a lifetime – and the Galvan family does it
all. Our pride in the manufacturing process and passion for the sport have earned us a reputation for excellence. Every Galvan fly reel is a testament to innovation and uncompromising craftsmanship, pairing the latest materials with a lasting commitment to quality. In an industry where technology often overshadows tradition, we believe you need a bit of both to succeed.” For more information on the Galvan Brookie or their other incredible reels, please visit www.galvanflyreels.com.
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Hank Patterson Patrick Folkrod Jeff Trigg Josh Laferty Abbi Bagwell John Miko
1
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Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed S 36 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
We usually don’t like real complicated recipes, but to be honest we had it the other night and really liked it. It’ not a campfire recipe, and require a bit of extra work. But, is it ever good. When the recipes calls for 4 medium trout, they are not talking about four wild trout, but more like 6 to 8. And I supposed you could play around with the dry packet of Applewood Smoked Bacon Flavored Mashed Potatoes, but by they are pretty much panfrying, so stick with the recipe. It’s actually pretty dog gone good.
Ingredients 1 4-oz package Idahoan® Applewood Smoked Bacon Flavored Mashed Potatoes, dry 4 medium size trout, cleaned and rinsed Fresh ground pepper 2 Tbsp lemon thyme, chopped Instructions Preheat oven to 375°F. Divide the in half. Using half of the dry mashed, lightly dust both sides of the trout. Prepare the remaining half of the potatoes using one cup of hot water. Stuff the trout with the prepared mashed potatoes. Add pepper and sprinkle with herbs.
Stuffed Trout
On stove top, add a little olive oil to a cast iron skillet and bring to medium high heat. Sear the trout on both sides, about one minute per side. Turn off the heat and place the skillet in the oven. Continue cooking the trout for 10-12 minutes or until trout is opaque and flakey.
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Don’t go home empty handed! www.sunbursttrout.com
Sunburst Trout Farms 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 Sunburst’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! It’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 • 800-673-3051
new fly guy
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FLY HACKS 40 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
new fly guy
I
n my endless effort to find ways to avoid costs in what can be an expensive sport, I wandered through the Dollar Tree (aka “Dollar Store�) looking for bargains and actually found some! The Dollar Tree, as opposed to Family Dollar, prices everything at a buck. To find fishing gear, turn your brain sideways while looking cross-eyed at the products on the shelf and voila! Savings! Here are a few ideas. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 41
new fly guy
Fly boxes. In the April/May 2016 issue, I discussed four different strategies for organizing flies. These were: 1. Organize by destination/month 2. Organize by fly type 3. Organize by family 4. Stuff and go While many of us go with option four, stuff and go, and just lump everything together, the more organized approach is to think about the flies required for the particular stream or hatch being targeted or at least group similar flies together to keep from buying more than you need. Granted, the cheapest fly box on Amazon runs around six dollars with available discounts, but being a cheap guy, a fly box for a buck sounds even better. Since the Dollar Tree is not oriented at fly fishing, they mistakenly label their fly boxes as pill organizers.
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new fly guy
You can get a seven-day box, 14-day box or even a 21-day box - most have plenty of room for flies. After experimenting, I recommend avoiding the 21-day option since it has tiny, difficult to open containers. Likewise, avoid the “Hardware Storage Case� available in the hardware section since opening the top exposes all of the flies to disaster on a windy day.
Small, deep compartments are best! Video discussing the storage strategy and these boxes is at this link on the Kayak Hacks Fishing YouTube channel.
Zingers. How do three zingers for a buck sound? The Dollar Tree usually has these
in stock in late summer or early fall when their customers head back to school or work. While these inexpensive zingers will not hold heavy tools, like the Orvis forceps, they do just fine with nippers, floatant, and Amadou drying patches. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 43
new fly guy
Stripping Glove. $20 for a stripping glove! No way! Instead, go into the Dollar
Tree hardware section and buy one of the cloth/rubberized mechanics gloves and use this trick to turn it into a stripping glove. First, for additional comfort and to retain the tactile sense required to manipulate flies, cut off the fingertips except for the index finger. If you strip across your right hand, reverse the way you usually wear gloves and put the left-hand glove on the right hand; forcing the rubberized palm of the glove out (covering the back of your hand). This puts the smooth rubber at the top of the finger for the stripping surface. If you decide the rubber edge is not smooth enough, take one of the fingers you cut off and pull it over the uncut index finger, rotating the cloth underside up to become the stripping surface.
Don’t like that? Just wrap a piece of duct tape around the glove’s index finger. Video discussing the hack is at this link on the Kayak Hacks Fishing YouTube channel.
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new fly guy
Retractable fly box. When streamside, it’s easy to panic under pressure when changing a fly while fish are rising! The singular focus on getting back into action may result in the unintentional abandonment of the fly box streamside – the loss to be discovered much later when it is time to change to a different pattern. Likewise, an open fly vest pocket may allow a fly box filled with expensive flies to escape into the wild as you crawl to the best ambush positions. Note: If anyone finds fly boxes on the Rapidan or South Fork of the Piney Rivers in Virginia, they are mine! Boomerang Tools recognized the need to attach the fly box to the angler when they released a retractable fly box last year. In fact, their implementation was one of the iCast 2016 award winners. But, at $25, it ends up being an expensive choice when you can just make one yourself.
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new fly guy Here are the steps to make any box retractable 1. Grab one of the Dollar Tree zingers and drill a hole through the folding plastic tab. The hole needs to go through both sides of the tab for strength. 2. Drill a similar size hole in the fly box of your choice. Use one of the Dollar Tree pill organizers or an existing box. 3. Slide a ½” long bolt and washer (I like to use finish washers) through the plastic tab and then through the hole in the fly box. Use a tooth lock or split ring washer and nut on the other side to secure. The Dollar Tree zinger is not as robust as the heavy duty zinger Boomerang Tools provides. Therefore, put the box in a pocket since the zinger cord will break if you walk around dangling a fly box. Even with the Boomerang version, you would not want to stagger up a stream with the box waving in the breeze. Video showing how to make one is at this link on the Kayak Hacks Fishing YouTube channel. Check out Steve’s YouTube channel at KayakHacksFishing for more on this topic.
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Just How Old Am I? olive K. nynne
U
nlike the little smart poodle across the street or the bulldog across the way, I am not at all sure about my age. They are what is known in the bipod world as “registered.” I don’t mean like a registered sex offender, but, to be perfectly honest, I am not all together sure what it means to a registered dog. I do know this, that if you are an unregistered dog, the chances of getting your nuts cut off are better than 3-to-1 to those of a registered dog. (Now, that’s really about all I want to know about that.) And, if your one of those so-called “pure breed” mutts, your chance of a one-way trip to the local humane shelter are lot lower too, because of your so-called monetary value. You see, in the true canine world where I live, much of your value is…how can I say it…sentimental. However, for now, please allow me to digress back to my original point, which is the fact that I really don’t know exactly how old I am. As of late, I have been wondering just how old I am. When I got here, I recall that I was pretty much full grown. Boy, on the other hand, was small. Ole Daddyboy and Mommygirl
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have not changed much, except the old geezer sleeps a damn sight more than he used to. Boy, though, has changed a lot. It’s a misnomer to even call him “Boy.” As best I can tell, he was 7 or 8 years old when I arrived. I heard them talking the other night, and they said Boy would be 22 years old this January. That means that I must be at least 14 years old, and I might be 15 or 16 years old—who the hell really knows? I figure in “dog years” that makes me…hmmmm. Well, I am not sure if the formula it 7-to-1 years or if it’s 9-to-1 years. I do know this, though, it’s a lotta years. I’m somewhere between 84 years old and a 125 years old, which brings me to my point. Am I too old a dog teach new tricks, or am I like a fine wine, maturing to a status of “vintage” canine with all of the honors associated with the noble passage of time. You see, I prefer to exit this stage of life with a certain degree of decorum, not like a doddering, laughable old fart like Daddyboy. For example, last week we traveled back from Gatlinburg, the reprobate, out of the blue decided he wanted a Stuckey’s “pecan log.” There was not a real explanation for him wanting a pecan log, especially because of the fact that the last Stuckey’s along 1-40 went out of business twenty years ago. Daddyboy had a sweet tooth right then and there for a pecan roll from Stuckey’s, and there was going to be hell to pay if he didn’t get it. Fortunately, Mommygirl was on her toes as usual. She suggested that he lay back in the car seat while she drove around looking to find a well-stocked Stuckey’s. Of course, she did not find one. To the best of
black wing olive chronicles
my knowledge, they do not exist any closer than 300 miles from us. So, she did the next best thing. Sliding the Troutmobile of off the interstate into a Cracker Barrel, she quietly went in and bought a pecan log and some other dainties. Returning to the car, she unwrapped the pecan bar, and threw about a third of it out the window of the vehicle. She then stuck the remainder of the pecan log into sleeping beauty’s hand and then quickly returned the Troutmobile to the interstate. Just like clockwork, Daddyboy awoke. Starring down at the partially eaten pecan log, he emitted a complimentary grunt and stuffed half of the remaining pecan log in his mouth. As is our custom, he gave me “half” of the remaining “half” which I gobbled down without saying a word. The old fart never knew what had really happened to him, and I was not about to blow Mommygirl’s cover. Ten minutes later he had forgotten about the Stuckey’s deal, and shortly thereafter, he was again sound asleep. No sir, that is not how this puppy is going to travel down the home stretch of my life. I may be old, but I have the heart of a puppy. I have full recollection of dog food as way of getting rid of old horses and other livestock before dog food looked like entrées at some fancy restaurants. The last thing I want is to be remembered as having been is a “pampered” parlor pooch. Hell, no. I want to be remember as a tough street dog that knew good, semi-edible garbage when she saw it...Um, perhaps I am just like ole Daddyboy.
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39 South Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 770.606.1100 CohuttaFishingCo.com
For Sale!!
“Some of North GA’S Finest Land, in Sautee Nacoochee GA. Secluded & protected by surrounding mountains, this peaceful setting has 67+ acres with pristine trout streams, rushing waterfalls 2 homes, barns, sheds, & a log cabin circa 1803. Just minutes away from the Soquee River and the Appalachian Trail. Must see to truly appreciate the beauty. A hunting and fishing Paradise. Contract Patricia Bower 770-5306300 or Brandon Lovell 706-7682005. Keller Williams 706-8397355. For more info and images, click here.
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CHEROKEE, NC
Cherokee:
The Smokey’s High Roller Trout Town
M
y fishing roots in Cherokee go deep into the days before now. I remember when the bingo parlors in Cherokee were the “gaming” this side of Las Vegas. I recall making dawn runs up to Ravens Fork when the old bingo parlor (that looked like an abandoned warehouse) would be besieged with vehicles sporting tags from scores of states. Today, Cherokee is the home of one of the country’s largest casinos. Progression from bingo to blackjack has transformed the always popular seasonal tourist destination into a year round enterprise that never sleeps.
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CHEROKEE, NC
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CHEROKEE, NC
Harrah’s arrival on the Qualla Reservation has positively impacted the tribe’s economy. It is unclear if this or just changing times have had an equally positive impact of the management of the streams. What is apparent, though, is that the quality of Cherokee’s fisheries are now better managed and their catch-and-release sections are rated world class. Through it all, Cherokee has remained Cherokee: a quaint community that is willing to share its ancient cultural heritage with the outside world. From the 1960s through the 1980s, nonresidents fishing for trout on tribal waters was a significant part of the tourism promotion scheme. A federal hatchery on the reservation made an endless supply of rainbow, brook and brown trout. Streams like the Raven Fork, the Oconalaftee and Soco Creek were stocked twice weekly during the open season which was a financial boom for worm farmers and canned Del Monte whole kernel corn. Inexpensive daily tribal fishing permits and a generous 10-trout limit, made skillet fried trout meals a staple in the dozens of Cherokee campground where fishermen retreated from the streams. Harrah’s arrival coincided with changes that occurred in the management of the tribe’s 30 miles of Enterprise Waters that included most of the Raven Fork, Oconaluftee River, and Soco watersheds. (All remaining waters on the Reservation may only be fished by members of the tribe and are off limits to the general public.) In recent years, a designated catch-and-release, fly fishing only area was established on a section of Raven Fork. A “Special Use Permit” allows holders to use the designated catch-andrelease area on Raven Fork. Tackle is limited to fly rods, reels, and line with a maximum of 18 feet of leader material or monofilament line attached. Only artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic material on single, barbless hooks are permitted. Fishing with multiple flies attached to a single line (droppers) is permitted. The cost of the permit is $25 for one to three days, or $75 per year, with the purchase of a general tribal fishing permit.
What do you get for paying to belly up to this premium stretch of Raven Fork? It is silly with trout, many in the 20-to-30 inch range. They are big and brawny, and pretty damned angler savvy. Catching one can be tough (unless you are hickory nut lucky). Unlike virtually anywhere else where public access is available, here, on any cast, you have a legitimate chance of catching a stream wild leviathan trout. You will never see more spectacularly colored, jaw dropping rainbows and browns.
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CHEROKEE, NC
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Others have streams,
we have a trail.
Jackson County is home of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, which maps out 15 prime spots to catch brown, rainbow and brook trout in the crystal-clear streams of the Great Smoky Mountains. With more than 4,600 miles of wide-open rivers and secluded mountain streams, we have the state’s longest contiguous stretch of Mountain Heritage Trout Waters.
Discover the epic waters of North Carolina’s Trout Capital today.
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Camping on the Rive 60 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
er
CHEROKEE, NC
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o other trout fishing hub in the South has the smorgasbord of camping opportunities that are found on the Qualla Reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. If you are looking for a place to pitch a tent for a few days or a spot to nest your RV with full hookups, riverside camping is found in abundance along heavily stocked tribal streams, such as Raven Fork or the Oconulaftee River. If camping is too much of a hassle, many of these privately operated campgrounds have cabins with porches where you can sit and fish productive waters. With a unique flavor and personality, most of these campgrounds are family-owned businesses who have hosted trout fishermen for generations. Some of the campgrounds are plush. Some are modestly rustic. All, however, share one thing in common: at lunch time on every Saturday morning, the air is full of the aroma of trout frying in bacon grease.
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CHEROKEE, NC
River Valley Campground
A family owned campground since 1964, River Valley Campground is located along the scenic Raven Fork 3.5 miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina. Here, you fall asleep with the sounds of the river’s rapids. The pitch here is, “Stay at the River Valley Campground once and you'll likely become a regular." According to Myra Cloer, who owns River Valley Campground, many campers have been returning to our riverside paradise for the past 10, 20 or 30 years. Owned and operated by the same Cherokee family since 1964, they continue to add improvements, without losing the pristine, natural feel of the Smoky Mountains setting. The beautiful 50-foot waterfall on the River Valley Campground property says it all. River Valley Campground has 18 tent sites on river (water, 20 AMP); 24 tent sites off-river (water, 20 AMP); 8 full hookup sites on river (water, sewer, 30 or 50 AMP, cable TV); 28 full hookup, off-river, pull-through sites (water, sewer, 30 AMP, Cable TV) and 37 full hookup, off-river, back-on sites (concrete pads, water, sewer, 30 or 50 AMP, Cable TV). River Valley Campground is located on Big Cove Road, Cherokee. For info call 828-497-3540 62 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
CHEROKEE, NC
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Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA
Set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and in the heart of Cherokee tribal country, the Cherokee KOA boasts 360-degree views of the mountains. This resort-style campground is bordered on one side by Raven Fork and on the other side by three tribal trout ponds. It is an excellent base camp for exploring the great fly fishing of the area. The campground is only one mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway– named one of the most scenic drives in the nation; and is close to downtown Cherokee and Harrah's Cherokee Casino. They are open year round. Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA pull thru and back in sites with 50/30 Amps, Full Hookup. Cottages and lodges are available. Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA is located at 92 KOA Campground Road, Cherokee. For info call 828-497-9711
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CHEROKEE, NC
Indian Creek Campground
You’ll find just what you need at this small, privately owned, family oriented campground. Located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation at the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the campground is secluded, quiet, heavily wooded, naturally beautiful and nestled on 88 acres between three mountain tops. It is back to nature camping at Indian Creek Campground which is on Bunches Creek, one of the tribe’s Fisheries and Wildlife Management Program stocked waters. Enjoy some time together as a family sitting around your campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. No, there isn’t a pool, but what kid doesn’t love playing in a stream! Indian Creek Campground has 74 sites which include primitive tent sites, creek side sites for tents, pop-ups or small RV’s, full hook up sites (water, 30 amp. electric, sewer, cable) and a variety of cabins. The operation has a playground, laundry, scheduled activities and WIFI hotspot for internet access. It is located at 1367 Bunches Creek Road, Cherokee. For info call 828-497-4361 or visit www.indiancreekcampground.com 64 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
CHEROKEE, NC
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Cherokee Campground & Craig's Cabins
Cherokee Campground & Craig's Cabins is a shady 40-site property located on the banks of Soco Creek that also offers furnished log cabin and bunkhouses. In operation for 40 years by the Craig family, Cherokee Campground & Craig's Cabins is a great fishing base that is also located near all major attractions and within walking distance of downtown Cherokee and Harrah’s Casino, as well as a grocery store and several restaurants. Soco Creek is stocked weekly and tribal fishing permits are available here. Along with full hookup RV sites (30 & 50 amp) and tent sites (electricity and water), Cherokee Campground & Craig's Cabins has seven fully furnished, one- and two-bedroom log cabin rentals with covered porch, cable TV, and A/C. Three partiallyfurnished cabins are available as well as their ten, bring-your-own-bedding bunkhouses can accommodate up to 60 people. Cherokee Campground & Craig's Cabins is located at 91 US-19, Cherokee. For info call 828-497-9838
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CHEROKEE, NC
Mile High Campground
In 2014 ABC’s Good Morning America ranked Mile High Campground in the top 20 “Favorite Place in America.” Established in 1998 by Glen J. Bradley Jr., an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation, Mile High Campground offers the unique experience high altitude (elevation over 5400 feet) camping in the Great Smoky Mountains. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way. On a clear day, you can count up to 10 mountain tops and see all the way into Tennessee. Elk sightings are common occurrences, and low clouds passing through the campground personify why the Great Smoky Mountains were so dubbed. Campsites are large and can accommodate at least 25 feet of camper length, and many times more. All told Mile High Campground has over 40 tent/RV sites, plus four bunkhouse cabin. The cabins are rustic, but provide shelter from the elements. Cabin amenities include bunk beds and a queen platform, a picnic table on a covered porch, and of course a fire pit to keep warm on chilly nights. Amenities include full hook ups, clean bathrooms, hot showers, and firewood. Also available is primitive, secluded sites with spectacular views and sunsets. Mile High Campground is located a BIA Highway 407; Maggie Valley, North Carolina. For info call 828- 269-2945.
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CHEROKEE, NC
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Yogi in the Smokies
Got kids that need fun while you fly fish the varied waters of the Qualla Reservation? It will serve you to check Yogi in the Smokies. Arguably the most highly developed campground in Cherokee, part of its appeal is its beautiful landscaping and amenities that include a propane filling station, comfortable bathhouses, craft center, camp store and a 24-hour laundry. You can even get tribal fishing permits and tackle here. Riverside camp sites at Yogi in the Smokies’ deluxe RV sites boast full hookup sites (30 and 50 amp). Primitive tent sites have fire rings and picnic tables also available. Lodging options include sleeper, deluxe, off-river and riverside cabins as well as Jellystone and Elk Cottages, plus Yogi Bear Lodge. Themed activity weeks occur during peak season lead by Activity Directors. The property has a game room/arcade, heated pool, during peak season, and four-wheel bike rentals. Yogi in the Smokies is located at 317 Galamore Road, Cherokee. For info call 828-497-9151.
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CHEROKEE, NC
Eljawa Campground and Cabins LLC
Boasting faithful longtime clients, Eljawa Campground and Log Cabins in Whittier North Carolina is regarded by those who have discovered it as the best 1960s-style camping available along the Oconulaftee River. Established in 1972, this “down home” family run operation provides full hookup RV and tent camping adjacent to the trout rich Oconulaftee River. It is located 220 Eljawa Drive, Cherokee. For info call 828-497-7204.
Mingo Falls Campground
Mingo Falls Campground in Cherokee North Carolina offers full and partial hookup RV sites adjacent to the river. Mingo Falls, called Big Bear Falls in the Cherokee language, cascades 200 feet down granite boulders. It's located just five miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Big Cove Road past the campgrounds. The beautiful 1/4-mile hike to the waterfall along the rushing stream is short, but you must climb 161 steps. At the top of the stairway, a short path past impressive rock outcroppings leads to a viewing bridge at the base of the falls. The waterfall is especially impressive after some big rains. Mingo Falls Campground is located at 71 Big Cove Road, Cherokee. 68 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
CHEROKEE, NC
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Flaming Arrow Campground
Flaming Arrow Campground is a family-operated business that is located one mile from downtown on the Oconulaftee River. It is not a streamside campground, but it is regarded by many as the friendliest, most family oriented campground on the Qualla Reservation. Flaming Arrow Campground RV sites have 20/30/50 Amp hookups; Cable TV; laundry facilities, pool, and wireless internet. Flaming Arrow Campground is located at 283 Flaming Arrow Drive, Whittier. For call 828-497-6901 or visit www. flamingarrowcampground.com.
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Fly Shop
River's Edge 72 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Featured Fly Shop - CHEROKEE, NC
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magine a view extending over one of the top big trout streams in your area…how would you get anything done? That precisely what we thought when shuffling about River’s Edge Outfitter Fly Shop in Cherokee. North Carolina. When queried as to how the hell he got anything done with an office view like this, Justin Hunt just smiled and said you get used to it. When I countered it must take a long time to get used to it, Justin just smiled and diverted my attention to the shop cash register. Joey Walraven owns River’s Edge Outfitters, and along with Justin Hunt, operated the only fly fishing shop on the 56,000 acre Eastern Band of the Cherokee known as the Qualla Reservation. It is the larger native tribal refuse found east of the Mississippi River. If Western North Carolina is a great fly fishing destination, then many miles of public fishing found in Cherokee are one of the most special destination for fly fishermen.
e Outfitters
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Fly Shop
“WNC is a great fly fishing destination, with everything you could ask for here,” says Hunt. “We have some of the best blue lining anywhere. Also, we have great stocking programs that range from catch & keep to delayed harvest to catch & release trophy waters. There is great wading and floating. We have a multitude of species including: brook trout, rainbow, browns, smallmouth, largemouth, perch, rock bass, and many others. To top it off the weather is typically nice year round.” “Cherokee is special because it is centrally located to most of these waters. First off you can be in Cherokee in 2-3 hours from several major cities (Atlanta, Charlotte, Knoxville, or Greenville). Within approximately 20 minutes you can be on any type of water you want. Cherokee has a great selection of accommodations, numerous restaurants and family attractions. In fact, the reservation contains one of the biggest, Harrah’s, casino gaming house found east of Las Vegas. When asked about how the interest in fly fishing has changed over the last two or three decades, Hunt replied, “Twenty to thirty years ago fly fishing in the South seemed to be more of a rich man’s game. In those days, most people did not understand the value of good equipment. You had two types of people, the ones that bought high end equipment just for show and the guys who loved to fish and would do whatever it took to do so. Now, it seems that those two have melted together. The ‘for show’ guys want to learn more about fishing. And, then the fishermen who just love to fish have come to appreciate good equipment. Also, the fly fishing companies have made a huge effort to accommodate everyone, no matter if you’ve never seen a fly rod or you’ve been using one for 70 years and own 100 rods. There is always something for you.” 74 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Fly Shop
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Featured Fly Shop - CHEROKEE, NC
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“Today there is a huge interest in WNC fly fishing,” says Hunt. “I believe that more and more people really beginning to appreciate the fisheries we have here. Being a full service shop in WNC especially Cherokee is vital. A great portion of our business is people traveling so they do not keep their entire arsenal of flies with them. It’s our job as the so called ‘local expert’ to be prepared by having the patterns or gear that they need to provide what they do not have. It is most helpful when we set up for success.” Because Cherokee is one of the region’s most diverse in terms of who visit, Hunt chats with a lot of really novice fly fishermen who frequent River’s Edge for help. Here at River’s Edge Outfitter novice fly fisherman are key to our business. We take pride in that. I would say on average we see 3-5 people a day that are novice fly fisherman. So we spend extra time helping those folks out. Making sure they know casting basics, a knot or two, a few go-to fly patterns, and whatever else they might need. This is our passion and we want to share it and for it to carry on. If people don’t start out right then it creates frustrations and they eventually give up. We don’t want that.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 77
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Fly Shop “It’s almost predictable that we have someone every day that comes in and says ‘I have always wanted to try fly fishing and never have, is it hard?’” says Hunt. “My reply is always ‘today is a great day to start.’ Fly Fishing is not near as hard as people make it seem. We offer lessons from basic fly fishing 101 to more socialized techniques. We make sure people know we are here. We are never more than a phone call away if they have ANY questions. We will always take the extra time to answer questions or step outside to assess their cast, help with flies, or stand there and work on knots with them. We are here for and because of them.” River’s Edge Outfitters maintains a stable of 5-to-6 full time guides. They also have about that many freelance guys who they use when extremely busy. These are all well trained and very astute at taking young anglers. Unlike some fly shops, the differ nature of the local fisheries dictates weather clients should fly or spin fish. Similarly, fly tying isn’t a huge deal at River’s Edge Outfitter. They do sell a good bit of tying supplies but they are quite busy with tourist business. It’s seems most of the foot traffic would rather just buy their flies get out on the water.
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Fly Shop
“In recent seasons we have found that by specializing in euro-nymphing and Tenkara has really set us apart,” says Hunt. “We have the best selection of Tenkara rods anywhere. We carry Badger Tenkara, Dragontail Tenkara, Three Rivers Tenkara, Tenkara Rod Co, and Tanuki Tenkara. We also keep great selection of nymphing rods from Douglas Outdoors, Syndicate, Redington, Hardy, Fenwick, and Sage. We are really excited about the entire line of rods from Douglas Outdoors. They make an incredible line of rods for all fly fishing in southern waters. We also care several unique apparel lines from Simms, Howler Bros, Kavu, State Legacy Revival, Hippy Tree, Meridian Line, and Teva.
“Our goal at REO is customer service,” says Hunt. “We want people to know that TEAM REO is here for them. Therefore we want to offer products from companies that feel the same way. We want people to know that no matter if they spend 10 cents or $10,000 we appreciate them the same. Again this is our passion and we want folks to see that.”
www.wncfishing.com/
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Featured Fly Shop - CHEROKEE, NC
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Trout only live in beautiful places.
Fly Fish the Trout Capitol of Georgia. With over 550 miles of beautiful rivers and trout streams, Blue Ridge and Fannin County have the richest, most diverse all-season fishery in the state.
For a free Visitor’s Guide, call 800-899-mtns www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l March 2017 l 81 BlueRidgeMountains.com
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Guide
E
ugene Shuler is the owner and operator of the guide service, Fly Fishing the Smokies. We chatted with Eugene between guide trips and asked him to share some insight into his business and fly fishing in the Smokies.
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Featured Guide - CHEROKEE, NC
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with
Eugene Shuler
Fly Fishing the Smokies provides a fun and entertaining fly fishing experience for anglers of all ages and skill levels. We want folks to have a great time learning the sport of fly fishing in one of the most beautiful regions in the East. We guide the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in both Tennessee and North Carolina, the Nantahala National Forest, Panthertown Valley, Cullasaja River Gorge, Tuckasegee River, Little Tennessee River and Fontana Lake. We offer wade trips, float trips, bass fishing trips, back country multi-day camping trips, and Please describe the backpacking trips deep into the Great Smoky Mountains mission statement of your National Park. We guide for trout, smallmouth, largemouth, guide business? walleye, spotted bass and carp. We have two offices; one in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and one in Bryson City, North Carolina
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Guide
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Featured Guide - CHEROKEE, NC
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What makes western North Carolina and East Tennessee unique to other trout waters? The mountains of the southern Appalachia offer a wide diversity when it comes to trout fishing. We are fortunate to have year round opportunities for catching trout on a fly. In this region we have everything from top of class tailwaters to high elevation freestone streams. We also have a few limestone streams in the region as well. Unique to our region is the Southern Appalachian strain brook trout. These fish are some of the rarest in the country and arguably the most beautiful. They're only found in the clean, cold high elevation mountain freestone streams such as the ones found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Their beautiful colors are only matched by the pristine environments where they are found. Do you offer instruction to your clients? Yes, certainly we offer instruction to our clients. In this sport, knowledge is key to success. The more you can teach a client and the better they can execute these techniques, the more successful their catch rates and overall enjoyment will be. We teach anglers of all ages and skill levels how to fly fish and become more proficient with the fly rod. We teach everything from basic to advanced fly casting, to numerous fly fishing and nymphing techniques. Do you supply flies and/or other tackle and waders? We supply all the necessary gear and equipment that clients need for a day of fly fishing. Our guides pride themselves on tying their own flies, rarely seeing the need to stop by a fly shop to stock up on store bought flies. By having the ability to be creative at the vise and tie exactly the pattern needed for a particular hatch or particularly fussy trout, you can be assured of a productive day. How did you get started guiding? I guess you could say I was born into it. My entire life has revolved around fly fishing. I am a third-generation guide. My grandpa was a guide for many years in the late 40s until the early 70s on the Nantahala River, the north shore region of Fontana Lake, and the Little Tennessee River. My Dad also guided part time when I was a child. Pretty much all I did was fly fish, either with one of them or by myself. I was on the water fly fishing with my grandpa on a Little Tennessee tributary stream when the good Lord called him home. I didn’t get to play sports much growing up as my mother had a long battle with cancer, so going to practices and games was almost impossible. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 85
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Guide
For me, getting outside with my fly rod was more fun anyway. My mother would walk short distances along Deep Creek and sit by Tom Branch Falls several evenings each week, and, of course, I harassed the brown trout on Deep Creek like it was my job. I started tying flies when I was 9 years old and by age 11, I was selling flies to local tackle shops and tying custom orders and continued this through college. I guided some in college for a local fly shop which could barely keep themselves busy, let alone me. At the encouragement from my parents I started my own guide service. From there I ended up with my own fly shop, which I quickly found that I didn’t like. Being stuck behind a counter pretty much sucked. I couldn’t stand not being on the water with people helping them to learn and create great experiences. I knew then, I had to just guide and that’s it. I feel in this life God gives you one talent. It’s up to you to figure out what that talent is and use it. Now I'm not saying I'm talented, but there isn't much else I know how to do! Kinda narrows it down What are the expectations of most of your clients? Most folks want to get outside somewhere beautiful, have some fun, catch a few fish, and learn how to do something new and cool. It’s about the experience of it all. Fly Fishing is a journey and adventure just as much as it is about the fish themselves. Lee Wulff once said, “Trout don’t live in ugly places.” No truer words have ever been spoken about this sport. Do you supply transportation and food and drinks? We provide a streamside lunch and drinks on our trips. We also provide transportation from meeting locations to the river and streams. Several of our guides are graduates of culinary schools and were chefs in their previous careers. Meals on our camping trips are out of this world thanks to these fine gentlemen’s skill sets. 86 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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What are your most popular repeat trips? That’s a tough question. We don't see so much as a most popular repeat trip rather than our repeat clients fishing numerous rivers and streams with us and taking advantage of all the great fishing opportunities that our region has to offer. What would you like for potential customers to know about guided trips before they book with you? Bring a good attitude and be willing to put in some effort. We are going to teach you and give you every opportunity possible to catch fish. You need to trust and listen to what your guide is teaching you and be willing to meet your guide half way with just as much effort as they are giving you. We want you to catch the fish of your desire and catch as many fish possible but that only happens if you do what your guide is trying to teach you and keeps telling you. Just because you have hired a guide doesn't mean trout will jump on your line automatically. Your guide can get you bit, but you have to pay attention and set the hook! www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 87
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Why do you feel that guided fishing trips have become so popular in recent years? In my opinion, there is more advertising on regional and national levels now that are showcasing what our sleepy part of the world has to offer, and obviously we have some great fly fishing. It seems people in general are looking for more profound experiences and trying as many different things as possible. Living life to fullest seems to be the mantra of man these days, and the outdoor industry as a whole is reaping the benefits of this cultural movement. What would you like to say about the experience anglers can expect when going on a trip with you? I'm going to give it my best everyday on the water with my clients. I actually don't like the term client, all though I have used that term all throughout this interview. I like guest better. After all they are my guest on my home rivers, and after a day on the water with me, I hope they refer to me as their friend. I prepare for each trip individually with special concern and to what you are looking to get out of your day on the water. I’m going to teach you all I can while you are out here with me. I want you to learn as much about fly fishing and our trout as you do about the region and the mountains of my home. We are in a unique place unlike any other in the world, and my family was some of the first settlers into the Smokies. There's so much history and points of interest that it’s nearly impossible not to stop and take some of the local culture in too. What positive changes have you seen in trout fishing in your region? We are seeing greater attention given to our region on both a local and national level. What this is done is help create more Delayed Harvest regulated streams and special managed areas. We are also seeing more people practicing catch and release these days versus a few years ago. Local people are realizing the importance that sustainable fisheries bring to the economy. Overall, I feel our fishing has gotten better in the past ten years. 88 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Since 1999 the Smoky Mountain’s #1 Outfitter and Guide Service! Serving Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Cherokee and Bryson City. Half-day and full-day:
• • • • • •
Wade Trips Drift Boat Trips Beginner classes and instruction with the best guides in the Smoky Mountains. Fly fishing and spin fishing for kids and families Fly fishing merit badge classes Corporate and group fly fishing
We fish the most beautiful trout streams in the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains:
• • • • • •
Great Smoky Mountains National Park The Tuckasegee River The Little Tennessee River Cherokee trophy trout waters Hazel Creek day trips Fontana Lake for bass and walleye
No Experience necessary, we will teach you how to fly fish!
Rates starting at $75.00 per person! For reservations call 828-488-7665 Or book securely from our website!
828-488-7665 • FlyFishingTheSmokies.net Email guides@FlyFishingTheSmokies.net
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Harrah'
CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Resort
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's:
Featured Resort - CHEROKEE, NC
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Super Duper Trout Lodging O
kay, okay….how many anglers pay to stay at Harrah Casino when they visit the trout streams of Eastern Band of the Cherokee? Not that many, because many simply camp at the reservation’s many campgrounds. Many, too, opt for the comforts of the same place where they have stayed since Moby Dick was a minnow. I mean after all, Cherokee is about the weirdest place you can ever stay. So, again, you ask, why feature Cherokee’s biggest business as the feature resort. Well, first,unfortunately, it is not a popularity poll. Second, I decided it was time to quit sleeping on a soggy air-filled cushion for a few nights to see how the other half lived. For the record, dear begotten readers, it was an eye-opening experience. So, where shall I start? This is was the layout. For starters, we were on our own—i.e. we were not hosted or given any special treatment. We were, how can say this, on our own in the magical land of “Where every hand is holding a very good time.”
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Resort
The brochure clearly stated that “Arrowheads point to good luck,” so we followed them into Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. North Carolina’s first casino, Harrah’s promises “an electrifying adventure.” That’s bound to put a smile on your face and, if you’re lucky, a bulge in your wallet. We did managed a couple of guarded grins, but a bulge never appeared in our wallet. A casino and luxury hotel combined, Harrah’s Casino is home to a 21-story, four-star, luxury hotel nestled in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. The 1,108 spacious rooms include amenities such as large baths, upscale furniture and fixtures, and 42-inch HD plasma TVs. In addition to these amenities, guests have access to an arcade, indoor pool and workout room, as well as a 15,000-squarefoot conference center and several delicious restaurants. Eight unforgettable suites are located in the Mountain Tower, 21 in the Soco Tower, and 78 in Creek Tower. We did not quite make it to the luxury suites. Our lower level room was nice, but 94 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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hardily unforgettable. Now, don’t get me wrong, it was nice beyond our expectations. The high point for me was when we ate at four of the restaurants in the resort. They were very, very good. Our midweek’s hiatus was such that waiting in line was a not a problem. I even managed to break away from the primary buffets along enough to fish Ravens Fork on three occasions during our two-night stay. Inspired by elements of native culture and Balinese influenced treatments, Mrs Kirk’s skipped fishing altogether. She opted instead for the Mandara Spa that brought her the highest quality of therapeutic luxury. The Mandara brand emphasizes beauty, rejuvenation, and exotic indulgence, aiming to enhance each guest’s resort experience by providing luscious opportunities for pampering. I wouldn’t really know as I was on Ravens Fork while Mrs. Kirk dallied. Signs in the lobby of the casino announced their availability of their “Stay and Play Packages” to take advantage of every opportunity. If you are traveling with children, then it is simple www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 95
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CHEROKEE, NC - Featured Resort
stuff to stay at the casino and let the kids explore the arcade while the adults hit the gaming tables, or take some time and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, tubing, and much more. The posters were mighty inviting, but Mrs. Kirk had already planned to spend every spare minute possible the spa. While there I discovered that Harrah’s casino was more than just a place to gamble. It is also an Events Center and Conference Center that houses a new 3,000seat events center where acts from Hank Williams, Jr. to Lady Antebellum have performed. This unique venue option features amphitheater seating on three levels for a variety of events and programs. The main floor can accommodate everything from a dinner for 800 to a tradeshow with more than 150 booths. The casino can also host groups and meetings ranging from ten to over 3,000 people in a state-of-theart conference facility. The large meeting space can be broken down into 7 smaller configurations to suit any event or group needs. Impressive. Unfortunately, Hank was not there those night (nor was anyone else). The nearby Fire Mountain Trails are Cherokee’s newest source for adventure. A multiuse 96 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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trail system that’s made to mountain bike, hike, or run. The network of trails is more than 10.5 miles total, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to recreate safely, responsibly…and flowy? That’s right—if you like your trails with a nice flow of features, with fun berms and quick hits of elevation that are manageable and fun, Fire Mountain is made for you. You’ll find tables, rock gardens, and blinds for those who know, along with single-track and wider sections, spots that are smooth and fast, and trails that invite the more technically accomplished with options for those less so. The trailhead is located about 100 yards from the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee and shares a parking lot. The trails interlace through the nearby Great Smoky Mountains, so you already know the views and terrain will take your breath away, even if your recreation of choice doesn’t! Trails are free of charge, and open every day, all day. Please note that our mystery guest managed to check in and out without detection. At least one honest member of the group gave the place a B+ for lodging. The other member of the party never as much as wet a line. She gave the resort an unprecedented rating of A+++++. By the way, as far as directions, just follow the car in front of you. They are going there. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 97
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Raven Fork’s Trophies Large and Small
(An excerpt from the guidebook Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia) By Nick Carter
O
n its upper end, Raven Fork is one of the best small streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to target larger-than-average native brook trout. On its lower end, there is an outstanding stretch of trophy-managed river for anglers who love to feel the pull of trout measured in pounds instead of inches. In all, there are more than 13 miles of river from Raven Fork’s formation to the point where it joins
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the Oconoluftee north of Cherokee, N.C. There are about 2.5 miles of water open to Cherokee tribal members only, these waters are marked as such, but the rest of it is open either under GSMNP regulations or Cherokee Enterprise or trophy regulations. Access to certain stretches, however, can be difficult. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 101
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Raven Fork’s headwaters rise in one of the most rugged and remote drainages of the GSMNP. Three forks join to form Raven Fork at a place called Big Pool. It is one of the larger brook trout streams on the park, and gorgeous, surrounded by old growth forest that was mostly spared from logging. Yet very few anglers are willing to make the strenuous hike into the area. Raven Fork’s brookie water is hard to get to. And once you get there, no trail follows the creek. So it is hard to get back out. It is an expedition best suited for a pack-in trip to Backcountry Campsite 47, which sits near the only trail crossing of the creek. There is a steel-truss bridge at the trail crossing, which rumor holds was constructed after a backpacker died there trying to cross the creek. This should serve as warning about the rugged nature of the area. Wading the creek requires clambering over boulders and bushwhacking through rhododendron. The creek is a lot easier to fish in low-water conditions. Of course, difficult access and difficult terrain are two things that usually equate to good fishing, and that’s what adventurous anglers will find. Steep sections of boulders and plunge pools are interspersed with relatively flat stretches of long slicks and easy wading. In the Smokies, a brook trout longer than 10 inches is pretty rare. Catching a 12-inch “speck” is like finding a unicorn. There might be a few unicorns in Raven Fork, and the occasional wild rainbow shows up as well. There are about four miles of water between Campsite 47 and Big Pool. There are a little less than two miles of creek downstream between the campsite and the park boundary. This lower section of water on the park runs through a steep gorge, which is very difficult to access and can be downright dangerous. Downstream of the park boundary is the beginning of the stretch open to tribal members only. Raven Fork within the GSMNP is for folks who like solitude and don’t mind working very hard to pursue small but beautiful fish. Some backcountry experience and a reliable buddy are recommended for this trip. Raven Fork gets a lot easier to fish once it crosses out of the tribal member only area at its confluence with Straight Fork. It has grown quite large by this point, it is roughly paralleled 102 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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by Big Cove Road and managed under normal Cherokee Enterprise Waters regulations. The river can be accessed via roadside pullouts, fishing pressure can be pretty heavy, and anglers should be careful to abide by the streamside signs which indicate how stretches of the river are regulated. Things get interesting for fly fishermen at River Valley Campground, which is the upper boundary of Raven Fork’s trophy waters. For 2.2 miles downstream of the campground, and including a small section of the Oconaluftee after the two rivers meet, the water is managed under fly fishing-only, catch-and-release only regulations. The downstream boundary of this stretch is the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge. Only flies with single barbless hooks are allowed. Cherokee Fish and Wildlife stocks this section with trophy fish. It has been said the average fish here is 20 inches, and trout 30 inches and longer are a possibility. A special $25 three-day permit or $75 annual permit is required to fish the trophy stretch. Roadside access is easy and so is the wading. Other than some of the more exclusive pay-to-play private waters, it’s hard to find opportunities to catch fish this large in the Southeast. The Raven Fork trophy stretch does see a lot more fishing pressure than many private operations, but the price tag to fish it is just a fraction of what’s charged on most trophy waters. 104 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Access Points
While Raven Fork’s headwaters are difficult to access and require a strenuous hike through rough country, the lower end on the Qualla Boundary offers many roadside pullouts along Big Cove Road that offer access to the river where it is stocked heavily. Pay attention to the roadside signs, which indicate which sections on Cherokee land are managed as trophy waters, Enterprise Waters and tribal member access only. • Blue Ridge Parkway bridge (35.506089, -83.300428): The Blue Ridge Parkway bridge over the Oconaluftee River marks the downstream end of the Cherokee trophy waters, which extend up Raven Fork. • Big Cove Road bridge (35.516782, -83.294792): Just upstream of Cherokee High School, this bridge is a good place to spot trophy trout swimming in Raven Fork below. Parking is available at either end of the bridge. • Enloe Creek Trail (35.608883, -83.222865): The Hyatt Ridge/Enloe • River Valley Campground (35.522232, Creek Trail offers the easiest access -83.283962): Not necessarily a good access to Raven Fork in its headwaters. The point, River Valley Campground marks the Hyatt Ridge trailhead is on the north upstream boundary of the trophy waters along side of Straight Fork Road about 2.5 Big Cove Road. Upstream of this point, Raven miles north of the Cherokee Fish Fork is Enterprise Waters. Hatchery. The trail climbs 1.9 miles up the ridge and gains at least 2,000 feet • Straight Fork (35.566171, -83.244597): The of elevation, which makes it a pretty mouth of Straight Fork on Raven Fork is the brutal uphill slog. The Hyatt Ridge upstream boundary of the publicly accessible Trail then intersects Enloe Creek Trail, Enterprise Waters. Upstream of this point to which drops another 0.9 miles down the GSMNP boundary, Raven Fork is for tribal to a bridge over Raven Fork. members only. 106 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Regulations and Necessary Information • Open under tribal regulations in Qualla Boundary. Enterprise Waters require a tribal fishing permit available at retailers on Cherokee Lands. Trophy waters require a different special use permit. • Open under GSMNP regulations within the park. Requires a North Carolina fishing permit. • Reservations for Backcountry Campsite 47 can be made by calling (877) 444-6777. • A 3-weight rod and floating line are suitable for the hike-in headwaters portion of Raven Fork. A 5-weight and floating line are suitable for the Cherokee Enterprise Waters. It wouldn’t be out of place to go even heavier in the trophy stretch. For GPS coordinates to access points on all of the region’s best trout fisheries, pick up a copy of Nick Carter’s new book “Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia,” which is available on Amazon. Signed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
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Escape to Extraordinary. Escape to Blue Ridge. With a cabin vacation from Escape to Blue Ridge, premium amenities are as important as creating priceless memories. Year-round adventures are as abundant as picturesque mountain views. And making an escape isn’t just accepted, it’s encouraged.
Discover why our vacation cabins are North Georgia’s finest at EscapeToBlueRidge.com. 855-885-4894
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H
ave every wondered what a trout stream looks like from the bottom up? Join me on a trip Harper Creek, a rugged wild stream that feeds into the Wild and Scenic Wilson’s Creek Gorge in Caldwell County, North Carolina. The gorge is formed by the Blue Ridge Mountains meeting the Foothills and is directly south of Grandfather Mountain. It would take weeks of camping to visit the dozens of breathtaking waterfalls found here. Harper’s Creek is one of the most beautiful streams I’ve ever witnessed, and if you decide to fish all of it, you will be treated with three world class waterfalls. The water is crystal clear and you can be easily fooled into thinking nothing is there until the trophy native brown darts from under the rock you’re standing on. Often, I sit there for ten minutes or more. These waters produce fish with spectacular colors, because the water is just simply more pristine than most creeks you’ll ever see.
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Harper's Creek by John Rabb
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It’s not advisable to fish this creek above the falls alone, because if you do get injured, it may be days before another fisherman finds you. The hidden secret to this creek is fishing this stretch, since eventually, you’ll reach Harper Creek Falls and can walk out by the trail system which is easily followed to the road. Once you reach Harper Falls, you’ll be treated with an enormous double waterfall that you will never forget and it’s a splendid place to rest and end your day before hitting the trail and heading to your car. If you would like the waterfalls and splendors of Wilson’s Creek Gorge please follow me on Instagram at www. instagram.com/john_rabb_ and for prints my website is www.johnrabb.com
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Fish Hippie Wine: Distinctively North Carolina Style Grapes
W
hile the world was off doing its usual things, one of the true niceties of the 21st Century has found a home in the Yadkin River Valley of the First State. While some of us are old enough to remember when just about anything known as a hippie, much less a Fish Hippies, was of some notorious origins, Fish Hippie Vineyard has quickly turned an odd name into that of a great vineyard. Founded in 2002 by Ben Webb, Old North State Winery is unlike any other winery in North Carolina. Born and raised in Mount Airy, founder Ben Webb studied both Viticulture and Enology in college. Upon graduating, he began his quest to make outstanding North Carolina wines by planting a 10-acre vineyard on his family farm in eastern North Carolina. As the vines matured, he then planted 18 more acres in the Yadkin Valley. With its clay loam soil and mild climate, Ben successfully grew Cabernet Franc, Chamboucin, Riesling, Petit Manseng, and Carlos and Nobel Muscadines a native North Carolina grape. In the early part of the decade when Ben Webb and Drew Denny met one afternoon, fishing along a sandbar on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There they
discovered that they had much in common. Both had been raised to high Southern values. They believed that less is more, and thus the Fish Hippie brand evolved. In 2010, Ben and Drew started an outdoor inspired lifestyle brand focused on making classic casual clothing and outdoor wear with a more modern fit and style. As the brand evolved, Ben began making wine under the Fish Hippie label. The Fish Hippie brand has been a tremendous success. Fish Hippie apparel and accessories are now available in over 450 stores across the country, with demand and growth remaining very high. As a result, when you visit the winery, you will find a great selection of not only Fish Hippie wines, but also great Fish Hippie merchandise.
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Ben and Drew are two entrepreneurs who have taken a few acres of grapes and turned them into an arsenal of wine varieties that have many of the flavors that make them southern to the core, yet others that can stand squarely in the middle of the fray. Currently Fish Hippie Vineyard produces almost a dozen dry wines and three sweet one that vary from a superb oaked Chardonnay to a fun-to-drink Hippie Soul Red Wine. The varieties are priced at $10 to $20 per bottle and are as follows: Fish Hippie Merlot, this 100 percent Yadkin Valley North Carolina Wine has aromas of blackberry with a hint of pepper. It hits the palate with a light body softness and has finishings of smooth leather and light tannins. Fish Hippie Cabernet Franc Red Wine, a dry Cabernet Franc Carolina wine that has spent 19 months in the bed of French and American oak barrels. Aromas and flavors of pepper, roasted peanuts, oak, and finishes with notes of tobacco. 128 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Fish Hippie Spring House White Wine, a blend of 56% Vidal Blanc, 15% Riesling, and 29% Chardonnay with hints of honeysuckle and finishes with a touch of grapefruit. This white blend North Carolina wine is aged in American oak for only 11 months. Fish Hippie Oaked Chardonnay, a lightly Oaked Yadkin Valley, NC Chardonnay aged in the barrel for eight months that finishes with hints of butter. Fish Hippie Soul Red Wine, a soul red blend Carolina wine is loaded with plum and blackberry flavors with accents of spice. A rich, fruit-forward wine dedicated to the finer side of outdoor living. Fish Hippie Bare Bones White Wine, a bright and crisp, well balanced stainless steel aged North Carolina wine. Bare Bones is a blend of Chardonnay and Vidal Blanc. Fish Hippie Riesling, this North Carolina wine is a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, with noticeable floral characteristics. Pairs well with any spicy foods, mild cheeses, cheesecake and white chocolate. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 129
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CHEROKEE, NC
The vineyard also has a satellite vineyard that produces two more: Fish Hippie Seersucker Social Sweet Red Muscadine Wine, and Fish Hippie Seersucker Social Sweet White Muscadine Wine. The reds are made from a wonderful, sweet red jumbo Muscadine Carolina Wine grape. The organically steered process of this Carolina wine sets a course for the natural Muscadine flavor to sail throughout the taste on a semi-sweet journey. It’s no longer anyone’s secret of the fantastic wines squeezed from North Carolina vineyards from the coastal region to the highest mountains of the western part of the state. Some many vineyards are coming on board each year, the number of vineyards is not really known, but thought to be…well, excellent.
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CHEROKEE, NC
CLOSE LOOK
It’s pretty tough to say which came first: the Fish Hippie Wine or the Fish Hippie Brand. Perhaps it is a marriage of convenience, but if it is, it is a good marriage. From an initial chance meeting, the idea of Fish Hippie began to take shape. Ben and Drew talked about creating a brand that celebrates those times in our lives when you can escape the rat race, unwind, enjoy good times with friends and take the road less traveled. No, Fish Hippie isn’t about tie-dye shirts or psychedelic drugs (no comment). But it is a celebration of the hippie-like dedication to your chosen lifestyle, the ability to escape the mundane and not be caught up in social demands — to be yourself and find balance in the world. Today less that ten years into their venture, the Fish Hippie Brand offers a complete selection of Solace Button Downs, Traditional Button Downs, Men’s Polos, Long Sleeve T-Shirts, T-Shirts, Shorts, Youth, Outerwear, Flannels. Additionally they also offer Hats, Yeti Coolers, Knives, Cups and Koozies, Belts, Bags, and Stickers and Flags. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 131
Fun Times at the
“D
inner was a delicious memory.� Trout fishing in the South is far more than merely catching fish. In fact, the older I get the more I am convinced that we use trout fishing as an excuse to get out into some of the most majestic place on earth and to enjoy every nuance that it has to offer. In retrospect, catching a few trout is mere gravy on the biscuits so to speak.
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F RYEMONT Listed on the National Register
of Historic Places
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On a recent trip to Bryson City, North Carolina, for the induction ceremony of the Southern Appalachian Museum of Fly Fishing, we arranged a one night stay at the fabled Fryemont Inn there. We really did not know what to expect from a place where you need a pretty good magnifying glass to find it on a map. As it turned out though, it was a true experience in stepping back in time to what often reminds us of the 1940s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fryemont Inn has been a tradition in mountain hospitality since 1923. In a quick nutshell, there are 32 rooms and family suites in the historic lodge and 8 luxury fireplace suites in the cottage area. A pet-friendly two bedroom cabin is adjacent to the swimming pool. The entire operation is in the loving care of Monica and George Brown IV, and Sue and George Brown. The Fryemont Inn is a rustic, bark covered architectural masterpiece. From the moment you enter the historic Fryemont Inn, you will feel transported back in time to by its warmth and friendly charm. Its massive stone fireplaces, timber beams and chestnut paneled walls are reminiscent of a bygone era when America was just discovering the adventure, majestic beauty and cool breezes of the Western North Carolina Mountains. The Fryemont Inn is entirely different from the many places we have experienced over the years. There are rumors aplenty that the portions of the place are haunted by unknown ghost,
especially stories related to an unkempt little girl that frequently camps out by herself at an old hanging swing. We saw no sign of her, or any other ghoul said to have residence here. Mind you though, we were on our guard for such an occurrence, and we were quite aware in the event a sighting occurred. The accommodations at the inn were quite to our liking. We had suites in a modern part of the inn (built in the 1930). However, we passed by open rooms that were furnished with vanities and old style showers reminiscent of 100 years ago. The big front porch was a personal favorite. We sat in rocking chairs as long as time permitted taking in the breathtaking views of Bryson City below back dropped by the towering Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I would quite remiss if I did not comment on the marvelous food. A fourcourse dinner comes with a night stay. Don had prime rib, while I opted for the Pecan Trout. They were delicious, followed by a scrumptious dessert. Breakfast was quite memorable as well. I had apple pancakes and sausage. Don opted for their homemade gravy and biscuit. I don’t know if he was pulling their leg, but he asked for a sliced, vine ripe tomato with it. Prior to serving him they brought out a tomato for his inspection. He took the tomato, examined it closely and smelled it before pronouncing the fruit acceptable. This is typical of Don on the road. We plan to return to the Fryemont Inn soon. We hope to see ya there.
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Full Service Outfitter Fly Fishing Trips Rentals Clinics & Classes Apparel Sage . Winston Rod Co. Orvis . Redington Yeti . Rio
79 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 . 678-762-0027 AlpharettaOutfitters.com . Alpharettaoutfitters@yahoo.com
Kevin Howell: NC’s Mr. Trout
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Take a stroll through time with the Tarheel States best trout fisherman.
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ome of my earliest memories of trout fishing are with my father on a small stream near west Jefferson, North Carolina. When I was 6 or 7 and no one made waders for kids then,� says Kevin Howell, the owner of Davidson River Outfitters in Pisgah, North Carolina. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 139
“In those days, we always went to my grandparents for Easter and my father and I would trout fish early on the Saturday before Easter. West Jefferson North Carolina in early April is still pretty cool, and you had to have waders or you would freeze. So, he would fashion waders for me out of heavy duty trash bags around each leg and duct taped together at the waist. Although it was really nothing more than a gesture, it did keep me warm and feeling important. Yet, I always ended up falling in, and by the time I got back to my grandparents’ house, I had pulled the wet soggy trash bags off and finished the day wet wading. I can remember my legs being beet red
from the cold water, but that was not about to deter me from fishing,” Howell said. Howell grew up in a trout fishing family. He’s a rare fourth generation trout fisherman. His great grandfather believed that trout season opened on Good Friday regardless of the regulations. Kevin recollects that it was his grandfather’s job to provide the family with fish and game, while his brothers and sisters worked on the family farm. Of course, his father (Don R. Howell) and uncle (Dwight G. Howell) were both Icons in the history of fly fishing in the Southeast. Kevin grew up trying flies commercially for Orvis, Dan Baileys and other famous fly fishing institutions.
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“One of the most valuable lessons my dad taught me was to wade quietly and without running waves through slower moving water,” says Howell. “He often said ‘sloppy wading has saved more trout than any regulation written by man. He also taught me about casting accuracy, while he was a self-taught fly caster he realized that casting accurately into small tight openings in overhanging vegetation was key to catching more and bigger fish. It also allows you to present a fly to fish that don’t see a fly very often.” Growing up in the 1970s there were far fewer people participating in the sport. While that gave Howell more room to fish, the added participation in fly fishing has allowed for more opportunities to protect and preserve the resource. He estimates the number of fish found in his home waters is fairly comparable to the number of fish that were here several years ago. However, over the past few years, he has seen a decline in large trophy fish, mainly due to warm, low
water, and the influx of river otters which target the larger, slower fish first. Time and the introduction of the Delayed Harvest program have expanded trout fishing to streams that were very marginal with water, which has helped to disperse the pressure on some of the wild trout streams. “I started tying flies alongside my father who tied because he could not find quality flies in the area,” says Howell. “As I was growing up I tied commercially with my father to earn money so that I could travel and fish in exotic locations with him. I hope that the flies the Howell family has produced has added some enjoyment to local and national fishermen. Flies are an ever evolving part of the sport. While staples like the Sheepfly or Kevin’s Stonefly have been and will be around for a long time, I am always on the lookout for products or designs that are on the cutting edge. I just hope that anglers don’t forget that the flies were excellent producers ten years ago are still great flies and are a great fall back when fishing pressured fish.”
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When he first started tying commercially in the 1980s, of Howell’s product was shipped from the Rocky Mountains or to the Northeast. Today when he look at the surveys and available sales data for the south (including North Carolina), his region is the most dominate area in the nation for sales related to fly fishing tackle. Howell foresees this trend continuing over the next several years as more and more people are discovering the area, and they are discovering more
species they can target successfully with a fly rod. While it seems that all enjoy chasing smallmouth bass or stripers, trout are the driving force in fly fishing, and according to the NCWRC, in a 2008 survey, trout fishing was a 192 million dollar a year industry in the western twenty-three counties of North Carolina. So, yes, there has been a significant economic impact due to fishing in the western part of the state. When asked if he foresees North Carolina counties devoting more of
their tourism budgets to marketing their trout fishing opportunities, Howell gave a big “yes” noting that as counties’ manufacturing bases have collapsed, they have had to rely more and more on a tourism based economy. More and more of their tourism money will be allocated on fishing and other outdoor based activities. “With as many miles of stream that exist in North Carolina, there is no reason that North Carolina should not be the leader in cold water fisheries in the
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Southeast,” Howell said. “For years it was a closely guarded secret, but anglers have started to discover the potential of North Carolina as a destination fishery.” “North Carolina really needs to review and modify it existing trout regulations they were written in the late 1980s and early 1990s,” Howell said. “With more pressure on the streams and more participation in the sport, it is time to update the regulations to a more modern version. North Carolina also needs to create the ability to enact
closures during times of low or hot water to protect the wild trout populations. North Carolina is also going to have to develop a program to combat the exploding population of river otters that are decimating some of the trout streams. Finally, North Carolina needs to develop and implement a guide license that covers fishing, hunting, boating, and all outdoor activities, to ensure the safety of the public.” North Carolina was the first Southeastern State to place a catch-and-release
fly fishing designation on the Davidson River in 1985. Over the years, there have been other streams added to the catch and release list. The state needs to explore adding more catchand-release water or to turn some of the delayed harvest streams like the Tuckasegee into a year round catch-and-release stream. “Fly Fishing has given me the opportunity to travel and fish the world while providing a decent living,” Howell said.“ I have had the opportunity to fish in
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places and with people that I would have never even been introduced to without the fly fishing connection. But, the most gratifying part of the job has been meeting the thousands of passionate anglers I have had the pleasure to interact with over the 25 years I have been in the industry.” “I hope that I have been able to share my passion and knowledge with all of those with whom I have had the pleasure to guide, teach, instruct, and mentor over the years. I also hope that I have left the industry and resources better than they were when I started. I am currently serving a full term on the North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Council. Our sole mission is to get kids 16 and younger off the couch and Gameboy and back outdoors exploring the woods, rivers, and backcountry that so many of us enjoyed growing up. Getting youth involved in the sport is the key to protecting and preserving it for all future generations.”
So You Want To Be A Guide?
“You need to stay in school and finish a two – four year college degree,” says Howell. “It is one out every five guides that is able to be successful and make a living as a full-time guide. A good guide has the ability to read people as well as read the water; they are part psychologist, part comedian, part teacher and 100% fishy.” “I have seen a lot of excellent fishermen that made horrible guides. Remember, when you become a guide you will not be the person fishing. You will have to instruct the client about how to catch fish, fishing tactics, and how to cast.” “A lot of people go into guiding thinking, ‘Man, I am going to get to fish all the time.’ The reality is if you get to fish for trout on your own twice a month after you start guiding, then you have accomplished what most guides don’t. When I started guiding, I was fishing 200 plus days a year. Currently, I fish for trout about 40 days a year and mostly when I am in South America or other destinations where I am not actively guiding. So, be ready to sacrifice your fishing. The other thing to consider when wanting to be a guide is be sure you have the ability to guide trout on any stream under any condition in the area you are going to be fishing. I see a lot of people start a Facebook/Instagram page and decide to be a guide. While marketing and social media are an important part, if you are posting fish and misidentifying them or stating information that the majority of anglers realize is false, then you will be shunned by the industry and your fellow guides. Knowledge and experience are the keys to success and longevity. “People have been fly fishing for over 5 centuries, and it is very doubtful that you have discovered something that is new and has not been tried already. So, before you go showing the world your new (old) invention, be sure it is truly original. I will never forget calling up my buddy Bob See Kevin's ad for Davidson Clouser and telling him all about the new fly I had created. River Outfitters (facing I mailed him a copy and he responded with a photo from a page) book written in 1919 with a photo that was almost identical to my fly,” Howell said. 144 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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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GUIDE SERVICES | ONLINE & RETAIL STORE | LESSONS
Pocahontas T “Known as the “Birthplace of Rivers, Pocahontas County is Too Good to be True.”
S
ome like to fish because of the incomparable serenity of these mountain streams. Others seek the thrill of catching a trophy-size game fish. Either way, Pocahontas County is your ticket to paradise. Known as the Birthplace of Rivers, it boasts eight rivers and lays claim to headwaters including the Greenbrier River, the only freeflowing river in the East.
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Troutalotas
Pocahontas’ 942 square miles bring forth eight rivers that begin their long journeys high in the mountains as a trickle that eventually ends in the Gulf of Mexico. These rivers are the Shavers Fork of Cheat, Cherry River, Cranberry River, Elk River, Gauley River, Greenbrier, Tygart River and the Williams River. What I will attempt to do here is compress eight articles into a single story that only slightlycovers the enormity of the trout and bass fishing found in Pocahontas County, where you can literally lose yourself on a two-week long fishing trip.
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Cranberry River
Cranberry Wilderness area The South Fork flows provide some of the best through the glades for trout fishing in the Eastern about four miles, all along United States. the way it gathers volume from several small streams Gauley River feeding into the spongy soil Early French of the glades. After exiting explorers claimed the the glades, the South Fork Ohio River basin and its begins a steep descent tributaries, and as a result and has the appearance of got named the Gauley. It a mountain stream that is comes forth on the western inaccessible for 16 miles, slopes of the Yew Mountain but it can be reached via range and ends its 105 mile bicycle. Roughly half way trek when it merges with from its beginning, it joins the New River to form the the North Fork of Cranberry. Kanawha River. Three more The Cranberry River now Pocahontas rivers join the begins its journey to join Gauley on its way to merge the Gauley River some 24 with the New River from miles west. The Cranberry the south. The Williams, River and adjoining Cranberry and Cherry
rivers flow into the Gauley. The Gauley makes a major contribution to central West Virginia with its whitewater rafting below the dam and is known worldwide. It provides substantial revenue to the area and state. Unbeknownst to all but a few is the incredible smallmouth and muskie fishing that the Gauley hides.
Greenbrier River
Named for the thorny vine found growing along its banks, the Greenbrier is the crown jewel of Pocahontas County. The Greenbrier is the longest “free flowing� river left in the eastern
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United States. Beginning at above 3,300 feet in the county, its East and West Forks merge at Durbin as the largest river in the county. Fly Fishermen cast to trout in the upper region or cast for bass and muskie along middle and lower reaches. The Greenbrier goes on to join the New River after traveling 173 miles from its source in Pocahontas County. The Greenbrier River Trail, a West Virginia state park, parallels the river for 77 miles beginning at Cass and extending south to Caldwell in Greenbrier County. It crosses 35 bridges and passes through two
tunnels where no motorized springs contributing to the vehicles are permitted. Big Springs Fork are the Gatewood Springs near Linwood and a spring just Elk River This is a personal above its joining with the favorite. A bad day here Old Field Fork. It is a sinking tops a great day anywhere stream with its waters I have fly fished for trout. sinking and rising frequently The Elk River is the most on its journey to Old Field. interesting stream in For the next five miles the Pocahontas County. It riverbed is completely dry, comes forth near Slaty Fork known has “the dries.� In where the Big Spring Fork Randolph County below flowing south from Cheat the dries the Elk rises to the Mountain merges with the surface in a stream of cold, Old Field Fork. From Slaty clean water again providing Fork the Elk flows westward good trout fishing. It for several miles until it continues 172 miles through completely disappears. Randolph and Webster Big Springs Fork is fed by counties to ultimatly join the Cup Run and Hawthorne Kanawha River. Run near Snowshoe. Two
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Cherry River
Much of country’s old cherry furniture can trace its origin to the towering groves along the Cherry River. Both the North and the South Fork of the Cherry originate in Pocahontas County. The North Fork begins on the west slope of Kennison Mountain with the merging of Darnell Run and Little Branch. At first, the North Fork meanders through a narrow valley before beginning a rapid descent toward Richwood. From there, the Cherry rushes about 10 miles to
empty into the Gauley River. Shavers Fork of Cheat River Another personal favorite, the Shavers Fork of Cheat begins near the highest point on Cheat Mountain at Thorny Flats (4,848 feet) in the Snowshoe Resort area. From its source, the Shaver’s waters flows its first 30 miles at an elevation above 3,000 feet. It is the largest river at that elevation in eastern North America. It is dammed to create Shaver’s Lake before rumbling though Spruce and into Randolph
and Tucker counties. Ninety miles later, it merges with the Black Fork River at Parson to form the Cheat River. The Cheat continues to the north for 78.3 miles to join the Monongahela River. If you have not explored this terrific little river, you are very unaware of what you are missing.
Williams River
Williams River rises on Days Mountain near Marlinton where it picks up Beaver Dam and Downey Run before making a 33 mile journey to the Gauley River.
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But what run it is. Much of the next several miles flows beneath a canopy of shade trees where fallen trees frequently cross its course. This part, the Williams, is favored by those seeking action of brook trout and stream bred brown trout. Here, angling pressure is light. Below the falls is a bridge where the state stocks trout down to the highway #17 bridge. Day Run Campground and other campsites along this stretch receive heavy fishing. Below here the
Williams flows lazily through a broad valley with high dirt banks and scattered deep pools that are difficult access. Downstream, after passing the well-known “deadwater,� it resurrects to itself to again become a rocky bed with swift water and shallow pools. Roughly four miles further, its depart Pocahontas County and enters Webster County are a short distance downstream it enters the Gauley River.
Tygart River
The Tygart River takes the shortest journey through Pocahontas County. It originates on Cheat Mountain near Snowshoe Mountain Resort before flowing few miles northwest into Randolph County. Actually where the Tygart leaves Pocahontas is but six feet wide. As it flows north through the Tygart Valley, it becomes a major river that flows 135 miles from its humble beginnings in the mountains of Pocahontas County.
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Is Swain County NC a Fisherman’s Paradi 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 M National
Little Tennessee, the Eagle Nol Chambers Twentymile Hazel Creek Forney Cre Creek Creek Creek Tuckasegee and the Creek Fontana Dam Fontana Nantahala, one of Fontana Cheoah Lake Lake Lake Lewellyn Trout Unlimited’s top Fontana Branch Fontana 129 Lake Boat Village Alark 100 rivers. And now, a 2.2 Cable Ramp Marina Boat D Cove 28N Boat mile section of the Tuck Ramp Almo Lemmons Boat P 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
Public Access
estern oing on at W g is g in th e “Three “Som e that may k a L rivers j a n ta n o ’s F a ust ou n li ro a C p h o tside A pular n Nort th u o S e th in merica ationa g in h s fi t u o tr l ’s most park a trout, s to a just send e id d r o e u o g i t a t e e e eming d for b t might b oth wa angler with into orbit ...I n o s ry s B d , in i a n y n ta g s d and flo surrou place to best sc ating nded b book you a in p e e le n s y e to e r s v y o a h m i n Sout e of th don’t hern A e City so you ” r. e b I f m p e y v palach ou hav No in re e th k i c e a n’t fish . your tru produ ed the ctive r q uaint a ivers o nd Carolin f W e stern N a, you orth don’t k missin now w g.” hat yo u’re
Public Access
ise?
Upper Raven Fork
Straight Fork
441 Clingmans Dome
Mountains Park
Deep Creek
Indian Creek
Raven Fork Trophy Section
Lakeview Drive
19 Tuckasegee River
Public Access
ka Dock Alarka Creek ond Park Alarka Road
28S Little Tennessee River
Bryson City
Whittier Whittier Boat Ramp
EBCI Hatchery Big Cove Road
19
441 Tuckasegee River
Public Access
Conleys Creek
Heintooga Ridge Road
Blue Ridge Parkway Cherokee Indian Reservation Cherokee
land eek
Old 288 Boat Ramp
Raven Fork
Oconaluftee River
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.
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earning to properly identify the feeding stations in a mountain trout stream is one of the most valuable skills an angler can develop. Not only will this help him catch more trout in these streams but these skills are the building blocks for all serious trout fishing. I have many customers who began in my mountain trout schools many years ago who are now trout fishing successfully all around the world. The lip of the pool from which he learned to catch the brook trout in a mountain trout stream is the same lip which will give him that large brown trout in the Yellowstone River. Likewise the same back eddy which produced that good brook trout in the mountain stream will give you a large cutthroat trout in the Blackfoot River. Actually, the trout in mountain streams will help you to master trout fishing because they need to feed whenever there is natural food available to them. This is because a good mountain trout stream produces 150 pounds of aquatic insects per acre of stream bottom. Whereas, a rich limestone spring creek can hold 2000 pounds of aquatic insects per acre of stream bottom. Not only do mountain trout need to feed whenever food is available, they must feed in an efficient manner. They must capture the maximum amount of food with the least amount of effort. This is where the odds shift to our favor as we learn to identify and properly fish each feeding station. There are six possible feeding stations in each pool. Few pools will have all six but many pools will have several feeding stations, all of which will hold feeding trout.
The ideal trout pool with all six feeding stations labeled.
s on a Mountain Trout Stream
by Harry Murray
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The author selects a Murray's Flying Beetle to fish a mountain trout stream because it seldom let's him down. 158 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
The author fights a large trout he caught by reading the water.
These streams are fished upstream in order to prevent scaring the trout. Therefore let us start at the lower, downstream end of the pool and fish our way up through it just as if we were actually on the stream. Let us assume this pools has all six feeding stations. The lip feeding station is located in the extreme downstream section of the pool. It is usually formed as a boulder momentarily slows the current before it leaves the pool. Practically all of the natural food in the pool is funneled over this feeding station. The trout can easily hold in front of this boulder and sip in every natural insect which drifts by. I call this the primary feeding station because it usually holds the largest trout in the pool. The lip is easy to fish because you can sneak in below it and cast a dry fly two feet above the boulder and the trout will grab it as it drifts naturally to him.
The tail of the pool is the next feeding station upstream. It is at its best in those pools with no well defined lip. Trout here seek protection from the current by holding in crevices in the stream bottom. Since these may be difficult to spot as you move up from downstream an effective tactic is to stay low, maybe even on your hands and knees, and fan four to six casts across the entire tail of the pool. The mid pool feeding station is the next area upstream. Trout here seek protection from the current by holding close to the stream bottom and thus must rise all the way up through the current to capture their food. For this reason it is not easy for a trout to feed efficiently here. Consequently the large trout often choose other feeding stations and leave the mid-pool area for the smaller trout. However, you still want to fish this whole area thoroughly.... Six or eight casts is usually fine.
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The back eddy is a slow reverse flow of current, usually located on the side of the pool opposite of the main current. This can range from three feet o twelve feet in diameter and it can be from a foot to three feet deep. During periods of high water this becomes a very important feeding area because the trout can locate here to avoid the powerful currents. I once caught many large trout here during a high spring run off. There was a great hatch of blue quill mayflies but due to the cold air and cold stream many of the nymphs were having trouble popping their wing pads and many of the duns were having trouble drying their wings to fly off the surface. Consequently the back eddies were covered with dozens of these flies. Many large trout held beneath these flotilla of mayflies and sucked them in at their leisure. An effective way to fish this situation is to cast a dry Blue Quill dry fly size 16 out in front of each feeding trout. The back eddy is also a great feeding station late in the summer when the streams become very low and the hatches are sparse. Now they become collecting reservoirs for great numbers of terrestrial insects and the trout cruise the whole eddy in search of food. Taper down to a 7X leader and use a Murray's Fly Beetle size 18 or a Mr. Rapidan Ant size 18 and you can catch many of these trout. In order to present my fly in the trout's cruising path I cautiously move in close so I can actually spot him and then cast my fly a foot out in front of him. 160 l October 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
The head of the pool where the stream flows in from the pool above is a rich source of food, especially from spring until early in the summer. The best feeding stations here are on the sides of this heavy flow where the fast water in the center meets the slow water on each side. Frequently you can catch several trout along each side of this interface on nymphs or drys. When I conduct my "Mountain Trout on the Stream Schools" I can help many beginning anglers catch trout here because it is easy to overcome the current drag on the fly. By positioning yourself straight downstream of the head of the pool and casting straight upstream your line, leader, and fly will all drift naturally and you have your trout.
The author hooked this large trout by catching him on his feeding station.
The corner of the pool is an outstanding feeding station and if the largest trout in the pool is not on the lip he will be here because of the great amount of food it delivers. The corner is a miniature lazy-Susan lying immediately beside the uppermost part of the head of the pool. Not all pools have a well defined corner but if there is a shallow gravel bar or several large boulders in the lower portion of the pool on one side of the stream these may shunt the current to flow upstream on that side until it hits a large boulder beside the head of the pool. This is where the corner is formed as this current slides back into the main stream. The corner is the furthest upstream feeding station a trout can choose and although it is often only a foot in diameter this current sliding along the face of the upstream boulder brings these trout a tremendous amount of food. The thing to remember when you are fishing a corner is that the current and the insects it carries, are flowing in the opposite direction of the current in the main part of the pool and this is the way you want your fly to drift.
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The author hooked this large trout by catching him on his feeding station.
My favorite way to fish a corner is to approach it from the apposite side of the stream using the fast current in the head of the pool to hide me. Dry flies are much more effective than nymphs in the corners of the pools because usually the strike comes in the first several seconds of the drift and this is easier to see on a dry. Upon your presentation be sure to reach up and out over the fast currents with your fly rod and as your fly drifts naturally to the trout you may catch your largest trout of the season. As you fish up a mountain trout stream you will master the identification of these six feeding stations and come to realize how this will help you grow as a serious trout angler.
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5 States 38 River Systems $21.95
9 States 46 Tailwaters $19.95
Trout Fishing Guidebooks For The South By Jimmy Jacobs
80 Watersheds On Public Land $15.95
Autographed copies available.
Float Wade Trek
Experience Exposure Executon Engagement Georgia-North Carolina-Tennessee Guided fly-fishing and conventional fishing for bass, trout, stripers, panfish and more across the waters of the southern Appalachian Mountains
www.ReelAnglingAdventures.com Toll Free: 866-899-5259
Wading into Misery
by Jimmy Jacobs
I
t is an oft heard clique that any day fishing is better than a day working. I’m guilty of uttering those words more than once myself. But then along comes a day on the water that can put even that sage statement to the test. On a steaming August summer day I headed to the North Georgia mountains to escape my usual captivity facing a computer screen and linking words together into sentences. The brutal humidity of the Piedmont Plateau made virtually any outdoor activity unpleasant, as the air temperatures soared into the mid-90s. If one wanted to fish, the more than tepid waters of the local lakes that were almost as warm as the air were not the answer.
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Henson Creek Falls on the upper Chattahoochee River.
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In-stream structure built by Trout Unlimited volunteers on the upper Chattahoochee
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Hitting the road, I could almost feel the crisp, cold sting of the freestone waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains on my legs. Wet wading into a high mountain creek seemed the perfect cure for the heat-driven lethargy gripping me. Passing through the faux Alpine tourist village of Helen, I made my way onto the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area and the headwaters of the fable river from which it gets its name. Up here the ‘Hooch is but a wisp of the big river it becomes farther downstream. In the lower reaches of the WMA the stream is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, providing a very popular fishery for locals and summer tourists alike. But that was not on my agenda for the day. Driving along Chattahoochee River Road, the pavement soon gave way to the gravel and dirt of a Forest Service road. Eight and half mile of jostling over bumps and avoiding water-gouged potholes brought me to the Upper Chattahoochee River Campground and the point where the road turned away from the stream. Leaving my vehicle in the day-use area, I was not through traveling. My goal was to sample the brook trout fishing a good bit farther up the river. In most cases anglers are wary about talking about where native brook trout still can be found. However, this stream is not a secret, yet, for several reasons, it is not crowded or over fished either. To begin with, the old Georgia Game & Fish Commission carried out a program in 1969 to refurbish and restock half a dozen mountain streams with native brook trout. The Hooch upstream of Henson Creek Falls was one of those. Rotenone was first introduced to kill all the fish in the river, with potassium permanganate put in the water just above Henson Creek Falls to counteract the rotenone. Once all of the fish in that upper river section were removed, the stream was restocked with transplanted native brook trout. The falls then prevented other species from moving upstream to compete with the brookies. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 171
That program was successful and the upper Hooch has now been home to brookies for almost five decades. While those native fish are plentiful, even by Georgia standards, I’ve always found them to on the small size. Most I’ve encountered rarely exceed 5 inches. Starting up the trail along the stream toward the waterfall, it quickly turned into a nightmare of downed trees, toppled by a tornado several years earlier. I was climbing over and crawling under them constantly, slowing my progress to a crawl. Finally reaching the falls, I continued another half mile up the path before climbing down to the water. Once I began making casts to the small pools and runs, I also found myself spending an inordinate amount of time picking or yanking my fly down out of rhododendrons, mountain laurels and holly trees that thickly lined the shores. Between episodes in the trees, virtually every cast that landed on water drew rises from the fish.
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The sign at the entrance to the Upper Chattahoochee River Campground.
Soon, however, I was getting frustrated by the fact I was hooking none of those trout. Finally, I noticed that the Royal Wulff I’d tied on had broken off at the bend of the hook, no doubt on one of my earliest errant casts that landed on a tree limb and then been yanked loose. Thus, I’d been tossing a teaser, rather than a dry fly. Taking out a new fly, I then reached for the 3x power reading glasses I need for threading tiny hooks under low light conditions. But, instead I found only a case for the glasses in the vest pocket. Apparently I had dropped the eyewear out while cavorting in the downed trees. So I found myself easily a mile from the car, in which I may or may not have another pair of glasses. Not wanting to again challenge the obstacle course on the trail, I began to try tying on the fly without optical aid. A half-hour and dozens of attempts later, the tippet finally found its way through the eye of the hook. All the while I was sweating in the heat and furiously fanning gnats away from my eyes.
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The small, but colorful brook trout from the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee River.
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Again moving upstream making casts, I now encountered more open water along the edge of a clearing maintained for wildlife. Also through here were a series of instream improvements installed by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division with the aid of local Trout Unlimited volunteers. This man-made holding water soon yielded my first fish of the day. It was a brookie that, thought small, featured some colorful markings. Renewed by this success, I charged ahead, only to again plant my line firmly in a holly branch that was too high to reach. In the end, I broke off the fly and began the torturous process of again blindly trying to thread the eye of a new fly. Myriad attempts later, I abandoned the effort, along with any hope of further fishing, and turned downstream back to my car. In the rush down the creek bed I hooked the toe of my back boot on a stick protruding out of a gravel bar and fell forward onto all fours on the rocks. That resulted in a gash that took a chunk out of my leg just below the knee cap. Now blooded and frustrated, I still faced the gauntlet of downed trees through which I had passed earlier. While I slithered through that tangle of limbs, I again caught sight of the grotto holding Henson Creek Falls. Stilling down on a fallen log for a break, the steady rush of the water pounding on the rocks below began to bring down my frustration level, and, no doubt, my blood pressure. This also gave me time to re-evaluate what had been the worst day of fishing I could remember ever enduring on a mountain rivulet. One fish, frustration with encroaching old age, and a bloody knee are not the stuff of great fishing memories. Still, the sun was shining, the mountain sides were verdant, while the untamed waters leaped down the stream course. All of those were having a soothing effect. Perhaps even this disaster of a trip was better than a day of work? www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2017 l 175
Fresh off of the presses: The first book ever dedicated to the Brook Trout of the Southern Appalachian Mountains
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 JACOBS’ 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
Davy Wot World Class
www.davywotton.com
tton Fly Fishing American International Schools of Fly Fishing Outfitter and Guide Services for the White River region Custom Flies and Fly Fishing DVDs
Office: 870-453-2195 Cell: 870-404-5223
davyfly@ozarkmountains.com
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Early in 2017, Wilderness Adventures Press released one of its latest fly fishing books on southern waters, titled Flyfisher's Guide to North Carolina and Georgia by Nick Carter. We ran into Nick at the Blue Ridge Fly Fishing Festival, and really liked his book that once again let the cat out of the hat—it’s true that the cold, clear creeks of the Southeast offer some of the best isolated fly fishing opportunities and unheralded big fish in the country. Those incredible opportunities and more are covered in the all-new Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina and Georgia. This all-new guide is complete with author Nick Carter's brilliant full-color photography and the same Wilderness Adventures Press maps that have made this series the best flyfishing guidebooks on the market. Public land, access roads, campgrounds, parks, boat ramps, hand launches,
parking and picnic areas, driving directions and GPS coordinates for access points are all included. No need to worry about getting lost. This guidebook includes comprehensive coverage of the large rivers, the medium streams and the small brooks. From the high tributaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina to the broad and rolling Chattahoochee River in Georgia and far beyond, Carter has covered just about everything of interest to fly anglers. Carter has fished these waters for years and his experiences and stories guide readers through the best fly fishing this region has to offer. He has penned numerous articles for a variety of fly fishing and outdoors magazines, and his expertise has earned him a reputation as one of the best fly fishing writers
for this under-rated part of the country. Nick Carter is a very likeable freelance editor, writer and photographer with his hands in multiple publications. He is the editor of Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine, a regular contributor to Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine and has been published in numerous other national, state, regional and local titles. This, his first book, is the result of two decades spent roaming the Blue Ridge Mountains and fishing with some of the best anglers out there. He is appreciative of all that he has learned from them. Don’t miss out on this encyclopedia of southeastern fly fishing knowledge. You will be rewarded handsomely with new locations, great experiences and excellent fishing.
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N
26
VIRGINIA
KENTUCKY
Kingspor
TENNESSEE 75
81
Cherokee Lake
Norris Lake
Melton Hill Lake
Greeneville
40
Knoxville Fort Loudon Lake
40
Newport
Sevierville
Lenoir City
Townsend
J08-09
Great Smoky Mtns National Park
Sweetwater
Cosby
Mars Hill
Hardford
Pigeon Forge
Maryville
Loudon
Watts Bar Lake
26
Douglas Lake
Weaverville
Gatlinburg
J10-11
K10-11
Chilhowee
K12-13
L07-08
FontanaL09-10 Dam
L11-12
Bryson City
Sylva Robbinsville
M05-06
Etowah
M07-08
M09-10
M11-12
M13-14
Cullowhee
Cherokee National Forest
Murphy
NORTH CAROLINA
Ducktown
P01-02
Nantahala National Forest Dillard
McCaysville
GEORGIA
P12-13
26
M15-16
N15-16
Franklin
Reliance
TENNESSEE
Fletcher
Pisgah National Forest
L13-14
Tellico Plains
Ashevil
Waynesville
Cherokee
75 Athens
40 Canton
Maggie Valley
Rossman
Highlands
SOUTH CAROLINA
Clayton Blue Ridge
Not To Scale
Blairsville
Greenv
Chattahoochee National Forest
85
Index of Maps Featuring All or Partial Sections of Waters Listed J08-09 Blockhouse and Kinzel Springs USGS Quadrangles Little River downstream of Great Smoky Mountains Nationa Park, Hesse, Cane and Beard Cane Creek. J10-11 Wear Cove and Gatlinburg USGS Quadrangles Little River, West Prong Little Pigeon River and Gatlinburg special permit streams.
81
K10-11 Thunderhead Mountain and Silers Bald USGS Quadrangles Little River, Lynn Camp Prong, Fish Camp Prong, and Hazel, Forney Creek, Bone Valley Creek and Jonas Creeks.
Bristol
rt
K12-13 Clingmans Dome and Smokemont USGS Quadrangles Oconaluftee River, Raven Fork, Bradley Fork and Noland and Deep Creeks. L07-08 Whiteoak Flats and Tapoco USGS Quadrangles Cheoah River and Citico, Jake Best, Doublecamp and Slickrock Creeks.
Johnson City
NORTH CAROLINA
Cherokee National Forest
L09-10 Fontana Dam and Tuskeegee USGS Quadrangles Fontana Lake and Eagle, Hazel, Yellow, Sawyer and Stecoah Creeks. L11-12 Noland Creek and Bryson City USGS Quadrangles Fontana Lake, Tuckasegee River and Forney, Noland and Deep Creeks. L13-14 Whittier and Sylva North USGS Quadrangles Tuckasegee and Oconaluftee Rivers, and Soco, Dicks and Scott Creeks.
Pisgah National Forest
M05-06 Tellico Plains and Bald River Falls USGS Quadrangles Tellico, River and Bald Rivers and Wildcat Creek. M07-08 Big Junction and Santeetlah Creek USGS Quadrangles Tellico and North Rivers and Nabb, Santeetlah Creek, Little Santeetlah, West Buffalo, Little Buffalo Squally and Snowbird Creeks. M09-10 Robbinsville and Hewitt USGS Quadrangles Santeetlah Lake, Nantahala River and Tulula Creek, Long, Mountain Creek, Snowbird, Franks, Berts, Bear and Stecoah Creeks. M11-12 Wesser and Alarka USGS Quadrangles Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers and Alarka, Rattlesnake, Tellico, Burningtown, Cowee, Rhinehart and Sugar Cove Creeks.
40
lle
M13-14 Greens Creek and Sylva South USGS Quadrangles Tuckasegee River, Caney Fork and Greens, Savannah, Wayehutta and Cullowhee Creeks. M15-16 Tuckasegee and Sam Knob USGS Quadrangles Upper West Prong Pigeon River, Caney Fork and Moses, Mull, Wolfe and Tanasee Creeks.
Hendersonville
NORTH CAROLINA 85
Spartanburg
N15-16 Big Ridge and Lake Toxaway USGS Quadrangles Tuckasegee and West Fork French Broad Rivers and Tanasee, Robbinsville, Flat and Panthertown Creeks. P01-02 Tennga & Hemp Top USGS Quadrangles Conasauga River, Jacks River and West and South Forks of Jacks River and Mill Creek. P12-13 Rabun Bald and Satolah USGS Quadrangles Chattooga River and West Fork Chattooga River, Walnut Fork and Warwoman, Sarahs and Hoods Creeks.
A 85
ville
26
Š 2016 SAINT CLAIR MAPPING Updated 9/22/2016
A Museum for the Southern Fly Fisherman
The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians — originally
located in Cherokee, NC — has a new home in neighboring Bryson City where it shares a building with the Bryson City / Swain County Chamber of Commerce. It’s centrally located on the town square across the street from the visitor center. The Museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and admission is free.
The scope of the museum covers an
area with more than 14,700 miles of accessible trout streams — the nine Southern Appalachian States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama; the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bryson City, NC
PHOTO BY JIM HEAFNER
Through exhibits and videos you’ll
learn about legendary “Stream Blazers,” the evolution of rods and reels, basic knots, fly-tying, types of gear, types of gamefish, regional fishing waters, and the history of fly fishing in the Southeast. Whether you are a long-time fly fisherman, or have only attempted or never tried fly fishing, you will find something to enjoy and to learn from in the museum.
FLY FISHING MUSEUM
OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS
Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians 210 Main Street Bryson City, NC 28713 800-867-9241
FlyFishingMuseum.org