Southern Trout Issue 34

issue 34

dec/jan 2018

Southern Trout

CLOSE LOOK: South Carolina

www.southerntrout.com

January 27, 2018

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Editor’s message

ADVENTURE IS MY LIFE…from my 40-year marriage to my recovered son, my precious grandkids, my 30-year career in the outdoors and my next romp on a wild-trout stream or float on a tailwater. The adventure in these journeys has defined me. I’ve been hardened, softened and humbled by the experience, exposure, execution and engagement life has thrown my way from every angle, every day.

This issue of Southern Trout Magazine marks my latest adventure. As editor for the magazine that covers trout fishing in the South like no other publication, my new role promises to lead me to new experiences among our cold waters. Some I know well, especially among the southern reach of the Appalachian Mountains where I trek and float as owner and lead guide for Reel Angling

Adventures (ReelAnglingAdventures.com).

For 15 years I have shared with anglers old and young my experience on trout waters large and small in the tri-state region of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina.

The Chattahoochee, Nantahala, Hiwassee, Toccoa, Tellico, Tuckaseegee and Chattooga rivers. Santeetlah, Big Snowbird, Noontootla, Coopers, Fires creeks. Calderwood, Cheoah, Nantahala lakes. And many more already creeled.

Now, from behind a desk and from among the much-anticipated overland road trips to come, the editor I’ve just become promises even more exposure of Southern trout waters for both me and you. As I see it, my job demands learning about trout fishing destinations I’ve heard of but not yet visited.

Watauga, Shenandoah, Cumberland, Caney Fork, Davidson, Cranberry, Elk, Green, Pidgeon, Jackson, Rapidan, Dix rivers. Dry Fork, Senaca, Slick Rock, Panthertown, Mossy, Cosby, Hazel, Lost Cove, Whitetop Laurel, Chimney Top, Lynn Camp creeks.

These and many, many more are included among the 12,000 miles of trout waters in the South.

From both sides of the sport – whether you’re an experienced fly-rodder or enjoy the simplicity of spinning tackle – our field staff will share with you the historical, contemporary and future of the tips, tactics, strategies and access of trout fishing in the South. The execution of Southern trout fishing is the practical side of the lineup in every issue of STM. Whether it’s learned from locally savvy anglers or professional outdoors writers, the how-to of trout fishing blends success with destination.

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Southern Trout

Editor message

(cont.)

This issue of STM begins that engagement. The Palmetto State spreads wide across the Piedmont region, but its northwest corner belies the warm-water Publisher Don Kirk environs of its lower elevations. For many readers, trout Editor Bob Borgwat fishing in South Carolina represents new opportunities.

Managing Editor Leah Kirk High mountain ridges and deep gorges drape across the Special Projects Dir. Loryn Lathem UpCountry, shadowing destinations no less exemplary Photographer/Writer Adam Patterson of Appalachian trout waters than venues farther north.

Editorial Consultant Olive K. Nynne From the Saluda River Dam tailwater at Dreher Shoals to the rough-and-tumble cascade of the Whitewater Contributors River, South Carolina anglers have many reasons to celebrate trout fishing.

Harry Murray So, here I am – blessed, fortunate and excited to find myself editorially armed with adventures not only of my own making. I’m also braced with the journeys, FIELD STAFF explorations and exploits of writers and anglers Ron Gaddy committed to share with you their experience, exposure, Columnist execution and engagement of trout fishing in the South.

Craig Haney Tighten your drag and hold on!

Columnist Bob Borgwat Jimmy Jacobs,

Georgia Editor Roger Lowe Columnist Rocky Cox Columnist Steve Moore Columnist Columnist Polly Dean Columnist Jake Howard

ON THE COVER

About 5 years ago Mike Salven decided to forego chasing the almighty dollar and accept the fact that he is an artist. With a leap of faith. he now paints full time professionally, and with the incredible patience, help and tenacity of his beautiful girlfriend, runs Savlen Studios.

Now travels the world chasing that "catch of a lifetime" brief moment of inspiration,and his Southern Trout is a publication next big adrenaline rush. Simply put, he is truly of Southern Unlimited, LLC. Copyright 2018 Southern Unlimited embracing the great adventure that is life!

E-mail: mike@savlenstudios.com LLC. All rights reserved.

SavlenStudios.com

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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

From Norway with Love

10

The Other Winter Hatch

20

Hall of Fame

30

Product Review Pfleuger Fly Reel

36

10 26

Sunburst Trout 42 Smoky Trout Dip w/ Lemon

New Fly Guy 46 Things Nobody Told You Streamer Lines Beyond Sink Tips

58

Atlanta Fly Fishing Show

64

Black Wing Olive It's Show Season

70

CLOSE LOOK:

South Carolina

73

Lake Jocassee Gem of the Foothills

74

Featured Fly Tyer Jacob Braxton

84

20 32

96

84

54 106

Featured Fly Shop 96 Chattooga River Fly Shop 6 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

THIS ISSUE Featured Lodge/Resort 106 Devils Fork State Park Trout Trekking to SCs Whitewater River

118

The Two Faces of the 130 East Fork of the Chattooga

130

Featured Guide Jake Howard

140

Trout and Spanish Moss 148

148 158

132

192

170

Historic Bridges on the 'Hooch

158

World Class Fly Rod Fenwick

170

Don't Miss That Strike 10 Tips

192

Great Smoky Mountain 194 TU Fly Tying Contest

168

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SweetWater Brewing Company • Georgia • SweetWaterBrew.com

From Norway

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y With Love F

irst, this is a rod I've wanted to try out for a very long time after first learning of it three years ago. After several emails with Robert Selfors at Arctic Silver, the Zense fly rod arrived. (I felt like the dad in A Christmas Story when he wins his “major award.) Unlike Sage, Fenwich and a dozen U.S. brands, the Arctic Silver is a unique concept rod developed in Norway.

Frankly, it is unlike any rod we have had the honor of field testing in a very long time.

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However, a little background on a fly rod maker is in order since many readers may be unaware that the rod even existed. There’s a good reason for this. For perhaps the first time in fly fishing history, a new brand and rod concept has been born as a result of a successful Crowd Funding Campaign. Having some experience in the concept of starting from scratch, I have a lot of respect for that accomplishment. With support from fly fishers all over the world, Arctic Silver has raised capital for the development and production of the perhaps most exciting fly rod concept and innovation in decades.

“We fly-fishermen are incredibly privileged,” says Selfor. “Passion created by excitement, harmony, Mother Nature and great friendships has been our driving force in the development of our new product range. The interplay between the product on the one hand and our own skills on the other is important for our experiences and the magic moments on the water. These we developed our Free-Flex concept.”

Arctic Silver has created a completely new category of fly rods. The design team has without a doubt, explored new territory in the developmental phase and broken lots of conventional norms. The concept itself, however, builds on basic common sense mechanisms, physical laws of fly-casting and all that knowledge acquired by fly-fishermen throughout the ages. With the Free-Flex concept, you can further develop your own personal casting skills without altering your casting style. You feel an immediate difference with, the Free-Flex feeling.

The patented ZENSE rods are loaded with new ultra-strong and resilient blanks: hollow handle capable of taming it and decorated with super strong titanium guides designed to withstand great stress and power exertion. The handle is made with high-modular carbonbased materials which gives extreme strength and it’s hollow to reduce weight. The Free-Flex rods are based on the most advanced, highly technological, progressive quality nano-carbon blanks available.

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The design-protected Quick-Lock system is a user-friendly reel seat with a spring-loaded lock system that locks the reel into place. With one simple movement, it secures and firmly holds the reel in position. The Quick-Lock system is 100% CNC-machined and made out of aluminum 6061 with a tolerance of +/0.05mm. All aluminum parts are corrosiontreated with a Hard Anodizing process. The ultra-strong ceramic stripping guides match the delicate matte charcoal blanks. All of the snake guides are incredibly lightweight and made from pure titanium. The rods themselves are built on 4-piece blanks.

“Arctic Silver is the story of how the combination of chronic tendonitis and a burning design interest began a creative process, which ended up as fly-fishing innovation,” explains Selfor. “The combination of work and long sessions of fly fishing resulted in two years with chronic tendonitis. It does something to you, especially when you're as passionate fly fisherman not being able to fish as much as you want. As a result, I questioned, ‘Was it possible to develop a pole that made it easier to throw with less power usage?’” Selfor concluded that the power potential lies in the rod base portion

“This was the starting point for innovation and the unique Free-Flex concept. Ski slots and tools came on the table, and the garage was used as a development workshop for simple prototypes for a period of time,” says Selfor.

“The first tests gave the answers I needed to move on. This worked! An interdisciplinary team of experts at SINTEF helped us optimize handle construction and production technology.

Together with some of Scandinavia's leading industrial designers, Arctic Silver has developed a whole new category of fluctuations based on the Free-Flex concept.”

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“We have been working with a main focus on the physics and functionality. Within the Industrial Design business, they often start every process by following the saying. ‘Form follows function.’

That’s the case also here. We had a main focus on the physics and functionality, trying to achieve good user experiences with the concept. There are three differences about which I think most anglers will agree.

1. You can cast long with less energy (Hollow handle) 2. It’s very sensitive fighting fish on the ZENSE rods because the blanks loads deeper - right in the center of your arm.

3. Less shock-waves when you put significant STOP when casting. The line is like a footprint» of what the rod does….

Well, ya gotta see it and try it to see the difference. For more visit https://www.arcticsilvershop. com/freeflex-rods

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The Other Win M

y father was an avid angler and often tried to include my brother and me in his fishing trips whenever we could join him.

I was only 10 years old, but I can still remember his excitement as I watched him crafting flies for a “special occurrence� as he called one of those trips. He used feathers from an old cushion and white yarn from my grandmothers quilting supplies. I remember thinking how simple and plain his rudimentary flies looked, especially when compared to the shiny, colorful Rooster Tail and Panther Martin spinners that always seemed to work just fine.

He insisted we were in for a real treat on our next trip and we would leave the spinning rods at the house.

Shad-kills are Special Occ

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nter ‘Hatch’

By Rocky Cox

We quickly made our way toward the dam and the scene at the dam was incredible to say the least. Dad grinned at me and said, “Let’s go get them!” The water was boiling with fish rolling … big fish, at that! The sky was full of birds, swooping down along the surface of the river before making their way to a streamside branch. Shad were washing by the thousands through the turbines of the dam. Every living creature in or around the river was taking advantage of the feast. This was the first shad-kill I’d ever experienced.

It was nothing short of amazing! Make a simple cast, let the fly swing and BAM! We caught so many big trout, and, to this day, I don’t know if I’ve ever had a finer day with a fly rod in my hand.

casions on Southern Trout

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Reckless Abandon in Cold Weather Shad-kills are, indeed, special occasions on trout rivers. Events like a cicada emergence, a salmon-fly hatch, spawning salmon and shad-kills all introduce large amounts of food into the river. Large high-calorie feeding events, like these, always get the attention of the largest trout in the river and maybe cause them to let their guard down. Threadfin shad, alewife, blueback herring, and gizzard shad are just a few of the shad species I frequently see during shad-kills.

These species are schooling fish and can usually be found gathered together in large numbers. The shad commonly range in size from 1 to 12 inches, and they tend to school with similarly sized and aged fish. They are very sensitive to water temperatures, however, and this is where they get in trouble.

Shad start having problems once the surface temperatures cool to below 43 degrees. They become very lethargic and in some cases stunned, making the pull of the related powerhouse turbines too much for them to avoid. Knowing when the water temperatures are nearing these critical levels alerts you to be on the lookout for dying shad in the tailwater of the dam.

The nature of local water flows – from dam releases and powerhouse discharges – is another important factor for when a shad-kill might occur in a reservoir. High flows from the turbines or sluicegate discharges create a vacuum, pulling shad from the reservoir into the

tailwater. It figures, you’ll see more shad during wintertime water releases than during times of low water flows, but once the shad are in the tailwater, all predators are on the lookout for the easy meals.

Spotting shad in the discharge from the turbines isn’t always easy, especially if they’re not floating. The ride through the turbines is a very rough and tumble affair.

Some shad come through in pieces, but most are intact yet beaten, battered and dead, but you’ll see a fair amount still clinging to life – twitching and swimming in short erratic movements. Pay attention to the entire water column. Sometimes, they’re right under your nose and you may not even know it.

Trout often seem to take a few hours or even a day to really get cranked up on a shad-kill, and visual rises on the surface are the obvious “tell” that trout are finding shad near the surface, but birds often are the first indicators of a shad-kill. It’s not uncommon to see bald eagles, hawks, and gulls working the shad, along with herons and kingfishers; however, I’ve found crows are the best bird to watch as an indicator of a shad-kill. Crows are always extremely active when shad are floating on the surface and seem to be the first birds on the scene. Birds always take advantage of a shad-kill when it’s going on. Pay attention to what they’re doing. You may also notice a larger presence of raccoons, otters and minks along the banks as they take part in the feast.

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Beating the Winter Time Blues

A well-timed shad-kill can be just what the doctor ordered for Southern trout anglers dealing with the common wintertime small-fly blues. Tailwater flyfishing in cold weather often is limited to tossing tiny midges or hoping to catch a hatch of some blue-winged olive mayflies or small winter stoneflies.

The White River system below Bull Shoals Dam in Arkansas is well known for huge shad-kills that attract anglers from around the world for a chance to catch a trophy-class trout.

Many other Southern states also boast impressive shad-kills on their tailwaters: Kentucky features the Cumberland River, Georgia has the Chattahoochee River, and Tennessee’s roster includes tailwaters on the Caney Fork River, Clinch River, Elk River, Hiwassee River and those on the Holston River system. Many of these tailwaters are well known for producing trophy-class trout, both browns and rainbows, but the shad-kills that annually occur can vary dramatically and affect trout of all sizes. Some years see huge shadkills, but even at times of light die-offs, it doesn’t take much to get the fish fired up. Small shad-kills still trigger the alpha trout’s appetite, keeping them alert for an easy meal. Using shad patterns and proper fly-fishing techniques works on a lot of other predatory fishes, as well. Don’t hesitate to use them on any tailwater where shad are found in the reservoir upstream.

Fly fishing guides across the country count on occurrences every winter. They know some of the best fish of the year are caught during the shad-kill. They’re also prepared with the right gear, flies and knowledge to put their

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clients in the right places, using the right techniques.

The key is to know which stage of the shad-kill the fish are most interested

in and using the right fly and technique to present your offering. The most productive technique may change from day to day or

even hour to hour. You want to be ready to fish on the surface or at any depth in the water column where the trout are most eager to feed.

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Get ‘Em On Top

Dry flies are favorites for anglers and guides alike – guys like David Perry of Southeastern Fly (SoutheasternFly.com, phone: 615-796-5143), who operates wintertime float trips on the Elk and Caney Fork rivers in Tennessee.

“The most exciting time to be there is when the fish are eating on top. This type of fishing,” Perry points out, “is very similar to terrestrial fishing. Anglers who get their fly in the feeding lane have the greatest opportunity for a strike.

Sometimes a twitch can trigger a reaction strike, which, of course is really cool, and other times it takes a good, solid drift.”

I personally carry 7-weight rods, 9 feet long with floating lines when the trout eat on top. A man could get by with a 5-weight, if he had to, but a heavier rod makes casting large, wind-resistant flies much easier, not to mention the power that rod gives you when that trophy trout does rise to your fly. Nine-foot leaders tapered to 3X work well most of the time.

As the shad-kill progresses, lighter tippet may be required if the fish have grown accustomed to “shad” with steel inside them.

Fishing the surface is only good as long as the fish are eating on the surface.

When the surface bite isn’t happening it’s time to start getting down and dirty.

Dead-drifting shad patterns works well with a tight-line presentation or using an indicator. Fluorocarbon tippet is a must. I try to keep it around 3X or heavier if the fish tolerate it. Again, heavier rods with

floating line work best for this application.

Select an indicator that can support the weight of the patterns and any additional weight you may need to get the fly down where you need it. You may be fishing just under the surface or along the bottom.

Be versatile. Adjust the depth of your fly often if you’re not getting action. Getting a solid drift is important, but occasionally adding a slight jigging action won’t hurt your presentation a bit. In fact, the twitch of your pattern during the drift can often be followed by a hard strike.

Many guides, like Scott Lewis of Alpha Trout (AlphaTrout.com, phone: 423543-3474) in Johnson City, TN, like to fish a floating shad pattern coupled with a sinking dropper pattern. This “dry-dropper” setup can be very productive for surface feeders or fish taking advantage of the suspended meals on the Holston River system, where Lewis operates his float trips.

“I like to use a standard nymph indicator with one main difference: I use a 10-weight rod and two heavy deadshad patterns with a large indicator about 8 feet above the two sinking flies,” Lewis reveals. “But my favorite method is to fish my Real Shad (pattern), which floats on its side every time. It imitates a dead, floating threadfin. I also have a version with about 15 wraps of .035" lead wire in it that sinks. I like to use a dry-dropper setup using these two flies, paying out line to get the longest drifts I can before I retrieve and reset.”

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Rough and Tumble Tumbling shad can be the hardest to see in the water but are often the most productive to target. The reason for this is debatable, but your success at times like this lies in getting the flies deep and adding the right movements to simulate a tumbling shad. I always use a sinking line with a weight and sink rate appropriate for the depth and speed of the water I’m fishing. Heavy currents and deep water require a 350-grain or heavier line to get your patterns down to the bottom.

Lighter water currents can be handled with an intermediate sinking line up to a 200-grain line. Short, heavy fluorocarbon leaders and tippets – 4 feet long, between 8- and 15-pound test – are most useful in this setup, which allows your patterns to be pulled down quickly by the sinking line.

Present your patterns cross-current, with an immediate upstream mend.

Count your flies down to allow enough time for them to reach the right depths.

Bump your line occasionally as your presentation drifts out, then retrieve it in short strips. The strikes can range from a

light bump to almost jerking the rod out of your hand. Some of the takes are subtle.

You should set the hook if you feel any weight on your line during the presentation.

If you miss a strike, keep working the presentation, slowly with a “dying” twitch.

Unlike standard streamer fishing, where I run my fly away from danger after a missed strike to simulate panic, these flies imitate a shad that’s dead or barely moving at all.

It can’t run from hungry mouths.

Many different fly patterns work during shad-kill conditions. Many anglers focus on standard patterns in white colors. Woolly Buggers, Clouser Minnows, and Zonkers move a lot of fish and can be weighted to fish at all water levels. Realistic shad patterns – such as the Matty Minnow tied

by Peter Jones, and the Real Shad tied by Scott Lewis – are also popular and fairly easy to tie with readily available synthetic furs and fibers. Craft-fur patterns with big eyes are very popular, indeed, and can be trimmed to match the size of the local shad “hatch” while on the stream.

Shad-kills are always special occurrences and present the winter angler with a great opportunity not only to fish during the cold months but to connect with trophy trout.

Once the fish begin looking for shad, you’ll be able to fish these techniques the rest of winter, even after the last of the shad have passed downstream. For now, let’s throw the shad at them.

About The Author: Michael "Rocky" Cox is a full-time fly-fishing guide in east Tennessee and operates Rocky Top Anglers guided fishing services with 17 years of experience on many of Tennessee’s trophy-trout tailwaters. For more information, contact him at www.

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2018 Southern Trout Legends of the Fly Hall of Fame

I

Nomination Period Ends October 30th of the Fly” Hall t’s official. The full slate of candidates in theTime 2018 Southern Trout (ST) “Legends of early Fame are set. ofThe is set for Friday, February 3rd Southern at The Fly Fishing Show in Atlanta, Since September this event year nominations have been pouring into Trout Magazine office.

It’s going to be aGeorgia. tough haul Voting to whittle the number of new applications down to already a field justtopped over two dozen for who began a couple weeks back and has the totalpeople vote cast forwe theshall beinaugural voting on.ST Last“Legends over 13,000 votes were cast.

Last year was also was special, as we had six positions “grandfathered” of the Fly” Hall of Fame. in in addition to the six new inductees. Some of the 2017 inductees such as Mark Cathey and Ernest Peckinbaugh have been “This year we had a head start on last year’s event, which actually was something of a test gone with few peers to cheer. Others such as Dave Whitlock and Curtis Flemings had large follows who run to see if there was sufficient interestliterally in recognizing the past and present fly fishing legends of filled the place. the Southland,” saysare Don Kirk,topublisher Southern Magazine.

“The to tremendous votepoorest last Following 2017 voting fill the ten for open positions Trout that are left. We decided remove the two yeargetters and the at the ceremony, demonstrated to all that thefisherman time andineffort vote fromcrowd the tally; Nat induction Winston and Wiley Oakley.

They were defined “go to” theirinvested day, but just too seems to have been known about them by the future, the two people receiving vote will be in little the event was well spent and enjoyed bymodern a greatvoters. manyInpeople.” removed from the list.

This year we will have a total ten positions, and year this we will haveNew sevennominations new positions.

The voting now is to determine who goes in the Hall ofnext Fame year.

As ininclude the past,Terry the ST “Legends of theWilson, Fly” Hall Fame candidates beDurnake nominatedofby and then voted upon for 2018 and Roxanne ofofBolivar, Missouri;will Jeff Rabun, Georgia; by readers and others. It is a true ‘people’s choice’ award that from all reports received here was very popular. When Byron Begley of Townsend, Tennessee; Jim Mills of Cherokee, North Carolina; the late Cap nominating candidates, please do not allow your choice to be too greatly influenced by whether your candidate was Weiss of themember Lenoir, of North Baker of Charlotte, NorthThe Carolina; andofScott Branyan of a a preeminent TroutCarolina; UnlimitedAlen or the Federation of Fly Fishers. same is true people who drew Missouri. public pay check for just doing their job for a state or federal government. Heaven know they get sufficient reward eachCasada month. of South Carolina; the late Eddie George

They join the exiting field made up of Jim Nominees should your heart---an man you the oncelate knew on Harper Creek, a legendary trout of Tennessee; the late be Jimfrom Gasque of Northold Carolina; Charley Dicken oforTennessee; the catcher on the White, or a writer or painted who captured the essence of the sport on paper or canvass.

This is not late Chuck Tyron of Missouri; the late President Herbert Hoover; Harry Murray of Virginia, the late 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 Harry Sloan of Virginia; the late Benny Craig of North Carolina; the late Joe Manley of Tennessee; collecting a pay check.

Davy Wotton of Arkansas; the late Joe Hall of North Carolina; Kevin Howell of North Carolina; Lastly, some comments on last year’s voting. As you know, the nomination period ends on October 30, 2017.

Ray Ball of Tennessee; John Berry Arkansas; Babb of Tennessee; Wilson of North Voting for the full slate of nominees beginsofNovember 4thWalter (Saturday).

Biweekly vote totalsRex will be give through midCarolina, Lowe of North Jimmy January inRoger the ST Newsletter (date: Carolina; 11/8, 12/2. and 12/16, 12/30, Jacobs & 1/13). of AllGeorgia. voting for 2018 ST “Legends of the Fly” Hall end 12/27. didsimple. not knowYou about thevote voting it was too in late.

We’re that the of Fame The will rules ofonthe voteLast aremany pretty can sixuntil open slots the Hallhoping of Fame. revised procedure will keep everyone happy.

However, you may vote only once. Your vote is registered to your email. Voting ends on December OnceAnnouncement again the installation ceremony willwill be be heldon that the Atlantic Fly Fishing Show.

The eventofisthe sponsored 30, 2017. of the winners January 1, 2018.

The ST “Legends Fly”

by Southern Trout Magazine, The Atlantic Fly Fishing Show, Sweetwater Brewing Company, Temple For Rods, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be on the afternoon of February (exact time to be determined) Sugarlands Distillery, Hippie Fish, and others. Good luck to all. at The Fly Show in Atlanta. Admission is free.

The ST “Legends of the Fly” is made possible by the outstanding sponsors; Sweetwater Brewing Co., Fly Fishing Museum of Southern Appalachian, Swain County Chamber of Commerce, Thomas & Thomas Rod Co., The Fly Fishing Show, and more to be announced later.

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INDUCTED MEMBERSINDUCTEES GRANDFATHERED

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.

NEW INDUCTEE CANDIDATES

FUTURE NOMINEES

ALAN BAKER - The juggernaut and

visionary behind the creation of the Fly Fishing Museum of Southern Appalachian.

Baker has devoted much of his life to the sport in the region. He continues to make the Museum a high profile success.

Jim Mills

A former pharmacist and current the owner of Raven Fork Fly Rods, Mills has been a well-known part of the WNC fly fishing culture. He also is the keeper of “the magic fly” pattern that is so secret, it is a breach of protocol to even allude to its

Byron Begley - Founder of one of the oldest fly shops in the South, Begley has researched the fly patterns and tiers of the regions. Among his many accomplishments is the “Fly Tyers Weekend” held annually in Townsend, Tennessee.

Jeff Durniak -

A lifelong, dedicated fly fisherman, Durnake has been instrumental on trout management through his position as Georgia DNR North Georgia Region Fisheries Supervisor and North Georgia Region Fisheries staff.

Roxanne and Terry Wilson

A legendary pair from the Ozarks, they have been involved in fly fishing since Moby Dick was a minnow. Co-authors of numerous book and articles, the couple is currently the co-editors of Southern Trout “Ozark Edition” Magazine.

Cap Weiss -

Former headmaster at the Patterson School for Boys in WNC, Weiss taught many of the today’s “old timers” fly fishing. His casting ability is legendary. Weiss is also known as the creator of the Sheep Fly.

Scott Branyan -

A native Arkansian, Branyan is well throughout the Ozark region for his blog, the Ozark Fly Flinger. An acknowledged expert on fly fishing the region, he also did the fishing entry of the Encyclopedia of the Arkansas History and Culture.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

SouthernTrout.com

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 33

764 Miami Circle, Atlanta, Georgia 30324| Phone: (404) 237-3473

www.thefishhawk.com

southernao.com

506 W. Main St., Pickens, SC 864-507-2195

Full & half day guided fly-fishing trips

Carrying Redington, Umpqua, Simms, RIO, Rep Your Water and more!

Come fish the Blue Wall with us!

$190000 / 2br - BEST NORTH CAROLINA TROUT FISHING (Rainbow Springs)

One of the best trout fishing opportunities in North Carolina. The Nantahala River above the lake. Private, gated 5+ miles off the paved road. 100% private waters. No beer cans, no trash, no footprints. Two bedroom one bath cabin on 1.48 acres with a two story barn / bunkhouse. Very lightly populated. Over 3000 feet elevation. Excellent population of large rainbow & brown trout plus a few brook trout. Seasonal run of Kokanee Salmon. Deeded fishing rights.

President® O dds are that at some time in your fly fishing career, you fished with a Pflueger Medalist Fly Reel, and possibly back at that time they sold for $20-$30. In fact, chances are that in the back of your sock drawer, there is a Pflueger fly reel waiting to be gifted to a young angler.

One of the oldest makers of fishing tackle, Pflueger, has been making reels of every sort and size since 1881. Many of the ever evolving reel innovations were hatched around the Pflueger’s family farm in Akron, Ohio. A modern era Pflueger is a testament to the quality of the work put into the company’s lines that spanned from lures and hooks to reels and rods. Recently at ICAST, we met with Pflueger’s current holder, Pure Fishing, which about a year ago was gobbled up by the Rubbermaid Corporation. While at the Orlando gala, I had a Pflueger President Fly Reel thrust into my hands.

36 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Fly Reel

After I explained my proclivity for breaking such fine pieces of equipment, I steadily handed it back.

Once I returned home from the show, I received one in the mail with a note attached that said: “Betcha can’t break this one.� I love a challenge, and I was somewhat dismayed that I also was instructed that I could not alter it with power tools or a hammer---just normal fishing stuff. With a rod and reel in my hand, I decided I was off to the races.

For the sake of historical clarity, Pflueger has a long history that includes mostly reels and, of course,

their deceased line of lures.

In the early days, they sold fly reels and casting reels.

Longtime popular names for their lines included Summit, Akron, and Supreme. When spinning reels became vogue in the mid-1950s, they experimented with names.

Yet, as with baitcasting reels, many companies have chosen to retain older brand names such as "President" and "Supreme" while naming their top-shelf models something more grand like "Patriarch."

The new Pflueger President mid-arbor series of fly reels exemplifies an ultimate balance between lightweight, compact design, and line capacity.

With smaller diameters than today's large arbor reels, the President is the perfect choice for anglers who prefer a super smooth performance fly reel without the bulk. Our test reel was a model #PRES910X. It is a 9/10 reel that weighs a reasonably light 4.90-ounces.

It's a bit heavier than many of the current lightweight reels, but that is just what a fisher needs to properly balance a rod (like a Switch) that has any weight to it. The drag adjustment knob is easy to control even when fighting a fish and the drag itself is excellent with minimal start-up inertia and a smooth action throughout its range.

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The President is a great reel. The drag has many settings that make it easy to fine tune. Its spool holds more than enough line for a 5/6 weight, and it has the appropriate mass for a 6wt. rod. I would highly recommend this reel for people from all walks of life. Also, it has very nice aesthetics. The President is a great product at an excellent price.

I pulled the reel apart, and I put on some Quantum Hot Sauce oil and lube before using it. Its internals are very well made, and the tolerances are very tight. The machining is of a very good quality with an excellent finish.

The drag on all of these reels is more than one will ever need. The reel proved to be smooth with zero vibrations. Its main shaft has two bearings: the inner bearings are balls and the outer bearings are rollers which why the spools have very little movement in them. The pin is made from nylon, not plastic, so as to be softer than the metal in the reel spool. That way, the clicker pin wears and not the detent holes in the spool. These reels come with a tool and an extra clicker pin. If you put a little Quantum lube in the detent holes on the back of the spool, that pin will last for a long time.

The Pflueger President is available in five sizes; the model #PRES34X (3/4; 4.30-ounces); the model #PRES56X (5/6; 4.60-ounces); the model #PRES78X (7/8; 4.80-ounces); the model #PRES910X (9/10; 4.90-ounces); and the model #PRES1112X (11/12; 7.20-ounces) with prices that graduate from $168 to $209.

They rate high in the performance category and again, they are way underpriced in terms of quality and practicality.

For more info go to www.pfluegerfishing.com/ 38 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 39

9th

ANNUAL

2017

Hank Patterson Patrick Folkrod Jeff Trigg Josh Laferty Abbi Bagwell John Miko

1

2

Smoked Trout

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Dip with Lemon T is the season for people, parties and potlucks. We at Southern Trout are joyful for any opportunity to promote the tastiness of trout. So, when we are asked to bring a dish, we look in our recipe box for ways to introduce more people to trout's diverse deliciousness. Below is a recipe we use that so far has never garnered anything but an empty plate.. The smoky flavor of the Sunburst trout melts into the other ingredients to create a "Mmmmmmm" every time.

Ingredients 12 ounces smoked Sunburst trout, skin and bones removed â…“ cup cream cheese Âź cup sour cream 1 tablespoon (or more) fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill, plus more for serving Salt and freshly ground pepper Instructions Using a fork, mix trout, cream cheese, sourcream, lemon juice, 3 Tbsp. chives, and 1 Tbsp. dill in a medium bowl until trout flakes into very small pieces.

Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.

Before serving, top with more chives or dill..

Dip can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 43

ÂŽ

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

Things Nobo

46 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

new fly guy

ody Told You

By Steve Moore

A

s a new fly angler, a more experienced mentor than I, hopefully, walked you through the purchase of your rod, reel, fly line and other essential fly fishing gear (or… shameless plug … you devoured every New Fly Guy column since 2012).

Ideally, that same person – professional or a well-seasoned friend – spent time teaching you how to cast, select flies, assess the stream for the best spot to fish and other critical trout fishing skills.

Given the amount of time required to cover those subjects, they may have left out a few of the tips “everybody knows.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 47

new fly guy

Tip No. 1: What’s the Velcro strap near the shoulder of the fly vest used for?

When I shot a video for my YouTube channel on how to use that strap, even experienced fly anglers commented they never knew the real purpose of the strap and assumed it was to hold glasses.

Actually, the strap’s function is to team up with a loop (or your belt) to support the fly rod and free up your hands. Good fly vests come with a loop at the bottom on the opposite side. Place the butt of the rod in the loop and lock down the shaft using the Velcro strap. The combination of the two holds the rod in place so you can do other things. If the vest has a strap without a corresponding loop, stick the rod butt in your wading belt to duplicate the function of the loop. Many fishing shirts incorporate a strap without a corresponding loop, and a belt works fine for those as well.

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new fly guy

Tip No. 2: What’s the easiest way to thread tippet on small flies?

Most anglers tie flies onto tippet by repeatedly stabbing the tippet directly at the tiny opening in the eye of the hook. An easier way eliminates frustration, gets the job done fast, and does not require magnification.

First, cut the end of the tippet at an angle to create a narrower sharp point for easy insertion into the eyelets of small hooks. Second, do not stab the tippet into the eye. Instead, lay the end of the tippet against the eye with the eye canted slightly toward the tippet. Slowly and gently, pull the tippet with light pressure against the eye until the end of the tippet bumps into the hole. Push the tippet through – very easy as shown in this video.

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new fly guy Tip No. 3: What’s the easiest way to tie on a dropper fly?

This tip has two answers. The first and quickest way to tie on a dropper fly is to leave a long tag end of tippet when you tie on the lead fly. Merely tie the dropper at the end of the tag end. However, the problem with this approach lies in changing the dropper without changing the lead fly. Many times, anglers use dry flies instead of an indicator, and the dry fly does not need to be changed as often as the trailing fly. If the trailing fly needs to be swapped out, the distance between the lead and trail gradually shrinks as the new knot consumes tippet; limiting the ability of the trailing fly to work in the water column as desired. Remember, the typical distance between indicator (dry fly in this case) and the nymph should be at least 1 1/2 times the depth.

Experienced fly fishermen typically tie the trailing fly independently on the bend of the hook of the lead fly. While doing this the traditional way is easy if you have three hands, those with just two hands often find it an exercise in frustration. Rather than experience delays on the stream, many anglers use extrasensory perception to guess at water depth and tie dropper combos at home; storing them in pricey “dropper rig fly boxes” that run $30 or so. The cheap and better alternative is quick and straightforward as shown in this video.

Make a loop of tippet and hold it between the thumb and forefinger.

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new fly guy

Insert a forceps into the loop

Spin it around five or six times and, with the forceps still in the loop, reach through to grab the tag end

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new fly guy Pull the tag end back through the loop

Put the resulting small loop onto the bend of the hook of the lead fly

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new fly guy Moisten the tippet and pull the knot closed, creating a perfect clinch knot for the dropper

Tip No. 4: What’s the fastest way to measure the length of the fish?

Anglers obsess about the size of the fish they catch. Admit it: Our fixation applies not only to the inherently larger ones that get away, but we also know a few tricks to make that fish bigger. We all know how to push a fish closer to the camera to make them appear huge.

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new fly guy

Knowing the length is important for bragging rights and stay legal when catching stocked fish intended for dinner. But no one wants to fumble around with the fish out of the water, flopping on the rocks, eroding its protective slime while pulling out a measuring tape.

The quick-and-easy way to measure a fish is to use the rod as the device. Get some duct tape, cut off a narrow strip and wrap it around the shaft at the critical measurements, measuring from the butt of the fly rod toward the tip. Depending on where you fish, you may have to adhere to certain length restrictions – minimum length, slot-length limits, and so forth. Use a sinbgle band of tape to mark a minimum length requirement. For those who fish where a slot-length limit is in effect, simply place a band of tape on the rod, measured to meet the lower and upper bounds of the slot limit. That will keep you legal, as shown in this video.

About the Author: Check out Steve’s YouTube channel at Kayak Hacks Fishing for more on this topic.

THE BEST BLOOD KNOT TOOL

BLOOD KNOTS TIED FAST AND EASY Add new tippet to leader or construct custom leaders BLOOD KNOTS

Stronger than surgeon’s knot– smoother-they go through rod guides easier

Small, light weight (5/8 oz)

www.eztiesystem.com easy instructions included

Great Meadows Canoes & Kayaks Custom Hand Made Traditional Boats and Nets 423.476.2303 kenlink@bellsouth.net McDonald, TN 37353

gearhead

Streamer Lines: 58 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

S

gearhead

treamer fishing has changed significantly in my lifetime. The first streamers I fished where small narrow-profile “featherwings” and “bucktails”, including such fabled patterns as the Gray Ghost, Black Nose Dace and Mickey Finn. You simply cast them out and let them swing in the current.

The first major advance in streamer design I witnessed was the introduction of marabou. It replaced delicate and lifeless saddle hackle wings with more rugged and active marabou wings, breathing new life into the Gray and Black Ghosts, and giving the Muddler Minnow, our first real sculpin imitation, a facelift.

Soon the rabbit-strip Zonker crashed the party and the streamer game was changed forever -and for the better. Coneheads, dumbbells, rubber legs, flash and synthetic body materials came next, then articulation, and the emphasis changed from sleek minnow patterns to bulky sculpin patterns.

Beyond Sink Tips www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 59

gearhead

Evolving Techniques -

As streamers themselves changed, how we fished them changed. Anglers started casting streamers toward the bank and retrieving them in pump-strip motions. Streamers were dead drifted, suspended under an indicator, retrieved downstream and fished in ways they never had been.

Adapting Technology

Originally fished on sinking lines, anglers switched to sink tips for streamers as they became available. As the streamer game evolved, the industry responded by developing lines designed specifically for streamers.

Sink Tip Lines

Sink tip lines are still a great all-around choice for streamers. If you are only going to have one streamer line, a sink tip is your best bet. Sink tip lines employ a floating running line and belly, and a sinking tip. They are easy to cast, mend well, and help get your fly deep. They are available in tip lengths from 5’ to 30’, and in sink rates from intermediate to ultra-fast.

Sinking Lines

Sinking lines are the best tool for getting streamers deep. They work in moving water and are your best bet for stillwater. While they don’t mend well, they cast well due to their narrow profile. They come in sink rates from intermediate to ultra-fast.

Sink Rates

Sink rates determine how fast a line sinks, not how far. They basically refer to the tip of the line, not the entire line, and sink and sink tip lines with comparable sink rates will sink to different levels as the floating line will hold up a sink tip line.Sink rates are referred to as “Type”, “Sink”, etc. They are usually accompanied by a number: 2-7.

Some lines go even higher. They equate to “inches per second”, usually between 1” and 8”. The term “Intermediate” denotes the slowest sink rate, typically 1-1.5ips.

Density Compensated

Density compensated, or Uniform Sink, means that the line sinks tip-first not bellyfirst. While most premium sink and sink tip lines are density-compensated, many of the lower priced lines are not. While it has significant impact on sink lines, it positively impacts sink tip lines – especially those with longer tips. Density-compensated lines help get your fly down while giving you better contact with your fly.

Floating Lines

Floating lines are great for fishing streamers in shallow water, or high in the water column. They are also good for fishing over structure and weed beds. And they are the only way to effectively fish top-water streamers, which can be quite productive at times.

The key to a good floating streamer line is a bulky belly and a short front taper.

60 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Line-Weight vs. Grain

gearhead

Streamer lines are sold in traditional line-weights, as well as “grain weight.� While there is no hard and fast rule regarding grain weight and rod weight, a good starting point is 150gr = 5wt, 200gr = 6wt, 250gr = 7wt and 300gr = 8wt. Moving up or down one size, or using in-between sizes, can help with various rod actions.

Manufacturers such as Airflo (www. airflousa.com), Cortland (www.cortlandline. com), Orvis (www.orvis.com) RIO Products (www.rioproducts.com) and Scientific Anglers (www.scientificanglers.com) offer lines specifically designed for streamers.

All are designed to address a specific set of conditions, including todays large, bulky, heavy streamers.

Streamer lines go by such names as Streamer and Streamer Max (Airflo), Big Fly and Quick Descent (Cortland), Bank Shot and Depth Charge (Orvis), StreamerTip (RIO), and Sink 25/30 (Scientific Anglers).

Streamer lines are available from 5wt to 9wt, and 150 gr to 450 gr. Some come in limited line-weights, some in a broad range.

Some are available in multiple tip lengths, and some in various sink rates. Most premium lines come with bonded loops on one or both ends. Some come with textured finishes to make them cast better by reducing friction.

Premium streamer lines cost from $84.99 to $99.99. Suitable affordable sink and sink tip lines can be found for $37.95 to $49.95. This however usually means sacrificing things like density compensation, textures, bonded loops, etc. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 61

Streamer Line Pros and Cons

Pros: Purchasing a dedicated streamer line allows you to address a specific set of conditions.

It also helps take wear-and-tear off your everyday line, which while it costs a bit more up-front evens out over the life of products.

Cons: Like any specific-use product, streamer lines don’t do everything well and you are sacrificing some level of versatility. And as noted above, it will cost you a bit more upfront.

Streamer Line Do’s and Don’ts

•If you fish a variety of water and only want one streamer line, consider a sink-tip with a 10-15’ tip.

•If you fish mostly a single type of water, purchase a line that works best for those conditions.

•If you do a lot of streamer fishing, consider 2-3 different lines (floating, sink tip and sinking.)

•Don’t use streamer lines for other applications, they are niche products.

Conclusion:

If you do a lot of streamer fishing, you probably already have a dedicated streamer line, or more than one. If you do a lot of streamer fishing and you do not have a dedicated streamer line, you should consider buying one as it will help take your streamer game to the next level.

BOB MALLARD has fly fished for over 40 years. He is a former fly shop owner, Registered Maine Guide, blogger, writer, author, fly designer and native fish advocate. Look for his books 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast and 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout (Stonefly Press). He can be reached at www.bobmallard.com, info@bobmallard.com or 207-399-6270.

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

GUIDE SERVICES | ONLINE & RETAIL STORE | LESSONS

The Fly Fishing T he first weekend in February is The Fly Fishing Show®'s second appearance at Atlanta, Georgia.

Last year was a great launch for the show in the Peach State. Already sold out for months, this year's show has even greater promise. Additionally, a crew from Southern Trout Magazine will be on hand for an induction ceremony on Friday for the ST "Legends of the Fly" Hall of Fame. You do not want to miss it.

The Fly Fishing Show®, produced as one of the worlds largest consumer fly fishing events, has reported a high number of returning exhibitors contracting space for 2018. As of June 1, applications for new exhibitors were accepted. “Following a record season in 2017, we have seen really strong numbers for our 2018 show circuit,” reports President and CEO, Ben Furimsky.

“Our 25 year history of consumer shows running from early January though March has become a very accurate indicator of consumer confidence and the fishing season sales to come,” Furimsky continues. “Following a strong show season with a great fishing season gives our exhibitors confidence going into the next year. We see contracts come in earlier and booth spaces expanding.

Excitement for the next year from both our exhibitors and customers is evident. This confidence and energy is great for the industry as a whole.”

This year, The Fly Fishing Show® expanded many of its show floors and presentation areas, including the new Women’s Venue in Denver. “We hope to expand again in 2018 where space allows. The Women’s Venue will expand in Denver and we will add this popular area to our New Jersey event.”

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g Show is Back

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The Atlanta Fly Fishing Show® debuted in 2017 and will continue in 2018 with an expanded venue area. This show was well attended and seemed to have a great atmosphere for a first-time event.

This production was marketed from North Carolina down the Eastern Seaboard to northern Florida.

Customers reportedly came from Virginia all the way down to Key West.

“We were very happy with the territory that the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show® drew from for the first year.

We can only expect the word to spread for 2018,” said Furimsky. “I also expect the same customers to come in 2018 and spend more time. We get many customers every year that attend for the first time and only plan [to be there for] a few hours. Once they get to our show and realize how much there is going on, they plan to come the next year for the whole day or the whole weekend. When customers stay for the whole event, the show floor is busy at any given time. This also gives the vendors more time to interact, make sales, book trips, and build relationships. Our goal is to help build relationships between industry and customers in a face to face environment.”

"All seven venues of the 2018 Fly Fishing Show are sold out of exhibitor booth space," says Ben Furimsky. “The early August date exceeds our previous earliest sell-out last year by about three weeks and is months ahead of the normal sell-out for all the shows,” he said.

“We are now ‘wait-listing’ potential exhibitors who may find space available at various venues if exhibitors change plans or prior commitments are disallowed. We are also working with facilities and fire marshals on a site-by-site basis to ensure we have maxed out the use of our venues. If we are able to add any booths to lobbies or other common areas we will pull exhibitor names from our wait-list in the order received,” Furimsky said.

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In 2018 the largest event on The Fly Fishing Show® circuit will move from Somerset, NJ, ten miles down the road to Edison, NJ. The Garden State Expo Center will be closing and the move to Edison at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center will allow for expansion. “Our show in NJ was the biggest of it’s kind and had a long waiting list for booth spaces. We didn’t want to move because of the status of this show. Now that the facility is closing and we had to make a change, we are very excited about the opportunity to expand. The very first plan we had was to add a second casting pond due to the high demand. We will have a new Women’s Venue and a new watercraft area. This will simply be the largest consumer fly fishing event in history,” concludes Furimsky.

A partial list of 2018 Fly Fishing Show® presentations include the following: •Denver, January 5, 6 and 7: George Daniel, Wendy Gunn, Simon Gawesworth, Taylor Edrington, Pat Dorsey and Landon Mayer; •Marlorough, Mass., January 19, 20 and 21: Bob Clouser, Ed Engle, John Shaner and Jeff Currier; •Edison, NJ (formerly Somerset), January 26, 27 and 28: Edison, NJ (formerly Somerset), January 26, 27 and 28: Daniel, Clouser, Tim Flagler, Jason Randall and Tom Gilmore; •Atlanta, February 2 and 3: Bruce Chard, Henry Cowan, Wendell ‘Ozzie’ Ozefovch, Blackburn and Daniel Galhardo; •Lynnwood, Wash. (Seattle), February 17 and 18: Skip Morris, Brian Chan, Denny Rickards and Phil Rowley; •Pleasanton, Calif., February 23, 24 and 25: Tom Boyd, Ernie Gulley, Gunn, Currier, Shaner and Gawesworth; •Lancaster, Penn., March 3 and 4: Clouser, Daniel, Joe Humphreys, Engle, Shaner and Tom Baltz.

Gary Borger is slated for both demonstrations and class instruction at all 2018 events.

For additional casting and fly-tying personalities, authors, door prizes and schedules, visit www.flyfishingshow. com/Check www.flyfishingshow.com for more information or contact the office at info@flyfishingshow.com. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 67

It's Show Season olive K. nynne W

ell, summer is over, fall is in the past, and the leftover smorgasbord of table scraps I received following Thanksgiving Day was pretty darn dismal. Now its “show season.” I’m not talking about going to New York City to catch all of the latest productions on Broadway (although Mommygirl would love it.) I’m talking about trade and consumer shows like the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show® or the Virginia Wine and Fly Festival.

Occasionally, I am invited to attend these events, such as the Blue Ridge Fly Fishing Festival. They are fun enough to attend if you like cigar smoke and the smell of cheap whiskey. Frankly, I tolerate it because of the interaction of normal people. It is no secret that Daddyboy is an 1800s throwback who sees females who fly fish as mere curiosities, and he still bitches about the folly of passing the 19th Amendment.

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black wing olive chronicles

It’s not that Daddyboy is totally backward in his thinking. In fact, this October he tried pizza. After he picked off all of the good stuff of suspicious origins and put them in the corner of his plate (which I ate) he had nothing but compliments for the naked crust he choked down. I thought Boy was going to have a mental breakdown watching him.

Although we do not say it out loud, he is something of a relic around our house (or anywhere else for that matter.)

For example, he has a penchant for never culling his old clothes. Mommygirl caught hell from the old fart when he was gleaning the trash and discovered his old Spiro Agnew Mickey Mouse T-shirt. Now I can somehow believe that he managed to wear a size medium T-Shirt in 1969.

I’m baffled though by some clown name Spiro Agnew depicted as one of the silver screen's truly great legends.

Daddyboy is always a source of hushed entertainment. I am not sure exactly how bad his hearing actually is because the crafty curmudgeon often ignores any audible warnings, and his standard response to anything said to him is either “Huh?” or “Come again?”

When this occurs, Boy typically walks away mumbling. Mommygirl, on the other hand, responds by repeating what she said about eight decibels louder.

Ninety percent of the time Daddyboys' retort is “Why are you yelling at me?”

Trust me, it’s a real circus with too many clowns.

When it comes to seeing…well, that’s a true horse of another color. Boy inventoried Daddyboy’s collection of reading glasses last summer. He turned up 84 pairs (12 were beneath the sofa cushion.)

He actually found a pair in the butter dish.

Within an hour, I heard the old fart roaming the compound looking for “his glasses.” I did my best to ignore the craziness, but it is as predictable as the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

The question is, where am I going with this seemingly endless telling of tales?

I’ll tell you. ol' Daddyboy’s birthday is right after Thanksgiving Day. To his chagrin, Mommygirl and Boy shanghaied him under the pretense that they were all going on a family outing to Stinky’s Smokes’ Stand for a special celebratory stick or perhaps even two for him. Daddyboy was overjoyed, but nonetheless, fell asleep on the way. Once out for more than five ticks of a clock, it takes Daddyboy about 10 minutes to regain consciousness when roused. By the time he was awake, we were at an Army/Navy Surplus Store where he was fitted with two new pairs of trousers and a Bowie knife (he was awake when he spotted the knives at the cash register.)

Circling back again in this endless narrative, I say this because it’s show season. For the first time since the 1987 SHOT Show, ol' Daddyboy will be sporting two new pairs of trousers. That may not be big news where you are, but if it were in a newspaper, it would be in a font reserved for the “Second Coming.”

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39 South Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 770.606.1100 CohuttaFishingCo.com A NANO BREWERY IN BLUE RIDGE, GA We were founded in October of 2012, and our first legal brew was shipped in July of 2013. We are a couple of old retired guys who were home brewing in an outdoor shower and graduated to this. We are still having fun which is why we are still open.

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Southern Trout

CLOSE LOOK South Carolina

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Lake Jocassee

Gem of the Foothills

Small by Southern reservoir standards, the lake’s deep and cold waters provide huge opportunities for great trout fishing and outstanding scenery

By Stephen Johnson

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SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

L

ake Jocassee, a jewel of a lake, is tucked among the steep slopes of the Cherokee Foothills in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. With a mean depth of 157 feet and a maximum depth of 351 feet, this 7,565-impoundment of the Keowee-Toxaway River fishes differently from your typical reservoir, and it really isn’t uncommon to be fishing 50 or 100 feet deep for fish that are suspended an additional 50 or 100 feet over treetops, a hilltop or a channel edge.

Sam Jones, who has been fishing Jocassee since 1978 and guiding anglers for the past 17 years, can’t explain why fish relate to breaks and structural features that are so far beneath them. He just knows they do. Built in 1973, Lake Jocassee straddles the Blue Ridge Escarpment, where elevations drop severely as the mountains give way to the Piedmont, creating dramatic landscapes. Mountains rise straight from the water’s edge, and virtually every tributary enters the lake over a waterfall. Coming from mountain streams, the water stays substantially cooler than other South Carolina reservoirs and is always crazily clear.

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THE JOCASSEE FISHERY

Not surprisingly, Lake Jocassee’s fishery is distinctive from what’s found in any other South Carolina waterway. The black-bass fishery includes native redeye and largemouth bass and non-native spotted and smallmouth bass, and the state-record fish for all except the largemouth came from this lake. Even largemouths, although small in number, tend to grow big in Jocassee. Every year the lake produces a few double-digit weight largemouths, often on topwater lures fished at night during the summer.

Trout, however, are clearly Lake Jocassee’s main attraction. Although no significant natural reproduction has been documented, Lake Jocassee’s cold, deep water provides suitable habitat for trout year round. The forage base includes plentiful blueback herring and threadfin shad that keeps the trout well fed and allows them to “grow shoulders.” Adding to an impressive records list for a fairly small reservoir, South Carolina’s state-record brown and rainbow trout both came from Lake Jocassee.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCNDR) stocks Lake Jocassee with rainbow and brown trout at least once per year, according to Jones. A modest daily creel limit (three fish), a seasonal 15-inch minimum size and a year-round limit of one fish of more than 20 inches in length in a daily creel all help more fish to grow large.

TROUT FISHING

Certainly, there are times where Lake Jocassee trout can be caught with casting strategies, but the lake’s character and a forage base of herring and shad keep the trout away from the banks and on the move. Therefore, the most prevalent and effective fish-catching strategies are to fish natural bait under lights at night and to troll, often with the aid of downriggers to put baits at the depth of the baitfish and the trout.

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Lake Jocassee State-Record Fish

Species Weight

Brown Trout 17 pounds, 9.5 ounces Rainbow Trout 9 pounds, 7 ounces Spotted Bass 8 pounds, 7 ounces Redeye Bass 5 pounds, 2. 5 ounces

Year 1987 2001 2001 2001

Angler Larry Edwards Terry Dodson David Preston Randy Dickson

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Sam Jones trolls almost exclusively, mostly with spoons and minnow-imitating plugs, and uses downriggers to control the depth of his lures. “It’s like salmon fishing in the Great Lakes,” he says. “Using electronics is critical on Lake Jocassee. I’m continually watching my graph for the depths and positions of trout and baitfish.” He also relies on his electronics to stay over channel edges and to effectively troll across other structural features like humps and points.

Water temperature is the primary determining factor for trolling depth range through much of the year. The reason Jocassee supports trout year ‘round is that the cool water needed can always be found somewhere in the water column. Finding trout begins with finding water in the 55- to 65-degree range.

“I use a temperature sensor, and I’ll drop it down until I find the right temperature, and that will be my starting depth,” Jones explains. From mid-summer through the end of fall, when the lake is fully stratified, he focuses on the thermocline, which is the layer between the coolest but most oxygen-depleted deep water, and the upper layer, which gets too warm for the trout to stay in for very long. That often means trolling in the 80- to 120-foot depth range.

Winter provides excellent trout-fishing opportunities because the water is a suitable temperature for trout all the way to the surface, and the fish spend most of their time between the surface and about 40 feet. They also congregate up the four main river arms (Whitewater, Thompson, Toxaway and Horsepasture) which significantly shortens the playing fields.

Because the trout mostly stay shallower, anglers who don’t have downriggers enjoy their best opportunities of the year through the cool months on Jocassee. Trolling diving minnow-style lures on flat lines or with a snap-on weight to gain a bit of extra depth can be productive. Many anglers also add planer boards to their lines to spread their offerings and cover more water this time of year. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 79

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Jones mostly uses his downriggers even for trolling shallow in case he sees some fish deeper on his graph and wants the opportunity to quickly drop a line or two deeper. In fact, his biggest Lake Jocassee trout came through such an approach. It was early spring. He was running his baits high, where fish normally are that time of year. He started marking fish in 40 feet, though, so he used the downriggers to put a couple of his baits in that range. It wasn’t long before a client was connected with what would turn out to be a 10 ½-pound brown trout.

Jones mostly trolls with flat, lightweight spoons and with minnow-style lures, both of which imitate herring and shad. Because of the baitfish he seeks to imitate, he mostly uses simple silver, gold or copper finishes. However, he has found that some days the fish like some blue or pink or something else mixed in – with no rhyme or reason to when – so he’ll mix up his colors and pay attention to which lures get bit.

He mostly uses 2- to 4-inch spoons and will stay at the small end of the range or even go a little smaller when he really wants to target rainbow trout.

“The smaller size is a better match for threadfin shad, which the rainbows seem to prefer, so during spring especially, when the rainbow bite is good, I’ll use more of the smaller spoons,” Jones says.

Adding a final note, Jones says you never know what you’ll catch while trolling at Lake Jocassee. He mostly targets trout because they are lake’s most celebrated species and the most plentiful in the open water, but he catches a wide variety of fishes.

Jones has caught spotted bass as deep as 110 feet out of Lake Jocassee, and occasionally he’ll hook into something heavy and it will turn out to be a big catfish.

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SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

WANT TO GO?

Access: Devils Fork State Park, just outside of Salem, has two boat ramps, plus villas, a campground and a camp store.

Guided Fishing

Jocassee Charters jocasseecharters.com phone: 864-280-9056 sam@jocasseecharters.com

Area Information Discover Upcountry Carolina upcountrysc.com phone: 800-849-4766

Trout Regulations

-Three fish combined trout limit.

-From Oct. 1 to May 31, a 15inch minimum size applies or all trout species, and only one of three fish may be more than 20 inches long.

-Live bait may be used on Lake Jocassee, but corn, cheese, fish eggs or imitations of them may not be possessed on the lake.

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 81

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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.

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Tier

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Featured Fly Tier SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

Jacob Braxton

Steelie Bros Fly Company Columbia, South Carolina

W

hat fly-tier Jacob Braxton of Steelie Bros Fly Company in Columbia, South Carolina, did not expect was to become obsessed with tying flies, but he’s not complaining. He only wanted to be able to tie any fly he needed and tie it well.

“With the convenience of social media, the more you tie and the more you post, the more popular you become,” he reveals, “so, it has worked out in my favor.”

Like many fly tiers, Braxton started tying flies with a cheap how-to kit and a vise that would barely stay clamped to the table. “Personally, I did not have any mentors who physically taught me how to tie flies. However, there are a few fly-tiers who, even to this day, I aspire to be as good as,” he admits. “The top two would be, Andreas Andersson – his work is always super clean and flawless, and there’s never a hair out of place. Also, Rupert Harvey from UKflies.com. Again, his work is always super clean, and always has great color combos and flash combos -- just really good flies.”

The first fly pattern Braxton says he successfully tied was an olive dragonfly nymph, using his cheap how-to kit. He says it was actually a fairly in-depth pattern and included burning monofilament fishing line for little nymph eyes. After that fly, Braxton knew he was hooked. It may have been the same day or maybe a few days later, but his plan moving forward included a better vise and an array of flytying materials. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 85

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Tier

Braxton grew up in western New York on the coast of Lake Erie, “...so I was either fishing for bass or steelhead,” he says. That’s why his first real bread-and-butter patterns, for the most part, were egg patterns and white Crystal Buggers. He says he would wake up early, pour a cup of coffee, and tie a half-dozen of each pattern to go steelhead fishing for the day. The white Crystal Bugger is still one of his favorite flies today.

“It’s simple, with just two materials, and it can pretty much catch any fish,” he says.

Perhaps Braxton’s greatest call to fame is his willingness to teach others the craft he has mastered. He ties everything from size 24 midges to double 7/0 hook predator flies and is more than happy to teach people how to tie any type of fly they want.

For anglers planning a trip and want to learn to tie flies specifically for a targeted species, he’ll set up classes based around not only the fly patterns but also the behavior of that species. Flies tied with that focus, he says, are usually the flies that will work best. From family members to friends, Braxton has hooked more than a few folks on fly tying. Some, like his wife, Jessica, also ties flies commercially. “She actually helps me fulfill orders,” he says.

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Tier

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Join one of Braxton’s fly-tying classes and you need to do little more than show up with an eager willingness to learn how. He supplies a vise, all the tools and materials, and print-outs on all the flies to be tied in that session.

“I am happy to offer classes to any skill range.

For more advanced tiers, I like to focus more on developing an individual’s unique tying style rather than the simple mechanics of fly-tying,” he says.

“We focus on fly movement in the water, color blending, flash blending, fly profiles and increasing the durability of your flies.”

Unlike many old-time Southern fly-tiers who always saw a road-kill as potential fly-tying material (or kept a .22-caliber rifle handy should opportunity knock), Braxton relies on the miracle of modern technology for his material. He sources his fly materials from Hareline, noting that one key to becoming a commercial fly-tier is sourcing quality, readily available materials so fly patterns can be replicated over and over again.

“I have whole-heartedly become dependent on a majority of the Enrico Puglisi products. Their material brushes make for very dynamic and beautiful flies,” he says. “In addition, all of the Loon products -- UV Knot Sense, Hard Head, Soft Head, UV Flow – they take the guesswork out of epoxies and latex finishes, for sure.”

It’s hooks, Braxton adds, that are the most difficult tying component to obtain.

“To find a hook and size that you like and feel confident in, and can readily source in bulk quantities, is difficult,” he says. “You cannot just go to the store and grab whatever hooks you want off the shelf. You need consistency, especially when your customers are expecting it.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 89

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Tier

So, what are Braxton’s top-5 tailwater patterns – perhaps, those he’s most likely to use on his home stretch on the Saluda River tailwater in Columbia?

• Caddis • Flash Caddis • Pheasant Tail nymph • Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph • Rainbow Warrior

But he admits, every time he fills a fly box for trout fishing, he remembers a quote

by Allison Moir, author of A Different Angle: Fly Fishing Stories by Women. She says, "I look into ... my fly box, and think about all the elements I should consider in choosing the perfect fly: water temperature, what stage of development the bugs are in, what the fish are eating right now. Then I remember what a guide told me: 'Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown and fuzzy and about five-eighths of an inch long.’"

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Featured Fly Tier SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

Braxton’s “go to” fly patterns for freestone streams, such as South Carolina’s Chauga and Chattooga rivers, include various ant patterns, the elk-hair caddis, various stimulators, the Madam X, and “maybe a bugger just for fun,” he says. He also confesses to holding a soft spot for the classic grasshopper pattern tied with a head of deer hair.

“I think teaching kids how to tie terrestrial patterns is an easy way to get them more into nature, fly tying, and fly fishing,” he says. “It helps to show them that the environment around the water is just as important as the water itself. Terrestrials are great for beginning fly-tiers. Sometimes, beginners have never been to a stream or flipped over a rock to look at the bugs. To start someone with a bugger, which is basically just a brown or black lump with a tail, may cause them to lose interest quickly because they don’t understand what their actually making. While tying a nice big green grasshopper pattern, beginners start to understand that they are imitating real bugs they have seen before in nature.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 91

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Tier

For more information about Steelie Bros Fly Company, visit the company website SteelieBrosFlyCo. com. For more information about Braxton’s fly-fishing seminars and fly-tying classes, send him an email to info@SteelieBrosFlyCo. com or call him directly, phone: (716) 785-8295.

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Featured Fly Tier SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

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US ON www.SouthernTrout.com FOLLOW l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 93 TygerForge.com Capt. Mark Goodwin • tygerforge@gmail.com

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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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Shop

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Featured Fly Shop SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

“F

ly fishing is no longer an “Old Man's” sport,” said Karl Ekberg of Chattooga River Fly Shop. “The youth of America have learned the secret. The family experience seems to be taking off in the summer, where Mom, Dad, and the kids all want to have the fly fishing experience.”

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Shop

This explains the attitude of Karen and Karl Ekberg, a pair of entrepreneurs out of Mountain Rest, South Carolina.

Their well-stocked shop may be about as far south on the East Coast as you get, but they are also smack dab between two major free-flowing rivers. Both rivers offer Delayed Harvest (Catch & Release) areas from November 1 through May 14 each year. The Chattooga is a National “Wild and Scenic” river, while the Chauga River, about a third the size, is the hidden gem.

The two rivers are only 8 to 10 miles apart, which means both rivers can be fished the same day. For fishing the Chattooga, one may have either a South Carolina or a Georgia license, while for fishing on the Chauga, a South Carolina license is necessary. Both rivers offer the getaway experience if you are willing to hike. Both rivers are hatchery supported year-round by the Walhalla Fish Hatchery located in Mountain Rest, South Carolina.

Karen and Karl have owned the Chattooga River Fly Shop for 5 ½ years, and it is centrally located between the two rivers at 6832A Highlands Highway, Mountain Rest, South Carolina. They set a huge value on sharing their joy and love of the rivers with their customers through fly fishing. As customers share their needs, they help by teaching them in guided trips and in the fly shop, about what both rivers have to offer.

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Shop

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Featured Fly Shop SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK “Almost every day, we meet someone new who has come here who is thirsty for the experience of the mountain,” says Karen.

“Through local fly fishing clubs, Trout Unlimited groups, and tourism, we have had a large number of folks looking to explore these waters.”

“Chattooga Fly Shop is a yearround full-service fly shop located in the heart of the South Carolina mountains,” Karen Explains. “We are also a U.S. Forestry Service permitted fishing guide service. We are located on the main highway that will take anglers strait into exploring in the National Forest, which is important. Folks can experience a 'detach from reality' here as there is virtually no cell phone coverage, so leave the gadgets at home.”

“Not only are we a fullservice fly shop, we also support local artisans, from quilts to pottery, woodworking, local honey, handmade hunting knives, turkey calls, to mention a few. On the fly fishing side, we offer rods and reels from Redington and Echo, waders and boots from Redington, a full array of Fishpond packs and bags, Ibex socks, New Phase boxes and nets, Chattooga River Fly Shop souvenirs, and all the flies which will work on the rivers or lakes,” says Karen. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 101

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Fly Shop

“We have a daily online post of the river conditions, on the Chattooga, which helps folks know what water conditions are,” explains Karl. “If a customer calls the fly shop, we let them know the wading conditions whether safe or unsafe. We offer both full and half-day guided trips on both rivers (wading) and small lake by boat. We provide a fly-fishing presentation to all types of interested groups, as well as fly tying classes.

Additionally, we have in-house guides here at the fly shop.”

“We have seen a resurgence of fly tying in the past few years. There has been an influx of younger tiers, because of technology at their fingertips. Folks seem to have the 'WOW Factor' of tying a fly and bringing it to the water and catching fish with it. It is great feeling seeing this enthusiasm, being a tier for over 30 years, and having customers come in and sharing their new creations. We have a full array of tying products here in

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Featured Fly Shop SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

the shop, and if there is something a customer is looking for, which is not in stock, we special order the product for them quickly. We offer one-on-one instruction here at the fly shop, where everything is at your fingertips while being guided through your tying experience, all based on the customer's schedule.�

Trust is the most important and strongest tool a retail establishment can have, according to the Ekbergs. They enjoy building that trust with each and every customer, regardless of age. Great pride is taken in being on the waters which surrounds them, and sharing what the Ekbergs know and have learned. That way they can relay that to their customers to make a successful day on the water.

Chatooga River Fly Shop is located at 6832-A Highlands Hwy. Mountain Rest, SC 29664; phone 864-638-2806. Website: http://www.chattoogariverflyshop.com

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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

BlueRidgeMountains.com

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Lodge/Resort

T

ucked away in the Upcountry of South Carolina is one of Dixie’s most unique “trout fishing” hubs – Devils Fork State at Lake Jocassee. Ironically, it is as unknown to many Southern trout fishermen as are the trout waters of Siberia or Finland! Devils Fork State Park is located on the southern end of the beautiful 7,500acre reservoir and is a true find that may leave many of its previous visitors in fear of “letting the secret out” only to reveal the great trout fishing opportunities that lay just off its shores.

Devils Fork State Park is leased from Duke Energy. park opened ucked awayWhen in the the Upcountry of South Carolina is one of Dixie’s most unique in 1991, the fishing” villas were seen as modern “trout hubs – Devils Fork State at Lake Jocassee. Ironically, it is as accommodations with all of the comforts unknown to many Southern trout fishermen as are the trout waters of Siberia of home.

ButDevils as timeFork wentState by, thePark villasisgot or Finland! located on the southern end of the beautiful a makeover. Granite countertops, wood 7,500-acre reservoir and is a true find that may leave many of its previous visitors floors, and new furniture were some of the

Devils Fork

Lake Jocasse

T

in fear of “letting the secret out” only to reveal the great trout fishing opportunities that lay just off its shores.

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Featured Lodge/Resort SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

State Park

ee, SC

Devils Fork State Park is leased from Duke Energy. When the park opened in 1991, the villas were seen as modern accommodations with all of the comforts of home. But as time went by, the villas got a makeover. Granite countertops, wood floors, and new furniture were some of the improvements made to the interiors of the villas.

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Lodge/Resort

“We have added three outdoorliving areas to the villas with plans to continue the additions,” explains Ray Felton, assistant park manager. “The villas still have all of the comforts of home for today’s park guest who enjoys a vacation with satellite TV, WiFi, and a dishwasher. Lodging is right on the water.

The boat ramp is just 15 minutes away.

The scenery is superb and is more than enough to make up for those occasional slow fishing days.”

Lake Jocassee is unique among trout fisheries in the Southeastern United States where very few lakes can sustain trout populations. It reaches more than 300 feet deep and is fed by several mountain rivers and streams.

Hardcore fly-fishermen might shy away from the lake because of its depth, but hard-tackle anglers most often target the trout on Lake Jocassee in ways similar to the style of fishing on the Great Lakes.

It’s more of a change of pace than dedicated fly-rodders typically handle, but trolling with downriggers, lead-core lines and Dipsy Divers in the clear water of Lake Jocassee is definitely the ticket for catching its legendary rainbow and brown trout. If you love to troll for trout, this is the place. There is something about seeing a rod release from a downrigger and line screaming off your reel that just keeps you coming back for more … not to mention your catch! Lake Jocassee’s browns and rainbows often weigh in the 5- to 7-pound range.

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SOUTH CAROLINA Featured Lodge/Resort

Nonetheless, fly-fishermen find Devils Fork State Park a great base to explore the lake’s feeder streams. The many tributaries to the lake are often explored by boat (and it’s best to bring your own), similar in many ways to how fly-fishermen access other Southern Appalachian highland lakes such as Chilhowee or Fontana. Lake Jocassee is fed by four primary trout streams: the Horsepasture, Whitewater, Toxaway and Thompson rivers, but “rivers” might be a stretch for describing the physical appearance of these streams. While these all offer outstanding fly-fishing, they are best characterized as headwater streams, offering all the adventure of “blue-lining” but without the sometimes tiring legwork needed to access remote trout waters.

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“Devils Fork State Park gets a wide variety of guests that come to experience the beauty of this area,” Felton says. “Fishermen are one user group (and) are the majority of our users during the winter months. The lake has multiple species. Trout are really fun, especially in the spring, and the smallmouth fishery is the best in the fall. It is supported by South Carolina’s stocking program, with individual fish to more than 7 pounds – absolutely, quality fish.” Jocassee also holds quality spotted bass and largemouth bass.”

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“During the summer season, our guests come to wake board, run jet skis, SCUBA dive and kayak,” Felton continues. “The lake has great swimming conditions in very clear water. Visibility in a significant portion of the lake is often at least 10 feet or more, and the water has tested to be cleaner than tap water.”

Three local dive shops support SCUBA diving. Kayaking and standup paddle boarding are very popular among non-motorized boating sports.

Waterfall touring is accessed by both vehicle and boat. Day-hikers can enjoy portions of the 77-mile long Foothills Trail, which crosses much of the more remote sections of Lake Jocassee. And the Jocassee Gorges region in all is about 50,000 acres, supporting hunting for deer, bears and wild hogs … a hunting paradise for those seeking adventure.

Devil’s Fork State Park does not provide resident fishing guides, but the lake has plenty of charter services for guided fishing outings.

Devil Fork State Parks features 20 villas, 59 RV campsites, 25 rustic tent-camping sites and 13 boat-in primitive campsites. The parks do not have a restaurant on site, but several restaurants lay within 15 minutes of the park. Its villas have everything you need to prepare and store your meals on site. Just bring your food!

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Springtime is tops for fishing, especially through May. Winter brings very slow visitor traffic to the park, but summertime is very busy; oftentimes, parking reaches maximum capacity. Many of the special events at the resort are supported by The Friends Of Jocassee, a non-profit public charity that provides a support system for area state parks, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the Foothills Trail. Some of the group’s local events include the First Day 5K on New Year’s Day; Bell Fest in March celebrates the rare Oconee Bell Flower that is naturally only found within 20 miles of the lake; and VIP Day (Volunteer, Improve and Preserve) is held on the second weekend in September.

Devils Fork State Park is located at 161 Holcombe Circle, Salem, SC 29676. It is open daily from 7 to 9 pm during daylight saving time, and from 7 am to 6 pm during standard time. For more information, visit the park website at https://southcarolinaparks. com/devils-fork; email the park manager at devilsfork@scprt.com; or call the park office at (864) 944-2639.

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What’s So Special About Bryson City?

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Hundreds of miles of native mountain trout streams Trout are also flow through the Great common in our Smoky Mountains four rivers – National Park above Bryson City and Cherokee — freestone creeks with native rainbow, brook and brown trout. Most streams offer all three species.

Bryson City is the home of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians Learn all about it at FlyFishingMuseum.com.

The Oconaluftee, Little Tennessee, the Tuckasegee and the Nantahala, one of Trout Unlimited’s top 100 rivers. And now, a 2.2 mile section of the Tuck through Bryson City is designated delayed harvest waters, with one of the highest trout counts of any stream in the southeast.

The 30 miles of trout streams on Two mountain lakes the Cherokee offer trout fishing Indian Reservation The 29-mile long, 11,700 acre Fontana 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.

are the longest privately owned and stocked fishing waters east of the Mississippi.

The 2.2-mile 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.

Visit GreatSmokiesFishing.com for a map and profiles of 26 great fishing locations near Bryson City, North Carolina. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 115

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Trout Trekking to Whitewater River No, we’re not talking about canoeing or kayaking.

Rather, let’s go hiking … to some good Palmetto State trout fishing!

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o South Carolina’s

By Jimmy Jacobs

S

outh Carolina’s section of the Whitewater River presents a bit of a dichotomy. Although it is a back-country fishing destination, it is visited by a lot of people. And while the valley does see plenty of visitors, relatively few are actually anglers.

The Whitewater River rises just south of the Wade Hampton Golf Course near Cashiers, North Carolina.

From there it flows south, dropping over 400-foot Upper Whitewater Falls, to then enter the Palmetto State. A bit more than a mile farther along the river leaps over another 400-foot drop at Lower Whitewater Falls and then travels another mile to Lake Jocassee. The portion from the North Carolina border down to the Lower Falls provides South Carolina anglers the opportunity to tangle with some wild trout in a remote setting.

The presence of the twin cascades on the Whitewater River is the main reason the valley sees heavy visitation. Sightseers flock to the valley via the Foothills Trail to admire the waterfalls, which are the highest in the eastern United States. For serious hikers and backpackers walking the 77-mile Foothills pathway from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park, the trek along the river is but one of the highlights of the upstate trail. The entire length of the Whitewater River in South Carolina is contained in The Jocassee Gorges Project, making it open to public use. It is a rugged area and the river lies on the edge of the most remote portion of the state.

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For trout fishermen, the Whitewater River is the attraction of this area.

For its high mountain location, the stream’s course between the waterfalls is surprisingly level as it flows down the valley. There are, however, plenty of deep pools and runs along this stretch of the freestone stream.

The river averages around 30 to 40 feet wide in most places, making it one of the state’s larger mountain trout streams.

For the most part it is open enough to allow plenty of casting room. Be aware, however, that along most of this course the wading is not particularly easy.

Rather than gravel beds or flat rocks, much of the stream bed is composed of slick, bowling ball size rocks that offer only precarious footing. You’ll likely find that a day of wading the Whitewater will wear you out more than many other streams in the region.

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The river contains a population of wild and semiwild rainbow and brown trout, but like many Southern trout streams, the water has a low pH level making it rather infertile. Although there is natural reproduction of fish in the river, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resource does periodic stockings of fingerling browns and rainbows in the river.

Those releases ordinarily take place in October or November. By the time those trout reach catchable sizes, they look and act like wild fish.

The average size of trout caught on the Whitewater is going to be in 6- to 10-inch range, though bigger ones turn up. One local angler encountered on the river said he has fished the stream regularly for more than a decade. He noted the size of fish seems to have decreased, but he was not seeing any increased fishing pressure. Rather he pointed to anecdotal evidence of having found a dead otter on the river in recent times, as well as spotting live ones, as a possible cause of the decline.

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The Whitewater is managed as a wild-trout stream, which entails the regulation allowing the use of only artificial lures. That, plus the lack of stockings of catchable-sized fish and the required hike to reach the stream, keeps the angling pressure here rather low.

Anglers are allowed to harvest five trout per day, with no size limit.

When fishing this river in the winter months of December to February, the rule of thumb is keep your presentations slow and deep. That is particularly true when the water temperature is hovering between 40 and 46 degrees. If it goes lower than that, you’d be better served by sitting home by the fire!

Drifting weighted nymphs under strike indicators is the best bet for winter action. At this time just skip the riffle areas and target deeper water, dredging the bottom with your flies. Local favorites include the GoldRibbed Hare’s Ear, Prince and various stonefly imitations in sizes 14 to 16. You also can try slowly stripping Wooly Buggers in basic brown, olive or black hues along the stream bed. If all else fails, try a garish Y2K or hot-pink San Juan Worm in size 10 or 12.

Such a big offering may be tempting enough to overcome the winter lethargy of the fish.

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If we get a few straight days of sunny, warmer weather in the winter, some dry fly action is possible on the Whitewater. When that happens, try throwing a Parachute Adams, Elk-Hair Caddis or Stimulator in size 14 to 20.

Getting to the Whitewater River requires a hike of just more than a half-mile along the access path to the Foothills Trail. The walk begins at the parking area in Duke Energy’s Bad Creek Pump Storage Project. That site can be reached via State Route 130 to the north of the village of Salem. The project has an automated gate that opens to allow entering during daylight hours. It will open to allow you to exit at any time. Follow the signs to the parking lot for the Foothills Trail once inside.

To the right of the parking lot is graveled Musterground Road, which has a gate, but that barrier often is open. Though you can drive down the road and it parallels the river for a short way, no parking is allowed and enforced on the road, making it impractical for access.

The trail to the river presents fairly easy walking, though it does cross one small ridge. Once at the foot bridge over the river, the Coon Branch Trail runs upstream on the western shore, while Foothills Trail follows theT eastern side upstream. Downstream of the river crossing fishermen’s trails offer access.

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There also are directional signs at the trail junction at the river crossing. One of those is for a side trail running to the Lower Falls. However, it is 1.9 miles one way and leads to a viewing platform that is far up the mountain side. There is no access to the river using this trail.

About the Author: Jimmy Jacobs has been fishing the trout waters of the Southeastern states for almost 50 years and presently is the Georgia editor for Southern Trout Magazine. He has authored the guidebooks Trout Fishing in North Georgia, Trout

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The Two Faces of the Eas

On the East Fork of the Chattooga River, tw ‌ and one could not be more different from

By Polly Dean ne of the three branches of the Chattooga River, the East Fork of the Chattooga River (also known as the East Prong Chattooga River) is less known and less utilized by trout fisherment than the very popular main fork. The 7.4-mile tributary runs from the North Carolina-South Carolina border into the main stem of the Chattooga.

Though the East Fork offers excellent trout fishing opportunity throughout its entirety, the river does possess somewhat of a dual personality as far as access to the fish. Due to the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery located on its waters, anglers can park at the hatcher alongside the river and, only a short stroll away, a day's limit of trout (five in South Carolina) is all but guaranteed.

O

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st Fork of the Chattooga

wo fishing scenarios come to mind m the other

More appealing though are the remaining miles of trout water above and below the hatchery, holding wild and stocked trout that do not see many anglers. Unlike the section in the vicinity of the hatchery, this “other face� of the East Fork is not so easily accessed and is downright challenging to get to for much of it, limited only by one's physical ability to reach the numerous good-sized pools and then by the ability to place a fly in the desired spot. But the rewards come frequently, and the chance of hooking into a fine wild brown trout is not unusual.

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Walhalla State Fish Hatchery

The Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, located in northern Oconee County, lies just a couple miles off of Highway 107. Operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources it is the only coldwater hatchery in the state.

The facility raises brook, brown and rainbow trout for stocking South Carolina's public trout-fishing waters.

Located 2.5 miles upstream of where the East Fork meets the main stem of the Chattooga River, the waters close to the hatchery provide an easy option for anglers, including children and beginners. A short distance from the parking lot is a handicap accessible fishing platform that overlooks the hatchery's outflow pipe. Multitudes of

9- to 12-inch fish mill around the inflow of water, offering relatively easy taking for the dinner table along the hatchery grounds where walkways, bridges and dirt paths provide a number of options for easy access to hungry trout. It's a treat to see smiling youngsters with parents and grandparents, toting their day's catch.

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WALHALLA FISH HATCHERY

The Walhalla Fish Hatchery, located on the East Fork of the Chattooga River in northern Oconee County, South Carolina, raises brook, brown and rainbow trout for stocking the state’s public waters in support of recreational fishing. Most of the trout are cultured to a catchable size of 9-12 inches before they are released. Fingerling trout are also produced to enhance the trout fishery.

Hatchery trout are needed to maintain a sustainable trout population because of different factors in South Carolina trout streams. Generally, the streams of the southern Appalachian Mountains are pristine and of good water quality. However, they are frequently not as productive as streams in other areas of the country. The northwest corner of South Carolina is situated along the southeastern geographical margin of the Appalachian trout habitat.

South Carolina maintains some high-quality wild-trout streams, but its geographical limitation restricts the natural trout resource, such that it does not meet the high demand for trout fishing in the state. Trout managers have successfully extended trout-fishing opportunities by stocking trout in selected streams. This hatchery-supported trout fishery is generally created to support the desired fishery in waters where the natural trout population is limited.

For more information about the Walhalla Fish Hatchery, trout fish culture, and visitors info, visit http://hatcheries.dnr.sc.gov/walhalla.

Reprinted from South Carolina Trout Fishing with permission from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

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Beyond the Hatchery

Beyond the half-mile or so of stream that is easily reached from the hatchery's parking lot, several more miles of trout water stretch away from the facility both upstream and downstream. With an average width of 25 feet, the entire East Fork of the Chattooga runs through US Forest Service property and is publicly accessible.

Access to the river upstream of the hatchery can be reached by another parking lot off of Hwy 107, at Sloan Bridge, just north of Fish Hatchery Road. Maps, literature and signs in the vicinity indicate “hiking trails” paralleling the stream in either direction. Don't be lulled by this fact, thinking that accessing these fish will be a matter of entering and exiting the stream along the trails. This is not the case. These are trails for hikers, not fishermen. The fact that this stream doesn't see a lot of angling traffic, the farther a fisherman ventures from the hatchery, the fewer “fishermen trails” are evident.

My recent visit to the East Fork followed, by only a few weeks, Hurricane Irma's swath through Georgia and the

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Carolinas. Downed trees on land and in the water make the effort even more challenging. Study – better, yet – carry a map before embarking. Hiking trails may somewhat parallel the East Fork of the Chattooga, but following them is not easy. Gorges and hilly terrain can make it a bit challenging to reach the stream for wetting a line. And as we know, finding a spot to make our way “down” to the water, doesn't mean it's going to be easy to make our way back out. Making a commitment to fish our way out is often the choice we make. With this in mind, always fish with a partner and allow plenty of time. Once you get a taste of this river, you will be glad you did.

As is usually the case, streams that aren't easily accessed make for better fishing, and the East Fork is no exception. The trout (stocked rainbows and brookies, and browns) in much of the East Fork receive little pressure from anglers. So, when able to land or drift a well-placed fly, be ready; there is a good chance you will be rewarded.

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Get the Local Scoop

Convenient to South Carolina's trout streams in the northwest corner of the state, the Chattooga River Fly Shop is a good place to start your day of fishing on the East Fork of the Chattooga River, the mainstenp Chattooga River and the Chauga River. Located in the small town of Mountain Rest on Highway 28, chances are good that whatever stream in the area you plan to fish, the fly shop is on the way there. It opens at 7 am, seven days a week.

Co-owners Karl Ekberg and Karen Maddox, along with their 2-year-old Weimaraner, Gus, make their home adjacent to the shop. Both are passionate fly fishermen, each has their own fishing style, and neither offered an immediate suggestion for success.

But Karl and Karen both like to think “outside the box� as winter weather in the South can be all over the place, as far as water and air temperature and conditions.

But the best part, according to Karen, it never gets too cold for the fish and she holds steadfast that the best trout fishing on the East Fork can take place in the winter months. No matter what time of year, stop by the Chattooga River Fly Shop on your way to the East Fork, the Chattooga or the Chauga and soak up some timely suggestions on the best flies and lures of the season.

About the Author: Polly Dean is a regular contributor to Fishing Tackle Retailer, Game & Fish Magazines, Southern Saltwater Fly Fishing, Georgia Connector, and DeSoto - Exploring the South magazines. After two decades in the art department of Game & Fish Magazines, Polly began a second career as a freelance outdoor writer. She is a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Georgia Outdoor Writers Association.

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SOUTH CAROLINA - Featured Guide

Jake Howard

Saluda Valley Guides Columbia, South Carolina

T

he Saluda River is one of the most unique rivers in the world. "It is the lowest, longitudinally, year-round trout stream in the country that I know of. There are not many places, if any, that you can fish for trout in a cold water fishery with Spanish moss hanging in the trees. Currently, it is a hatchery supported fishery but the trout grow quickly in the river and a good number of holdovers up to 5 years.” Explains Jake Howard, of the Saluda Valley Guides of Columbia, South Carolina.

“In the last four years or so we have been seeing some good reproduction in the rainbows which enhances the summer and fall fishery. These trout grow very quickly. The stocked trout average six inches with an average of over one and a half inches per month. The fishery has a lot of food so it allows the trout to grow to twenty inches very quickly,” says Howard.

A vocal advocate of the Saluda River, Howard has a simple mission

statement for his operation.

It’s his desire to educate clients in the techniques to be successful on the water, no matter where they go, to give them the tools to be successful with a fly rod or light tackle, and to show people a unique experience on a unique river and the issues that can ruin this fishery.

“When I graduated high school, I moved to Colorado,” says Howard.

“After doing some seasonal work in construction and

at the ski resorts I landed a guide job in Keystone guiding on the Colorado, Arkansas, South Platte and Blue Rivers for three years. When I moved back to South Carolina in 2003, I worked several odd jobs from construction to retail and in 2005 became the Fly Fishing Manager at Barron’s Outfitters.

In September of 2013, I started Saluda Valley Guides LLC. I still work for Barron’s full time and guide on my days off.”

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Howard offers instruction from a crash course in casting before and during a trip to two-hour private lessons. He offers instruction from basic to expert and he teaches Euro-nymphing techniques if clients so desire. He supplies everything except waders.

Since he guides from a drift boat, waders are not necessary but if a client has them then they can spend some time wading areas that are not accessible through public access.

Typically, he meets clients on the river or picks them up at their hotel. When they finish, he returns them to their vehicle or hotel. He provides lunch on full day trips with water and soft drinks, and on half days he provides water.

“Space is limited on the boat so bring as little as possible, I can provide all the gear,” says Howard. “They can bring rods, but let me know so I don’t have extra rods getting in the way. If you bring flies, that’s fine, but I spend my nights tying flies for trips, and I use certain patterns for the rigging I prefer that have been the most productive.

Most importantly, just relax and soak in the sights and sounds. I do all the work, I’ll tell you where to cast and when. I’ll get you untangled and set up your leader. I’ll put you in the best position possible to be successful.”

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“No matter how successful we are on a trip I want my clients to learn something,” explains Howard. “If they are beginners, I hope that they learn enough with me to turn a new sport into a passion, and maybe come back to learn more and advance with every trip. If my clients are veteran anglers or have traveled to fish, I want to show them a new place and how special my home waters are.”

While the Saluda is a unique trout fishery, Howard’s other popular guided trips there are for stripers. They are extremely popular as are his floats for smallmouth bass.

On the trout side, a lot of clients book when the river is stocked in December and then return in the fall when the trophy trout are easier to catch.

“For years the Saluda was a put and take fishery with the water warming to the point that all the trout died in the summer months,” says Howard. “With new regulations and better water flows in the river, the trout are living through the summer. Some are reproducing and people are starting to release more fish after the catch. I think the fly fishing industry has helped proliferate this idea and we are just now starting to see the benefits from it.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 143

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“Guided fishing has become popular for several reasons, depending on the person,” says Howard. “I have clients who want to try something new and a guide has all of the equipment, so they don’t have to go out and spent hundreds or thousands of dollars to see if they will enjoy it. I also have the clients who have tried it and want to get better at it. These are the people that have invested in the equipment and want to be taught the proper ways to do it. They want to improve on every trip and learn something no matter how minute it may be. Then there are the clients that do not have the time in their busy schedules to go every weekend so they hire a guide to provide the knowledge of the river and what the fish are doing. These people want to have a successful trip but don’t have the time to figure out what a guide already knows.

Howard can be contacted at www.saludavalleyguidesllc.weebly.com; email: scswampduck@gmail.com; and phone phone 803- 312-2435

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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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Trout and Spanish Moss create one of the most unique trout fisheries in the South, perhaps the world!

By Jake Howard Tall pines, river birches, Spanish moss and the occasional cypress tree ‌. These are not the characteristic traits you typically see when looking at a trout stream. And once you step foot into the Saluda River, you quickly realize it is, indeed, far from a typical trout stream. The early morning mist rising from its cold water often hides the river, and the moss-laden trees on its bank frame one of the most unique coldwater fisheries in the world.

The lower Saluda River holds a tailwater trout fishery that stretches roughly 7 1/2 half miles downstream from Saluda River Dam (officially the Dreher Shoals) of Lake Murray, from near the towns of Irmo and Lexington to downtown Columbia, South Carolina. Cold water released from deep in the lake provide great habitat for trout to grow and live year ‘round here.

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The trout habitat in the riverway is perfect for the most part. Water temperatures range from the low 40s in the coolest months to the low to mid-60s in the heat of summer. The rocky, grasscovered bottom gives aquatic insects plenty of places to hide and grow. Saluda River trout fishermen can expect to see a variety of bugs that include a heavy population of caddisflies, blue-wing olive and cahill mayflies, tiny midges and even small stoneflies. This forage, and abundant baitfish, allows the trout to grow quickly.

On average, stocked trout in the river grow at a rate of more than half-aninch per month. This means that a rainbow trout that is 10 inches when stocked in December will grow to a length of 14 to 16 inches by August. Holdovers, of course, reach greater lengths, and fisheries studies reveal wild trout (rainbows are the only wild trout found in the river) of the Saluda grow in excess of 1 1/2 inches per month. More and more fat fish more than 20 inches long are being caught every year. On average a trout longer than 20 inches will have been in the river for two to three years. Eighteen- to 24-inch rainbows are not uncommon. The Saluda also has been recognized as a high-quality brown trout fishery, producing trophy browns up to 25 inches long. Fisheries managers say browns do not reproduce because the water temperature does not reach the correct level at the right time of year.

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Riverside access for Saluda River trout fishermen is difficult. The river is heavily bordered by private land. Most of the riverway is reached by boat. Otherwise, four public access sites are in place on the Saluda; two of them are directly across from each other.

• Saluda Shoals Park offers the best access with close to 2 1/2 miles of paved trails following the river. Located on the Irmo side of the river, the park is stocked with most of the nearly 30,000 trout that are released annually and includes two boat ramps situated at the upstream and downstream ends of the park. This makes for a good half-day float trip in a drift boat with plenty of stretches that will hold fish along the way. You won’t find a commercial shuttle service for the Saluda, so plan to use two vehicles to make put in and take out possible.

• Gardendale access, about a mile and a half downriver from Saluda Shoal, is mainly a canoe and kayak access. The fencedoff parking lot is about 60 yards from the riverside. Carrying an inflatable over the railing and down the path is possible, but there is no access for hard (trailered) boats. Once past Gardendale, riverside is all private access.

• Mill Race Rapid, off Interstate 26 near Riverbanks Zoo, is the only public take-out site for floating anglers, but access is extremely limited due to the distance from the water to the road.

It is primarily used by kayakers and tubers to get to the rapids and float the stretches behind the zoo.

• Private access is very hard to obtain. Float-fishing access downstream from Saluda Shoals Park is best by hiring a guide who holds permission to use a private take-out. Johnboats are used regularly by local anglers, but conditions on the river make it dangerous to navigate even for those who have spent a lot of time on the water. Water releases can occur without warning in the tailwater. These take place normally leading up to a rain event or after and during the months of November and December to lower the lake to allow residents to maintain their docks. Whenever you float or wade the river, have an escape route in mind and use a reference point often to stay ahead of rising water levels.

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CLOSE LOOK

SOUTH CAROLINA - Featured Destination

Trout fishing tactics take all shapes on the Saluda River. There are no tackle/lure/ bait restrictions (short of dynamite) on how trout may be taken. Daily bag limits restrict anglers to no more than five trout, and only one of those trout can exceed 16 inches in length. An abundance of fishermen use corn and other processed/live baits, especially if the river was recently stocked. Common lure choices include Rooster Tail and Mepps spinners tossed on light spinning gear.

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Featured Destination - SOUTH CAROLINA CLOSE LOOK

Fly-fishing on the tailwater is growing. Nymphing appears to be the most popular method, with the common Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail and Prince nymphs (sizes 12-20) among the most effective patterns. It’s not unusual to see successful fly-fishermen using many of the newer patterns that pop up in shops and on chat boards. Any of these patterns can be fished under indicators or by Euro-nymphing set-ups. Many of the big trout in the river become meat eaters when they push past the 14-inch mark, so chucking “meat flies” – streamers, such as Wooly Buggers and Sculpins – can often turn a trophy trout your way. Bring a variety of line styles – from full-sink to intermediate – to cover the water column. Slow-moving, deep water runs are numerous; getting your presentation down can raise some seriously large browns that lurk near the bottom.

Through its long history, the Saluda River has seen its share of troubles, but with each passing year, its trout fishing grows better with age. The number of rainbow trout that hold over through the summer seems to be increasing, producing a growing population of viable, spawning trout. Saluda River trout – and the great fishing that goes with them -- would no longer exist without the efforts of groups like the Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, The Congaree Riverkeeper, and American Rivers. The future looks bright for this river of trout and Spanish moss.

For more information about fishing and other activities on the Saluda River or in the Columbia area:

About the Author: One of the top performers on the Team Stonefly Competitive Fly Fishing Roster, Jake Howard competes regularly against some of the top fisherman in the world. Jake also works full time at Barron's Outfitters in downtown Columbia, SC, where he has built quite a reputation as the "go to guy" for tips and gear recommendations for the area. Jake owns/operates Saluda Valley Guides, based in Columbia; go to https:// saludavalleyguidesllc.weebly.com/ or call 803-312-2435.

Saluda River TU www.saludatu.org

Guide Service Saluda Valley Guides LLC www.saludavalleyguidesllc. weebly.com 803-312-2435 Fly Shop Barron’s Outfitter 1725 Harden St. Columbia, SC 29204 www.barronsoutfitters.com 803-254-5537 More Information Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Rd. Columbia, SC 29212 www.icrc.net/saluda-shoalspark 803-772-1228

Conngaree Riverkeeper www.congareeriverkeeper. org 803-760-3357

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ust North of Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River tailwater downstream from Buford Dam (Lake Lanier) is arguably the best trout water in the Peach State. The river here also carries the best known and documented cold water in the state. Finally, this 48-mile stretch most likely hosts more angler days on the water than any other stream in Georgia!

More than 200,000 rainbow and brook trout annually stocked in the tailwater are part of the attraction of the “‘Hooch,” as many locals call it; but, the presence of a population of wild-brown trout is what really sets these waters apart. Those river-bred browns are plentiful and also noted for attaining gargantuan size. A number of them have been caught over the years that topped the 15-pound mark.

Historic Bridges

Each has a story of its own, and most have a connection

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s on the ‘Hooch

n to the trout fishing on Georgia’s Chattahoochee River

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The last two Georgia state-record browns were yielded by the ‘Hooch, setting the mark first at 18 pounds, 7 ounces, before that fish was supplanted by Chad Doughty’s 20-pound, 14-ounce monster.

A number of the access points anglers use to reach the tailwater are named after bridges. A couple of these are modern highway spans at Abbotts Bridge and Medlock Bridge. Several others are marked by much older spans that are no longer in use. When sighted while wading or drifting down the ‘Hooch, these skeletal reminders of very early throughways across the flow stand in spooky silence when the mist is rising off the river on summer eves.

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Four of those ancient spans still stand over the trout water of the Chattahoochee River. So, what exactly are they? Technically speaking, all of these bridges were pinconnected, Petit-style, Pennsylvania through-truss bridges made of steel. “Throughtruss” means the roadway ran through the metal frame, as opposed to running across the top of the frame. While the entire frame of the bridge was metal, the actual roadway was made of loose wooden planking. This type of construction became quite popular around the advent of the 20th century.

Besides the bridges that still are standing, there was at least one more that lasted into modern times on the ‘Hooch’s trout water. Into at least the early 1970s such a span carried Akers Mill Road across the river from Fulton County to Cobb County, immediately downstream of the present Interstate 285 bridge, where today’s Akers Mill Road Bridge is located.

As for the four remaining bridges, each has a story of its own, and most have a connection to the fishing on the river. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 161

Settles Bridge

Settles Bridge is located roughly 5 miles south of Buford Dam. The bridge runs from Gwinnett County on the east to Forsyth County on the west, formerly carrying Settles Road across the river. It is thought to be the oldest of the abandon bridges, having been constructed in 1896. The bridge was abandoned and closed to traffic in the 1950s.

Today, the metal frame of the entire bridge still stands, but the timber roadway is gone. The property on the east bank is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the appropriately named Settles Bridge Unit of the park. A trail runs from the parking lot down to the river beneath the bridge. From there it is possible to wade the rocky shoal area along that east bank for several hundred yards upstream. That offers excellent fishing access during low water conditions.

The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division has a pipe installed down the slope to the water near the bridge on the west shore that is used to stock trout at this location.

Rogers Bridge

Rogers Bridge is situated 11 1/2 river miles below Buford Dam and, when constructed, had Gwinnett County at its eastern end and Milton County to the west. However, in 1932 Milton County was absorbed as a part of today’s Fulton County. The exact date the bridge was built is not known, but it is thought be in the early 1900s.

The 328-foot bridge and Rogers Bridge Road that crossed it took their names from the Rogers family that farmed the area beginning early in the 1800s. At that time John Rogers, who was half Cherokee, lived on the west side of the river and operated a ferry at the bridge site. He was forced to move to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. However, being half white, he was able to return, went to court and set a precedent by winning back his land. His brother William was said to be the great-greatgrandfather of cowboy humorist and philosopher Will Rogers.

Rogers Bridge continued in use into the early 1970s, but today has been converted to carrying a pipeline across the river. The approach to it now is in the City of Duluth’s Rogers Bridge Park. A canoe/kayak landing is maintained in the park just downstream of the bridge. There is a small rocky shoal area at the landing that permits some very limited wade fishing.

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Jones Bridge

Jones Bridge is a little more than 19 miles downriver from the dam at Lake Lanier. This likely is the most heavily used of any of the sites along the tailwater.

Besides being flanked by heavily populated Fulton County on the west and equally populous Gwinnett County to the east, there is a long wadable shoal just downstream of the bridge.

It would be more accurate to say, what is left of the bridge. Built in 1904, it had a relatively short history of use, having been closed to traffic by 1940.

Today only the span of the bridge originating on the Fulton County shore still stands.

A local legend says that sometime in the ‘40s men claiming to have been contracted to remove the bridge showed up and tore down the eastern span, probably for the scrap metal. Authorities caught onto the scheme before they could steal the western span. The only problem with that story is that aerial photos from 1955 show both spans still in place. Whatever the true story, only half the bridge remains.

Access to the site today is available from the east in Gwinnett County’s Jones Bridge Park. Meanwhile the western shore in Fulton County is open to the public, including a boat ramp, in the Jones Bridge Unit of the CRNRA. Both parks provide access to the shoals for wading anglers.

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Hermi’s Bridge

Hermi’s Bridge is the final one to cross the Chattahoochee along the stretch that supports trout for at least part of the year. It can be found crossing the flow next to the modern bridge on Paces Ferry Road connecting Fulton and Cobb Counties. The 280-foot span is the only one of the bridges still in use, albeit now it carries a pedestrian and bicycle traffic across the river.

Built in 1904 by the Cotton States Bridge Company to replace the ferry, it was at first called Rossers Bridge after Judge E.B. Rosser, who was chairman of the Fulton County Roads and Bridges Committee at the time of construction.

That name never really stuck, and most folks referred to it as the Paces Ferry Bridge.

The present day Paces Ferry Road bridge opened in 1974, ending vehicle use of the old bridge. Famed Atlanta architect Cecil Alexander and his wife, Hermione, led a campaign to save the old span from demolition, instead changing it over to its present use.

In October of 1983 Hermione Alexander, who had been very active in the civil rights movement, was tragically killed in an auto accident. The Fulton County Commission then renamed the span as Hermi’s Bridge in her honor, adding a plaque to it that reads “Hermione Weil Alexander, She built bridges across gulfs of prejudice and intolerance.”

Although trout survive in the Hooch in the area around Hermi’s Bridge, there is no access to the water between the U.S. Highway 41 bridge (South Cobb Parkway) and the end of trout water at the mouth of Peachtree Creek. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 165

So, you see, all four of these historic bridges lay claim to an interesting history and what Georgia trout fishermen hope remains an interesting future, as the Chattahoochee River tailwater continues to flow cold through one of the South’s largest metropolitan areas.

About the Author: Jimmy Jacobs has been fishing the trout waters of the Southeastern United States for almost 50 years and presently serves as the Georgia editor for Southern Trout Magazine. He has authored the guidebooks Trout Fishing in North Georgia, Trout Streams of Southern Appalachia, Tailwater Trout in the South and Brook Trout in Dixie.

Jacobs also serves as editor for Southern Saltwater Fly Fishing magazine, a sister publication of Southern Trout Magazine. In 2017 Jacobs was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City, NC.

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Kayak Demo Pond • Extensive Free and Paid Classes Women’s Programs • Wine & Micro-Brewery Beer Tastings Boy Scouts can earn their Fly Fishing Merit Badges

World Class Fly

Experience T of a Long Fl

T

he mist over Little River was not unusual for early November. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is often shrouded in fog or rain. I was still getting used to using a wading staff, a pretty standard issue item when the water I am fishing is deep enough to cover my toes these days. And, I was hoping to try out the Fenwick World Class 11’, 6” long 5/6 weight before I tumbled upon it and sent it to the rod yard.

I’ve always had a special soft spot for Fenwick rods. I graduated from a Garcia fly rod to a state-of-the-art Fenwick fiberglass fly rod, which was my go-to rod until I bought a Fenwick graphite, 9’ 4-weight. The latter enabled me to not only fish every creek in East Tennessee, but also it became my favorite for hunting trips. It saw action from the Chama River in New Mexico to the Yellowstone River in Missouri. Once, when on a

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y Rod 11’ 6”, 4 Weight

The Dizzying Reach ly Rod Don Kirk

spring bear hunt in New Brunswick, we killed time on the Miramichi River at Doaktown.

There, I hooked and landed a 48 pound Atlantic salmon. To say they I am quite fond of Fenwick is an understatement.

This new rod from Fenwick fascinated me. Officially cataloged as model number WCF11656-4, it is but one of Fenwick's current offerings of fly rods under the category known as “World Class.” Oddly, it is something of a midrange fly rod within 29 different models that range in length from a sporting 6-piece, 7” 3-weight, to the mainstay of the World Class lineup that includes three rods in the 10 foot range, three rods in the 11 foot range, two rods in the 12 foot range, and three rods in the 13 foot range. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 171

My test rod was certainly a “looker.” Tipping the scales 5.5 ounces, it came in four sections in a beautiful sock and a zippered top nylon tube.

This Fenwick Powerlux sports a flat black color with the exception of an eightinch section above the grip that reveals the guts of the Powerlux design matrix.

Utilizing 3M® Powerlux 500 composites, World Class fly rods have unmatched sensitivity and power. 3M® Powerlux 500 is a blend of carbon fiber and nano silica particles distributed evenly in an epoxy resin to create a rod that is 30 percent stronger than rods constructed with traditional nano tubing resins. These fly rods are more powerful and lighter due to the high concentration of nano-sized spheres of silica combined with high modulus graphite fibers.

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AAA cork is used for the reverse half-well split grip on the 3- to 6-weight models and the extended full well handle on certain other models. Doublehanded World Class rods measure from 11', 6" to 13', 6". The rods also feature a secure, exotic hardwood reel seat design. The butt cap is laser engraved with the Fenwick logo. All in all, it is certainly a fly rod you will be proud to decant in the presence of anyone.

Model #WCF116564 is rated as fast action.

These days, that is in pretty generic terms, so we tried it out see if the extra two feet in length was all that fast.

The answer was, "Yes!" It is a smart, pretty, fast rod, and one that is blessed with an amply smooth presentation. In fact, it was a lot more gentle on short casts than was anticipated.

The rod preformed beyond our expectations. It's a true, under-the-market sleeper.

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The rod passed all tests on Little River, and even survived the ordeal long enough to be returned to its tube unscathed. The action was great. It performed much better than most of my current fly rods. It took a couple of casts to get the feel because the action was so responsive.

One can either fire out a bunch of line yardage or send out a soft floating drop cast with a simple wrist angle adjustment—impressive. The light weight and perfect balance combined with the nano-resin strength make this a winner. The construction makes it practically easy to cast long distances.

As a sensitive nymphing rod, the model #WCF11656-4 got excellent scores. I even tried it with 50 feet of mono with a brace of a weighted nymph. Yeah, its definitely old school, which I had not done in years, but the rod was the most sensitive I have ever tried. Had I been so lucky that my reflexes were like they were in the old days, I might still be there fishing.

The truth is, I am only a fair caster. I get the job done well enough most of the time to avoid embarrassing myself in the field, but I am not one of those hotdog casters you often see at shows rolling out line in endless loops.

I suppose that many would call me a novice, but within five minutes, I was laying out 75-80 feet with about half the effort of my other fly rods. The point I want to make is that this rod has serious "legs." Later in the day, the wind got up to blowing at a gusty 15-to-20 miles per hour. It didn't matter. That’s a helluva lot of performance for a fly rod priced less than half of more expensive ones. It goes for a mere $479.00---not cheap but impossible to ignore. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-fly/ 174 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

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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.

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GUIDE SERVICES | ONLINE & RETAIL STORE | LESSONS

Y

ou are standing in the stream at sunset and you spot a rise from a nice fish forty feet upstream. You get a perfect drift and he makes a deliberate rise and you confidently strike to set the hook. However, much to your amazement you do not hook the fish...nothing!

At this point one of three thoughts might pass through your mind and although you may not realize it, some of your future angling success may rest upon your analysis of this missed fish.

First you might tell yourself, "That dumb fish was sure a poor shot. He completely missed my fly." Or, you may tell yourself, "It was simply one of those things," and forget about it.

A wiser tactic would be to seriously consider just why you missed that strike and see if you can do better in the future.

Here are ten tips that have helped me in the past that might save you a fish or two. The first several concern our tackle and the latter ones concern angling tactics.

1. The first thing I do when I tie a new fly on my leader is mash down the barb and sharpen the hook. I do this on new flies, and about every fifteen minutes while I am fishing I check to see if the hook needs to be sharpened again. My justification for this is, why take a chance on dull hooks.

2. Make sure your fly hook has an adequate bite. Two situations come to mind here. I was fishing a Pennsylvania spring creek for browns and my partner had been taking many nice fish on Murray's Flying Beetle.

About an hour later I realized I had not seen him fighting any fish for a while, but I could hear him using some 182 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

Don't Miss that Strike Harry Murray

Trout Tactics: By paying attention to small details in our tackle and tactics we can land many large trout.

10 Tips! pretty heavy language on the feeding trout before him. I walked down to see the problem and it seemed he had been getting many strikes but kept missing the trout. Out of curiosity I checked his fly and instantly I saw the problem. He had previously caught so many trout that the hair had partly twisted down under the hook and was closing the gap. Using my clippers I snipped some of the deer hair form the Beetle's stomach and my friend went back to catching one brown after another. This same problem can occur with a Humpy.

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This same problem often occurs when fishing deer hair surface bugs for bass. If you find that you are missing many strikes just retrieve your hair bug and trim its stomach or replace it.

An improperly trimmed Irresistible Dry Fly may cause missed strikes. Also you could just prune it.

3. I am a firm believer in the Scientific Anglers Indicators I developed with Scientific Anglers many years ago. I place two Scientific Anglers Indicators on all of my bass and trout leaders except my spring creek leaders. I just do not want to get a strike I am not aware of.

4. The one tactic which helps me most in connecting on solid strikes is not making any longer casts than necessary in order to prevent spooking the fish. I realize that at certain times of the years the streams are low and clear, and crowding the fish will spook them so we need longer casts, but do not overdo it. I fish a shallow gravel bar on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River close to Edinburg where the smallmouths came in to feed at dusk daily. Because of the surrounding deep water I am compelled to make very long casts to reach these fish. I do not hook every bass that takes my fly but by using a fast line hand strike simultaneously with a strong rod lifting strike I hook most of them.

5. When fishing nymphs or streamers down and across stream always keep your rod tip pointed where the line comes out of the water.

This enables you to instantly feel the strike and it gives you the best leverage with the rod for setting the hook.

6. When setting the hook on bass, learn to utilize a powerful uplifting rod motion which bring the strong butt section into play. With the bass'es hard mouth and our big hooks this is simply extra insurance even with barbless hooks.

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Delicate Strikes: When using small flies on light leaders, a slip strike helps assure solidly hooked trout. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 185

7. Try to develop the habit of consistently setting the hook on a strike with both the line hand and the rod. On bass and large saltwater fish with hard mouths this extra force can help assure that the fish is securely hooked. If we had been careless about recovering the slack line on the water as a dry fly drifts back downstream to use it is a good way to assure we set the hook. On small mountain trout streams with low hanging limbs I often use just a line hand strike which keeps me from breaking a rod by snapping it into overhanging limbs on the strike.

8. This tactic probably gives me an extra 100 trout each year. When fishing Pennsylvania and Montana spring creeks with size 22, 24 and 26 drys on 7X and 8X tippets I use a "slip strike" to prevent breaking the trout off on the strike. That is, I set the hook with my line hand and not the rod. I hold the line lightly between my thumb and forefinger of my line hand as I set the hook on the strike, then as I feel the resistance of the trout on the fly I allow the line to slip between my thumb and forefinger.

This hooks the trout solidly and protects the gossamer leaders.

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Murray's Flying Beetle: When Harry Murray ties his Murray's Flying Beetle he is very careful that no deer hair gets below the hook shank. This helps assure well hooked trout.

9. When fishing streamers down and across stream we detect the fish'es strike the majority of the time by feeling it. Although there are some situations where we see the strike first by watching the line. Usually this will be an obvious movement of the line across the current. However, in some cases the strike is so subtle it is easy to miss. When I am teaching the students in my on-the-stream schools to detect these strikes, I encourage them to become proficient in discerning exactly how the line drifts with and across the current normally as we swim the fly across the stream. Then if the line behaves in an unnatural way we assume a fish has picked up the fly. Obviously this is not a refinement that one picks up instantly, but it is the bottom line on detecting subtle underwater strikes.

10. When fishing dry flies and topwater bugs strive to become proficient at detecting subtle things. Many strikes on the surface are bold and splashy and are thus easy for us to detect. However, in some cases the fish sucks our fly under very delicately and it just disappears.

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Delicate Release: Barbless hooks and a gentle release help assure your trout will return to the stream in good shape.

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One of the largest brown trout I have ever caught came as I was drifting one of Ed Shenk's Crickets inches from a dense grassbed on a Pennsylvania spring creek. The Cricket just disappeared from the surface and simply lifting the rod put me in action. Had I not been watching the Cricket closely I would have not been aware of this strike.

The same thing can happen with surface bugs and smallmouths. Not long ago I was making a video with the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries on smallmouth bass fishing. We had been filming for hours and had taken many bass and the videographer was well pleased with what we had, but he wanted me to keep fishing while we had that "beautiful sunset". By this time I was getting a little careless with my fishing and although my Tapply Deer Hair Bug was drifting on the water in a straight line between my cameraman and me, I had taken my eyes off of it to talk to him. Finally I looked back to the stream but could not see my bug so I begun to pick it up off the water to make another cast. I was hooked to thebest bass of the day. He had sucked it in so quietly that we did not even know it. Be observant!

I am sure we all get many strikes we are not aware of and others that we are too late to set the hook. Some of these tips might be helpful. Maybe one of them will give you your best fish of the season. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 189

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

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Great Smoky Mountain TU Fly Tying Contest

T

January 18, 2018 Knoxville, TN

he winds may blow cold in Knoxville, Tennessee on January 18th 2018, but the lights will be burning bright as the Great Smoky Mountain Trout Unlimited Chapter rolls out the red carpet for the “IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2018�! The kick-off event of the year rolls in to Knoxville that evening for its three-year anniversary and promises to be bigger than ever as we welcome everyone to our new event location.

The crowd keeps getting larger each year and we are happy to announce the famous Twin Peaks Restaurant at 135 N. Northshore in Knoxville, TN will be our host venue this year.

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` Our mission is simple… “Can you challenge the Fly?”; yes, the prizes are top shelf but the rewards are even larger for the fly tiers that enter the contest and the crowd that streams in for this one of a kind evening. The $30 entry fee for the fly tiers pays even bigger dividends for the great cause that it funds. Each summer the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along with Trout Unlimited and volunteers from all walks of life hosts a small group of boys and girls from ages 12-15 years old at “Trout Camp” in the national park at Tremont Institute. This action packed week of camping, fishing, and conservation introduces many young people to their first outdoor experience in one of the most beautiful settings in the world, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The individual Trout Unlimited chapters in our region raise money each year to help send a deserving boy or girl to “Trout Camp”. The campers are carefully chosen form a pool of applicants that grows larger every year as only a limited number of campers can be accepted. We work hard to keep camp costs down and by sponsoring a child it is through your involvement we can help these young families send their child that for many is a trip of a lifetime in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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No matter what your fly tying skill level the playing field is made even as the fly tiers are given three rounds to tie a fly from whatever is provided in their mystery bags.

Not only is each round time limited but the competitors do not know what fly or material they will be required to tie. Past years have seen everything from balloons, screws and shoelaces to be tied to a hook. The judges work hard each year to make sure the tiers are challenged as they compete for great prizes like fly rods, fly reels and outdoor gear.

Of course the crowd pleaser is the blindfold round… yes that’s right the blindfold round! You can watch as the audience roars with laughter as their favorite tier does their best to do the simple while blindfolded. Whether you have been fly tying for years or just starting out makes no difference, the past two years we have had a fifteen-year-old and a 16-year-old win one of the three rounds, not to mention the women who have been signing up and competing each year giving the men a run for the money.

Once again our regional sponsors from Little River Outfitters, Smoky Mountain Angler, 3 Rivers Angler, Orvis-Sevierville, and of course Don Kirk and the crew from Southern Trout Magazine have stepped up to the plate to make this all possible. It is through their donations of prizes for the competition that we are able to offer the tiers a chance at winning great gear while helping fund children to attend “Trout Camp”.

Add to the mix a room full of people enjoying the coldest beer in town and great food at Twin Peaks Restaurant as they cheer the tiers on and you have all the makings of a fun rollicking evening for a great cause. Yes, January may be the coldest month of the year, but on this night it is because of warm hearts that young campers from our region get to experience the summer adventure of their life. Join us on Thursday, January 18th 2018 as the Great Smoky Mountain Trout Unlimited chapter welcomes the New Year at the “IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2018”!

196 l December 2017 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com

www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2018 l 197

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