issue 19
june/july2015
Southern Trout
CLOSE LOOK:
www.southerntrout.com
GEORGIA
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
2 l April 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
GUIDE SERVICES | ONLINE & RETAIL STORE | LESSONS
Publisher’s message
Seeing Elvis
It’s fair to ask, “What has Elvis Presley to do with fly fishing for trout?” As best I can tell “The King” did not fly fish for trout, although I am told that he was fond of water skiing on Pickwick Lake. Recently on a fishing trip to Unicoi, Georgia, Southern Kayak Fishing Magazine editor, Ed Mashburn and I encountered a cornucopia of Elvis lookalikes. We stayed the lodge at Unicoi Gap State Park where we had the run of the place, save for the fact it was the site of the Elvis Presley Impersonator Convention. During our time at this neat place, we encountered a variety of Elvises that ranged from one who was over 6-feet tall all the way down to one Elvis who might have been 5-feet tall. At one time there were seventeen Elvis impersonators on the stage singing “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hounddog.” If that was not enough to make you dizzy, each of these heavily sideburned wannabes had their own entourages which out of a rare sense of decency on my part, I will forgo providing details of that part of the circus. It is sufficient to say, you had to be there to believe it. By the way, in case you are wondering, fishing was pretty decent on the Smith and Chattahoochee. As fate would have it, a few days later, I was off to Memphis, Tennessee to talk about fly fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the MidSouth
Fly Fishers. Driving back to Alabama we took a detour into the bowels of Tupelo for lunch at a hole-in-the-way dinner Mrs. Kirk informed me had rave reviews on the Greasy Spoon website. All I have to say about that place is if you have a chicken salad fetish, look the place up. It was the Baskin Robbins of chicken salad choices. You’d think Tupelo would be an easy in and out, and it probably will be once Google places it on its interplanetary navigation grid. While struggling to find the city limits of Tupelo by following the directions from the iPhone, I just about ran our car through the birthplace of Elvis Pressley. If I’m lying, I’m dying, but as incredible as it sounds, you can tour the childhood abode of the King of Rock ‘n Roll. For a nominal fee you could obtain a copy of his mother’s fabled recipe for grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Thinking the asking price of five bucks was a bit steep for not-sosecret directions of the creation of such a gut-busting sandwich, I declined to acquire one. Trouble is said to come in “threes” and while Elvis is not trouble, apparently he comes in threes as well. Until my recent escapades with Elvis, I had more or less forgotten about the Elvis deal Brock Ray and I did back in the 1990s when we doing hunting and fishing television shows. Brock was the main attraction. He did most of the hunting stuff with people like Ted Nuguent, Bob Foulkrod and Byron Feguson. At that time I had lost my appetite for hunting, so I did the fishing segments and even learned how to video (except for remembering that unlike still photography, you have to pay attention to the audio). My most vivid memories of those days was a lot of time driving and flying, with too much of the latter being in bush planes with suspect pilots and maintenance records. Somewhere between driving between El Paso and some forsaken corner of northern Mexico on a whitetail hunting trip, we cooked up the idea to get an Elvis suit for the television shows. Unlike most of our weird ideas that never came to fruition, we found a
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Southern Trout Publisher Don Kirk National Sales Mgr. Lisa Trust Associate Editor Regan Whitlock Editor-at-large Beau Beasley Managing Editor Leah Kirk Special Projects Dir. Adam Patterson Photographer/Writer Loryn Patterson Editorial Consultant Olive K. Nynne
Contributors
Bill Bernhardt Bill Cooper Kevin Howell Harry Murray Mike Kesselring
FIELD STAFF Bob Borgwat
Columnist Ron Gaddy Columnist George Grant Columnist Matt Greene Columnist Craig Haney Alabama Editor Jimmy Jacobs, Georgia Editor Roger Lowe Columnist Bob Mallard Columnist Steve Moore Columnist
Publisher’s message
(cont.)
rhinestone spangled Elvis suit that one of his Oxford buddies owned. The guy must not have known us well, because he allowed us to borrow the costume. For the next three years while we were running around North America recording deer and bear hunting shows, someone garbed in the Elvis suit would show up in brief snippets. Sometimes “Elvis” would appear to help Brock drag a downed buck out of the woods, or Elvis would emerge from behind a tree before Brock to offer him a doughnut. No one but Brock ever saw Elvis. Of course, no one in hunting camp believed Brock saw Elvis. Corny yes, but we had fun doing it until Elvis got caught in the rain. The downpour pretty much melted the Elvis suit. I suppose the funniest part of the story was that the cost of replacing the borrowed Elvis suit set us back $1,500. That wasn’t at all bad compared to what the lawsuit cost that was levied against us by Buckmaster. Now that one really smarted… Be it encountering skinny dippers splashing around in a remote mountain stream, or coming face to face with an irate rattlesnake, you just never know what you will encounter when fly fishing for trout in the South.
ON THE COVER See page 54 for a story on the cover artist, Paul Puckett
Southern Trout is a publication of Southern Unlimited LLC and Stonefly Press LLC. Copyright 2014 Southern Unlimited LLC and Stonefly Press LLC. All rights reserved.
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THIS ISSUE
Publisher’s Message 3 departments
Generally Speaking
8-85 8
Gear Head 14 Desiccants New Fly Guy
24
The Black Wing Olive Chronicles
32
Fishhunter Adventures in Cuisine
36
Fly of the Month
38
Loose Loops & Wind Knots
42
12 14
34 54
Featured Artist: 54 Paul Puckett CLOSE LOOK Southern Spirits: Sweetwater Brewery
68
Featured Lodge 86 Blackhawk Fly Fishing Featured Fly Tier Robert Thomas, Unicoi
94
86 68
Featured Location 102 Georgia’s Southern Wild Trout Stream Featured Location I Don’t Believe I Said
110
Featured Fly Shop 120 Southern Highroad Outfitters
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42
THIS ISSUE94
128
138
128 Discovery White County-Georgia’s Real Trout Capital 138 Featured Rod Builder Jason Weeks
FEATURES
84
148 Fontana Lake 156 Situational Fly Fishing Summer Terrestrials 164 Good Will Guides 182 Picture Essay Stamp Act 188 Interview with RIO Products’ Simon Gawesworth
120
156
164
194 Competitive Fly Fishing Ambassador Richard Formato
182
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generally speaking
A
serious problem that could compromise the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Boone Dam on South Holston River might pose problems for five of Northeast Tennessee’s tailwater trout fisheries. Boone sits smack dab in the middle of them. The South Holston and Watauga tailwaters flow into Boone Lake and both feature outstanding trout fiheries. Boone itself has a small but high quality trout fishery in its tailwater. Fort Patrick Henry Dam, also with a small, high quality trout population in its tailwater, is the next downstream fishery. Cherokee Dam with a recently established tailwater trout fishery is downstream from Patrick Henry. In October of 2014 TVA personnel discovered a sediment laden discharge entering the river from the bank near the dam. That small, dirty leak indicated there might be a big problem under the earthen portion of Boone dam. Boone, constructed in the 1950’s, has an earthen embankment on the river’s flood plain and a poured concrete section in the river bed that holds three generators along with the flood and sluice gates. The dam was built over karst terrain. Karst is limestone, dolomite or gypsum bedrock that has been fractured over time and eroded by the passage of water through the fissures. That erosion creates caverns and voids that can collapse. That little leak could become a big disaster if it’s not dealt with effectively and the earthen portion becomes unstable. In February TVA announced that the level of Boone Lake will be held some 10 feet below its normal winter
pool for at least a year while the Authority begins a repair process that will involve injecting grout into the karst fissures beneath the earthen portion of the dam and that drawdown could impact tailwater fisheries. Jim Habera, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Coldwater Fisheries Biologist for Region IV, said “We’re going to lose a large volume of cold water storage right there in the fore bay of the dam that would supply cold water downstream for the trout fisheries that we have there. TVA has done some modeling and projected that there would be a four to eight degree
Smack the M
By Georg
increase in the temperature downstream in the summertime. That could be a problem.” Habera said temperatures below Boone were not monitored in the past, “Because we haven’t ever really had any temperature issues down there. So I’m not sure how warm that gets in midsummer on out into late summer when we would typically see a problem if we had a marginal temperature. That four to eight degree rise, if it does occur, could put us over the edge if it pushes it past 70 degrees for very long.” TVA will be monitoring temperature and dissolved oxygen and Habera also plans to install a monitor as well, “That way we’ll have real-
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generally speaking time information about what is going on down there.” Fort Patrick Henry Dam downstream of Boone is a run-of-the-river dam. It has no real capacity to store cold water and was designed to generate power from Boone’s discharge so the temperature of water coming from Boone is essentially the temperature of its tailwater too. Below Patrick Henry the North Fork Holston joins South Fork Holston and their combined flows become the Holston River impounded by Cherokee Dam. The length of the Holston and the inflow from North
Dab in Middle
ge Grant
Fork warm the water entering Cherokee Lake and according to Habera there’s limited cold water storage in Cherokee making the tailwater fishery vulnerable to thermal impact even with normal flows in the system upstream. The Watauga and South Holston tailwaters upstream of Boone may be immune to thermal problems from the situation but there is a possible impact to their trout fisheries from one of Boone Lake’s game fish, Stripers. John Hammonds, TWRA’s Region IV Reservoir Fisheries Coordinator, said Stripers favor colder water and might begin to move from the lake into the tailwaters, “We’ve seen
that before…They’ll seek thermal refuge. In other words a place with cooler water whether it’s down in the reservoir or up in the rivers. They’ll try to find those areas.” Hammonds did qualify that possibility by noting that it would depend on flows in the tailwaters that would allow them to move without having to negotiate shoal water. Habera said that a past population survey on Watauga turned up a striper near Smalling Bridge, the upper boundary of Watauga’s “Trophy Section”. Predation by an influx of Stripers in both rivers could have a significant effect on the trout populations. This summer’s weather pattern will determine the impact of Boone’s drawdown and according to Hammonds a very wet or very dry summer would be problematic, “They’re both bad. They both have their negatives.” A wet year means an increase in releases that would drain the cold water in the reservoirs more rapidly. A dry summer would reduce the number and volume of cold water releases. “It’s a darned if you do – darned if you don’t thing,” Hammonds said. Habera and Hammonds are both keeping their fingers crossed hoping for just an average summer. Habera has just completed the annual surveys of Holston and Watauga and was pleased with the results, “Last year’s survey on Watauga was the best ever and this year’s looked similar if not better…The upper half of that tailwater is becoming much more like South Holston. There’s a really strong wild brown trout fishery…South Holston, more of the same there. It’s our most abundant trout fishery just in terms of sheer numbers.”
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gearhead
Chemical Dependency Desiccants
Bob Mallard
H
aving already covered gel, paste, liquid and powder fly floatants; I figured it was time we discussed desiccants. Simply put, a desiccant is a “drying agent” (Merriam-Webster). More specifically, they are a “hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness (desiccation) in its vicinity” (Wikipedia). From a fly fishing standpoint, desiccants are used to restore and float saturated dry flies... E ven if you do not use a desiccant, you are exposed to them on a daily basis. Those little packets of crystals found in clothing,
food and other consumer packaging are actually desiccants. They are used to reduce damage caused by moisture. The large crystals commonly used are however passive in nature, and not conducive to drying something, just keeping stuff from getting wet. Desiccants are also used in the manufacture of multi-pane windows to keep them from fogging. If forced to carry just one chemical, it would be a desiccant not a floatant, as the former can be applied multiple times to keep a fly floating; while the latter—for the most part--can only be used once to float a fly. The
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one exception is powder floatants that have similar properties as desiccants, but are usually not quite as effective at drying flies as true desiccants. And many desiccants contain a powdered floatant as well. Desiccants are probably the most underused chemical in fly fishing. I am shocked by how many anglers I encounter that do not use a desiccant, or don’t even know what one is. No chemical used in fly fishing saves you more time than desiccants—at least if you are a dry fly fisherman. Desiccants allow you to get a saturated dry fly that would otherwise need to be changed, back
gearhead
on the water after just a few quick shakes. Dry fly fishing without the aid of a desiccant is akin to skiing without wax—while it can be done, it isn’t your best option… I was first exposed to desiccants in my early twenties. A friend turned me onto a product called Seidel 500—or at least that’s the name I remember… It came in a small squeeze bottle with a cap and nipple. You squirted a bit into the palm of your hand, rubbed the
fly in it, dumped what was left back in the bottle, blew off the excess, and let her fly—excuse the pun. The contents were an off-white fine grainy texture. It was an absolute game-changer for me. From that day forward, you would never catch me on the water without a desiccant. Desiccants come in powder, crystal, pellet and powder/crystal form. They are sold in small plastic containers with flip-top lids. Some just dry your fly, and some both dry and treat
your fly. In all cases, you simply pop the lid, drop your fly into the container—while still attached to the leader, close the lid, shake briskly ten or so times, open the lid, knock the excess back into the bottle, and presto—your fly performs like it just came out of your fly box. The most common desiccants used in fly fishing are silica based. They can however be made from activated charcoal, calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, and molecular sieves--typically, zeolites.
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gearhead
The various forms have different properties such as the amount of water they can hold—or ratio of mass to storage. While seldom used in fly fishing, chemicals can be added to indicate how much moisture is being stored. The one product I found that does, says that you should replace it when the contents turn pink. The reason is that while able to attract moisture, desiccants are not able to get rid of it. Like fly floatants, vendors guard their desiccant recipes like Popcorn Sutton guards his moonshine recipe… They use terms such as “removes water”, “reconditioning”, “drying”, “will not slick water” and “great for CDC” to describe their products. Some even refer to their products as “Fly Floatants” even though they are technically desiccants or desiccant/ floatant hybrids. I n many cases, while labeled differently,
desiccants and desiccant/ floatant hybrids are the same. In some cases they are just a repackaging of a specific chemical. In other cases it is due to what is referred to as Private Labeling, whereby one company packages their product for another company and labels them accordingly. But there are some products that while they look the same, are not. Like floatants, the ingredients found in desiccants are relatively cheap. However, it takes time and money to process, package and label them. And when powderbased, they are difficult to work with due to static, settling, and their lack of weight. Some chemicals even require that the handler wear protective clothing, eyewear and a respirator. And as with other chemicals, many are only available in bulk and therefore not conducive to
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do-it-yourself manufacture. Desiccants are sold by companies such as Cortland, Fish Pimp, Loon, Orvis, Stone Creek and Umpqua (as Umpqua and under the Tiemco/Shimazaki brand). They include products such as Bug Dust (Umpqua), Dry-Shake (Shimazaki), Dry-Ur-Fly (Cortland), Easy Dry (Loon), Shake-n-Flote Renew (Orvis), Shake N’ Dry (Stone Creek), Shake-N-Float (Fish Pimp) and Top Ride (Loon). Two products, DryShake and Top Ride, are available in economic “guide size” containers, as well as traditional consumer packages. Dry-Shake is also available in refill form. In addition they offer a DryShake Primer that helps adhere the powder floatant ingredients to the fly. Fish Pimp offers a unique product which comes with a dual-chamber container that stores desiccant in one side and a powder floatant in the other.
gearhead
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gearhead Pros
• : Nothing gets your dry fly back on the water faster than a desiccant—and this includes after you remove it from a fish’s mouth. They are compact and easy to carry.
Cons
• : Some desiccants leave a white residue on your fly. Others can be tough to close securely due to ingredients getting caught in the lip of the cap. Some products have a shorter life than others—especially pure powder-based ones. And desiccants are not cheap—costing between $6 and $12 for consumer packages.
Substance Abuse: Desiccant Do’s and Don’ts • Always pre-dry you fly before using a desiccant. A couple of quick short false casts will remove some of the trapped water. A cloth or fly drying patch will remove even more. • Be sure to tap as much of the content back into the container as possible before removing your fly. This can greatly increase the life of your desiccant. • Blow on your fly after you dry it to remove any excess powder that could leave a slick on the water or change the color of your fly. • If your desiccant contains both powder and crystals, you should replace it when there is nothing left but crystals.
Conclusion: No one who fishes dry flies should be on the water without a desiccant. The amount of time it can save by lessening the number of time you have to change your fly is amazing.
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gearhead
BOB MALLARD has fly fished for over 35 years. He is a blogger, writer and author; and has owned and operated Kennebec River Outfitters in Madison, Maine since 2001. His writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines at the local, regional and national levels. He has appeared on radio and television. Look for his books from Stonefly Press, 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast (Now Available), 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout (Spring 2015) and 50 Best Places Fly Fishing for Brook Trout (2016). Bob is also a fly designer for Catch Fly Fishing as well as the northeast sales rep for both Stonefly Press and Catch Fly Fishing. Bob can be reached at www.kennebecriveroutfitters.com, www.bobmallard.com, info@ bobmallard.com or 207-474-2500.
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Features twenty-five of the best towns in America to fly fish for trout. From historic Rangeley, Maine to modern Bend, Oregon. From quaint Grayling, Michigan to bustling Park City, Utah. Includes Asheville, North Carolina and Cotter, Arkansas. Signed first-edition copies will be available from www.bobmallard.com 20 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Combining man's best friend (fishing) with the longest
days of summer.
Cherokee's
Dog Days
Trout Tournament
July 17–18 Spend this summer’s dog days in Cherokee’s pristine streams (excluding our catch-and-release waters) stocked full of tagged trout worth up to $500, with a total purse of $10,000. Entry fee is $11 everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold. All ages and fishing methods welcome. For registration details, check out VisitCherokeeNC.com or call 828.359.6110.
new fly guy
How to Break Y Other Dumb St
Beyond the standard, broad topics easing your introduction into fly fi the school of hard knocks. This article aims to save you s
Stupid thing #1: I drove to the Conway River in Virginia and the plan was to walk up the trail to escape my personal perception of localized parking lot pressure. As I always did, I assembled my rod at the truck and headed out. The trail was fairly smooth paralleling the river, but that did not stop me from stumbling about a half mile into the walk, pushing my rod tip into the dirt and snapping it. I had a backup rod in the truck and had to waste the time to walk back and get it. Two lessons learned. Do not assemble your rod until you reach the stream and carry a small mountain pack rod as a backup
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new fly guy
Your Rod… and tunts Steve Moore
fishing, some things are only learnable on a hit-or-miss basis through some of the tuition with a few costly personal confessions.
Stupid thing #2: Given I’m a slow learner, I did not actually learn the lessons quoted above even though I had plenty of time to ponder them during the two hour drive to fish Little Stony Creek in Virginia. I pulled into the parking lot off of FR 92, assembled my rod, and decided to carry the rod pointing to the rear so I could push through the brush without having to guide a wobbly fly rod around leafy obstacles. As an aside and quick tip, never tie on your fly until you reach the stream because you do not know what matches hatchthe January cold snap when temperatures plunged t probably startedthe during until reaching the water’s edge. below freezing for several days. First, your spouse turned the heat up a degree Upon arriving, I grabbed the or two. A week or so later, you were forced to watch “Beachfront Bargain Hunt” fly line and began threading it on HGTV “there nothing else on.” Eventually there was the direct through thebecause guides. All was is well appeal, reinforced tearful,It doe-eyed children, to go to the beach instead of the until I reached the tipbysection. mountains. was missing.Poof! Your dreams of a vacation stalking wary brookies on joyfully
I
gurgling streams disappeared.
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Somewhere along the path, the thick underbrush had conspired to grab the guides and gently pull the tip section out of the socket. Thankfully, I had my GPS and was able to use the track back function to retrace my steps and find the missing section. Sadly, it took one more incident to lock in the assembly lesson‌
Stupid thing #3: While writing my book, Wade fishing the Rapidan River of Virginia, I revisited every access point, fished each to reconfirm earlier experience, took pictures and moved on. On one trip, I was in a hurry to get from place to place and, not wanting to reassemble my rod each time, I put it in the cab of the truck with half extending out the small sliding window in the back. The rod enjoyed that perch as the truck bounced and jiggled over the rough mountain roads. About a week later, I drove over to West Virginia to fish the North Fork of the South Branch near Cabins with a first quick stop near the intersection of Route 28/55 and Smoke Hole Road. After parking in a sketchy turnout, it took about 30 minutes to get into position, but it was a beautiful location and worth the walk. I made a strong first cast and noticed a strange feeling on the forward stroke. The top half of the rod had followed the streamer into the rapidly flowing water. Odd. When I reeled everything in and began to reassemble the rod, I noticed the middle section had cracked at the joint. I immediately realized the banging and jarring along the rough road in the Blue Ridge put unnatural stress on the joint and cracked it. When I sent away for the inexpensive replacement section, I got a call from the manufacturer curious about how I broke the rod. They had never had to replace that section before. Sheepishly, I had to admit my error.
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Lesson finally learned - disassemble the rod when traveling or use a commercial rod rack designed to buffer and protect the rod during travel. And where was my backup rod? Since I had only intended to fish this spot for an hour, I left my day pack with the mountain pack rod in the back of the truck‌
Stupid thing #4: I rolled into the Hunting Run turnout outside of Fredericksburg to fish the Rapidan River for smallmouth bass. The postage stamp sized parking area is about a mile from the river and as usual, I was anxious to get started. I hitched on my day pack, pulled the rod from the sock in one smooth motion and headed to the river. Clutching my unassembled (finally got that right) rod in a death grip, I negotiated the winding trail created as an Eagle Scout project. Upon reaching the river, I discovered my quick swoop of the sections did not include the narrow, small tip piece hidden carefully in the rod sock. Thankfully, I had learned the lesson of the backup rod and pulled out my mountain pack rod. Lesson learned – when your rod has several sections, make sure you have all of them before you leave your vehicle.
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new fly guy
Stupid thing #5: Car doors are not kind to fly rods. Never lean a rod against a vehicle adjacent to an open door. Invariably, the shock and motion of the door shutting will jar the rod and it will always default to falling in the direction of the door. SNAP! Beyond my stupidity, the common thread is the need for a backup in the event your rod breaks. A small, multi-sectional mountain pack rod is the best solution. The one I use runs around $120 from Fly Fishing Benefactors (flyfishingbenefactors.com), a company that donates 97% of its net profits to fly fishing related charities (Project Healing Waters, Casting for Recovery, etc.). It is a seven piece, 9 foot, five weight rod with medium fast action provided by IM-8, 45 ton modulus carbon. I like the five weight because I can use it either on a stream as a replacement for a four weight rod or on a river to backstop a six weight since the four weight or six weight line on the reel from the broken rod still provides acceptable casting action stepping up or down a line weight. 28 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Ample amounts of fishing
new fly guy
fun.
Unless you’re the fish.
Love to fish? Enjoy 30 miles of privately stocked streams. Love to compete? Try our tournaments with big cash prizes. For details on permits, licenses, and registration, drop by VisitCherokeeNC.com or call 828.554.6110. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 29
black wing olive chronicles
J
une is the month of considerable flurry at Condor Roost Compound. Every day this month that Daddyboy is not permitted to go fishing, he degenerates into a pouting slug. As you might guess, everyone here does all they can to facilitate him making trips to the water, but not so much to prevent him from sulking as to rid his overall presence at the compound. When not permitted to go fishing, Daddyboy’s M.O. is to prowl the compound looking for things that are not being done to his utter satisfaction. The latest rant had to do with toilet paper, or should I say “variances thereof.” You see, some years ago “the board” decided to reward the old fart with his own private lavatory. At least they lead him to believe it was a coveted perk of sorts. Located in the annex section of the compound, to the best of knowledge no one here other than Daddyboy has ventured into this place, nor is that likely to ever occur. To make a long story short, somehow Daddyboy discovered that all of the privies in compound were routinely supplied with Charmin toilet paper except for “The Pit,” as we refer to his specially designated “thinking room.” Always seeking ways to save enough money to buy herself more “shiny things,” Mommygirl makes bulk purchases of toilet paper from Guatemala. The craft paper colored ribbon is generally reminiscent of recycled sandpaper. Its embossed pattern looks like it was copied from the thread configuration of a set of off-road tires. As fate would have it, Daddyboy stumbled upon the significant difference in his toilet paper, and the toilet
Red Pla Olive k. nynne
paper used elsewhere in the compound. Needless to say, the net result of this was a three day trip by the old buzzard to the White River to help him get over this grievous slight. My responsibilities as watch dog at the compound leaves with a lot of time to day dream, which is my favorite pastime when Daddyboy is away. One of my longtime daydream heroes is the Russian space dog, Laika. In 1957 her vessel, Sputnik 2, shot into orbit, making this celebrated canine the first “Muttnik.” Like so many of my species involved in various forms of scientific research ranging from efforts to make facial cosmetics cancercausing free, to experimentation to create “zombie dogs” (University of Pittsburg), Laika’s contribution to science ended with her demise. Depending on whose story you believe, the pooch either expired shortly after liftoff, or circled around Terra Madre until she ran out of Alpo. Whatever, eh? Like me, Laika began life as a homeless pup. She was found living on the streets of Moscow. My puphood surroundings were even more dismal; I was an abandoned stray in Anniston, Alabama. It’s not clear if the little commie
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black wing olive chronicles
anet Bound pooch volunteered to go to space or drew the short straw, but it is pretty widely accepted that people and canines would do anything to get on the other side of the Iron Curtain. My guess is that Laika was first in line at the Muttnik recruiting station to put her paw prints on the dotted line. I greatly admire that sort of determination, which brings us to my latest plan to get me away from Daddyboy once and for all. Yesterday I submitted my application to be part of the first crew to go colonize Mars. Yepper, I’d be the first dog on the Red Planet, and even more astounding, be the first dog owned by
Daddyboy to get off of the planet alive. Yes, I am more than quite aware that this is a one-way trip, which considering my current position at the compound, is actually what I would consider to be a bonus. Think about it, all expenses paid, and no further interaction with the old fart. My biggest fear is that somehow Mommygirl will discover my plans. Perish the thought that she would try to dissuade me from going to Mars. Oh no, far be it from that. However, I know her well enough to know that she would insist Daddyboy accompany me.
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fishhunter adventures in cuisine
Campfire Faji by Craig Haney
Fajitas are my usual order when my wife and I eat out at a Mexican restaurant. I had never made them on a fishing trip until my fishing buddy, Snake Lindsey, gave me this recipe to use on a fishing trip he and I made to east Tennessee. They were quick and easy to cook and tasted great at the end of a successful day of fishing on Abrams Creek. To save time in camp, I sliced the meat and onions and sealed them in a Food Saver bag before leaving home. The spices were mixed up and bagged also at home. 36 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
itas
fishhunter adventures in cuisine
Ingredients Serves 2
1 lb sirloin steak, cut into thin strips 1 medium onion, sliced 1 pepper (green, red and/or yellow) 1 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp chipotle chili powder ½ tsp salt
PREPARATION Mix the spices together. Coat the steak strips with the spice mixture. Heat 2-3 Tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the steak and onions to the skillet, stirring occasionally until the steak is cooked through. Don’t overcook. Serve on a flour tortilla with topped with your favorite salsa.
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fly of the month
Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly By Roger Lowe
P
at’s Rubber Leg Stonefly is a big pattern that has really become one of my favorite “go to” patterns over the past couple of summers. The Super Floss legs flex and pulse in the current adding life to this fly pattern, and the body color can be varied to match any shade of stonefly. Black, brown and variegated golden are all productive choices on southern freestone streams. The Pat’s Rubber Legs is a simple stonefly nymph that reminds me a lot of the old fashion Girdle Bug, but with a few subtle differences. The pattern works best for me in when offered in fairly choppy water as a nymph beneath indicator or a big dry fly. Hook: Weight: Thread: Tail/Legs/Antennae: Body:
Daiichi 2220, sizes 6-to-12 Lead Wire 8/0 Black Super Floss, Spanflex or Flexi Floss Medium Chenille, solid colors or variegated.
Roger Lowe’s Fly Pattern Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains (8.5x11 inches, 40 pages, Soft Cover, Full Color). This is a perfect companion to Lowe’s other book Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns. If you are wanting to have color pictures and recipes for traditional Smoky Mountain fly patterns this book is a must have. It contains photos and recipes for 101 flies. Included are such flies as the Yellarhammer, Thunderhead, Teillico Nymph, Tennessee Wulff and many others. 38 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
NOW OPEN Bryson City, NC’s only full service fly shop.
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include high elevation mountain streams, scenic tailwaters, and intense summer-time smallmouth bass trips. We take several backcountry trips a year to the remote and scenic Hazel Creek in GSMNP, which is an experience every Southern fly fisher should try at least once. Brookings’ also hosts some incredible destination trips to places like Argentina’s Patagonia, Belize and Montana. We are simply eaten up with fishing and will go anywhere to find the best for our clients.
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loose loops and wind knots
Live from the war zone…
Brea by Craig Haney
T
he radical extremist Islamic squirrels that have invaded the headwaters of Patton Creek have been threatening to over-run the bird feeders at the back of Wart McGee’s cabin as well as attack the Christians holed up inside. These radical squirrels have been wiped out, at least for now, by Mr. McGee (not to be
confused with Mr. McGoo). This is the story as told to me minutes ago by Mr. McGee as we stood by the battlefield at the head of Devil’s Hollow… Shortly after dawn this morning, Mr. McGee, a master of camouflage, was hidden away in an ambush spot along the route the stealthy squirrels were taking to get to the bird
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feeders at the back of his cabin. To further conceal himself, Mr. McGee sat on the east side of his property with the sun at his back as he waited for his adversaries to approach their target. McGee did not have to wait long before he saw two sneaky squirrel scouts rock hop across the creek and up the small rock bluff headed for the bird feeders. McGee was locked and loaded as he watched from his hide, the two squirrel’s dash up to the back porch to check out the bird feeders. The leader, emboldened by previous assaults on the cabin, stood on the railing as if to claim it for all the squirrel’s in the Hollow. Slowly raising his special edition squirrel sniper rifle, McGee slowly squeezed the trigger, the squirrel jumped as if hit by a .22 caliber pellet (which he was) and
loose loops and wind knots
aking News!! was immediately classified KIA when he hit the ground. The second squirrel, not as battle hardened as his fallen friend, ran in a circle looking for his leader. Suddenly, he stopped to stand up as if he was looking for reinforcements to come to his aid but there were none to be seen. McGee’s hours of training at squirrel sniper school learning the ballistics of .22 caliber pellets as well as practice at the range on life-size squirrel targets paid off once again. Another Jihadist squirrel KIA. When asked if today’s skirmish had resolved the conflict, McGee said “It is danged tough to wipe out an army of squirrels hellbent on Jihad. They figger if they get killed, they’ll just go to squirrel heaven and get a whole bunch of virgin squirrels and it will all be good. That’s just the way
they think, they ain’t like you and me.” With a steely look in his eyes as he scanned the trees across the creek, McGee spoke in his gravelly voice, “The little !@#$%^&# will be back, I don’t know when but I’ll be ready for ‘em!” Before I could file this story with the editor, my friend Medrick called from outside the town of Fairhope in south Alabama. I told Medrick of the skirmish that had gone on this morning at the head of Devils Hollow involving the Jihadist squirrels. “JC, he likes to call me JC, that crazy extremist squirrel Jihadist ideology has worked its’ way down here to my neck of the woods”, he said with an angry tone in his voice. “In fact, the only way my wife can fill the bird feeders without being harassed by the squirrels is to wear a burka and swish her tail. I’m not
sure why the latter doesn’t scare the squirrels off but it doesn’t.” “These squirrels down here could very well be a branch of the same radical extremist Islamic squirrels that have attacked Mr. McGee’s property. I am currently setting up a defensive perimeter around the homestead and now have a cocked, locked and scoped Daisy air rifle by one door and a scoped .177 pellet rifle by the other. I know there is some controversy about the effectiveness of the smaller caliber weapon but I’m counting on better accuracy with the lower recoil and a higher volume of fire,” Medrick declared. No matter where you live, there may be an extremist, radical Islamic squirrel intent on Jihad at a bird feeder near you. Be vigilant and be ready!.
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 43
the bug man
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new product review
46 l February 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
new product review
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new product review
Landing Nets
48 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
new product review
with “Brains”
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 49
new product review
I
f you’ve fished all of your life and took for granted that landing nets are dumb, it’s time to rethink that outmoded stereotypical way of looking at the landing net. Coming from a family with a name that is wellknown in the world of fly fishing, Jeff Abel invented a landing net that not only enables you to land trout and salmon, but also tells you how long your catch is without any need to handle your valuable catch. In other words, that brown trout you released after estimating it to be 27-inches long, was according to the Measure Net, a bonafide 16-inch trophy!! “I invented the Measure Net in 2001,” explains Jeff Abel, who conceived the idea of a smart landing net. “At the time I was living in Wyoming at the time and fishing the upper Green River as often as I was able to do so. The Green is a wide river and I would catch many large fish that I wanted to measure, but I did not want to walk all the way back to the shore to do so. Additionally, I did not really want to take the fish out of the water. I thought, ‘What I need is a net that measures the fish.’ So I made a prototype of what became the Measure Net, and it worked.” At that point Abel was off to the races. He quickly went into production and started selling the Measure Nets. A patent on the smart net concept soon followed. Growing up fly fishing his entire life in western waters with his brother and father, Steve Abel, he was also fortunate to work in the Abel Reel company. He had already knew a lot about the fly fishing industry before his Dad sold the Abel Reel business and started JTA
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Products to market the Nets. “Our Mission is to make fly fishing fun, easy, inexpensive and safe for the fish,” explains Abel. “The main material of the net bags is nylon and nylon coated rubber. All of our net bags are knotless and fish friendly. The nets are not only extraordinarily durable and long lasting, but cannot inflict injury on your catch.” The Measure Net frames come in 3 styles: aluminum, wood, or titanium with a wood handle. The wood handle nets are of classic design, while the
new product review
aluminum and titanium have a “space age” appearance that earmarks them for landing “serious” trout and other big fish. All net bags have the Patented Measure Net System in the bottom of the bag as well as a zipper feature around the circumference of the bag. The zipper feature allows the Measure Net bag to be put onto any frame, and they are very lightweight. The Measure Net comes in Many Sizes: SMALL (for creeks), MEDIUM (for wade fishing), LARGE (with a telescopic
handle for personal water craft like a kayak or pontoon boat), JR GUIDE (for boats), GUIDE (for boats), TRAVEL (medium size folds in half for portability), MEDIUM and LARGE WOOD (wood frame nets), and MEDIUM and LARGE TITANIUM (titanium frame and wood handle). Abel says he also sells the Net bags as replacement bags for our frames and any other frame. “Our main environmental goal is to help anglers catch, measure and release a fish without stressing the fish,” says Abel. “With the Measure Net You can catch, measure and release a fish without touching it. Also there is much less stress on a fish when using a net because it can be landed faster. This is especially useful to guides who know the importance of releasing fish so they survive, yet have clients who really want to know how big their released trophy was.” You can purchase a Measure Net at your local fly shop or online at www.measurefish.com. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 51
The Measure Net
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featured artist
54 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
featured artist
Fearless Artist
Paul Pucket www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 55
featured artist
P
aul Puckett has been enamored with art and fishing since he was three years old. “I think every kid loves drawing and painting when we are young, then you start getting distracted by other things. I just stuck to it,” Paul says. Not only did Paul retain an interest in art through childhood, but he also became incredibly proficient at it. By the time he was a sophomore in high school, Puckett had over ten years of “experience” creating various sketches and other lower level art concepts. Regular visits to the Collector’s Covey in Dallas, Texas, helped advance Paul’s interest in art as lucrative enterprise. A worker at the store, Mrs. Andrews, allowed him to sell smaller fish paintings from time to time. His paintings sold, and Paul was hooked. “I think that had a big impression on me that I could sell art,” Paul remembers. He also became enamored with several of the featured artists. “I was mesmerized by Mark Susinno, Mike Stidham and Eldridge Hardie’s pieces,” Paul
56 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
featured artist
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 57
58 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
featured artist
says. It was then that Paul knew what he wanted to do in life - fish and paint it. Other than the experience gained at the Collector’s Covey, growing up in Dallas did not provide Paul with many fishing opportunities. There were several stocked fisheries around the area, but as Puckett mentions, “they were not enough.” After a short visit to Montana following high school graduation, Paul decided he would live out west. Directly after college, he made that dream come true, making Wyoming home for the next four years. Wyoming is where Paul fine-tuned his art, having more opportunity to see the beautiful landscape and fish. Fish have always been the favorite painting subjects of Paul’s. Stemming from his fishing in Wyoming, Paul states, “there is nothing more beautiful than doing a fish portrait of a small, vibrant trout...amazing what’s going on there with colors.” Paul also mentions his affinity for the silver king. “I am addicted to the motion and violence that a Tarpon creates when hooked on a
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featured artist fly.” As of late, Paul has also been interested in creating landscape-fishing scenes, encompassing more than just a singular fish. The landscape scenes give life to an entire situation of the water and the fisherman. During the last six years, Paul has been working mainly in oil.
In the last few months, he has switched back to watercolors and the transition “has never been easier.” There is a smaller room for error when working in watercolor, but Paul’s experience has helped him to not be afraid of trying new color and layer combinations. “I think you
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can tell they are looser and the imagination works a little more. To me, they are better paintings,” Paul says of his watercolors. He still works in oil and other medians, but Paul’s focus on watercolors “could last a while.” To maintain constant work, Paul produces 1 or 2 paintings each month
featured artist to be sold in a gallery or through his website. These paintings are in addition to the catch and release and dog portrait scenes that he creates regularly. Paul has also completed quite a few works on commission. These works have helped Paul to gain experience in a broad range of fields. “Everyone always wants
something different, usually out of your comfort zone,” Paul explains. He has completed a wide range of commissioned work including personal portraits, airplane portraits, animal portraits, houses, and catch and release scenes based off the customer’s fish. Depicting a wide array of scenes forces
an artist to have quite a large skill set. Paul faces challenges with each piece, working hard to nail down each crucial detail. As Paul describes, he focuses on “little details like fish anatomy, how a guy would be holding a fly rod, the line in the air, the perspective of the boat compared to the shoreline and all the other things that experienced anglers can and will catch in your piece.” Along with matching the perfect details to angling experience, Paul emphasizes how important it is to not “overdo” anything. “My better, later paintings have left a little up to the viewer,” he says. “Simple things like not overdoing the clouds, the foliage and other details that don’t need to be overdone.” These are all valuable lessons Paul has gained throughout his extensive career. For emerging artists, Paul simply advises to “keep doing it.” Continuing to work on the trade is the only way to gain confidence. Paul adds, “ I also suggest, if you are wanting to become
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an angling artist, get into the business.” Paul has worked at several fly shops all over the country for a total of 20 years. Through this working experience, Paul made some invaluable connections that allowed him to get the word out about his artwork. Paul mentions about his work, “I would say that it doesn’t fit into
a certain style.” He is enamored by many styles and things in the world, fishing being only one facet. The work certainly reflects his diversity in interest. “My sketches are all over the place,” Paul says. Sometimes he will even create two completely different styles of paintings in the same week. The constant “toying” with
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styles is the only way Paul believes he will find his artistic identity. “I am 39 years old, and my artwork has taken that long to start really finding it’s path,” Paul says. “I am going to keep following it, hopefully it always leads to water.” www.paulpuckettart.com
Paul Puckett
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What Do You Want To Catch Today?
was having lunch with my friend Bill and lamenting the fact that Olive K. Nynne, acting editor of Southern Trout, had sent an e-mail reminding me of the deadline for the Tight Lines and Loose Loops column. Usually it is Don Kirk, the normal editor, who reminds me of deadlines, but he is serving a three week suspension for comments he shared in the Southern Trout newsletter. Now that I think about it, mentioning Don Kirk and normal in the same sentence just does not sound correct. I can’t decide whether the sentence is an oxymoron or I am a moron for thinking of Don as normal “anything” since I have known him for over thirty years. Regardless,
I e-mailed Olive that the column was in the works and would be on time. I lied.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a humorous idea to develop and was trying to think of something…anything. The column did not start out to be humorous and maybe it still isn’t, but the few comments I have received about it indicate the reader, at least, thinks of it that way. Anyway, Bill tried to help by suggesting I write on “how to be humorous.” I explained to Bill that when I try to be funny, I’m not. However, oftentimes in a conversation I hear something that triggers the strange wiring in my brain, my mouth opens and something is said, without any thought, that turns out to be funny. It just happens.
Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout Palomino Trout Steelhead Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass White Bass Kentucky Spotted Bass Walleye Muskie Crappie Bill further tried to help by suggesting I write about Bluegill one of the impromptu times Yellow Perch something comes out of my mouth unexpectedly and Flathead Catfish turns out funny and then I should analyze why and how Channel Catfish it happened and write about it. That sounds good but Carp intelligent analysis has never They’re all waiting for you in Swain County, NC one of
the most diverse fishing habitats in the world with four rivers, dozens of mountain streams throughout the Smoky Mountains, and the deep, cold waters of Fontana and Cheoah lakes.
Visit GreatSmokiesFishing.com for a map and profiles of 26 great fishing locations near Bryson City, NC.
been a strong suit of mine but I figured what the heck, I would give it a try. After all, you never know! After lunch, I headed home and went to work on the
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close look - georgia
68 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
southern spirits
T
he quickly evolving world of southern trout fishing could not have found a better sidekick than the equally fast growing craft beer brewing industry in the region. As Forrest Gump would say, they go together like peas and carrots. If there is a perfect partnership between fly fishing for trout in Dixie and blowing suds from a frosty mug, it has to be found at Sweetwater Brewing Company and in the mountain streams of North Georgia. For us at Southern Trout, it’s pretty damned impossible to say which we enjoy the most.
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close look - georgia
Sweetwater Brewing not only produces some of the finest beer in the entire world, but they also have deeper roots in fly fishing than any other brewery. They donate hundreds of thousands of dollars a year towards their Save the River Campaigns and other conservation efforts. For example, just last month in Atlanta, Sweerwater Brewing Company was a “Red Drum Sponsor” at the Georgia Conservancy’s “Tight Lines”, a celebration of fly-fishing in Georgia and of the water conservation in that state.
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Held on a beautiful, sunny afternoon at the Pond on Riverly Lane, the event featured casting lessons, demonstrations and competitions, including accuracy and distance, as well as no shortage of suds, courtesy of Sweetwater Brewing Company. This is but one of many examples of the brewery’s marriage with fly fishing in the South. Sweetwater Brewing Company is the brainchild of its founders, Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerny. The two were roommates at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where they
southern spirits also worked part-time cleaning kegs at a local brewery. After graduation in 1993, Bensch moved to California to study at the American Brewers Guild, while McNerney went on to work in several breweries in Colorado and California, including Rockies Brewing Company, Avery Brewing Company and Mammoth Brewing Company.[Bensch visited Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics and saw an opportunity to bring a West Coast style brewery to the Southeast. McNerney soon joined Bensch in Atlanta raising initial funds to open the brewery’s first location off Interstate 20 on Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Bensch named the brewery after kayaking down Sweetwater Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia’s Sweetwater Creek State Park located a few miles west of the brewery. The brewery also adopted the official motto “Don’t Float the Mainstream” as a tribute to its namesake. Bensch and McNerny began brewing in January 1997 and sold their first keg on February 17, 1997 - SweetWater ESB www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 71
close look - georgia
and Blue. SweetWater’s most popular beer, SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, named after the date it was first brewed (April 20), soon followed. Two years later, SweetWater hosted the World Beer Cup, an international brewing competition. In 2002 SweetWater won Small Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. In 2003 the brewery outgrew its space on Fulton Industrial
Boulevard and moved to a 25,000 square-foot facility in Atlanta’s Armour Circle Industrial Park on Ottley Drive. The corporate culture at Sweetwater Brewing Company professes that protecting our waterways is a cause real close to their hearts, because you can’t make good beer without good water. For more than a decade the company has been teaming up with Chattahoochee
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Riverkeeper and Waterkeeper Alliance to try to do their part to help raise funds and awareness for the great work these conversation groups do. They’re a bunch of passionate folks dedicated to stopping polluters and standing up for people’s right to clean water. It started with fundraisers and donating a few cases of beer, but folks at Sweetwater Brewing Company knew they could
do more to assist those that protect the source of the water used to brew their tasty beer. To help bring awareness to their work and the dangers facing our waterways, Sweetwater Brewing Company rolled out the Waterkeeper Hefeweizen in 2011. On top of being a damn tasty brew perfect for those hot summer days floatin’ down a cool stream, it signals the launch of the company’s summertime Save Our Water campaign. The brewery now works
with Waterkeeper Alliance members throughout the Southeast. While Budweiser and Miller beers canvas all aspects of media with their advertising efforts, Sweetwater Brewing Company has a uniquely hands on approach that puts the brewery in direct contact with its customers and fans. They are active in virtual smorgasbord of events across the country that range from fly fishing events to music venues. Sweetwater Brewing Company’s mid-April
southern spirits
blow out, the three day “420 Fest” has been a tradition in Atlanta since its inception in 2011. Partners joining forces last year with SweetWater Brewing Company included, SunTrust, Coca-Cola, Stivers Decatur Subaru, Central Atlanta Progress, Park Pride and Centennial Olympic Park. Of course the bottom line is the beer. Fans of Sweetwater Brewing Company swear by it, and so do we!! Let the suds roll.
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The Watauga River: Dixie’s Best Kept Secret
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close look - georgia
78 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
guide profile
Garner Reid -Cohutta
“I always had the desire to be a guide,” says Garner Reid, who grew up in a family of hunters and fishermen. “Once the fly fishing bug bit me it was game over. I went off to college as forestry major and couldn’t think about anything else except fly fishing and being in Montana. Working in Montana is what inspired me to come back to the south and really begin my guiding career. I realized how diverse of fishing we have to offer here in the Southeast. “Luckily Cohutta Fishing Company owner Andy Bowen took me on a fly fishing guide,” says Reid. “I owe a lot to Andy; he was instrumental in getting my career started in the fly fishing industry. Our mission at Cohutta Fishing Company is to instruct, educate, and introduce both beginners as well as seasoned anglers to fly fishing techniques in
a professional manner Appalachian mountain that helps improve all skill stream that boasts both levels, with an emphasis wild and trophy sized on learning to ensure the rainbows and brown trout. angler will enjoy their time A day here may begin on the water.” with fishing terrestrial “I am fortunate to get to patterns down low on offer a variety of trips to our pasture edges, then hiking customers. I primarily guide upstream to nymphing for trout in North Georgia deep plunge pools and on our 2+ mile stretch rocky riffles,” says Reid. of Tickanetley Creek. Reid finds a lot of The ‘Tick’ is a fantastic satisfaction in guiding freestone southern folks on the Tick because www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 79
close look - georgia it challenges him to really instruct anglers to be able cast and properly present a fly in the tighter quarters common to most southern mountain streams. It’s a challenge to properly fighting big fish without breaking them off in such streams. His favorite time to guide Tickanetley creek is fall into early spring, but he notes that winter is also a blast. The latter offers opportunities to sight fish to large trout. In addition to the Tick, Reid also does drift boat trips on the Chattahoochee River tailwater with Davie Crawford of Deepsouth Fly Anglers. Reids says that the ‘Hooch’ is a great river to float offering great year round fishing as well as offering anglers the opportunity to have high catch rates of rainbows and browns. “Nymphing the deep runs and shoals of the river is definitely the most productive method of catching fish on this river, although Davie and I both love to fish folks that don’t mind hitting the banks and log jams with streamers hunting down the big wild browns,” says Reid. “The summer months are a great time to book a float on the Hooch with recreation friendly water releases from Buford Dam coupled with the sheer amount of fish that DNR stocks in the river beginning in spring. There just isn’t much better than catching fish from a drift boat.” 80 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
guide profile Reid believes that if there is one thing that his guide staff at Cohutta Fishing Company really “hangs their hat on,” is being the best instructors they we can be when on the water with clients. “We take a lot of pride in taking a complete beginner to fly fishing and at the end of the day seeing someone become proficient enough not only in casting and presentation but also reading the water well enough to be able to go out and catch fish on their own,” explains Reid. “We strive to adapt to each client to satisfy their needs and what they are looking to achieve when on the water with us. I feel that there is always something to learn from each person I take on the water and though clients may not realize it, I learn so much by watching others fish which in the long run makes me not only a better guide but a better fisherman altogether.” Cohutta Fishing Company can provide all equipment for all of theirr guide trips, but Reid says that he does recommend that clients use their own equipment, noting that everyone does better when using their own equipment (when it gets the job done). He says not to worry if you do not have the gear needed for the trip. He and his team utilize the best equipment available for their clients, including Scott fly rods, Simms waders, premium fly lines/reels), and terminal tackle, and flies are always provided as well. On all full day trips he also are happy to include lunch in our trips at the clients request and dietary needs.
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close look - georgia Reid provides transportation on his Etowah river float trips since most of our put-ins are on farm land and it is typically most convenient for clients to meet us at the shop. “We set up a meeting place/time for our trout trips on the Tick since folks are coming from different locations,” he adds. “If it is convenient for the client we can provide transportation. Drinks/snacks are always provided on all of our trips. Lunch is available for full day trips upon request by the client for no extra cost.” “Our private water trips on the Tick are extremely popular repeat trips. People really enjoy getting out and wade fishing with us up there. I think there is a special sense of adventure and thrill of sneaking up to a run to make that perfect cast especially when there are big fish involved. Our private water is a rewarding place to fish for sure. We have a cool 3 bedroom stream house on the property as well that clients can rent per night. It’s a great place to relax, grill a steak and enjoy yourself after a day on the water. The striper and bass floats on the Etowah are extremely popular too particularly because it is a unique experience,” says Reid.
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guide profile “Guided trips have really gained popularity in the past few years for a number of different reasons. I see more folks getting into all sorts of outdoor activities, everything from kayaking to backpacking to fly fishing. I also think that folks are more prone to explore fishing options locally versus only travelling out West to fly fish,” says Reid. “I guide a lot of anglers that live in our area that have never cast a fly rod in the South, I always find that astonishing. I think people are starting to catch on to what we have to offer in the region.” “One thing that has been big for us as a fly shop and guide service is that we strive to be welcoming to everyone that walks in the door,” says Reid. “Our shop slogan is “For the diversified angler” which to me means that we are able to fish, outfit, and guide customers to wide variety of fly fishing in the south but also internationally. Everyone on the Cohutta Fishing Company staff is well versed in fly fishing from the mountains to the coast. A typical day in the shop can be anything from rigging tarpon leaders to pointing out trail heads on a topo map for a guy going blue lining. I think I can speak for all the guides and staff I work with at Cohutta by saying that we are truly grateful to be able to share our passion for our fisheries with so many good folks. In addition to trout guiding, Reid also fly guides for striped and spotted bass on the Etowah River in Northwest Georgia. Not much gets him as fired up as a big river striper on fly. The stripers migrate up river to spawn in the spring and hang in the river through the summer months. From late May to September is when he really goes hard after the stripers. You can contact Reid at Cohutta Fishing Company; 39 S Public Square, Cartersville, GA 30120; telephone (770) 606-1100; or by visiting www.cohuttafishingco.com
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www.Cullowhe info@Cullowhe
P.O. Box 2405, 784 Centennial Dr 877.258.2522
eeRiverClub.com eeRiverClub.com
rive, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 828.575.5325 fax
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featured lodge
Blackhawk Fly Fishing
by Ragan Whitlock FFF Casting Instructor
We invite y’all to come to Blackhawk to fish and eat with “TRUE” Southern Hospitality. What more can one ask for we have Fishing, Farming, Food and most of all we have FUN!!! they say one bite and you will be hooked!--Abby
L
ocated 10 miles north of Clarkesville, Georgia, Blackhawk Fly-Fishing is a slice of outdoor paradise in the heart of the Southeast. Blackhawk has been operable since 1996 and is home to two miles of private water with wild, re-productive fish. Open year round to the public, Blackhawk Fly-Fishing provides a Georgian fishing experience like no other. The Jackson family has been the stewards of the property on which Blackhawk sits since the early 1940’s. Abby Jackson and her husband began restoring the famed farmhouse on the property in 1993. “Today, it is a place for our anglers to come in and have lunch and to gather around the
popular fire pit at night and tell tall tales about the fish they caught or the big one that got away. Most of those tales become a reality,” Abby says. The farmhouse will sleep eight anglers, which is the limit on the two-mile stretch of water. There is also a chalet on the property that is perfect for couples or singles. Blackhawk prides itself in repeat business. “The reason anglers come back is because they do catch BIG fish and many of them when they come,” Abby explains. The destination of Blackhawk is also perfect for the out-of-towners. Just 90 minutes away from Atlanta International Airport, customers can fly to Atlanta and be on the stream the same day.
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The Jackson family has care of a river,” Abby says. Woolly Adelgid beetle three promoted the fishery in a Educating young anglers times over the last 10 years. variety of ways over the about the art of fly-fishing Because of the dedicated years. One popular method as well as the preservation treatment, Abby Jackson of promotion is the offering of precious streams is can comfortably say, “We of fly-fishing schools to incredibly important to the have managed to save our young anglers. “We have workers of Blackhawk FlyHemlocks.” With over 2500 a week-long school which Fishing. trees to continuously treat, teaches kids everything the long process is certainly about fly-fishing. We also In order to preserve the not cheap. “We appreciate have a preservation day on area for future success, the all those that would like to the water once a year that local Hemlock trees have donate or participate in this teachers them how to take also been treated for the project,” Abby explains. 88 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
featured lodge
The Blackhawk team is also incredibly immersed in local organizations. Blackhawk Fly-Fishing and local Trout Unlimited clubs actively participate in raising money for nearby watersheds. Abby describes, “We hosted an event at Blackhawk and provided all the food for 200 people that netted over 10,000 dollars.� The www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 89
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featured lodge community participation seen from Blackhawk Fly-Fishing leads to stream restoration and other projects that are important to resource preservation. According to Abby, The Habersham Chamber of Commerce has also been a great partner in promoting the beautiful area. Working at Blackhawk FlyFishing is a team of dedicated guides. There are also a wide variety of skill sets and backgrounds seen among the workers. “We have some that are older and more seasoned and we have young guides that may be working on their college degree while earning extra money for school expenses,” says Abby. Flyfishermen of all abilities and experiences are welcome and Blackhawk’s onsite fly shop provides any necessary gear. “Even a seasoned angler appreciates an experienced guide to help land our trophy fish,” Abby reminds prospective customers. Blackhawk offers much more to the customer than just world class fly-fishing. A new cookbook will be released in June titled “Abby J’s Farmstyle Living Cookbook.” The cookbook is inspired through Abby’s “living, fishing, and
farming on the Soque River.” Abby will also have a new publication “Southern Farm & Garden,” which celebrates her “passion for sharing and supporting local farms, cooking, wine, music, hand crafted products and the farm style way of living.” For more information, please visit Blackhawk FlyFishing’s websites: www.blackhawkflyfishing.com and www.abbyjsgourmet.com or call directly at 706947-3474 and ask for Abby J.
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39 South Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 www.cohuttafishingco.com 770.606.1100
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featured fly tyer
Ron Thomas Unicoi Outfitters Helen, Georgia There’s no shortage of world class fly tiers in Georgia. The Peach State has a well-earned reputation as the epicenter of fly tying in Southern Appalachians. Ron Thomas is one of the fellows who reputation for whipping fur and feather to a hook has served notice on those Yankees who sent the Vermin Sherman through the state a few back…(Forget? Hell!)
R
on lives in lives in Sautee Nacoochee, which is located just outside of Helen, Georgia. He describes himself as a cotton mill kid, who was born and raised in nearby Gainesville. He grew up fishing for everything if anyone would carry him along, but especially, he liked fishing the streams and rivers that veined the region. “I would tag along with my older brother and his friends and anyone in the mill village who liked to fish,” says Thomas. “I fished quite a lot with an
older cousin who was a preacher and liked to travel to the mountains of north Georgia and western North Carolina spin fishing. He had a large influence on my life. It was not until about 15 years ago that I began fly fishing when my son’s friend got me interested in fly fishing.” About 7 or 8 years ago, Ron came upon a fly tying kit that he gave his son for Christmas, but it was never used. On a lark, he decided to give it a try. He followed
the instructions for tying a Hare’s Ear. Two hours later he completed his first fly, which he says was so ugly it would have scared all the trout out of the river. Ron launched forth, pretty much on his my own, save for help of a copy of “The Art of Fly Tying” by John Van Vliet which he purchased at K-mart. He tied a caterpillar illustrated in the book and he was so proud of it that he still has it and has never fished it. “As I continued, I had lots of questions, and when I needed help,” notes Ron.
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“I went to our local fly shop, Unicoi Outfitters in Helen. Those guys were a great help to me. Now, I guide for Unicoi Outfitters and teach fly tying classes there.
Earlier on Ron notes that he tied lots of Woolly Buggers – probably like a lot of other beginners. “The Bugger is a great fly to practice on and most
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importantly, fish like it- all species of fish. I like tying it because it is one of the larger patterns and from it you can go smaller, but tie plenty of Buggers first.”
featured fly tyer
Ron Thomas Zonker As is the case with most avid fly tiers in the South, Ron is always on the lookout for materials he can bind to a hook to make a fly. He is not an avid
hunter, but he has friends who hunt and offer him feathers and other material. He says has received more turkey feathers than he can use in a lifetime, and
gladly accepts pheasant tails, partridge hackle and peacock hurl. He regularly checks out the craft department in different stores to see what he can
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close look - georgia Ron Thomas Wolly Bugger
use, but says that most of flies I tie because I really earrings to raise money for his stash comes from the enjoy fishing with my own a local charity.” local fly shop. Frequent flies. I also sell custom Since he fishes the well stocked shops like made wooden boxes local streams of Georgia, Unicoi Outfitters as very stocked with patterns that I he was asked to name popular materials such as tie. Now, what I really enjoy the five flies he considers small dry fly hackle or CDC and do it as often as I can essential to carry. His can be difficult to find. Also, is teaching others to tie comeback was, “That’s some of the new stuff he flies. a good question since I really likes to tie with are “Besides teaching the have a program called ‘5 UV materials and the new classes at the fly shop, I’m Flies’that I present for TU rubber leg materials, such involved with a fly tying and Chapters and other fishing as flex floss, that is durable fishing class at the church groups. If you ask guides and has a lot of movement. I attend,” continues Ron. “I or anyone who fishes often Plus they are usually easier also teach for our Veterans this question, the answer to find in well-stocked Healing Waters program would probably vary a good shops. and at a local middle bit. I think it is all about When asked if he school. Our TU Chapter what works for you. In my tied commercially, Ron said is also planning several case, it is basic flies that “Some, but for me, it would tying and fishing events for are productive.” be tough to make a living the ‘Heros’ program in our “A rubber leg stonefly at this – too old and slow. community which benefits works great for me locally I do better in the water challenged youth & adults. when I’m fishing a double where I am guiding with the We’re even making fly nymph rig,” says Ron. “Soft 98 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
hackles are hard to beat, along with a Flashback Hare’s Ear and a small Rainbow Warrior. They all are proven slump busters for me. When the trout are rising to the top, it’s time to tie on an Elk Hair Caddis. It catches fish and at my age, I can see it- which is very important. These are 5 flies that are effective and efficient. Each can be tied in just a short period of time.” When asked what advice he as for would-be fly tiers, Ron responded by saying, “Learn the basics and become skilled at the procedures used on each
and every fly. Learn correct dubbing skills, how to make soft loops, sizing your fly to hook proportions, smooth thread wraps, not crowding the eye, tying off with half hitches and whip finishes that hold. “These skills and others are the “ABC’s” of fly tying and are essential to any fly you tie. Correct practice and repetition will improve your abilities as a fly tier. Start with a larger fly, such as a Woolly Bugger and tie a number of these before you switch to another pattern. Compare the first fly you tied to the tenth one and you should
featured fly tyer
see the difference. I hope the tenth one looks a little better. An advanced fly tyer is one who has developed superb basic skills. Ron says that he currently does not have a website, and hasn’t written a book yet, but he has developed a workbook for classes that has illustrations, recipes and videos of the flies that he teaches to tie. The best way to contact Ron is through Unicoi Outfitters; 7280 S Main St, Helen, GA 30545; telephone 706-8783083.
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5 States 38 River Systems $21.95
9 States 46 Tailwaters $19.95
Trout Fishing Guidebooks For The South By Jimmy Jacobs
80 Watersheds On Public Land $15.95
Autographed copies available.
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Georgia’s Sou Wild Trout Str By Jimmy Jacobs
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uthernmost ream G
eorgia is blessed with around 4,200 miles of trout water in the northern third of the state. That makes it second only to North Carolina among the southern states for the amount of cold-water resources available to anglers. These waters range for small lakes to large tailwater rivers, from stocked seasonal streams to tiny, clear mountain rivulets. Together they offer a wide variety of angling opportunities for both wild and stocked rainbow, brook and brown trout.
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close look - georgia In fact, roughly 1,500 miles of streams and rivers are rated as wild water. These creeks support naturally reproducing populations of fish that require no stocking. These mountain jewels are the fisheries issue a siren call to many anglers. For the most part the wild waters are located in the extreme northern rim of the state, high in the Blue Ridge and Cohutta mountains. Most also require some walking to reach. But, once located they usually provide solitude, partially because many anglers simply won’t walk more than a hundred yards off a road to do their fishing. Georgia, obviously, holds the most southerly trout waters in the southeast, but exactly how far south do wild trout exist in the state? Undoubtedly, that claim goes to the brown trout that now spawn in the tailwaters below Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River just north of Atlanta. Polly Dean Wilcat Creek
But for a natural small stream environment the title of farthest south probably goes to Wildcat Creek on the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area in Dawson County. This Wildcat Creek is situated just northwest of the town of Dawsonville, 50 miles north of Atlanta’s I-285 Perimeter Highway and not to be confused with popular stream of the same name that feeds into northeast Georgia’s Lake Burton. This stream is tributary of Amicalola Creek. The stream runs through a 4,500-acre, non-contiguous section of the Dawson Forest WMA that is called the Wildcat Creek Tract. The area is wild and rugged. It’s noted for having populations of black bears, whitetail deer and ruffed grouse. While tract has been under public ownership since the 1990s, access to the creek was very difficult before 2005. In that year the Mountain Stewards organization began constructing and maintaining a system of trails on the tract.
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close look - georgia Today a primitive campground is on Amicalola Creek near the junction with Wildcat. The campground is at the end of Wildcat Creek Campground Road to the west of Steve Tate Highway. The Wildcat Creek Trail runs upstream from the camping area to cross a foot bridge over Amicalola and then parallel Wildcat Creek upstream for 1.4 miles. The trail is mostly along flat terrain at streamside, offering easy hiking. Wildcat rates as a small to medium-sized flow by North Georgia standards, but is open enough to allow even fly casting. When I first bushwhacked into the creek soon after it was open to public fishing, that first trip yielded an astounding pair of 14inch rainbows and a number of smaller ones. Rainbow Wilcat Creek
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close look - georgia Polly Dean Wilcat Creek
Not long after that, however, some landscaping on private land near the headwaters silted the creek badly and virtually ruined the fishery. Fortunately, the ensuing decade has cleared up that problem. The fish may not be as big, but they again have populated the creek. Wildcat Creek is presently managed as a seasonal stream, open from the last Saturday of March through the end of October. General trout regulations apply, with no special gear, bait or creel limits applying. For a map of the Wildcat Creek Tract, go to georgiawildlife.com/ hunting. Then follow the links through Wildlife Management Areas, and WMA Maps. From the list that appears click on Wildcat Creek Tract.
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Building time-honored sporting traditions.
840 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW, Suite 568 Kennesaw, GA 30144oll Free: (866) 460-2507 Phone: (678) 594-7330 www.flyboxoutfitters.com
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See our article on page 182
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P
aradise is an entire stream to yourself, native trout eagerly keyed on a prominent hatch, and a fly box full of the perfect imitation. Some fishermen travel hundreds of miles to Colorado or Montana every year for a few days of paradise. I prefer to make it a weekly getaway. Many southern anglers live a simple kitchen pass away, they just need directions. Brook trout streams offer some of the most enjoyable angling experiences available on the east coast. Unfortunately seasoned anglers rarely share these glorious jewels. Ask any true Rabunite where he caught those native specs and you will receive the standard response, “I don’t believe I said.” That translates to “paradise” for anyone living outside of Rabun County, Georgia. Luckily north Georgia contains countless streams with colorful native brook trout.
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! d i a S I e v e eli
B t ’ n o ID s a m o h T Sam
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While these streams remain shrouded with mystery for many anglers, finding them requires much less work than you might think. You probably drive right by a half-dozen or more every time you fish a stocked stream. The hugely popular fisheries on the Tallulah, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, and Toccoa Rivers greatly overshadow the dozens of brookie populations found in their headwaters and feeder creeks. Start at your favorite north Georgia river, but leave the waders and 9’ 5wt
at home. Grab a topo map, a good pair of hiking boots, and start scouting high the elevation feeder creeks. Brook trout rarely compete well with nonnative brown and rainbow trout. If non-native trout gain access to a stream they often stifle or even eradicate the native brook trout population. For that reason brook trout require some form of barrier, such as a large waterfall, to prevent non-native fish from moving in. Look for steep elevation changes in areas
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above 2,000’. In Georgia most barrier falls are found between 2,250’ and 2,650’ in elevation. Rainbow trout have been known to leap cascades of up to 5 or 6 feet, so it takes a fairly substantial waterfall to stop their upstream migration. Once you find the barrier falls catching brook trout is not difficult, but presenting your fly to the fish can require a little creativity. Plunge pools, overhanging branches, and submerged debris often complicate casting and achieving a
decent drift. Short rods and leaders really shine in these tight quarters and the bowand-arrow cast is king. Throwing dry flies to brook trout is the dominant technique in Georgia, and brookies will eagerly take flies on top for most of the year. Various terrestrial insects make up a large percentage of brook trout diets during late summer. Hatches are sparse most of the year, so pattern selection is more about functionality than imitation. Large high floating dries serve as excellent terrestrial imitations but more importantly help alleviate visibility issues in the low light condition of these vegetation choked headwaters. Although general attractor patterns catch fish all year, there is one substantial hatch you will not want to miss. For a few weeks in late spring and early summer headwater streams are flooded with inch worms. While not your traditional mayfly or caddis hatch, inch worms are a major food source for brook trout. These moth larvae can be found all throughout the summer, but really tend to reach peak thickness in late April through the end
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of May. During this time a #12-#16 green weenie will out fish any other fly 2:1. It is not uncommon to catch brook trout stuffed so full of inch worms they appear ready to burst. For anglers who find themselves fishing green weenies in early summer it offers a fly fishing paradise that rivals anything else the south has to offer. Although not as prolific as inch worms, small headwater streams are often inhabited by healthy populations of
stoneflies. Dredging the bottom of deeper pools with large stonefly nymphs offers a chance at a fish of a lifetime. This technique shines in streams with a steep gradient where cascades and waterfalls dig deep plunge pools. These deep pools often hold above average size fish, sometimes up to a foot long or more. This style of fishing requires more patience and generally yields lower numbers but the potential for a trophy brook trout is worth it.
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close look - georgia Unfortunately brook trout habitat has been greatly reduced over the past century. Georgia represents the most extreme range of brook trout making our populations the most susceptible to disruption. But thanks in large part to conservation groups and state fisheries biologists, brook trout habitat has expanded in recent years. Volunteers and field technicians worked tireless over the past decade to install over 300 stream improvement structures in Georgia brook trout streams, and streams once inhabited by rainbows have been the focus of restoration projects to re-establish brook trout populations. While tossing rocks and driving rebar may require more work than a typical day on the stream, your sweat and labor supports the fledgling rebound of brook trout in Georgia. As research continues to refine our understanding of delicate trout populations these workdays grow in significance and effectiveness. The coming years truly will be an exciting time to be involved in brook trout conservation. Those work days tend to great a certain camaraderie where strangers can quickly become lifelong fishing partners. That normally tight lipped Rabunite might just be inclined to point you toward paradise.
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1777 River Road • Lakeview, Arkansas 72642 (870) 431-5202 • E-Mail gastons@gastons.com Lat 36 20' 55" N Long 92 33' 25" W
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If you are already a subscriber, you are already entered! Enter to Win by Signing Up For a Free Subscription to Southern Trout Magazine. Published six times a year, Southern Trout is the only magazine devoted exclusively to fly fishing for trout in the South. You will also receive the information backed weekly ST Newsletter. The winner of the 2-day stay with meals at Unicoi State Park Lodge, fly fishing for two at the nearby private waters of Smithgall, and a bevy of vouchers of fun in romantic Helen for river tubing and more. Winner will be announced July 20th, 2015. The email addresses of subscribers will only be used to send out Southern Unlimted magazines (Southern Trout & Southern Kayak Fishing, & their respective newsletters). Under no circumstances are subscriber email address used otherwise or made available to any third party.
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Southern Hig
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featured fly shop
ghroads Outfitters S
outhern Highroads Outfitters is the newest addition to the Peach State’s impressive list of first class fly shops. The location of this fly shop could not be better. Nestled in Blairsville, Georgia at the center hub of outdoor life in the North Georgia Mountains, it’s what we at Southern Trout Magazine call a “must stop” when you are within…oh say…200 miles of the place. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 121
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The mountains of North Georgia have long been a destination of millions of people from surrounding states with limited trout fishing. These mountains are one of the first places an angler
from Florida can encounter rainbow, brown and brook trout when heading up north out of the heat. The city of Atlanta alone has a tremendous population of folks interested in fishing and hiking this area. Anglers
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from Alabama and South Carolina also frequent these cold streams in search of speckled beauties.
featured fly shop
During the last twenty years, fly fishing for Georgia trout has really exploded. People are coming from all over the globe to fish these waters. Some are looking for opportunities to catch
monster trout in the growing number of high quality private waters or to take a float trip down the well-known Toccoa River tailwaters. Other folks prefer to go off the beaten path exploring for
native Appalachian brook trout by combat fishing under rhododendrons and hemlocks. Southern Highroads Outfitters has been in business a little over a year now and already has a huge following of dedicated customers. The shop is the brain child of Zack and Kelly Phillips. It is a place where good conversation and smiling faces will always greet you at the door. Zack Phillips has been obsessed with fly fishing for years and this shop provides an outlet for his love of the sport. A full service fly shop is very important for the surrounding community located in some of the best trout and bass waters in North Georgia. Southern Highroads Outfitters is a one-stop shop for everything from fly tackle for bluegill to tarpon and hiking gear for the day hiker up to the backpacker conquering the Appalachian Trail. During the course of a couple of months, hundreds of customers will walk through our doors. Anglers with no experience to anglers with half a century of fly fishing under their belt can always
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find a piece of gear here or there that they cannot live without. “At Southern Highroads Outfitters we pride themselves in having specialized gear that is of the highest quality,” says Zack Phillips. “You will also find lots of our products that are made here in the USA. They are also always on the lookout for great local fly tiers to keep their 600 bins well stocked
with flies. The fly tying department is large and in charge with unique items from Oregon to England. People are driving over 100 miles to take a look at the fly tying selection. We have amazing hackle from Charlie Collins of New York, European fly tying materials from Veniard and everything in between.” “We offer in-house fly-tying classes and on water fly fishing instruction
for beginners year round. We also have both full and half day wade and float trips available all year. We are the only Tenkara USA dealer in Georgia. We offer Tenkara trips on the small streams in the area. Our guide staff is anchored by long time and well-known guide David Hulsey and his wife Becky.” David Hulsey is an International Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Master
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Fly Casting Instructor and his wife Becky Hulsey is an IFFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor. Both serve as the Simms Guide Ambassadors for Georgia and as the R.L. Winston Rods Pro Staff Representatives for the state. They are both certified US Coast Guard Captains with vast experience in both fresh and salt water. David and Becky have permits to guide on both the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. David and Becky Hulsey alone have over 60 years
of combined fly fishing experience and 30 years of guiding and instruction topped with fly shop management experience. “Our customer service is friendly, professional and second to none,” says Phillips. “We will happily do special orders for unique fly fishing items. We carry a large supply of gear from Simms and Redington. We offer a fly rod selection from RL Winston, St. Croix, and Temple Fork Outfitters with fly reels from Hatch, Lamson and Allen. In
featured fly shop
addition, we provide a nice selection of gear for the backpacker or day hiker from Eno, Grand Trunk, Mountainsmith and trail food from Mountain House. Our map selection is extensive. We will help navigate you to that little unknown blue line stream that you can have all to yourself. If you are in beautiful Blairsville, Georgia go by Southern Highroads Outfitters, or give them a call at 706-781-1414. Visit them to at www. southernhighroadsoutfitters. com.
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Southern Highroads Outfitters 253 Hwy 515 E Building 1-C Blairsville, GA 30512 706-781-1414
608 Emmett Rd. Bristol, Tennessee 37620
www.southholstonriverflyshop.com
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close look - georgia
White Coun
Georgia’s “Rea If you are looking for fly fishing fun that is better than you really deserve, then point your truck in the direction of Helen, the “real” trout fishing capital of the Peach State. Before you grab your guns to help straighten me out, hear my arguments for transferring the throne from Fannin County to White County.
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nty:
al" Trout Capital
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hile I claim to be a Scot, my mom’s family snuck out of Germany “way back when” to settle in colonial Pennsylvania, and then a passel of them moved on down to East Tennessee where most of them remain today. A touch of German ancestry is the best reason I can come up with why I personally like Helen, Georgia. This mountain hamlet is as Teutonic in appearance as Bismarck and Hasenpfeffe. The quaint buildings there make you believe you are in the Bavarian countryside, which incidentally, I have never actually visited. Better still, the beer selection throughout Helen is up to my standards, and I do know something about beer Food, beer and eye candy aside though, what interests the readers of Southern Trout is the doggone trout fishing. Yep, it’s truly first class throughout the nooks and hollows of White County. You can’t sling a dead cat without it splashing down in a crystal creek full of trout. Or as my mom’s people would say “Verdammt viel große Forellen angeln.” Found in White County are the upper reaches of the famous Chattahoochee River, Dukes Creek, Sautee Creek, Smith Creek, Town Creek, Jenny Creek, Little Testnatee Creek, Turner Creek and a more than a few little flows too small to mention. You literally need a copy of Jimmy Jacob’s Trout Fishing in North Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide to Public Lakes, Reservoirs, and Rivers to have any chance of finding and fly fishing them all.
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discovery autumn leaves typically “Unicoi has always peak, and it also hosts its been popular among own Oktoberfest during fishermen and outdoor September, October and recreationalist,” says November. There are Forbes, “But this year many events and festivals we are launching the throughout the year. One ‘Adventure Lodge’ concept. of the most well-known Now the park is more than is Southern Worthersee, just a place to stay; it’s a which is a stateside place to play. At Amicalola Volkswagen and Audi State Park and Lodge event that pays tribute to and Unicoi State Park and the Worthersee Tour in Lodge, we have developed Austria with attendance the perfect recipe for a of approximately 20,000 great escape. people. Also the annual “With wonderful hot-air balloon race held accommodations the first weekend in June. surrounded by nature’s Suffice to say that the playground, we couldn’t family will be busy and not help but create great miss you when you slip off experiences that only to go fishing. enhance your getaway. A bit more than a From paddle board courses stone’s throw from Helen and s’mores with stories is Unicoi State Park and around the campfire to fly Lodge, which arguably are fishing classes and guided the “crown jewels” of White hikes, we have something County. The centerpiece that everyone will enjoy. Formerly a logging of this 1,050-acre tract is Take a hike with our expert town, in the late 1960s Unicoi Lake, a 53 acre wilderness guides, spend Helen resurrected itself by impoundment of Smith the night under the stars becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, in the Creek that bisects the park. primitive camping, or enjoy a trip through the trees on Appalachians instead of the As southern mountain parks go, Unicoi is not a our exciting, pulse-pumping Alps. Zoning adopted the sprawling bit of highland adventure course. Then, mandated classic southwilderness, but it is jam take it easy at one of our German style, and it is packed with more things to great restaurants and present on every building. lounges or spend the day The town is now a beehive do than a family can hope exploring the sites around of specialty shops, eateries to accomplish in a week’s stay says Christopher North Georgia.” and other attractions. Helen is extremely crowded Forbes, the General Manager of Unicoi Lodge. in late October, when www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 133
close look - georgia Here’s a sampling of the adventures at Unicoi besides the great fly fishing.
Zip Lines Even the squirrels don’t have this much fun in the trees as you will on these zip line. Experience the rush of adrenaline, the wind whipping around you as you fly through the air feeling the freedom of letting it all go. IN the hands of trusting instructors and the highest quality zip line gear you experience a birds-eye view of the forest.
Enjoy s’mores and great companionship as you listen to animated storytellers weave tales of adventure, exploration and colorful characters.
Paddle Board Lessons Paddle Boarding lessons teach you the basics of 3-D Archery this sport with minimal 3-D Archery is a target instruction and equipment. archery class using a You will be balancing, compound bow and target paddling and getting a new arrows provided by Unicoi perspective of the water. State Park and Lodge. After mastering the basics This class provides the with help from the Paddle equipment that you need Board instructor, you take a to have fun at the range Paddle Board Tour of Unicoi GPS Scavenger Hunt with customized bow sizes Scavenger hunts at Unicoi Lake. based on strength and arm are high-tech challenges length. They teach how to that teach exploration, set an arrow and pull back a navigation and will Kayak Fishing compound bow, accurately Classes teach kayak safety, ultimately lead to a hidden aim and judge the distance surprise if you follow the gear and technique in the park’s well-balanced fishing correct path with help from between you and the target. Arrows fly down the archery GPS coordinates. The kayaks. With comfortable lanes at marked targets in class teaches how to get adjustable seats and maximum stability a Jackson started, stay safe and read the shape of bear, deer, Big Tuna tandem kayak is a your GPS so you can follow raccoons and other wild game. perfect way to enjoy a day of the coordinates to capture unique locations in the fishing with a friend. Hobie Introduction to Mountain park with your cell phone Mirage kayaks with Mirage Biking camera. Drive Glide Technology Mountain Bike class will allows you to paddle and take you on beginner and Fire Pit Stories steer without having to moderate trails through A high point to an juggle a paddle. Class fields, forests and woodland adventure trip to Unicoi. concludes with time on the paths specifically designed lake to experience some of Gather around the fire for mountain bikes. to hear some of the best the prime favorite fishing Instructors teach mountain storytellers in the area tell spots. bikes skills and safety their versions of history, equipment to enable you to ghost stories and tall traverse the trail and take in tales that will leave you the scenery. gasping for air in laughter. 134 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Climbing Wall Specifically designed for groups wanting to do team building exercises. Utilizing the park’s climbing wall, the high and low elements course, instructors help you navigate the obstacles so your team will discover a new appreciation for each other.
GoPro Class to a helmet, vest, and bike Perhaps the best thing and even on your canine about the new Adventure companion so you can Lodge concept at Unicoi is experience your adventures the use of GoPro cameras with a new perspective for that enable you to record years to come. After the your adventure and create class, you will have the memories that can be opportunity to rent your shared for a lifetime. Learn own camera. Record your to use a GoPro Camera to Adventures and document document your trip. GoPro with a GoPro Camera and Class will teach you how be able to take home the to use the camera to get memory card to upload your optimal footage, explain treasured experiences. Now the different ways the that is really cool. GoPro can be mounted www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 135
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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Jason Weeks Winston, GA
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native son of the Peach State, Jason Weeks grew up 35 miles west of Atlanta, in Winston, Georgia. His father often took him hunting, fishing and camping. Many times this was to the nearest beach or mountains of North Georgia, but he was also privileged to experience vacations in the West to places such as Yosemite and Yellowstone. “We had a group of friends from our church, and we called ourselves ‘The Christian Campers,’” says Weeks. “On many weekends you would find us caravanning up to the mountains with our campers in tow and fishing rods in the back of our trucks. I guess that is how I developed a love for the mountains. It was on many of those North Georgia streams that I first developed my love for trout fishing. As a young boy, 10-12 years old, I really thought it was something to go out wading in my K-Mart brand waders, carrying my spinning rod, and sporting a vest full of rooster tails and a creel full of sweet corn; but to me, that was fishing…and there was nothing better in the world than catching my limit on stockers.”
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featured rod builder Later, after earning a BS at Georgia Southern University in 2000, he married the love of his life, Chan, and purchased his first fly rod. As he explained, he longed for those spring days chasing stocked rainbows with his family in the Georgia highlands. His dad had a fly rod when he was a kid, but Weeks didn’t give it much thought. Going out West as a boy though, he watched anglers in Yellowstone cranking out line on a long fly rod as if they were some sort of cowboy cracking a bull whip. He didn’t quite understand the concept; although, there was something strangely serene about it. His first fly rod was deployed on bluegill, but that changed in 2010 when he and his wife went in with his parents to purchase a cabin in Blue Ridge on the Toccoa River. In Blue Ridge, Weeks meandered into Bill Oysters’ shop where he fell in love with this master craftsman’s bamboo rods. As Weeks says, “Oyster’s truly an artist of the highest degree of his craft.
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“ Needless to say, I wanted to figure out a way to get my hands on a bamboo rod, but didn’t know if I could really ever afford one,” explains Weeks. “Chan had gotten me into fly tying five years earlier, when she gave me a fly tying kit for birthday. It quickly became an obsession for me, and I began to wonder if I had the patience to build a rod? “Bill Oyster offers a week long class in his shop where you can learn to split, flame and make your own bamboo rod,” says Weeks, “but at the time my schedule nor my budget permitted me to take his class Research about making rods, I soon came across the John C. Campbell Folk School in Murphy, NC. Only 30 minutes from our cabin, there Doug Hall teaches a two part class on making and finishing bamboo fly
rods. Shortly thereafter at an intense weekend long class in February of 2012, I turned with a prepurchased bamboo blank into my very own bamboo fly rod. And just like fly fishing, and just like fly tying… I was hooked and ready to complete another rod,” says Weeks. Weeks convinced his wife that he needed to build his Dad a rod. He purchased a Sulley’s rod wrapping jig. Next, he built a dip tank in their basement, and then converted an antique chifferobe into a drying closet. After building a rod for his Dad, a friend of Weeks who likes to fly
fish heard of about his new hobby and expressed interest in buying the first rod Weeks had made. Reluctantly, Weeks sold it, only to go and start the next one. Weeks has blossomed into a firstclass rod builder. It is not his fulltime profession, as he says that he fishes the Toccoa tailwater a great deal. On one of the larger North Georgia trout rivers, his favorite bamboo rod that he uses is a 7 foot 4 weight rod that is a Payne
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featured rod builder 98 taper. He describes it as an awesome dry fly rod and gives a really nice, delicate presentation. “I think for a tailwater rod, the longer the better,” notes Weeks. “Ultimately, an 8 ½ foot rod would be ideal in my opinion, and a 4 weight is one of my favorites. You could get some nice long casts out of a rod like that and offer a
and tight spaces. I built a 6 foot 3 weight rod a while back that is a PH Young “Midge” taper. It’s a great small stream mountain rod. It’s not something you are going to cast a country mile, but it works great in tight spaces and is a load of fun on those mountain brookies,” concludes Weeks. Right now Weeks only works with bamboo, noting that someday he hopes to build graphite rods. Every time he looks at graphite blanks to work with, something always
brings him back to bamboo. Weeks regards fiberglass rods as easier to cast, but there is something about woodiness of bamboo that he finds to be absolutely gorgeous, and very nostalgic. “I know that doesn’t have much to do with bamboo rod building, or fly fishing,” noted Weeks, but if you need a correlation though…Jesus was a Carpenter who also hung out with fisherman. .Jesus Christ has had the biggest impact and influence on my life. Without Him I would be nothing…it’s that simple. That’s who I strive to be like each and every day, but…I fall short. My parents
delicate presentation with your dry flies, but you will still be able to fish some large nymphs or even streamers with it. “When I think of a ‘mountain’ rod, I think of a shorter length rod, designed for small streams www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 143
close look - georgia taught me to love Jesus, provided an outstanding example for me, and taught me‌well all of the most important things in life. Both of my parents are hard workers and provided an unbelievable upbringing for me and my sister. They provided for our every need, and practically our every want also. They are outstanding Grandparents, too. If I can be the kind of parent to my two boys as they were to me, well, then I have accomplished something.� Jason Weeks finished rods start at $850.00 and include the following (prices may vary depending on your selections: custom tipping on wraps and minimal engraving also available at an additional charge. If you are interested in having your own rod built, please contact Jason at jasonweeks@ bellsouth.net to discuss your specific needs and how Jason can accommodate you. 144 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
featured rod builder
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from Stackpole Books
“From the old Yallarhammar to modern classics like the Tennessee Wulff, Don has covered it all in his book Hatches and Fly Patterns of the Great Smoky Mountains. This is a must read for every Southern fly fisherman.” —Kevin Howell, Davidson River Outfitters
$24.95 Paperback 256 pages 200 color photos 978-0-8117-1117-3 This book and other Stackpole fishing titles are available from booksellers and fly shops nationwide.
STACKPOLE BOOKS
800-732-3669 • www.stackpolebooks.com • Follow us on:
Fly Fishing the Smokies Guided Fly Fishing in the Tennessee and North Carolina Smoky Mountains (828)-488-7665 or flyfishingthesmokies.net Wade Trips, Float Trips, Hazel Creek Camping, Beginner Lessons, and Fly Fishing for Kids. Est. in 1999, one of the oldest and most experienced Guide Services and Outfitters in the Smokies. Wade or Float for Trout and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskie, and Carp. We offer guided fly fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the WNC Fly Fishing Trail, Tuckasegee River, Little Tennessee River, Ravens Fork, Pigeon River, and Fontana Lake
For reservations call (828)-488-7665 or book your trip on the web at; flyfishingthesmokies.net
Fontana La Brown Trou Rampage by Don Kirk
S
omething is going on at We Fontana Lake that may just South into orbit.
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ake ut
estern North Carolina’s t send trout fishing in the
The last few weeks reports have been coming in to Southern Trout from anglers catching big brown trout in the 24 to 28-inches range. It seems that the fellows who are dragging crankbaits and walking jigs in an effort to catch smallmouth bass are instead connecting with trophy size brown trout. As of late May, these huge trout have been caught off of what one normally regards as smallmouth bass structures in 10 to 15-feet deep shoreline areas. Trout in Fontana Lake is nothing new. Rainbow, steelhead, brook and brown trout have been stocked there and in the tributaries that are emptying into the lake since it was created over seventy years ago. In fact, trout fishing has always been pretty decent there, but most of the attention given these waters was by anglers looking for smallmouth bass and walleye. Summer trout usually went deep, which at Fontana can be really deep, since the lake has lots of holes that are almost 400 feet deep. Something unexpected is happening at this lake.
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Fontana Lake is a reservoir impounded by TVA’s Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River in Graham and Swain counties in North Carolina. The lake forms part of the southern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it is the northern border of part of the Nantahala National Forest. Depending on water levels, the lake runs about 17 miles. The eastern end is the Tuckasegee River near Bryson City. The lake has many inlets into coves and many islands formed from former mountain peaks, especially near the eastern end. As with most damimpounded lakes, the steep banks are exposed when water levels are low. Many towns were submerged shortly after the creation of Fontana Lake, such as Proctor and Judson.
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It’s no big secret that Hazel Creek, a feeder stream to Fontana Lake that drains a sizeable watershed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has been hosting an impressive run of spawning brown trout between mid-October and mid-December. Fly-fishing guide, Steve Claxton of Bryson City, told me about seeing two-dozen brown trout that taped over 20-inches long each in the Sawdust Hole in November. That is a lot of big browns, and they had all come up Hazel Creek from Fontana Lake. If the reports we are receiving are credible, and we at Southern Trout Magazine so regard them, then what Claxton has been observing in Hazel Creek could just be the tip of the iceberg.
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Right now the growing flotilla of monster-size brown trout in Fontana Lake are found deeper than most southern fly fishermen who routinely chase trout in rivers and streams have the expertise to catch. If I were going to take a shot at them before fall, I string up a 9-weight rod with the fastest sinking line I could find and tip it with a big Howell’s Bunny. I don’t know if it would work, but that is where I would start. Deep water fly fishing has only a modest appeal to me, but being on Hazel Creek the second week of November sounds like great fun. If the brown trout are taking over Fontana Lake, and it sounds like they are, this could be a real game changer for Thanksgiving Day at our house. It might be a good idea to book you a place to stay in Bryson City so you don’t have to sleep in your truck there is November. Oh yeah, you might want to give Steve Claxton a shout, too. 152 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Chota Hippies Adjustable Hip Waders
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Situational Fly Fishing in t
Fishing Te 156 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
the Great Smoky Mountains Ron Gaddy
g Summer errestrials Summer is here and it’s time to dig out that terrestrial box. From May through October your terrestrial box should be well stocked with grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, tent worms, ants and inchworms. When the sun hits the water and the terrestrials get active, trout will be waiting. Trout are really not that smart, but they do know when it’s dinner time. Trust me. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 157
Casting is by no Crickets a in perfect Living Western North Carolina on a large One hot summer afternoon on Big means It iswedged a trout stream in the midst the Great Creek, I was perched about 20 feet or science. Smoky Mountains so above a good run, leaned up against very awkward way allows me to observe are active and what is going a big pine tree, waiting on the evening to what get ahatches gaudy, on in the stream bed. It also allows me to hatches to come off. As I watched the cumbersome, rigging conduct my ongoing experiments on what creek from my stealthy observation of fly rod, trout mightreel, be feeding on. A few years post 4 or 5 trout in the 8 to 10 inch agoand aftertippet some hard core weed eating and range meandered out to the feedingleader noticingof thousands lane and was obviously looking for the a series with 3 or of black crickets on the stream bank, I decided to design a cricket same hatches that I was. As I mumbled 4 different complex pattern. After collecting a few naturals and under my breath, “they’re playing my knot connections tying a few dozen lame looking crickets, I song”, I rigged up a couple of flies that put together finally cameinupawith a pattern that I wasn’t I thought could have been on the menu too embarrassed and drifted it right over them without manner that you to show to my trout study group.your My “trout even any fly line touching the water. can deliver fly study group” being the well educated trout in my little section of Totally ignored! I change flies 3 times to that Jonathan perfect Creek. little The pattern worked well with the same results, not even a look. oninyon side ofof the stream that had good the sections As I sat there scratching my headspot a the creek. The truth populations of crickets and less effective large grasshopper flew into the pine as can you fished tree right above me, bounced off, and is you take out a of these grassy banked
Grasshoppers
hit the water right above the feeding trout. In a matter of micro seconds the grasshopper was ripped to pieces and devoured by these little finicky trout. Another “Ah Ha” moment? You bet!
A top water fly pattern that will imitate a grasshopper is a must for your terrestrial fly box. I find a similar color of stimulator will do the job if your presentation is correct. A stimulator with rubber legs even better. If the dead drift doesn’t work then a little twitching action may be just what they are looking for. Sometimes that movement doesn’t give trout time to inspect your pattern for very long, which is a good thing.
areas. Sometimes you will have to make changes to your techniques and patterns from one stretch of creek to the next.
Beetles
There are over 350,000 species of beetles and about 2,100 species of mayflies. I would go out on a limb and say that no one has more beetle patterns in their fly box then mayfly patterns. I know some fly fishermen that fish beetle patterns exclusively in the summer months and with great success. Japanese beetle patterns and beetle patterns black in color in a few different sizes will be of great value in your fly box. As with any terrestrial, don’t be afraid to bounce them off the bottom. Other than a grasshopper pattern, I fish most all terrestrials sub-surface.
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Tent Worms
Tent worms may be the most overlooked terrestrial pattern. I have a good sized oak tree in my yard right on the creek bank that has at least a couple of tent worm shelters every year. Every year for a few weeks in June there will be tent worm caterpillars crawling around all over my outside deck and furniture. This pattern has proven very effective during that time of year in creeks that run through farm land and urban sprawl. If you see tent worm shelters while fishing through these type of fisheries then a tent worm pattern will definitely produce.
Ants
Fisheries blessed with a good canopy will provide shade as well as a diverse multitude of terrestrials for trout to feed on. Almost every tree you inspect along the stream bank will be crawling with black ants. Just like all other terrestrials they end up in the stream and trout will eat them. Ant patterns are great as a smaller pattern dropped off a larger terrestrial or nymph pattern.
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Inchworms
Inchworms are by far my favorite summer terrestrial pattern. A little chenille on a size 12 or 10 nymph hook and it’s off to the races. Easy pattern to tie, trout can seem them a mile away, and will also get very selective on them. A beautiful thing! I don’t know who came up with the terminology “inchworm stupid”, but it certainly fits the bill. Streams in the Great Smoky Mountains that have a good canopy will provide an abundant supply of inchworms as long as there is not too much rain. From May through October the first thing I rule out is the inchworm. During those summer and fall months I will have at least a dozen inchworm patterns in my fly box. A little observation of tree stumps and stream bank vegetation could give you the clues you need to catch fish. Sometimes just matching the color and size of a terrestrial will be all you need to break the code, but keep in mind, that could change at any given time. Sometimes a little brisk wind will deliver a smorgasbord of terrestrials to the stream that will send trout into a feeding frenzy like kids after a Halloween run. It’s almost as good as a little rain, as trout come out to sift through the goodies, it’s a good time to be in the creek. Fish Responsibly. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 161
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Goodwill G
Healing One Hero a
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Guides
at a Time
by Beau Beasley
“Who we are? The Goodwill Guides is a volunteer group that consists of an all-star cast of tournament anglers and pro guides who donate their time and expertise in support of our great cause.�
thegoodwillguides.com
Photos by Beau Beasley
Fishing below a plunge pool is a prime location when focusing on trout.
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The Goodwill guides began in August of 2013 when Kenny Simmons was introduced to (now president) Jim Long while filming an awareness project for the Fly Fishing for Vets. By February 2014 The Goodwill Guides was born. Inspired by experiencing and by witnessing first-hand the beneficial impact full-time fishing provided, Jim is now giving back and providing the same opportunity for other wounded warriors Jim Long (USMC-RET) and his wife Marsha are longtime battling with the emotional supporters of the Goodwill Guides. and physical scars of war. Their “Road to Recovery Program” is designed a safe haven, an activity to support participants’ psychological rehabilitation by in which they can immerse teaching them professional tournament techniques themselves and try to through mentoring, coaching, practice and guidance forget the horrors of war. which brings them into the exciting world of competitive ”Frog Hollow has been a fishing and guide fishing at its highest level. Godsend to me,” My introduction to the Good Will Guides came They operate out of when I met Keith Gilbert and Kenny Simmons at the an area known as Frog Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival in April of 2015. Hollow, a private fishery After what could be called a “serendipitous” introduction, in Northern Georgia we became fast friends, talking about everything from which is a sight to behold. trout rods to bass bugs. A few months later I was The stream is part of the enjoying Gilbert’s company again with a group of other Chetatee River system and folks known as the Good Will Guides. runs along property owned Gilbert told me that he served multiple tours in by the Simmons Family. Iraq and was injured multiple times. As a recovering The trout that call Frog sufferer of a traumatic brain injury, Gilbert also suffers Hollow home are not your from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and has graphic typical stockers. These fish recurring nightmares as well as flashbacks. “I’ve had a are huge and seem more real hard time getting the images out of my head that I in line with wild steelhead saw while I served overseas. People ask me what I saw than your typical trout. in combat; I tell them it’s better if they didn’t know.” For Fishing here is a fun, fun Gilbert and many of his fellow veteran guides, fishing is challenge. 166 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Large trout gathering at the bottom of a pool is not uncommon at Frog hollow On one cast, I set the hook and I felt as though I had instantly touched and electrified fence. I shot a look at Gilbert who simply smiled a knowing smile and said “Welcome to Frog Hollow.” I played the fish for quite a while and actually feared my rod might break from the strain of the massive fish. I nearly fell in at one point during the fight, but I eventually landed the behemoth trout and the slugfest ended with the fish released unharmed. Smiles abounded. It was an epic battle and a memory I’ll forever cherish.
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Gilbert readily admits that fly fishing helps him a great deal; he credits Project Healing Waters—a national nonprofit organization founded to help veterans through fly fishing— with saving his life. “I don’t think I’d be here today if it weren’t for Project Healing Waters teaching me how to fly fish and allowing me to escape on the water. When I’m fly fishing, that’s all I can concentrate on. I love it.” The associates at Goodwill guides have more than a commitment to what they do. They have a bond with the people they help. Both Simmons—who served in the Coast Guard—and Gilbert—a veteran of the 82nd Airborne—are die-hard fly anglers who frequently compete in fishing tournaments. Both guide and believe in the healing power of fly fishing. Jim Long served with the Marines in Iraq and was injured during a mounted patrol when his vehicle ran over an IED. Long says that he floundered in his recovery until he discovered fly fishing. Goodwill Guides Carolyn Emery, an Army vet, and Michael Yarber, a former Marine, have dedicated hours of service to helping their fellow veterans heal. Tom Askew didn’t serve in the armed forces but donates his time taking photographs and providing other support for the Goodwill Guides. These folks all have their own stories and are committed to helping their brothers and sisters who’ve returned home and need a helping hand. They have discovered
Above: Mike Yarber is an integral part of the Good Will Guides and fishes as often as he can . Right: Long drifts are often required to temp wary trout at Frog Hollow.
for themselves that the solace of a quiet trout stream can do a world of good. It’s not uncommon to hear that many of today’s veterans are struggling. They come home to countrymen who, by and large, have very little invested in the country’s foreign engagements. They come home to families who don’t understand what they’ve experienced and how those
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experiences have left them forever changed. Often they come home with visible or invisible injuries that take months to diagnose and years to heal. The Goodwill Guides at Frog Hollow recognize
that fly fishing is not a panacea. They know how hard wounded vets struggle to recuperate and how much fly fishing can help with that recovery. Frog Hollow enjoys wide support not only from anglers but also from industry insiders like Temple Fork Outfitters, Orvis, Chota Outdoors, and Sweetwater Brewery, all of which participate in the Goodwill Guides’ annual fall fundraiser, “The Big Pig” which occurs near www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 169
Veterans Day each year. The name is a backhanded compliment to the large trout that inhabit the waters of Frog Hollow and present a real challenge to land when hooked. I’ve experienced this first hand because Gilbert helped me land mine and I’ve seen other Good Will Guides like Jim Long and Mike Yarber do the same thing. If you’d like to learn more about the Good Will Guides, or you’d like have a chance to fish the property
at Frog Hollow, reach out to them and get involved. The worse thing that can happen is you nearly fall in while landing the trout of your life. To watch a video that shows the Goodwill Guides in action, please visit http://www.thegoodwillguides.org/ videos/. For more information about fishing Frog Hollow check out http:// www.froghollowflyfishing.com/ or call 706-244-4372.
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Souther
Origins of the federal duck stamps are well documented, but not so with trout stamps which appeared to came along shortly thereafter the duck stamps in California, Colorado and Michigan. Not all southern states have (or have had) trout stamps, but a few have a long tradition. These days, the art found on various state trout stamps is a result of a contest where artist submit their entries. Again, the genesis of this can be traced to the federal duck stamp competition. While by no means complete, what follows is a smattering of various trout stamps issued over the years by various southern states.
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rn Stamp Act
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The FLY FISHING MUSEUM of the SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS Is Proud To Announce Our GRAND OPENING JUNE 6, 2015 10:00 AM Ribbon Cutting Tour Lunch Provided Casting Clinic (1-4 PM) Casting for Hope (Registration for June 7 Event) For Inquiries or to make a Charitable Donation Contact: (828) 788-0034 516 Tsali Blvd, PO Box 1838 Cherokee, NC 28719 info@cherokeesmokies.com Building a Monument to the Rich Heritage of Fly Fishing in the Southern Appalachians
First drift boat built and used in the Southern Appalachians.
Bob Nanny and Dick Morgan processing incoming rods and reels
EXHIBITS IN PROGRESS Tailrace Drift Boat Fly Fishing in the Southern Appalachians (Sponsored by TVA) Featured Movies: Fly Fishing in the Linville Gorge (1959) and Fly Fishing Private Waters (1997) Floating and Fly Fishing (Sponsored by Tuckasegee Fly Shop) Southern Appalachian Waters Collection of Flies and Poppers of the Southern Appalachians; Realistic Flies (coming soon) Rod-Making (Donated by Tim Wilhelm) Collection of Fly Rods and Fly Reels Gear: Stream Attire, Landing and Wading Tools, Streamside Gadgets Gamefish of the Southern Appalachians Fly Tying Fly Tying Tools and Materials Entomology (Donated by the Appalachian State University: TU 5 Rivers Anglers Club) Tenkara (coming soon) (Sponsored by Mountain Tenkara) “Stream Blazers” “Uncle Thad” Norris, Joe Messinger Sr., George “Cap” Wiese, “Uncle Mark” Cathey, Phil Bracewell, Cato Holler, Don and Dwight Howell and many more Children’s Corner (scavenger hunts) Demo Corner (Sponsored by Temple Fork Outfitters) Casting for Hope (Sponsored by Casting for Hope) Museum Map Center (Sponsored By Saint Clair Mapping) Aquarium Room (coming soon)
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Interview with RIO Products’ Simon Gawesworth Our research and development team are constantly working on new technologies. What was the genesis of RIO Products? RIO was started by the husband and wife team of Jim & Kitty Vincent in 1990. Jim & Kitty were passionate Fly Fishers, outdoor writers and photographers, and roamed around the world fly fishing and writing. They decided to start a small fishing company offering unique and different items, such as waterproof label, fishing journals, line winder boxes, and hand tied leaders. For years, Jim had cut fly lines up and spliced them together to make a line he wanted, and this background lead to making RIO becoming a fly line company 5 years after it was started. What was the principles of the company’s background prior to the inception of RIO Products? There really was no background prior to the inception of RIO. The company was started after Jim & Kitty decided to stop the travelling life and dedicate their life to a more “normal” life style. What were some of the first lines produced by RIO Products? RIO didn’t start making fly lines until 1995, and the first ones to come off the machines were the WindCutter line (in both a one handed, and a Spey format) and the first interchangeable tip fly line, the RIO VersiTip. How did these differ from the fly lines that were on the market prior to the introduction of RIO Product fly lines? The WindCutter was a unique taper design that took the front of (for example) a 4wt line, and attached it to the body of a 6wt line – making it weigh what a 5wt should weigh, but having the “driver” of a 6wt, and the thin diameter of a 4wt to aid cutting into the wind. The VersiTip was the first line ever to have interchangeable tips. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 183
What important innovations in fly line design/construction has RIO Products brought to fly fishing? Apart from the first company to make an interchangeable tip fly line, RIO was also the first company to make a custom designed line specifically for Spey casting. In addition, RIO was the first company to bring density compensation to sinking lines, the first to introduce welded loops to the front end (and back) of fly lines, the first to make two (then 3) colored fly lines, the first company to design and make Skagit lines, and the first (and still only) company to find a way to bond PVC (the line coating) to an ultra-low stretch core, to reduce stretch and increase sensitivity and performance. How has the fast growth in interest in Spey and Saltwater fly fishing influenced product development/introduction at RIO Products? Very much so for RIO. When RIO started no line company made specialty Spey lines, and there were few that made a saltwater specific fly line. It was through these niche lines, that dealers started to sell RIO fly lines, and once they started selling the SW and Spey lines, it was a natural progression to start selling the core trout lines that RIO was making. Do you expect this trend to continue? Very much so. The Spey and Saltwater markets are stronger and healthier than ever, and continue to grow. Regionally speaking, how does RIO Products regard the South has a potential market? There really is no specific concentration on a particular area of the US (or the world). Everywhere there is a fishery is important to us, and we hire the very best sales reps in each territory to ensure the strongest message and best product support is given to the brand. Most of the RIO “lifers� travel all over the US testing products and fisheries, to ensure we have the best product for each area, and that certainly includes the South. 184 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Where do you see the South as having the most market growth potential? It is interesting you say that, as I have been teaching a couple of Spey schools in the South recently. I taught one last October in Virginia (if you can count that as “South”) and one in May in Arkansas, as well as one in Oklahoma a couple of years before that. It seems like “Spey” has reached parts of the US that I would never have guessed it would reach. I am not saying that Spey has the biggest market growth potential, but it does show the diverse interests of fly fishers in the South. How has the social media influence marketing at RIO Products? Massively!!!! There is no way to hide from the influence social media has these days, and any progressive company will be thoroughly embracing and supporting all avenues of social media. Fly fishing is particularly suited to the assorted SM outlets, with the beautiful sceneries we spend our time in, and the vast thirst for more information and education that consumers cry out for. Nothing channels this better than social media. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 185
How significant has the market emphasis at RIO Products shifted from traditional print advertising to digital? Print is still the dominant medium, but digital advertising is certainly growing, accounting for maybe a 1/3 of our ad budget. To what do you attribute this shift in marketing emphasis/spending? You can’t hide from progress, and if you don’t embrace the digital world these days, you are certainly hiding! Society has (sadly) evolved into an “instant gratification” environment and print media is just too slow to provide the latest updates, useful fishing reports and the latest “in” pattern/technique/fishery. Digital media can be instantaneous and so we are more rapidly satiated as a consumer. What are some of the new horizons in fly lines that will be challenged in the future by RIO Products? Our R&D team are constantly working on new technologies, and that is where the new “horizons” will come from. It is hard to create a line taper that is radically different from another – well, not hard, it is very easy in fact, as there are a million permutations of line tapers you could make, more like the basics are covered, and the fine tuning of tapers is what is left. New Technologies really do make a huge difference in the end result of the fly line. Take our latest, the ultra-low stretch ConnectCore that we use in the InTouch family of fly lines. Changing a core material that traditionally stretches at around 30%, to one that has only 6% stretch makes an incredible difference in everything you do; from casting, to mending, to feel the grab, to hook setting and fish playing – all these things are enhanced by reducing the stretch so much. I don’t know what the next “big” thing is that the R&D team are working on.
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“The mission statement of the newly opened Popcorn Sutton distillery in Newport, Tennessee is to distill Popcorn Sutton likker in accordance with the mountaineer’s original recipe and process, that was passed down through three generations over the last 100 years,” explains Travis Hixon, Distillery Manager. “Before his death we had agreed with Popcorn to open a distillery and help him go legal. Since then we have tried to honor that vision.” What makes Newport in Cocke County, Tennessee the logical place for
establishing this local moonshine distillery? Location, location and location, but also historical precedent. “Our new distillery is located only a few miles from Popcorn Sutton’s home and the backwoods where this legend ran off some of his finest likker,” says Hixon. “We believe that Popcorn would have wanted it this way---close by…with the success of the distillery benefiting the people of Cocke County. At the time of Popcorn’s passing, commercial distilling was not yet legal here,” says Hixon. “ So we opened
our first distilling facility in Nashville, Tennessee. But when local laws permitting commercial distilling changed, we naturally looked back to Cocke County”. A few people claim that Popcorn Sutton was an avid mountain trout fisherman. This may or may not be true, but what we do know is Popcorn was fond of pure, cool mountain streams that were key to his likker making efforts. The distillery’s flagship product is Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey. Crystal clear, with subtle notes of
Richard Formato Competitive Fly Fishing Ambassador by Ragan Whitlock
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R
ichard Formato has been a wonderful ambassador to the world of competitive fly-fishing. Richard, who has now been fishing for over 15 years, started selftaught like many of us. It wasn’t until fishing with friend Blane Chocklett that Richard realized that he had much more to learn. “Blane is a superb angler, inventor and innovator of a whole new class of rods and flies,” Richard says.
Blane gave Richard a very simple and helpful piece of advice. “He told me virtually every small forest stream would hold trout above 2,500ft and he was right,” Richard remembers. Richard also had impactful mentors in George Daniel and Bruce Wankel. George Daniel, in addition to being a complete angler, told Richard of the reason why the sport he loved was called angling. “It’s because rod elevations are critical,” Richard says. This small tip is helpful to fishermen of all experience levels and age. 192 l June 2015 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
“The goal of any sport should be to provide more enjoyment to the participant, to merit improvement and create fellowship, all while preserving the resource. Competition fishing does all that,”
Bruce Wankel, dubbed a “tailwater guru”, has helped Richard learn many things over the years they have fished together. Richard once called Bruce from the middle of a river while chasing a Sulphur hatch. “Go back to the truck, drink some water, eat a pack of crackers, and chill out,” Bruce told him. Richard was more than an hour early for the prime hatch, and most likely would have missed it. In 2007 Richard attended a Team USA trial in Michigan, which sparked his interest in competitive fishing. “I saw flies I had never seen, stream tactics I never knew existed, and met people who were 10x better than me, Richard remembers. “They were more humble and honest about how much of a learning-sport fly fishing is,” he continues. Once he got started, Richard found a whole new dedication and desire to fishing. “Sometimes I enter a competition just to hone my skill, and sometimes just because the people are a blast to hang with,” Richard says. This desire has helped Richard to fight objectors to the sport. The major misconception Richard believes people have about competition fishing is that the sport is somehow detrimental to the art of fly-fishing. “The goal of any sport should be to provide more enjoyment to the participant, to merit improvement and create fellowship, all while preserving the resource. Competition fishing does all that,” Richard defends. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 193
According to Richard, the future of flyfishing is also benefited by the nature of the sport. “We are competitors, and we know innovation and improvement comes directly from competition,” Richard says. “No matter how I fish, I am always trying to solve the problem. I’m trying to out fox my opponent – the trout,” He continues. There are also many ways competition fishing will help the surrounding areas. “Competition fishing generates additional tourism, and its just starting to get big,” Richard says. The resource of the rivers is also affected in positive ways. The increased attention and popularity of the resource will raise awareness that it needs protection. According to Richard, competition fishermen even do things differently than normal fishermen. “We only tie and use barbless hooks, we do not lift fish out of the water, and we can catch and release a fish before most people can grab their iPhone,” Richard explains. Adhering to these strict guidelines will ensure that fish are more safe, making the entire resource more successful. As he likes to say, competition fishing has given Richard a whole new fly box, and a whole new way to use it. “Competition fishing has also narrowed my fly box down to maybe 10 patterns that work in any fresh water fishery in the world,” Richard says. In the sport of competition fishing, using an abundance of techniques and flies is not always going to guarantee success. Vehemently studying and learning the core techniques is the only way to become a better competitive fisherman.
The popularity of competition flyfishing has been growing rapidly in the south over the last decade and Western North Carolina is a hot bed. “The boys in WNC have done the best job because they have stayed the course and kept building regional teams, including anglers who now compete on the world stage,” Richard says. Still, “the boys from France” are the best team according to Richard. Europe has featured competition fly-fishing for a long time to combat the large amounts of privately owned water. This long-standing competition has brought out large numbers of highly advanced anglers. The success of competitive fishing in the South stems from the incredible fisheries seen throughout the region. “People are shocked when I tell them the South has some of the best trout streams in the world,” Richard says. The difference between southern stream fishing and fishing in Colorado and Wyoming is that the south has a true yearlong season. “In Blue Ridge, we have plunge pools and tail races, stocked and wild trout, not to mention bass,” Richard explains. This yearlong fishery is compared to the five month long availability of some streams in Colorado. “We also have as diverse an entomology in the South as anywhere in the world,” Richard says. “In most of our fisheries you
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can set your clock to the hatches,” he continues. Also, the publicity coming from the recent angling boom has not hurt the fishing. “Go where people aren’t,” Richard advises. If the popular fisheries around are occupied, there are always fish in other areas. “Even my local fishery biologist tells me of streams 30 minutes from my house that I have never heard of,” Richard says. Still, the future of competition fishing is unclear. “Most people are afraid it will devolve into a Bassmaster’s tour,” Richard says. One visit to a competition fly-fishing event will prove this incorrect. Watching the competitors, wearing all camouflage, sneak around the bank to find the right angle to persuade the fish will show how different the two sports really are. “If the fly-fishing culture really embraces competition fishing, there will be an exponential leap in talent,” Richard says. “The sport will continue to grow and provide an expanding net for fly shops, guide services, and local businesses,” he continues. Like many sports, www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l July 2015 l 197
CONTRIBU Bob Borgwat, 55, leads the team of Reel Angling Adventures at ReelAnglingAdventures.com as owner, administrator, Webmaster, and guide. His freelance writing, editing, and photography covers fishing across the US, but his daily piscatorial adventures take place with fly-rod in hand just outside his doorstep in the southern reach of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. He is a former senior editor for Game and Fish Magazines, Primedia and Intermedia Outdoors, and is an active member of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association.
Ed Mashburn, Editor of Southern Kayak Magazine, lives in Bay Minette, Alabama, and previously lived in the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri where he spent much time on the White and Little Red Rivers neglecting school work and home chores in pursuit of rainbows and browns. He has published three books and several hundred magazine articles. When not fishing or writing about fishing, Ed Mashburn builds wooden kayaks
Virginia Editor Beau Beasley is a well-known name among readers of fly angling magazines. His work has appeared in nearly every major fly fishing periodical in the country. He is the author of Fly Fishing Virginia. Recently he won the TalbotDenmade Memorial Award for Best Conservation Article from the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writer’s Association for his investigative piece, “Where Have all the menhaden Gone?” He is also the director of the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival, www.vaflyfishingfestival.org, and lives with his wife and children in Warrenton, VA.
TORS A native of northern VA, Steve Moore grew up fishing in a fishing family. Steve’s father, much to his mother’s chagrin, was fishing in a local bass tournament the morning that Steve was born. Steve has published five books on fishing in VA and Maryland including Maryland Trout Fishing, Wade, and Shoreline Fishing the Potomac River for Smallmouth Bass. Wade Fishing the Rappahannock River and Wade Fishing the Rapidan River. Steve provides frequent updates on fishing these waters and others on his popular blog at www. CatchGuide.com.
Craig Haney has spent a lifetime chasing trout on the streams, headwaters and tailwaters of the southern Appalachians and elsewhere. After graduating from Auburn University with an animal science degree, Craig has spent the majority of his career in the outdoor industry as a manufacturers’ rep for fishing, boating, camping and hunting gear as well as operating partner of Riverwoods Outfitters / HaneyMullins Orvis for eight years. He has taught fly tying and fly casting at his shops and community colleges. Additionally, he has written on fly fishing and other outdoor subjects for a variety on national and regional magazines. Craig and his wife Lynn live on Shades Mountain in Hoover, AL in the southern Appalachian foothills.
Harry Murray was born in Edinburg Virginia in 1939. He did his pre-pharmacy at Virginia Tech and his pharmacy degree at the Medical College of Virginia. He started Murray’s Fly Shop in Edinburg Virginia in 1962 and started conducting fly tying and fly fishing schools and guided trips shortly thereafter. He has written 15 books and produced 2 DVD’s on fly fishing for trout and smallmouth bass. He has developed over 50 flies for both trout and smallmouth bass. Today Harry conducts about 30 schools on fly fishing and fly tying and employs 5 guides for fly fishing trips. Harry lives in Edinburg Virginia where he has his fly shop.
CONTRIBU A Clinch River, fly-fishing fanatic, Shawn Madison is also a passionate entrepreneur and experienced boat builder. Using his vast experience in design, engineering, and manufacturing in the boat building industry, Shawn is currently finalizing the production plan for a Southern Style Drift Boat. An avid photographer, fly-tyer, and inventor, he also maintains The Clinch River, TN Facebook page that promotes one of the East Tennessee’s greatest resources. His goal is to help promote the sport of fly-fishing, increase conservation, and to help others find the joy of tricking trout. Watch for his current project soon, a book titled Find the Joy of Fly Fishing.
Roger Lowe was born in Waynesville, NC and now lives in the nearby town of Cashiers. He has enjoyed fly-fishing the waters of the Southern Appalachians all his life. He first began tying flies and fishing them at a very early age. Roger has his own fly shop for twelve years and has been guiding full time for twenty-seven years. He can most often be found at Brookings Angler in Cashiers where he guides daily or works in the fly shop where is signature patterns are available. He is also a fly tying instructor. He is the author of Roger Lowe’s Guide to the Great Smoky Mounatins, and he has a fly tying video, Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns, that shows how to tie a lot of the Smoky Mountain Patterns.
Ron Gaddy grew up in Waynesville, North Carolina and started fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains at an early age. He grew up fishing Chattahoochee, East and West Fork of the Pigeon River, Little East Fork of the Pigeon River, Nantahala River, and Jonathan Creek. Ron left North Carolina at age 24 for a career with the Department of Defense at Charleston, SC and Norfolk, VA. After retiring from DOD in 2009 he returned to Waynesville, NC to be close to all the great trout fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains. Since retirement, Ron has consistently fished in the Smoky Mountains for trout. When not fishing, Ron is tying flies for building rods.
TORS Bill Bernhardt, 52, is the owner of and guide, instructor, and custom rod builder for Harper Creek Fly Fishing Company (www.nc-flyfishing.com) located in Lenoir, North Carolina. In addition, Bill is somewhat unusual in that he specializes in small streams, wild trout, and backcountry, remote access, and walk/wade trips into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Consequently, his freelance outdoor articles along with his nature photography focus specifically on the exceptional beautify and excellent trout fishing opportunities available to fly fishermen in western North Carolina.
Kevin Howell fished 38 states before college. In 1997 Kevin took a job as Manager or Davidson River Outfitters. He was also helping his father run Dwight and Don’s Custom Tackle. After his father passed away in 1998, Kevin took over the operation of Dwight and Don’t Custom Tackle while remaining the Manager of Davidson River Outfitters and combined the operation of the two businesses. He is also a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor. Kevin is also a nationally known fly-tyer and is currently the fly-tying editor for Fly Fishing the Mid Atlantic States. He has also had several of his original patterns published in various magazines as well as being produced by some of the national tying companies.
Georgia Editor Jimmy Jacobs is with Game & Fish Magazines. He also is the Outdoor Columnist for the Atlanta JournalConstitution newspaper and online Atlanta Outdoor Travel Writer for Examiner.com. Jacobs has authored five guidebooks to fishing in the southeastern US, including Trout Streams of Southern Appalachia: Trout Fishing in Northern Georgia, and Tailwater Trout in the South. His writing and photography have earned Excellence in Craft awards from the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, Georgia Outdoor Writers Association and the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association.
CONTRIBU Jason Sparks is the founder of Southern Appalachian Tenkara Anglers, A growing community of fishermen that embrace the elegant simplicity of the traditional Japanese method of fly fishing.. As an ambassador in promoting Tenkara across the South he often conducts clinics, instructs techniques and speaks to groups on the subject. A Navy Veteran, he has fished the world in waters from the Azores to the Appalachians. Now living near Banner Elk, North Carolina, he is recognized by Tenkara USA as a Certified Tenkara Guide and a leading instructional resource in the Southeast for inquiring anglers and fly-fishing clubs.
George Grant lives in Johnson City with his wife and earnestly wades upstream through his sixth decade. Mountain streams large and small are his first love, but he regards the South Holston and Watauga tail waters to be his mistress. In addition to actually fly fishing, he enjoys the history and the craft of fly tying, especially “resurrecting” patterns that have passed from common use. For many years Grant worked in local fly shops. He also wrote columns about fly-fishing for a local sports magazine and for the Bristol herald Courier.
Living in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks, Bill Cooper has experienced the magic of the long rod from the Allegheny in the East to the Yellowstone in the West, and from the Quetico in Canada to the North to the Yucatan in the South. With an MS in Outdoor Education, his experience as a park superintendent and teacher of outdoor skills at Bass Pro Shop’s Wonders of Wildlife School has served him well ashe serves as a tourism consultant to Campeche State, Mexico and Maya Amazing Outfitters. He is the author of the Outdoor Celebrities Cookbook and his writing experience spans writing for Cabela’s Outfitter Jornal, Bassprolsours.com, Game and Fish, Trophy Whitetail World, Turkey Country and Union Sportsman.
TORS Jim Mauries is the owner/ operator of Fly South, a full-service fly shop in Nashville, Tennessee. Jim was born and raised in Colorado, and it was there his flyfishing addiction took root. Jim started tying flies pro- fessionally during his college years to support his fish- ing habit. That was the steppingstone into working for a fly shop, which in turn led to guiding and instructing fly tiers and fly fishers. Jim has guided and taught fly fishers in Tennessee for more than 20 years. Jim pioneered fly fishing for many different species in the Middle Tennessee area, but trout remain his first love.
Joel DeJong Ernerst Hemingway once wrote “Write what you know.� Artist Joel DeJong took that advice to heart when it came to his paintings. When he is not sketching out fly patterns or working on a custom watercolors of trophy fish you can find him fishing remote Carolina streams, fishing hexagenia flies in Michigan, or tracking big brown through Montana. There is no doubt that Joel DeJong knows his subjects and it shows in his artwork and his love for all types of fish.
Bob Mallard has fly fished for over 35 years. He is a blogger, writer and author; and has owned and operated Kennebec River Outfitters in Madison, Maine since 2001. His writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines at the local, regional and national levels. He has appeared on radio and television. Look for his books from Stonefly Press, 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast (Now Available), 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout (Spring 2015) and 50 Best Places Fly Fishing for Brook Trout (Fall 2015). Bob is also a staff fly designer for Catch Fly Fishing. He is also the northeast sales rep for both Stonefly Press and Catch Fly Fishing. Bob can be reached at www.kennebecriveroutfitters. com, www.bobmallard.com, info@bobmallard.com or 207474-2500.