issue 28
dec/jan 2017
Southern Trout Atlanta Fly Fishing Show
Last Chance!! VOTE FOR HALL OF FAME www.southerntrout.com
ATL ANTA FEBRUARY 3 & 4, 2017
INFINITE ENERGY CENTER
Fly Fishing is NOT part of the show
IT IS THE SHOW!
flyfishingshow.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRY AND CATHY BECK.
Publisher’s message loss and human suffering. But typically the disaster doesn’t touch our lives or anyone we know. This time is different. The recent fires that burned through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have directly hit someone in our fishing community. Chad Fouts, guide and manager of the Smoky Mountain Angler fly shop in Gatlinburg, lost his house and all his belongings to the wildfire. The photo below shows all that’s left.
Help Needed Over a week ago I wrote my obligatory, dull publishers letter, about which I have already forgotten. The day the December/January issue of Southern Trout Magazine was to go live, I received an email my old school mate, Dave Ezell. Ezell had forwarded to me an email sent out by Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited member and Tennessee TU Council Chair, Mike Bryant. It read as follows: Gatlinburg Fire Burns Down Home of Fishing Guide All, When we see or hear reports of major devastation, we are saddened by the
Thankfully Chad is okay, but is facing obvious hardships as he tackles the task of moving forward. This could happen to any of us. Now you can directly help someone in need. Chad is a great soul who has helped his community, conservation efforts and Trout Unlimited. A donation account for Chad has been established— any donation is appreciated. Let’s help Chad get back on his feet again. In time, we’ll learn more about the wildfires’ effect on East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and I expect we will have the opportunity to help with our time, talents and donations. For now, please keep Chad and everyone else harmed by this wildfire, as well as our first responders, in your prayers.
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 3
Southern Trout Publisher Assoc. Editor Managing Editor Special Projects Dir. Photographer/Writer Editorial Consultant
Don Kirk Ragan Whitlock Leah Kirk Loryn Lathem Adam Patterson Olive K. Nynne
Contributors Bill Bernhardt Bill Cooper Kevin Howell Harry Murray FIELD STAFF
Ron Gaddy Columnist Craig Haney Columnist Jimmy Jacobs, Georgia Editor Roger Lowe Columnist Bob Mallard Columnist Steve Moore Columnist Bob Borgwat Columnist
Southern Trout is a publication of Southern Unlimited, LLC. Copyright 2016 Southern Unlimited LLC. All rights reserved.
Publisher’s message
(cont.)
Please consider making a donation by clicking here. Thank you, Mike Bryant Tennessee Council Chair Chad is one of the good guys in our sport. Besides being a talented fly tier and fishing guide, he is a family man and a father. Ironically, I spoke with Chad Williams yesterday about possible Damage to the Smoky Mountain Angler fly shop in Gatlinburg. He told me that Harold had just been there and that the business was spared, saved for some smoke damage. At the time of our telephone conversation Chad Fouts had not been allowed to return to his home. What Fouts found when he returned home was that his home had burned to the ground. STM is in complete unison with TU’s Mike Bryant. We’ll be making a modest donation in lieu of Christmas spending here. As Mike said, “this is different.” It’s also a real opportunity for the southern fly fishing community to demonstrate the sort of people we are. Let’s have a sure real “Smoky Mountain Christmas.”
On the Cover Atlanta skyline, home of the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show. See our Close Look Atlanta section.
4 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
It isn't an obsession if you make money.
It's a career.
DON'T MISS THE REMAINING 2016 FISHING TOURNAMENTS: The Qualla Country Trout Tournament SEPTEMBER 2 – 4
$11 entry fee and $20,000 in tagged fish
Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly-Fishing Tournament OCTOBER 28 –30
$225 entry fee and $10,000 in total prize money For registration details: VisitCherokeeNC.com | 828.359.6110
THIS ISSUE From the Editor
3
HALL OF FAME VOTE NOW
16
Gearhead Best in Class, It’s Still Glass
20
20
30
Sunburst Trout Sponsored 30 Craig’s Camp Cooking A Mountain Breakfast
New Fly Guy Vested Interest
36
Black Wing Olive Chronicles 48
Jerky Protocol
Fly of the Month
Lowe’s Squirmy Wormy
36 30
50
Situational Fly Fising in 54 the GSMNP Haywood County, NC Rod Review
70
Fenwick - A World Class Fly Rod
Product Review Compass 360 Gear
54
80
70
CLOSE LOOK - Atlanta A Half Century on the Hooch
90
Trout Fishing in North 100 Georgia - A Comprehensive Guide 6 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
THIS ISSUE Atlanta: Dixie’s Hot
102
Trout Town
Atlanta: “National Triple 110 Treat: Browns, Brookies & Browns
102 138
108
110
Featured Fly Shop The Fish Hawk
118
Insider Look at the Hooche
126
FEATURES
136
Winter Fly Fishing on
South River
136
Three Rivers Fly Fishing 146 Tournament
146 156
Featured Artist Phillip Watford Seeping Through the Layers
156
Winterizing Fly Tackle
170
Ironman Fly Tying Contest180
170
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 7
Is Swain County NC a Fisherman’s Paradis Hundreds of miles of native mountain trout streams flow
through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park above Bryson City and Cherokee — freestone creeks with native rainbow, brook and brown trout. Most streams offer all three species.
Trout are also common in our four rivers – the Oconaluftee,
C
Great Smoky Mo National Pa
Little Tennessee, the Eagle Chambers Nolan Twentymile Hazel Creek Forney Creek Creek Creek Creek Tuckasegee and the Creek Fontana Dam Fontana Nantahala, one of Fontana Cheoah Lake Lake Lake Lewellyn Trout Unlimited’s top Fontana B Branch Fontana 129 Lake Boat Village Alarka 100 rivers. And now, a 2.2 Cable Ramp Marina Boat Dock Cove 28N Boat mile section of the Tuck Ramp Almond Lemmons Boat Park Branch through Bryson City has Boat Ramp Stecoah 143 been designated delayed 19 Wesser 74 Needmore harvest waters, and Road For more information, Nantahala River promises to have one of contact the Bryson City / the highest trout counts Swain County Chamber of Wayah Road (NC 1310) of any stream in the Commerce 800-867-9246. Upper Nantahala southeast. River
P
Public Access
Public Access
tern g on at Wes in o g is g in “Three ay “Someth Lake that m rivers j a n ta n o F ’s ust ou na li ro a C p h o rt o tside A p N uth ular na o S e th in merica g in t h i s o fi t n u al park ’s most t r o to u a just send tro e t, suite are tee d id o o g a e b d t ming w for bot t migh angler ith h wad into orbit ...I n o s ry s B , in i a n nd sur g and stay to e c la p r a floatin ounde best sc book you g d by so enery leep in s to e v a h m i ’t n n o e S d u o o f the uthern City so yo Appala If you h mber.” e v o N in re chia. e aven’t fished your truck th produ t he qua ctive r int and ivers o Carolin f W e stern N a, you orth don’t k missin now w g.” hat yo u’re
Public Access
se?
Upper Raven Fork
ountains ark
Deep Creek
Indian Creek
Raven Fork Trophy Section
Lakeview Drive
Old 288 Boat Ramp
Tuckasegee River
k Alarka Creek Alarka Road
28S Little Tennessee River
Bryson City
Whittier Whittier Boat Ramp
EBCI Hatchery Big Cove Road
19
441 Tuckasegee River
Public Access
Conleys Creek
Heintooga Ridge Road
Blue Ridge Parkway Cherokee Indian Cherokee Reservation
19
Public Access
Raven Fork
Oconaluftee River
nd k
k
Straight Fork
441
Clingmans Dome
You be the Judge.
Straight Fork Road
Bradley Chasteen Kephart Fork Creek Prong
74 Conleys Creek Road
Dillsboro
441
Visit GreatSmokiesFishing.com for profiles of all 26 Swain County fishing locations on this map. All are just minutes from Bryson City, NC.
Two mountain lakes The 30 miles of trout offer trout fishing streams on the The 29-mile long, Cherokee Indian 11,700 acre Fontana Reservation are the Lake and its smaller downstream neighbor Cheoah Lake both have strong populations of trout, particularly near the mouths of streams flowing out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cheoah is regularly stocked by the State of North Carolina.
longest privately-owned and stocked fishing waters east of the Mississippi. The 2.2mile Raven Fork Trophy section is home to the biggest trout in the Smokies. This specially regulated section is fly fishing only and catch and release.
Cashiers, NC
The city of Waynesboro offers some of the finest trout fishing in Virginia. Trophy-sized rainbow and brown trout thrive in the South River Delayed Harvest Area, which flows right through downtown and has one of the two urban fisheries in the state. The South River Fly Shop on Main Street provies guided trips, classes and an extensive line of fly fishing products. Waynesboro is also home ot the South River Fly Fishing Expo in the spring. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy fly tying, casting, and fishing presentations by regionally known professionals. Visit our website to learn more about Waynesboro, VA.
visitwaynesboro.net
“LEGENDS O
HALL O
The Southern Trout “Legends of the Fly” Hall of Fame is first to recognize and commemorate southern trout anglers’ historical contributions to fly fishing. On February 3rd at The Fly Fishing Show in Atlanta, Georgia a ceremony will be held to officially induct six grandfathered in anglers as well as announce GRANDFATHERED INDUCTEES
CHARLEY ELLIOTT Georgia native, Elliot was the longest serving editor at Outdoor Life Magazine and an avid fly fisherman. There is a small museum of this office at Georgia’s Charley Elliot Wildlife Center.
DAVE WHITLOCK Oklahoma native, Whitlock not only is the best known trout artist in the Ozarks, but he is also credited by many with putting Ozark trout fishing on the world stage.
DON PFITZER Tennessee native, Pfitzer was his state’s first cold water fisheries biologist and is credited with pioneering tailwater trout fishing in the TVA system.
OF THE FLY”
OF FAME
six additional inductees chosen by online balloting. Grandfathered inductees represent the tip of the iceberg of individuals whose passion for trout is reflected in their contributions to the sport. GRANDFATHERED INDUCTEES
HARRY MIDDLETON Alabama native, Middleton is regarded by many has the most widely read and revered author of fly fishing related books in the South.
JIM GASTON Arkansas native, Gaston founded and operated Gaston’s White River Resort. He was one of his state’s most influential members of trout fishing tourism.
ERNEST PECKINBAUGH Tennessee native, Peckinbaugh is well known as the creator of the cork popping bug from the early 1900s. He also had what is believed to be the first commercial trout fly tying business in the South.
FILL OUT THE BALLOT ON SOUTHERNTROUT.COM AND CAST YOUR VOTE! Southern Trout is humbled by the opportunity to be a part of bringing much deserved recognition to the rich heritage and tradition of fly fishing for trout in the South. This a people’s choice recognition program. Inductees are chosen by online balloting. Everyone is encouraged to vote for up to six anglers who names and biographic information is provided. Balloting runs from September through December. Future nominations are accepted May through August. INDUCTEE CANDIDATES
CHARLEY DICKEY CHUCK TRYON
HARRY MURRAY
HARRY SLONE
CURTIS FLEMING
J. WAYNE FEARS
HERBERT HOOVER
JIM CASADA
JIMMY JACOBS
MARK CATHY
ROGER LOWE
WALTER BABB
JOHN BERRY
REX WILSON
NAT WINSTON
JOE MANLEY
WILEY OAKLEY
KEVIN HOWELL
JIM GASQUE
SOC CLAY
EDDY GEORGE
BEN CRAIG
DAVY WOOTON
DON HOWELL
GARY MERRIMAN RAY BALL
FRED HALL
gearhead
Best in Cla Costa Saltbreak
It’s St
20 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
ass,
gearhead
W
hile the gap is narrowing and will continue to do so as new technologies emerge, when it comes to sunglasses, lenses made from glass are still the best in class. For fly fishers sunglasses are not just a luxury they are a necessity. They protect your eyes from damaging UV rays; as well as dust, sand, insects, hooks, splitshot, tree branches and other things that could ruin your day. I never fish without them and neither should you‌
till Glass... by Bob Malard
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 21
gearhead Sunglasses with polarized lenses also cut glare. They help you to see fish better which means more fish to the net. They also help you to see the river bottom better which helps you avoid tripping over rocks or logs, or inadvertently stepping into deep water— all of which can result in inconvenient and embarrassing swims. Some polarized lenses work best in low light—some in bright light. Some improve contrast--some enhance color. Both of these help in regard to sight-fishing. Some are better in saltwater—some in freshwater. Some provide better UV protection than others. Polarized sunglasses come in many sizes, shapes, colors, materials and prices. They can be bought for as little as $10 and run as high as $300 or more. Some are disposable--some are like a good rod or reel. And like most other things today—you get what you pay for… Glass lenses are the most optomically correct you can buy. This helps you see better while reducing eye fatigue caused by adjustments your body makes to compensate for less than perfect lenses. They are very scratch resistant and amazingly durable. Glass is also the best material for making “photochromic” lenses which lighten and darken as the sunlight changes. I bought my first pair of glass lens sunglasses 20ish years ago. They cost me roughly $150—a lot of money for a pair of sunglasses at the time. They were made by a company called Specialized Optics that was bought by Action Optics which was in turn bought by Smith Optics. I have never looked back and I now own multiple pairs. 22 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
gearhead
Hobie Bayside
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 23
gearhead
Maiu Jim World Cup
24 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
gearhead Glass lens sunglasses run from $150 to over $300. Add a prescription or “cheater” and they can jump to over $500. They come in wire, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber and even wood frames in every color imaginable. Lenses come in amber, blue, brown, copper, grey, green and yellow. Some are mirrored—some are not. Most glass lens sunglasses are backed by some sort of warranty. All cover material and workmanship defects. Many cover the frame for at least a couple of years—and some longer. Some offer fixed price lens replacements for the life of the glasses. Even when you are outside the warranty period, most vendors will work with you to fix or replace your glasses when problems arise. High quality class lens polarized sunglasses are offered by companies such as Costa Del Mar (www. costadelmar.com), Hobie Polarized (www.hobiepolarized. com), Maui Jim (www.mauijim.com) and Smith Optics (www.smithoptics.com). Each offers multiple models in a variety of frame colors and lens options. Sunglasses don’t have to be boring—they can and should be fun. They can be as much about fashion as function. They are an expression of your individualism and personality. Whether you want to blend in with the crowd or stick out like a sore thumb, you can use sunglasses to make any impression or expression you like. Some of my favorite glass lens sunglasses are Costa Sunglasses’s Saltbreak, Hobie Polarized’s Bayside, Maui Jim’s World Cup and Smith Optics’ Guides Choice. These offer the perfect blend of form, fit and function. All are available in multiple frame and lens options. If you have never tried a pair of glass lens sunglasses I strongly recommend you do so. I appreciate a good set of glasses as much as I do a good set of boots or waders. I value my glasses as much as I do my rods and reels. This is an area where I will not compromise. While the initial investment may be high the cost of ownership is not. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 25
gearhead
Glass Lens Sunglasses Pros and Cons •Pros: Glass lens sunglasses are the most optomically correct you can buy. They are also the most scratch resistant. In addition they are the best option for photochromic functionality. •Cons: At $150 or more a pair, glass lens sunglasses are the most expensive you can buy. They are also shatter-resistant, not shatterproof as most non-glass lenses are.
Glass Lens Sunglasses Do’s and Don’ts • Try before you buy where possible to ensure proper fit. Otherwise pay close attention to the manufacturers fit specs. • Look for frames that offer a lot of protection--larges lenses and wide sides. • Sides with dropped earpieces help keep you from losing your glasses when looking down. • Consider frames with rubber nose pads as these help prevent slippage. • If you fish in hot or humid areas, or are prone to sweating, consider frames with flat vs. curved lenses as they are less prone to fogging. • Always use a retainer strap. This will help prevent you from dropping or losing your glasses. • Use only non-abrasive cloth to clean your glass lenses. • If you are going to buy only one pair select a lens that performs best under the conditions you encounter most. • If you are going to buy more than one pair choose models that address the broadest range of conditions possible.
Conclusion:
There is no better option in regard to polarized sunglasses for fly fishing than those with glass lenses—period, end of story.
26 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
gearhead
Smiths Guide Choice
BOB MALLARD has fly fished for over 35 years. He owned and operated Kennebec River Outfitters in Madison, Maine from 2001 to 2015. Bob is a blogger, writer and author. His writing has been featured in blogs, newspapers, ezines and magazines at the local, state, regional and national levels. He has appeared on radio and television. Look for his books 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast and 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout (Stonefly Press). Bob is also a fly designer for Catch Fly Fishing out of Billings, Montana; as well as the northeast sales rep for both Stonefly Press and Catch. In addition he is on the R. L. Winston Rod Co. Pro Staff. Bob can be reached at www.kennebecriveroutfitters.com, www. bobmallard.com, info@bobmallard.com or 207-474-2500. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 27
Yep, it’s just that easy with Western North Carolina’s premier fly shop and guide service. Kevin Howell and his experienced staff have been fishing the surrounding 500 miles of prime trout waters so long, they know all the fish on first name basis. And they’ll be more than happy to make a few introductions.
PISGAH FOREST, NC
GUIDE SERVICES | ONLINE & RETAIL STORE | LESSONS
A Mountain
30 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
n Breakfast T
he crisp cool morning air helped my brain fog dissipate as I stepped onto the cabins’ deck. Soon, the warmth of the sun counter-acted the cool air as I thought about the fishing that lay ahead. My cousin Arthur and I were in Bryson City, NC for the opening of Delayed Harvest season on the Tuckaseegee River. Our plan was to eat a hearty breakfast then head to the “Tuck” for a full day of fishing Going back inside, I gathered the ingredients for a hearty breakfast. No cereal this morning. “You’re cooking what?,” Arthur asked as I put the sausage into the skillet. “You’re joking, I’ve never heard of trout sausage.” “Well now you have”, I replied, as the sausage patties started sizzling in the skillet.
Sponsored by Sunburst Trout Farms
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 31
Shortly, we were carrying our breakfast plates onto the deck to enjoy the morning sun and a great view of the Smokies. A mountain inspired breakfast of trout sausage, fried eggs, and hot biscuits with sourwood honey were a great meal to start the day. Arthur evidently decided the trout sausage was not a joke as he cleaned his plate and asked, “Where did you say that sausage came from?”. Craig’s Tips Use wooden or silicone spatula’s when cooking with cast iron as you are less likely to scrape the seasoning from the surface of your skillet or Dutch oven. Be open-minded to trying new foods, you may find a new favorite dish. 32 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 33
ÂŽ
www.sunbursttrout.com
Let Sunburst help you put together a gift to remember. Call us for corporate gift box pricing.
Sunburst Trout Farms Is located below the Shining Rock National Wilderness in the Pisgah National Forest. Since 1948 they have been growing rainbow trout, and the farm is now run by third generation brothers Wes and Ben Eason.
Sunburst has a long standing commitment to quality. Their fish are hormone and antibiotic free, and the feed is made especially for them containing no mammalian by-products. All trout are cut to order in small bathces, mostly by hand, thus ensuring all products are of the highest standard. In addition to Sunburst’s flagship fillets you can also find their award winning caviar, as well as trout jerky, hickory smoked trout, cold smoked trout, smoked trout dip, trout sausage, and even some non trout products, pimento goat cheese and smoked tomato jam. Be sure to stock up on their Original Jennings Jerky! It’s shelf stable and perfect for those long days fly fishing. To order go online to www.sunbursttrout.com
314 Industrial Park Drive Waynesville, NC 28786 828-648-3010 • 800-673-3051
new fly guy
Vested Interes
36 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
st!
Steve Moore
N
ew fly anglers are easy marks for every widget and gadget any expert claims will be the difference between catching enough fish to make their arms sore or being skunked. It’s easy to see who has fallen victim to the siren song – their fly fishing vests are so overloaded they look like a Sherpa hauling gear for an expedition. As always in these articles, let’s get back to basics.
The fly vest is not a surrogate for a backpack and is only marginally useful as a daypack since anything in the large, unconstrained rear zipper pocket will snag uncomfortably down at waist level. Remember, the vest is on 100% of the time with the load providing a potentially painful reminder every step. An overloaded vest might even be fatal if it upsets balance while wading in a strong current. So, the first lesson is to separate the gear into two piles – things needed to fish and gear for comfort or emergency. Only put the fishing related items onto and into the vest. Carry a small daypack for everything else. If it is heavy, take off the daypack and leave it on the bank in a well-marked spot; fish and return. With that philosophy in mind, choosing a vest and choosing a daypack are two separate decisions. If you must have both in one incarnation, examine some of the vest/pack hybrids made specifically for fishing rather than forcing a vest to do double duty. To pick the correct vest, assess the size, material, color, zippers, fly patch/pocket, D-rings, and pockets as part of the buying decision. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 37
new fly guy Size: The first rule of
buying a vest is always to try it on. It must fit comfortably over clothing considering all fishing seasons. Next, make a decision on length. A traditional vest extends from shoulder to belt.There are short models where the bottom row of pockets is high, above the belly button, to keep the contents dry when wading. Frankly, those who routinely wade in water a few inches above the belly button accept a risk of being swept away as the body’s natural buoyancy reduces boot grip on the bottom. Stick with the traditional length and avoid deep water. If you do wade deep or kayak fish, will a PFD fit comfortably over the top of the vest? Will anything on the vest interfere with the RexFly system used for easier kayak fly fishing?
Color: Check the avian
stalking (as opposed to diving) predators in your area and match their color to blend with nature. For example, blue herons routinely feast on unsuspecting trout by leveraging a natural camouflage color tuned by evolution. It must work!
Select the vest color, as well as other clothing, to blend in with surroundings
38 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Material: Do not
get hung up over the difference between a mesh and full fabric vest. The cooling provided by a mesh material in summer is directly offset by the loss of heat in colder months. Therefore, the material is a personal preference. Gently pull on the material to assess stretch. You want the vest to hold its shape.
Zippers: Zipper failure
ruins vests. Look at each zipper closely and work them back and forth. Do they slide smoothly? Can you make them jump the track? Is the zipper tab large enough to hold easily? Does the zipper tab include a cloth extension to make it easier to grab while wearing gloves? Is the zipper made out of material that may rust and jam? Does the surrounding material produce loose threads that will get caught in the zipper?
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 39
new fly guy Fly Patch/Pocket: Does the vest have a fly patch? The patch is the small
square of foam or wool intended for temporary storage of flies. Some manufacturers cover the foam with a cloth flap and call it a pocket. Seemingly insignificant, the fly patch is a handy tool to hold a few flies either awaiting use or storage without taking time to dig in a fly box.
D-Rings: Does the vest have at least two D-rings? These are handy for attaching
zingers to hold floatant, forceps, whistle and nippers.
Pockets: These are the most important feature of the vest. Too many, too few
or poorly placed pockets will cause you to throw the vest away. While it seems like a large number, a good vest should have at least ten pockets. If you have more than twenty, you will either lose track of where everything is or feel compelled to fill the empties with useless stuff.
•
Exterior: Load the vest in the store with the same number of fly boxes
•
Interior: Some vests have a few interior zipper pockets handy for storing a
and accessories you intend to carry. Look for two large pockets, one on each side, on the bottom row with two small pockets sewn onto the outside of each. Use the large pockets to hold dry flies in one and nymphs/streamers in the other. Consider using one of the new retractable fly boxes, like the one from Boomerang Tools, that attach to the vest on a heavy duty zinger and keep the box from being left on the side of a stream or lost when dropped in the current. The four small outside pockets can contain 5X and 6X tippet, 4X and 3X tippet, strike indicators and split shot respectively. Many anglers prefer using a tippet holder on a zinger instead of putting the spools in a pocket. The top row may have one or two pockets to hold a thermometer, glass cleaning cloth, pocket knife and any other small item not attached to a zinger.
couple of extra leaders and your fishing license if it does not have to be displayed. Finally, many vests come with a D-ring on the back to hold a net with a magnetic release. If you routinely catch “nettable” fish, it is a handy feature. Choose carefully Check out Steve’s YouTube channel at KayakHacksFishing for more on this topic.
40 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Daypack and vest – each has a purpose www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 41
Natural State Fly Shop is located within walking distance of the fabled White River, just up the road from the Cotter boat launch and public access. A full-service retailer and outfitter, Natural State Fly Shop offer flies, tackle, rental driftboats, shuttles, guided float trips on the White and Norfork Rivers, and guided wade trips on Dry Run Creek. Featuring products by Winston, Ross, Galvan, TroutHunter, Catch Fly Fishing, and many more; Natural State Fly Shop offers everything that the visiting fly fisherman needs. Natural State Fly Shop Shop: 870-471-9111
3392 Cotter Road 102 Harding Blvd. Mobile: 870-706-0820 870-321-2792
Cotter, Arkansas
www.naturalstateflyshop.com flyfishcotter@gmail.com
black wing olive chronicles
Jerky Protocol olive K. nynne 48 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
W
hile I have not aired my feeling on the subject, for your information since last summer, things have pretty well be turned upside down here since my intern, Babs, arrived on the scene. It’s not that the little dumb blonde has not brought welcomed relief to my workload on the smut sheets that Daddyboy refers to proudly as magazines. Babs is a decent copy editor, and you know one of those types that always has a stinky clean desk. My problem with the little goodie-two-shoes is how she is a damned Johnny-on-the-spot every time the boss wanders through (what he loosely refers to as) his office. Babs figured out that the ole boy keeps a clandestine supply of jerky in the top drawer of his desk. Forbidden to eat salty jerky by everyone from his army of doctors to his keeper (Mommygirl), the old
reprobate squirrels away his hoard of forbidden jerky like a drug smuggler at the El Paso border crossing. Showing an utter lack of restraint, Babs amuses Daddyboy to no end when she uses her nose to nudge the drawer where the jerky is concealed. When Daddyboy is in one of his rare sharing moods, he rewards her classless persistence with a chunk of jerky. It’s become a predictable ritual that I regard as inappropriate in even our unorthodox work environment. While on the subject of Babs and her other inappropriate habits, I have to bring up the way she dresses for work. As I write this, I can see the dumb blonde busying herself with viewing dog food commercials on YouTube. Today she is wearing a blue bandana around her neck. Yesterday, she showed up at the office donning a red bandana and Krispy Kreme glaze lip gloss.
While my work place has an incredibly low level of expectation of one’s dress or job performance, Bab seems to be on some sort of mission to wreck the laidback decorum. It would hardly be an overstatement to say there is a little back biting going on here. For example, the last time Babs charmed the ole fart out of an undeserved jerky treat. I approached the boss with a big smile and low key whine. As I expected, he retrieved for me a piece of jerky and extended it to me without as much as looking at the adoration and thankfulness of my eyes. Without planning, I clamped down on his fingers about an inch above the jerky treat. Now, it was not so hard a bite to break a bone, but sufficient to bring a little blood and high pitch string of profanities from Daddyboy. Chewing slowly as I wheeled past a puzzled Babs, I gave her a “now that is how it’s done intern” look.
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 49
fly of the month
Roger Lowe
Lowe’s Squirmy Worm One of the truly big impact fly patterns of the 21st Century is the family of bright pink “worm fly” patterns. The Internet has more people who claim to have invented it than there are tiers who claim to have come up with the notion of pink worms. Pink worms work on all water during all seasons, but they are especially effective in cold weather. Pink worms are distained by some purists who believe that because they do not require the
use of traditional materials such as fur or feathers, they are not a true fly. The Lowe squirmy Worm is my version of the pink worm that is easy to tie and very productive to fish. Hook: #12 Daiichi 1120 Thread: 03 Red Unithread Wire: Ultra Wide Red Body: Spirit River Squirmy Worm Material
50 l October 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Roger Lowe's Fly Pattern Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains (8.5x11 inches, 40 pages, soft cover/full color is a perfect companion to Lowe's other book "Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns". If you are wanting to have color pictures and recipes for traditional Smoky Mountain fly patterns this book is a must have. It contains photos and recipes for 101 flies. Included are such flies as the Yellow Hammer (Yellarhammer), Thunderhead, Teillico Nymph, Tennessee Wulff and many others. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l November 2016 l 51
situational fly fishing
Haywood County
NC’s Most Overlooked Trout Water
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in the great smoky mountain national park
N
ative to Waynesville, NC and Haywood County I’ve always been on the lookout for the trout water less traveled or overlooked for obvious reasons. Fly fishers drive over miles of good trout water every day to a fly fishing destination that’s more popular, more publicized and of course, more crowed. Bumping elbows, fishing behind bigfoot, or standing over one hole catching domesticated Delayed Harvest fish is just not my cup of tea. Don’t get me wrong, I think delayed harvest is great since it attracts a lot of fly fishers and makes for much less pressure on the wild trout streams. The following are a few fisheries I frequent and would recommend giving a try.
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situational fly fishing
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in the great smoky mountain national park
Jonathan Creek I’ve spent more time fishing Jonathan Creek than any other trout stream. Jonathan Creek is a larger hatchery supported creek and the most heavily stocked stream in Haywood County, although she does hold a very good population of wild fish. I normally start fishing Jonathan Creek when the stocking ends and the stock truck chasers have crammed their Zebco casting rods behind the truck seat for the season. From late September through the winter Jonathan Creek offers up some good fishing. The water has a stained color, as some of our lower elevation streams do, that makes for a very forgiving fishery. Trout can’t see as good in the stained water so you will spook many less fish. The darker water also means that trout have a lot less time to make a decision if they are going to take a chance on your imitation. This normally will work out in your favor if the trout are hungry. Most of Jonathan Creek is open to the public and there are a lot of pull offs for parking from liberty church bridge on Cove Creek Rd., to Jonathan Creek Rd. and up Soco Rd. as it dissects Maggie Valley. It’s not uncommon to catch a 20” plus inch Brown or Rainbow from the lower section of Jonathan Creek.
Watch a YouTube video here.
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situational fly fishing
Campbell Creek Campbell Creek is a small undesignated tributary of Jonathan Creek. It intersects in Maggie Valley from the left and accessed by Campbell Creek Rd. The lower section of creek is full of feisty rainbow and the upper reaches will offer up some beautiful brook trout. The pressure is very light especially in the upper reaches. As small as it is, this creek holds plenty of smaller trout and a lot of fun to fish. A 10 foot Tenkara rod or 7 ft. 2 or 3 weight light fly rod will do the job. I sadly expect this gem will eventually fall prey to new construction and private land.
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in the great smoky mountain national park
Richland Creek Richland Creek flows from Balsam Mountain along the Smoky Mountain Express Way down by the back side of the Waynesville Wal-Mart Parking lot. Where else can you drop your wife off Wal-Mart, hop out to the creek and catch a few feisty rainbows while the wife is shopping? Right below Wal-Mart Richland Creek is joined by Allen Creek where it gets fairly large and continues down through Frog Level where it empties into Lake Junaluska. The best place to fish in is at the parking area across from the boat landing at Lake Junaluska or at the Vance Street Recreation Park. Other options are the Bi-Lo or Hardee’s parking lot. I have fished in at the Vance Street Park, stopped at Hardee’s for lunch then fished up to Eagle’s Nest Grocery. Richland Creek is hatchery supported below Russ Avenue, but this fishery holds a lot of good wild rainbow and brown. I normally catch more rainbow and they are usually fat healthy fish.
Watch a YouTube video here. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 59
situational fly fishing
Mt. Sterling Creek Sterling Creek comes off Mt. Sterling and empties into the Pigeon River bed around the 2 or 3 mile marker of I 40. It’s a very small fishery with a fast drop that causes a lot of great fishing plunge pools. The lower section from the river bed up to the road is all mostly smaller rainbow, but not uncommon to catch some in the 10 to 12 inch range. The upper reaches hold some really beautiful brook trout. This little creek is an absolute gem hidden away in a deep gorge below Mt. Sterling. Access is from Mt. Sterling Rd. to Road 288. The first creek you cross is Flat Branch and the second creek you see will be Sterling Creek. The creek is designated as Wild Trout Water. In my 20 or so times I’ve fished there I’ve never seen anyone else fishing. If you would like the FULL experience, have a buddy drop you off at Runyon Creek and follow the culvert under I 40 and down to the River Bed. Cross the river bed and the next stream down is Mt. Sterling Creek. If you like fishing alone, this is the place. An 8 foot 3 or 4 weight rod will do the job. A dry/dropper is highly recommended for this stream and a snake bite kit. 60 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
in the great smoky mountain national park
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situational fly fishing
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in the great smoky mountain national park
Little East Fork Pigeon River
The Little East Fork may be Haywood County’s best kept secret. Access is on Little East Fork Rd. before you get to Lake Logan off Highway 215. It’s a small fishery that holds a lot of beautiful brown trout in bigger sizes then you would think. The Little East Fork originates as Shining Rock Creek and runs for about 2 miles through game land and feeds into the Boy Scout Camp Lake. There is parking above the Boy Scout Camp, but the good fishing is at the lower end of the Little East Fork. There is some posted land so please respect the signs. I normally park at the first bridge and fish up to the walk over bridge right past the trailer park. One of my favorite stretches to fish. The Little East Fork is undesignated all the way up to the Lake at the Boy Scout Camp except for a small section small section of Game Land right past the second bridge. If you are keeping fish be aware of where you’re fishing. The section below the second bridge down to the trailer park and walk over bridge has been posted in the past.
Watch a YouTube video here. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 63
situational fly fishing
Hurricane Creek
Hurricane Creek is another smaller stream that spills into the Pigeon River Bed. The access is right at mile marker 7 from the west bound lane of I 40. The lower section is fast and furious with some nice plunge holes. This stretch is a little gnarly so expect a little rock climbing, bank sliding and log scooting. The lower section of Hurricane Creek is mostly a brown trout fishery with the upper section having a few rainbow and some nice brookies. To drive up the road a four wheel drive is recommended or you can park at the bottom and fish or walk up. It’s a fairly short water shed, but worth a good thrashing. Fish Responsibly.
64 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 65
other trout
Trout only live in beautiful places.
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5 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 | Phone: (404) 237-3473
www.thefishhawk.com
rod review
A World Class F
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Fly Rod L
et’s just lay it out on the front end of this review…I’m a sucker for any graphite or fiberglass fly rod blank bearing the Fenwick brand. Since the 1960s, I’ve held Fenwick fly rods in high regard. In the aftermath of my third divorce, my Fenwick rods were my only possessions that I managed to escape with in court with Satan’s sister. Having noted my clear bias, please allow me to introduce you to Fenwick’s new World Class series of graphite fly rods. Fenwick World Class fly rods fill the niche for anglers who seek high performance without shelling out seemingly obscene amounts of money. The old adage “you get what you pay for” does not apply well to these fly rods that literally over-deliver comparative to their modest cost. These fast action, lightweight fly rods are tough, powercharged work horses that you ride hard and put up wet without losing sleep that you might break them.
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rod review
The heart of the Fenwick World Class fly rods is the blank which features 3M Matrix Resin Technology. This solves the inherent problems associated with carbon fiber composites. Carbon fiber composite products are limited by their compression strength. Under compressive loading, carbon fibers can micro-buckle (like a small wrinkle) resulting in breaking or failure of the composite product. 3M has developed a fully formulated resin systems for prepregging (new word to add to Websters?), RTM, and filament winding. Thus they reated a resin with a high concentration of uniformly dispersed nanoparticles that makes a stronger composite. Getting nanoparticles in between each carbon fiber is the key to the performance enhancements of 3M™ Matrix Resins.
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These nanoparticles are so tiny, they can uniformly surround and support the carbon fibers, significantly increasing the shear modulus of the resin, and effectively delaying the micro-buckling of the carbon fibers. The greater the nanoparticle loading, the stiffer the support of the carbon fiber. Where other nanotechnologies (like carbon nano tubes) deliver <3% nanoparticles loading, 3M's proprietary technology uniquely enables loadings of >40% of uniformly dispersed nanoparticles.
Fenwick World Class rods represent the next generation of high performance rod building with powerful, lightweight blanks that are also extremely durable. 3M Powerlux 500 resin blanks evenly disperse tension while under a load, and allow for higher break strengths without increasing overall weight or blank diameters.
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close look - atlanta On the stream, our 9-foot, 5-wt World Class proved to be a crisp casting rod that delivered unexpected precise accuracy. To be as consistent to what we feel are the prevailing choices of southern trout fly fishermen, whenever possible, STM rod reviews features 8- to 9-foot rods rated for 3- to 5-wt line. Noteworthy here is the fact the Fenwick World Class lineup includes a bevy of models between 10- and 13-foot lengths.
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In a nutshell, here’s our take on the test rod. The action is responsive—so much so it took a couple of casts to adjust to its speed. The casting distance capabilities of the rod exceed the abilities of probably 80 percent of fly fishermen. Most importantly though was the close casting delicacy that was pick-pocket deft. Visually, World Class rods feature Fenwick’s signature “chocolate/caramel” finish along its ten eyed length. The grip boasts custom, high grade tapered cork handles in RHW and FW options. The finishing touch is the functional, eye-pleasing select hardwood and aluminum reel seats. Priced under $300, this is a fly rod you will be proud to slide from its tube before your fly fishing comrades.
www.fenwickfishing.com/
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39 South Public Square Cartersville, GA 30120 www.cohuttafishingco.com 770.606.1100 2441 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 868-1000 www.bullfishgrill.com
Guided Fishing Trips | Fly Fishing Schools | Destination Fly Fishing Travel
Full Service Outfitter Fly Fishing Trips Rentals Clinics & Classes Apparel Sage . Winston Rod Co. Orvis . Redington Yeti . Rio
79 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 . 678-762-0027 AlpharettaOutfitters.com . Alpharettaoutfitters@yahoo.com
product review
80 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Waders/Shoes
J
ust when it looked like no one in Dixie would venture into the murky waters of state-of-the-art wader making, Huntsville, Alabama-based Compass 360 Gear went forth on the scene at ICAST. It’d be an exaggeration to say we’ve tried about all of the waders on the market today; it’s a fair statement to say we piddled about in a lion’s share of them.
The day our test pair arrived, we were off to the Cahaba River. A decent enough watershed that due to warm temperatures is void of trout, the Cahaba is chocked full of redeye, largemouth and spotted bass (our “closet” quarries). In December only madmen and the English wet wade the Cahaba. It was perfect to see if these Bamamade waders could cut the mustard. Compass 360 Gear entered the market in 2016 with a focus on
quality outdoor products driven by performance and function, but targeted to meet the needs of value driven fly fisherman. Driven by its U.S. based design team and off-shore manufacturing partners, Compass 360 Gear step forth with dependable, attractive and wellmade waders backed by exceptional service to retail customers and consumers. Lightweight, packable, non-insulated, waterproof and breathable rainwear is the company focus, as well
as are waders and wading products for the fly fishing. Needless to say that starting in July at ICAST, we badged Compass 360 Gear “go to guy” Jake Maples for an opportunity to try out his wares. Maples is not only a “wader prodigy” but also an avid southern trout fly fisher and a pretty darned talented photographer. Tired of being harassed, Maples finally shipped us a pair with note staying, “Knock yourselves out, and leave me alone for a while.”
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product review At the river I was pleased my size large Tailwater Breathable Chest Waders were sufficiently roomy and not a too snugly fit. Oddly enough, a lot of wader makers are not especially accommodating to rotund anglers such as me. Upon entering the water I liked the fit and feel of these waders. Tailwater Breathable Chest Waders are one of the most functional and durable waders on the US market today. Constructed with tough, durable 4-ply nylon upper and 6-ply articulated nylon leg wraps, they feature a no rub seam design and functional 4 pocket storage plus side located, fleece lined pockets for warming your hands. Although bearing a MSRP of only $169, these well-made chest waders boast foot fit, double taped, 4mm, 100% Chloroprene booties. Surprisingly easy to put on and remove, we like the minimal bulk design.These waders are equipped with fully adjustable elastic suspenders with quick release buckles and an adjustable web wading belt with quick release buckles are well above the industry standard. Tricked out like a â&#x20AC;&#x2122;57 Buick, Tailwater chest waders have a nifty flip out security pocket, an adjustable chest draw cord, XL Zippered pass through storage pocket, and our personal favorite, the 3-N-1 nylon B.A.P. (Big Ass Pocket) chest storage system.
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product review
Tailwater Breathable Chest Waders are constructed from a permeable material which allows dampness to escape through the wader even while in the water. Southern mountain fly fishermen like that they are very light and can be worn on hot days without creating perspiration issue. In addition, when coupled with sweat pants or fleece wader pants that will help keep moisture away from you, these versatile chest waders are designed to be worn in the winter or on icy tailwater rivers. Unfortunately, the early breathable chest waders are very easily damaged when rubbing against thorns or rocks, and frequently developed leaks before the end of the season. The materials used in the construction of the Tailwater Breathable Chest Waders are light and strong as well as flexible and tough. They are constructed from 100% waterproof fabrics. 84 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Our field test also included the Tailwater Felt Soled Wading Shoe. These wellmade shoes (we call them boots) are the newest style of functional and durable wading shoes from Compass360. Constructed with tough and durable non-shrinking nylon and PU upper, the Tailwater shoes feature a solid felt sole grip solution for a non-slip wading shoe. They are designed to be worn with or without Steel stud screwin cleats. These are built extra wide with quick flush drain holes, wrap around rubber toe caps and heels, locking lace cleats, and easy to grip webbing heal pulls. We can vouch that the soles of the Tailwater shoes do a great job of enabling you to navigate slippery, slimy river bottoms. The MSRP is under $70. For more visit www.compass360gear.com www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 85
RIVER THROUGH ATLANTA CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER GUIDE SERVICE
RiverThroughAtlanta.com
710 Riverside Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 770-650-8630
close look - atlanta
A Ha on
R.L. Jacobs with is 1973, 24-inch rainbow trout. 90 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
alf Century the Hooch
Then a visit to The Fish Hawk in the Buckhead section of Atlanta put the Chattahoochee River on my radar. The shop owned Through my preteen and high school years by Gary Merriman has been the mother church I greedily consumed all of trout fishing gear and stories of trout fishing that information for decades in appeared in the national the Atlanta area. sporting magazines. While picking up Religiously I followed the a selection of Rooster tales in Field & Stream Tail, Mepps and Panther magazine of fishing out Martin inline spinners in in west penned by Ted tiny sizes for future trout Trueblood, or Corey Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s humorous musings ventures, I overheard talk of the trout in the Hooch. about chasing trout in the That bit of eavesdropping northeast. Yet, upon graduating soon put me on the banks of the stream in what today from Georgia State is the Paces Mill Unit of University in Atlanta, I the Chattahoochee River found myself a dedicated trout angler, who had never National Recreation Area. I was just upstream of where seen or cast to one of the fish! A couple of trips to the the Interstate 285 bridge small streams of the North now crosses the river and fishing from the shore in Georgia mountains cured the small back channel that situation. behind Paces Island.
by Jimmy Jacobs
A
s one might expect from a guy who grew up in Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River has been an integral part of my journey to becoming a trout fisherman. That connection, however, was not an immediate one. During my formative years the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hooch, as it is fondly referred to, was that river flowing nearby when Atlanta was just a big, small town. Back then the state capital building was the tallest structure, and our mothers warned us not to get in the water of that polluted river. Fortunately, the years have improved the condition of the Chattahoochee and its reputation.
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close look - atlanta Running a black-and-white Rooster Tail across a pool just above a log jam, the lure suddenly stopped with a violent jerk. When the fish rolled on the surface, it was clearly a brown trout and larger than anything I’d ever hooked. Finally subduing it on a sand bar, the brown measured 18 1/2 inches and became the only fish I’ve ever had mounted. Walking back down to the parking lot of the Moorings Restaurant (today the building houses another upscale eatery called Ray’s on the River), the fish on a makeshift stringer made out of the lace from my tennis shoe interrupted a couple of guy’s dinners as they came outside to see what the fish was that I’d caught. By today’s standards the brown was not that unusual a catch from Georgia waters. Such browns turn up regularly from the Hooch, the Chattooga River and especially from the Soque River. But, this was 1973 and the fish turned out to be 5th largest trout entered that year in the old Georgia Game and Fish Commission’s annual Big Fish Contest. But, the story doesn’t end there. After telling my older brother R.L. about the fish, we arranged to meet up and fish there again the next week. I showed him the pool my brown had been in, and he began fishing there, but he soon moved downstream below the log jam. 92 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Jimmy Jacobs casting at Island Ford on the Chattahoochee River in 1985
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close look - atlanta The Morgan Falls Dam and the ridge that had to be portaged.
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An excited exclamation of “I’ve got one,” brought be downstream to my brother’s location, to find him hooked up with a giant trout. When he got it near the shore, I jumped down in the shallows and laid down on it, since we had no net. That fish turned out to be kip-jawed 24-inch rainbow. Starting our Chattahoochee fishing careers with those two trout, obviously placed the river solidly in our shared angling memory. In the ensuing years the Hooch provided many more exciting days on the water. A few years later it yielded my first trout taken on a fly rod. Casting a plastic-bodied giant yellow mayfly imitation, at which any experienced fly caster would have laughed, rewarded my effort with a 10-inch suicidal rainbow in the section of the Chattahoochee that was destined to one day form the delayed-harvest waters.
In the early 1980s a fishing buddy and I set out on a Friday evening on an ill-conceived johnboat float trip from Buford Dam. Our goal was to fish the entire Chattahoochee tailwater down to U.S. Highway 41, taking out on Sunday afternoon. Along the way we camped each night in the edge of cow pastures in what was then farm lands in the vicinity of Duluth and Alpharetta. Today those locations would be in someone’s suburban backyard. The first night we tied the boat to a tree, only to find the next morning the river had fallen so far it now was hanging in the air. On Sunday afternoon we used the 7 1/2-horsepower motor to run through the lake at Morgan Falls, only to find the gates to the grounds at the dam locked. Thus, we had to portage the boat and equipment over a ridge to get to the river downstream.
Now sorely pressed for daylight, we continued running the motor, only to shear a pin on a rock. The trip ended with us floating Cochran, Devils Race Course, Thornton and Long Island Shoals in the dark. Not surprisingly, I don’t remember whether or not we caught many fish on that trip to the river. But, for sure, it created some memories. Fortunately, in the last couple of decades, especially since the advent of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the introduction of delayed-harvest fishing and the establishment of a wild brown trout population, my adventures on the Hooch have been just as memorable. And, they have been pleasant enough that I even can remember some of the numbers and sizes of trout that I’ve caught and released there.
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5 States 38 River Systems $21.95
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Trout Fishing Guidebooks For The South By Jimmy Jacobs
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close look - atlanta
Trout Fishing in North Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide to Public Lakes, Reservoirs, and Rivers by Jimmy Jacobs
N
ormally, book reviews will preview newly released titles with a southern trout fishing slant. In recent years there has been an explosion in such books. Now and then it is good to look back a little to get a perspective on this subject. In so far as this issue of Southern Trout Magazine’s “Close Look” is Atlanta, we realized that because we own the magazine and can do pretty much as we please, it was the appropriate time to cover the Peach State’s most important contribution to southern trout fishing literature: Trout Fishing in North Georgia. Odds are you already own at least one copy of this great guide to trouting in North Georgia. We are confident that many of you have all of the various revisions and updated versions of what many refer to as the “Bible to Georgia Trout Fishing” is the definitive resource tool to exploring the more than 4,000 miles of Peach State trout streams. If you have any interest in trout fishing in North Georgia, and do not own at least one copy of this book (as my wife tells her students) “You are a deprived child.” If you do have a copy, but do not have a personalized, autographed copy pf Trout Fishing North Georgia, here’s how to remedy that problem. Jimmy Jacobs will be in and around the Southern Trout Magazine booth at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show where you can meet the trout legend. Autographed copies are available from the Book Store page at www.jimmyjacobsoutdoors.com. The price is $15.95 with free shipping.
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book review
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close look - atlanta
Atlanta: Dixie
O
ne of the fast growing metro centers in the U.S., Atlanta, Georgia, is the region’s undisputed “hot trout town.” And we’re not talking about when Sherman burned the city to the ground. The Peach State has long enjoyed a not-so-secret reputation as a fly fishing paradise. Well over six million people call this southern metropolis home, and that number is expected to double in the near future.
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e’s Hot Trout Town
For fly fishermen, the great irony of Atlanta (don’t call it “Hotlanta” unless you want to be earmarked as a tourist) is the uncanny feel of quaintness that is so easy to find at places such as Stone Mountain or the Chattahoochee River. Visiting anglers are likely to stay in a plush Hilton, experience five-star dinning, and see a professional baseball game at any time you chose more so than anywhere else you can fly fish for trout. Even Kurt Vonnegut’s “Sky Scraper National Park” cannot compete with this heart of Dixie megatropolis. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 103
close look - atlanta
While not as well documented is the chronicled damage inflicted on the city during the War of Northern Aggression, Atlanta has a lengthy fly fishing history. Business men have long retreated to the North Highlands during hot weather where they partook of trout fishing and locally distilled spirits. In fact, according to local fly fishing lore, the two were virtually inseparable. Atlanta is the South’s leading economic engine, the hub for Delta Airlines and headquarters for hundreds of successful, growing companies. A fiscal juggernaut, the per capital income in this rapidly expanding metro area is the highest and most dense in the region. The colorful logo of Atlanta’s best known locally brewed beer, Sweetwater Brewing Company, is not a Georgia bass or coastal redfish. It’s the beloved rainbow trout. These dazzling trout are inseparably tied to icy, cool, clean water. A fabulous company with a saintly attitude toward protecting the Chattahoochee River and numerous charitable fly fishing trout events throughout the Peach State (and beyond), nothing makes a stronger statement for trout in the “City in a Forest” than does Sweetwater Brewing Company. 104 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
The current rage in outdoor cooking, Big Green Egg, “hatched” in Atlanta. Big Green Egg and the events like its Eggfest have transformed how we prepare southern smoked shoulders and about anything else you can prepare over embers. A sponsor of the Southern Trout Magazine (STM) “Legends of the Fly” Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, the company has been part of the STM family even before it was birthed over five years ago. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 105
close look - atlanta
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Atlanta is home to two outstanding fly shops: the Fishhawk and Alpharetta Outfitters. A short distance to the north are three nationally known fly shops: Unicoi Outfitters, Cohutta Fishing Company, and Blue Ridge Fly Shop. Blue Ridge, Georgia is home to Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods, which is arguably the region’s most prestigious maker of custom cane fly rods. “Not only does Atlanta and the north Georgia mountains have great fishing, Atlanta is the central hub through which all trips go through. Whether you want to go salt water, trout, or warm water fly fishing, Atlanta is your gateway to get there,” says Gary Merriman, founder of the Fish Hawk Fly Shop located in the heart of Atlanta. One of the first fly shops in the South, Merriman has witness firsthand the astonishing growth in interest in fly fishing in the fast growing region. “Alpharetta Outfitters opened in north Atlanta in a fly fishing environment where being first class and diverse is essential to compete,” says Jeff, the one ground partner of this sparkling new fly shop. “We added Sage and their new Sage X fly rods. These are perhaps the best fly rods ever made, but require a customer base with sufficient disposable income for recreation to make such investments in this caliber of fly fishing gear.” Check them out at alpharettaoutfitters. com Atlanta is also home to the Atlanta Fly Fishing School that not only offers instruction for beginners, but also helps seasoned, self-taught fisherman brush up on the basics in a comfortable, relaxed environment. The city is also home to Atlanta Fly Fishing Club, the region’s largest and most active IFFF affiliated chapters. Additionally Atlanta is ringed by a bevy of TU chapters made up of movers and shakers for the promotion of trout fishing and protection of cold water resources in the Peach State. This is just the tip of the Atlantaberg. Come see us at the Fly Fishing Show in February. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 107
close look - atlanta
Atlanta
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nationalâ&#x20AC;? Triple Treat: Braves, Brookies & Browns
by Ragan Whitlock, Associate Editor
I
t is rare to find similar beauty in two utterly contrasting places. Still, quite often we find peace and chaos, meticulous practice and luck, impressive athletic displays and embarrassingly inept coordination all converging into one gorgeous spectacle. Two storied examples of these dichotomies are Major League Baseball parks and National Parks.
The two bring promise of solemnity and peace. They bring brilliantly orange sunsets fading behind a row of championship banners or peering through the top of rhododendron trees rigidly guarding a plunge pool. Both of these feelings encapsulate peace, yes, but an
optimistic suspense as well. The suspense is an understanding that soon, the peaceful quiet will yield to an eruption of chaotic bliss. An unmistakable crack of the bat when a towering homerun is hit sends the crowd into a drunken roar; a perfectly drifted stimulator produces
a toilet-flushing strike from a buttery brown trout, which violently dances the way all wild trout do. These situations are the same, and so were the preparations. Hours are spent in the batting cages or on the front lawn to prefect the craft. Yet, somehow, luck
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always becomes the deciding factor. The hung breaking ball and the low hanging limb either prove to catastrophic or advantageous, depending on perspective. A 20inch brown trout narrowly avoids the net, while spitting the hook back towards a broken hearted angler. A pitcher loses his perfect game bid because of a questionable walk or a missed call at first on the final out (Armando Galarraga). There are no constants in the world of fly-fishing or baseball. Some evenings on the stream turn out to showcase seamlessly climbed waterfalls and long, impeccable casts. Some evenings the unstable rock is found and the angler falls deep into a pool or quickly down the mountainside, breaking his fiberglass rod and digging a barbed hook into his ear. If you fail to see the comparison to baseball, take the time to watch Willie Mays catching a fly ball over the shoulder while running at full speed. Watch each Rickey Henderson stolen base,
and then find any video of Bartolo Colon. The visual of a Colon slide is not far removed from that of a trout frantically flopping towards the safety of water. Regardless of if you spend more time in a baseball park or a National Park, the same consensus will be drawn: No two days are alike, and there will always be tomorrow. Georgia is no stranger to these two pursuits. The Atlanta Braves have been a prominent sports fixture in the southeast for quite some time, and the nearby Chattahoochee river basin has provided for outdoorsmen even longer. Turner Field just completed its final season as the home of Freddi Freeman and company, while the new SunTrust Park prepares to begin its own legacy. The “Ted”, so nicknamed for Ted Turner, brought Atlanta fans much celebration and much heartache. AtlantaFulton County stadium, Turner’s precursor, shared in the World Series births of ’91,’92, ’95, ’96, and ’99, though ’95 was the
only year we ended as champions. There were 14 consecutive division titles, longest streak of the kind. There was Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux. There was Bobby, Chipper, Kimbrel, Freddi, and even Dansby. These names became heroes to the inhabitants of Atlanta (give the kid time), just as the names of B.J Upton, Dan Uggla, Hector Olivera, Mike Hampton, and anyone wearing an Astros jersey in the early 2000’s became pariahs. Atlanta saw a “worst-tofirst” season and a perfect game thrown by the Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson (much to the chagrin of my younger self who sat in the stands that night). Fulton County Stadium and Turner Field housed Braves teams that were great and ones that were terrible, but it was always home. The same was always said about North Georgia fishing. Streams like the Upper Chattahoochee, the Hiawassee, the Coosa, Wildcat, and Ellijay are as trying as they come. These streams have never
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close look - atlanta been considered “great” and, boy, can they be frustrating. Unproductive, however, is not an appropriate word. The most appropriate way to describe these streams comes from the mind of Warren Haynes. They are, without a doubt, beautifully broken. The number of weekend warriors, corn chuckers, gomers, insert any other derogatory term, can be enough to dissuade even the most dedicated fisherman. Cities in north Georgia, such as Helen, have never been fondly compared to the likes of Missoula, Estes Park, or god forbid, Patagonia. That is simply because they were never meant to be compared. North Georgia is not the mecca of fly-fishing; there is no blue-ridge stream of Eden. What you can find, however, is hard work. You find climbing over the tornado damaged Upper Chattahoochee. You find a steep slide down the mountain to the base of Horse Through Falls. You find brook trout streams smaller than the size of
a dinner table, and fish smaller than the average streamer. You find beauty, based on perspective. The Cohutta’s, housing the Jacks and the Conasauga, can provide real gems. Those dedicated to the hike, can find the elusive Georgia brook trout. Those dedicated to floating the Flint, will find the shoal bass of their dreams. The same can be said for the vibrant rainbows of the Upper Chattahoochee and Dicks Creek. Miles of streams and hiking trails exist, and they wont always produce large fish, but they can. The 10” brook trout can be caught. The 20” wild rainbow or the 4-pound “Shoallie” are there and waiting. The hours and hours of fishing spent before their discovery, only makes the moment sweeter. When you hold these fish, in all their glory, the sense of accomplishment is incredible. Get out there. Go searching in the North Georgia wilderness. Find those fish, lose them over and over, and then
finally land them. Watch the ‘91 Braves lose in an epic game seven to the Minnesota Twins. Watch them lose to the Blue Jays in 6 games the very next year. Make sure to watch each blunder, to review each terrible contract. Hike the three miles to a stream with no water and no brook trout. Float for six hours, seeing nothing but a single carp. All of these lumps taken only make the moment sweeter. The feeling of that wonderful final out of 95’, thrown by Mark Wholers and caught in the outfield by Marquis Grissom. The moment of finally netting a North Georgia brook trout, or feeling the unmistakable weight of a proper Shoal bass who finally got angry enough at a Stealth Bomber. Watch Bobby Cox get thrown out of a staggering 161 baseball games, and then watch Tim Hudson and others carry him off the field following his final playoff berth. Watch it all and fish it all. Sooner or later, that unmistakable feeling will creep up on you. It is the feeling of Georgia.
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THE FISH HAWK
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featured fly shop
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hawkish approach is essential if you are a “live large”, little fish living a great big pond. Perhaps the most unique fly shop in Dixie, Atlanta’s fabled Fish Hawk is the escape place for legions of fly fishermen who reside in this fast growing mega metro. Neat, neat, neat, and more time-neat; that is come impression I had existing the Fish Hawk to embark on yet another experience on Atlanta’s interstate. No kidding, that 1,649-pound Pacific blue marlin on the wall of shop is so big, one can easily belief it capable of transporting ole reluctant Jonah.
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The Fish Hawk is the prodigal child of Gary Merriman, a lifelong, globe-trotting fly fisherman who has more angling knowledge stored in his head than a new Mac can accommodate. Merriman
opened the Fish Hawk 1974. Before then he worked for another sporting goods dealer. When the opportunity to open his own shop, with a little money borrowed from his father and grandfather, he
opened the Fish Hawk. The mission statement then and now: offer the best in tackle and have top anglers in the shop to provide information. The formula as worked.
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featured fly shop
“Myself as well as everyone that works here are fisherman/fly fisherman first but, we also use conventional tackle if needed,” says Merriman. “Boys from the South tend to do those type of things.
Our focus is to provide all anglers with the resources and knowledge of our fisheries. We want to make sure that they have the equipment that they need for the job they're wanting to do.”
“I wouldn't say that we carry product lines that are unique, because all of the country’s major fly shops offer similar products, explains Merriman. “We strive to carry the best available rods, reels, lines, waders etc. that are made. Sage, Scott, Redington, St. Croix ,G.Loomis ,RL Winston, Simms, Lamson Tibor, Hatch, Ross, Rio, Scientific Anglers, and Airflow are a few of the ones that we carry. It's very important to be a full service shop otherwise if you can't service and equipment the customer they will go somewhere else.” Atlanta is a true crossroads of fly fishing. To the north is great mountain stream trout fishing. To the east is warm water river and the coastal waters of the Atlanta. To the south is great fly fishing for black and striped bass as well as the smorgasbord Gulf. To the west is more cold and warm water fishing in lakes and rivers. Atlanta is an international hub in the city of over 6 million people.
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“Atlanta has a unique fishery, which is of course is the Chattahoochee River” notes Merriman. “It runs through Atlanta with over 40 miles of trout fishing available. The North Georgia mountains have 4000+ miles of trout streams. But don't take for granted all the warm water species we have to fish for bass, bream, carp and stripers. In recent years Atlanta has become the gateway to saltwater fly fishing opportunities on the Georgia coast as well as the Gulf coast of Florida.” Merriman says that fly fishing interest is excellent in the Atlanta area, adding that i n the last five years the shop has seen a steady increase of angler traffic as well as an upswing in fishermen seeking to travel to increasingly exotic locations. The Fish Hawk greets lots of new fly fisherman daily throughout the year. A key to the steady influx of customers is Merriman and his staff’s willingness to offer local knowledge of streams and lakes as well as knowledge for fishing all over the world in the last 40 years. The shop offers classes on fly casting, fly tying and about anything to do with this sport. 122 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
featured fly shop
“Fly tying is a very important aspect of our operation” says Merriman. ”It is a natural progression of most fly fisherman to seek to learn to tie their own flies. The enjoyment of catching a fish on something you have made is very rewarding. We offer winter fly tying classes and have a fully stocked fly tying desk set up in the shop for helping anyone to learn technique and patterns as needed. As a shop, interest in fly tying also helps us get through the winter.” The Fish Hawk is not in the guide booking business. They do have a number of local guides that we recommend and give them their cards to prospective clients. The guides recommended are excellent and most of them at one time the other have worked in the shop. “On a personal level I have been in business for 40+ years and strive to make all anglers experiences the best possible,” concludes Merriman.” Whether their pond fishing for panfish are going to Argentina trout fishing or the salt flats of Cuba we enjoy making their trips more pleasurable through knowledge and tackle selections.” The Fish Hawk is located 095 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta. For more visit www. thefishhawk.com. One more thing---did I mention that Merriman caught that big marlin?
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Insider Look at the Hooche
By Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta
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s a lifelong ambassador for trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River, I am excited that the world class Fly Fishing Show is finally going to be held in Atlanta! Great local fishing opportunities await show goers. Brown and rainbow are target species in February on this big river.
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close look - atlanta Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chattahoochee River yielded two state record brown trout that were caught in 2003 and 2014. Fly fishing for trout is great all year round on this this tailwater river where you have your pick of 48 miles of public fishing waters. Great wade and float fishing is found just 3 miles from the Cobb Galleria Center where the I-285 beltline passes over the Chattahoochee River. This stretch of river is about 6 miles in length and under Delayed Harvest regulations. Fishing is catch and release only with single barbless hooks on flies or lures, although multiple flies may be used such as tandem nymphs and dry dropper rigs. This stretch of the Chattahoochee is heavily stocked from Sope Creek 7 miles downstream to Paces Mill boat ramp. If you are willing to travel just 30 to 40 minutes, anglers can fish a 37 mile stretch of river with exclusively wild, streambred brown trout and stocked rainbow trout from Buford Dam to Roswell Road Bridge (no bait allowed from Ga Hwy-20 Bridge to Medlock Bridge). Beginning in the 1930s and well into the 1950s, the Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authorities constructed the many impoundments in the Deep South for much needed infrastructure for the region. Little did anyone suspect that flows below these dams would evolve into some of the finest blue-ribbon trout waters in the Eastern U.S. The list is long, and impressive. Among the best known waters are the Chattahoochee and Taccoa rivers in Georgia, the White and Little Red rivers in Arkansas; the Hiawassee, South Houston, Elk, Clinch and Watauga in Tennessee; Tuckasegee and Nantahala rivers in North Carolina; the Jackson and Smith rivers in Virginia; the Cumberland River in Kentucky; the Saluda River in South Carolina; the Sipsey River in Alabama. Dams were constructed for flood control, hydro-electric power, drinking water storage, recreation, and the development of waterfront properties. In those days the super chilled waters devoid of much of their dissolved oxygen were written off as the collateral damage of progress. In the late 1940s, a handful of visionary fisheries scientists and anglers recognized the prospect that salmonoids were well suited to occupy these newly created, volatile and frigidly cold water tailwaters. Prompted by mitigation agreements with TVA and US Army Corp dam builders, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and state natural resource agencies were tasked with stocking hatchery reared trout to establish thriving fishing opportunities. Replacing warm water species with better adapted brown and rainbow trout species has become common practice for the regions altered water ways below dams. 128 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
One Fishery that has stood the test of time is the Chattahoochee River below Buford and Morgan Falls Dams. The Atlanta metro area population has increased from just under 1 million to 6 million people in the past 70 years! The secret to the great trout fishing found in this thriving metro center was the designation of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in 1974 by President Jimmy Carter. Today this 48 mile stretch of Chattahoochee River is home to some of the wildest big brown trout in the Peach state. Some 10,000 linear acres flanking this flow are under the protected by the National Park Service under the riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Recreation Area status. This not only protects life in the river, but also serves as a riparian buffer against inevitable city sprawl. This unique park made it possible for folks in Atlanta to seek recreational opportunities to escape the grind of everyday life in their own backyards. Boating, observing wildlife both flora and fauna, picnicking, hiking, jogging and fishing are the most common pursuits in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
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close look - atlanta The Chattahoochee River is the source of 90% of Atlanta's drinking water. Atlanta is one of three cities in the world of its size that has a trout stream running through it. The other two are Calgary Alberta Canada with the Bow River and Munich Germany with the Isar River. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area provides anglers key access points for wading and drift style fishing. The average depth of the Chattahoochee is around 4.5 feet so wading with caution is imperative. Wade anglers should be equipped with a wading staff to use as a third leg and MUST wear a PDF from Buford Dam 2.5 miles downstream to the Ga Hwy-20 Bridge. Inflatable life jackets or "May West vests" are popular as they are unobtrusive and work well as a wading belt when utilizing the fanny pack style. 130 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
The average width of the riverbed is 150 feet which allows fly casters plenty of space for their backcast. Many anglers choose to get off the beaten path and opt to float from point-A to point-B using many types of watercraft. Float tubes otherwise known as "belly-boats" are most common but drift boats, rafts, pontoons, canoes and kayaks will enable fisherman to access remote areas of the river that receive less fishing pressure. If you are new to the Hooche, then please that you must learn the various flow characteristics of the river. Anglers should lean towards caution when it comes to water flows on the river. Remember this is a tailwater altered by a dam which is operated by engineers who must release water every day to meet downstream flow/water need demands. Call 770-9451466 or visit the Corps of Engineers web site for flow information and operating times. Water levels from a Buford Dam release typically
rise 7 to 11 vertical feet! Flow or CFS (cubic feet per second) range from low fishable flow at 700 cfs to high flows around 8,000 cfs. Depending on your distance below Buford Dam you should be aware of the generation schedule the day before your trip so you know how long the water will take to crest and recede the next day of your planned excursion. Also you must learn when the generation release will take place the same day of your excursion so you know when it will inundate your location. To help anglers wrap their minds around flow velocity you can estimate in travel times. Low flow moves 1.5 mph and released high flows move about 5mph. Rising and falling water levels are dangerous on the river so plan accordingly.
Ideally the best window is when the river is low, slow and clear. When the river is low, slow and clear the flow is safer and more forgiving for the angler. Low, slow and clear water enables the fish to concentrate in the main channels making the river features more readable like seams and foam lines. Low, slow and clear water simply allows the trout to see your fly better as well. Rain events should be factored into you plan as the river will stain from run-off from our Ga clay limiting visibility for the fish and angler. Lateral impact of storm water from the many tributaries that drain the watershed are the main cause of turbid river conditions. The solution is to migrate upstream to a location above the tributary causing the mud. The water is always typically clear at Buford Dam but be sure to check the water release schedule.
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Cresting and Receding Buford generation release crest and receding times are as follows. Please note Morgan Falls Dam is 37miles downstream of Buford Dam and is a run of the river scheme. Receding times are approximately twice the length of crest times Crest times Settles Bridge 45minutes McGinis Ferry Bridge 1.5hours Abbotts Bridge 2.5hours Medlock Bridge 3.5hours Jones Bridge 5.5hours Island Ford 8hours Morgan Falls Dam 11hours Cochran Shoals 12hours Pace's Mill 13hours
Tactics and flies February is a great time to experience prolific Blue Winged Olive mayfly and cream midge hatches for the dry fly purist. Respective patterns in size #26 up to #18 dries and nymphs Little Winter Stoneflies will be hatching as well #20 up #16 dries and nymphs If it gets cold enough we should see a substantial "winter-kill" of threadfin shad and blueback herring in lake Lanier resulting in dead and dying baitfish exiting the Buford Dam penstocks. Anglers should use streamers in white, pearl and silver colors. Rainbow trout will be laying eggs so egg patterns will consistently produce. Large pteronarcys Salmon fly nymphs will be numerous along with free living caddis larvae in apple green www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 133
Winter Fly Fishing
Tommy Lawhorne Co-Owner and Head Guide South River Fly Shop President - Shenandoah Valley Trout Unlimited
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on the South River
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he bitter cold days of January and February, with leaden skies and snow covered ground, are seen by many fly fishers as the time to tie flies and prepare for the spring bonanza of pleasant days and abundant hatches. Here on the South river this is the time to layer up the clothing and put in some serious time on the water. With numerous springs feeding the river, water temperatures on the South river are usually in the mid 40-degree range, perfect for winter trout. Blue Wing Olives, Midges, Winter Stoneflies, Caddis and forage baitfish provide plenty of food for the trout and plenty of options for the fly angler to imitate.
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Where to go: The South River has over 8 miles of public access to premier trout water in and near Waynesboro Virginia. The river flows through historic Downtown Waynesboro where anglers will find two miles of Catch and Release water just a short walk from many downtown businesses and restaurants. This 2.5-mile section of the South River extends from 2nd Street Bridge upstream to the Wayne Avenue Bridge and is home to many of the largest holdover and stocked Brown and Rainbow Trout. From Wayne Avenue, upstream to Ridgeview Park is 1.3 miles of Put and Take stocked trout water that is also home to many holdover trout throughout the year. The Fly Fishing Only - Special Regulations Area of the South River begins at the Oak Lane Bridge near the southern city limits and extends upstream 4.5 miles to a posted sign. The Fly Fishing Only section requires a free landowner permission permit in addition to a Virginia fishing license. The Catch and Release section and the Put and Take Stocked Trout water both require a Virginia Fishing license and a Trout license. 138 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
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Tactics for Winter Fishing:
The two best approaches to winter fishing on the South are nymphing and working medium to large streamers. For the nymph fisher, a two-fly rig with weight and an adjustable indicator are a must. The biggest key to successful winter nymphing is getting your flies into the feeding zone along the bottom of the runs and holes. A good rule of thumb is if you are not getting hung up on at least one drift out ten then you need to add weight or adjust your indicator for a deeper drift. The best flies for winter fishing include: BH Olive or Black Woolly Buggers (8-12), BH Olive Hare’s Ear (12-16), BH Pheasant Tail (12-16), BH Prince Nymph (12-16), BH Olive/ Cream/Tan Poopah’s (14-16), Arlie’s Gnarly Caddis (14-16), BH Bwo (1620), Glo Bug Eggs (12), Squirmy Worms, and Mop flies. Nymphing works best in the deeper runs with medium to slow currents. Our favorite rig for nymphing is a 7 ½’ leader with an Airlock indicator. We run the first fly (heaviest) off the end of the leader and then the second fly on a 15” dropper from the bend of the first hook. If extra weight is needed to get down in faster currents, we will add split shot 10”-12” above the first fly. www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 141
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Winter dry fly fishing on the South River is an afternoon game with midges and BWO mayflies hatching most days. The best dry fly fishing is usually found from the middle to the tail of the larger pools. Be prepared to match midges and BWO’s down to size 22. Our favorite patterns are: Grey I.C.S.I midges (20-22), Cream/Black Thin Pin (20-22), Patterns for winter trout should imitate Griffith Gnats (18-22), BWO CDC Compara-duns (18-22), BWO the forage base of the South River. Foam Para-emergers (18-22) and Sculpins, juvenile Fallfish, Creek BWO Parachutes (16-18). We Chubs, Dace, Shiners, and Crayfish recommend a 9’ 6x leader and are all found throughout the South presenting your fly from the side River. Some great patterns include: or from upstream of these surface Olive/Brown Butt Monkey Sculpins feeders is usually the best option to (4-6), Murdich Minnows (2), Pearl/ avoid drag. Olive Circus Peanut (2), Black/Olive Sex Dungeon (2), Yellow/Black/Olive The growing popularity of the Muddonkers (2-4), Olive/Brown CK Klawdad (2-6), Gold/Copper Kreelex South River as a premier fishery in Virginia has led to many more (6), and Peach/Gold/Black Crystal anglers on the river during the Buggers (6-10). spring, summer, and fall. Be one of the daring souls who braves the For Streamer fishing we prefer the Airflo 5’ fast or extra fast sinking Poly winter elements and you might find leaders with a power swivel and 2’-3’ of that it becomes your favorite time 2x or 3x Flourocarbon tippet. On the of the year. Catch and Release Area in downtown Waynesboro two handed trout spey and switch Rods with a short skagit head and tip system is another great way to present larger streamers. This works exceptionally well in higher water when it is difficult to wade out deep enough for longer cast with conventional fly rods Winter streamer fishing is not as likely to put numbers of fish to the net but will often bring the largest holdover Brown and Rainbow Trout to hand. Working downstream and swinging streamers off the banks into current edges, back eddies, and tail-outs or slowly crawling sculpin or crayfish patterns through deeper holes are both effective tactics.
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Nantahala River Lodge, a unique riverfront, pet friendly cabin near Bryson City.
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uests breathe easier here, and it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just the mountain air. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the entire Eseeola experience: award-winning cuisine, exceptional service, and of course, first-rate fly fishing on the Linville River. Call Today for Reservations
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By Ragan Whitlock
ThreeRivers FlyFishing Tournament 146 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
s
F
or the last six years, the Highland Hiker in Highlands, North Carolina, has hosted an annual fly fishing tournament to benefit the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund. The tournament, which is really a three day festival, offers its participants a few of the most quintessential Appalachian mountain experiences. Historically, the event kicks off with a casting clinic and one-on-one coaching for the participants on Thursday. The Highland Hiker offers an equipment tune-up that day to make sure each entrant is prepared for the weekend of fishing ahead. The first day finishes up with a casting competition on beautiful Harris Lake, followed by a fly-tying demonstration at Old Edwards Inn.
This year, finally having the stars aligned correctly, I was able to participate in the tournament. After the two days of fishing in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I couldn’t believe how diverse the tournament was. The requirements of the tournament state that each team must fish, and catch fish, in three very different stream types. The teams must fish a nearby stocked stream, delayedharvest stream, and wild trout stream in order to be considered for the awesome prizes. Each team can opt to go with a guide or not, but all must stay within a preset boundary of fishing waters.
The morning of the tournament, after grabbing my score sheet and packed lunch from the Highland Hiker, my partner and I decided to head straight for the “easy pickins”. The delayed harvest portion of the Tuckasegee is open and fishing wonderfully during the time of this tournament. We parked the car along the river near Sylva, North Carolina, and caught two fat rainbows within the first fifteen minutes of fishing. Considering the difficulty of catching fish in the stocked stream, we opted to head there immediately, hoping to avoid the DH crowd.
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We were absolutely correct about avoiding the crowd, but could not have been more wrong about the difficulty of catching fish. Having just parked and begun the wading on the lower portion of the Tuckasegee, I decided to try a small popper just for fun. I knew a traditional dry-fly weekend was ahead, and hoped something a little more bass-like would enter my score sheet. Sure enough, as soon as the leader unfurled and dropped the spun deer-hair fly onto the water, a jet-fueled rocket of a smallmouth bass leaped out of the water. The fish landed, with fly perfectly lodged in his mouth, and took off on a truly rod-shaking run. A few minutes later, my net was graced with the 14â&#x20AC;? beauty. Surprisingly enough, as I try to yell at my partner to come see, I notice that he is in the midst of his own battle. Though his yelling was louder throughout the duration of the fight, his fish came in at a respectable 12â&#x20AC;?. 148 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Having far surpassed our expectations in the first two stream types, we decided to immediately take the tournament to our favorite streams, those with wild trout. We spent the rest of the fishing hours boulder-hopping in search of the beautiful Appalachian brook trout. With the water levels at the perfect condition, and the few Jack Cable Hoppers given to us by the Highland Hiker the night before, finding the brookies did not take long. A few hours and 30+ fish later, we headed back to Highlands for a few evening libations at a local restaurant and pub. As fishermen filtered in and out, exchanging their full score sheets for bare ones, we quickly realized we were not the only group to have done well. I saw pictures of tiger trout, monster delayed harvest browns, and more 15â&#x20AC;? rainbows than should be on anyone's phone (I still suspect foul play).
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The next day yielded more of the same. We took to the wild streams, spending the entire day in the backcountry this time. Over the course of the day, I caught more wild rainbows than I thought possible, and explored some of the most beautiful mountain terrain that I have ever seen. Unfortunately, as most wild streams go, our 50 fish averaged only 5â&#x20AC;?. Our massive numbers failed to catch the inches tally of those who stuck on the delayed harvest water. Luckily, the Highland Hiker does a wonderful job at creating a ton of prize options. Prizes were awarded for largest fish, ugliest fish, smallest fish (yours truly), and many more to accompany the awards for most inches of fish. The incredible sponsors of the tournament made it possible to have rods, reels, sunglasses, gift cards and much more available as prizes. Though each participant walked away having claimed some sort of prize, a special mention has to be made to Leland Shockley and Sofia Lilly, who claimed the unguided division title, as well as Dana Toole and Rankin Smith who claimed the guided division title. These two groups posted a tally of inches in the 1,000â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, which is an incredible feat. Leland Shockley also deserves mention for having won a very different sort of prize this year, as he and his wife Hillary welcomed their first child, Samson, into the world this September.
The great weekend culminated with an incredible dinner reception at the Cyprus restaurant in downtown Highlands. The steak and seafood bisque options for dinner were both fantastic, and the cocktails were expertly poured. As always, each drink tasted just a little better than the one before. At the end of the weekend, once all the awards were given out, it was hard to leave Highlands knowing it may be a full year before I make my return. This tournament was the true Great Smoky Mountain National Park experience. Rest assured, all money is contributed directly to the HIghlands scholarship fund, which directly influences lives in the area. Each two-man team must pay a $500, tax deductible, entry fee. To further research this wonderful tournament, please visit the tournament website (www. highlandsthreeriver.com) or call the Highlands Visitor Center at (866) 526-5841.
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N
26
VIRGINIA
KENTUCKY
Kingspor
TENNESSEE 75
81
Cherokee Lake
Norris Lake
Melton Hill Lake
Greeneville
40
Knoxville Fort Loudon Lake
40
Newport
Sevierville
Lenoir City
Townsend
J08-09
Great Smoky Mtns National Park
Sweetwater
Cosby
Mars Hill
Hardford
Pigeon Forge
Maryville
Loudon
Watts Bar Lake
26
Douglas Lake
Weaverville
Gatlinburg
J10-11
K10-11
Chilhowee
K12-13
L07-08
FontanaL09-10 Dam
L11-12
Bryson City
Sylva Robbinsville
M05-06
Etowah
M07-08
M09-10
M11-12
M13-14
Cullowhee
Cherokee National Forest
Murphy
NORTH CAROLINA
Ducktown
P01-02
Nantahala National Forest Dillard
McCaysville
GEORGIA
P12-13
26
M15-16
N15-16
Franklin
Reliance
TENNESSEE
Fletcher
Pisgah National Forest
L13-14
Tellico Plains
Ashevil
Waynesville
Cherokee
75 Athens
40 Canton
Maggie Valley
Rossman
Highlands
SOUTH CAROLINA
Clayton Blue Ridge
Not To Scale
Blairsville
Greenv
Chattahoochee National Forest
85
Index of Maps Featuring All or Partial Sections of Waters Listed J08-09 Blockhouse and Kinzel Springs USGS Quadrangles Little River downstream of Great Smoky Mountains Nationa Park, Hesse, Cane and Beard Cane Creek. J10-11 Wear Cove and Gatlinburg USGS Quadrangles Little River, West Prong Little Pigeon River and Gatlinburg special permit streams.
81
K10-11 Thunderhead Mountain and Silers Bald USGS Quadrangles Little River, Lynn Camp Prong, Fish Camp Prong, and Hazel, Forney Creek, Bone Valley Creek and Jonas Creeks.
Bristol
rt
K12-13 Clingmans Dome and Smokemont USGS Quadrangles Oconaluftee River, Raven Fork, Bradley Fork and Noland and Deep Creeks. L07-08 Whiteoak Flats and Tapoco USGS Quadrangles Cheoah River and Citico, Jake Best, Doublecamp and Slickrock Creeks.
Johnson City
NORTH CAROLINA
Cherokee National Forest
L09-10 Fontana Dam and Tuskeegee USGS Quadrangles Fontana Lake and Eagle, Hazel, Yellow, Sawyer and Stecoah Creeks. L11-12 Noland Creek and Bryson City USGS Quadrangles Fontana Lake, Tuckasegee River and Forney, Noland and Deep Creeks. L13-14 Whittier and Sylva North USGS Quadrangles Tuckasegee and Oconaluftee Rivers, and Soco, Dicks and Scott Creeks.
Pisgah National Forest
M05-06 Tellico Plains and Bald River Falls USGS Quadrangles Tellico, River and Bald Rivers and Wildcat Creek. M07-08 Big Junction and Santeetlah Creek USGS Quadrangles Tellico and North Rivers and Nabb, Santeetlah Creek, Little Santeetlah, West Buffalo, Little Buffalo Squally and Snowbird Creeks. M09-10 Robbinsville and Hewitt USGS Quadrangles Santeetlah Lake, Nantahala River and Tulula Creek, Long, Mountain Creek, Snowbird, Franks, Berts, Bear and Stecoah Creeks. M11-12 Wesser and Alarka USGS Quadrangles Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers and Alarka, Rattlesnake, Tellico, Burningtown, Cowee, Rhinehart and Sugar Cove Creeks.
40
lle
M13-14 Greens Creek and Sylva South USGS Quadrangles Tuckasegee River, Caney Fork and Greens, Savannah, Wayehutta and Cullowhee Creeks. M15-16 Tuckasegee and Sam Knob USGS Quadrangles Upper West Prong Pigeon River, Caney Fork and Moses, Mull, Wolfe and Tanasee Creeks.
Hendersonville
NORTH CAROLINA 85
Spartanburg
N15-16 Big Ridge and Lake Toxaway USGS Quadrangles Tuckasegee and West Fork French Broad Rivers and Tanasee, Robbinsville, Flat and Panthertown Creeks. P01-02 Tennga & Hemp Top USGS Quadrangles Conasauga River, Jacks River and West and South Forks of Jacks River and Mill Creek. P12-13 Rabun Bald and Satolah USGS Quadrangles Chattooga River and West Fork Chattooga River, Walnut Fork and Warwoman, Sarahs and Hoods Creeks.
A 85
ville
26
Š 2016 SAINT CLAIR MAPPING Updated 9/22/2016
Davy Wot World Class
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tton Fly Fishing American International Schools of Fly Fishing Outfitter and Guide Services for the White River region Custom Flies and Fly Fishing DVDs
Office: 870-453-2195 Cell: 870-404-5223
davyfly@ozarkmountains.com
featured artist
Seeping Through
the Layers
by Loryn Lathem
156 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
A
misconception exists that becoming an artist is a serious pursuit; one that is targeted and approached with laser-like intent. Artist Phillip Watford dispels that perception. As a serious artist today, Phillip developed himself in several ways before he became a “serious” artist.
“I drew reasonable pencil sketches in grade school,” acclaimed artist Phillip Watford recalls, “and remember drawing accurate caricatures of my teachers throughout middle, high school, and college. I’d sometimes get assigned art projects meaning I got to slip out of class for a few hours, which suited me just fine. I’d say I was more of a doodler than artist. I had limited technical skills, understanding a little about light, shading, and composition but not studied or trained to any degree.”
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featured artist Watford has called many places home over the years including mountainous Tennessee and beachy Florida, but it’s these places, including his current residence in North Carolina, that have influenced his art. “I'd say I've wanted to become an artist since I first learned what an artist was,” Watford recalls of his youth, “When I was about 10 years old there was a professional artist that lived nearby and I would hang around as much as possible hoping to catch a glimpse of him at work. I was fascinated by his ability to bring blank canvases to life and still remember how vibrant and moving his works were. I wasn't instantly steered in that direction though, and it's taken quite a few years of navigating through life for me to realize my dream of becoming a professional artist.”
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www.SouthernTrout.com Trout 2016 ll 159 159 www.SouthernTrout.coml Southern l Southern Troutl November l January 2017
featured artist
160 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Fish—both fresh and saltwater—landscapes, seascapes, flowers, people, abstracts, he tells Southern Trout, are his favorite subjects to paint. “My favorite painting always seems to be the one I'm currently working on, the one I've just completed, or the next one. Lately though I've been painting trout. I've recently gotten back to guiding, after quite a few years away, and the passion of fishing is fresh on my mind.” That passion for nature seems to have seeped through layers of pencil and paint and become apparent to an audience enthralled with his work. Although his fans seem recently attracted to his most recent fish paintings, he prefers the close-up paintings of fish that become almost abstract and mimic landscapes. Not only does this attract anglers, he explains, but collectors in other genres.
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 161
featured artist Working primarily in acrylic, Watford created roughly 100 pieces a year varying in size and complexity and often he is working on multiple pieces at one time. Watford does tell us, however, that it’s finishing the paintings that’s the most challenging, not starting or working on them. “Figuring out when a painting is finished is something I think every artist struggles with. I find it helpful to step away from a piece for a few days and look at it with fresh eyes.” Having done a few commissions, Watford says he enjoys them and although he hasn’t received any traditional awards, the rewards have been immeasurable. Once leading kayak trips through the Grand Canyon and on the Colorado River, Watford could immerse himself in landscapes and artistic heaven. “I still get out and kayak, but not professionally anymore. Before I dove headlong into art, I spent a great deal of my free time honing my guitar playing skills and dabbling in a blues rock band” 162 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 163
featured artist
164 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
“The most challenging thing about creating fishing art,” Watford says, “is deciding on what to paint. Deciding what species of fish to paint, how realistic, how abstract, high key or low key, subtle or in your face; these and overall composition are the most time-consuming aspects for me.” However, he continues, speaking to future artists, saying not to limit yourself! Remain flexible, he suggests, and open minded while willing to head in a new direction if needed. Research, he says is key, but also practice your craft daily. “I believe it's important to use your mind and hands to create as much as possible. Don't worry if your first, second, third attempts don't yield success, just keep creating. Allow yourself to make mistakes, learn from them, and keep going. Don't be afraid to paint over something that simply isn't working. I do this often and as a practice. This mindset keeps me from getting stalled by fear of failing. The inner game is likely the most challenging and definitely the most engaging aspect for any artist.” www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 165
best kept secret
8284793790
GrahamCountyTravel.com
Winterizing
170 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
g Fly Tackle Harry Murray
Steaming a fly: Dry flies that become matted and the hackle are out of shape can be revived nicely by steaming them over hot steam from a teakettle while holding them with long hemostats. Be very careful because you can get a bad burn from hot steam.
F
This is a good time of the year to go through your tackle and clean it up and make repairs you didn’t’ have time to make during the busy fishing season. Here are some basic steps you can use which will prolong the life of your tackle and improve its performance.
*
Rods- Scrub the cork grip, reel seat and whole rod with an old tooth brush with dish detergent. Rinse it very good with water and dry it with a towel. Set it aside to thoroughly dry for several days before putting it in the cloth sac and back in the rod tube. If your rod has a cloth sac wash it in the washing machine and dry it in a hot dryer to kill any mildew that grew during the summer.
*
Reels- Strip the line and backing off the reel. Remove the spool from the reel. Use a Q-tip dipped in a cleaning fluid to remove the grit, dirt and old oil from the inside of the reel and the back of the spool. Wipe all of it down thoroughly with a towel. Wipe the spool firmly with a towel where the backing and line were. Apply a light coat of oil to the inside of the reel and the back of the spool unless the reel manufacture’s instructions specify not to. Do not allow any oil to get inside the spool where the line and backing go. Replace the new backing and use an Albright Knot to attach the line to the backing.
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*
Fly Line- Wash the whole line with Ivory cake soap and a paper towel. Rinse the line thoroughly with a wet paper towel. Dry the line thoroughly with a dry paper towel. Place 6 drops of SA Line Dressing on a dry, clean paper towel and dress the line. With another paper towel rub the whole line down. The small amount of dressing that gets into the microscopic pores of the line does what you want. Excessive dressing left on the line will collect dirt and defeat you.
172 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Clean a fly rod: In order to keep your fly rod looking good and to help it shoot the fly line well, scrub the cork grip and the whole rod, especially around the guides, with an old toothbrush using dish detergent. Rinse it thoroughly with water and dry it with a towel. Let it sit in a corner for a week to dry completely before putting it back in the rod care.
*
Vest- Wash your vest with Ivory powder or Revivex Wash in your washing machine on the gentle cycle. Run it through an extra rinse cycle to remove all soap. Line dry it.
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*
Raincoat- Follow the manufactures directions. I wash mine in cold water with Revivex Wash on the gentle cycle in the washing machine and run it through an extra rinse cycle. I spray the wet raincoat with Revivex Spray Water Repellent finish and dry it for one hour in my clothes dryer on a medium heat setting.
*
Cap and Hat- If you want to treat your cap to get it to help repel the rain, wash it with a wet cloth soaked in a solution of Ivory powder. Rinse it with water. After it drys spray it with Tectron DWR. Let it dry for 24 hours.
*
Chest/Hip Pack- Follow the manufactures directions. I wash mine in the washing machine on the gentle cycle in cold water with Ivory powder and line dry it. It comes out as good as new. Be sure to empty all of the pockets and take all of the gadgets off the front before washing your pack.
174 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Clean a reel: Use a Q-tip dipped in a cleaning fluid to remove the dirt and old oil that collects on the inside of the reel unless the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instructions specify not to.
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 175
*
Waders- Follow manufactures directions. I wash my Gore-Tex waders in the tub using cold water with Ivory powder or Revivex Wash and line dry them. Rubber hip boots require no special care except washing the dirt off with water. Be sure all of your waders, hippers and shoes are completely dry both inside and outside before putting them away for the winter. Hang them in a cool dry location so air can flow around them. Do not hang them in the sun: I once did this with a pair of rubber waders and by spring the sun caused cracks all over them.
176 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Spray a cap: In order to help my caps turn rainwater I wash them with Ivory power solution and rinse them good. When they are dry I spray them with Techtron or Scotch Guard water proofing sprays.
www.SouthernTrout.com l Southern Trout l January 2017 l 177
* *
Landing Nets- Wash the sac and the frame good with dish detergent. Rinse with water. Hang it to dry completely.
Gadgets- While you have all of the gadgets and angling tools off your vest, check to see if they need attention. Cord retractors often need to be shortened and re-knotted before the cord breaks. Pliers, clamps and hemostats may need a drop of oil. Thermometers should be calibrated by setting it in a glass of ice water to see if you get 32 degrees. Floatant may need to be refilled or replaced.
* * *
Wading Staff- Coat the joints good with paraffin so they do not jam.
Fly boxes- Go through your fly boxes and grade your flies: Athose okay as they are, B- those over the hill and need to be trashed and C- those that are useable but need help which is covered in the next step. Flies- Remove any tippet material from eyes. If the heads are coming loose you can apply a whip finish with your fly tying bobbin and coat with head cement. Dry flies which have matted hackle can be saved by steaming them over a teakettle using a strainer or long hemostats, but be very careful because you can get a bad burn from the steam. When you store flies away for long times consider putting mothballs in them, however, be careful because this may soften some boxes.
*
Fly Tying Materials- Dispose of trash. Separate out materials you seldom use. Organize frequently used materials so you can easily find them. Place mothballs in materials, being careful to see that they will not soften boxes and bags.
178 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Fly tying: The author shows his students how to salvage an old dry fly by whipping a new head on it.
*
Maps, Books and Notes- While the past season is fresh in your mind, make notes on when, where and with what you found good fishing. For 30 years I have done this. It is helpful and very interesting to look back through the years and see the spots where I have had the best, worse, and fair fishing. Now that you have everything ready for the next season you have no excuse that will keep you from fishing more and catching more fish.
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I
t has begun, the drumbeat has started, the hushed whispers are being overheard in fly shops, and the “IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2017” is almost here. The battle of the fly tiers is just around the corner, and the contestants are preparing.
The Iron Man Commeth
I personally invite you to come out Thursday, January 19th, 2017 at 6 P.M. and join us as the Great Smoky Mountain TU chapter holds the year’s first fun packed fly tying contest. This annual Iron Man event is being held again at the Blackhorse Pub & Brewery (4429 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, TN).
180 l December 2016 l Southern Trout l www.SouthernTrout.com
Competitors from the experienced to the amateur compete for a chance to help send a youth to Trout Camp in the Smoky Mountains. Held each year in the GSMNP at the Tremont Institute, it provides a weeklong outdoors experience of fun and camping. Campers swim, fish, and learn about the park’s diverse ecology and the importance of its safekeeping. At Iron Man, fly tiers are pitted against each other to sort through a mystery bag of materials from nuts and bolts to tiny feathers to the outrageous provided to make tiers scratch their head. Can you tie from a mystery bag of goodies chosen by the judges? How about blindfolded? You get the idea, big fun for a good cause! Join us as you tie or just watch and party as the tiers try to "BEAT the FLY" for prizes and bragging rights! No contest is complete without a reward for the competitors. All of last year’s Iron Man sponsors
are back ready to hand out great prizes. Last year’s winners had a chance to take home an Orvis of Sevierville, TN, fly reel or a fly rod from Syndicate Fly Fishing. How about some new gear from Little River Outfitters of Townsend, TN; Smoky Mountain Angler of Gatlinburg,TN; 3 Rivers Angler of Knoxville, TN, and an exciting new product from TYWHEEL. You get the picture. Our sponsors are ready to open the treasure chest to the winners of the IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2017. Don’t forget our first sponsor ever, Southern Trout’s own Don Kirk will be on hand with some special prizes for the crowd to add to the party! Oh!... and for those watching, yes, audience participation is strongly encouraged! Cheer or jeer in good natured fun as our competitors rise to the occasion. Whether you are a pro or a beginner it makes no difference this contest levels the field for everyone.
The "IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2017" is like no event we have ever had in this area! Come out Thursday January 19th, 2017 at 6PM at the Blackhorse Pub & Brewery in Knoxville, TN for a rollicking night of food, fun and craft beer! Admission is free for those watching and for tiers this event is open to all, but it has a limited number of openings for tier entries. Register early if you want to tie, your $30 dollar entry fee will give you a shot to win some great prizes. Help Trout Unlimited send a deserving boy or girl this summer to the Great Smoky Mountain Trout Camp. Tiers come rep your shop or chapter, or drop in to be a dark horse spoiler. Entering is easy just send us an email for sign up registration to: john711111@yahoo.com and follow us online at: greatsmokymountain. tu.org for updates about the “IRON MAN FLY CONTEST 2017”.
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A Museum for the Southern Fly Fisherman
The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians — originally
located in Cherokee, NC — has a new home in neighboring Bryson City where it shares a building with the Bryson City / Swain County Chamber of Commerce. It’s centrally located on the town square across the street from the visitor center. The Museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and admission is free.
The scope of the museum covers an
area with more than 14,700 miles of accessible trout streams — the nine Southern Appalachian States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama; the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bryson City, NC
PHOTO BY JIM HEAFNER
Through exhibits and videos you’ll
learn about legendary “Stream Blazers,” the evolution of rods and reels, basic knots, fly-tying, types of gear, types of gamefish, regional fishing waters, and the history of fly fishing in the Southeast. Whether you are a long-time fly fisherman, or have only attempted or never tried fly fishing, you will find something to enjoy and to learn from in the museum.
FLY FISHING MUSEUM
OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS
Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians 210 Main Street Bryson City, NC 28713 800-867-9241
FlyFishingMuseum.org