Southern Trout Magazine Issue 2 by Southern Unlimited, LLC

ISSUE #2

JULY/AUGUST 2012

Southern Trout BEAU BEASLEY: Can You Be Sued for Fishing in Virginia’s Jackson River?

LEAH KIRK: The Stunning Trout Art of A.D. Maddox

GREG WARD: Beating the Summer Heat: Greenbrier in the Smokies IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOUTHERNTROUT.COM

THIS ISSUE CAN YOU BE SUED FOR FISHING IN VIRGINIA’S JACKSON RIVER? departments

features

46-92

10-45

Gear Review Ross Essence FC Fly Rods

The Stunning Trout Art of A.D. Maddox

Perfomance Primer Fine Tuning For Tough Trout

Snake Tales

Book Review Fly Fishing Georgia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters

Beating the Summer Heat: Greenbrier in the Smokies

Trout of the Holston

Owl’s Perch Old House and Brook Trout Mountain Musings Potholes and Whisper Sticks Guide Profile Chris Scalley Fly of the Month Orange Snipe

Brown Gold Anniversary on the White

Continental Angling in North Georgia

Discovery: Chattoga River

Big Trout, Flies, and Muddy Water

Qualla Trout

Featured Outfitter Davidson River Outfitters

How To: Shenandoah Backcountry

Featured Fly Shop The Fish Hawk

Featured Resort Clinch River House

Southern Trout Fishing Lore: Remembering Chum

Guide Review Chucky Crèmè de la Crèmè Wanderings of the Creek Freak Creek Creepin’

Loose Loops and Wind Knots Terrestials: The Terrors of Summer

22 26 28

Publisher Don Kirk

69 On the Cover

Editor Jeff Kirk Webmaster & Digital Design Leslie Kirk Managing Editor & Advertising Leah Kirk Social Media Manager Loryn Kirk Communications Adam Kirk

76 94-98

Southern Trout

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Artwork by A.D. Maddox

contributors

Field Staff Craig Haney, Editor-at-Large Greg Ward, Tennessee Editor Jimmy Jacobs, Georgia Editor Beau Beasley, Virginia Editor Larry Rea, Arkansas Editor Dr. Todd Larson, Columnist Bob Borgwat, Columnist Jeff “Owl” Jones, Columnist Contributors Bill Bernhardt David Cannon Bo Cash Soc Clay Dave Ezell Kevin Howell Roger Lowe Harry Murray Ian Rutter Scott Spencer

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news Publisher’s Message

Our entire staff made the trip to Troutfest in Townsend, Tennessee where we unveiled Southern Trout Magazine for public viewing. The reception was warm and gratifying. It was a team effort. We based out of Buckberry Lodge, which if you have never made a stay at this stately, Adirondack style retreat, I cannot overstate how pleasurable and neat the experience was. Insofar as the staff of Southern Trout Magazine is also its sole owners, and all have the Scottish last name “Kirk,” it is safe to assume what those taking time to peruse the mast have already correctly speculated that this bunch may be related. Not surprisingly, our newly formed company has among its rules strictly enforced nepotism mandates (the East Tennessee version) which provide advanced placement to family members, regardless of race, creed or religion. Although, it does have fairly complicated political beliefs criteria. Leslie Kirk, AKA, the webmaster “guru” is responsible for and in charge of everything that has anything to do with the internet. Insofar as this is an online

news magazine, as one might guess, she welds enormous power as well as being the keeper of all passwords. Truly one of the most knowledgeable people around when it comes to web traffic and e-commerce, she is sharper than a boot knife. I may know trout fishing, but I also know to do what she says when she says. Jeff Kirk, the editor, resides with the guru. Like that of publisher, his duties are simple. He talks to people about fishing for trout in the South. At this publication, we males are the decorative appendages. A well-versed fly fisherman, this is his first cruise into the turbid waters of publishing. Fortunately, he is of strong constitution and enjoys eating, two of the primary requisites of being a successful fishing magazine editor. Leah Kirk, the managing editor is the on-site person who has a better than a casual relationship with the English language, and I might add has a twinkle in her eye for the old publisher. She is more at home directing community theater than she is looking for the correct plural and singular for terms such as benthonic macroinvertibrate(s). Had Tennessee Williams been a fly fisherman, doubtless Leah would find this hook-andfeathers passion of ours a bit more to her tastes. Loryn Patterson, the social media manager, is responsible for explaining of terms such as “spam” and other lexicons of the digital communications world. When not attending classes in a quest to become an English/Art teacher, this

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19-year-old peruses the internet for opportunities for us to reach out to potential readers of Southern Trout. She is not afflicted with the fly fishing bug, but neither has she been inoculated. Well, that’s the staff as it stands now. I do have a youngest son who is waiting on the shoreline, if you will, for his place in the Southern Trout river. Southern Trout Magazine is our first such effort. I thought you might be interested knowing a little about the people behind the names. - Don Kirk

Editor’s Letter Bronzeback Trout Discovered in Tennessee Waters In late May we made the short drive to Townsend, Tennessee and Troutfest where I got an opportunity to meet with a lot of people who had very complimentary things to say about our new magazine, Southern Trout. The most commonly asked questions was, “You are gonna talk about smallmouth bass fishing, too, right?” At first the answer was, “Well, this here magazine is devoted exclusively to trout fishing in the Southern states.” I did not say it, but my look implied that a smallmouth bass is a member of the sunfish family, and not really a trout of any sort. Was I ever wrong, as the publisher of our esteemed magazine pointed out to me. It seems that “in the day” that indeed the so-called smallmouth bass was also known in many places

as a trout. In fact, in southern Georgia where I grew up with the help of hand twisted chewing tobacco provided to me by my grandfather, a “trout” was a largemouth bass among old timers.

If you are confused, it is purely by design. The smallmouth has many nicknames ranging from smallie and brown bass, to smalljaws and bronzeback. Since we have gone to great lengths to sell the concept of Southern Trout Magazine as a publication devoted to, what else, but trout, we needed to either change our approach or change the footnotes of what a smallmouth bass actually is. Insofar as the publisher is stubborn as a mule, it occurred to me to play a bit of

a shell game with the scientific community by making the smallmouth bass an honorary member of the salmonid clan. Pretty clever, eh? Anyhow, this issue of Southern Trout includes the first ever articles in the world on fishing for bronzeback trout. In a Bell Curve sort of way, the bronzeback trout is found in the same waters as brown and rainbow trout, so if you use your imagination... Of course this opens the door for inclusion of the rock trout. (Or would redeye trout be better?). This little change of names could put these newest members of the trout family (third cousins) in an entirely different light. Please let me know what you think about it, but please do not ask about cat trout or green trout. - Jeff Kirk Photo courtesy of DNR

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news

Can You Be Sued for Fishing in Virginia’s Jackson River? Beau Beasley

hile doing research for my first book, I got to fish all over the Old Dominion. From the salty breezes of the Chesapeake Bay to the expansive bass waters of the New River to the mountain trout streams of the Shenandoah National Park. My home state is blessed with an abundance of great water, and I’d fished more than a few in my time. From one end of Virginia to the other, I found only one place that I felt uneasy about while fishing—and that feeling remains with me to this day. Tom Brown, fishing manager for the Orvis store in Roanoke, introduced me to the Jackson River. One fine day I’d been fishing the river intently just below the Gathright Dam and working my way downstream when Tom brought me up short. “We have to stop now, Beau. From here down to Johnson Springs is private property and there are cameras in the trees to spot errant anglers.” Naturally I thought he was joking, but he pointed to a very intimidating posting as proof. The sign left little doubt that we were not welcome beyond where we stood. Nestled in the western end of the

has been in effect ever since. So although anyone may float through the Jackson River because it is navigable, no one may fish this Crown Grant section without the express consent of the property owners.

accordance with VDGIF access guidelines.

Sued for Fishing? In February 2011, William “Dargan” Coggeshal, his brother-in-law Charles Crawford, and a pastor were sued in Alleghany County Court According to conventional wisdom and to by owners of North/ South Development the Virginia Department of Game and Inland for trespassing. (North South Development Fisheries (VDGIF), the Kraft v Burr decision owns River’s Edge.) The plaintiff argued only affects the section directly below the that the anglers fished in the Jackson River Gathright Dam through Johnson Springs. in front of private property on a number of All other parts of the river downstream from occasions and refused to stop fishing and Johnson Springs are open to the public. move along when encouraged to do so. About three years ago, however, river enthusiasts began to notice signs warning The defendants responded that they had them not to fish, wade, or otherwise get out no reason to leave. Sure, they saw the of their kayaks or canoes for any reason from “no trespassing, no fishing” signs posted Smith Bridge to Indian Draft. Confusion has onshore, but they stayed in the river, well reigned ever since because some of these below the high-water mark. They also knew “no trespassing” signs are within sight of the that VDGIF maps posted at the public public put-in at Smith Bridge and appear access points stated clearly that they could to contradict VDGIF signs along the same fish anywhere outside the Kraft v Burr area, stretch of river that suggest that it is open which was well upstream of where they were fishing. Since the river is public property, to the public. they argued, they had no reason to leave. River’s Edge Development sells home sites Now these anglers are being sued $10,000 on both sides of the Jackson River, the apiece for trespassing while fishing. main attractions of which are the sweeping views of the water and the prime access to Who Cares About the King? top-notch trout fishing. Accordingly, River’s For many Americans, the very words “Crown Edge has posted both sides of the Jackson Grant” just don’t sit well. Who cares what for nearly two miles. Not long after the some old king granted to some old crony? signs appeared, sportsmen began to cry Didn’t we fight a War of Independence to foul to the VDGIF. From their perspective, get out from under such capriciousness? the river was being unfairly privatized for We’re Americans, and we should fish the benefit of a few wealthy landowners. anywhere we choose! When we approach Further, they argued, they were being the issue rationally, however, we can see harassed by the developer while they were that property rights are foundational to our fishing even though they were acting in common law. The fact that King George was

Commonwealth in bucolic Alleghany County, Virginia’s Jackson River, famous for its outstanding trout fishery, is now the unlikely focus of a lawsuit that could have far-reaching implications for Virginia sportsmen. In truth, access and usage issues are nothing new to the Jackson. In 1996, the Virginia Supreme Court’s Kraft v Burr decision found that plaintiffs who held a Crown Grant did have exclusive fishing rights on the section of the Jackson that was included in the original grant from King George III. The Crown Grant decision

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news

eventually interred with his forefathers, the fact that we gained our independence from Great Britain—none of this changes the fact that certain tracts of land were entailed to individuals. We’ve traditionally honored those deeds on principle. So the question isn’t whether or not a Crown Grant to private property should be upheld. Rather, the question in this case is whether or not a legitimate Crown Grant exists that supersedes state law in this particular case. And therein lies the problem.

news

Burr, 252 Va. 273 (1996) does not apply to that portion of the River. Of course an owner of riparian property can post and restrict access to private land. However, unless such an owner can establish that a particular portion of a river is the subject of a conveyance or grant as described in the statute above, it is the position of this Department that it is available for public fishing by persons who legally access that river. Since as noted the Commonwealth is presumed to own the river bottom, any effort to post the use of that land could be considered a violation of 18.2119.1 of the Code of Virginia. Furthermore, any attempt to interfere with the public fishing rights could also be construed as a violation of 29.1-554.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Whose River Is It? The VDGIF got an earful from sportsmen about the Jackson River being posted in areas thought to be public and responded. Gary Martel, Director of the Fisheries Division for the VDGIF sent a letter to Mr. Sponaugle the owner of North/South Development While anglers may see this letter from VDGIF dated June 19, 2009 that laid out the position as some sort of smoking gun, re-read the of the agency. In part that letter reads: statements above. Pay special attention to the word could as it relates to violating the • Pursuant to 28.2-1200 of the Code of law in the last bullet point. A careful reading Virginia, all the beds of rivers within the of the letter would lead one to believe that jurisdiction of the Commonwealth that VDGIF is hedging its bets. Note the letter have not been conveyed by grant or does not say “Since as noted any effort to otherwise in accordance with law remain post the use of that land is considered a the property of the Commonwealth and violation of 18.2-119.1 of the Code of Virginia. may be used as a common by the people “ To date officials at VDGIF have not of the Commonwealth for purposes received a reply from the letter they sent stated therin, including fishing. Mr. Sponaugle, and the signs remain posted. • Within The River River’s Edge the Jackson Furthermore, according to VDGIF there is no River is navigable; moreover the ruling legal action pending against any landowner of the Virginia Supreme Court Kraft v. 8 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

for harassing anglers anywhere on the complain that Jackson River anglers leave Jackson. trash behind and get out of the river onto their property, which is certainly illegal. The implications of the case are far-reaching for sportsmen, especially because it appears To the great surprise of sportsman across that more landowners are taking their the state the Virginia Attorney General’s cue from the state’s relative inaction and office steadfastly declines to be involved in posting signs up and down the Jackson— the case claiming it is a civil matter between even though none of these properties falls two private citizens. The anglers claim that within the Kraft v Burr area. Again, the they have already spent nearly $80,000 position of the VDGIF is that these postings in legal fees and have set up a website to cannot be enforced—that as long as anglers solicit help from the general public (www. are carrying a valid fishing license, Virginia virginiariversdefensefund.org). will not prosecute them for fishing in areas considered public. Yet, the signs are sure On May 4th 2012 a summary judgment case to have a chilling effect on Jackson River was heard in Alleghany County District Court tourism. Is any trout worth being dragged and a decision is expected soon. Though the outcome is still uncertain, citizens on both into civil court for trespassing? sides of the issue are eager for a resolution to The plaintiffs in the new case argue that the latest Jackson River lawsuit. Sportsmen they own the land on both sides of the river fervently hope that it will help clarify, once and pay taxes on the river bottom—that and for all, who can and who cannot fish the they, in fact, have the same exclusive claim Jackson River—and where. No one wants to to that section of the river that the Court get sued for fishing...or for trespassing while recognized in the Kraft v Burr decision. trying to fish. Because the state refuses to uphold their property rights and bring criminal charges Beau Beasley (www.beaubeasley.com) is against trespassers, they are forced to an award-winning outdoor writer and the sue anglers in civil court. James Jennings, director of the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. attorney for North/South Development, says His latest book, Fly Fishing the Mid-Atlantic: that “this is a clear-cut case of trespassing— A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters, can be pure and simple. The anglers were asked to found at fly shops and bookstores across leave, and they didn’t. My client has little the country. recourse since the state won’t recognize his property rights.” Property owners also Photos courtesy of Beau Beasley www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 9

gear review Ross Essence FC Fly Rods Craig Haney, Editor at Large

hen I got into the fly shop business in the midnineties, premium rods sold in the $400 range and entry level rods in the lower $100 range, but the l o we r price

rods were not much of a factor in sales for me in spite of the price. When I could get a customer to go outside and cast both rods, there was a significant difference in how the rods performed and quite often I could sell the customer on the smoother casting, superior tracking, and better dressed (guides, cork, reel seat, case)

premium rod. Times have changed to say the least! There are rods selling as entry level and mid-priced rods today that cast and fish better than premium rods of 15-20 years ago in many (most) instances. While dealers lament the downturn in premium rod sales ($650 and up), fishermen are ecstatic about the quality and castability of rods in the $100-$300 range. On a trip to Hazel Creek in the Smokies this spring, I took a Ross Worldwide 8 1/2 foot, 4 piece, 5 weight rod in their Essence FC series to use on the trip. The FC is the middle priced series from Ross and ranges from $179.99 to $199.99 in price. The deep brown blank is made from Rossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; proprietary R2 graphite and features titanium oxide guides with a nickel plated reel seat and walnut insert. I particularly like the rod alignment dots on

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each section which facilitate rod assembly. A sturdy Cordura covered rod case and lifetime warranty complete the package. Ross describes the action of the rod as medium-fast and I found it very pleasant to use to fish whether I was casting dries, nymphs or streamers. The rod was very responsive and cast very well at short, medium and long ranges. The rod tracked well, and I had confidence in its ability to deliver flies accurately to tough targets beneath the overhanging branches of some of my favorite brown trout spots. The Essence FC cast short very well to pocket water and seams and was a pleasure to fish during the course of my trip. Ross Worldwide has brought to market an excellent rod in their Essence FC 8 1/2 foot, 5 weight that fits the bill for larger mountain streams like Hazel Creek and would be great on any Southern trout tailwater as well. For more info visit www.rossreels.com

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performance primer

Fine Tuning for Tough Trout Harry Murray

he most valuable skill a serious trout angler can master that will help him catch large trout once the spring water levels recede is learning to spot the trout on their feeding stations. This will help you throughout Virginia as well as all across the country. For example, one day when I was fishing with Charlie Fox on a Pennsylvania spring creek he pointed to the far bank of the stream and exclaimed, “Watch closely below that clump of watercress, I think I saw a big brown there.” A month later I was fishing a remote mountain trout stream in Montana with Charley Waterman. As we hid below a small beaver dam, Charley pointed upstream with his fly rod and in a whisper said, “Look tight to the bank below those willows; that’s one of the largest rainbow trout I’ve ever seen in this part of Montana.”

Fortunately, I was able to catch both of these fine trout by drawing on the skills these master anglers had perfected in lifetimes of trout fishing--spotting the trout on their feeding stations. It is important to understand that I am not talking about those trout lying close to the stream bottom in deep pools. These trout were probably on feeding stations and ran for this deep cover as you spooked them when you approached the pool. These trout are almost impossible to catch. Many serious anglers believe that fishing one on one to a large trout holding on a selected feeding station to capture all of the natural insects that drift to him is the most rewarding form of trout fishing--I agree. In order to take advantage of this exciting angling, here are some helpful

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tips. These are easy to learn and many these subtle contrasts between a trout and beginning anglers in my fly-fishing schools his background are more difficult to spot catch some of their largest trout this way. than his movement, but with a little practice, you will become very proficient at finding As you approach a pool, pause well below trout in this way. it and carefully inspect the whole pool for several minutes. Although you are The trout’s shape can also be an easy looking for the trout, you will seldom signal to enable you to locate him. The long see him lying boldly before you. Rather, tapered body of a large rainbow trout held you are looking for some subtle signal over pea-size gravel at a feeding station in that says, “There could be a trout here.” the tail of a pool is easy to locate. Likewise, Then upon careful scrutiny, you spot your the straight edge of a brook trout’s tail when trout, and you can effectively fish for him. viewed from the side against a solid ledge can easily help you locate him. The easiest signal to spot is the trout’s movement. Frequently, a trout will move On sunny days, the trout’s shadow can often slightly on be easier to his feeding locate than he station as is. Naturally, he turns to his shadow intercept a will be easier to discern natural nymph when he is drifting in lying over a the current. lightly colored Sometimes stream bottom. you will even However, even see a glint when he is of light from holding over a his mouth darker bottom, as he opens his shadow his mouth to can often be take a natural located by the nymph. This squinting of is called your eyes. This helps eliminate confusing “whiting a nymph.” In some pools, you may see a trout move from his feeding station colors and the trout’s shadow becomes to locate several feet away in a different easier to see. The key to cuing in on these position. Don’t be misled by this action. signals to help you see the trout on his You probably spooked this trout as you feeding station is to keep in mind that you approached the pool, or he would not have are looking for anything that is out of place left his first feeding station. This trout will in that specific part of the stream. not be very difficult to catch. Now that you know the signals to look for, Another signal that can help you locate it is important to understand the physical a trout on his feeding station is the color parameters of the stream that will govern contrast between the trout and the specific your vision. The texture of the stream’s background over which you are viewing surface, the physical makeup of the bank, him. This may be as bold as the ivory edges and the position of the sun will all influence of a brook trout’s fins when observed over how well you can spot your trout. Since a dark stream bottom. However, it may be you are compelled to fish many of the best as subtle as the dark back of a large brown trout streams upstream in order to prevent trout lying over a boulder stream bottom scaring the trout, you do not have much which is just slightly lighter. Admittedly, control of the angle of the sun. However, www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 13

performance primer

when the sun is high on your back as you fish upstream, it helps you see the trout. Do not worry about your shadow--you will quickly learn to compensate for this. If you are fishing upstream into the sun, the glare on the water can make it very difficult to see the trout. Your best ploy is to move slightly from side to side below the pool in order to find a tree or large boulder upstream that will block the sun.

Deep choppy water below riffles can present problems in spotting trout. However, the trout here are not as wary as those in the flat parts of the pools, so you can move in closer to them to investigate the depths. A footwide window of flat water here can easily let you see your trout. In order to help you see the trout, wear a good pair of polarized sunglasses and a cap with a dark color on the underside of the brim. Your clothing does not have to be camouflaged, but subduedWhen the stream’s surface is rippled by the colored clothing will definitely enable you to wind, you need to find protected corners approach the trout closely without scaring or back eddies where the surface is less them. You certainly do not want to wear a disturbed. Actually, this can often work to white t-shirt or a brightly colored hat. your advantage because many large trout hold in these areas as the streams recede. Learning to see trout on their feeding I like to move slowly in as close as I can get stations, and then going one on one with to the back eddies without scaring the trout a specific wise fish and catching him with and study them for several minutes to spot a well presented dry fly is one of the most the trout. Many large trout cruise these areas rewarding forms of angling. Many of these to feed, and their movements quickly reveal trout you will never forget. To find out more them. Cast a Murray’s Flying Beetle size 16 information on “Fine Tuning for Trout,” visit out two feet in front of these fish, and you’ll the website www.murraysflyshop.com. take many of them. 14 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

2611 RUTH HALL ROAD PIGEON FORGE, TN 37863 WWW.ROCKYTOPOUTFITTER.COM (865) 661-3474 www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 15

book review Fly Fishing Georgia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters

www.clinchriverhouse.com For more inFormation call:

1-865-250-9361

Outdoor Writers Association, the book is a detailed guide to cold-, warm-, and salt-water fly fishing all over the Peach State. Wonderfully illustrated, the title includes photography by David and Stephanie Cannon and Chad McClure along with illustrations by Tom Landreth, Bucky Bowles, Paul Puckett, and Patsy Lewis Gentry. In our opinion it is the best Georgia guidebook since Jimmy Jacobs’ Trout Fishing in North Georgia. (If you haven’t purchased a copy of each of these guide books, we highly recommend you do so.)

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his is certainly the information age when finding out a lot about the sometimes obscure is the norm. For Southern trout fishing, today may be remembered as the era of guide books. Unavailable only a couple of decades ago, guide books today make up small libraries that help us navigate fishing for trout in Southern waters. All of the guide books out there today are helpful, but few of them offer the eye candy found in David Cannon’s first book, Fly Fishing Georgia, a No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters.

While the book is a comprehensive guide to fly fishing throughout the state of Georgia, it is clear that Cannon has a soft spot for fly fishing for trout in streams and tailwater rivers. Readers get a quick, clear understanding of the essential information needed to fly fish Georgia’s best waters. Outstandingly clear maps provide access points to waters. Find everything you need to know to fish a particular water from hatch charts to flies to essential gear. Full color photos of fishing destinations and flies to use. This is a great book for the beginner or expert. David Cannon’s Fly Fishing Georgia, A Nonsense Guide to Top Waters is available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle edition.

Awarded First Place in the Excellence in Craft Competition by the Georgia 16 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

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owl’s perch Old Houses and Brook Trout Owl Jones

here is a lot of “old stuff” here in the Southern Highlands. The rocks are old. The traditions are old. The music is old. The methods for turning corn into...well, into something else, are old. Some of our trout are old. The Southern Appalachian brook trout reportedly date back to at least the last Ice Age by most accounts. Although unknown to most outsiders, the practice of fly fishing in the Southern Blue Ridge is old. Time has left its mark on all these things and on the traditions of the people of the Southern Blue Ridge-so too on their farms, their families and even their small mountain homes.

It was the spring of 2011, and a good friend of mine wanted to catch a trout in the Smokies. Emily is an adventure loving angler who lives in Utah. Everything about the South would be new to her, of course: the small, roundtopped mountains and the funny way we talk, the “fried pies” and the boiled peanuts, and even the way we feel about chickens. My home town has a 30-foot concrete monument to chickens. Doesn’t yours? We didn’t lollygag around town very long though. We were headed for Brook Trout Country and Brook Trout Country is often way back in the hills, above 3000 feet in elevation and along some small, winding, country roads that just happen to have some homes that are a bit less than modern (another thing that was puzzling to our guest).

owl’s perch someone selling pork rinds on the side of the road. She’d smartly quip “Hillbillies!” as we drove by. To Emily, everyone was a hillbilly, and I can see how it might seem that way. The chicken statue, don’t forget... As we barreled northward, further into the foothills of the Blue Ridge, I tried to convince her that we didn’t have real “hillbillies” here in the Deep South--even in our mountains. They were “mountain folk” or “highlanders” but never “hillbillies.” I’m not sure she believed me though. Maybe she was right. Maybe we were all hillbillies, after all. Who am I to judge? If you were to ask Emily, obviously, I’m one of the hillbillies! Well, we never made it to the brook trout stream we wanted to fish that weekend. Unfortunately for everyone in the Southeast, that late spring weekend turned out to be one of deadly tornadoes and massive flooding. While we avoided most of the bad weather, the freestone mountain streams turned to torrents of chocolate milk and the larger rivers morphed into powerful death traps of current, rolling boulders and downed trees. We even tried the highest elevation stream we could find, which was running clear enough, but was still far too cold to be very productive.

On the trip home, having only caught a few stocked trout and still in good spirits for a fly fisher who’d just traveled 2000 miles for such a disappointment, Emily asked me that question from before...“Why don’t they tear these old houses down?” “Because, Emms” I said with a smile, “people are living in them.”

Note: If you are interested in seeing the funniest posts in the world of Southern Trout fishing, visit facebook.com/ OwlJonesFlyfishing Photos courtesy of Owl Jones

“Why don’t they just tear those old houses down?” The question wasn’t asked out of spite. It wasn’t mean-spirited, not at all. She wasn’t commenting on the status or stature of mountain folks by asking about those old homes. She reserved that kind of impartial commentary for the times when we’d pass 20 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

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mountain musings Potholes and Whisper Sticks

mountain musings Hundreds of small, over-looked streams in the region afford near-virgin fisheries for a variety of game fish species and fascinating sport with a flyrod.

Soc Clay “There is a way in there if we can find it,” Bob Danner said, pouring over a well-used copy of a DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer of the state of Tennessee. I was trying to hold the pickup between the ditches and help him pinpoint our location on the page at the same time. Taking up a bit too much of

the narrow road, a kid in a rusted-out Toyota flipped me a bird as he passed much too close for comfort. I noticed his jaw was flapping out probably an unprintable comment as he sped by.

fishermen have tried their luck in the past. However, we were after wilder game at a later time of the season. Armed with the map, waders, and a trunk load of fly-fishing equipment, Bob and I were seeking a nearly virgin pothole fishery that can be found down almost any back road in the region.

Caddis dry fly or the glinting wave of a beadhead wet fly pattern as it swims across the bottom. The fish are not always big, but they are numerous, and the action can be fast and furious with each new pothole offering a new piece of angling excitement stretching as far as one can see.

Our objective was a population

“We’re right here,” Bob said pointing to the light blue line that wiggled close to the forest road. “All we have to do is hike across that bottomland off to the right for about a quarter of a mile, maybe less,” he added.

of smallmouth, rockbass, and sundads that comprised the bulk of the fishable populations found in the u p p e r

I did not get his message, but

the look on his face did get my attention as I eased off the gas peddle and pulled the truck back to my side of the narrow track. Bob, who was engrossed in finding the stream we planned to fish, didn’t know I’d received my cussin’ out of the day, but his eyes lit up as he suddenly stabbed his forefinger on the map. “Right here! This is the place we’re looking for. Pull off up there at that wide place,” he sputtered as I veered the vehicle into what appeared to be a spot where autos had parked in the past. What we’d been looking for was a walk-in access to a small tributary of the Nolichucky River that drains the western side of Green Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest. Farther downstream, where the creek enters the main river, a fair amount of fishing pressure occurs. Favorite roadside access spots are easily identified by worndown grass and weeds where

It turned out that my fishing

partner of many years knew what he was talking about. After collecting our rods and fly vests, we found a deer trail that split through the dense edgearea underbrush and followed it across the poplar and hardwoodcovered flat. We then emerged at the side of a picturesque stretch of the stream that had been reduced to a series of small, welldefined pools and short, shallow riffles. After looking the creek over, it was obvious that the advice we had received from a stream fishing guide was indeed good. r e a c h e s of the stream. Here in the potholes (those small but deep clear water pools that survive summer droughts), bass and other species live out their entire existence without seeing the enticing drift of a

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The pools appeared to range

between two and four feet. That is deep enough to handle a fair size smallie and ideal for rockbass. Over the years, Bob and I have learned this feature is highly important when searching out pothole

fisheries. Deep water means that fish are always present which allows the angler to maintain a high degree of potential success. Slipping on lightweight waders,

we tied a red cloth to the end of a dead snag extending out over the stream, so we could find our shoes on the way back. Bob headed upstream while I readied myself to fish the deep pool immediately downstream.

be a good one. The trickle of current entering the pool dropped immediately into a deep pocket protected by the root system of a giant sycamore tree. If there was a good fish living in the pool, it would hide in the tangle of cover, facing upstream.

good weight that moved! In a heartbeat, a smallmouth in the 14-inch class rocketed heavenward and strolled across the surface in the classic tail-walking dance the species is famed for. It took some doing, but I finally

wallowed out enough room to lie down and eventually work the strong fish close enough to get a grip over its lower jaw. As I held it on the surface to remove the barbless fly, I admired the pure grace and beauty of this This was strictly a fly-fishing stream fighter. Many have said, excursion. Bob and I both pound for pound, smallmouth carried nineis the best foot Pflueger fighting fish in Trion fly rods in freshwater. This the six-weight one, perhaps • Select streams that are at least 15 miles in class. The long a pound and a length. length would half, was exactly • Look for sections in the stream that have blue allow us to what Bob and holes, indicating good depth. “dabble” flies I had hoped to • Fish quarterly upstream when possible. into places find in this off• Focus mainly on deep pools and riffle areas. where we road pothole • Try a selection of both wet and dry fly patterns. couldn’t reach stream. • Carry Mickey Finn streamer flies for grass pike. by casting. The • Always wear personal floatation devices The region’s re a s o n a b l e vast number of cost of the rod pothole fisheries meant if we p r o v i d e s broke a tip in a perfect the brush, it challenge to adventuresome wouldn’t cost the farm to buy rockbass. No doubt the root fly anglers looking for another one. system held a boo-coo of the uncrowned waters to test their latter. I’ve used Scientific Angler fishing ability. On the top bug-tapered fly lines for Working my way downstream end, flyrodders can expect to years. I also use their factory and away from the pool, I find smallmouth going up to tapered leaders, because crossed the creek and took a two pounds, but more likely they are better than anything wide route to slip in behind the eight to 12 inches. These same I can tie myself. For pothole tree. Once there, I poked the places also support goodly fishing, I prefer a nine-foot rod through some underbrush numbers of spotted bass leader, tapered to 5X (3 lb. and shook the line and the fly in the 10-13 inch class. Of test). This leader works for into the pool a few feet above course, the added attractions any size fly and the tippet is a large root that was visible with this type of fishing are strong enough to handle most down to about two feet. tons of rock bass, sundads, fish that live in potholes. Lightgrass pike, even hornyhead weight, single-action fly reels The hare’s ear sunk rapidly chubs that take readily to fly completed our tackle needs. and suddenly moved to the presentations. In some pothole side. I lifted the rod and felt The first target promised to streams where trout stockings The

lack of casting room told me to try the dabbling technique from behind the tree. The gold bead pattern I tied on earlier was heavy enough to sink fairly quickly, perhaps fast enough to avoid a fast bite from a sundad or

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mountain musings

mountain musings work well. Later in the season, this is also a good place to drop a larger hair bug in case a hefty smallie is waiting for a king-size meal. The meat of pothole fishing is produced from the upstream end of the pool. Most game fish species converge on this area to feed on crustaceans, nymphs and other food that may be washing in with the current. For these areas, I love the beadhead patterns mostly in dark colors, because they sink readily into deeper pockets.

have occurred in the past, a remnant population of healthy rainbows or brown trout can live in the deeper pools. good lure selection for pothole fishing includes standard summer and autumn patterns, both dry and wet. Matching the hatch isn’t very important with this fishery, because the fish haven’t seen much of anything they wouldn’t eat in the past. There’s a good chance whatever fly you opt to use will be grabbed quickly by something!

Because most pothole streams

are heavily shaded, the water is generally too cool to wade comfortably. I prefer lightweight stocking waders with a comfortable pair of felt-soled wading shoes. My personal favorite is White River chest highs from Bass Pro Shop. The high waders allow the angler to handle deeper water pockets for both casting position and to retrieve snagged flies. That’s important for keeping the family budgets in check, considering the cost of today’s lures and terminal tackle.

For safety’s sake as well as convenience in carrying tackle and other assorted gear, I wear an inflatable fishing vest every time I go wading. This comfortable device can be inflated in a second by activating a small, concealed CO2 cartridge in a pocket should I happen to fall into deep water. The most effective way to fish potholes is to approach them from downstream. Anglers should keep in mind that stream fish utilize both the upper and lower riffle areas to find insects, crawfish, hellgrammites, baitfish and other food supplies that live amid the rocks and gravels in the shallow spill-over sections. Each pool requires a different approach and a personal judgment call. If it’s a long stretch and I am approaching from downstream, I make a couple of casts to just above the current break near the lower end of the pool to see if an actively-feeding bass has moved into the shallows. Here, both wet and dry patterns

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Here’s a tip. The Crème Fishing Tackle Company has created the Crème Angle Worm. This tiny reproduction of the old nightcrawler is absolutely deadly in both black and purple colors. The tiny propeller attached to the harness ahead of the worm turns easily and attracts fish from some distance away. Because they are so light, the worm is easily handled with a flyrod, and they catch everything! During the early days of summer or during extended dry spells that cause the stream bed to dry up enough to identify the potholes, a Dave’s Hopper or black cricket terrestrial can be excellent for taking larger smallmouth from deeper pools. By casting it quarterly upstream to deeper chutes in the pool, I can mend line for a long float through prime fish-holding habitat. Talk about thrilling! When a smallmouth decides to take these bugs from the top, they put on a great show of charging, grapping, turning

on a dime, and streaking away until they feel the hook! From there on, it’s top water explosions one after another! A 1/32 oz. jig tipped with a one or two-inch plastic grub (the wiggle kind) in dark colors will attract as many bites from rock bass and sundads as you care to have react. These lures are best when retrieved slowly against the current. Hours later when Bob and I met back at the red rag, we compared notes while munching away on some beanie-weenies, Colby cheese and crackers we’d purchased at an old general store down the road. The proprietor there

three or four in the 12-inch size. As we suspected, the wet patterns attracted tremendous attention from sundads and rock bass that are also referred to as redeye and goggle-eyed locally. I’ve always fished for grass pike that are essentially a smaller version of a muskie or northern pike. Bob has caught them before and purposely brought a #8 size Mickey Finn streamer that has yellow hackle interspersed with a strip of blood red hair that runs the length of the fly. The red represents a blood trail, causing it to be deadly for grass pike that try to cash in on an injured minnow. After hooking and releasing seven of these stream battlers that can reach upward to 15-inches

• Matching the hatch - fishing an artificial fly that matches the local hatch of insects. • Tapered lines - fly lines that are specially made for various type of fishing. • Tapered leaders - designed to be heavy at the fly line area, small at the end where the lure is tied. • Dabble - using a fly rod and short line to present flies on the surface in places difficult to cast to. • Jig- a hook that has a leadhead and is usually fished wit h artificial or live bait on the hook. • Single-action fly reel - a light weight reel designed to store fly line. It is also useful to reel in fish.

or more, my fishing pal felt pretty secure in believing all pothole anglers should stow a few in their fly box. The Smoky Mountain region has a multitude of pothole streams of all sizes and shapes. Some have larger fish; others support large numbers of smaller ones. The best ones are located in hilly or rolling terrain where stream bottoms drop quickly, forming the classic short, but deep pools. Any stream more than 15 miles in length will usually provide a pothole fishery, but some of the most productive ones are found in the headwaters of larger creeks and small rivers. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) there are no brochures or angling guides available for this kind of fishing. However, the exploring fisherman armed with a spirit of adventure and the knowledge that even small fish can provide tremendous excitement, can find a world of places just off the road to test their skills. Photos courtesy of Soc Clay

wanted to sell us a package of hotdogs, saying the locals were having a field day fishing these chunks of indigestion for catfish and carp. We resisted, preferring instead to eat the mystery meat ourselves. The day had been an exciting one. Each of us reported taking more than a dozen smallmouths with the fourteen-inch fish as the largest, though there were

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guide profile Chris Scalley

guide profile

Craig Haney

hris Scalley got lucky at age 4 when his parents moved from Ohio to the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, Georgia. Chris’s father did not fish, but his grandfather did and took Chris and his brother spin fishing on the Hooch as they grew older. Trips to Maine for smallmouth bass every year with his grandfather helped develop a deep enthusiasm for fishing at an early age. Watching fly-fishing shows on TV and reading magazines about the sport led Chris to pursue fly fishing. Catching shellcrackers at the river on topwaters just fueled his fire. Seeing caddis hatches on the river and fish rising to feast on them soon piqued his interest in fly tying. He acquired the necessary tying tools and soon learned to tie more durable flies than he had been buying at Oshman’s. His “inner guide” kicked in, and he was guiding neighborhood kids on the Hooch when he was 10 years old for kicks and candy bars. By his teen years, Chris had built a good reputation in the area, and parents were now paying him to take their kids fishing. College came and went and Chris found himself selling John Deere equipment to golf courses and nurseries

until a life changing experience happened. His father took the family to Jackson Hole on vacation. They floated the Snake River while fly fishing from a drift boat, and Chris says he hasn’t been the same since.

Soon afterwards, he started working at The Fish Hawk four days a week and guiding the other days. In 1995, the Chattahoochee was opened to year round fishing and Chris started guiding full time. Since then, River Through Atlanta Guide Service has grown to seven guides besides Chris and specializes in fishing the Hooch in McKenzie-style drift boats. With the Hooch’s average width of 150 feet and average depth of 4-5 feet, a drift boat is a big advantage to the guide and clients. Additionally, Chris guides on the Cumberland River in Kentucky. Early in his guiding career, Chris’s favorite type of client was one who was

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great at stripping streamers because fish are often caught with this method. As time passed, however, Chris says he realized that he got the most satisfaction and reward from guiding someone to his or her first flyrod fish and seeing the excitement it brought. For the angler headed to the Hooch, a nine-foot, fiveweight rod is top choice for an all-around rod. For strictly streamer fishing, Chris likes a ten-foot, fiveor six-weight rod with an Orvis or Rio five-foot sinktip line. The added length of the rod is an advantage in mending line when streamer fishing. Chris says you will catch more trout dead drifting nymphs, but you will catch bigger trout stripping streamers. If you are headed to the Hooch in the spring, Chris says day in and day out the angler should get some action on a crawfish pattern or wooly bugger. As summer comes on, various terrestrial patterns fished dead drift are usually productive. A hopper/dropper combo is popular among anglers during the hotter months. As fall arrives, the streamer pattern takes over for Chris. He says it is a guide’s dream because you can adjust the speed and depth of the fly and cover more water.

pattern when the chips are down, and the fish need to be caught. Chris is no different. His favorite fly is the Blue Assassin fished dead drift under a hopper or indicator or behind a larger nymph. This pattern evolved on the Chattahoochee from the Rainbow Warrior, and it has become a standard pattern for many regulars on the Hooch. Chris Scalley makes his living from the river, but more importantly, he gives back to the Hooch through the Chattahoochee Coldwater Fishery Foundation who work to protect the river from the north Georgia mountains to West Point Lake 200 miles away. For his work for the river, Chris has been nationally recognized by Field and Stream magazine. For a great time, call Chris. 770-650-8630 www.riverthroughatlanta.com

Every fly fisherman I know has a favorite “go-to” www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 27

fly of the month Orange Snipe

Roger Lowe he Orange Snipe was originally created in Michigan. It found its way south into the Smokies thru Frank Coffey. Frank was my tying mentor. He lived in Maggie Valley, NC a few miles from my home. I helped him tie several of these orders for the Orange Snipe. Subsequently, I got to fishing them in our area and found it to be a very effective pattern!

By the late 70s this pattern became very popular in western North Carolina and in the eastern parts of Tennessee. The best times to use these are in the late summer and fall, tied on size #14, #16 and fished dry on top water. This fly fished just on the edge of the swift runs and seams creates lots of action. This is one of my favorite attractor patterns.

Recipe Hook: 94840 Mustad Thread: Black Wing: White hackle tips Tail: Deer body hair Body: Light orange poly yarn Hackle: Grizzly and brown

5 States 38 River Systems $21.95

9 States 46 Tailwaters $19.95

Trout Fishing Guidebooks For The South By Jimmy Jacobs

Photo courtesy of Roger Lowe

Rogerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book, Roger Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains is a fly tying and identification guide. He also has a tying video, Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns. It shows how to tie a lot of the Smoky Mountain patterns. He also has a hatch book, Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns. It tells you which patterns to use each month. Contact him at loweguideservice@charter.net for autographed copies or to inquire about booking a guide fishing trip. 28 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

80 Watersheds On Public Land $15.95

Autographed copies available.

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featured outfitter Davidson River Outfitters

featured outfitter Photos courtesy of Davidson River Outfitters

Monday thru Saturday are 8am to 5:30pm. They are closed on Sunday. The shop is located at 95 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768. If using GPS device, put in the coordinates N352.7404 W082.70551. You can contact them at 828-877-4181 and 888-861-0111. E-mail them at info@ davidsonflyfishing.com.

he Southeast has a great of a collection of outstanding outfitters compared to anywhere in the world. On the top shelf of the South’s outfitters is Kevin Howell’s Davidson River Outfitters. Known by many as Western North Carolina’s premier fly shop and guide service, it is located on the banks of the Davidson River in Brevard, North Carolina surrounded by the resort towns of Lake Toxaway, Cashiers, and Highlands. It is a short drive from Asheville and Hendersonville, Charlotte and the Greenville Spartanburg, SC area and in the middle of the best fishing WNC has to offer.

mountain trout and drift boat fishing for trout and smallmouth bass in the rugged Pisgah, and the Nantahala National Forest, in Dupont and Gorges State Parks, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The guide team also has access to six miles of privately managed trout streams. As a Clacka Craft pro shop, Davidson River Outfitters also offers float trips on the French Broad, Pigeon, Tuckaseegee, Watauga, and South Holston Rivers.

Commitment to getting newcomers started on the right foot is another strong point at Davidson River Outfitters. Instruction provided by their own fly-fishing school The owner, Kevin Howell, grew up fly fishing was designed by the Fly Fishing Master’s for trout. His father, Don Ray, and his Uncle National Champion Kevin Howell. All of their Dwight were at one time the two most fly-fishing school instructors are certified famous fly fishermen in the Tar Heel State. casting instructors, who have dedicated Kevin heads up a staff of ten professional their lives to educating and sharing the joys guides, anchored by Fly Fishing Master’s of fly fishing. Champions Kevin Howell and Walker Parrott. His guides specialize in wading for trophy The shop itself is a great place to visit 32 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

even if you gear needs are meet. It has the unmistakable aroma of a fly-fishing haven where “southern anglish” is the tongue of choice. Davidson River Outfitters sells only the best flies and gear. Found here is the latest fly rods from G.Loomis, Sage, and Winston, and fly reels from Lamson, Ross, Sage, and Nautilus. The shop also carries wading gear and clothing from Simms, Patagonia, and Chota. Of particular interest to anyone visiting Davidson River Outfitters is their incredible selection of flies, which according to many, is the biggest in WNC. Davidson River Outfitters hours of operation www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 33

featured fly shop Atlanta, Georgia

featured fly shop The Fish Hawk the Southeast. Any time you spend with Henry is sure to leave a lasting impression. Rob Smith (a.k.a. The Mustache) is the newest addition to the shop. An avid outdoorsman since a child, he is well versed fly fishing for large trout on local rivers. Ronnie “The Guide” Hall is The Fish Hawk’s foremost adviser for our FH Destinations Travel Agency. Brian Stout is the shop’s resident rod repair and rod building expert who also guides on many of local waters.

Friday evenings are always special, with an eclectic mixture of Atlanta’s fly fishermen gathering around the counter telling tales of the big one that got away and some that didn’t. Stop in and see why countless anglers depend on The Fish Hawk Atlanta fly shop to outfit their fly fishing adventures in Georgia, the Southeast, and the World.

The Fish Hawk fly shop in Atlanta is located When Paul Puckett is not at the shop, he is at 3095 Peachtree Road and is just busy fishing, playing music, or painting his catch-and-release paintings. Paul’s artwork north of the Peachtree Road and Roswell has been featured in numerous fly shops, split. Parking is on the back side, just across auctions, and benefits across the country. Before moving to Atlanta, Paul was a resident the street from the HiFI Buys parking lot. of Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a number of The shop is open years. An avid fly fisherman, Paul has fished all Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.; over the western U.S., the Southeast, and the Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. White River system in Arkansas. You can check out some of Paul’s work at or stop by the shop and see him in person.

rguably the best known fly shop in Dixie, The Fish Hawk has been a fixture in Atlanta, Georgia almost as long as Ted Turner. For over 30 years, The Fish Hawk has been synonymous with fly fishing throughout the South lands. This Peach State fly shop has been outfitting fisherman with the finest fly-fishing, casting and spinning gear available. While the trout waters of north Georgia are the fly-fishing home waters for The Fish Hawk, they are fully capable of outfitting the most discriminating fly fisher to travel to any angler destination worldwide. A top shelf, full service fly shop, The Fish Hawk offers fly fishing, fly tying, and fly casting instruction at the shop as well as in the North Georgia mountains. They can facilitate any trip whether you are looking for guided fly-fishing trips to the trout streams and rivers of north Georgia, North Carolina, or Tennessee. The Fish Hawk staff has been instructing and teaching fly

fishing since 1974, so they are the north Georgia trout fishing experts. For trophy trout fishing on mountain streams, their expertise covers the renowned southeastern tail waters such as the Chattahoochee River, Toccoa River, Hiawassee River, and many others Gary Merriman is the owner of The Fish Hawk. He began fishing at an early age and expanded his passion from a hobby to a business in 1974. His knowledge of saltwater and freshwater angling is unparalleled. From tarpon to trout, Gary knows where to go, what to use, and how to make it all come together. Bob Merriman has been with The Fish Hawk for over 20 years. Bobby, like his brother, has an extensive knowledge of both fresh and saltwater angling. Henry Williamson runs the shop’s Sage fly fishing school, a position he has held for nearly twenty years. In addition to the school, Henry is one of the first true modern fishing guides in

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featured resort Clinch River House

orld-class fly fishing for brown trout does not always go handin-hand with world-class accommodations. Yet, on the other hand, sometimes it does. Located on a prime stretch of the famous Clinch River, the Clinch River House in Clinton, Tennessee, aptly qualifies on both accounts. This rustic bit of luxury is dedicated to the wonder, beauty, and art of fly fishing. They believe in catch and release, barbless hooks, and the protection of the environment.

Today the Clinch River House has been expanded to feature a main house, a cabin, and a pavilion. It remains popular with fly fishermen, but it has become a popular venue for family reunions, weddings, group gatherings, or family vacations. When you are there, the hustle and bustle of civilization seems like it is decades away. The portion of the river fronting the property is so lightly fished, that it is a rarity to see another angler on the water. Southern fly fishers wanting to pit their skills against the

Southern fly fishermen want to fish great waters and East Tennessee has great waters. Clinch River House is nestled between the small towns of Lake City and Clinton right on the banks of the tail waters of the Clinch River and downstream from Norris Lake. The house was operated as a bed-and-breakfast and fishing camp by the McCowan family in the late 1990s. In 2004 the place was purchased by the McLean family who also owns and operates the Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

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featured resort Clinton, Tennessee numerous rainbow and brown trout will find that the Clinch River House’s location is in the heart of some of the best fishing on the tailwaters of the river. No one in East Tennessee is more knowledgeable about fly fishing the Clinch River than is their veteran fly fisherman, Doug Shultz. As their resident fly-fishing guru, Shultz enhances everyone’s fly-fishing adventures if only because he has created a fly hatch chart on year-round Clinch River patterns. To learn more about fly fishing on the Clinch, check out Doug’s new book Midges for Taking Trout on the Clinch River. It can be purchased at www.stores. ebay.com or by contacting him directly at TroutWhiskers@ aol.com. Enjoy a scenic overlook of the Clinch River amid all the comforts of a beautifully appointed, lodge-style home. You, your family, and friends will have every desirable amenity for a vacation or gettogether. Accommodations at Clinch River House are plush/rustic

and perfect for a weekend getaway. Found in the spacious house is a completely inviting fireplace, two bedrooms (one with queen-sized bed and one with twin beds), one bath (towels provided), a full kitchen (with utensils), a deck with a gas grill and hot tub, cable TV, and DVD player. Although smaller, the Clinch River Cabin has much the same as the bigger house except it does not have a deck. The rate for the house for one night is $300, and the house and cabin for one night is $500. Taxes and guide services are not included with the required two-night minimum stay. Also, one-night’s fee is required as a deposit, but the fee will not be refunded or applied to future stays at Clinch River if you cancel your reservation.

For more information, please contact Clinch River House, 4700 Coster Road, Knoxville, TN 37912. Contact them by phone at (865) 250-9361 or visit www.clinchriverhouse.com.

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guide review Chucky CrÈmÈ DE LA CrÈmÈ DaVe Ezell

guide review the nearby Holston River. The Holston’s upper, lower and lower upper sections (yeah, I know it’s confusing, even to a native) has some great fish

ive friends and I decided to do an overnight on the Nolichucky River that runs through upper East Tennessee and eventually backs up into Douglas Lake near White Pine, Tennessee. The buckets of rain that were falling as I departed for Erwin, Tennessee that Monday morning in mid May did not bode well. The “Chucky” is a free stone river, and any moisture from above builds the stream higher and makes it dark and therefore, almost impossible to fish. Luck would have it that the storm went on both sides of the Cherokee National Forest, and our river, so our three guides decided it was, “A go.” We were on the river by 8:30 a.m. Excellent! This is especially true if one considers that the six of us were assembled from Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee. It turned out to be a great day of fishing on the “Chucky.” The river’s scenery is magnificent with little of man’s clutter to mar the view on either bank. A hot lunch of crab cakes, salad and By Golly Pie on the river was interrupted by a 20-minute downpour, but the rain let up, and we were on our way again in our three rowable pontoons. Clark, my friend from Atlanta, and I probably landed 80 fish between us. This included about 14 trout with the rest smallmouth using fly rods and lightweight spinning outfits. I snagged a

habitats on it as the Holston flows from Virginia south into Tennessee. It eventually joins the French Broad to form the Tennessee River. The Tennessee Valley Authority threw some dams in along the way. One forms Cherokee Lake which makes the river mostly tailwater in Tennessee. good size smallie that was blind in one eye, which, of course, provided me with bragging rights of best angler. “On that drift, do you know how hard it was to put that lure in front of that fish’s good eye?” There are rumored to be some monster musky on this river, but alas, none peeked for us. That evening we arrived at our already assembled riverside camp while our guides/chefs quickly prepared a fine steak dinner for the six of us. It rained that night all around us, but not on us. This was nice, except for the fact that the next morning the river was up another foot and colored darker than a witch’s wart.

As beautiful as those habitats are, they are not where we fished. That morning, we fished “citified” waters in the heart of downtown Kingsport with Eastman Chemical plant on both sides of us for miles. You would think this would be “toxic” water,

and likely was at some point, but today it was full of trout on the upper end where we put in. Here the water was cooler. It is kind of strange fishing into effluent pipes, but by God, there are fish there. Now, we did not eat any of these, so I could not state if they have a slightly off taste to them from the frying pan. Again, it was a good day. Lunch of blackened Ahi Tuna was served as we sat on an Island in the middle of the river while freight trains provided background music. This was a great trip and credit has to be given to our guides Adam Vurnakes of Silverbow Anglers, Elizabethton, TN, and to Judson Conway and Evan Merrill with Elk Creek Outfitters out of Boone, NC. In addition to an unfathomable knowledge of the rivers we fished, they provided a first class experience for the six of us. If you are “fishing right” with these guys, expect a reward of Blueberry Pie, a liquid concoction that goes down smooth, but for the uninitiated, it sure caries a bite the next morning!

After coffee, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and some discussion, it was decided that we would pull the boats and transport them to

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wanderings of the creek freak

Creek Creepin’ Bob Borgwat

n the Southern woodlands, a true bounty of troutfishing opportunity lies within the ambitious reach of Dixie’s fly fishermen. In fact, it is amazing that spectacular trout waters and graphic solitude stand so close to the suburban South. Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta, the rugged country my partner and I trek reveals steep tree-studded slopes and deep canyons. Access to the water is tough, indeed, even beyond the strenuous declines viewed from roadside turnouts. Rock ledges, fallen trees, ropelike briars, and a low-hung forestland canopy promise to snag attempts to reach the streams’ sparkling runs and emerald-green pools. Yet, our scramble downhill– slipsliding all the while in felt-soled wading boots–delivered us

at the edge of a streamside thicket many would turn away from when considering the effort we endured to penetrate the tangled, twisted mountain jungle land. Fly fishing the hidden streams of the southern Appalachian Mountains calls for tackle ultra light in its action, small in its design, strong in its spine, and quick in its ability to send an illicit meal to a waiting trout.

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Behind a midstream boulder, amid a sweeping run of broken water, lurking in the shadow of a fallen log, hidden from view in the tangles of collected woodland debris, the fish– rainbows, browns and brookieslie in wait to ambush their prey. The tackle–and, of course, the angler–must meet the challenge. To carry a weighty and cumbersome combination of rod and reel, the fisherman finds hidden gremlins in

the forest’s understory who relentlessly grab at overgrown tackle.

one by one, the drop pools fed by watery chutes and drains were targeted for action.

At streamside, a friendly wager was cast in a bet between us. As a competing pair–my partner armed with a collection of nymph patterns and my pockets full of the usual dry flies – we quietly studied the upstream waters. With the stream’s current running away from us, the trout we hoped to encounter were far less likely to discover our covert approach. They would face upstream, as stream trout do, grazing insects from the downstream food delivery route.

From the fanny pack on my hip, I anxiously sifted through a carefully selected store of tiny dry flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Blue-winged Olives, Adams, Sulphurs, Royal Wulffs, Black Gnats. Yet, I selected the venerable Stimulator, a large and bushy bug that simulates nothing in particular. However, it is buggy, perhaps like no other summertime fly pattern. From a small plastic tube, I pressed a drop of silicone dressing onto the fly. When massaged into the feathers and fibers of the

Opportunity is what fishing these streams is about. Opportunistic anglers study “fishy” lies of the water’s feeding inhabitants. Opportunistic fish do not pass by the miniscule, but frequent meals served to them by the stream’s downhill trek. Improve the opportunity for fish and fisherman, and, in turn, fishing success improves. A sudden urgency swelled between us in that canyon, as

fake, the thick, opaque fluid ensured a high-floating drift into the lair of a waiting fish. An arching bend that fell away into a foaming well of whitewater felt the first sting of our combined arsenal. My highriding dry fly lit on the run’s midsection and was quickly carried downstream. Again and again, repeated drifts drew no action on the dancing water

until I watched my partner whip a size 16 bead-headed Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear into the bowl at the base of the tiny falls. From the end of the whitewashed cascade, a flash of light erupted skyward in the brilliant hues of a twisting trout. The fish’s fight bent a light arch in the angler’s rod, but he quickly led the trout to the security of his landing net. He admired the football-like profile of the summer season’s fattened rainbow trout (11 inches of an American classic) and released the fish to swim again. Scratch one for the nymph fisherman. That was a fast start … for the nymphing angler. Oftentimes, the creek creeper finds action elusive despite the best method in his madness. With tackle in hand and fish-fighting dreams in his heart, his action sometimes takes form only in his efforts climbing atop lichen-covered boulders, stumbling in midstream, crawling through fallen timber, sliding down water-worn chutes. He often narrowly avoids encounters with poison oak, unknowingly flirts with poisonous snakes, and unceasingly cusses a host of airborne critters intent on a blood-meal, compliments of the angler himself. Competition extracts sometimes the finest traits of sportsmanship from rivals. Extended to the fishing arena, competition also delivers camaraderie (and honest goodwill) among friends who relish their partner’s success on the water as if it was their own. Where the considerable canopy lifted to reveal a cloud-studded summer sky looming over a

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wanderings of the creek freak long and twisting boulder run, an outstretched arm pointed out a likely trout lie. I nodded “thanks.” Eight feet of 4-weight graphite began transmitting its energy into an everlengthening stretch of airborne fly line as I swept my fly-rod back and forward between the “hours” of 10 and 2 on an imaginary clock. The confines that creek creepers find in their immediate surroundings limited my backcast, however, and the bank-side bushes unemotionally tore away my favored fly. Quick to replace it, and repositioning myself with more space given fore and aft, I again lifted the fly line from the water in successive sweeps of forearm and wrist. The delivery fell short of the appointed waters. Another quick, lifting action brought the fly back to my rear and forward again in a shooting line that laid it 25 feet ahead of me and 6 feet forward of a current-breaking boulder in the creek’s middle. The parted water resembled the tailing vanes of an arrowhead. A liquid seam separated the stream’s flow from a quiet eddy behind the wide boulder. With delicate precision, the fly floated headlong for the boulder’s upstream face. A tiny whirlpool spun the fly through a small circular pattern at the rock’s edge and deposited it in the current’s raceway, tracing around the boulder’s shape.

Two seconds later, another tiny swirl pushed the fly onto the seam of the eddy. I mended the line for control. This fish’s strike had none of the fanfare of the greedy rainbow in the day’s beginning hour. The fly simply floated to its exit from the eddy line and disappeared in a dimple on the stream’s surface. The sting of the fly’s hook, however, sent the sneaky thief into a quick run across the pool, a sudden surge downstream, and a dogfight that ensued beneath the stream’s surface. The fight didn’t last long. Such battles with the Appalachians’ small stream-borne trout (this one a brown trout) come to an end in relatively short order. But, the struggle’s intensity was deep, reflecting the fish’s wild, instinctive motivation to escape and survive.

We, too, were surviving, my partner and I, and we did escape leaving behind our cares, worries and responsibilities for another day. The bet? Call it a draw. Who’s counting anyway? We passed the day drinking in the emotional value of a microworld around us, swallowing a natural spiritual comfort despite the hardships endured to reach these shining waters. Creek creepers are like that, driven to their end for adventure on the water and finding simple truth and beauty in the take behind the shimmer of a rainbow’s rosy gill plate, the glow in the buttery flanks of a brilliant brown trout, and the neon flash painted on the fin tips of the indigenous brookie.

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loose loops and wind knots

Terrestrials: The Terrors of Summmer Craig Haney, Editor at Large Between mid-summer and late autumn, trout rely less on their usual sources of nutrition (such as aquatic insects) than they do at any other time of year. One reason for this is the cyclic availability of aquatic insects. Beginning in early spring, hatches of may, stone, and caddis flies largely empty the streambeds of large sub-adult members of these orders. The eggs they lay in the streams between March and June replenish the streams, but it is not until late autumn that many of these become significant sources of food for what anglers refer to as “catchablesize-trout.”

Photo courtesy of USFWS The hot weather months through autumn is when land-bound insects, or terrestrials, are most available to stream trout. Terrestrials become available to stream trout in a variety of ways, from simply jumping into the water, as is often the case with a grasshopper, to falling from limbs and other greenery hanging over the water, as is the case with caterpillars and jassids. Other terrestrial insects that can fly, such as bees, Japanese beetles, and locusts, often find their way onto the surface of a stream. Those occasional late summer and early autumn rains wash a bounty of terrestrial insects into the water. At this time buggy, nondescript terrestrial fly patterns such as a Wooly Worm are deadly on stream trout. Terrestrial insects provide easily seized, high-quality food at a time when considerable efforts might otherwise have to be expended chasing minnows or crayfish. There

is little in the world of terrestrial insects which stream trout will not gulp down with gusto, especially on medium to small streams where land critters play a key role in the daily feeding habits of trout. One of the most interesting things about terrestrial insects trout fishermen should understand is that even when dead, these insects always float. Nature protects terrestrials from soaking up water when they are alive by providing them with a nonporous body that boasts an over-layer of wax. Terrestrials are essentially waterproof. That is not to say a trout will not nab a grasshopper you offer on a line weighted down with a split shot sinker. However, it is a fact that a trout is more accustomed to taking a hopper from the surface rather than beneath it. The hot weather months’ terrestrial carnival is just as open to bait fishermen as it is fly rodders. One of my most memorabl e fishing trips occurred in early autumn during the early 1970s after reading about “grasshopper wind.” The next afternoon Vic Stewart and I chased down and caught six or seven dozen grasshoppers. It rained that night, and the next morning the creeks had just enough color in them to put a smile on a condemned man’s face. Grasshoppers are to trout what a rib eye steak is to you or me. A hopper is a tasty, substantial mouthful that does not come around frequently enough for a trout to pass on it. Grasshoppers certainly are not the only ma jor terrestrial which

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stream trout feed upon, but in many instances they are of primary concern to fishermen. When grasshoppers are available in large quantities, and this commonly occurs during late summer and early autumn, trout zero in on merely the chance one of these “rib eyes” will spangle the surface near where they lie. Anyone who has ever found themselves on a quality trout stream armed with a few good grasshopper imitations where these terrestrials are numerous knows what it is like to experience a little bit of heaven on earth. Another terrestrial insect that late Summer and early Autumn trout often key In on is the jassid, or leaf hopper. Related to the grasshopper, but much smaller, jassids are often common living in streamside grasses and other greenery. When fishing a stream where you see trout dimpling the surface along the extreme edge of the water, odds are these fish are munching down jassids, although occasionally this will happen when wood ants are working near and falling in the water. Southern fly fishermen who have not discovered the effectiveness of late summer and early autumn terrestrial patterns will be astounded when trying these offerings. Fly catalogs boast many patterns designed to mimic grasshoppers, jassids, ants, beetles, grubs, and more.

Grasshopper patterns are my personal favorite, with the old reliable Joe’s Hopper being tough to top. Should you find yourself astream without a hopper pattern when you need one, you can push a Muddler Minnow into service. Dressed with floatant, a Muddler Minnow is a pretty good grasshopper imitation. Ant patterns are the unsung heroes of late summer and early autumn stream fly fishing for trout. At this time of year, it is a good idea to periodically examine the contents of the stomachs of trout you catch. If they are feeding heavily on grasshoppers, the stiff legs of these creatures will be easily seen when the stomach is split. Ants, on the other hand, are not so easily discerned. Sometimes you will find compl ete or partial b o d i e s of ants, revealing the trout had fed on these morsels, but most of the time it is only a blackish, or sometimes reddish, bloop in the stomach. At this time of year, ants are extremely common along trout streams. Although they are small, trout never waste time seizing one when it becomes available. Ant patterns in black and red, in sizes #10 to #18, should always be carried when fly fishing for trout during late summer and early autumn. My best results have occurred when concentrating only on the edges of streams, but trout will take ant patterns just about anywhere they are offered at this time of year. Hopper photo courtesy of Hopper World Flies Grasshopper and Ant photos courtesy of USFWS Fly photo courtesy of Craig Haney

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feature

The Stunning Trout Art of A.D. Maddox

feature

Leah Kirk

he term “trout art” seems like a contradiction in terms, at least until you feast your eyes on the paintings of trout by A.D. Maddox. In the 1960s, some would have perhaps assumed that some Maddox color spangled pieces were the psychedelic art of Andy Warhol. However, unlike Warhol’s work, the trout art of A.D. Maddox is something everyone who loves these fish and fishing for them cannot help but be utterly captivated by her work. The paintings that do not dazzle your brain with color look so surrealistically lifelike that they make you feel they would slip from your hands if you dared to pick them up. A Tennessee native, Maddox grew up in Franklin when that now fully urbanized area was still pure farmland. After graduating from Nashville’s Father Ryan High School, she enrolled at Auburn University and then transferred to the University of Colorado in Boulder where she studied sports medicine. Although Maddox taught gymnastics in that part of the world until she was 27 years old, her heart was in the recreation of the American West. “I was always an artist. I can remember drawing as early as 4 (and creating pieces by 6) always color, people, horses, and plants. There is a lot of in between time between college and when I lived in Atlanta where I worked under a very famous artist Kamy Deljou,” says Maddox when explaining how she arrived at her current position in the art world. “He taught me art as well as what I learned at The Portfolio Center in Buckhead” which is equally well known in the art industry for education. “I was schooled in design and color for only a short period of time in 199192. I also worked with Flournoy Holmes, a well known graphic artist that designed CD covers for the famous bands of that Top - Cool Eyed Luke Right - Lightning Rise time. These included the Greg Middle - Georgetown Cutty Bottom - Cuttalicious

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feature

feature Almond Band, GA Peach, others too as I recall. It was some time ago.” “I’ve always been geared to paint for an audience. It’s innate. When I lived out West, I painted cowboys and Indians, horses etc.... So when I moved to Jackson Hole and had a shot at a gallery (that’s an interesting story) my first piece sold within the hour for $1000. Rare story, but true, and what was it? Trout painted on a piece of furniture. Since at the time I was nonexistent as an artist in that area unable to get wall space, I decided I’d start on the ground floor and work my way up,” says Maddox.

my first piece sold within the hour for $1000

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Left to right - Deep Cutt, Bend In Stone, Nack Rainbow On, Thanksgiving, Not Over Yet

Maddox launched into her professional painting career by painting furniture of all sorts, cabinets mainly, but benches, too. When Center Street Gallery in Jackson Hole found out I was doing this, the owner Beth Overcast paid me a visit. She liked what she saw, gave me a shot, and within an hour of putting my work in the gallery, she sold my first piece. Painting trout was Beth’s suggestion as she had a hunch they would sell. So in 1997-98, trout was it. There’s an impressive history in

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feature Maddox’s painted furniture. The list includes loads of wooden boxes, some made from alder and some from pine that were carved and painted. She did a painting on the top and sold these all over for $300 each, recalling that between 1998 and 2008 she did at least 800 boxes, plus an assortment of beds, armoires, jelly cabinets, nightstands, upholstered benches and barstools before she started her move to “creeeeep up onto the walls.”

feature staring at me saying “I dare you!” That’s tough stuff ... I go into the meat grinder and either I jam it or come out as KFC ... Finger-licking good!”

“I started making carved and painted trout mirrors and leather-wrapped carved and painted branded mirrors, fringe mirrors and then ... I WAS ON THE WALLS,” says Maddox of her ascension. “Then I started my bold move with paintings. My first show was handed to me on a silver plate in Ketchum, Idaho. Otherwise known as Sun Valley, a tourist Mecca of considerable fame, here the Sagebrush Gallery gave me a shot at my first trout show.” When asked how she arrived at her unique style of portraying fish, Maddox smiles and says that her style is constantly changing and that she never feels she “arrives.” Each painting is the result of many hours at the easel where style is always being honed. “It comes from within, but as you can see I’ve had to put in the time.” An average work week for her is paint everyday as much as she can. She is not on a schedule. “I just get up and attack my list.” How varied are the people who buy Maddox’s trout art? “People are all varied in my opinion,” she says, “but the common denominator is they love fishing! I’ve never met a client I did not like. When I sign a painting ... That is the best feeling I’ve ever experienced! Painting feeds my soul as it is my purpose in life. No painting is really ever the same as it takes countless brush strokes and a lot of time. I’ve got a white canvas 50 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

Right to left - Took The One, Spotted Fever, Strawberry Brook, Foxy Brown, New Fork Beadhead II www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 51

feature Snake Tales

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Don Kirk

e all got ‘em, tales of close encounters with the most feared of creatures--snakes. Since first encountered by man in the Garden of Eden, these belly-crawling, slithering reptiles have done little to garner more than the contempt (and fear) of man. Snakes play a vivid role in the lives of Southern trout fishermen, some of whom have actually sat on these reptiles when getting ready for a streamside snack or to tie on a fresh fly. Rattlesnakes, those vermin with the ability to make a noise that will melt the mettle of the strongest men, are material for spinning yarns among Southern trout fishermen, but not mine. I am more of a copperhead stories fan, as most of my more exciting moments in the woods occurred in close proximity of these chunkily built snakes. Copperheads are dangerous, less for their venom than the fact they are lazy and possess little tolerance for anything. Rattlers usually announce their mood, but an ornery chunk-head will rarely slide aside or give quarter to the unwary. A few years ago I came up with the idea of a single overnight trip. My sons were five and eight years old, and we lived near the Cherokee National Forest in eastern Tennessee. Our goal was to hike into the bowels of the upper reaches of Paint Creek near Greeneville to do some trout fishing that afternoon. Then, the next morning, we were to fish a bit more but not so much that we would be home by noon. At the time the woman I married was fond of frequently pointing out my shortcomings in the amount of quality time I spent with my sons.

headed down the well-maintained foot path. Jeff, the oldest, was in the lead followed by Shae. I brought up the rear. The trail followed the creek much of the way, although for the last half mile, it left the stream and skirted the ridge while the stream roared through a rugged gorge where eventually it faded from hearing.

deal with the snake problem. This tidbit of wisdom came 20 years ago when my longtime trout fishing buddy Vic and I stopped for an RC cola and a MoonPie at a country store. Knowing us and knowing we were headed to a stream, the old man who ran the dilapidated establishment gleefully informed us about that week’s bite victims.

Halfway around the ridge I looked up at Jeff who was 20 feet or so ahead of me. He was striding over a 3 1/2-foot copperhead stretched out straight as a walking cane laid across the hard-packed footpath. Panicking, I lunged forward, catching the back of Shae’s pack frame and pulling him back.

“It’s been dry. Them rattlers and copperheads are really on the move now,” he said while we riveted our attention on his snuff stained teeth and lips. But then, he added, we should not worry about snakes when we were in the mountains. “If you look fer snakes, you’ll see ‘em. If you don’t, you won’t see ‘em,” he said. He was mostly right. Taking his advice, I quit looking. Vic didn’t. Instead, he developed a deviant delight in stopping to show me some rattlers I had walked by without seeing it under the large fern that shrouded the nest of rattlers.

Unfortunately, at that same instant, I

Photo courtesy of USFWS

backcountry trout stream. It was the perfect set-up: fishing and exercise and pleasing the Chairman of the Board to boot. The hike from where I parked my ‘65 Dart started out great. Bearing our backpacks, we made the two-mile hike to where Paint Creek and Little Paint Creek merged. Before pitching our tent, I strung the boys’ fishing poles and gave them a can of worms. By the time I had our camp ready for comfortable living, they had caught enough trout for supper. While I cooked the trout, fried potatoes and bacon, they tossed rocks into the stream and splashed about. Supper was a delicious memory, followed by my breaking out of cigars for all who wished to partake.

Early the next morning while the youngsters slept, I hit the stream and had a great time catching a few decent fish. Descending the steep terrain back to our camp, I found the boys awake crunching bowls of Fruit Loops, heedless of my absence, and none the worse for the cigar smoke from the night before. They did not even complain about having canned, condensed milk in their bowls of a sugar-based substitute for food. We had So, to keep peace, I took the boys on to be home by noon, so we broke camp and an overnight hike to the edge of this hit the trail. Everything was going fine as we 52 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

This easy-to-employ, “seeno-evil” system worked well until I was at Cades Cover in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park a couple of years ago. The slow moving lower reaches of Abrams Creek in the cove are small, but there are a few deep holes along the banks that hold trout that are unaccustomed to casting. It was early October and the fields were alight with grasshoppers in the thigh Photo courtesy of USFWS high, brown grass. As I had shrieked “Jeff!” By this time he was clear of often done to reach my favorite section the snake though, which had raised its head of water there, I cut across an overgrown off the ground to get a better look at him. pasture which required crossing a barbed My voice caught the copperhead’s attention. wire fence. Tossing my fly rod across the Its head shifted so it could see me at the fence, I pushed down the top strands of same instant Jeff hopped back over the barbed wire and lifted one leg across. snake, which did not see him coming until he was walking away from the snake. The When I brought up my other leg, a familiar, boys thought the entire affair hilarious. The very close sound filled the air. I froze and the entire event still gives me chills. noise ceased. I searched the ground before me intensely for the problem, but the kneeMy worst scare delivered by a rattlesnake high brown grass revealed nothing. Craning came from one I never actually saw, which my neck backwards, I looked, but could not according to some, is the best way to spot the snake. Waiting a couple of minutes, www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 53

feature I lifted the other leg to return back where I had started. When it was an inch off the ground, the buzz created by nearby rattling deafened me. Beads of sweat now dripped from my nose. When I was motionless, the snake was silent, but when I moved its rattlers sang. For half an hour I straddled the fence. At two- or threeminute intervals I would slowly hoist a leg to check the rattler. Each time my effort drew an audible response. Then, as unexpectedly as it started, I no longer heard the rattling. Finally, crossing the rusty wire, I picked up my fly rod as I carefully Photo courtesy of USFWS looked around for the current whereabouts of my worrisome new friend, but it was nowhere Continuing on to the creek, it occurred to me to be found. I never once laid eyes on that the old man was right, you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spend your time fishing by looking for snakes, even damned rattler. if you hear them first.

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feature Beating the Summer Heat: Greenbrier in the Smokies

feature

Greg Ward

ive straight days of 90 degree temperatures this past May has made for an early summer. Summers in Sevier County mean parades, fireworks, bullfrogs, crickets, and the occasional overheated car stuck in traffic on Hwy 66. Tourists trying to beat the heat have made Dollywood’s Splash Country the nation’s most visited water park. Personally, my favorite way to escape the summer heat involves a fly or spinning rod (sometimes both) and some artificial lures, baits, and flies. Earth tone shorts, shirt, hat, wading boots, extra socks, polarized sunglasses, and a cooler loaded with my favorite beverage complete my summer fishing ensemble. Okay, you can put snacks and few water bottles in the cooler, too.

The range in temperature from my home in Pigeon Forge to the heights of the Smokies never ceases to amaze me. I can leave downtown Pigeon Forge and my truck’s thermometer will read 95 degrees, but once I hit the Smokies (about a thirty-minute drive) it has cooled down to a balmy 78 degrees. In fact, the highest air temperature ever recorded at the lodge atop Mount LeConte is 78.

Middle Creek to Dunn’s Market. Take a left and go about 1/4 of a mile and turn right onto Highway 416. Stop at the Rib Shack for some awesome BBQ, then continue on 416 to Highway 321 and turn right. One mile later, turn left into the Greenbrier entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

You c a n g e t to my favor i te summertime haunt, Greenbrier, a few ways—just don’t tell anyone. If you’re staying in Gatlinburg, go north at traffic light #3 onto Highway 321 and in about seven miles you will see the entrance to Greenbrier on your right. If you cross the bridge over the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River, you have gone too far. If you are coming from Pigeon Forge, take Upper

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It is likely you will be greeted by several beauties swimming and sunbathing at the lower levels of the Middle Prong. Several parking lots are on the right hand side of the road probably packed full of trucks and cars loaded with inner tubes and beach towels galore. A few miles on you will pass the ranger’s house on the right. From here on is some of the finest fishing on the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River proper. Small pull-offs will be on your left. Well maintained trails lead from these pull offs to absolutely gorgeous riffles, runs, shoots, and pools teeming with rainbows, brookies, and occasional brown trout. As a youth, Greenbrier was my favorite brown trout river in the park. I know the state was still stocking back then. Guess what? They still stock from the bridge at 321 downstream for miles. TWRA put 3,000 browns in this spring. A few of these fish pay no attention to the

rules and make it past the stocked-trouttruck-chasers and end up at the confluence of Porters Creek and Ramsey Cascades. It is fairly easy to access the section of the river between the ranger’s station and the picnic area, a stretch of about three miles. A little above the picnic area you will find the Gorge. This is tough waters up to the confluence. The road up Greenbrier splits with Porters Flats on the right and Ramsey Cascades on the left. These two streams fish like their namesake. Porters meanders and spreads out more than Ramsey. With less than half the flow of Ramsey, Porters is full of small rainbows. Brookies are sprinkled in here and there. Ramsey, on the other hand, is plunge pool after plunge pool. Boulders as large as your Expedition or even your house are strewn all about Ramsey Creek. Brook trout become the dominant fish not far above the Ramsey Cascade trailhead. I fish 8’ to 9’ fly rods in the 4 weight class. The dull color of a Light Cahill to the brightest chartreuse Caddis in your box will work during summer. I prefer to fish a size 10 Parachute Adams on the Middle Prong. Larger trout will smash the large offering. Size 12 Cahills, Yellow Sallies, and chartreuse Caddis complete my

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feature

Over 200 entries for only $2.99

Download it now from the App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play (for Android) choice of flies. Size 12 and 10 chartreuse Inch Worms, Tellico nymphs, Yellow-Hammer and Pheasant Tails are great for nymphers. Size 6 Muddlers, brown, black, and olive Wooly Buggers are great for streamers. When I fish Porters, I use the same colors that I fish on the Middle Prong/Greenbrier proper. I just size down to 14, 16, and 18 on dries and nymphs. The size 10 Adams that I fish on the big water of Greenbrier tends to scare the fish in the smaller tributaries like Porters. Ramsey is at the top of my favorite streams in the Smokies. I fish Tennessee and Carolina Wulffs tied correctly by Chad Williams at Smoky Mountain Angler in Gatlinburg. He uses moose mane for the tail and to beef up the hackle and body. This enables me to fish the dries in the rough and tumble waters of Ramsey. Little River Outfitters in Townsend can produce flies to order. I love to escape the stresses of life by getting knee-deep in a stream. Cool water rushing over my bare legs is better than any therapy or massage. All my worries disappear as I

become a size 10 Adams drifting along the surface, then . . . WHAMâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;lightening strikes and a nice bow breaks the surface with my Adams clutched in its mouth! There are a couple of things to keep in mind if you are fishing Greenbrier 1. Your cell phone probably will not get a signal in most places. 2. Be aware of quickly rising water. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and Greenbrier waters rise very fast. 3. Pay attention to your surroundings. I have seen more rattlesnakes and copperheads in this part of the Smokies than I have in other areas I fish. 4. Watch your childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the rocks can be treacherous. 5. As always, do not stray from the streams or trails. 6. Keep what you need and leave the rest for seed.

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feature Trout of the Holston

feature

Ian Rutter

he Holston River tailwater below Cherokee Dam is one of Tennessee’s premier fly fishing destinations, which is still a secret of sorts. The river has little notoriety among fly fishers because few are aware of it. Rainbow and brown trout are common, and smallmouth bass and redeyes (sometimes called rock bass) are also present and become dominant as you go further downstream. Here is my advice on the best methods for fly fishers to wade and float the river plus information on the hatches they can expect to see. Fly fishers are not as aware of the Holston

River as they are the South Holston, Watauga, Clinch, and Hiwassee tailwaters because of access issues. Public access is extremely limited on this river, which in turn limits the number of anglers you will see. The best access point for waders is at the Nance’s Ferry boat ramp. Shallow riffles are able to be waded for a good way upstream. This is essentially a winter and spring trout fishing spot though. Water temperatures in the summer are generally too warm for trout, but fishing for smallmouth bass and carp can be excellent.

the Nance’s Ferry area due to much cooler water temperatures. Fly fishers will want to walk downstream to productive shoals for the best fishing on this section of the river. Indian Cave is a public access point a little more than halfway between the dam and Nance’s Ferry, but there is very little water for the fly fisher without a boat. Unfortunately, other access points to the river require landowner permission. Floating the Holston River Floating the river allows greater access, but again, access is still very limited. The public boat ramps on the river are found at

Cherokee Dam, Indian Cave, and Nance’s Ferry. Floating the Holston tailwater presents more obstacles than other big trout rivers in Tennessee. However, these are not the conventional obstacles like boulders and white water that might come to mind. Rather than dangerous obstacles, the river features several long, slow stretches that can exhaust those rowing drift boats. For that reason, the float from Cherokee Dam to Indian Cave can be a long one. Private river accesses are a necessity to make this section of the river an enjoyable float.

The other public access for wading anglers The float from Indian Cave to Nance’s Ferry is at Cherokee Dam. This section of the river is the most workable for most anglers. There is a far more consistent trout fishery than is one flat stretch of water at least two miles 60 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

long that can take its toll on rowers. Small motors will make the task easier on any stretch of the river, but be sure your boat has the appropriate registration. TWRA game officials patrol the river and regularly write citations to boats with trolling motors but no numbers. Fly fishers who float the river may find a good schedule that gives them a rapid rise in water levels at the end of the day and have an easy coast to Indian Cave or Nance’s Ferry.

Water Levels and Generation Like other tailwaters, it is imperative that fly fishers are aware of generation schedules. Cherokee Dam regularly releases large quantities of water, and it is up to the angler to know when that will happen. A typical flow on the river when generators are not running is about 300 cubic feet per second (cfs). Periods of minimum flow, most common in late winter and spring, feature a “pulse” schedule where the dam will release water every five hours. This will not impact anglers The river has a few small rapids and who are fishing at Nance’s Ferry but will numerous rocks and ledges. There is nothing certainly cause a dramatic rise of the river dangerous for an experienced oarsman, in the first two or three miles downstream but there are several spots that have the of the dam. potential to scar a boat with a novice at the oars. There is only one water level worth fishing, www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 61

feature

and that is the minimum flow. Fishing is not much at higher levels and not usually worth the effort. The pulse of high water near the dam will usually put fishing off for 45 minutes to an hour.

on midges, but larger insects will often get their attention. Craneflies often show up in early spring and will get the trout rising. A #16-18 sulphur colored cranefly pattern dry fly will do well.

Cherokee Dam can generate in excess of 16,000 cfs, and this will certainly have an effect on the river downstream. When the schedule calls for “two or more generators” expect the water to rise in about three-four hours at Indian Cave and approximately five hours at Nance’s Ferry. These times are variable depending on just how much water is generated which generally is not known.

Caddis are the main event for fly fishers on the Holston. The hatch starts slowly in late March and builds through April, usually peaking in late April or early May. Caddis continue to be present into the summer, and a few even continue into the fall. The best dry fly patterns are tan or gray. Elk Caddis and X-Caddis in #16-18 are best. Flies are smaller earlier in the year, and larger species hatch as the season progresses.

Hatches There are a few basic hatches for fly fishers to imitate on the Holston River. There are plenty of bugs to keep trout rising on the Holston. Midges, caddis, craneflies, and sulphur mayflies are the most common insects fly fishers will see on the river. Midges are most important in the winter months and early spring. Small larva and pupa patterns #18-20 will consistently fool trout. Dry flies should be no larger than a #20 and are not usually as consistent at fooling fish. As the year progresses, trout will still feed

Sulphurs often hatch in May and June. They may hatch mid-day, but they are often more prevalent in the evening. Fish #1418 Comparaduns and Parachutes. Again, several species hatch here, so an assortment of sizes is required to have the appropriate one on any given day. Photos courtesy of Ian Rutter

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feature Brown Gold Anniversary on the White

Been a whie since you payed King of the Mountain?

s I started compiling the information for this article, it dawned on me that this is my Golden Anniversary (that’s 50 years for those not old enough to know) as a journalist. During these many years there have been only a handful of times in which something I did was the focus of the article. This is one of the times. So, bear with me as I struggle with being modest, proud and down-right happy to relate one of those special times on the trout waters of my home state, Arkansas.

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The weather was not perfect, but the fishing was as many have come to expect at Gaston’s. On this trip, not only did I catch the biggest trout of my life, but Wong, (Ron Wong, Vice-President for marketing This day started out like many of our days as at Peanut Craft Lures) a two-time winner trout hunters. I was just happy to be going of the St. Jude Bass Classic and one of the to my “man-cave” in the great outdoors. Mid-South’s most knowledgeable anglers, Therefore, I did not expect to catch (and, of caught an 18 1/2 pound brown trout using a course, release) the heaviest and longest 1/16 ounce black PJ Finesse jig (manufactured brown trout of my life. I do have a witness in Fayetteville, Arkansas). Wong was at to my fishing prowess. Mike Checkett the the classic as another long-time friend of media relations biologist for Memphis- mine from Memphis. He is one of my web based Ducks Unlimited accompanied me site’s prostaff members at www.Iroutdoors. with guide Chuck Myers keeping a watchful com. He is also a twice-a-month co-host of eye as we pulled away from the dock. Outdoors with Larry Rea on Sports 790-AM in Memphis. World class fishing in this case was most notably the couple of miles of the White My buddy literally gushed about his that encompasses the area from Bull Shoals experience here. “This is just a world-class dam past Gaston’s White River Resort. For place to fish for trout, trophy trout. What three days each year in early March, 20 (or makes it so special is that you can use a so) outdoor communicators from all across variety of baits from jigs to jerk baits to the nation gather at Gaston’s in search of spoons and different types of baits like shad

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“the” trout of a lifetime. As the host, I hoped everyone would catch a world-class trout and go home to tell their readers, listeners or viewers all about the experience . . . not thinking that on this day it would be me doing the telling.

This tale is about an event that happened at one of my favorite trout fishing destinations, Gaston’s White River Resort near Lakeview, Arkansas. Actually, it is all about a 10-pound, 32-inch brown trout that I caught on a cold morning in early March 2011 during the resort’s annual Media Gathering organized through Jim Gaston and his staff at Gaston’s White River Resort. Talk about a “world-class” trout fishery, this is the place.

Your kingdom awaits.

Dine like a King. Or Queen.

Larry Rea

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feature or worms.” If a picture is worth a thousand words, Wong’s fish turned out to be a twothousand word essay as other journalists clambered to have their photo taken with a giant, prehistoric looking fish whose age led sadly to its death during the landing struggle. Ron’s fish will be mounted at Gaston’s to assume a place of honor deserving such a fine fish. A replica of my fish is being mounted with plans for a permanent display at a Memphis area sporting goods store where I can occasionally drop by and retell the story.

feature thinking he’s in the hands of some kind of crazy ol’ geezer, based on your expression.” Dan Barron, vice president of Entercom Radio in Memphis said, “Well done.” Sorry, but I’ve got to work my boss into the story. Joe Sills, marketing director for MidSouth Hunting & Fishing News stated, “Congratulations. I’d bet that would have been a great treat as a shore lunch!”

But this tale doesn’t end here.

Bill Cooksey, Media Relations director for Memphisbased Avery Outdoors typed, “Congratulations Larry. That’s a beautiful fish, and a size few serious trout fishermen will ever even hook, much less hold.”

After all, in this day of instant communication, I could not help but let a few folks know about my big catch. I mean, let’s be truthful about all this. Anglers love to tell other anglers about Mike Goodman, their success, right? owner of Before I knew it, the Goodman Ranch photo of my fish was near Henderson, all over the internet. Tennessee, made Once it became me feel great public knowledge, the when he said, “I e-mails started rolling am more than into my inbox. Ted proud. What a Rasbach of Bartlett, Tennessee, a long-time great catch and memory.” friend and angler wrote, “A great picture, but why didn’t you eat him or bring him home OK, by now you are probably asking for an for us all to share?” end of all this bragging. Let’s get down to the important information – like what bait did Jeff Samsel, writer/photographer/editor of I use to catch this world-class trout? Truth Clarkesville, Georgia said, “Beautiful, Larry. is, it wasn’t anything fancy. No high-priced Thank you for sharing!” lure. Myers, one of the best guides on the White River for catching world-class trout, Bobby Hall, retired sports reporter for said rather nonchalantly, “Let’s put a threeThe Commercial Appeal in Memphis sent, inch shad on and see happens.” “Obviously, congrats are in order. . . and I’m sure Brownie (Ah, the fish now has a name) Wow, did it happen. was more than glad to get back in the river,

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And best of all, the fish was five pounds heavier than the one my wife, Miriam, boated a few years back, earning her a spot on Gaston’s Catchand-Release Wall of Fame along with a certificate of appreciation. Mike Masterson, opinion editor for the Northwest Bureau of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and a frequent member of the Media Gathering crew summed it up best for me. “Larry can breathe a bit easier now having reestablished his domestic fishing credentials.” Photos courtesy Checkett

Mike

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feature te Sta Tri- ion! Reg

Continental Angling In North Georgia

Georgia -- Tennesssee -- North Carolina

Trout -- Bass -- Striped Bass -- Panfish

Jimmy Jacobs

I g! hin g! s i F Fly- Fishin nSpi

n 1923 Ernest Hemingway wrote of hiking and fishing through the Black Forest region of southern Germany. His descriptions of the fly casting and Hansel and Gretel villages and landscapes painted a picture of central European trout fishing that captures the imagination. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, those fairytale environs and trout action are almost a century past, and half a world away from today’s southern angler. However, in the north central mountains of Georgia, you can experience a budget version of Hemingway’s ramblings right now. In the late 1960s, a dying lumber town situated on the shores of the Chattahoochee River in White County reinvented itself as the Bavarian village of Alpine Helen. In viewing the downtown, one might expect an Oompah band dressed in leather shorts and suspenders to appear playing a polka. In fact, that probably will happen on any given weekend! But,

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just

was

trout that drew Hemingway to southern Germany, it is trout fishing that calls anglers to Helen. Once there, the options are as varied as can be found anywhere in our region. From freshly stocked rainbow trout on public land, to trophy-sized lunkers on private water, or native brook trout in tiny rivulets, the Helen area can deliver what you crave. EASY ACTION The portion of the Chattahoochee River running through downtown Helen is heavily stocked with rainbow trout and open to fishing yearround. Some brown and brook trout are also released in this stretch which is open to fishing under general state trout regulations allowing any type tackle or bait. Just to the north of the town the river courses through the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area. Here the “Hooch” and its tributaries are open during the trout season from the end of March through the end of October. Expect to find a mix of wild and stocked fish through here. But, walk very www.southerntrout.com | July 2012 | Southern Trout | 69

feature far up Jasus or Low Gap creeks, and you find only wild brown and rainbows. IN THE BACK COUNTRY If you want to catch one of the native Southern Appalachian brook trout that are the jewels of these mountains, expect to pay a price in boot leather. This is hike-in fishing. Far up the Chattahoochee above the grotto-like Henson Creek Falls is one place to find these fish. Another option is to head north up State Route 75 from Helen. Just over Unicoi Gap you find High Shoals Creek Scenic Area. Following the hiking trail a mile to High Shoals and Blue Hole waterfalls on the creek puts you in brookie country. SPECIAL REGULATION STREAMS If you prefer to match wits with some big, wily rainbows and browns you have a couple of options. Just west of town is Smithgall Woods State Park. Flowing through it is a portion of Dukes Creek that is open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday for fishing with barbless, singlehook, artificial lures only. All fishing here is catch and release year round. The number 70 | Southern Trout | July 2012 | www.southerntrout.com

of anglers allowed daily is limited, so you have to call (706) 878-3087 to reserve a spot. Rainbow and brown trout in excess of 20 inches often are taken in the park waters. But be aware. This is technical fishing. The trout probably have seen and know all the fly patterns better than you do! Just on the southern edge of Helen you also find Unicoi Outfitters on SR 75. Besides having a full-service fly shop, they manage Nacoochee Bend on the Chattahoochee. This stretch of more than a mile of water around the historic Nora Mill Granary grist mill is open to catch-andrelease fly-fishing with single hooks. The pools of Nacoochee Bend teem with rainbow and brown trout in 14to 30-inch sizes. While the really big boys are tougher to fool, fish in the 18- to 24-inch range are caught regularly. To book a day of fishing at Nacoohee Bend or for more information on any of the trout waters around Helen, drop in at the Unicoi Outfitters shop just north of Nora Mill, or visit their Web site at www.uncoioutfitter.com.

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feature Discovery: Chattoga River David Cannon

he most torturous part of the fly fishing experience, for me at least, is the few minutes spent in the parking lot pulling on waders and cramming thick-socked feet into boots that seem to take hours to tie. In one of the few parking lots alongside the stretch of the Chattooga River from Ellicott Rock to the Highway 76 Bridge, this process seems even more agonizing. But after only a few hundred paces, when the river comes into view, the worries of life, the thoughts of responsibility, and even the misery of parking lot prep dissolve in the almost magical waters now within reach. Each physical stride that goes deeper into the Chattooga backcountry turns into a gait of miles for the soul. Being here creates awareness that a desk and a computer, a cell phone and a TV are far more foreign surroundings for you and your kind than is this place. Wherever it is, the Chattooga is unique in that it is one of the only rivers in the eastern U.S. that doesn’t have a road paralleling it. This is the result of the native Cherokees who used to inhabit this land viewing the river as a sacred place, one that they would only cross in a few places. Some say Chattooga is translated from the Cherokee word “Tiatu-gi” which is thought to mean “has crossed the stream.” When the river first crosses into Georgia, it is creek-sized, and is home to wild browns that are infamous for being spooky, nocturnal, and (for someone new to the river) possibly nonexistent. The next downstream access point, Burrels Ford, is heavily stocked with browns and rainbows…and campers. A short hike in either direction of the bridge (particularly downstream, where more stocked fish wash down) will put some distance between you and the camper/angler. (These are not to be confused with the angler/campers.) The area between Burrells Ford and the next downstream access, the Highway 28 Bridge, is stocked via helicopter with fingerling

trout, a collaborative effort of the Rabun and Saluda chapters of Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service, and both Georgia’s and South Carolina’s DNR. These fish grow up wild and can be as tough as the wild browns upstream.

feature “This tough to access gem has long been a well-kept secret.” Known Hatches Small Dun Caddis Midges Light Cahill Mayfly Red Quill/Hendrickson Golden Stonefly Sulphur Mayfly Blue-Winged Olive

Winter Black Stonefly Early Black Stonefly March Brown Mayfly Speckled Grey Caddis Green Drake Mayfly Blue Quill Mayfly Quill Gordon Mayfly

Cream Caddis Yellow Stonefly Giant Black Stonefly Coffin Fly (Green Drake Spinner)

Equipment to Use Rods: 4-6 weight, 8 to 10 feet in length. Reek: Standard disc drag. Lines: Floating weight-forward or double-taper to match rod weight. Leaders: For trout, 4X-6X leaders, 9 to 15 feet in length; for redeye bass, 2X-4X leaders, 5 to 7 feet in length. Wading: Chest waders will allow you to navigate some of the deeper areas of the Chattooga, but May through September are wet-wading friendly. Flies to Use See the Southern Appalachian Freestone Hatch Chart to correctly match the hatch. Dry Flies:

The area from the mouth of Reed Creek downstream to the 28 Bridge falls under delayed harvest regulations and is more beginner-friendly. Though it is too warm for trout from June through September, this area and downstream to the 76 Bridge are prime for the native redeye bass. Whichever spot on the Chattooga becomes home to you, please respect the safety concerns that come along with traveling the backcountry and the qualities that made this Congress’s first choice for the Wild and Scenic Rivers designation back in 1974. And, if someone should ask where you have been when you return from a day of fishing on the Chattooga, the correct answer is, “I don’t believe I said.”

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#8-20 Adams #16-20 BWO #14-16 Hendrickson #14-16 Red Quill #14-16 Yellow Stimulator #12-18 Light Cahill Parachute #8-14 Blue Dun Parachute #8-10 Parachute Coffin Fly #20-22 Parachute Trico #8-20 Adams Parachute #14-16 Dark Elk Hair Caddis with

#16-22 Griffith’s Gnat #18 Brown Elk Hair Caddis #8-14 March Brown #14-16 Yellow Elk Hair Caddis #14-18 Sulphur Comparadun #8-10 Green Drake #8-10 Light Cahill Parachute #20-22 Black Poly Wing Spinner #16- 20 Blue Quill Yellow and Brown

#16-20 Black Elk Hair Caddis #12-14 Quill Gordon #8-14 March Brown Parachute #12-18 Light Cahill #14-18 Cream Variant #8-10 Spent-wing Coffin Fly #14-16 Dark Elk Hair Caddis #8-10 Ginger Elk Hair Caddis

Nymphs and Wet Flies: #16-20 Black Stonefly Nymph #4-8 Black Stonefly Nymph #12-14 Light Cahill Nymph #14-18 Sulphur Nymph #14-16 Yellow Stonefly Nymph

#12-14 Quill Gordon Nymph #12-14 Dun & Yellow Caddis Pupa #8-10 Green Drake Nymph

#4-8 Golden Stonefly Nymph #12-14 Cream Caddis Pupa #8-14 March Brown Nymph

Streamers: #6-12 Crystal Bugger #4-10 Conehead Double Bunny #6-8 Clouser Minnow #4-8 Zonker #4-8 White Beadhead Flash #6-10 Black-nosed Dace #6-10 Mickey Finn Zonker #6-12 Woolly Bugger #6-12 Muddler Minnow When to Fish The best times of year to fish this river for trout are in the spring and fall when water temperatures are in that ideal 50 to 60 degree Fahrenheit range. Winter fishing can also be very productive when the midday sun warms the water and activates the chilly fish. For redeye bass and redbreasts, focus on the Reed Creek to Highway 76 area in the summer months.

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feature Big Trout, Flies, and Muddy Water

feature “Classic advice from one of Dixie’s greatest troutfishermen…”

Don Howell

s ”Cap” Weise stepped onto the porch of the lodge, he peered over at me and demanded to know, “What are you doing sitting here? Daylight is burning and it’s the best time to fish. It has been in a month.” I had always respected Cap’s ability to catch trout and his knowledge of their habits. I was, however, beginning to feel that he had been fishing in the hot sun too long and had lost his ability to clearly reason. Cap, several of our friends, and I had been invited to fish at an exclusive, private fishing lodge in North Carolina where the trout are protected by “catch-and-release” and by “fly fishing-only” regulations. These and a supplementary feeding program not only produce large populations of trout, but some very, very large trophies as well. Unfortunately, a severe thunderstorm arrived at the lodge at the same time I did. The result was that the stream rose rapidly and became very discolored. Since I was limited in the

A Good Hiding Place amount of time I could fish, I sat on the porch, understandably disgusted. I was surprised when Cap said that this was a good time to fish. Jokingly, I told him that I didn’t bring any garden hackles with me. “You don’t need worms,” he replied. “I’ll let everyone know that I’m here, I’ll get my waders on, and we’ll go after that lunker.”

flies in muddy water. Cap was eager to help me rig my outfit (and to coach me) as we turned the “rained out” trip into a productive day’s fishing Not only did I enjoy a great day of fishing, but I learned a method that has enabled me to catch more trophy trout than any other method I have ever tried.

When we arrived at our chosen location, Cap sat down on the bank and proceeded to cut his tippet off along with several more inches of his tapered leader. He replaced it with a section of strong, six pound monofilament. When Cap finished modifying his leader, it was approximately the same length as his eightfoot fly rod. He explained that a long leader is unnecessary since heavy nymphs are cast a very short distance, and the fish are not very spooky in this type of fishing.

After a thunderstorm, big trout take the opportunity to gorge on food washed into the stream. They use the security and protection of the discolored water much like the darkness of the night. Though the trout have moved from their protective homes in deep water into the shallows, they still behave with a feeling of security and protection. Thus, they are much more susceptible and vulnerable to your fly.

During this entire process, I was standing on the bank looking like a big-eyed boy at a picnic, simply amazed that trout could be caught on

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Large trout are normally lazy creatures and during these conditions they will go where they can catch the most food without expending a large amount of energy. The best places to find them are the heads of pools where swift,

foamy water carries food from upstream, at the bottom of pools where the food gathers before washing downstream, or other locations in pools where the current captures the greatest amount of food and washes it into one central location. In order to be successful, you must not only select the correct location, but you also must be willing to change your normal fly fishing style slightly. In addition to using a shorter, stronger leader, you must move at a much slower pace, making many repeated casts to the same spot. Repeated casts are necessary because the trout’s visibility will be much lower in the dingy water; therefore, it may be necessary to present the fly many times before he sees it. It is not unusual for me to make twenty-five to seventyfive casts into a location that I feel may be holding a lunker. Some years ago, I was fishing one of my favorite streams when a sudden storm muddied the water. A couple of years before, my son Kevin

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feature Since this is a big fish method, I try to have several trophy fish located before the season starts so I can devote all of my “thunderstorm fishing” exclusively to these fish. Once I’ve located some trophies and conditions get right, my family and friends know the only place they will be able to find me is on the stream. It is the one time I drop everything I am doing, regardless of its importance, and spend as much time as possible fishing. During this time I figure my chances of catching a trophy has been increased about 200%. If I am unable to locate trophy fish, I devote my fishing time to pools where I have taken large fish in the past, or to pools that have all the criteria of holding large fish. That is what I was doing on Father’s Day, 1973, when I caught the North Carolina record brown trout. On this occasion, my wife and I had been out of town visiting our fathers. As we returned, we crossed the Davidson River just outside of our hometown of Brevard. When I noticed the river was high and discolored, I gave my wife the scariest three mile ride to our house she has ever taken.

and I had located two very large trout that lived in a large pool not far from where I was fishing. Quickly, I hurried to the pool, modified my equipment and began fishing. From past experiences, I knew exactly where the fish’s feeding lane was located and I began making repeated casts to this spot. After about fifty casts, I was ready to give up. On my last cast, I felt a fish take. Upon setting the hook, I realized that I had hooked one of the largest trout that I had ever seen. I’ve taken several large trout, all species of salmon up to forty-plus pounds, large northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, and many other species on a fly rod, but having this huge trout hooked was the first time I ever felt completely helpless with a fly rod. The trout fought an unusual battle, never attempting any extremely fast, hard runs or attempting to go under the rock ledge at the head of the pool, easily cutting the tippet. Often he turned his tail toward the surface and appeared to be standing on his head as he rubbed his mouth on the bottom, trying to rid himself of the fly. As he tired, he would simply

I quickly got out of the car, grabbed my fishing gear and made another rapid trip back to the river. Since it was getting late in the afternoon, I didn’t have time to go to the places where I fish. My tippet was clipped to a section testing approximately seven pounds, and I attached a size 4, heavily weighted Bitch Creek that was tied on a 4x long shank hook. On my first cast, a big fish struck. After a lengthy battle, the fish was landed. Since it was a late Sunday afternoon, there were not any stores open that had scales to weigh the fish. I wrapped it in damp towels and placed it in the refrigerator. The next morning, the fish measured twenty-seven and one half inches and weighed seven pounds-eleven ounces, breaking the current state record by four ounces. By the way, the state record I broke was formerly held by my brother, Dwight.

“A Good Hiding Place” provided by artist Adriano Manocchia. Visit his web site at www. adriano-art.com Photo courtesy of Kevin Howell

swim to the bottom of the deepest portion of the pool and sull until he was rested, then repeat the process again. As he sulled, it was impossible to move him, although I threw rocks into the water above him, thumped the rod butt, and waded as close to him as possible, kicking the water to create a loud disturbance. I am reluctant to reveal (because most people think I’m lying) that it took oneand-one-half hours to tire the fish. Finally, he turned on his side and I was able to work him into shallow water. As I removed my net from the retriever and was preparing to net him, he rolled slightly and the fly popped out of his mouth. He was so tired that he wobbled slowly into the depths of the pool. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen the fish again and I fear that the long battle might have killed him. Approximately a year later, I was lucky enough to catch his mate. She was thirty inches long and weighted exactly ten pounds. The fish I lost was considerably larger than the one I caught, and I estimate that he was in the twelve-to-fourteen pound range.

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feature Qualla Trout Scott SPencer

he legendary fly-fishing rivers of the West, like those found in Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, etc., instantly stir visions of clear, cold water filled with beautiful healthy trout. There are many historical rivers to the east, but one particular river in North Carolina is quickly becoming known for its public trophy trout fishing opportunities. That river is the Raven Fork of the Oconaluftee River located within the Qualla Boundary of the Cherokee Indian Nation in Cherokee, North Carolina. This beautiful stream originates in Smokey Mountain National Park and flows into the Cherokee Indian Reservation where it confluences with the Oconaluftee River. Today, the trout fishing in Cherokee is exceptional, thanks to an outstanding Cherokee hatchery, management, and stocking program.

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With the dedicated work of the hatchery and the Cherokee nation, the streams are not only popular with locals, but they are also popular with visiting anglers from all over the world. The Cherokee “Enterprise Waters” consist of over 30 miles of stocked streams. The trophy trout catch-and-release program opens October 1 and is comprised of 2.2 miles of stream along the Raven Fork. This popular area is limited to fly fishing only and is managed for trophy fish in the 3-10 lb. range. In fact, it is not uncommon to catch fish from 18-24” in length. The hatchery stocks their streams with rainbow, brown, brook, and a mixed strain of rainbow and cutthroat. My wife, Kim, and I decided to spend a couple of days fishing Cherokee this summer on a family vacation. Not knowing details on the local water, we sought the expertise of the

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feature

feature sure to check the regulations. The non-trophy areas are put and take with a daily limit of 10 fish per person if you choose to keep your fish. If one wishes to fish the catch-and-release trophy section you must also purchase a $25 permit that is good for 1-3 days, or a $75 permit that is good for a full 12 calendar months.

guides with Rivers Edge Outfitters. On our arrival day we met with owner Joe Street and discussed the multiple opportunities available to us. Rivers Edge Outfitters guides on all the waters in the Western NC Fly Fishing Trail. This includes the fly-fishing only catch-and-release section of the Raven Fork in Cherokee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala River, Tuckasegee River, Little Tennessee River, Cullasa ja River, Horsepasture River, Chattooga River, the South Holston and Watauga River. After Kim and I procured our permits, Joe introduced us to our guide, Nick Johnson, who gave us a brief rundown on how the fishing had been that week. Nick, who is a fulltime guide, gave us an idea of what to expect and told us we would catch fish! How many anglers do not like to hear those words?

Knowing that several key locations were often crowded, Nick decided to start us at a location in the upper end of the trophy section. I was using my 5 wt. fly rod, and Kim was using her 4 wt. After getting set up, it only took 2 casts before I hooked my first rainbow. While it was only about 12”, it fought like it was a much larger fish. Within the first 20 minutes or so, I had brought four very nice fish to hand. The largest being a solid 16” fish. The most exciting non-catch occurred when I hooked into one of the large albino trout. Unfortunately, I was not able to bring him to hand, but we all got a very good look at him and he was pushing 18-20”. Kim wound up catching several fish herself and had a great time overall. Nick is one of the nicest and most professional guides I’ve ever had the pleasure to be around. His knowledge, patience, and willingness to help were immeasurable.

Fishing a freestone stream is different (especially in the fast riffles) than the long slow pools we familiarly fish here in Alabama on the Sipsey River tailrace below Smith Lake dam. We fished for about 4 hours that morning, and we wound up with about a dozen fish brought to hand. There are truly some monster trout in the C&R section, as seen in the photo with Nick, and I strongly advise all anglers to talk with the folks at Rivers Edge Outfitters. Going with a guided trip is definitely worth the money and something that I will do again as soon as we can get back up there. That afternoon, the kids and my wife decided to take advantage of the numerous floating opportunities offered in Cherokee. There are several places that offer tube floats for rent, and we rented five from one of the local vendors. The kids decided to put in at our cabin, located on Big Cove Road, and to float to the Oconaluftee Islands Park. It took them right at an hour and fifteen minutes, and it provided a simple and comfortable float during the heat of summer. Along with the floating, one has so many interactive opportunities available for the family in Cherokee. There is the Museum of the

Cherokee, the Oconaluftee Indian Village which represents life around 1760, countless shopping stores, and numerous hiking trails. Cherokee is a wonderful place for a family vacation, and the fly fishing opportunities are limitless. One has not only the tribal waters to fish, but there are also hundreds of miles of streams filled with native brook trout (specs to the locals), brown trout, and rainbow trout that are available right there in Smoky Mountain National Park which borders the reservation. Please visit http://www.cherokee-nc.com/ for more information and to plan your family vacation. For the best fly fishing supplies and top notch guides, please visit Rivers Edge Outfitters http:// www.flyfishcherokee.com. Their rates are superb and very affordable. Their guides are veterans and they will allow you to do as much on your own as you want or they will guide you step by step if you have limited or no experience. I don’t think I’ve ever met more patient folks than those with Rivers Edge Outfitters!!

The fishing regulations require a $10 daily permit to fish the tribal waters. They also have discounted permits of $17 for a two-day permit, $27 for a three-day permit, and $47 for a fiveday permit. These allow you to fish all open tribal waters that are not a part of the catch-and-release section or restricted to tribal members only. Be

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virginia How To: Shenandoah Backcountry Harry Murray

t is not necessary to pack into the backcountry and spend a night or two in order to have good trout fishing in the Shenandoah National Park. However, backpacking and mountain trout fishing blend well together, producing a very rewarding experience. Not being rushed to head out of the hollows before darkness falls will enable you to take advantage of the abundance of aquatic insects present at dusk.

For example, years ago, my son Jeff and I packed into a park stream I had fished often over the years and felt I knew well. The stretch we were on was a long hike from the closest road, and prior to our camping trip I had never been able to fish it until dusk. I respect rattlesnakes too much to hike very far in these mountains in the dark. Having only about an hour to fish, after setting up the tent, we decided to fish until we could no longer see our flies on the water. There was a sparse mayfly dance over the stream, and a few spent Sulphur spinners were falling onto the surface. The first several pools all produced brookies, which were located by seeing rise forms. The later we fished the more flies fell onto

the stream. More flies meant more rising fish, and soon there were feeding trout everywhere. The last pool I fished that evening was narrow and very long. The trout were in a line from the tail of the pool to the head, as if in a pre-determined tactical position to assure no spent Sulphur drifted all the way through the pool. The fishing was outstanding because of the concentration of spent flies, and had we not been spending the night there, we would have missed it. Backcountry camping will get you away from other anglers simply because of the amount of time required to reach a specific area. It also enables you to make the best use of your time. Certain sections of some streams are so far from the closest access roads that to hike in, fish them, and then hike out the same day would mean spending more time hiking than fishing. And, if you left your car up on the Skyline Drive and are compelled to climb back up the mountain after one of these marathon days, you may have some of the same suspicions many of us hold. Speculations among longtime Park anglers venture that some mysterious little fellow lives along the top of these mountains with the assigned purpose of raising the top of the mountains as tired anglers start their long pull back up after fishing all day. I even thought I saw him one evening; but now as I think about it, I realize I was too tired to see straight. Getting back away from the roads can also provide better fishing. Many serious park anglers do not kill any of their fish, feeling that each trout is too valuable to be caught only once.

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virginia However, some fellows still keep their trout. Often the further you go into the backcountry, the more fish you find. There is one problem that can occur in this respect. Some backpackers talk romantically about how great it is to cook their freshly caught trout for the evening meal, proudly volunteering that they only kill what they plan to eat. The problem with this logic is that they fail to realize the negative impact this can have on these fragile streams if all backpacking anglers do the same thing. When backcountry camping you will be

home. If you do not show up at the appointed time, at least someone will know where to look for you. Getting lost in the park’s backcountry is a real possibility. I have gotten lost twice, and I can assure you it is a very uncomfortable feeling. Anyone camping or even just fishing the Park’s backcountry should have a good set of maps. There are three maps which completely cover the Park. These are designated as Northern, Central, and Southern Section Maps. They portray in detail streams, elevations, trails, shelters, roads, and facilities. Maps are available from either: Murray’s Fly Shop (www.murraysflyshop.com) P.O. Box 156 Edinburg, VA 22824 (703) 984-4212

carrying less than you usually do to lighten the load, each item should be carefully selected. Take only those items which have proven to be worthy for mountain trout fishing. This is no place to test that new rod or experiment with an unusual leader design or to test a whole boxful of untried fly patterns. You don’t have to take a lot of tackle, but it had better be right, or you will have a very frustrating trip. Small, multi-piece pack rods are nice for this type fishing, but they are not a must. You should, however, make sure the rod you use in the little streams will load properly with a number four or smaller line size. One medium-size fly box will hold all the flies you need. Foot gear for this type of hiking and fishing is a matter of personal preference. The main thing to keep in mind is that you want to have a safe footing on the trails as well as in the streams. Injuries from bad falls are much more dangerous when they occur a long way from civilization. Always let someone know where you will be, even if it’s your family or fishing buddy back at

When you explore the backcountry, you have to live out of your knapsack. You face what seems to be a contradiction. Problem: you must take everything you need for the trip, yet travel light. Result: you get down to life’s basic necessities in a hurry. With such choices to make, you’ll find it is important to plan your wilderness journey ahead of time. Here are some things to consider: Compass—A good azimuth compass teams up well with a topographic map to give you the land navigation tools you need. Clothing—Choose clothing that suits Shenandoah’s changeable, cool, sometimes wet weather. Bring layers of clothes that can be peeled off. A rain poncho also makes a good ground cloth. Sleeping bag—Select a warm one for cold nights, yet lightweight for carrying. Tent—Synthetic fabrics have made possible a variety of lightweight trail tents, although some hikers get along well with a tarpaulin as a simple shelter. A hammock can serve instead of a tent. Food—Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are light to carry and have revolutionized menus in the backcountry. Tools of the trade—Items like a backpacker stove, matches, rope, camp knife, flashlight, canteen, and collapsible water container

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virginia quickly come to mind. Your list will expand to include other necessities, then shrink to exclude luxuries. First aidâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;You will want to take along a standard kit for possible on-the-trail treatment. Emergency equipmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Depending on how deep into the wilderness you plan to go, you may carry along a mirror, a whistle, or other emergency signaling items. In the winter, take additional clothing and rations. Before you depart, it is a good idea to leave a copy of your planned itinerary, routes, and time of return with your family or a close friend. When you reach the park, pick up your backcountry permit (during daylight hours only) at an entrance station or at a ranger station. Issuing backcountry permits allows the park staff to monitor and regulate the number of users in wilderness areas.

Note: Reprinted from Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park (Shenandoah Publishing Co.) by Harry Murray. Autographed copies of the book are available from the author for $14.95 plus shipping and handling. For more info call 540-984-4212, or email: info@ murraysflyshop.com. All photos courtesy of NPS

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feature Southern Trout Fishing Lore: Remembering Chum DON Kirk

utdoor writing in a small community of semi-literate sportsmen is a pseudo occupation, although it is not recognized as work by the so-called established schools of creative writing or journalism. Nash Buckingham, dean of outdoor writing in America and, at one time, the outdoor editor for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, aptly described the job of a local newspaper outdoor writer as that of editor of the men’s Sunday social page. It is honest enough work if you apply the most liberal of definitions to the words “honest” and “work.” The Southern Highlands has produced its share of gifted scribes, but none are more beloved than Charley (Chum) Dickey. A nationally known hunting and fishing writer, he grew up a few miles from Morristown, Tennessee, in a place called Bulls Gap. He was a schoolmate of Archie Campbell, who in the 1960s-1970s appeared on the television show HeeHaw. He sprouted into his youth fishing and hunting along the Nolichucky River bottom in the days when or two articles in the Big Three, plus features nearly everyone in those parts was a dirt in mainstream publications such as Esquire, Playboy, and the Saturday Evening Post. poor farmer. About this time, Chum departed the fold to hook up with Olin Winchester. A little more than a decade later, he became the first executive director of the prestigious National Sports Shooting Foundation. Chum also evolved from what he told me was “meat and tater writing” which is the staple of magazines then and now. They are also called the “where-to, how-to” articles. At this point in his writing career, Chum was writing and selling the sort of articles he is best remembered for today: humor and An extraordinarily articulate old-schooler, nostalgia. Not a lot of people knew that the Chum combined an excellent sense of prose Petersen’s Hunting back page column “Back with eye for taking photographs. He had Tracking” was written by Chum under the few equals during his heyday years of 1950 byline Sam Cole, his pseudonym. to 1980. During those days, rarely a month passed that Chum did not have at least one Chum and his wife Bunty made frequent Chum was invited to serve in the military prior to Pearl Harbor. He distinguished himself as a carrier-borne bomber pilot on the USS Enterprise. After the war, Chum began his outdoor writing career, often writing about trout fishing in the South. The 1950s was the era of the so-called “Big Three” magazines, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, and Sports Afield. These predated other vertical sporting publications by two decades and televised outdoor sports by even longer.

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feature visits to Morristown to visit family and old friends. Dusty Houk a retired outdoor writer for the then defunct Morristown Gazette Mail newspaper (another of my lesser known but incredibly valuable mentors) Dusty introduced me to the Dickeys. “If you want to be known nationally, and not just as a regional writer, you’ve got to make trips to places like Alaska, Central America, and such,” Chum explained on more than a couple of occasions. Each time Chum gave me sage advice, Dusty would ask me if I understood what Chum was saying to me. Oddly enough at the time, I did not notice that the partners at Hearts took the pot every time, and I was being schooled. I was not smart enough to read between the lines regarding the payment of tuition. Actually, Charley was more of a listener than a talker, seeming at times to me to feel a little uncomfortable talking about his successful writing career. The rare times that Bunty was allowed into the Houk Compound, she talked to me more about her husband’s writing habits, which according to her were pretty much a mystery to all. “He goes unto his office at 8:00 a.m. carrying a cup of coffee and then locks the door behind him,” she said. “No one is allowed to disturb him until noon. Then he re-emerges, locking the door behind him so no one can enter his office.” I found it odd that he would not allow a telephone into the space where he wrote, something I rely on to distract me from writing as often as possible. It should be noted that Chum’s home office had a refrigerator, bed, and television. Now

deceased, Chum was my mentor for many years and is sorely missed by all. He told me to go places beside the Smokies so I would not look like a total hillbilly. I did what he suggested. I have fished and hunted around the world a couple of times (enough that I don’t care to anymore) although I still do not like wearing shoes. Chum has been gone a while, but like Mark Cathey, Eddie George, and Joe Manley, Charley Dickey was an icon to fly-fishing in the Smokies. Chum wrote a book with Freddie Moses (a noted flyfishing attorney from Knoxville, Tennessee) titled Trout Fishing: Basis Guide to Dry Fly Fishing. Published by Oxmoor House, this tough-tofind title from the 1960s is one of my most cherished possessions. Along with his fishing pal, Fred Moses, they not only fished the trout streams of the South like possessed fiends, but also traveled widely, fly-fishing and hunting. Moses, a star running back on General Neyland’s Tennessee Vols football teams in 1933–1934, was rated by his longtime partner, Chum, as the best caster to ever ply the waters of the Smokies. Moses might also be the boldest too, as the following excerpt from Trout Fishing: Basis Guide to Dry Fly Fishing reveals. Charlie later told me that this incident occurred at Big Creek. Not long ago, Fred and Charley were fishing a small river in the Smokies, Charley fishing the forehand side and Fred the backhand. They alternated honeyholes and ambled along side by side, fishing the few flat stretches. As they

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feature rounded the turn, there on a huge boulder lay two young ladies without clothes, basking in the sun. They did not hear the approaching anglers above the roaring water and may have been sleeping. Charley was deeply worried that they might get sunburned, but Fred was concerned with ethical behavior on a trout stream. Should the anglers fish past the sunbathers without saying anything, or should they ask permission to move ahead? After a lengthy debate, the anglers decided to wade quietly past the sunning lasses lest a sudden awakening frighten them. The trout fishermen pulled in their lines and pushed slowly up the difficult current, passing the boulder where the sleeping beauties languished. The fishermen would be around the next turn in a few seconds and could go back to their routine casting.

his leader and replaced it with a hookless spinner. The he stripped out line and began to false cast until he had just the right amount of line out. Then he striped line on one of the girls and dropped the spoon, cold out of the water, right on the most logical part of her anatomy. The target turned over, took one look, and let out a scream which drowned out all of the cascades and waterfalls in the Smokies. There was a scurry of sunburned flesh scampering through the laurels as the two anglers turned and continued upstream. When Fred and Charley returned to their vehicle after dark, weary and sore, the air in all four tires had been let out! Photos courtesy of Bunty Dickey

At the last moment Fred could stand it no longer. He removed the Cahill on the end of

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contributors

contributors Beau Beasley, Virginia Editor Beau Beasley is a well-known name among readers of fly angling magazines. His work has appeared in nearly every ma jor fly fishing periodical in the country. He is the author of Fly Fishing Virginia. Recently he won the Talbot-Denmade Memorial Award for Best Conservation Article from the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association for his investigative piece “Where Have All The Menhaden Gone?” He’s also the director of the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival www.vaflyfishingfestival.org and lives with his wife and children in Warrenton, VA. Bill Bernhardt Bill Bernhardt, 52, is the owner of and guide, instructor, and custom rod builder for Harper Creek Fly Fishing Company (www.nc-flyfishing.com) located in Lenoir, North Carolina. In addition, Bill is somewhat unusual in that he specialize in small streams, wild trout, and back county, remote access, walk/wade trips into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Consequently, his freelance outdoor articles along with his nature photography focus specifically on the exceptional beauty and excellent trout fishing opportunities available to fly fishermen in western North Carolina. Bob Borgwat, Columnist Bob Borgwat, 55, leads the team of Reel Angling Adventures at ReelAnglingAdventures.com as owner, administrator, webmaster and guide. His freelance writing, editing, and photography covers fishing across the US, but his daily piscatorial adventures take place with fly-rod in hand just outside his doorstep in the southern reach of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. He is a former senior editor for Game & Fish Magazines, Primedia and Intermedia Outdoors, and is an active member of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association. David Cannon David was previously a full-timer in the outdoor publication world, having worked for such titles as American Angler, Gray’s Sporting Journal, Fly Tyer and Georgia Outdoor News and Alabama Outdoor News, but he is now a global missions pastor and photographer in Walton County, Georgia (betwixt Atlanta and Athens). He is also the author of the book Fly Fishing Georgia: A No Nonsense Guide To Top Waters. He and his wife, Stephanie, successfully spawned this past winter and are expecting their first fry - a baby girl - this fall. When he’s not working, David enjoys tearing his own ligaments, sprouting new grey hairs and making new people who will eventually replace him. For more, visit CannonTTL.com.

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William “Bo” Cash A native of Morganton, North Carolina, Bo Cash was taught trout fishing by his grandfather at the age of three in 1952. He earned a B.S degree in biology with a concentration in ecology from Gardner-Webb University and began tying flies in 1970, rod building in 1976, and opened a Table Top Angler fly shop in 1980. In 1998, he “retired” from building rods after having completed well over 500 and in 2001he retired from teaching high school biology. He is the owner of the Table Top Angler fly shop, a life member in Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers, and as had articles published in sporting journals. His first book, Water Under the Bridge, was published in 2011. Bo is married Novah Wall, who accompanies him on many of his trips. Soc Clay Soc Clay was first published in Field & Stream and Outdoor Life magazines in the 1950s. He was one of the first members of the SEOPA, served as director for the OWAA, founded the Kentucky Outdoor Press Association, an inductee of the Freshwater Fishing Hall, and he is a poet laureate of Kentucky. A lifelong resident of South Shore, Kentucky, Clay is also known as an outdoor photographer. His photography has graced the covers of scores of magazines including in one year 11 of 12 issues of the fabled Bassmaster magazine. His latest book Soc Clay’s Mad Trapper Sourdough Baking Book, portrays the romantic history of the use of sourdough starters and recipes used to sustain rugged prospector during the Alaska Gold Rush. It is the authority for the use of sourdough in baking in the world (www.WhitefishPress.com) Dave Ezell Dave Ezell grew up fishing on East Tennessee rivers and lakes and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Lucky enough to make a living in sales and as a scribe for business publications, he also has enjoyed fishing a variety of waters from steelhead on the Sol Duc to tarpon off North Captiva, Florida. Dave is one of the sparkplugs in the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, he has been intimately involved with Troutfest since its inception. Currently he finds himself just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Maryville, Tennessee. Craig Haney, Editor-at-Large Craig Haney has spent a lifetime chasing trout on the streams, headwaters and tailwaters of the southern Appalachians and elsewhere. After graduating from Auburn University with an animal science degree, Craig has spent the ma jority of his career in the outdoor industry as a manufacturers’ rep for fishing, boating, camping and hunting gear as well as operating partner of Riverwoods Outfitters / Haney-Mullins Orvis for eight years. He has taught fly tying and fly casting at his shops and community colleges. Additionally, he has written on fly fishing and other outdoor subjects for a variety on national and regional magazines. Craig and his wife Lynn live on Shades Mountain in Hoover, AL in the southern Appalachian foothills.

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contributors

contributors Kevin Howell Kevin Howell fished 38 states before college. In 1997 Kevin took a job as Manager of Davidson River Outfitters. He was also helping his father run Dwight and Don’s Custom Tackle. After his father passed away in 1998, Kevin took over the operation of Dwight and Don’s Custom Tackle while remaining the Manager of Davidson River Outfitters. In 2000 Kevin purchased Davidson River Outfitters and combined the operation of the two businesses. He is also a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor. Kevin is also a nationally known fly tyer and is currently the Fly-Tying Editor for Fly-Fishing the Mid Atlantic States. He has also had several of his original patterns published in various magazines as well as being produced by some of the national tying companies. Jimmy Jacobs, Georgia Editor Jimmy Jacobs is with Game & Fish Magazines. He also is the Outdoor Columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper and online Atlanta Outdoor Travel Writer for Examiner.com. Jacobs has authored five guidebooks to fishing in the southeastern United States, including Trout Streams of Southern Appalachia; Trout Fishing in North Georgia; and Tailwater Trout in the South. His writing and photography have earned Excellence In Craft awards from the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, Georgia Outdoor Writers Association and the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. Jeff “Owl” Jones, Columnist Fly Fishing Film Maker Owl Jones is a something of polarizing figure among the fly fishing community. He first came on the scene during the message-board craze of the mid-90s. Since the late 90s, he has been banned from most of the larger forums due to his ability to ruffle the feathers of fellow anglers and state wildlife agencies alike. In late 2010 he started his own blog which is now called “OwlJones.com” where he has not yet been banned. Owl currently lives in Gainesville, Ga., with his lovely wife and their invisible dog “Snickers” who always does what he’s told and never barks at night. His goal is to get famous, and to take over the fly-fishing world. Dr. Todd Larson, Columnist A dedicated fisherman and college history professor, Dr. Todd Larson writes and publishes everything related to the history of fishing, including the history of baits, (lures and flies), rods and reels, techniques, and people important to the history of fishing (Zane Grey, Ernest Hemingway, etc.) As an owner of Whitefish Press, Dr. Todd is dedicated to publishing a wide variety of works on fishing history and fishing tackle. Founded in 2006 by Dr. Todd, The impressive Whitefish catalog includes some of the finest in fishing history. He also writes and publishes a fine blog called Fishing for History: The History of Fishing and Fishing Tackle. More recently, he acquired ownership of The Classic Fly Rod Forum.

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Roger Lowe Roger Lowe is the owner of Lowe Guide Service & Outfitters, located in the heart of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains in Waynesville, North Carolina. The area offers some of the best fishing in the eastern United States. Being a native of Waynesville, he spent his childhood summers camping and fishing with his father and grandfather in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. He learned about insects indigenous to local streams and the trout’s feeding habits. Roger developed his own technique for tying effective imitator patterns and became a master at catching the wild and wary mountain trout. He has been tying for forty years and fishing all his life. Today, as a professional guide, his fly patterns are used extensively by local fishermen. Roger’s book, Roger Lowe’s Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains is a fly tying and identification guide. He also has a tying video, Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns. It shows how to tie a lot of the Smoky Mountain Patterns. He also has a hatch book, Smoky Mountain Fly Patterns which is a guide to the patterns to use each month. Harry Murray Harry Murray was born, raised and still lives on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River in the village of Edinburg, Virginia where he owns and has operated Murray’s Fly Shop for over 40 years. He has published eight books on fly fishing, including Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park; Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams; and Murray’s Fly Shop Exclusive Fly Patterns. His articles can be seen regularly in many national fly fishing magazines. Harry conducts “on the stream” fly fishing schools each spring and summer out of his fly shop. He has designed over 50 fly patterns and provides guide service in the Virginia area. Larry Rea, Arkansas Editor Larry Rea is the seasoned, retired Outdoors Editor for The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, TN, where he held that post between 1967 and 2001. Currently he is the host of Outdoors with Larry Rea on Sports 790-AM in Memphis; www.lroutdoors.com. He is also free-lance writer for The Commercial Appeal’s DeSoto Appeal (Sunday outdoors column). A master scribe, for five consecutive years he was a double award winner (first and second place) in Tennessee Outdoor Writers Association’s Excellence in Craft Broadcast category. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame in 2010 where he is now an honored lifetime member. Larry also serves on the board of directors for Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (2010-present). Ian Rutter Along with wife, Charity, Ian Rutter is the owner of R&R Fly Fishing, which is based out of Townsend, Tennessee. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, he has guided fly fishers since 1995. He is on the pro staffs of Scott Fly Rods and Hyde Drift Boats. A prolific writers, Ian wrote Great Smoky Mountains National Park Angler’s Companion, Tennessee Trout Waters: Blue Ribbon Guide, and Rise Rings and Rhododendron: Fly Fishing the Mountain Streams and Tailwaters of Southern Appalachia. He has logged countless hours on the water in Tennessee and North Carolina he spends a good deal of time fly fishing in the Rocky Mountains every year.

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contributors Scott Spencer Scott Spencer is a freelance writer who was born and raised in Alabama. An avid hunter and fisherman, he learned about fly fishing nearly 40 years ago when he first picked up the flyrod at the age of 12. He was tutored in the art of casting and fly fishing using my father’s 1952 Phillipson bamboo flyrod. A banker by profession, he has hunted across the United States and has done both television hunting programs and hunting DVD’s. A passionate fly fisherman, Spencer frequently fishes the streams and tailwaters of North Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He is married with three children. Greg Ward, Tennessee Editor Greg Ward lives in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, where he has been a full-time hunting and fishing guide since 1989. He owns and operates Rocky Top Outfitters, a hunting and fishing guide service specializing in stream fly-fishing, spin fishing, and guided turkey and bear hunts. His articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and outdoor magazines. He is the co-author of the Ultimate Fly Fishing Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains. Greg has hosted several radio shows and has been a popular presenter at Pigeon Forge’s annual Wilderness Wildlife Week. He lives in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with his wife and daughter.

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