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BRAUER TALKS

BASS TUBES HIGH-WATER TROUT TACTICS

PHOTO BY BEAU KEMP COURTESY OF ALAN MCGUCKIN VOLUME 25 â€¢ ISSUE 299

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FEBRUARY 2020

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PENN FIERCE III New updates to PENN’s Fierce III reels improve quality and performance while retaining the great value anglers have come to appreciate from these spinning reels. Available in combos with Fierce III rods, the updated line is perfect for anglers looking for solid gear at an affordable price. Fierce III reels were already known for smooth retrieves and solid construction, with Techno Balanced rotors and full metal body and sideplate. The newly updated Fierce III reels and combos and the Fierce III LE combos come with a number of upgrades. Fierce III reels feature an HT-100 carbon fiber drag system upgraded from oiled felt and a 4+1 stainless steel bearing system. Fierce III combo rods receive upgraded PENN Dura-Guides and are available in one or two-piece combos. Fierce III LE combos offer anglers upgraded machined EVA handle knobs and colorful Winn grips for added comfort as well as PENN Dura-Guides and the HT-100 carbon fiber drag system. PENN Fierce III reels and combos are available in sizes ranging from 1000 to 8000.

St. Croix’s new Avid Surf series offers 10 powerful, American–made spinning and casting rods designed for serious surfcasters looking to beach serious fish. Whether heaving heavy baits from the beaches of Cape Hatteras, casting 3-ounce bottle plugs for Montauk stripers or trying to steer a crazed tarpon away from bridge pilings in the Florida Keys, these super-strong, extremely versatile sticks handle any challenge surf fishing presents. Avid Surf rods combine St. Croix’s Integrated Poly Curve mandrel technology with premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon for exceptional strength, smooth power and increased sensitivity. They sport Fuji K-Series KW tangle-free guides with Alconite rings and Corrosion Control frame treatment for superior casting distance and improved corrosion protection. The Fuji DPS Deluxe reel seat with Back Stop lock nut and matte grey hoods ensures a rock-solid connection between rod and reel, while a custom cork tape handle with machined trim pieces provides a sure, comfortable and resilient grip.

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UGLY STIK CARBON SERIES With a new series of carbon rods, Ugly Stik has introduced its lightest, most sensitive and best handling rods to date. A new carbon technology crafted of 100-percent 24-ton graphite allows new Ugly Stiks to be lightweight and 37 percent stronger than other standard graphite rods while still delivering the timetested toughness that is the hallmark of the Ugly Stik brand. “The new Ugly Stik Carbon series handles like no Ugly Stik before it,” said Andrew Wheeler, director of global brands for Ugly Stik. “These rods have the feel and performance of rods that come at a higher cost and don’t have the proven durability of an Ugly Stik. When people get their hands on these rods, they are blown away by their light weight and corresponding sensitivity and balance.” The series includes casting and spinning rods, as well as spinning combos and baitcast combos—both of which include the Abu Garcia Black Max reel.

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ST. CROIX AVID SURF RODS

FEBRUARY 2020

CORTLAND NYMPH SERIES FLY RODS Cortland’s Nymph Series fly rods were specifically designed for modern nymphing techniques. They are built on a super-light graphite blank, which dampens and recovers quickly for exceptional feel. The low-reflective, matte black finish allows for an extremely stealthy approach while providing an additional layer of protection. A downlocking reel seat combined with a composite fighting butt allows for exceptional balance and fast hook sets. Nymph Series fly rods feature oversized, light-wire, single-foot guides for easier passage of fly line, monofilament and knots. All ferrules and guides are coated with highly durable epoxy to resist cracks, flex stress and excessive knots. Other features include alignment dots, sizespecific rod bags and a protective cordura rod tube.

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CRB ROD BLANKS

TSUNAMI EVICT SPINNING REEL

Harnessing the custom spirit of rod building, while maintaining dependable quality and value, the Custom Rod Builder (CRB) brand develops exciting rod blanks for any level of angler. CRB is proud to expand blank production to offer 12 awesome colors in the Color Series, best-selling materials like fiberglass and E-glass, as well as improved actions and powers across the board. Synonymous with quality, CRB blanks are the premier source of affordable, functional and innovative custom rod building blanks. CRB satisfies your pursuits in performance, style and price. From the extremely popular Color Series blanks to heavy Tuna Poppin’ blanks, all around Value E-Glass blanks, and many more, these exciting blank options provide the ideal custom choices at perfect price points. With the rise of multi-option rod kits, CRB’s trusted blanks and rod components have made serious waves in the world of custom rod building. From the variety of blanks and color choices, to all the guides, reel seats, and grip options, CRB offers an unbeatable array of components ready to build your next fishing rod!

As one of the newer reel companies in the industry, Tsunami is making waves with great gear at a very competitive price. Their new Evict spinning reel, available in sizes 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000, is unlike any other spinning reel on the market for the price. Smooth and powerful, it’s at home on freshwater or salt. But the Evict is constructed and sealed to stand up to the marine environment. The Evict’s stainless steel main gear and pinion, and sealed stainless main shaft, allow for maximum pressure when battling big fish. A CF3 carbon fiber drag system boasts a serious 20 pounds of drag to haul them up, which makes the Evict ideal for big inshore species and bottom fishing. The aluminum braidready spool means there’s no line slip with braided line. An aluminum body, graphite rotor, comfortable aluminum ball handle and eight sealed stainless ball bearings round out a durable and high-performing piece of equipment. The 3000 and 4000 sizes come with an EVA knob in the box. The 3000 size holds 220yds of 15lb braid.

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TSUNAMI CARBON SHIELD II Whether you’re hunting seatrout, big bull reds or striped bass, Tsunami has you covered with their Carbon Shield II series of rods. Available from 7’ up to 8’ in medium light to extra heavy models, these spinning rods are designed to be featherlight and sensitive with the power to cast long and battle big fish. Lightweight IM7 graphite blanks, featuring D16 nonotech and a unique carbon fiber design evenly disperses force in 16 directions. While they weigh little, these rods are up to whatever you want to do with them, whether its live baiting big snook or working topwater baits for seatrout. They feature quality Fuji K guides and Fazlite inserts, premium cork grips and an anodized aluminum reel seat with stainless steel hoods and custom locking ring.

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OKUMA EPIXOR XT SPINNING REEL Okuma Epixor XT reels—the next generation in a long-standing family of technologically advanced Okuma spinning reels—come loaded with exclusive technologies that anglers will appreciate. These reels offer high-end performance to price-conscious anglers. Lightweight C-40X carbon fiber composite construction provides exceptional feel and anti-corrosive durability. Okuma’s exclusive Tortion Control Armor and a slow oscillation system reduce twisting and ensure proper line lay, which allows smooth casts and fewer line issues. A 1-K woven carbon fiber drag knob has progressive drag setting without adding weight, and Japanese oiled felt drag washers perform smoothly with a big fish on the line. Other advanced features include: Okuma’s Centrifugal Disc Bail; precision machine-cut brass pinion gear; heavyduty solid aluminum bail wire; Rigid aluminum handle arm; comfortable ergo grip; RESII, computer balanced Rotor Equalizing System; Stainless steel bearings; Quick-Set anti-reverse bearing; Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology; and a machined aluminum, 2-tone anodized spool with LCS lip. There isn’t a more technologically advanced reel available anywhere near Okuma’s price point for Epixor XT reels.

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itchin’ tubes exploded in popularity following Denny Brauer’s 1998 Bassmaster Classic victory. A month before the tournament, the legendary shallow-water pitcher/flipper was on a solid summertime jig bite on a shallow flat of North Carolina’s High Rock Lake. When the jig stopped producing during Classic week, he reached for a 3.5-inch tube and discovered the fish wanted something a little different. Brauer won the 1998 Classic pitchin’ tubes. The technique has been a mainstay ever since. Unlimited Seasonal Use Tubes get bites when nothing else will, and there are no seasonal limitations. Brauer’s win came in early August in hot shallow water. I recently caught bass on a Big Bite Bait Tour Flipping Tube from the frigid winter waters of northeastern Oklahoma.

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“I think it’s definitely a year-round bait,” said Brauer. “As anglers, we initially got conditioned to think tubes were a spawning-season bait. But shoot, it’s very productive year-round. As much as anything, it’s simply a finesse tool to pitch anytime the conditions call for it.” Hook Size And Rigging Are Critical I gravitate toward the 3.5-inch tube rigged with a 3/0 Mustad hook. Following his Classic win on the 3.5-inch tube, Brauer had Strike King design a larger 4.5-inch tube so he could match it with a larger 4/0 Mustad hook he felt would put more fish in the boat. Pitch the size you’re comfortable with, but be sure to match tube size to hook size. A 3.5-inch tube demands a 3/0 hook. A 4- or 4.5-inch tube marries best to a 4/0 hook. And DO NOT bury the hook point into the tube. Instead, Texas rig it with the hook point level on the back of the tube. You’ll land more fish, and it will still perform relatively snag-free. Rattles And Weight Some people love rattles; some people hate them. I stuff a glass rattle inside the body of my tubes most of the time. Line size and worm-weight size are also personal preferences determined by water clarity and the fall rate bass seem to favor. A lot of anglers use 20-pound test with a ¼-ounce weight. Brauer goes meatier with 3/8- or ½-ounce weight and 25-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon. I’ve caught bass for years with a 1/8-ounce weight and 15-pound old-school Big Game. Watch The Line You must be vigilant in watching your line where it meets the water after every single pitch or flip. Very seldom do bass just thump a tube. It’s like they’re eating a potato chip rather than chomping a bite of rib eye. Often the line will just stop falling, and you need to set the hook! Still Charting Hits Lures are like country music artists. Some bust onto the scene, score a couple hits, and soon fade from popularity. Others prove that true talent never goes away. Pitchin’ tubes are whole lot like George Strait or Reba McEntire. They were mega stars at the time Brauer won the ’98 Classic, and they’re still playing to sell out crowds 20 years later.

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1/20/20 10:19 AM

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n the early 1930s watch manufacturers took a clue from Henry Ford’s favorite quote concerning his automobiles, “You can have any color as long as it is black.” Black dialed watches became the rage especially with pilots and race drivers. Of course, since the black dial went well with a black tuxedo, the adventurer’s black dial watch easily moved from the airplane hangar to dancing at the nightclub. Now, Stauer brings back the “Noire”, a design based 27 jewels and handon an elegant timepiece built in 1936. Black dialed, assembled parts drive complex automatics from the 1930s have recently hit this classic masterpiece. new heights at auction. One was sold for in excess of $600,000. We thought that you might like to have an affordable version that will be much more accurate than the original. Basic black with a twist. Not only are the dial, hands and face vintage, but we used a 27-jeweled automatic movement. This is the kind of engineering desired by fine watch collectors worldwide. But since we design this classic movement on state of the art computer-controlled Swiss built machines, the accuracy is excellent. Three interior dials display day, month and date. We have priced the luxurious Stauer Noire at a price to keep you in the black… only 3 payments of $33. So slip into the back of your black limousine, savor some rich tasting black coffee and look at your wrist knowing that you have some great times on your hands.

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By Nick Carter

here’s a daytime swordfish bite developing in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Alabama. The fish have always been there, but few anglers have figured out how to catch them when the sun is out. Dustin Bedgood, aka Capt. Fed, of Orange Beach’s FED UP Charters, has spent several years learning the area’s daytime deep-water fishery. Drawing from successful captains in wellknown deep-drop locations off south Florida and Venice, Louisiana, Capt. Fed adapted techniques to a point where he’s consistent enough to take charter clients to catch swordfish. The fishery is productive just off the continental shelf about an hour and a half ride from the Alabama coast aboard Capt. Fed’s 33-foot Freeman. During daylight hours, swordfish hang out past where the bottom drops precipitously from 200 feet into 1,000-foot depths. This is where anglers can expect a typical day of four or five swordfish bites with one fish landed. The weights average about 120 pounds, with a top-end over 300 pounds. While the fish aren’t as big as in south Florida, a 150-pound sword is more than most anglers want to handcrank from those depths, anyway. “They’re a very intense fish,” said Capt. Fed. “They can hurt you very easily.” The keys to the fishery are bottom structure, the right gear and good bait. Capt. Fed fishes in 1,000 to 3,000 feet of water, and always around some type of structure. “Whether it’s a nipple, a ledge, a canyon or a salt dome, that’s where the swordfish are,” he said. “All it takes is some little feature that changes the currents and attracts bait.” Good maps of the ocean floor and sophisticated electronics are necessary to find the right type of bottom in several thousand feet of water. On top of high-end sonar, Capt. Fed uses custom J&M Tackle Blackout Sword Rods with lots of backbone but a very soft tip. Swordfish don’t just load up on the rod. They slash at the bait first, and a soft tip is needed to

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notice the bump when there’s so much line out. “Once you get it set, the rod will develop a rhythm with the waves and the current. You’ve got to watch that rod,” said Capt. Fed. “If you see it do anything that’s not normal, something has happened. That’s when you start reeling it up or dropping it down. You’ve got to tease them just like any other billfish.” Capt. Fed fishes Shimano 50W and 80W reels. The drag is set loose because swordfish have soft mouths, and battles can last an hour or more. The reels are loaded with 80-pound braid tied into a 150-foot wind-on leader of 250-pound mono with a Bimini twist. Fed uses a minimum of 5 pounds of weight, and secures Lindgren-Pitman lights to his leader with rubber bands. Bait is important, and tying it correctly takes practice. After the initial slash, the jig is up if the hook tears out or the bait doesn’t retain a natural presentation. A 10-inch squid sewn with 70-pound waxed floss around a 10/0 to 12/0 J hook is one of Capt. Fed’s favorite baits. While an average day might bring one swordfish to the boat, Fed said he’s also seen five-fish days when conditions are perfect. Swords are very sensitive to the moon, and daily feeding times seem to correspond with moonrise and moonset. Capt. Fed plans trips so there’s time to load coolers with grouper and tilefish before switching to swordfish through the prime moon position. The swordfish bite goes on year-round, but Fed said he’s noticed an April into July peak, which could be attributed to more time on the water during peak tourist season in Orange Beach. And that brings up another reason to fish the Alabama Gulf Coast. There’s plenty to keep the whole family happy while the anglers are out on the water. Capt. Fed (Dustin Bedgood) can be contacted through his website www.fedupcharters.com, at (251) 377-7135 or by email at fedupcharters@gmail.com

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1/20/20 10:19 AM 1/17/20 9:01 AM

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The Force ISC Dolly, introduced by Parkit360°, is a compact motorized trailer dolly that allows anyone to move any boat or camper. Available in 5,000 lb. and 10,000 lb. models, it’s a powerful tool that enables easy parking in tight spots without the need for a truck or back-breaking labor. The dolly is compatible with practically every camping, boat or cargo trailer with optional adapters for spring-loaded and Atwood hitches. It’s battery powered, easily transportable and compact. The dolly body itself weighs approximately 70 pounds, making it easy to disassemble and transport in the trunk of a small car. The dolly is built to easily handle both smooth and rough surfaces. No matter the terrain, be it grass, packed gravel or asphalt, the dolly provides plenty of traction. For optimal usage and safety, users should avoid operating on more than a 6 percent incline. Connecting the dolly to a trailer is as intuitive as possible. It can be done through a ball mount, the tongue jack itself or the universal telescopic adaptor. Once attached, it wheels around easily. The operation works with a simple button in forward and backward movements. With an intelligent speed controller, users can achieve fast or more precise parking. At the same time, the motor’s ability to start and stop gradually prevents damage to the trailer from sudden stopping, something that makes the Force ISC Dolly stand out above its competition.

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LAKES HIWASSEE

Huge Winter Stripers on Lake Hiwassee

By Shane Goebel

ebruary? It’s hard to believe with these 60- and 70-degree days. Although one thing is for sure, these warm days have the stripers going crazy! It’s totally an optimal time to hit the water for some huge trophy stripers, especially with these warm winter days. Fortunately for you, we can help you score that monster Western North Carolina or North Georgia striper. Hiwassee Lake is Western North Carolina’s hidden gem for catching some awesome stripers, and, as Murphy, N.C.’s only professional full-time guided striper service, we are here to help put you on some hard-fighting fish. Guaranteed! Check us out on Facebook and you’ll see! Currently, water temperatures on Lake Hiwassee are in the low 50s, and water levels are around 39 feet below full pool. Water clarity is moderately clear and stained in

the creeks and rivers due to all the recent rains. Striper fishing has been excellent recently! We’ve been catching a lot of nice fish in the 20- to 40-pound range. These fish are shallow and pounding bait up on the banks and shallow flats in the backs of creeks. Pulling planer boards and free lines early in the morning has been working great. Huge gizzard shad and blueback herring are always the bait of choice this time of year. It’s so stinking awesome to see a huge 30-pounder explode on a bait behind a planer board. It will definitely have you hooked on striper fishing once you experience this thrill. Back on track now, occasionally we’ll also pull small trout as well. Our trophy striper season has been in full swing, and these techniques will continue for the next few months. Smallmouth and spotted bass

have been off the hook out here lately. This beautiful mountain lake never ceases to fail me (knock on wood). We’ve been catching some large quantities of smallmouth and spots. These fish have been schooled up on shallow flats and off rocky points around the lake. Downlining live bluebacks and ultra-light tackle have been the best techniques for loading the boat with these great Hiwassee smallmouths. February is a fantastic month for catching a lot of stripers on this Western North Carolina lake. Book a trip with Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and let the area’s No. 1-rated guide service put you

on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy’s premier fulltime guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely, Chatuge and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, Ga. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out us out at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, Ga. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing and have the best live blueback herring around. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in The Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

Shane Goebel owns Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and is a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team. See the website at www.bigolfish.com or call (828) 361-2021.

SMSS has all the essentials for hunting, target shooting, home defense, reloading and more Call for date & time of monthly concealed carry class. 53 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC • 828-837-7677 Beside the Courthouse

www.smokymountainshooters.com www.facebook.com/smokymtnshooter

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February Fishing in the Murphy Mountains

By Aaron Kephart

ountain Lakes Guide Service has had a great winter on Murphy-area lakes. The unseasonably warm weather kept fish in shallower waters than normal for the time of year, but late December and early January saw the fish starting to congregate in big numbers in traditional wintering locations. With all of that said, February is by far my favorite month to pursue winter bass patterns, particularly for trophy smallmouth bass, simply because fish are at their absolute heaviest this time of year, and it also offers shots at other species that can sometimes be elusive. I have focused more on smallmouths this winter than last. They have always been my favorite fish to target in the cold months, but last year we focused

occurs sometime in February, depending on water levels, rain, water clarity and temperature. This bite didn’t really occur at all last year because of river flooding, but based upon the number of walleye I caught in the spring and summer last year, I have high hopes for some impressive numbers of walleye in my boat this February. If you are interested in one of these trips, flexibility is required. This run won’t happen without the right combination of water temps and clarity, so my suggestion is to start checking in with me around midFebruary, and to call often to check on progress. The crappie will also be moving into shallow brush and rock formations by the time you read this, and most can be found from 1/2 to 2/3 of the way back in the creeks. Spots, as always, are everywhere from the bank to 100 feet deep, and have taken over just about all of our mountain lakes. They have had a dramatic and lasting impact on a lot of our fisheries, and I would personally like to see a lot more of these delicious, but destructive, fish kept. We have been running into some big brown trout on occasion, but not in the numbers we have over the past few winters. I think most of that is attributable to the warmer-than-average winter, and I sincerely believe more will start showing up in the next few weeks. We have also been running into some giant yellow perch among the smallmouth on occasion, and actually had one New Year’s Eve that was an ounce off of the state record. The striper bite has also been good in our area, with shallow flats and warm days producing best. These fish are about to put on the feedbag through the spring months, and I am definitely looking forward to watching my clients boat a bunch

a lot on stripers because of client request. That focus has really paid off. We have had some incredible smallmouth trips lately, averaging over 30 fish per morning. We had two trips with more than 50 bass in the boat in January. Our biggest smallmouth so far this winter was a 6-pound, 4-ounce brute, and we have had numerous fish heavier than 5 pounds. We have caught too many 4-pounders to count. We are also catching some good largemouth bass, with one over 8 pounds boated recently, and a whole bunch over 6 pounds caught. This winter bite is truly something special, and about the only two things that can affect it are a high-pressure, bluebird day—during which you will still catch fish, but it won’t be as easy— or so much snow and ice that we physically can’t get to the lake. This bite should remain productive until around mid-March, when the fish will leave their winter holes, spread out, and start to head to shallower waters in preparation for the spawn. Remember, I am 100 percent catch and release on smallmouth and largemouth. So if you are looking for a meat trip, these aren’t the trips to hire me for. If you are looking for a shot at the smallmouth of a lifetime, call me now and see what openings I still have left. Speaking of meat fish, our walleye spawning run traditionally

Murphy North Carolina’s

premier trophy smallmouth and spotted bass guide service

Mountain Lakes Guide Service

Aaron Kephart is the Owner of Mountain Lakes Guide Service. To book a guided trip on one of the Murphy area mountain lakes, contact him by phone or by email at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com Checkout his website at http://www.mtnlakesguideservice.comand catch him on facebook@ mountainlakesguideservice

Hiwassee - Apalachia - Chatuge Aaron Kephart 865-466-1345 mtnlakesguide@outlook.com

Crappie, Trophy Trout, Stripers, and more available 4

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of these hard-fighting monsters. Reading back through this article, I realize just how blessed we are to live in an area that offers so much opportunity for quality fishing for so many species, and I pride myself on my knowledge of and versatility on our local lakes. If you are interested in the smallmouth trip of a lifetime, incredible striper fishing, a big brown trout, want to gamble on a cooler full of walleye, have some other species in mind, or just want to catch what is biting best, call me at (865) 466-1345 and book today. My spring and early summer dates are starting to book up, but as of this writing I do still have some February and March availability, and I would love to hear from you.

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Lake Chatuge Hybrids and Spots By Darren Hughes

ard winter has held off thus far, and we’ve seen some unseasonably warm days. This has led to some great winter fishing on Lake Chatuge this season. Remember to book your trips now for this spring, because we are booking up quick. We guarantee you’ll have the fishing trip of a lifetime with us, and spring is an excellent time to hit the water for some nice hybrids and spots. Currently, water temps are in the mid 50s. Lake water levels are slowly on the rise due to the recent rains and are presently about 6 feet below full pool. Clarity is clear on the main lake and stained in the creeks. The spotted bass bite has been really good for this time of year, and we’re seeing an awesome early

being the best time to target these fish. Pulling planer boards and free-lining live bluebacks and shad have been the best techniques. We have also been catching some nice fish in the 10- to 13-pound range in the backs of creeks and off some sloping points. February fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, Ga. It’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. We also carry ethanolfree gas and have some of the best

morning to mid-day downline bite. We’re still averaging about 20 to 30 spots a morning out here. Fishing live blueback herring has been the key. Topwater has been decent and should pick up in the next few months. Look for these fish to be holding off points and ledges off the main channel. We’ve also seen some nice schools of bass on shallow flats throughout the lake. Look for these spots to really fire up in the up-coming months. Last year we had several 50-plus-fish days. Remember while fishing in the spring, these bass are bedding, so try to get them back into the water quickly. Preserving the quality of the bass will ensure years of great fishing on this lake. Our hybrid bass bite has also been fantastic, with early morning

hot, made-from-scratch biscuits in North Georgia. For guided fishing trips on lakes Chatuge, Hiwassee or Nottely, or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes, at Hughes General Store. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give Chatuge a shot for some of the best spotted bass and hybrids in the area. Good luck, and get hooked!

Darren Hughes is the owner of Hughes General Store & Bait Shop, a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team and a guide for Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Look him up at www.bigolfish.com or give him a call at (706) 745-6569 or (828) 361-2021.

Wade Trip or Float Trip?

By David Hulsey

uide trips can vary from a couple of hours to a full day or a multiple-day event. Knowing what to expect can make or break your time on the water. In this article, I’d like to share some of the differences between typical wade and float trips for trout. Wade trips can give you

an intimate experience with a particular section of stream. If you are trying to learn how to fish a piece of water, a wade trip gives you time to break down the river into small parts and to fish particular techniques. If you are a beginner, wading around the creek is a much easier learning environment.

Floating in a drift boat bouncing through a hole only gives you limited time for decision making. Trout aren’t going anywhere if you don’t spook them, so wading gives you time to really hone your craft. Wading involves… well… “wading.” Being prepared with good waders and felt or rubber

studded boots is a must. A sturdy wading staff will also help to keep you upright in the river, which is a major plus! Your guide should know the section of river like the back of his hand. Keeping you from swimming is a biggie for him or her. Wintertime can be challenging because you will be

CONTINUED, SEE WITHOUT WADERS, PAGE 8

David Hulsey moves in to net a big bow for a wading angler. Photo by Nick Carter. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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EAST TN / GREAT SMOKIES / GRAHAM COUNTY /SWAIN COUNTY

Tournament Bass Fishing On Fontana Lake

ith more than 240 miles of shoreline along its 30 mile length, Fontana Lake is a prized destination for the hook and line crowd looking to up their game with large and small mouth bass action. Fontana Village Resort and Marina is here to help you get on the water with everything you need for your next trip. From slips and boats to equipment and fuel for you and your boat, the only thing we leave up to you is reeling them in. Fontana Village Resort, with Fontana Marina, is proud to sponsor the Fontana Village Spring Classic Bass Tournament each Spring that brings anglers

from everywhere in the southeast to test their skills against these mountain lake lunkers. Itâ€™s the best fishing around for an early North Carolina mountain vacation. Fontana Village Spring Classic, hosted and sponsored by Fontana Village Resort & Marina will be held on Saturday, March 28th. 1st place prize $5000, 2nd place $1500, 3rd place $500. Payout day of tournament. $150 entry fee per boat. Starting time determined on morning of tournament. Minimum 50 boats must be entered into tournament to win full payout. Call us today at 828.498.2129 to see what tournaments are

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coming up and how the fish are biting. Fontana Village Resort Tournament specials: $75 nightly lodge room / 2-bedroom cabin

$150 (2-night min on cabins). To book your stay call our front desk 24/7 at 800-849-2258. Call Fontana Marina for registration at 828-498-2129.

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Slow Down For Sluggish Winter Bass

By Ronnie Parris

s I write this, the temperature outside has not made it above freezing. Most folks would say a man has to be crazy to bass fish when the temperature is this cold, but actually this is the best time of year for catching really big bass. True… they probably aren’t going to chase a buzzbait or spinnerbait like they would in warmer times, but present them a slow-moving crankbait, Alabama rig, soft plastic or a live minnow, and you might have your best day of the year. The key to catching fish this time of year is to find them, and that means finding the bait. I usually pay close attention to the water temperature and look for areas just a few degrees warmer than what I see over the rest of the lake. That’s where the majority of the bait will hold. This might not always be shad. In a lot of our mountain lakes, bass will key on crayfish and aquatic insects this time of year. In summer, creeks and branches pouring into the lake will usually be colder than the main body. In winter, the opposite may be true. At times, tributaries will run just a little warmer than the main lake, which draws bait to congregate at

the creek mouths. Presentation of whatever lure you prefer should be slow. If you’re fishing a soft plastic and aren’t catching fish, try slowing your retrieve to a crawl. I have often made a cast and then laid my rod on the floor of the boat to pour a cup of coffee. More than a few times, a nice bass has picked up the bait as the drifting boat slowly dragged the lure away from the bank. One of the most difficult situations is when fish lie right on the bottom and sonar can’t differentiate them from bottom. I am bad to set my sensitivity really high, so I can detect anything abnormal with the bottom. Sure, it makes for a dirty static-filled screen, but it will help you spot fish lying right on the bottom that you wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The bottom line is: Even though it’s cold, you won’t catch anything at home in the recliner. So put on your warmest clothes, put a good hand warmer in the boat, and hit the water. You might be rewarded with your best trip of the year. Have fun, stay safe, and as always take a kid fishing. Better hooked on fishing than on drugs. Happy New Year to all, and good fishing from Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited.

WADE TRIP OR FLOAT TRIP? standing in ice water for extended periods of time. So, dressing for this is a must. Warm fingerless gloves are the most forgotten item on my trips. I always keep extra pairs on hand. If I can keep you focused on the fish and not the fact you are getting frostbite, we can usually hook a few! Float trips in a boat can cover multiple miles of water in a day. Depending on water flow, fishing conditions, other fly anglers, etc., you might float at a pretty good clip or putter around slowly working every likely looking spot. The big advantage a float trip has over a wade trip is the fact you will cover more water, which usually means more shots at more fish. In a boat, you can sometimes get by without wearing waders, especially in the warmer months. Non-marking soled shoes that you’re not afraid to get wet will work great, and your guide will appreciate not having to scrub black marks off his or her craft. The increased elevation the angler has while in the boat is a

Ronnie Parris is owner and head guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, N.C., heart of the Great Smoky Mountains (www.smounlimited.com; (828) 488-9711).

Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING We offer both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.

1012 East Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC • 828-488-9711, Cell: 828-736-9471

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huge advantage to spotting fish and casting with more distance. Wading chest deep in the river really hurts your fishing ability, not to mention that taking a surprise bath will probably happen sooner or later. Teaching a beginner how to cast is more difficult in a drift boat. Also, standing on your line or tangling it around the anchor happens a lot if you aren’t careful. Usually, a float trip lends its advantages to the angler with a few trips already under their belt. Older folks tired of taking an ice bath with a few big rocks thrown in will appreciate a float trip also. Couples who have a non-angler involved in an outdoor adventure make good use of the float by putting the fisher in the front and the non-angler in the back of the boat. The beautiful scenery, wildlife, birds, etc. can make it a fun day for them, too! Give me a ring. We’ll custom design a trip that best suits your needs. All gear is included free of charge!

Give David Hulsey a call at (770) 639-4001 to book a class or a guided trout trip. See his website at www.hulseyflyfishing.com.

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Musing On Management By Capt. James McManus

s I was writing this, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) was holding its annual series of public meetings, so some housekeeping items come to mind. First off, I don’t want the great folks in charge of our natural resources to feel I am overly critical of the job they are doing. Not only is it usually a thankless job, it can also be dangerous. I am very thankful for all that NCWRC personnel do to protect our resources and the people who enjoy them. I also realize, after talking to NCWRC personnel, that individual employees might not always agree with current regulations and practices, but to do anything other than complete enforcement of policies and regulations would be a dereliction of duty. So I am thankful to our law enforcement officers for being loyal to the calling. I mean only to offer suggestions to improve and enhance fishing opportunities in our area lakes. Almost every conversation about change—whether regulatory, enforcement-oriented or pertaining to species availability—comes down to the fact that changes cost money. Having fished lots of different areas in almost all southern states, I am accustomed to paying to launch a boat. It makes no difference if it’s a state park, a NCWRC public ramp, an Army Corps of Engineers ramp or private facility.

Three drops, three fish.

The money raised generally goes back into the maintenance of the facility or to enhance the fishery. I fish a lot, and there would be an extra burden on us all to have to pay to play. But if it meant better opportunities to succeed, then I am all in. For locals, a season-long parking permit generally equates to a very low per-trip rate, so this would be one way to boost the cash flow to be designated for local improvements where collected. Fishing Lake Fontana as my home lake, I have written before about the need to do something about the walleye decline. I attended the NCWRC presentation last year and was impressed that they are doing everything possible on the stocking front. I did not realize what a difficult job it is to raise walleye compared to other species. I applaud the efforts of our folks and wish them luck as they work through space and technical issues. Looking over Canada’s regulations, it is no wonder they have such good walleye fisheries. They protect the resource with regulations that include slots, where larger fish cannot be kept, thus assuring spawning stock. They also limit harvest, with two fish being the normal limit and fishery closures during spawning seasons. While I don’t want to implement a police state, I am convinced that reducing harvest limits down to two fish would help bring back our fishery. Another tool used by other states is closures up spawning rivers during spring runs. Even if only one side of Fontana—preferably the Little Tennessee—was closed, it would allow that group of fish to replen-

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ish, naturally. Surely that beats any stocking program. You can’t help but love our spotted bass friends, but the size limit on them must go. They outcompete the native smallmouth bass. I propose a moratorium on keeping smallies, as well, so their population has a better chance when pitted against their spotted brethren. This might add confusion for the public at first, but we really need to help our smallies. Perhaps a one-fish limit within the bass total during a grace period would smooth the transition. Finally, I’ll present my best pet peeve. I would love to see stripers stocked in Fontana just like they were in Hiwassee. Hiwassee has the highest natural reproduction

of walleye of any area lake. Some of this has to be attributed to the stripers helping keep bluebacks in check. Not only would Fontana striped bass stockings help walleye, it would reduce pressure on Hiawassee as one of the few area striper fisheries. Stocking striper up at the Cullowhee Dam might just create a sustaining population, and who among trout anglers would object to occasionally hooking into a 10- to 20-pluspound fish as icing on the cake to a mountain trout trip. Well, as first stated, thank you to our wildlife folks. Take these suggestions as a wish list, and here’s to a wonderful 2020 on our area lakes.

Capt. James McManus owns 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day on the water at (828) 421-8125.

FEBRUARY 2020

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HIGH COUNTRY

Fish The Bugs That Are Available

By Jake Darling

inter trout angling can be very productive for anglers willing to brave the elements. During this time of year, many anglers have put away their tackle, waiting on warmer days of spring to venture back on the water. The truth is, winter is one of the best times of the year to be on the water for trout anglers, as angling pressure is at its lowest, and fish are still feeding during the warmer hours of the day. One thing many anglers struggle with is fly selection. Sure, most biomass found in rivers during colder months is often smaller and darker, but there is more to the story than just that. Understanding available food for trout during the winter will help

you have more successful days on the water. The little black stonefly hatch is probably one of the best kept secrets during the winter. Often, these insects are very small, dark and are hard to see flying in the air. One of the best ways to notice when these bugs are hatching is to see them crawling on your waders or clothing. When they are active, fish gorge themselves on these bugs. There are many different patterns to mimic the little black stones, but I like to keep it simple. Some of my favorite patterns include black Lightning Bugs, black Copper Johns, black Pheasant Tails, and black Hare’s Ears, all in sizes 14-18. If you turn over a rock this

time of year, chances are you will see small dark-colored mayfly nymphs crawling on the underside of the rock. Typically, these are small blue-winged olive nymphs. These insects can be found in most all trout streams in our region during February, and just because

that, there are many fish on or near the bottom of the stream that will not pass up small midge larvae. A heavy hitter would be the black Zebra Midge, but some of our favorites around the area include a Root Beer Midge, Diamond Midge, and Evenson’s 2be Midge Larva in black. These

Understanding available food for trout during the winter will help you have more successful days on the water. you don’t see adults flying around doesn’t mean the fish aren’t eating the nymphs below the surface. Try patterns such as olive Pheasant Tails, Split Case (BWO), and Mighty May Sloan Baetis nymphs, all in sizes 16-20. Another strong player during the colder months is an assortment of small midges. Many days, swarms can be seen dancing around near the water’s surface. This can often be tough to mimic with flies. I keep it simple with my midge selection, and often I will pass on the single fish rising to midges as these fish can be very hard to fool. Having said

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insects are much smaller, so you will want to drop down to sizes 18-22. February offers up some great fishing for anglers willing to get on the water. Dress for success, and be sure to carry plenty of split shot to get your offerings down to where the fish are hiding. Typically, focus most of your angling time around the warmer portions of the day when the fish are most active. Be sure to pack some of these patterns in your box, and you will have everything you need for some successful time on the water!

Jake Darling guides with Unicoi Outfitters out of Helen, Ga. See them online at www.unicoioutfitters.com.

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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD

RiverLink Investigating River Arts District Watershed

he River Arts District Watershed Restoration Plan will investigate and find solutions to water quality issues within three streams that originate near downtown Asheville and flow through the River Arts District. The streams —Town Branch, Bacoate Branch, and an unnamed tributary—all empty into a section of the French Broad River in Asheville that is a common recreation destination. The year-long study will result in a nine-element watershed restoration plan that RiverLink and partners can use to guide work to improve water quality in the French Broad River and its tributaries.

The project is funded by generous grants from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Pigeon River Fund. RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville on the project, and has hired a consultant team led by Blue Earth Planning, Engineering & Design with staff from Wildlands Engineering, Penrose Environmental, Ecosystem Services, Headwater Environmental, Sitework Studios and FrontWater geo Planning + Design. A watershed is a land area where all of the water that reaches the ground flows to the same location. All of the water in this watershed, eventually reaches a stream that flows through the River Arts District and into the

French Broad River. We all live in a watershed! While the streams of this watershed are most visible as they flow through the River Arts District, there are many other neighborhoods that call this watershed home.

For more information and an interactive map of the watershed and neighborhoods in it, go to riverlink.org. Contact Water Resources Manager Renee Fortner at renee@riverlink.org or (828) 252-8474 x14.

Fly of the Month

By Eli Crumley, Blackhawk Fly Fishing keepemwet94@gmail.com

Mop Fly Hook: Fulling Mill FM50 45, size 12 Bead: Fulling Mill 4.0 MM, matte black Thread: UTC Denier 140, black Body: Mop Material, cream Collar: UV Ice Dubbing, black

op flies are great attractor flies or anchor flies for Czech nymphing. With recent rains bumping up the water column, try out these 12

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FEBRUARY 2020

nymphs when water is high and off color. Keep a few in the fly box for some success when conditions aren’t perfect.

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Fast As A Turtle

By Scott Norton

ost anglers winterize their boats near hunting season and won’t actively fish until prespawn. There is nothing wrong with this, but it does open up opportunities to those that keep fishing. Anglers of great patience can reap the benefits of this time. It does come with highs and lows of mixed emotions. When you reach your goal and you look at the bass on the wall, there’s a part of you connected to that and it can definitely be a conversation piece. If this is you, then my advice will be to slow way down. Your best days will be when you have a warming trend of a few days at least. If you go when the sting of winter is in the air, then go to deeper water where the fish can weather the cold down deep. Be ready to vertical fish with baits like a blade bait, drop shot, flutter spoon, and Ned rig with a slight bounce or dead stick technique.

On the flip side, you can draw bass in from a longer distance by using big baits. This is the time of year you don’t use anything in between, so stick with very small baits or big baits around 7 inches or more. Glide baits are great around rock and wood when bass try to warm up around hard structures that are sun beaten. A heavy soft swimbait is good to crawl on the bottom on cold days. The upside to fishing the winter bite is that bass of larger size still have to feed. So, when you get a bite, more than likely it’s a quality fish. It does take work and dedication, but the rewards are great and people will always ask you questions about it. There’s always a big payout when you take risks and put in a lot of work. Keep in mind you will have to preplan before you decide to go. Your higher payout days will be when you have a warming

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trend. I like to wait for the third day of warming, when the water warms and the chance of catching a fish is greater. If you don’t have this option and you have to go when it’s cold, be ready to fish uncomfortably slow. Keep in mind to dress appropriately. You’ll be dealing with wind and chill factors. You’ll need layers so you can shed them as temps warm. Keep your core heated up so your extremities are

warmer. Keep gloves and a face or head cover with you at all times, and pack extra clothing in case you get wet. Be sure to tell someone where you are in case you get in trouble. I hope this helps for some of you die-hard anglers and those looking to get into winter fishing. Stick to a plan, and be safe so you can tell your family and friends about your adventures.

Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is a long-time hunter, angler and weekend warrior. He is a member of Southern Raft Supply’s prostaff, representing them in his Jackson Kayak Coosa FD.

FEBRUARY 2020

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Fly Fishing Cataloochee Creek North Carolina GSMNP

ataloochee Creek is in one of the most unique areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It lies in the northern end of the park, not really close to anything. Maggie Valley is the closest area of any population. Traveling there takes some time and requires traveling over gravel roads in some areas. It lies in a secluded valley that was once home to several families of mountain folks.

Photo by Nick Carter

By James Marsh

It is now the main area that Elk have been introduced in the park. There are some large meadows in an area, something not common in the park, where they can often be spotted. It is also close to an area of water where it is possible to catch a grand slam, consisting of a rainbow, brook and brown trout. The park maintains a nice campground where anglers can stay without having to travel in and out of the valley on a daily basis to fish there. Most of the creek and its main tributaries consist of typical fast-moving pocket water, but there are sections of the main creek that have smooth, moderate-flowing water. That makes it a little more difficult to catch trout, but it also provides a different habitat for some of the crawler mayflies that are not nearly as plentiful in the other fast-water streams. Seasons: The season is open year-round and trout can be taken

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year-round. Spring: Spring is certainly the best time for dry fly fishing because that’s when most of the hatches take place. Summer: The hot summer rarely gets the water too warm for good fishing thanks to excellent tree cover and high elevation. Brook trout fishing in its small tributaries is excellent during the summer. Fall: Fall is certainly the most beautiful time to fish Cataloochee Creek. It’s also big brown trout time. Winter: It is very possible to catch fish throughout most of the winter, and fishing is sometimes very good.

Fly Fishing Guide to Cataloochee Creek Fly fishing Cataloochee Creek first requires a decision on the kind of trout you want to try to catch. The smaller, fast-water streams in the upper section of the valley and lower mountains from which they

drain provide the easiest places to catch trout. Small rainbows are especially plentiful there along with the brook trout in many areas. Cataloochee Creek has several tributary streams including Palmer Creek, one of the larger ones. Browns, rainbows and brook trout exist in its lower section. It has a small tributary stream with brook trout named Pretty Hollow Creek, a very appropriate name. Another one of its tributaries is Lost Bottoms Creek. It has some rainbows in its lower section and plenty of brook trout upstream a short ways. Caldwell Fork is a small tributary stream that flows into Cataloochee Creek near the campground. It has a population of brown, rainbow and brook trout. Den Branch, McKee Branch and Double Gap Branch are all very small tributary streams of Caldwell Fork. Rough Fork is another major

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tributary stream to Cataloochee Creek. Part of this stream runs through beautiful meadows and part of it through hardwood forest. Most of its trout are rainbows. Little Cataloochee Creek is another tributary stream. It is a medium to small size stream with brown, rainbow and brook trout. The stream has several tributary streams that form its main portion. Coggins Branch, Conrad Branch and Andy Branch join Little Cataloochee Creek. These streams have mostly small rainbow trout. Correll Branch and Woody Branch, both tributary streams, have brook trout. I hope you get the idea that there are plenty of places to fish. Many anglers choose to fish the fast-water runs and riffles with generic and attractor dry flies or nymphs, and they will catch some trout, particularly in the fast water. We prefer to fish specific imitations of what’s the most available food at the time or what is hatching. The best procedure in our opinion is to study the hatch section of our website (www.fly-

fishingsmkokymountains.com) and the Smoky Mountain National Park hatch chart linked on our introductory page and select the flies to use based on that. When the dry fly doesn’t seem to produce, trout can normally be caught by “high stickin’” nymphs. This is a method that requires getting close to the area you intend to fish in the faster, deeper runs and making very short flips of the fly. You want to dredge the bottom with plenty of weight. It is also a good way to catch some of the large brown trout that like to hide out in crevices underneath the boulders. Some of the best brown trout are found in the slower moving water of the long pools and moderately flowing riffles. Some of the larger rainbows seem to be in the lower section of the stream near the area it exits the park, but there are also some nice brown trout there too. Just about anywhere you fish the stream or any of its tributaries, you can expect to catch some trout. It is one of our favorite areas of the park.

James Marsh is the Owner of The Perfect Fly online and catalog mail-order store. www.perfectflystore.com

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Conservation Success Stories of 2019

ooking back on 2019, Conserving Carolina reflects on many things to celebrate. The organization is deeply grateful to everyone who offered gifts, time and energy to make stories like this possible. Here (in no particular order) are nine conservation highlights from 2019. 1. DuPont State Forest: No More Missing Link! Conserving Carolina has helped protect DuPont State Recreational Forest since the beginning. This year the 402-acre Con-

tinental Divide Tract was added, which connects DuPont to a vast conservation corridor that spans more than 100,000 acres. Another 315 acres was also acquired with the goal of adding it to DuPont. 2. Weed Patch Mountain Trail Wins National Award If you’ve hiked trails in the Hickory Nut Gorge, you’ve hiked some of the best new trails in the U.S. Last year, Wildcat Rock Trail won a national award from the Coalition for Recreational Trails. This year, that award went to Weed Patch Mountain Trail in Lake Lure. 3. Bearwallow Mountain Field Trips Through school field trips to

Bearwallow Mountain, kids get to play on a wide-open protected mountaintop. They love it up there—and these experiences could spark a lifelong love of nature. Last year, Conserving Carolina supported field trips by FernLeaf Community Charter School, Edneyville Elementary and Lake Lure Classical Academy.

4. Saluda Land Protected Land in Saluda on the edge of the Green River Game Lands that was once targeted for a shooting range is now a protected natural area. Conserving Carolina purchased the 78-acre property on Macedonia Road this spring. The goal is to add it to the Game Lands. 5. Restoring a Floodplain to Bring Back Muskie

Weed Patch. Photo: Clint Calhoun.

An ambitious floodplain restoration on the French Broad River could help bring back muskie— our largest native fish. This project also helps all kinds of wildlife, including bees, bats, birds, ducks, turtles, salamanders, otters, foxes and more. Plans include walking trails and a river put-in. 6. Conservation + Affordable Housing 900 acres of the land that Conserving Carolina purchased at Little White Oak Mountain are now protected forever and open to the public—expanding the Green River Game Lands and a local park. There’s also going to be a workforce housing development, complete with conservation design. 7. Ecusta Trail Moves Forward Trail advocates have been pushing for the Ecusta Trail for over a decade—a rail trail connecting Hendersonville and Bre-

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Lake Hartwell Forecast By Preston Harden

he water temperature is in the low 50s, and the water level is at 3 feet below full pool. As of mid-January, most gamefish were still active with the water temps well above 50 degrees. This may be the third year in a row that the water stays above 50 degrees. That is warm enough to keep most gamefish active. Gamefish prefer to eat small baits in cold water. I try to imitate a threadfin shad instead of a blueback herring. If the water cools below 48 degrees, most game fish will not eat. Their metabolism slows as the water gets colder. February can be the

Ecusta Trail. Photo courtesy of BlueRidgeNow. vard. The Ecusta Trail took a huge step forward when Conserving Carolina secured a $6.4 million grant to purchase land along the 18-mile corridor. 8. Transylvania French Broad River Stewards A grassroots group that advocates for health, beauty, and economic vitality of the French Broad River in Transylvania County is now a Conserving Carolina program. We’re proud to support these volunteers as they care for

the beautiful headwaters of the French Broad! 9. Hiking Challenge 5 Kicks Off Conserving Carolina’s popular Hiking Challenge is back! The goal of the WPA White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 5 is to go on eight hikes, all on lands that Conserving Carolina helped protect. It’s a great way to get to know the places you’re conserving. Check out Conserving Carolina online at conservingcarolina.org.

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toughest month of the year to catch gamefish. The exception to this is crappie, which will feed all winter. They taste best in the colder water and are my favorite fish in the lake to eat. To catch crappie, use tiny jigs and flukes or a small crappie minnow. Look for crappie under docks and bridges as they love shade. This is especially true on a sunny day. Fish very slowly and expect a subtle strike. They will be in deeper water, 15 to 30 feet deep. They move into the major creeks and will move further back in the creeks under shallower docks as we move toward spring.

Preston Harden / Bucktail Guide Service, 706-255-5622 / bucktailguideservice.net

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Sporadic Hatches, Deep Nymphing And Streamers

By Karl Ekberg

t’s wintertime fly fishing, but it truly did not quite feel that way halfway through January. We had much warmer temperatures than average, and there was no snow yet. Plenty of warm winter rains have started to inundate the area, just like last year. We can only hope Mother Nature takes it a little easier on us this year as compared to last year, when it seemed the rivers were continuously blown out. Let’s not be mistaken, rain is great for the watershed, but continuous huge downpours are not great for fishing conditions. River heights and flows above the safe zones make it virtually impossible to fish, even from the banks. When the river is that high, fish are just hunkered down holding on for dear life, behind big boulders and against the banks. All in all, since we have been able to fish to start the year, it has

of year is equally rewarding. While fishing streamers, one must remember that small bait fish are lethargic in cold water temperatures, as well. Casting streamers slightly upstream, letting them fall in the water column, and twitching them through the drift will lead to success. Also, after the drift and twitch, a slow pulsing retrieve can be very beneficial.

been very good. On days with temperatures in the mid 50s, we have had great early winter stonefly hatches. The fish have been rising, and dry fly fishing has been good. This has been sporadic, but enjoyable, and do not worry if you missed out. Better dry fly fishing is coming as spring comes along. Warmer days have produced great numbers and some large fish as well. Tight-line nymphing has been a great way to land many fish. Fishing near the river bottom, where the water is the warmest, has been the key to successful day. The way to go is to fish a heavy nymph to get down to the bottom, and then trail a second smaller fly. A pinch or two of split shot may be necessary during higher stream flows. If your flies are not hanging up on the bottom of the river once in a while, then you are not deep enough. Fishing streamers at this time

The use of a sinking leader to keep your streamers down, or a pinch of split shot a foot above the streamer may be necessary. As we fish throughout the year, we encourage everyone to practice catch and release and also leave no trace on all of our excursions to the great outdoors. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers here in South Carolina

Karl and Karen Ekberg are co-owners of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832-A Highlands Hwy, Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 and see their website at www.chattoogariverflyshop.com.

Lake Russell

By Wendell Wilson

ere on Lake Russell the fish are still in the winter pattern. Most of the best action is in deep water. Early in the month, we will fish for spotted bass and yellow perch with jigging spoons or minnows near the bottom, around schools of shad that are holding in 30 to 40 feet of water. The larger perch will be beautiful in their prespawn colors. They will be practically bursting with eggs, with vivid color in the red fins and yellow body with green vertical bars. If we have an extended warm spell, look for the jonquils to

bloom. When you see the pretty yellow flowers pop out of the ground, it is time to kick off crappie season. The crappie will begin to stage in catchable numbers in both Clarks Hill and Russell. They will continue to be active as long as the water temperature is rising. Thanks for reading.

Wendell Wilson / Wilson’s Guide Service / 706-283-3336

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Lake Adventure By Chris Smith

ake and Susan used to live in Georgia, on West Point Lake. They always wanted a boat. After a year or two, they talked themselves into buying a used one. It was an 18-foot runabout, nothing fancy, but it served its purpose. They and the kids loved to go out, explore the lake, pull floats, take it to a south-end marina and dock it to eat in the little café there. One of the favorite things the family enjoyed was to beach their boat, have a picnic and “explore” the little islands. During and after storms, water levels would increase along with all the debris in the lake. It was amazing what you could find on the shores of the lake after storms. One day after a walk along the shoreline where they lived, Jake started carrying

island and cleaning the coves. Naturally, there was still fun to be had and usually a cookout at the end of the day. That old boat lasted many seasons until finally the upper gears in the outboard went out. The seed had been planted in the minds of young ones about taking care of the natural resources. The family continued to be good stewards of the lake. Over the 15 years they lived there, countless pounds of debris and garbage

garbage bags with him. When it was safe to get back on the water, he started carrying a roll of garbage bags on the boat. As the family would visit the islands, he and the kids would have a scavenger hunt. The kids thought it was a game, but the big picture was they were cleaning up what they could. Over time, the kids caught on and enjoyed doing their part for conservation. They would ask, “Are we going on the boat to help the lake?” Susan, when with her friends, would talk about how the kids enjoyed it. At first, some the friends would turn their noses up at the idea, but Susan would say, “If we don’t do our part, who will?” It wasn’t too long before there was a caravan of boats with families and friends going island to

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were picked up. It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of what we have been blessed with. I’m not saying be a tree-hugger, stop using deodorant and go au-naturale, but be thoughtful about what you do and the impact it will have down river.

Chris is a Combat Veteran recently retired. A few places he has deployed are Afghanistan, Jordon, Panama, Haiti and various non-combat areas. He is an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting, camping, fishing. He lives with his bride of 29 years in Alabama who he calls “Household 6”. If any Veteran or family member of a veteran who sees changes in their loved one or for that matter anyone that is contemplating suicide, he urges you to contact him at combatvettalk@gmail.com

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Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/3/20 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

$449 $599

$999

ITEM 64799/63934 shown

STREAMLIGHT

Pre-drilled for two padlocks (locks sold separately)

*79289813 * 79289813

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Atlas, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/3/20.

NOW

NOW $

ITEM 63878/63991 PERFORMANCE $ 52 69567/64005/60566 MODEL: W2364 TOOL 63601/67227 shown

Customer Rating

COMPARE TO

Customer Rating

SAVE 83%

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

ALL IN A SINGLE SUPER POWERFUL LIGHT

SAVE * $ 79290856 55 *79290856

WITH ANY PURCHASE

• Super-Strong, Ultra-Lightweight Composite Plastic • Magnetic Base & 360° Swivel Hook for Hands-Free Operation • 3 - AAA Batteries (included) • 144 Lumens

Super strong reinforced polypropylene construction

20% OFF

FREE

SUPER BRIGHT LED/SMD WORK LIGHT/FLASHLIGHT

Customer Rating • 50-3/8" L

13-5/8" W 5-1/8" H

SUPER COUPON

SAVE 66%

NOW

Customer Rating

COMPARE TO

VALEO $ 99

9 $599 $

$ 99

MODEL: 25521

NOW

ITEM 62434, 62426, 62433, 62432, 62429, 64179, 62428, 64178 shown

COMPARE TO

Wheel kit and battery sold separately.

HONDA

64999

2,789

MODEL: EM6500SXK2AT

*79291845 * 79291845

*79292612 * 79292612

*79293032 * 79293032

*79294976 * 79294976

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

SUPER COUPON

29 PIECE TITANIUM DRILL BIT SET

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

500 LB. CAPACITY STEEL 3 GALLON, 100 PSI OIL-FREE delivery: CARGO CARRIER AIR COMPRESSORS • Air 0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI

Customer Rating

NOW

COMPARE TO

DEWALT $ 14

MODEL: DW1369

$1 0

SAVE 83%

1899

ITEM 5889/62281/61637 shown

Customer Rating

4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER

YOUR CHOICE

9 $399

COMPARE TO

NOW

HIGHLAND $ 99

MODEL: 1394500

SAVE 50%

$39

HOT DOG

ITEM 69623/66983 shown

ITEM 69269 97080 shown

PANCAKE

ITEM 61615/60637 Customer Rating 95275 shown

COMPARE TO

PORTER-CABLE

9862

MODEL: PCFP02003

SAVE 59%

SAVE 44%

NOW

COMPARE TO

PERFORMAX $ 99

MODEL: 2411-1

9 1499 $9

*79293704 * 79293704

*79293826 * 79293826

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

2 TON CAPACITY FOLDABLE SHOP CRANE

130 PIECE TOOL KIT 18" x 12" WITH CASE MOVER'S DOLLY

• Boom extends from 41" to 61-3/4" • Crane height adjusts from 73-5/8" to 89"

BIG RED $ 99

299

MODEL: 11674699

SAVE $110

ITEM 60388 69514 shown

23999

Customer Rating

• 1000 lb. capacity

Customer Rating

9 $299

COMPARE TO

ANVIL

6639 SAVE 54% $3999

MODEL: A137HOS

ITEM 68998/63248/64080/64263/63091 shown

*79294284 * 79294284

*79294745 * 79294745

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

hft_coastalangler_0220_M-REG171019.indd 1 24_NAT.indd 19

10 GUN ELECTRONIC SECURITY SAFE • CA DOJ compliant

32999

Customer Rating COMPARE TO

BUFFALO TOOLS $ 99

MODEL: HDFDOLLY

NOW

1099 $799 SAVE 65% $

NOW

99 $279

COMPARE TO

STACK-ON $ 57

564

MODEL: SS-16-MB-E

ITEM 60497/61899/63095/63096/63097/63098 shown

SAVE $284

ITEM 64008/64011 shown

Contents not included.

*79294760 * 79294760

*79294793 * 79294793

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 4/3/20*

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 4/3/20.

SUPER COUPON

NOW

9 $1 899

SUPER COUPON

ITEM 69645/60625 shown

*79293643 * 79293643

COMPARE TO

SAVE 2,189

SUPER COUPON

*79293132 * 79293132

Customer Rating

FEBRUARY 2020

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1/8/20 1:30 PM 1/20/20 10:20 AM

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WINTER SALES EVENT SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION 3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection, No extra charge.

INSTANT SAVINGS

SAVSTAN IN T GS S

SE AVE LE CT RIG SU HT ZU KI NOW OU TB ON OA RD S

REPOWER FINANCE

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REPOWER FINANCE Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

To learn more, visit www.suzukimarine.com. Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/20 and 03/31/20 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/20 and 03/31/20. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/20 and 03/31/20. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2020 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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