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GIANT BROWN TROUT VOLUME 26 • ISSUE 313

F R A N C H I S E

A FISHING KAYAK! PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINE FISCHER INSTAGRAM: @MIDWESTFISHERGAL

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FISHING FROM A PADDLEBOARD:

TUPAT’S TIPS By Nick Carter

THINK AHEAD: Unless your board is staked out or tied off, it is going to move. It blows with the wind and drifts with the tide. Even small fish will tow a board during a fight. Tupat constantly considers these factors and comes up with a plan before making a cast. Sometimes, finding wind-shade in the lee of landscape is necessary to fish. Other times, the wind or tide can be used to set up drifts. When you do hook up, you must adapt to the situation. “It’s spur of the moment to decide what you have to do to land the fish.” Tupat said. “You have to use your common sense.” If you’re in open water, it’s possible to play a fish out. The board serves as a secondary drag system in this situation. In shallow water and tight confines, it sometimes makes sense to step off the board and battle a fish on foot. In other situations, it can be necessary to hold the rod in one hand and paddle with the other to find a more advantageous place to land large fish.

F TUPAT.

Check out Tupat’s Hawaiian Poke Sauce at www. tupats.com, his Youtube fishing show Tupat’s Fishing Adventures and his Instagram feeds @therealtupat and @tupatshawaiian.

URTESY O

board that will float your weight. From there: “You’ve got to develop a core balance and become one with the motions of paddling and fishing and how the board reacts to your movements,” said Tupat. He fishes an 11-foot-long, 36-inch-wide, 5-inch-thick Pau Hana Big EZ Angler. He said it’s stable, yet maneuverable, and called it the ultimate fishing board. Rigging is a matter of preference, but generally “less is more on a paddleboard,” said Tupat. A cooler placed on the middle of the board is a seat and fishbox. Aft of that, a milk crate with zip-tied sections of PVC pipe serves as a rod holder and carry-all. Tupat keeps a softsided, rectangular wet/dry bag in front of him on the deck. This is where he keeps tackle, tools and anything he’ll need quick access to. “I’ve tried attachments and all that crap, and all it’s done is get in my way,” he said. “I need it to be as simple as possible to put me in the best position to catch fish.” STEALTH: The ability to sneak up on fish in shallow water is the primary advantage of a paddleboard. A paddle or any other gear banging on the deck alerts fish to your presence. Tupat said knowing where your paddle is and having a secure place to put it quickly is imperative. You should have a plan for your paddle. Tupat sets his on that soft-sided wet/dry bag, where it is secure and will not bang on the deck.

PHOTOS CO

atrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt has been mucking around in backwater creeks as long as he can remember. He grew up just north of Florida’s famous Mosquito Lagoon, in Bethune Beach, where the Indian River is a labyrinth of saltwater creeks and channels that snake between mangrove islands. Tupat is a surfer, angler and an entrepreneur, and recently life brought him home to Bethune Beach, where his passion for fishing from a standup paddleboard (SUP) re-ignited in a big way. “The things a board allows me to see and do is incomparable to being in a boat,” he said. “It puts me as close to Mother Nature and the fish as I can get. I can get to places you wouldn’t dream of in a boat, and the stealth lets me observe fish at a much deeper level.” Casting from an SUP for big snook, trout and redfish is not, however, something you just pick up and go do well. It’s a melding of sports, and Tupat’s surfing background gifted him with an awareness of how a board handles in the water. Anyone can spend the day SUP fishing and catch some fish. Getting good at it requires time on the water to learn the intricacies of the sport. Here are some tips from Tupat: SETUP: Fishing from an SUP requires confidence in the board and competence on it. Before you hit the water, it’s wise to research and find a stable

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NATIONAL 7

IGFA Tweaks Electric Reel Rules W ith the skyrocketing popularity of daytime swordfishing and following on the heels of some spectacularly large swordfish caught in the last few years, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has tweaked its rules on electric reels. Effective immediately, anglers will be allowed limited use of power-driven reels and remain eligible for IGFA records. According to an IGFA press release, new language in its rules clarify accepted and nonaccepted uses of electric reels. New rules do not allow for fighting fish with the aid electric reels. Of note is a requirement that power accessories must be removable and may not be attached to a reel during deployment of baits or at any time during fishing, except to retrieve baits all the way to the boat. This function is almost necessary in daytime swordfishing, which requires anglers to commonly drop and retrieve baits deeper, sometimes much deeper than 1,000 feet. The old and new language read as follows: IGFA International Angling Rules: Section E. Reel PREVIOUS RULE: 2. Power-driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage in fighting the fish.

NEW RULE: 2. Power- driven reels are acceptable under the following situation and configuration. a) Reels that have power accessories (e.g., electric drill attachments, motors or other power accessories specifically designed for a reel) that can be physically removed from the reel may be used strictly for the purpose of retrieving a deployed bait or lure at depth all the way to the boat. b) Power accessories may only be used to retrieve a bait or lure completely to the boat and are not permitted for adjusting the position of a bait or lure in the water column. Once a power accessory is attached to the reel, the bait or lure may no longer be legally used to catch a fish and the bait or lure must be retrieved all the way to the boat for manual redeployment before it may be legally used to hook or catch a fish. Power accessories may not be attached to the reel during the deployment of a bait or lure. c) Power accessories must be physically removed from the reel before the act of hooking and/or fighting a fish. Any fish that strikes a bait or lure being fished with a reel with power accessories still attached—whether or not under electric operation—will not be eligible for record consideration. d) Electric reels that do not have removable electronic components that allow them to be completely manually driven are prohibited.

“Changes to the IGFA’s International Angling Rules are always something we handle with the utmost care,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “This rule in particular has been a point of contention for years, and we are pleased to announce this new language that we strongly feel adapts IGFA rules to the technology of our time, while not jeopardizing the core principles of IGFA ethics.” For more information, see igfa.org.

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Coastal_Angler_April2021.indd 1

APRIL 2021

NATIONAL 9

2/25/21 12:17 PM

By TAM Staff

LIFE ON THE TRAIL WITH

KRISTINE FISCHER

hose familiar with kayak bass tournaments have likely heard the name Kristine Fischer. She’s a driven angler from Weeping Water, Nebraska, who dropped out of the rat race a few years ago to hit the road and fish kayak tournaments. Since 2017, she’s proven she’s a lot more than just a breath of fresh air in a male-dominated sport. Fischer has amassed a strong resume from top national tournament trails like KBF, Hobie B.O.S. and B.A.S.S. In 81 tournaments, she’s tallied five firstplace victories and fished her way to top-10 finishes 27 times. Along the way, she’s picked up major sponsors like Tincup Whiskey, Hobie Fishing, Z-Man, PLANO, Hobie Eyewear, AFTCO, Omnia, CalCoast Fishing, Dakota Lithium batteries and Torqeedo. These sponsorships allow her to make a living as a professional kayak angler. And while she doesn’t deny her blonde hair and big smile have helped, the 33-year-old said it also drives her to build on her reputation as one of the fiercest competitors on the circuit. Here’s a little Q&A with Kristine Fischer:

Q: What led you to become a professional kayak angler? KF: My biggest fear has always been leading a life that lacked purpose and didn’t allow me to grow as a person. I’ve always craved adventure in some capacity and fully believe in the importance of submersing yourself in the wilderness as often as possible. To me, routines and having everything planned out can become mundane and almost robs us of spontaneity and ability to live in the moment. Being a full-time angler was a natural fit, given my love for fishing and my competitive nature. 10 NATIONAL

APRIL 2021

I mean, the family camping trips etched on your mind are the ones when gale-force winds destroyed the camp and raccoons stole the last bag of marshmallows. Life is what you make of it, whether it is on the road or at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s all about your disposition.

Q: What’s the lifestyle on the road? KF: The Internet has a funny way of romanticizing road life. In reality, it’s hardly romantic. Replace sunsets wrapped in fuzzy blankets and barefoot nights by the fire with lights strung in the trees and drone shots of the RV rolling down a picturesque Route 66 with flat tires. Living on the road is 10-second cold showers, eating cans of gas-station beef ravioli with your fingers and praying you get to the next gas station before the truck runs out of fuel. It’s wrapping up a tournament in the Carolinas, knowing you’ve got one day to make it to west Texas. It’s utter chaos. Something always seems to go wrong at the most inconvenient time. It’s little sleep, a gas-station diet and pushing yourself to the limits in every capacity. Despite all that, there’s something about the road that lights my soul. I’ve always found the most joy in those moments of chaos. The best memories are made when everything goes south.

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Q: Tell us about being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry. KF: Successful women in fishing are a rarity, and therefore it’s much easier to get noticed. That fact has never sat well with me. I’m the type of person who needs to know I’m absolutely earning opportunities and that they aren’t coming to me simply because I’m a female with a big smile and blonde hair. I wanted to be recognized as a talented angler who is capable of winning any tournament on any given day. I set my sights on that. The sport is inundated with people who pose as anglers to take advantage of the industry. I’ve had to work to overcome negative stereotypes associated with women in the sport. Over the years, it’s gotten easier. The ability to record my tournaments has helped prove that I’m the “real deal.” Q: What are your goals for the 2021 season and into the future? KF: I’m gunning for AOY in the Hobie series, and I want to make “The TEN” for KBF. Future goals: qualifying for the Bassmaster Elites certainly has lingered on my mind. It’s a lofty goal, but I always appreciate a good challenge. Keep up with Kristine Fischer and her life on the tournament trail at her YouTube channel and through Facebook @kristinefischerfishing and Instagram @midwestfishergal.

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EAST TENNESSEE GREAT SMOKIES

TLC For Your Boat Trailer By Capt. Cefus McRae | NutsAndBoltsFishing.com

f you own a boat, you probably own a trailer. Whether your trailer gets used once a week or once a year, it’s important to keep it in good shape because there’s nothing worse than having a fun boating day or a fishing trip cut short due to trailer problems. Here’s a few Nuts & Bolts trailering pro tips to help keep your trailer in tip-top condition and ensure you get to the boat ramp on time. 1 - Check your tires regularly. Run the rated air pressure in the tires. You can see the recommended pressure stamped on the sidewall. Look for signs of uneven wear in the treads as this could indicate an axle alignment issue or wheel balance issue. If a tire is starting to crack or show signs of old age, replace it. Also, check the lug nuts on the wheels for correct torque, and add

a little grease to each wheel bearing. 2 - Check your winch, winch lock, and winch strap. Give the gears a little lithium grease. Check that the winch lock and ratchet are fully functional and thoroughly examine every inch of your winch strap. If it’s starting to fray a little, replace it. You should also have a safety chain attached to the trailer, which then attaches to the bow eye. And speaking of safety chains, you should have safety chains that connect from the trailer to your tow vehicle. Criss-cross them under the trailer tongue. 3 – Check your trailer lights. This is probably the most common issue with trailers. Wire connections and bulb sockets get corroded. The harness connector pins can corrode or bend, and we’ve all seen lots of trailers with broken taillights and busted amber side lights. Before you

2 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

APRIL 2021

leave the driveway, check running lights, brake lights and turn signals. 4 – Check the brakes and brake fluid. This is pretty easy. If you have surge brakes on your trailer (most do), just pull it a few hundred feet with your tow vehicle and press the brakes. The trailer should not ‘push’ your vehicle. Check the fluid reservoir on the trailer tongue. 5 – This is the one thing that seldom gets checked before leaving, and can be the most aggravating of

all. Check the trailer jack and wheel. If it sticks when raising or lowering, or the wheel is rusted in place, or the crank is bent, take my advice and replace it. These five things should provide the maintenance basics to get you to and from the boat ramp. There are a few others things worth mentioning. If your trailer has been sitting in the driveway for a while, take it for spin around the block every couple months. It helps prevent ‘flat’ spots

Continued, see TLC FOR YOUR BOAT TRAILER Page 7

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age 7

Fly Fishing Cosby Creek Tennessee (GSMNP)

By James Marsh

f you like fishing a small stream that is away from the crowds of the larger communities and most tourists, try Cosby Creek. It is an easy and delightful little stream to fish. Cosby Creek is located in a fairly remote section on the north end of the park near a community where moonshine was more plentiful than the water in Crosby Creek, at one time. Now, it is one of the fastest growing areas surrounding the park. It’s a great place to take youngsters who are learning to fish. The trout are fairly easy to catch. Cosby Creek may have some traffic and a crowded campground at times, but it’s not usually crowded from a fishing standpoint. Its headwaters want be crowded for certain. Rock Creek, Inadu, Toms and Crying Creek are all very small brook trout streams in the headwaters. All but some of the lower areas of the stream are tightly enclosed

with tree limbs. It is fairly easy to get around in the lower part of the stream below the campground. Much of it can be fished from the banks, although keeping your fly out of the trees and bushes isn’t exactly easy. Cosby Creek has some beautiful short runs and a few riffles. Its pools are usually full of wild trout. Since the trout are all wild, streambred trout, a certain amount of caution should be used. They are easy to spook. Good presentations are usually needed to fool them. Cosby Creek requires small stream tactics anywhere you fish it. The lower part of this stream is a quick and easy stream to fish. The upper headwaters require some hiking to get to. The lower section has lots of small rainbows but there have been a few larger ones caught there also. The stream is stocked just outside of the park. A road follows the lower section up to the Cosby Campground. You can stop and fish

just about anywhere there, within sight of the road. As just mentioned, you can hike into the headwaters but you can also catch plenty of brook trout starting at the campground and fishing

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upstream. You don’t have to make an extended hike to catch them. The farther you hike into the headwater, the better the fishing usually is. It gets far less pressure. These small to tiny headwater

Continued, see FLY FISHING COSBY CREEK Page 24

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Cast Away Your Troubles!

If you’ve come to experience a taste of the outdoors…we’ve got a great catch waiting for you.

nicoi County is teeming with great fishing spots. Our pristine waters boast record catches, and an unmatched variety of fish. From the Nolichucky River to the many streams and creeks in Unicoi County, you’ll find an impressive variety of bountiful fish and stunning scenic backdrops for your angling adventure. From smallmouth and largemouth bass to bluegill, catfish and trout, you’ll get hooked on our fishing opportunities in Unicoi County. Before you head to the water to fish, be sure to stop by the nearest Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) regional office or a license agent to purchase a fishing license. Your fees go toward fishery management programs that help ensure your future recreational fishing opportunities. Visit the TWRA for more information on fishing regulations in Tennessee, maps or brochures. Also visit the Cherokee National Forest site for more information about fishing in the national forest. Fly fishing guides are available through several outfitters.

Craving Adventure?

You’ve come to the right place… Rafting the Nolichucky River provides some of the most exhilarating river experiences in the world. Endless in scenic wonder and majesty, any trip on the Noli will be the adventure of a lifetime. The Nolichucky River’s churning white waters wind through the deepest gorge in the eastern United States. With steep mountain slopes and cliffs rising more than 2,000 feet, adventure-seekers will experience the breathtaking scenery along the way. Public boat access is available upstream in Poplar, North Carolina, as well as a take-out at Chestoa Recreation Area. In addition, several local rafting companies provide guided whitewater rafting trips and equipment.

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Learn more at realwildunicoicounty.com

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Invasive Zebra Mussels Found in Certain Aquarium Products NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, alongside other state and federal wildlife agencies, is alerting pet and aquarium store owners and customers about the finding of invasive zebra mussels in products known as “moss balls.” Most major pet stores have already pulled these products from shelves. However, consumers should always be cautious about products purchased online. It is illegal to purchase, possess, or transport zebra mussels. The products, “Betta Buddy Marimo Ball” and similarly described products, were imported and have been distributed nationwide in the United States. Aquarium owners who have purchased and used “moss balls” should follow disposal and disinfection guidelines described by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service at https://www.fws.gov/ f ishe r i e s / A N S / z ebr a - muss el disposal.html. This guidance suggests freezing the products in a plastic bag for 24-hours or boiling the products for at least one minute and discarding in the trash. “Aquarium owners should never dump an aquarium into a body of water or into drains that may lead to local waters,” said Cole Harty, TWRA Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator. “This situation shows how easily an invasive species could be introduced by someone improperly disposing of their aquarium contents.” Zebra mussels can have serious negative impacts on aquatic resources. They foul industrial water intakes, suffocate native mussels, utilize resources needed by native species, damage recreational equipment, and their sharp shells can injure swimmers.

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Although zebra mussels are already present in numerous bodies of water in Tennessee, including the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, actions should be taken to prevent further spread of these invasive mussels in Tennessee and beyond. In addition to proper disposal and disinfection of aquaria, boaters

and other resource users should take steps to clean, drain, and dry equipment between outings. More information on zebra mussels and other invasive species in Tennessee can be found on the TWRA website, https://www. tn.gov/twra/fishing/twra-fishspecies/zebra-mussel.html.

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ANDREWS / MURPHY

Where To Fish In April

By David Hulsey

ly fishing the North Georgia and Western North Carolina mountains in April is usually great, no matter where you go this month. The Georgia delayed harvest streams are really getting productive with the warming water temperatures and nicer days. The Toccoa, Smith Creek, and Amicalola DH waters receive a stocking normally the first of the month and the uneducated fish provide good fun for the beginning angler for a while. If the streams are low and clear enough, a dry dropper rig can be very productive. An Elk Hair Caddis or Yellow Stimulator with a Pheasant Tail or Prince dropper hanging underneath can be deadly. Wooly buggers or Zonkers, stripped in at a good clip, will also produce fish in the deeper holding water in the creek. If you can possibly fish during the week, there won’t be as much pressure on the fish as on the weekends.

In North Carolina, the delayed harvest waters of the Nantahala, Fires Creek, and Big Snowbird are rocking it with large numbers of willing fish. All three streams have great access to the water and are great places to introduce a new angler to the sport. Nothing can peak the interest of a new angler like catching a few! Like the Georgia waters, dry droppers and streamers are hard to beat. Dry flies are easiest to cast for the beginner and these trout usually favor larger sizes, making them easy to see and fish. Nymph rigs though, being more difficult to cast, can really up the numbers of netted trout in a day’s time. Egg patterns or San Juan Worms bounced close to the bottom are stone cold killers in the month of April on our well-loved delayed harvest waters. Wild fish are very aggressive to a high riding dry fly, swung wet fly, or soft hackle. They are seeing and eating insects every day

and a well-drifted fly will normally get some attention. Fish are active all day, unlike the midday winter fishing hour-or-two of activity. So plan to get there early and stay late! If you’d like to sample these waters check us out at www.hulseyflyfishing.com or if you’ve

never fly fished before and would like to learn how, visit our other company at www.blueridgeflyfishingschool.com

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.

TLC FOR YOUR BOAT TRAILER continued from page 2 on your tires and keeps the bearings lubricated. I always put a safety pin in the coupler lock once it’s on the trailer ball. It’s an extra measure of safety. You do not want to see your trailer and boat passing you on the highway because the coupler wasn’t totally locked down. Of course, don’t forget to properly maintain your tow vehicle. Check the oil, coolant, brakes,

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APRIL 2021

lights, and condition of your tow hitch. A small bit of lithium grease on the hitch ball will help the trailer tongue slide on an off easier. Finally, be sure to rinse your entire trailer with lots of clean, fresh water every time. If it has a brake washdown system with a hose connector, do that. Take care of your trailer and it will take care of your boat on the highway.

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Blue Lining for Trout

By James Bradley

ou may have heard this term before, but do you really know what it entails? I see on some online boards and other media outlets where they speak of blue lining. Sometimes, I think the term “blue lining” is just referring to the waterways on some map. True “blue lining” to me is getting out there where you will probably not see another person. “Blue lining” is tearing your clothes as you traverse your way through the rhododendron, scrambling up over boulders, and climbing up some 50-foot waterfall to in pursuit of wild trout. High elevation streams should be over the 2,000-foot range and preferably above 2,400 feet. I refer to fishing these small streams as “blue lining”. Blue lining is a favorite amongst many Appalachia fly anglers because the fish are always wild, often untouched, and very abundant. Their parr markings and vivid colors are worth the skinned elbows and knees that oftentimes

occur in this neck of the woods. These less accessible creeks can provide some of the best fishing and a big surprise or two along the way. Words cannot express what it is like to bring to hand a ten, eleven or even twelve-inch Southern Appalachian brookie. These little jewels have been here since the dawn of time and are the most colorful in the area. Many locals refer to them as specks due to the red dots with blue halos that are embedded throughout their sides. Most of these trout are not very picky about your fly selection but will be more sensitive to your presentation. Dry flies will normally work here when they will not in other lowland streams. Use obstacles to your advantage and keep a low profile for better results as wild trout are extremely easy to spook. The average trout size ranges from around four to eight inches, with a handful of ten plus inchers. Though rare, some of the streams in our wilderness areas can support wild trout in the twenty plus inch range.

High elevation streams will have these wild Southern Appalachian brookies

Yes, you read it correctly, 20+ inches. If you are a beginner wanting to learn how to fly fish, we have a great staff of instructors who have been schooled in the art of fly fishing. One of the best ways to learn about fly fishing is to spend time with those of us who are professional full-time

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guides. Don’t forget to ask us about our float trips! Currently, we are doing floats on the Toccoa Tailwater and on the upper river as well. Give us a call to book your amazing trip on the water and don’t forget that we offer gift certificates!

James Bradley is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide. Call him at (706) 273-0764 or look him up at www.ReelEmInGuideService.com. Reel ‘Em In Guide Service operates as an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter in North Georgia’s Historic High-Country region. They have been offering their services to fly anglers since 2001. They have permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offer over 7 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and operate float trips on the Toccoa River in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC.

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Legends Steakhouse–

Great Food, Friendly Atmosphere

elcome to Legends Steakhouse, a Family Owned and Operated Restaurant, where a mother and son have decided to make their dreams come true. Our dream is to bring a nice, casual, yet classy, family oriented restaurant to our small hometown of Murphy, NC. It all began when my mother, Salina, was a little girl watching her mother, an entrepreneur herself, run two restaurants. She remembers her mother taking the time to make everything from scratch. With a sense of down home hospitality and love, her mother had a passion for turning her customers into extended members of the family. When I, Cody, turned fourteen, I decided to start working at a family owned restaurant in Murphy. My goal was to put money away for my first car. Little did I know that that one decision would spark a fire. My

mother, Salina, thinking back on all of the fond memories of watching and working with her mother, wanted to have the opportunity to repeat those experiences with her son as well. Within a week, she decided to start working at the same restaurant as me, to help put money back for my car. After working all through high school, I then went on to attend college at Western Carolina University. Where I received Degrees in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. While in college, I held on to the dream of one day owning my own restaurant and wrote many papers and business plans. The dream was “Legends Steakhouse”. So together, my mother and I began making this dream a reality. I had always said that the name would be “Legends” and that I wanted it to

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be a place where our community, friends, and family could come together and enjoy a great meal and the experience of a nice, classy, family restaurant. What does “Legends” mean to us? Legends to us, is our Military, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Firefighters, Medical Professionals, Educators and Linemen. These are the men and women that make our

community a great and safe place to live; a place to be proud 0f and a place to call home. Being born and raised here has given us the opportunity to see Murphy, North Carolina grow and to have the opportunity to get know and serve the people we consider “Legends. Nestled right in the heart of Historic Downtown Murphy!

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Trophy Striper Fishing on Lake Hiwassee

By Shane Goebel

xplosive bites—as if someone threw a grenade in the water—reels screaming, rods doubled over, and line peeling out like a NASCAR. Yup! That all means it’s once again monster striper time on this wicked fun Western North Carolina lake located in Murphy, NC. April and May are two of my favorite months on Lake Hiwassee. If all this sounds like something down your alley, then it’s time to book that striper trip with Murphy, North Carolina’s #1 striper guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We are one of the South’s premier striper guide services and have what it takes to put you on some trophy stripers! Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 16 feet below full pool. Water temperatures have been in the low to mid 50’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and just slightly

stained in the backs of the creeks and rivers. Striper fishing has been super out here lately. We’ve had such an amazing late winter striper run and it’s only going to get better! Most of the stripers we are catching have been in the 20 to 40-pound range, and we have been loading the boat with these monsters. The unusual warmer water temps have had these fish schooled up and aggressively biting. Our boats have had a bunch of 20 plus striper mornings in the past couple of weeks. We have also been wearing them out on light tackle, which is so darn fun! This pattern should continue into the month of April and increase as the stripers start their pre-spawn. Pulling planer boards with live herring and huge gizzard shad in the backs of creeks and around shallow, sloping banks is going to be

Continued, see TROPHY STRIPER FISHING Page 13

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Lake Chatuge Hybrids and Spotted Bass

By Darren Hughes

f one thing could be said about April fishing on Lake Chatuge, it’s that April most certainly kicks off the start of some amazing fishing patterns. From explosive top water bites to monster schools of hybrid bass under the boat and everything in between. April most definitely gets it all going! It’s absolutely time to get on this beautiful Western North Carolina/North Georgia reservoir and experience the fishing trip of a lifetime. There’s no better way to do that than booking a trip with the area’s top-rated fishing guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We are Lake Chatuge’s premier charter service and will put you on those trophy spots and hybrids. The hybrid bass bite lately has been off the hook! We’ve been wearing out some nice 7 to 10 pound fish in good numbers for early spring. The hybrids are currently staging in their spawning areas in

the backs of creeks and feeding on small bait. This should continue through the next month or so. Early morning planer boards and free lines will work the best. As the sun really comes out, the fish are moving to slightly deeper water and hitting on our down lines. Live bait is key here to catching some quality fish, but don’t hesitate to cast a spook or a Red Fin, especially when theses hybrids are busting top-water and trust me…. We have been killing it on some ultra-lite tackle lately. Our spotted bass bite has also been insane. We are averaging anywhere from 30 to 40 fish a trip out here. Lake Chatuge offers the best spotted bass fishing in Western North Carolina, and I highly recommend booking a trip with us to experience this super exciting fishing thrill. These big spots are stacking up on shallow points, humps and flats all over the lake and preparing for the spawn. Look for

these fish in the 10-30 foot range. The early morning bite has been okay, but it really fires up once the sun comes up. The late afternoon bite has also been pretty productive. Once you find these fish, they are hitting just about anything you can cast at them. Jerkbaits and crankbaits have been working great, but as always, our super lively blueback herring are the biggest producers for some huge spots. April is a fantastic month for catching a lot of trophy hybrids and spots on Lake Chatuge. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1-rated guide service put you on some of best trophy fish during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, North Carolina’s and Blairsville, Georgia’s premier full-time guide service, specializing

in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee, Lake Nottely and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, Georgia. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on

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.

TROPHY STRIPER FISHING continued from page 12 the best technique. It’s also a good idea to work the banks by casting a Zara Spook or a Red Fin. As the sun comes up, turn your focus to fishing the mouths of creeks, as the stripers will follow bait to deeper water. With pre-spawn in mind, more and more stripers will start to stage in the mouths of creeks in April and start to work their way to the backs. Also, Keep an eye on your electronics for schooling stripers, and pay attention to where the bait balls are. I guarantee you, if you find the bait, the stripers will be close by. April is a fantastic month for

catching a lot of trophy stripers on this Western North Carolina lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #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, NC’s and Blairsville Georgia’s premier fulltime guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely and Chatuge, and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, GA. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in 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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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 13

The Rise By Chris Scalley

hen fly anglers think of dry fly fishing on the stream surface for rising trout, it invokes some of the fondest on-stream memories, for even seasoned trout anglers. You are hunting, more than fishing, in this scenario where you actually see the fish rise to the surface to the adult stage of an aquatic insect, most likely caddis flies or mayflies in the early springtime in the South. Blindly prospecting with a dry fly is most likely futile, as the bug hatch and the fish feeding activity must happen within a perfect timing window and you need to be at the right place at the right time with the stars aligning as well. If you’re lucky enough to spot a rising trout, you must assess not just the general area in the river where the fish is located, but also the exact feeding lane that your fly

should be presented in without the to the fish. Silhouette, size and color slightest drag, as to appear natural of whatever is hatching should be matched as close as possible. If the fish is positioned in faster currents, such as a shoal area, the fly selection does not have to be as exact as compared to slower meandering flat water where the fish has more time to inspect what you’re offering. The ultimate part of this dry fly equation is the final rise to your fly.

Most of my newbie clients pull the fly right out of the first few fish’s mouths from the excitement and disbelief. The trick is to say “God Bless America” right after the fish rises to your fly and then set the hook by delaying your reaction by a half a second. You have allowed the fish to turn downward in the current with a solid dry fly hook-set!

Visit us online at coastalanglermag.com/great-smoky-mountains 14 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GREAT SMOKIES

Three Stages of Spawning Bass

By Jay Striker

hen it comes to springtime bass fishing, one of the factors to consider is the stages in which the bass naturally follows. The prespawn, spawn, and post-spawn are stages that bass goes through each year. It is essential to note that these stages are actually migration routes that lead to the successful transition of what bass do to ensure future bass populations’ success. However, during these times of the year, bass fishing can be a challenge to many anglers. Let’s dig a little deeper and look at some of the things that make an angler successful during these times. The pre-spawn phase can be one of the most challenging times of the year to fish. However, it can also be one of the easiest ways to determine where the fish are on the lake. Pre-spawn for bass means that

the fish are getting ready to move up from their winter haunts and start migrating toward the back of the creeks. The places I look for this time of year are main creek channels that have channel swings. I look for the cover that is near the entrance of the cove near deep water. If some type of structure is there, then that’s even better. It could be a dock or a secondary point that will allow the fish to stage before moving further back into the shallow water to spawn. The spawn phase is when the fish have moved back into the shallow water and started the mating season. The water temperature signals to bass that it’s time to move onto the beds and start the spawning season. One sure way to catch a bedding bass in spawning season is to use baits that mimic things that eat the bass

eggs, such as bluegills and lizards. Using these baits is sure to get the attention of a bass that is guarding a nest. Post-spawn phase has the fish moving back out of the shallows to deeper water so that the recuperation process starts. After a female bass lays her eggs, she is ready to rest and then begin feeding to replace a lot of the energy that has been depleted. Catching these fish can be a challenge; however, they can be caught. To find these fish, you have to look for deeper water, and usually out near the main channel breaks near the spawning grounds. I have caught many of the post-spawn fish on Carolina rigs and jigs over humps and ditches. One of the most essential keys to

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fishing the three spawning phases is that you will have to cover water as the fish can move quickly. It is not uncommon to see bass on the beds one day, and the next day they are gone. There will be days when the bass are spooky, and as soon as you get near one of the beds, the fish darts away. Be patient during this time of year as the three phases can be a great time to catch fish and also one of the most frustrating times. Tight Lines!

You can find out more about Jay Striker at www.jaystrker.com

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 15

Appreciating The Small Stuff

hat a difference a year makes. My phone shows me a photo taken one to three years ago, about once a month. Last year’s was a picture of me holding a beautiful wild brown taken at Bear Lake. When I don’t get freaked out about someone pouring through what I consider private photos, I sort of enjoy those reminders sometimes. That trip was my wife’s and my first venture out during the lockdown. We weren’t sure we could drive about without being arrested, barred, or worse, immediately falling into convulsive coughing, having breathed in Chinese borne pathogens. After getting to the lake with no incident, the routine of fishing healed all my fears. This wasn’t the first time that fishing, or anything related to it, has cured fear, pain, or hurt of any kind. I grew up in a small town in Robeson County. My grandfather owned a

By Capt. James McManus

farm about two miles out of town, well within reach of my bike. There was an eight-acre pond my dad built when I was about eight that was my heaven on earth. Any time I wasn’t playing baseball or traveling with my buds on bikes, I headed to the pond. A 10 foot john boat and sculling paddle was all I needed to catch enough crappie and shellcrackers with my fly rod to feed a family of eight. When I would get in a rough spot with my folks, family, or other institutions, this was my safe place. My folks, while disciplining me, never included the pond in my grounded world. Friends, places and events might be off limits but they would always agree to keep the pond a viable destination. For that, I will always be thankful. My dad worked really hard and with six kids, I can’t imagine how hard my mom worked, but maybe the thought of those fried fish dinners was too enticing to restrict the source, even in the name of discipline.

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This year has been hard on everyone, on some way harder than others. This spring seems like a new start, politics aside, there is a reason to be refreshed as trees bud, weather warms and stabilizes, and most importantly, those finned creatures become friendly and more easily touched. I plan on visiting their haunts as often as possible. I

am putting together a little flats boat that will get me on water my big boat can’t reach. Looking forward to regaining the healing effects of small water, grounded in place, even if I’m not grounded by circumstance. Search for your small water, healing is right around the bend. God has given us lots of places to explore, take advantage of that. Later, Capt. James

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

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Bring On The Sunshine

By Ronnie Parris

ope all you folks weathered the winter all right. With the record amounts of rain we have experienced here; it’s no wonder the fishing has been a little off. I’m ready for some warm, dry days. With that being said, we have had some really great trout fishing in several of our mountain lakes. The rainbow bite has been off the charts, with a few steelhead and brown trout mixed in. Most of our catches have came from the surface, down to around 40 feet deep and it really hasn’t mattered whether it’s been below freezing or one of the mild, wet days, the trout have been hungry. The best bites have come on small artificial lures, both crayfish and minnow patterns have worked well. Red seems to be the color of choice and the sunny side of the lake has out-produced the shady side 10 to1. Moon patterns haven’t seemed to matter much but days with a light wind are the best. I have noticed that the trolling speed has been different from day to day with 1.75 being

about the mid-range. Pay attention downsize the lure you’re using and no heavier than 8 pound test. Have fun and stay safe and as to which side of the boat you hook you should start landing more fish. up on if you’re in a turn, the outside Pay close attention to line size; I like always, take a kid fishing. rod will speed up and the inside will Ronnie Parris is owner and head guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors slow down so you will know what Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, N.C., heart of the Great Smoky Mountains they want as far as the speed goes. www.smounlimited.com; (828) 488-9711). If you are getting short strikes just

Zak White’s Dog: Houser Zack White of Greenville SC, caught this rare Tiger Trout in a wild stream in Transylvania County, NC.

Dylan Benner landed this big one in Cherokee, NC off Big Cove Road in “catch and keep zone” on December 5th of last year. Photo Credit: Kyle Smith “At the very end of the day, I asked my friend if he wanted to fish one more spot. He said yes. We went back to my favorite spot and on my second cast I laid into this one. Initially it felt like a fish had me wrapped around something. Then, I realized all the weight I was feeling was solely the fish. I fought him for over 5 minutes. When I finally pulled him up to the bank, I put a little extra pressure on him to get him up and he popped off. We had to jump down and grab him. The fish unfortunately didn’t seem like it was going to release well after this commotion so I am having it mounted. I would’ve preferred to throw it back and get a replica but it seemed wrong to throw a fish back that likely wasn’t going to make it.” –Dylan Benner

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.

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

smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 17

Spring Fun By Scott Norton

he time that all anglers have waited for is here. The water levels and temps are steadily climbing. A conveyor belt of bass are feeding in from the deep. What plans do you have to put more fish in the boat? The time of preparing is over and now you get to execute your plans for new records and numbers. Just in case you don’t know what the plan is, make sure you fix and maintain your equipment so you can concentrate on your fishing. I am guilty myself of driving all the way to the lake and conditions were perfect, only to find out mechanical issues caused me to cancel the whole trip. Don’t do that. You have one season this year that the fish are fresh from the deep without pressure. Timing has to be perfect in the beginning for that magical trip. You will be surprised just how many fish you catch when nothing goes wrong. Warming trends are the signs you look for in pre-spawn. When

the water is cold and you have two or three days of warm weather, this can be best time to go before all the crowds start fishing. Once you reach the time where all the bass are shallow, take a chance with baits that are red in color. Remember bass need iodine to break those egg sacks for spawn and crawdads have high levels. Crawdads are red this time of year and bass will feed heavily before they lay eggs. Jigs are not the only bait to simulate crawdads. Red crank baits are deadly for actively feeding bass. You can cover more water to catch the most aggressive fish in the school. My method for finding early bass is to start in the bedding areas and fish out to the points. You have to know where the highways of travel are from the winter holes to the bedding area. Be efficient when fishing. Don’t spend too much time in one area; cover lots of water. If you have a favorite spot, you can fish it fast and comeback later because

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new fish will move up in those spots. These spots will be renewed over and over again so you don’t really have to lock it down. This is also a great time to take new people and help them learn how to catch bass. This is so important to the sport of fishing. The experienced anglers have the keys to the

kingdom, so we have an obligation to pass it on to the next generation to keep the sport alive and healthy. I hope this helps make things easy for some of you. Remember to enjoy this hobby and God’s creation. Interacting with nature will bring you, and others, a better quality of life!

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.

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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD

The Reality of Change By Ethan Hollifield

ime has a way of defining its own symmetry and fulfilling its own rhythms. Days are days, though, and are best used by spending each one fully, nothing saved… These days, I try not to divide time but only use it, use it all, as it comes, living through it all like fire moving through dry grass leaving only ashes. Because things come and go. Come and go.” – Harry Middleton, “On the Spine of Time: An Anglers Love of the Smokies”

The past few years of recent memory have been filled with

change. Society has changed, our mountains have changed, even fishing has changed immensely in the time that I have been alive. The way we broadcast information within the blink of an eye and communicate with others is drastically different than even 20 years ago. At times, It can be overwhelming to ponder these things, especially to old souls like myself who cherish fond memories of years gone by. Fishing was simpler; life seemed to be simpler as a whole. I often find myself longing for the days of my youth when I could go out on any stream I wanted and seemingly have the surrounding landscape to myself. But as we’ve seen over this past year: life can change suddenly, without reason or explanation in ways that don’t make any sense. I think it can be very easy at times to get caught up in the part

of the human condition that longs for stability and a life relatively free of any degree of change. If one steps back, takes off the rosecolored glasses, and exits the world of nostalgia, it can be realized that the notion of things staying as they were is fool-hearty, at best. If there is one thing that I have learned in my studies of nature and fishing, is that nature seldom stays constant. Analyzing different populations of fish, whether it be trout, smallmouth, or anything else found within our mountains, shows how amazingly adaptable these creatures are to the harsh realities of the natural world. The species of flora and fauna found here have adapted to surviving extremes of cold, droughts, floods, wildfires, and the ever-encroaching steps of modern “progress.” When one studies nature enough, you’ll find that these environmental extremes, followed by periods of ecological prosperity, are more often than not cyclical and should be expected. It can be very difficult for someone like me, a self proclaimed conservationist and mountain native, to watch the current change that our mountains face without grimacing at the sight of a trail head being trashed, a stream becoming degraded, the scalding of a mountainside slated for development, and feeling as if my hands are completely tied. It is then I

have to remind myself that time, and nature, always wins. The ecological world has a unique way of surviving such catastrophes. Even as I write this: I look out my own window to see a woodland healing itself into secondary succession. Stands of tall white pine are now being replaced with slower growing deciduous trees, a sign of a forest that was once cleared, and is now reappearing out of the ashes of destruction. What can we learn from nature then, as lovers of the outdoors who want so desperately to protect the places we love? For one, I think it is necessary to not only cherish the outdoors, but to also cherish the time that we get to spend with nature in communion. Nothing in life is ever guaranteed, and at a moment’s notice, everything we know can suddenly be taken. We should dedicate ourselves to fighting to protect these places, but like the trout that live in our streams, we should also learn to adapt and survive the things we simply cannot control. Never take for granted the time spent on the water or in the woods, whether it be by yourself or with others whose company you cherish. The time you have, especially in our ever more chaotic world, is worth more than we can all comprehend, and once it is gone, all we have left are memories. Make those memories and the places they’re made worth saving.

Ethan Hollifield is a member of a conservation organization called 2% For Conservation and a guide for Southern Appalachian Anglers

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The Casting Corner

Do You Want The Long or Short Version?

By Rene J. Hesse

hile getting my training as a certified casting instructor with the FFF, (Now known as the Fly Fishers International), there was an understanding between the student and mentor. When a question was asked, the student would give the short answer. Then, if the mentor wanted to see how much more they know on a subject, he would ask for more in-depth information. This was

good for both student and mentor. From the student’s side, he might get a pass on something that was very technical. That’s if they explained the answer in a clear, concise, confident manor. The mentor can tell if it is worth going deeper to engage, or spare himself/herself the rambling of someone trying to dig his way out of a situation. Here is an example of a good short answer vs long answer.

Mentor: How do you cast a narrow loop? Student: Keep the rod tip on a straight-line path. M: How do you keep your rod tip on a straight line path? S: By using the 5 essentials M: What are the 5 essentials? S: SSSPP M: What the heck is that? S: S - Straight line path of the rod tip on all planes. S - Slack- Remove slack from the casting sequence. S - Stoke size- Short cast short stroke, long cast long stroke. P - Power application is a smooth constant rate of acceleration to a stop. P - Pause- Let the line extend without losing tension or falling too far. Mentor: Okay, let’s get a beer.

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Connecting Woodfin to the French Broad River

Image is an artist’s rendering and may not reflect final design.

he Greenway & Blueway project is an ambitious $18.1 million effort to construct five miles of greenway along the French Broad River and Beaverdam Creek. The project will provide new river access sites and will fund development of the new SilverLine Park as well as expansion of

existing Riverside Park, in Woodfin. An exciting and much anticipated feature of the project will be the creation of the in-stream Wave feature for whitewater paddling and surfing enthusiasts. The planned greenway trails will connect to the larger greenway system being developed in the City

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of Asheville and beyond, promising a network of more than 25 miles of safe urban paths centering on the French Broad River. The project is being designed and built by the Town of Woodfin, with Buncombe County Recreation Services supporting the effort with design and construction of the greenway elements of the project.

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HIGH COUNTRY

Convenient to Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Beech Mountain

Golfing for Trout?

Our resorts offer the perfect vacation or getaway in the mountains of Western North Carolina

By Jeff Durniak

trike indicators are sort of like golf clubs. In both sports, we must use the right tool for the shot at hand. Since Indi’s are small and light, I usually carry a large selection and pick the right “club” for my salmonid shot. Here’s a brief list of my clubs as I “golf ” for trout through another year astream. Come and join me on the course. • Deep, cold pools = a ¾ inch round, foam Airlock brand indicator. It has a screw top that allows quick adjustment for water depth, and it can float a bunch of split shot! • Cold, shallow, and faster water = a four color-long piece of Orvis 0X tactical sighter tippet (supple monofilament) for my Euronymphing rig. I pre-rig a few of these sighters with tippet rings, roll them up, and carry them in an empty leader bag. See my prior Angler Magazine column for Euronymphing basics. • Shallow spring pools and runs with naive fish= a bright orange Lightning Strike brand foam football, sized to match the freight to float. The surgical tubing in the slit makes water depth adjustments quick and easy. • Same as #3, but smarter fish = just change the color to white to match stream bubbles and foam, so the Indi doesn’t spook the fish. • Flat water and nervous fish = a poly yarn Indi that won’t land with a loud “plop” like the Airlocks and

footballs do. A soft landing and quiet drift will let your rig sneak up on its targets. • Spring searching = a buoyant dry to match the current hatch while floating the nymph or soft hackle below it. Pick the dry in your box with the most hackle and thickest wings for best flotation. Popular “bobbers with a hook in them” include parachute Adams and cahills, elk hair caddis, and stimulators. • Late spring, low water nymphing = a tiny bead of Orvis or Loon strike putty. • My “summer stealth Indi” = a big yellow stimulator, often cast and drifted downstream so the two flies (and not the leader) are the first objects entering the trout’s sight window. Other UO staffers really like the chubby Chernobyl. • “Universal indicator” = a #14 parachute Adams. When Jimmy and I are clueless and searching, whether here, the Smokies, Montana, or Argentina, we revert to “Ole Reliable!” Everything eats an Adams (or the dropper under it). Pick one with extra hackle and a thick para-post for better flotation. That’s my “golf bag” of strike indicators. Read those trout “greens” carefully, select the right club, and take a shot at the hole. Hopefully, these tips will help your fly fishing score this spring and beyond.

You can find Jeff Durniak at Unicoi Outfitters. Stop in or call the Helen shop at (706-878-3083) or our Clarkesville store on the square (706-754-0203) if we can help you further. After all, we are pretty darn good trouting caddies! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Located on the headwater of the Watauga River, we are convenient to all of the wonderful attractions of the High Country like Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Falls, Gem Mining and more. Enjoy the adventure at affordable rates! Hook up your RV, pitch your tent or rent on-site lodging. We are conveniently located 10 miles south of Boone on Hwy. 105 or 7 miles north of Linville on Hwy. 105. You’ll find the High Country of N.C. offers many activities for everyone in the family!

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FLY FISHING COSBY CREEK continued from page 3 streams typically have a short plunge and a small pool. The gradients are usually quite steep. There are few areas where the water flows only moderately. Most all of it’s fast water. The brook trout can be found in just about every little pool. They usually don’t hold and feed in the fast water of the plunges or in the white water. Most often they are positioned in the slower moving water at the ends of the pools. It just requires sneaking up on them and making a soft presentation that doesn’t spook them. It also requires keeping your flies out of the trees. Casts are normally only a few feet. It usually takes all types of short, creative casts to get the fly in the right spot. Stay very low and sneak up to each area large enough to hold a brook trout.

The lower section along the road is quite different. Cosby Creek is one of the small brook trout streams that you can reach from a road. There are not that many in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Brook trout start showing up as low as just below the Cosby Campground. Most of the trout below the campground will be rainbows. Fish upstream in the short riffles and runs. There is enough room to cast in many areas but some areas are very tight and enclosed with tree limbs. Short, upstream casts are all that are required. High sticking nymphs in the fast water are also usually effective but most of the time the trout will respond to dry flies.

James Marsh has made his living fishing since 1980 through hosting and producing the first ever national syndicated weekly TV series on saltwater fishing for five years; hosting and producing forty-six instructional saltwater fishing videos more of which have been sold on saltwater fishing than anyone’s in the world; and for the past twenty-two years hosting and producing nineteen instructional videos on fly fishing and founding the Perfect Fly Company.

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Fly of the Month By Andy Seitz

The Pheasant Tail Nymph (variant)

he pheasant tail nymph has been a mainstay in the flyangler’s arsenal for decades and is said to been developed by Frank Sawyer in 1958 for targeting trout and grayling. It is a deadly effective pattern in many different variants. This fact is what brings us to my own take on this great little fly. I’ve been tying my own flies for the relatively short time of about three years or so. Naturally, as I am a DIY guy, the idea of creating things and my love of trout-fishing led me to try and come up with some ideas for the fish here in upstate South Carolina. Keep in mind that, here, we fish the majority of the time for trout stocked by our Department of Natural Resources, as some streams are unable to sustain trout year-round due to warm water temperatures. This lends itself well to anglers who would target these fish with baits and even flies that mimic

eggs or trout nuggets. Although very effective at times, these things don’t particularly appeal to me, probably due to my enjoyment of the challenge of presenting them with a more natural food. My typical rig is mostly a twofly setup with my first, or upper, fly usually consisting of a bugger or rubberlegs of some variation with 14-18” of tippet with a nymph dropper. Water clarity has a direct effect on what colors I choose but I always keep a good variety of them handy so as to adapt to whatever conditions are thrown at me. This brings us to the latest version of the pheasant tail that has proven very effective for me this year! Unlike most classic pheasant tails, my current one doesn’t use any peacock herl or a pheasant tail wing case. I start by choosing a good nymph hook in size 16 or 18. I place a bead, usually tungsten, in

a bright color such as bare tungsten, purple or even fluorescent pink behind the eye. I then wrap a layer of thread as a base down to the bend of the hook. I take a few fibers of pheasant tail feather and wrap a hook-length tail at the bend. Copper or gold wire is then wrapped in just in front of where the tail ends to be used to segment the rear of the fly. I then take a few fibers of crystal flash or like material and wrap it in the center section to be used as a the wing case. Next I use dubbing to create the body (instead of herl) and wrap it in front of the flash fairly thick to just behind the bead. After this fold the flash over the body

forward and wrap to tie it off behind the bead to form the wing case. To finish this fly I wrap a bright color behind the bead and secure with four to five whip-finishes and some UV resin such as Solarez. The beauty of this type of nymph pattern is that the color combinations and sizes are infinite and you can adapt it to whatever you think the trout will want. I came up with this easy fly while playing around at the vise and have found it to be very productive! Supplies consist of tying thread, nymph hook of your choice, 2.5-3.5mm tungsten bead, brown or tan dubbing, copper or gold wire, pheasant tail feather and cement or UV resin.

Andy Seitz has been trout fishing the mountain waters of SC for 40+ years and is a custom fly-rod builder from Central SC. His rods and flies are under the name CreekChicken Outfitters and can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

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Eastern America’s Highest Town B eech Mountain is the highest town in Eastern America and an ideal vacation spot in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Our elevation (5,506 feet) sets us apart 12 months a year. A visit to the Town of Beech Mountain offers exciting outdoor recreation and milehigh relaxation. In summer, adventure seekers flock to the Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain, a trail park which features more than eight miles of gorgeous trails near the top of the mountain. Hiking, mountain biking and trail running are prevalent in the Emerald Outback, as well as on several other miles of in-town trails maintained by the parks & recreation department. Downhill mountain biking trails, complete with lift service, are available during the warmer months at Beech Mountain Resort. Those trails range from beginner to advanced. The most challenging trails at the resort have twice hosted USA Cycling’s Mountain Bike

Gravity National Championships. The resort’s biking operation is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and offers bike rentals and lessons in addition to lift service. Families and seniors also covet summer vacations on Beech – hiking to waterfalls, enjoying 100-mile mountain vistas, visiting the animal habitat at nearby Grandfather Mountain and taking in a round of mini-golf in mild temperatures that average in the low to mid 70s. Fly anglers enjoy finding hidden trout streams across the mountain, while recreational fishing is available at Buckeye Lake and Coffey Lake, both of which are stocked annually. Coffey Lake also has a paved 1/8-mile trail around the lake that’s ideal for walking and jogging. The Mountain Heritage Trout Water (MHTW) program is all about convenience. It allows North Carolina residents and nonresidents to fish in MHTW streams simply by

Buckeye Recreation Center

Beech Mountain Resort

A fabulous indoor facility for residents and visitors with a full-size gymnasium, indoor tennis court, pickleball courts, meeting areas, fitness area with state-of-the-art equipment, kid’s playroom, living room area, and indoor walking track.

The premier winter ski resort in North Carolina, providing skiers and snowboarders with upscale amenities, superb terrain, and learning center. In summer, the slopes convert to downhill mountain biking trails, making it the highest liftserviced mountain bike park east of the Rockies.

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828-387-2011 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway Beech Mountain, NC 28604 beechmountainresort.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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purchasing a three-day license for just $5. Anglers who already have a statewide fishing license do not need the special MHTW three-day license. Trout Fishing Buckeye Creek is a hatchery-supported stream (open first Saturday in April through last day of February) that flows out of Buckeye Lake, with nearby parking available at the town’s Buckeye Recreation Center. Buckeye Creek has some nice pools and riffles as it flows out of Buckeye Lake, and further downstream are several good fishing areas below a waterfall. It is stocked annually with brown, rainbow and brook trout. Pond Creek is designated catch-and-release single hook artificial lures only by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Parking for Pond Creek is available off Lakeledge Road at Lake Coffey. Pond Creek has a longer stretch of available water than Buckeye Creek. It is inhabited by native brook trout. Other options on Beech Mountain are Lake Coffey and Buckeye Lake, two small lakes stocked annually by the Wildlife Resources Commission. Lake Coffey is designated as delayed harvest trout waters, while Buckeye Lake is designated hatchery supported. Both receive a large annual infusion of brown, rainbow and brook trout. Anglers need a regular North Carolina inland license to fish in those lakes. Beech Mountain Guided Fishing presented by Beech Parks and Recreation. Get in the back country of Beech Mountain’s streams and secrete fishing holes. Learn to read water, bait selection, fly casting and how to approach mountain fishing. Call 828-387-3003 for more info and RSVP.

Trout anglers have multiple options on Beech Mountain

Beech Mountain Club A private club offering activities and facilities for visitors to enjoy year-round. Most lodging rentals include use of the Club and entitle visitors to amenities such as the 18hole mountaintop golf course stretching 6,099 yards with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

828-387-4208 103 Lakeledge Road Beech Mountain, NC 28604 beechmtn.club COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Spring Is In the Air

By Karl Ekberg

he beginning of spring has graced us here upon the waters surrounding Chattooga River Fly Shop. Warm southerly breezes bringing warmer temperatures for a few days, then we are blessed with some cooler temperatures and a few spring showers. May Fly and Caddis hatches are plentiful, and the trout are responding well to dry fly presentations, to the delight of every fly fisher folk. The water temperatures have now risen from the high 30’s of winter, to comfortable mid 40’s to low 50’s. Outdoor temperatures have moderated nicely from morning temperatures in the low 30’s and 40’s to the highs in the low 70’s. Hats, sunglasses, and even a little sunscreen will benefit your outing as the days grow longer. Nymphs, emergers, dry flies… Oh, my! Where do you begin? Let’s break this down as easy as possible.

Starting out the day, a tandem rig with a nymph and an emerger trailing behind, will be a good set up, as the bugs have yet to hatch, early in the day. Starting at the tops of the riffles, a slight upstream cast with a mend or two of the line, and swinging this tandem rig will work well. Slowly working the entire riffle area, a step at a time, with numerous casts along the same area to make sure you cover behind every rock or boulder in the riffle, will reward you with trout in hiding, awaiting a drifting morsel. Once the riffle is covered, swinging this tandem rig into the heads of the pools, and a pinch of weight may be necessary to get the flies down to the fish. Also, swinging these flies along the seams will be just as productive. As the day progresses, the sun starts to warm the waters, and the temperature rises, the bugs emerge from the nymph shucks and emerge

to break to the top of the water to fly away. This is when our day gets exciting! A glimpse of the first rising fish, then a few more to follow in the slower moving waters below, and now it’s time to tie on our dry fly. A little more precision in our cast and mending techniques will be tested, as you will want to cast well above these rising fish. After the cast, a mend or two of the line, and releasing some line so the fly will have a “drag-free”

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drift into the location of the rising fish, will be key. One word of caution, don’t set the hook too early, as it is very easy to do when you see the fish rising to the fly you have perfectly presented. Hook set too early, fish is gone, and we’re back to square one, and casting to another rising fish. If you are new at this, don’t worry, persistence pays off, we have all been too anxious to set the hook seeing the fish rising at our beautiful dry fly

Continued, see SPRING IS IN THE AIR Page 30

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SPRING IS IN THE AIR continued from page 29 drifting toward the fish as it starts to open its jaws to inhale our fly. Once the hatch has subsided, the fish have stopped rising, and now it’s time to switch back to the tandem rig and swinging. If wading, hiking, and rivers, are what you’re looking for, let us help you with our guided fly fishing

Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast for April

trips. Not sure if you have the correct equipment? Don’t worry, we provide everything necessary on our trips, By Preston Harden and here in the Fly Shop, to make sure you have a great day out on our ater Temp.-60 degrees local waters. Water Level-1 ft. Below We hope to see everyone out full pool. on the rivers and lakes, and let’s April means spawning fish. Bass, remember, leave no trace!! crappie, hybrids, and stripers have Karl and Karen Ekberg are co-owners of Chattooga River Fly Shop, spawning on their minds. All of these located at 6832-A Highlands Hwy, Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give fish release their eggs in shallow them a call at (864) 638-2806 and visit their website at water. Bass make beds and hang www.chattoogariverflyshop.com. around for days; most are caught by provoking a reaction strike to lure them from their beds. Not all bass spawn at the same time. Some spawn in March and some spawn in May but April is Primetime. Largemouth bass spawn in very shallow water and sterile and stripers don’t spawn spots spawn deep, approximately 3 to successfully, they still release eggs. 4 feet deep. Lots of hybrid and stripers run up the Crappie attach their eggs to wood and rock structure. They are Tugaloo and Keowee Rivers. Lots of very shallow now and can be caught them release their eggs down-lake in with a small jig under a float, worked shallow water. All these game fish will eat. They around shallow structure. Hybrids and stripers try to spawn are easy to target in shallow water. So in April. Even though hybrids are stay shallow where the gang will be. Preston Harden / Bucktail Guide Service / 706-255-5622 / bucktailguideservice.com

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5622 / ce.com

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The Rapala Legend

By Ken Sturdivant

egends last forever and this lure maker is every bit a legend. This man, Lauri Rapala, took a piece of wood and a carving knife and created the best fishing lure ever known in the 1930’s. It was an incredible feat and all he was trying to do was make the best lure possible. He was an avid angler, but he had a family to feed. So with a rowboat and some of his wooden handmade lures, he created the legendary Original Floating™ Rapala. Since he was a curious fellow, he watched game fish chase minnows on his home lake. He noticed the game fish would attack any baitfish that looked injured as these minnows would swim off-centered. So with this in mind, he carved and whittled his lure. And all this work and patience was to help him feed his family. As the process got more refined, he added some foil to the body of the lure to make it more lifelike. As more lures came out

and the stories of a man catching 600 pounds of fish a day began to circulate, he was on his way. The rest, as they say, is history. Later he designed and hand crafted the Original Shad Rap. If you fish, you have Shad Raps. When this lure was first released, anglers were scrambling to find even one. Bait shops rented Shad Raps by the hour. They simply catch fish. The main reason this lure is so effective is the life-like swimming action. And every single Rapala ever made is hand tuned in water before it is shipped. At the Bass Pro Shops in Springfield Missouri, there are thousands of Rapala’s for sale. Every size, every color and every species of fish are caught annually on this lure. Rapala sells 20 million lures through 140 countries annually. Rapala products make better anglers, and they are never rushed to market, but carefully crafted from years of experience. Often Rapala releases Limited

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Edition, one of a kind Rapala lures. This white #5 Rapala pictured was released in 1989 and only 5,000 were made and sold worldwide.

Also pictured is the first Rapala, the Original Floating™ Rapala and the Shad Rap.

Ken Sturdivant is a member of the Lowrance Pro Staff. You can find him at 770-889-2654; www.southernfishing.com, or kensturdivant@att.net

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Yamaha's New 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E The Most Capable and Versatile Center Console Boats in Their Class

ew for 2021 is the exciting 25-foot Yamaha 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E center console boats that are the most capable and versatile boats in their class. These larger models of Yamaha’s popular FSH Series are designed with the size, power, and fuel range for serious offshore adventures. The 252 FSH Sport features twin, Yamaha 1.8L High Output engines. These normally-aspirated engines are powerful, reliable, and virtually maintenance-free. Acceleration is instant, bow rise is minimal, and more deck space is available for fishing and fun. For buyers who want the most performance available, and the premium features that come with Yamaha's E-Series drive-by-wire features, the 255 FSH Sport E gets twin 1.8L supercharged Yamaha SVHO® marine engines for a combined 500-horsepower. Zero to 30 mph acceleration is a blistering five seconds with a top speed of 55 mph. In addition, the 255 FSH Sport E feature push-button start, dual throttle lever syncing, and more. Both models come with 111-gallon fuel tanks, the highest capacity fuel tanks Yamaha offers in a jet boat. Paired with Yamaha's fuelefficient engines, there is plenty of cruising range for boaters who want to explore beyond the harbor surf break.

Under the water line is an all-new deep-V hull design that responds immediately to steering input at all speeds and comes on plane instantly. The bow seating area is wide and long, providing ample space for taller passengers to stretch out. And of course, there is plenty of storage available under the hinged bow seats, stainless steel beverage holders in all the right places, and an expansive anchor and bow ladder locker for easy access. Moving into the spacious cockpit interior, there is a transparent live well located portside and a large storage pod topped with padded marine mat adjacent on the starboard side. There is a comfortable bench seat in the front of the center console that lifts up to reveal an extra deep, large storage area that can also serve as a changing room or a head compartment thanks to the curtain enclosure that is standard on all models. Both models are fitted with finished fiberglass hard tops with LED lighting and integrated audio speakers. Completing the tower are five rocket launcher rod holders mounted to the T-Top frame, and there are eight additional rod holders located under the port and starboard gunnels.

The helm is thoughtfully designed with a glass windshield, stainless steel sports steering wheel, locking glove box, and 12-inch Simrad® marine electronics. Also included is Yamaha's Connext® 3.0 helm control system with a 7-inch touchscreen that controls the entertainment and vital system functions of the boat, a mobile phone holder, and USB/AUX ports. Behind the helm is beam width bench seating, a starboard side live bait well, and a low walkthrough transom for easy access to Yamaha's signature stern lounge area. This is the place to be when hanging out at your favorite cove, and a great open access place to cast from. Completing the stern area are stainless steel beverage holders, high-quality padded flooring, a stainless-steel tow eye, and a telescopic reboarding ladder. They also feature underwater lights. From bow to stern, there is nothing cookiecutter about Yamaha's new 25-foot center console boats. From their striking good looks to industry-first innovations, Yamaha's 252/255 FSH Series models let you do it all on the water, in style and with peace of mind. Learn more at YamahaBoats.com

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GILL FISHING OVERTON SHIRT

hen the heat of summer arrives, Gill Fishing’s Overton shirt will keep you dry, cool and clean thanks to its lightweight, breathable fabric treated with Gill’s exclusive XPEL water and stain resistance technology. New for Spring 2021, the Overton is capable of repelling water, blood, and other filth you may encounter while fishing. Gill loaded the Overton with smart fishing features, including dual chest pockets, concealed, snag-proof press stud fasteners, a micro-fiber panel to wipe sunglasses, a self-fabric strip to hang sunglasses or a small tool, and roll-up sleeves with a retainer loop and button. Gill has been trusted on the water for more than 40 years, and they’ve delivered yet another dependable piece for hardcore anglers. The Overton’s stylish design makes its just as capable off the water, providing anglers a shirt they can wear anywhere. It’s available in two colors, white and blue check, and sizes XS through 4XL. www.gillfishing.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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OFFER DETAILS: Activate a new subscription to SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping and receive your first month free (a $99.99 savings), plus get free activation (an additional $25 savings), for a combined savings of $124.99. Add SiriusXM Select radio package at the discount rate of $11.99/mo. Fees and taxes apply. A credit card is required on this offer. You must cancel during your free month to avoid being charged. At the beginning of your second month service will automatically renew thereafter every month and you will be charged at the then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. Please see our Customer Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content, and features are subject to change. This offer may not be combined with any other trial offers and may be modified or terminated at any time. Subscription and hardware sold separately. $100 Rebate from SiriusXM available through Dec 31, 2021 with hardware and subscription purchase, see Rebate Offer Details at siriusxm.com/fishmapping. © 2021 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

EZ ANCHOR: Must-Have Solution for Fiberglass Boat Builders is the Charter Captain’s Best-Kept Secret

s charter captains, the time-consuming task of dropping and retrieving anchors not only becomes tedious, it cuts into valuable manpower, time and profits. Capt. Phillip Ridge, a Florida native, couldn’t settle for a typical windlass to anchor his fleet. “I have had [an E-Z Anchor Puller] unit on the bow of three different boats,” the founder of Blue Runner Charters said. “I was one of the very first captains in the area to install them... [they are] the best by far.” Charter fishermen across the United States have depended on the speed of E-Z Anchor Puller’s drum anchor winch for more than 30 years. Now, the value of owning an E-Z Anchor Puller for commercial fishing is recognized as the windlass upgrade customers want on their boats straight from the factory. Among the first fiberglass boat builders to embrace these true, freefall winches for center consoles is SeaVee, which had already been a familiar, customer-driven installer of the Classic series. Shurhold CEO Barry Berhoff, who personally installed the Rebel EZ-4 on his 40’ SeaVee, gave praise to the quality of the “strong, marinegrade piece of equipment” in a Youtube testimonial. Following in SeaVee’s footsteps, Georgia boat builder Carolina Skiff began factory-installing the Rebel EZ-4 on their Sea Chaser 35’ HFC Center Console after a company representative praised the brand from personal experience. “It works so great on our 35, I decided I needed to have one on my own personal boat.” Ed Johnston, Manufacturing Representative for Carolina Skiff, said of his E-Z Anchor Puller drum anchor winch. Sea Pro Boats recently debuted the 320 Deep-V series at the Miami

International Boat Show in 2020 with the Rebel EZ-4 as the factoryinstallation. The Rebel series appeals to boat owners and boat builders who need a versatile, no-jam solution that can hold ½” nylon rope or ¼” dyneema. What further sets Rebel anchor winches apart from the competition is its true, free-fall capabilities. Unlike other anchoring solutions, which manufacture “free-fall” mechanisms for emergency use only, E-Z Anchor Puller units are created to free-fall for regular, everyday use. Activating free-fall is simple. Press the “down” button for a quick 2-second push, the drum winch disengages the clutch plate and releases it to free-spool as fast as gravity allows. To quickly and neatly retract the line back onto the spool, press the “power up” side. Other notable fiberglass boat brands with E-Z Anchor Puller installations include Albemarle, Insetta Boatworks and Southport, with a plethora of customer and E-Z Anchor Puller authorized installers fitting Patriot EZ-3 and Rebel EZ-4 and EZ-5 units below deck.

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DEXTER BRAKERITE AND DISC BRAKES

exter’s BrakeRite electronic/hydraulic actuator features rapid response for improved braking distance, an electronic proportional pressure valve for consistent braking, dual fill caps for easy maintenance, and is compatible with most in-cab electronic brake controllers. BrakeRite offers two models to easily match your disc or drum brake application. The BrakeRite Plug & Play model simplifies field installation by offering a plug-in wiring harness; whereas, the standard BrakeRite EHB model has a hard-wire configuration. Both models feature a large reservoir designed for single, tandem and triple axle applications. Dexter knows corrosion resistance is important on all types of marine trailers in freshwater and saltwater environments. Dexter disc brakes are designed using brass fittings, stainless steel guide bolts and sleeves, and stainless steel pistons. Rotors are offered in GAL-DEX premium marine coating and stainless steel. When combined with Dexter’s Eliminator axles with removable spindles or Dexter’s Versa~Flex adjustable arm axles, they provide a proven record of performance and reliability, superior braking, in-cab control and www.dexteraxle.com corrosion resistance.

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n Feb. 28, veteran Georgia trout guide Joe DiPietro caught a 32-inchlong brown trout that weighed 18 pounds, 2.4 ounces. It absolutely crushed the 9-year-old Toccoa River record of 12-pounds, 3.4 ounces. The fish was a long time coming. DiPietro has guided and fished this Blue Ridge, Ga. tailrace for more than two decades. He’s seen and caught monsters, but nothing close to the beast that picked up one of his own Pat’s Rubber Leg’s variations during a guides’ day off with his fishing buddy Colby White. The fish was not a stranger. Georgia WRD staff have reported a huge brown in the area that feasts on catchable-sized trout as they are stocked in the river. DiPietro, however, was not specifically targeting the fish. If he had been, he would have geared up. He was fishing a 10-foot, 5-weight rod. The size 6 stonefly anchoring his two-nymph rig was secured with 2-pound-test tippet. After the first couple runs, DiPietro knew light line was going to be an issue. White pulled anchor on the driftboat and rowed like a madman to keep up with the fish, which carried them several holes upstream. “It’s the biggest trout I’ve ever seen in my life,” DiPietro said. “Colby fell in trying to net him. I just threw Colby the net and told him to go get that fish. He lost a shoe, flooded his waders and went up to his neck in 42-degree water. I mean… the line was wrapped around his head. It really is amazing the tippet held.” For more on trout fishing Georgia’s Toccoa River, visit www.blueridgetroutfishing.com.

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ometic’s Pro-Pedal foot throttle offers significant advantages in terms of customization and comfort to meet the individual requirements of the boat driver. Its compact design keeps the deck uncluttered and allows for more room around the pedal, and an integrated slide makes it easy to adjust the pedal position for different drivers. In use, the Pro-Pedal starts off at a comfortable but adjustable 12.5-degree forward angle, as opposed to a nearly vertical idle position found on other units, so the driver can place his foot in a more natural position at slower speeds or when idling. An innovative patent-pending design allows the driver to set idleto-WOT travel on the Pro-Pedal to match his individual ergonomics. Whatever travel length is set, the Pro-Pedal will always provide optimal idle-to-WOT throttle control based on engine type. This improves driver comfort and assures maximum performance. A robust torsion spring built into the footplate has proven extremely reliable in returning the Pro-Pedal to idle speed position, inspiring added confidence and practically eliminating the potential of a broken spring. In addition, the Pro-Pedal uses self-locking fasteners, which hold a tight fit and decrease the tendency of other fasteners to loosen when subjected to extreme vibration. The Pro-Pedal has been engineered for easy installation and can accept the throttle cable from the back, the front or up to the console. The Pro-Pedal is made of cast aluminum and is compatible with a wide range of OEM and aftermarket cables, but performs optimally www.dometic.com with Dometic’s own Xtreme control cables.

DOA 2.75 Shrimp

totally new design is the best of both worlds – it’s like fishing a jig and a DOA Shrimp. The weighted super sharp hook slips seamlessly into the body of the shrimp. It has a molded in rattle cavity to easily add sound, skips well, sinks fast, and casts like a bullet.

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