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S R E V I L E D H C A E PALM B

t was a good winter in the Atlantic off south Florida’s Palm Beach County. Capt. Austin Rowe said that bodes well for the spring season, when a convergence of several different bites typically makes for some of the best action of the year. “March, April and May are by far my favorite time of year around here,” he said in mid-February. “We’re already starting to see some blackfin tunas right now, which is kind of uncommon. It was a crazy-good winter for mahi, and it was a good for sailfish, as well. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the fish stick around for spring, and we can really put a hurting on them.” Rowe is a young captain who grew up fishing here, where the Gulf Stream sweeps warm nutrient-rich waters northward just a few miles offshore. He captains “Angler Management,” a 34’ Legend center console with twin 300s. With a crew of up to six clients, it is a perfect ride for making the short runs out of Singer Island’s Sailfish Marina quickly and comfortably.

By Nick Carter

“One of the really beautiful things about fishing around here is you don’t have to go very far to get to the fish,” he said. “A full tank of gas lasts a long time.” Most spring mornings start for clients with a run of just 3 or 4 miles out of the inlet with tanks pre-loaded with live threadfin herring and/or goggle eyes. Kite fishing is the preferred method in this part of the world, and that’s exactly what Rowe does when conditions are right. “I’m looking at water color, temperature and moving water. I’m also looking for bait,” Rowe said. “I’m a big fan of charts, and I study them religiously looking for eddies and things, but keeping your eyes open is the biggest thing when you’re out there. If you see live water, with birds diving, it’s probably time to pick up and go see what’s happening over there.” With kites—or drifting with flatlines when conditions call for them—you’re targeting anything that will eat live baits at the surface. That can produce some pretty exciting mixed bags.

“We see a lot of blackfin tunas. There should still be some sailfish around. The kingfish start to show up pretty thick this time of year, and there are also mahi,” Rowe said. “And don’t forget wahoo. Wahoo can get really good around the full moon in March.” If all else fails, or if his clients just want some more meat, the reef is just a couple miles from the kite-fishing grounds, and it’s usually no problem to load up a cooler full of snappers in short order. Big African Pompano also make regular appearances on the reef. Rowe said that by the end of the day, if his anglers aren’t too worn out, he’ll stop in the inlet and let them test their strength against some hard-pulling jack crevalle. You can pack a whole lot of fishing into a full day when you don’t have to run far to find fish. Check out Austin Rowe and Absolute Action Sportfishing Charters at absoluteactionfishing.com.

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ventilation, you’ll conquer every battle, every day. GILLZ took its Pro Series UV Hoodie to the next level. They went one step further and provided anglers with a built-in mesh mask to go along with the 3-piece hood construction. Now, you’re able to keep your gear organized in one place for when that unexpected pull on the reel turns into a clash of strength. Brand new to this collection is the Pro Series Board Shorts. Made of recycled quickdry polyester, the 9-inch inseam gives you the freedom to move without worry, and the secure cellphone hip pocket keeps your devices safe from any damage. This time, Gillz introduces anglers to a new design feature: a no-sew fabrication. This means no chafing or irritation as you charge headfirst against the waves. The Contenders Series, delivers an amazing fit and feel for each and every angler. With the Contender Series Long-sleeve or Hoodie, you’re guaranteed to have 360-degree cooling and 170 GSM interlocking polyester that gives you perfect performance every single time. Moreover, you’re given an extended range of motion that allows every angler to move freely. When facing the unpredictable outdoors, GILLZ Gear and the new Spring 2022 who want Collection will give you the power to perform to face the at your best, no matter where you and Mother elements head-on. With our GILLZTEC proprietary fabric, Nature meet. With prices starting at $39.99, there’s 4-way stretch, and the ability to modify with something for every angler from the Atlantic to the shoulder shape, the Pro Series Long-Sleeves and Pacific and every waterway in between! Hoodies fit every angler to perfection. Plus, when Check out the Gillz Spring 2022 Collection you add on UPF 50+, ultra cooling, a single seam at gillz-gear.com. underarm mesh gusset, and complete 360-degree

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MONSTER BASS ON

JURASSIC LAKE

t piques my interest when “Jurassic” appears in a nickname. So is the case with Jurassic Lake, a 10,000-acre reservoir in Fellsmere, Florida, officially known has Headwaters Lake. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) had a goal to turn Headwaters into a worldclass trophy bass fishery. By all accounts, they succeeded. Just a little over 10 years ago, this bassfishing mecca was farmlands, cattle pastures and orange groves. The St. Johns River Water Management District purchased the lands from Sun-Ag to build a reservoir intended to provide a water supply for surrounding communities and flood control for the St. Johns River. The FWC saw an opportunity and invested $1.35 million in bass fishing “enhancements.” Prior to the reservoir’s flooding in 2015, the FWC constructed fish habitat in the form of winding channels, dredge holes, flats, islands and more, with the goal of providing the optimum combination of structure, depth and spawning habitat. The FWC planted 15,000 bald cypress and red maple trees on the numerous islands, and they stocked over a million bass, bream and crappie. If there is a downside to Headwaters, it’s that there is so much awesome, fishy-looking habitat that it can be a little over whelming trying to figure out where to fish. Since August 2020, when the Headwaters Lake boat ramp opened, 103 trophy bass (bass eight pounds or larger) have been registered into FWC’s Trophy Catch program from Headwaters. Who knows how many other giants were caught that were never entered into Trophy Catch? The biggest registered catch is a 13-pound, 1-ounce monster caught by kayak angler Mary Kelly on January 24, 2022. Those are pretty impressive results for a reservoir that is not even seven years old. Jim Fallon, the Godfather of Headwaters,

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By Paul MacInnis

has probably fished these waters more than anybody. “I love this lake because of the design of the habitats, the natural beauty and all the great fishing,” said Fallon. You’ll find Fallon on the reservoir three to five times a week. He’s been fishing there since 2018, before the boat ramp opened, when he’d drag a kayak into the reservoir from the bank. Fallon says a competent bass angler should catch 15 to 40 bass on an average day with a decent shot at a trophy fish every trip. Fallon has caught almost 50 bass over eight pounds from Headwaters, including 13 in the double digits, all on artificial baits. The address for the Headwaters Lake boat ramp is 16245 Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere, Fla. Headwaters is an hour and a half drive from Orlando, making it a great diversion on a central Florida vacation. The nearby city of Palm Bay has convenient hotels, many with bass boat friendly parking lots. An internet search will bring up several Headwaters guides who can put you on a bass of a lifetime. For more information, visit MyFWC.com.

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APPROACHING THE

TRANSITION

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

s I type this article in early February, the temperature is 38 and the forecasted lows across the Texas coast will dip into the mid to upper twenties for a few nights. This should place larger seatrout into full-blown winter mode, which is a great thing. It might not be so cold where you fish, but similar patterns should exist wherever there are big trout. Predicting movements and habits is always easier when the seasons are typical. This tells me where I should start in early March versus where I should fish later in the month. In early March, I look for shallow areas with irregular soft mud and grass bottoms. I particularly like these areas adjacent to deeper water, as the night temps will still cool flats to less favorable temps for large trout. The term “deeper” will be different for each area. So, as you plan your trip, you should focus on deeper pockets in relation to the overall area. Early in the month, I will stick to a larger profile lure

like a 5-inch paddletail. The trout will still be feeding on mature mullet, and the 5-inch swimbait is a great imitation. These lures are versatile, and they are ideal due to the finicky nature of trout during the transition from winter to spring. A slow roll can be deadly when trout move onto a flat to warm and feed. Depending on the conditions, a slow roll just under the surface that creates a slight ripple can trigger an aggressive strike. If the bait is down, I will slow roll the lure in the mid to lower water portion of the water column. The versatility of these lures also allows them to be jigged and twitched; however, I prefer to do that in a little deeper water. As the water temps rise later in the month, fish become more difficult to pattern. Although high temps warm the water faster, persistent cool fronts still chill the waters, and the wind shifts can wreak havoc on the pattern. It keeps fish and anglers confused. During this part of the season, I tend to move often, not devoting too much time to a location or pattern. Changing things up often until you find them is more effective than banging it out in a spot like I would do in early March. Lures to choose from are wide open here. Small and large soft plastics in the twitch or paddletail style can all be effective. Topwaters and slow sinking hard baits can also produce. Keep moving and changing lure styles, sizes, colors and action until you find the bite. Don’t forget to take a kid fishing. You will be surprised what they can teach you when they put the electronics down. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Winter In The Rearview Mirror

pring is in the air in the mountains of South Carolina. February brought us a mixed bag of weather, where water temperatures hovered in the low thirties, topping out in the low fifties a couple of times throughout the month. A couple of large rain systems have brought water levels up, and are looking great for the next month as well. Below freezing temperatures at night for a good part of the month have the water temperatures in the low forties in the mornings, and then climbing to the mid to high forties as the day warms to the high fifties, even into the low sixties on a few days as well. All of the warming weather, with winter in the rear-view mirror, brings everyone’s delight

By Karl Ekberg

at the start of the spring hatches. From the emergence of all the varieties of Mayflies, to the abundance of different C a d d i s hatches, nothing beats a great day of dry fly fishing. R i v e r conditions Brad Tarbert with a great Chauga Brown and weather surely play an enormous role in the transformation of these Trout

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delights. Excellent days for the hatches are definitely the warmer sunny days, w h e r e temperatures move from the midthirties in the mornings, to the fifties and sixties, in the mid- day through late afternoons. On colder overcast

days, the bugs tend not to hatch as they need the warmth of the sun and water temperatures to rise to emerge from their nymphal bodies for the Mayflies, or the pupa stages for the Caddis. Fishing flies on the “swing” is a great way to catch fish during these warmer spring days. A tandem rig with a nymph, and then a trailing fly of a soft-hackle or wet fly mimicking the hatching bugs, are great set-ups. Some of these bugs hatching can last for a week, and sometimes up to three or four weeks, depending on the species and more importantly, the weather. Having the proper size and color of these bugs is essential; we carry the essential bugs for

Continued, see REARVIEW MIRROR Page 4

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 3

Five Easy Bass Lures By Ken Sturdivant

he Zoom Trick Worm is a fish catching lure for bass that works anywhere and at anytime. It just simply works. Use a size 2/0 offset worm hook on light line. Rig this bait Texas style and be sure it hangs straight. The trick worm can be fished three basic ways: floating, subsurface, and then letting it sink to the bottom. Start out by working this worm on the surface and keeping the line tight and the rod tip down. DO NOT PULL THE WORM. If you pull the worm, it will corkscrew

in the water and twist the line. Make the worm stay right up on the surface and even make it jump over the surface. The crankbait can be one of the most effective tools in the angler’s tackle box. With practice and dedication, learning to use a crankbait can open up more options for other tactics. Find the fish with a crankbait and then use other lures to take limits of fish. Two crankbaits from Rapala are fish catching machines year round: the Rapala Shad Rap

in the #5 size and the Dive-To (DT) 6 in shad and hot mustard. What makes these crankbaits so effective is that they can cover a greater range of depths than many other lures. Depth ranges, speed of retrieve, and sizes and colors are all considerations for crankbaits. One of the best bass producers year round is the jig. Crawfish are one of the prime food sources for bass during the cold weather months, and the jig very closely resembles this natural bait. The jig is basically a lead head with a hook molded onto it, then dressed with rubber hair added to decrease snags when the lure is worked through shoreline or deep water cover. A favorite brand of jig is from the Stanley Bait Company. The Rebel Pop R topwater bait is a time-tested lure, and it catches fish almost year round. Use the original size at 2½ inches long.

This is the most copied size. This is a small bait and casting the lure on a spinning reel with 8 or 10-pound test line is a lot of fun. Working this bait is easy. Just “pop” the rod tip down. This bait will splash water out in front of the bait and game fish love this action. The Zoom Super Fluke is one of the best all-around lures ever made and has come out since the plastic worm. The shape of the bait and the fact that each Super Fluke is loaded with salt makes them deadly. The lure resembles a shad when rigged on a large offset hook. Pick two colors: baby bass and pearl white. Fishing this bait is as simple as adding water. Spinning or bait casting outfits will fish this bait nicely. Just cast this bait, twitch the rod tip, and let it dart and swim. Bass, spots and even stripers will take this bait.

You can contact Ken Sturdivant at 770-889-2654; www. southernfishing.com; kensturdivant@att.net

REVIEW MIRROR continued from page 2 everyone to have an incredible day on the rivers. Streamer fishing can also be an enjoyable day out here as many baitfish start to emerge from their winter dormancy, and they start appearing in abundance. The trout can be a little more aggressive now that the water temperatures have warmed. At times, the “go big or go home” philosophy is not necessary, as the size of smaller baitfish may only be a couple

of inches long, so using small streamers will definitely raise the catch count for the day. Springtime typically leads to more folks in the river corridors so let’s make sure that we all practice “Leave No Trace” and truly, it does not hurt any of us to carry a little more out than we walked in with, for the outdoors will be a better place for the generations to come. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers.

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 visit their website at www.chattoogariverflyshop.com. 4 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 5

Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast for March 2022 By Preston Harden

Water Temp – 53º Water Level – 1 ft. below full pool Water Clarity – clear

arch is my favorite month of the year. As the water starts to warm, all game fish move shallow. The best time to fish is afternoons. As the water warms through the day, fish move to the bank. The best banks are the wind-blown banks. I concentrate on the points and pockets. This time of year, you can catch lots of big fish shallow casting small shad imitations. I am not looking

for schooling fish. I am casting to where I think they should be. I throw a small jig and fluke, or a buck tail jig and fluke. The fish are not ready to eat a Herring till the water warms later in the month. When the water warms to the mid 50s, I will use a larger jig and fluke and live herring, free-lined. We will catch largemouth and spotted bass. We will also catch hybrids and stripers. So, if you like to cast like a bass angler and catch big fish on light tackle, now is the time. Sleep late and fish till dark!

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

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A River, and Lots of HelicopterStocked Trout, Runs Through It By Greg Lucas

A long-time conservation partnership keeps remote parts of the Chattooga River in South Carolina’s beautiful Upstate region a place where trout anglers return to time and again.

atching an experienced team of fisheries biologists and volunteers work with a helicopter pilot to fill and drop brailer bags of trout in a remote river is a little bit like experiencing a ballet — lots of moving parts have to come together with just the right timing to make it all work.

Chattooga, Wild and Scenic River. The very words conjure up all sorts of images. If you have done a bit of whitewater paddling in the region, the Chattooga’s roaring sound pouring over and around boulders is sweet music to your ears. It is one of the longest and most spectacular free-flowing mountain rivers in the Southeast, cascading some 50 miles from its headwaters in North Carolina to the state line between South Carolina and Georgia. But if you are a fly fisherman, or fisherwoman, or, heck, fly ANGLER, then you know the upper reaches of the Chattooga River as something special, particularly in the State of South Carolina, where we are not as blessed with trout waters as our neighboring states of Georgia and North Carolina. For it is a place where an angler can get lost in thought, lost in the music and rhythms of a river that is truly Wild and Scenic, like no other in the Palmetto State. Eventually, these trout reared at the SDNR’s Walhalla Hatchery will find their way into the creel of lucky anglers plying the waters of the remote Chattooga and Chauga rivers or perhaps be released to fight another day after

a triumphant riverside photo, as many trout anglers practice catch-and-release fishing. And thanks to an amazing partnership between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, and Trout Unlimited, large numbers of rainbow, brook and brown trout are stocked in the upper portions of the Chattooga River once a year, a helicopter gently laying them in backcountry areas too remote to easily be reached by vehicle. On Nov. 2, an 11-mile backcountry reach of the Chattooga River was stocked. The Chattooga, which for a good distance forms the border between South Carolina and Georgia, was the United States’ first Wild and Scenic River, designated as such in 1974. The Wild and Scenic designation resulted in the closure of most of the access roads used for trout stocking in this 11-mile section, and that’s the reason the helicopter stocking effort started. The first helicopter trout stockings of this part of the Chattooga began about 50 years ago, and this program has been refined considerably over time. The Chauga River in Oconee was similarly stocked with trout by helicopter on the next day, Nov. 3. “We want trout anglers to have the experience of fishing in this remote and beautiful Wild and Scenic River,” said Dan Rankin, SCDNR Upstate regional fisheries biologist. “But we also

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A successful helicopter stocking takes teamwork, concentration and timing to pull off (click on individual images to see them larger). Photos by Taylor Main, SCDNR

want to give them a reasonable chance for success.” The trout fishery in this 11mile segment of the Chattooga River is largely supported by

stocking hatchery trout reared by SCDNR at Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, and by Georgia DNR at Burton State Hatchery. These partner agencies and

Continued, see HELICOPTER STOCKING Page 33

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 9

Seeing Spots

By Capt. Cefus McRae – NutsAndBoltsFishing.com

hen it comes to finned foes, spotted bass definitely deserve a position in the top ten of fish species. Pound for pound, these critters fight as hard as any fish you’ll ever catch. They simply don’t give up. You can catch them yearround, and in the early spring they gorge themselves on whatever local forage is available for putting on weight for the spawn. Catch a ‘fatty’ and their belly looks like they’ve just swallowed a football. They will viciously attack crankbaits, stickbaits, spoons, worms, and of course, live baits. I’ll often catch spots when striper fishing, and by the initial bend in the rod, think I’ve got a ten-or twelve-pound striper on the line, only to find out it’s a three-pound spotted bass. This time of year, they’re in prespawn mode. They are moving from their deep water, winter hangouts and staging up in somewhat shallower depths before moving to the skinny water to spawn in the spring. Now is a great time to catch a big fish too, as they spend most of the day in the buffet line to put on weight and build up energy lost during the winter. It seems the magic number is 50 degrees. Even if the main lake or river is still in the mid-40s, the creeks and shallow flats will warm up into the low to mid-50s, so mid-day fishing can be really productive. You’ll just have to focus on some of the deeper pockets as the sun gets higher in the sky.

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If your favorite pond has a population of spots, locating them can be fairly straightforward. Look on your chart plotter for long shallow points, rocky outcroppings, and shallow structure where they will make their beds in a few weeks. Then simply start a search pattern where the bottom drops steeply close to these areas. There won’t be a school at every drop-off, but the odds are in your favor. If there’s deep water structure close to these shallow areas, that’s likely to be a honey hole. I’ll start my search with something that can cover a lot of water quickly like a spoon or a jig. Remember, the water is still cold so don’t get over zealous with your retrieves. Although they are ready to eat, these fish are still a bit sluggish and won’t chase a lure too far. Use your DownScan and SideScan to locate the structure and bait schools, then concentrate your efforts in those areas. Live baits are a sure-fire way to put fish in the boat, and if you’re not tournament fishing, down-lining and free-lining herring, threadfins and gizzard shad will definitely draw a strike. A six-to-eight-inch gizzard shad is really hard for a big spot to pass up. The pre-spawn frenzy is on, but it only lasts for a couple weeks. Bundle up, and get out on your favorite spotted bass water. Try these tactics and you’ll be seeing spots before your eyes too. Tight lines and calm seas.

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Early Spring Fishing Trip Preparation Tips

By Andrew A. Cox

arch is an interesting month during the angling year. Warm days over the course of this month will trick you and the fish into thinking that spring has arrived. Unfortunately, cold weather invariably returns over the course of this month, reminding us that winter is still here. The variable weather found during this month impacts fishing on area waters. A series of warm days will have the fish returning into shallow water, making them easier to locate and catch. However, the return of cold weather fronts will once again send the fish into deeper water. With some good angling days to be found during this month, and spring fishing just around the corner, your equipment needs to be in working order. This is particularly true for boating equipment. Your boat and engine are an important fishing investment, allowing you to access waters that would otherwise be inaccessible. Preventative maintenance is essential during the

fishing and boating off-season. There are many simple things that you can do that are inexpensive and can be completed with limited mechanical expertise to insure the reliable operation of your fishing vessel. During this month, if not earlier, run some gasoline through your outboard engine making sure that it starts up. Hopefully, you put some gasoline stabilizer into your boat’s gas tanks, making sure that the gasoline has not destabilized and gummed up your engine. Though I attempt to use non-ethanol gasoline in my outboard motors, such is not always available. Therefore, attention to the quality and stability of fuel remaining in your boat and engine after use is required. Make sure that your outboard gas line primes and has no gasoline leaks. During this start up routine, ensure that the engine’s water pump is pumping water. Check the various engine gauges to ensure that they are operational. Check the trolling motor and cranking batteries to

ensure that they are holding an electrical charge. I have found that extremely cold weather during the winter months can take its toll on marine batteries. Other marine maintenance tasks that you should complete include checking the operation of your trolling motor, bilge and livewell pumps. Ensure that marine accessories such as depth finders, PowerPole, and similar devices are operational. Make sure that your boat’s navigational lights are functioning. Don’t forget about your boat’s trailer. Check to ensure that the tires are in good condition with greased and sound wheel bearings. Are all your trailer’s bolts and screws tight with operational trailer lights? Ensure that the trailer’s winch is

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working and effectively winches and holds the boat on your trailer. This may protect your boat and motor when encountering sudden and dangerous traffic situations while trailering your boat. A good boating checklist starts before the boat enters the water. It is important to keep abreast of minor maintenance activities to ensure the reliable operation of your boat and motor. Having a reliable, easily accessible marine mechanic with a good turnaround time in providing marine repairs is indispensable. It is most disheartening to take your boat to the ramp to enjoy a day of fishing only to find that you are unable to leave the ramp due to a nonoperational boat or motor. Enjoy the early spring fishing season. Be safe on the water.

Author’s Note: Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. He has been fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over forty years. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com.

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Blurring The Lines

friend of mine, Capt. Mack Farr, likes to say we should blur the lines between salt and freshwater fishing, meaning both have lessons, techniques, and baits to offer the other. An example of this is the popularity of the spinnerbait in red fishing and chatterbaits, too. Both of those got their start in freshwater, for bass. The umbrella rig, for bass and stripers, is another example. No matter the size, no matter the hook counts, these rigs started in salt, and started for big game fish! Yet, we consistently use them and count on them to catch stripers and bass. Recently, I was introduced to a guy named Ryan Hanks. Ryan is with Cast Fishing, which is, believe it or not, an Australiabased fishing equipment

By James Pressley

company. If you are on social have probably seen him or Cast media or keep up with what is Fishing. They make the O.G. happening on Lake Lanier, you topwater bait, which is probably

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the hottest thing on Lanier right now. But wait a minute. They are not just topwater. Ryan is a nut for slow pitch jigging. I will forgive you if you’ve never heard of this technique. It’s very understandable. It’s a technique using very light rods, very tough and high-capacity reels, braid, and jigs (what we call spoons in the freshwater world). You drop down to the bottom, or the desired depth, and use the reel to impart action to the jig. It’s cool! And it really works on species such as grouper, snapper, tuna, etc. Okay, you’ve got the back story. Now, for the point of the piece. Ryan and I were chatting back around Thanksgiving on a call one day and he asked how the spoon bite was on Oconee. Well, Bubba, you just walked

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into my wheelhouse! I told him how, when, and what we did here to catch them, and he asked if I would be willing to try the new small Cast SPJ in 20g. Well, I had to ask exactly how big a 20g jig was first. After I learned, I quickly signed on. In the mail that day Ryan dropped a few Cast jigs and their new jigging braid. I immediately called my good friend Jimmy Holmes (the spoon guru) and told him what we had going on. Jimmy was all in too, and he brought along our buddy Danny Lockhart. Jimmy, Danny, and I met over at Sugar Creek in mid-December and put in at the GA Power ramp. I fish this end of the lake a LOT when it’s not muddy, and we headed to a few of my prime spots to try the SPJ, and of course, we also had several Capt. Mack’s super jigs tied on, too. The first spot out was one everyone knows, and the secret is being around often enough to be there when the fish hit it hard! That’s the mouth of Sugar Creek. This whole area

holds fish at different times of the year and in different spots. This time we fished along the upper end of the trees in the river channel. Man, they were thick! Birds were there, the bait was there, and the fish were there. We might have fished for 3-5 minutes before we started catching some. I caught the first fish on Lake Oconee, right then on a Cast slow pitch jig. It was a smaller white bass, but it was the first. The next spot was a river channel spot I keep an eye on, up towards I-20. Here and there, it will produce a good fish for me. This time I handed the Cast Jig over to Danny and he started working it while I got ready to film. We had seen some good bait balls on the electronics with some feeding fish in them. Well, Danny didn’t take long and boated a nice 6-8 pound striper, which fortunately we got on video! Well, that was the only fish we could get to bite there, but like usual, that spot produces a good fish for me. Not wanting to waste a lot

of time, we headed back to the mouth of Sugar Creek and widened our search for fish. We found them again, and this time stayed on them for a couple of hours catching many doubles, triples, and fish of every size on all types of spoons. The Cast SPJ continued to produce for me, and once you get the feel for it, you will love it. All in all, we caught probably 100 fish that day in just a few hours. I caught stripers, whites, hybrids, and even a crappie on the Cast Jig. While I didn’t truly use the jig as was intended, I used it far more like we do spoons (drop it to the

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bottom or the depth and slowly pop it). The size, shape, and colors are something our fish haven’t seen, and they do seem to like it! Check out Southern Born Gentleman on Facebook and Instagram for video and more pics of the day!

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EAST TENNESSEE GREAT SMOKIES

A Course Correction Through Our Deep Connection By David Ramsey

ne cool spring morning in the Smoky Mountains, roughly 30 years ago, I stood thigh-deep in a 4,000-foothigh stream, briefly contemplating my first-ever cast of a dry fly into clear, cold speck water. My heart raced as the size 14 elk hair caddis touched down with nary a sound nor splash and began its short downstream ride toward a waiting and ever-hungry Salvelinus fontinalis. At that moment, all other thoughts and feelings were replaced by the overwhelming anticipation of seeing and feeling the sudden, waterborne strike of orange and green lightning. A life-affecting connection, at once physical, mental and emotional, was about to be made. 2,000 or even 200 years ago, that connection might have meant

I had secured a bit of food for another day of primitive and difficult existence. Today, such singular moments of intense, f o c u s e d connection with wild living things, in their own wild environments, evoke our primal bonds with the natural world and how we once lived in it. For me, that means the pursuit of wild native trout, in the same places they have inhabited for thousands of years. And I believe the same is typically true for those who pursue large game, small game, waterfowl, upland

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bird or pretty much any other species we’ve historically depended upon. But the question on many of our minds these days is whether this vital, inherent bond is being diminished by other aspects of our culture, such as our craving of the quick and the convenient, our vast overconsumption of digital entertainment, social media and politics and, of course, our obsession with business and work. Well, as my teenage granddaughter would say, “Duh!” Nowadays, relatively few of us

truly need to hunt wild animals to sustain ourselves and our families. Of course, there are exceptions among some indigenous and other isolated populations, and there are certainly many people who hunt and fish to supplement their food sources. But the vast majority of us who participate in such outdoor pursuits do it for various reasons, not the least of which is to continue to experience and to sustain that ancient heritage and connection. It’s just that the “us who participate” part is in serious decline. And here’s the kicker: right on top of this decades-long drop in the number of us who hunt and fish (the recent pandemiccaused spike in such activities

Continued, see A COURSE CORRECTION Page 16

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Captain Jim’s Walleye and Striper ‘Rivers in TN’ Fishing Report Captain Jim Durham

February 7, 2022 - Latest water temperature: 49.6 ° F surface

reetings to my readers! I hope that the world finds you and your family doing well!

CUMBERLAND, POWELL, CLINCH AND HOLSTON RIVER SAUGER AND WALLEYE FISHING IN TN! The cold weather Sauger and Walleye season on the various rivers in TN is upon us! We are already having great days fishing for these delicious fish! Enjoy some of the photos of recent Walleye catches! We are both trolling as well as jigging live shad for Walleye! We use 6-pound fire line to troll. Regular mono will not work in the

target big Trophy fish! As the owner of StriperFun, I am a TN licensed bait dealer and raise Trout for my client’s use on charter trips. We also cast “Captain Jim Special” custom Striper lures! Enjoy some of the photos of recent Striper catches! It is great to be alive and be a “free” American! I look forward to seeing all of you this year on the water. Count your blessings each day and live “in the moment”, not in the future and always remember to stop and shake the hand of a person in uniform or wearing garb CUMBERLAND RIVER that shows they are a veteran! STRIPER FISHING IN Their service is why you speak TENNESSEE! English, can vote and can enjoy When you use large 2 to the freedoms you do! 3-pound Trout as bait, we only

river– it is not tough enough and the lure will not run at the correct depths. We use long flexible medium action rods and accurate line counter reels. We only run 2 lines - into current 1.3 mph – speed is crucial!! The rivers are full of obstructions, so be so aware. We use “Captain Jim Special” brand hand painted walleye lures! In February and March, the walleye and sauger move into to 20 to 25 feet of water. We fish these “Captain Jim Special” brand hand painted walleye lures 125 feet back – one to each side when the fish are holding at this depth.

Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!

With full State licensing and insurance, all Captain Jim’s Guide Service guides (18 guides on 14 waterways) can take you on a safe, fun and unforgettable fishing adventure! Check out all of our fishing services as well as our exclusive “on line” store at www.striperfun. com or call 931-403-2501 to make reservations today.

A COURSE CORRECTION continued from page 14 notwithstanding) come the massive global problems of climate change and continued overdevelopment, deforestation and exotic species invasions—all of which are contributing to a rapid loss of native species and habitat and, therefore, critically important natural diversity. I know, it’s a bleak and somewhat depressing picture I paint here— but hold on, I promise there’s a positive and very exciting upside to consider. Question: who better to confront, head-on, and help resolve these serious natural world problems than the people

most closely connected to that world? I submit it is the same people I have described here, you and I and millions of others who have long recognized, treasured and strengthened our deep ties to the wild places and things that have sustained us since there first was an “us.” Without our direct, impassioned involvement and connection with those places and things, there simply can never be the kind of wide-scale conservation and preservation now needed to head off the unthinkable. We absolutely can turn this thing around…if we really want to.

David Arthur Ramsey is an outdoor photographer, writer and conservationist, born and raised in the mountains of northeastern Tennessee. His outdoor writing and photography have been published locally, regionally and nationally and are most often associated with work to preserve and protect threatened lands and waters throughout the Southern Appalachian Mountains. 16 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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Simple Fishing

By Craig Owensby

y dad was a cane-pole fisherman. We didn’t get to go much when my brothers and I were little because he was working two jobs, but sometimes on a Sunday afternoon we’d get in the Rambler and ride out to a pond or a creek somewhere. Bamboo pole and green cotton line with a red and white painted bobber, that was how he did it and he wanted no part of any reels or fancy equipment. He’d just bait up with a worm or a minnow, sit down on the ground, watch the cork and maybe haul in a fat bluegill, sometimes a catfish or a bass. And I can remember being too young to fish and excited to be there. Even today, I can see the bobber at the edge of a patch of reeds, bouncing once, twice, and going out of sight, and every time it happened, we just knew a big one was on the other end. Fifty-some years later, my dad and brothers were all gone but I was still on the water, throwing every kind of lure and bait with spinning and casting rods and buying more gear than I could use. I remember the exact day when all of that changed. It was summer, my buddy Harlin and I had just put a little john boat in at the Sycamore Creek ramp in Cheatham County, and it took me two trips to get all of my stuff out of the truck. I got in with three rods, two tackle boxes, an ice cooler and a sweat towel, sat down, realized I didn’t have room to move my feet, and asked myself why I was there. I mean, why haul all this stuff around when most of it’s never going to come out of the

box? Why spend so much time fiddling with equipment rather than fishing? I think a light bulb probably went on over my head, just like you see in the cartoons; anyway, I became enlightened at that point and resolved to change. Since then, I have discovered the perfect tackle box. Someone who doesn’t fish would think it was just a Band-Aid can, but no, it is so much more, and it is all you need. The basic setup includes a few hooks and split shot sinkers in little plastic envelopes and one or two each of the two-essential creekfishing lures - those would be the silver number-5 original floating Rapala and the 1/16-ounce brown Rooster Tail spinner - and you are set to go, with room left for some soft baits and a jig head or two if you feel like it that day. Box in the shirt pocket, light spinning rod laid along one gunwale of the canoe, put in, push off, and the adventure begins, you can concentrate on fishing and not gear. I understand that now some fly fishermen have imported a Japanese approach called “tenkara,” a straight rod with no reel, a short line, and a fly instead of bait. Looks to me like it’s essentially a cane pole, but no doubt made of some rare and exotic material because it’s fly fishing and that’s how they roll. I may have to try this. Not here, though, not in the places I usually fish. If I get hold of a tenkara rod, I’ll take it back to where I started out, find one of the places we used to go, and see if those bluegills are still there. Just don’t tell my flyfishing friends that I’ll be bringing a box of worms too.

Craig Owensby is a producer, photographer, writer and editor who lives in Nashville. He wrote this column for the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. 18 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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Good Medicine Hookup: Military Veterans and Fly Fishing Tennessee Valley Stories

Catching Trout; a Natural Remedy for Treating the Wounds of War One early TVA goal was to boost regional industrial strength to help bolster national military capacity. So it’s fitting then that the agency now highly prioritizes recreation on lakes and rivers filled and flowing with curative powers for traumatized veterans of America’s armed overseas conflicts.

Outdoor Recreation: A Rejuvenating Power The Tennessee Valley Authority has come a long way from the days when recreation potential created by hydroelectric impoundments and man-made reservoirs were mostly an afterthought. Growing scientific evidence supports widening agreement that outdoor-focused therapies of all kinds can confer great benefits upon those suffering all manner of emotional turmoil, cognitive dysfunction or physical impairment. “The physiological response to being outside in nature is real, and it’s measurable,” said Michelle Kondo, a research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service. “There are many physical and psychological benefits of nature that scientists have observed, which can better help us understand how nature supports wellness in the body, mind and community.” “Since scientists have gained access to data sets, sometimes capturing an entire country’s population of medical records and hospital data, we are finding that patient diagnoses and chronic illness risk are often related to where an individual lives and their proximity to green spaces,” she went on. “And that’s a correlation

that is likely to strengthen as we conduct more studies.”

Post-War Water Therapy Project Healing Waters, with chapters all around the country, is an organization specially dedicated to putting struggling veterans in touch with the salubrious effects of nature and connecting them with healthy fishing fellowship among lifelong brothers in arms. PHW, which partners with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other military health programs and facilities, is attracting more participants and volunteers each year. The organization is particularly active on chilly tailraces of the Tennessee River and clean free-flowing mountain streams of Southern Appalachia. “Tennessee is a great gem of a place to fish,” said Russ Ambrose, chief Project Healing Waters organizer for the TRV. “There are just so many opportunities and that is one of the reasons why the therapy is so good.” From tying flies to rodbuilding to studying insect life and stream biology to learning to cast, mending line, reading currents and ultimately hooking and landing a magnificent healthy fish, the “therapy” is not just the fishing part, but the entire enterprise of fly angling. The sport is a wellspring of hands-on, real-world rehabilitative potential splendidly suited for men and women battling the lasting traumas of war-fighting. “From my standpoint there is just nothing that beats it for PTSD and dealing with stress,” said Mark Pierce, Southeast regional coordinator for Project Healing Waters. “If you are obsessed with something, or kind of caught in a negative cognitive pattern, nothing is better to free your mind out of that pattern than something new, something novel, something that

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Welcome to the the wonders of the Watauga. (Photo by Russ Ambrose)

you can take a deep-dive into that is fun.” “Any other hobby could probably work, but it’s just that this particular hobby is so obsessive,” Pierce added. “And it pulls you into nature, and nature helps more than just about anything else, too. There is nothing else in the world better than fixing a troubled mind than just getting out in nature.” Fly fishing essentially offers veterans a chance to replace their unhealthy fixations with a health obsession, he said. The sport teaches patience and hand-eye coordination and requires that its practitioners “settle down and focus,” Ambrose explained – which he said is precisely what many veterans need to learn coping mechanisms for dealing with pain, disabilities and mental health challenges. Ambrose noted that Project Healing Waters is experienced and adept at figuring out how to offer workarounds for veterans with physical disabilities. “Even people who are missing a limb or something like that, we have adaptive devices to take care of that,” he said. Both Ambrose and Pierce

agree that the human interaction and bonding involved with getting together with fishing buddies is also a primary benefit. “The biggest benefit for everybody is the camaraderie,” said Pierce. “When you get sucked down the fly fishing wormhole, all of the sudden it becomes a learning obsession. And then when you get people together who share the obsession, it turns into a really good time with people laughing and BS-ing and having a good time, and everybody’s got each other’s back and it becomes like a family.”

No Shame in Retreating to the River Year-round trout-hold waters of the Tennessee River Valley generally fall into three basic categories: good, outstanding and spectacular. Two rivers that plainly fit the latter classification come together in Northeast Tennessee to form Boone Lake – itself a trout-angling waterbody of weighty reputation. “As far as we are concerned, the Holston River and the Watauga River are the two greatest rivers east of the Mississippi,” said Ambrose.

Continued, see TENNESSEE VALLEY STORIES Page 38

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rose)

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Training Wheels for Fishing Reels

he Perfect CasterTM was designed to teach beginners how to cast, and to learn it quickly and correctly. This tech will also enable people with disabilities and the elderly to be more independent and fish by themselves. Rick Franklin originally had the idea for a self-casting reel after

knowing a 2-year-old who wanted to go fishing with him. This young man had the casting motion down pat but did not have the eye/hand coordination to cast properly. This conundrum haunted Rick for 6 years. Enter Darin Scott. Rick and Darin have known each other since grade school. The respect and friendship have always been there.

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And when these two men saw each other after 2 decades in the local grocery, it was as if fate was stepping in. The inventor had an engineer to bring his ideas to life. The difficult thing about teaching someone to fish is casting. The ability to press and hold the button, get it far enough behind your head and to release at the right time is the challenge. The Perfect CasterTM eliminates these obstacles. The reel has a computer that understands and reads where the pole is and prompts the user with both visual and audio cues. When the user holds the pole level with the ground, a red light will illuminate, and a tone will sound. When the user then curls his arm and gets the pole in the correct position behind his head, the light turns blue and a different tone sounds. The user then brings the pole forward in a casting motion and the reel will automatical-

The Perfect CasterTM prototype

ly release at the correct angle. The user has now cast the pole correctly the first time. The mission of R & D Outdoors is to make fishing more accessible to all people, to experience the love of the outdoors, and build memories and relationships to last a lifetime.

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What Did The Fox Say? By Steve McClone

ell, the Fox River Stretches from the Illinois River in Ottawa, IL, north 202 Miles encompassing 15 dams, into Wisconsin. This river system in Illinois averages depth ranges from 6 inches to 3 feet with chunk rock, gravel, and sandbars everywhere, making it a smallmouth bass paradise and a fiberglass boat nightmare. I run a 2070 Oquawka Aluminum Boat paired with a 90hp Yamaha on a Bob’s Marine Jack plate. This setup allows me to Jack my motor up high in the water column and run it in very shallow water. Having a Strong Aluminum boat with no rivets allows me to take clients out and give them a very safe and comfortable feeling on their guided trip. With the noticeably swift current, you will drag across rocks, gravel, sand, and other debris in the water, and not come away with holes in your boat. Safety is key! On July 10th 2021, I had the pleasure of guiding 3 Vets-Dylan, Danny, and Josh. This trip was set up with Fallen Outdoors, an organization for veterans, past and present, from all branches of the military. Their aim is to connect Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen with like-minded individuals to teach them skills and garner a passion that they can continue to

enjoy for a lifetime. When they showed up at the boat ramp at 5:30 in the morning, I already had the boat in the water and was ready and waiting. The look on their faces was priceless when they were walking to the dock and got a look at my boat. Before I even got to introduce myself, Josh says, “This boat is a Tank”. I said, “Well yeah, she may not be sparkling and fancy, but she is safe and comfy, and we will be able to get where most people can’t”. They all smiled and jumped in the boat and the trip began. We pulled up to the first spot and I started handing out rods. They were using custom made, medium fast rods made by Big Bear Rods. I paired them up with a Piscifun Carbon X spinning reel with 10lb Fluorocarbon p-line. When fishing this river, the water is very clear most of the time so Fluorocarbon is hard to beat, with fish not being able to see it; especially fishing in 1-3ft of water. On this river system, you can catch numbers of small mouth on buck tails, poppers, hair jigs, small blade baits, spoons, jigs, and much more. The bite always changes due to many things, such as weather, food source, and time of year. They were throwing 3 main baits that day; it was hot, with cloud cover and a slight breeze. A top water, walk the dog

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style lure made by Boing Lures in a shad color, A PB&J Mag Dizzy plastic worm paired on a block head offset owner hook, and a Cotton Cordell Big O crankbait, black and white. I had them rotate in the boat, in terms of who was fishing what, so that they all got to learn different techniques and experience what each had to offer. All three bites were producing very well, so I had the guy in the front throwing topwater so he could cover the top of the water column, the middle guy throwing a crankbait to cover the middle of the water column and bottom, and the guy in the back throwing the plastic worm to cover the bottom. This resulted in the group simultaneously hitting all 3 parts of the water column, from top to bottom, and landing more fish by not focusing on one area of the water. It works well this way with a group of 3. If I was fishing with one client, I would make multiple passes starting with the top of the water column and working down, picking the bottom apart with plastics or jigs to make sure we get all the active fish in the area before moving on. This trip was special in so many ways. They caught tons of fish! Fish were producing in the middle of the river, not even close to shore (where boats normally drive). Many times, in this river where anglers’ boats are, you should be fishing under the boat, out towards the middle. These smallmouths can be caught beating the shoreline; however, you have a better production rate fishing rock piles and gravel bars out away from the bank. On this trip, Danny was fishing in the front of the boat and had to use the restroom, so he handed me his pole and said, “Catch a monster!”. I laughed and told him that I don’t normally fish with my clients. All 3 men were heckling me about it. I don’t fish with my clients unless I need to

figure out a new pattern or if it is a trip that they want me to, for teaching purposes. I told them, “You pay good money and I want you to catch fish, not me”. Joshua Kerber is a Specialist in the 118th MP Co. Airborne, who received a purple heart after being struck by an RPG while in the gunner seat during a routine patrol in the Logar Province. His convoy was ambushed and this resulted in injuries including his left arm above the elbow being amputated, shrapnel to the right eye, and traumatic brain injury; he served from 2008-2012. Josh, being the happy go-getter was on me and said, “That’s an order! Show us how it’s done, Captain!” The pole Danny was using had a Boeing Lure Gizzy Shad spoke-style bait on it. So, I make a long cast right down the middle of the river. During the cast, I was talking to them and showing them a stop-and-pause method to use, rather than a straight, walk-the-dog retrieve. About halfway in, on the pause, a huge smallmouth blew up on it, coming completely out of the water. I reeled down and set the hook and the fish jumped 5 or 6 times before I got it into the boat and they were all going nuts. When I got the fish to the boat, Dylan netted it. It was the biggest fish of the day and I felt horrible about it. Being the guide, this is exactly the reason why I don’t fish with my clients- so that I don’t take away a fish which could be a “personal best” for one of them. I apologized, while holding the fish up for a picture, and they were all laughing so hard; they said, “Captain, we gave you an order and you did it!” Josh said that he will never forget this and that it made his day. They continued catching these smallmouths all day; pound for pound, one of the best freshwater fighting fish!

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Fishing For Soldiers By Jason McCormick

started Fishing for Soldiers 8 years ago as a way to give back to our military. It is an annual kayak and bass boat tournament that benefits the Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. Our mission is to give back to those who have given so much. I know many soldiers from my time in the Army, who have been adversely affected from their time in service and overseas. Life can be difficult for these returning soldiers. Fishing for Soldiers is one of the largest fishing tournaments and fairs in America to benefit wounded Veterans and the only one to have both a kayak and a bass boat division. There is also a full fair for friends and families to enjoy. We offer vendors, food, raffles, games, and boat demos. SMSD mission is: “To enhance the physical and psychological quali-

ty of life for wounded Veterans by providing custom trained mobility assistance service dogs (at no cost to the Veteran)”. The Veteran does not pay for food or veterinary care for the life of the dog. These are not just companions, but true working dogs. They truly help the Veteran thrive in society and improve their quality of life. Fishing for Soldiers is unique in that the kayak division boundaries offer 10 different bodies of water for anglers to choose from and the bass boat division is held on Fort Loudon in Lenoir City, TN. This year’s kayak event will be held on March 12th and hosted through TourneyX. We also have some of the greatest sponsors. Some fishing brand companies outside the US support our event because they believe in our mission. We make sure most anglers

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get prize packs and swag bags upon entry and everyone walks away full; all free with entry. We encourage everyone to look into the SMSD and see what they are

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doing for our Veterans. Give us a follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fishingforsoldiers and see what we are doing!

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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GREAT SMOKIES

Lake Hiwassee Big Ol’ Stripers

tripers, stripers, stripers! It’s business as usual for us here in Murphy, NC. It’s also been an outstanding winter bite and as early spring approaches the striper bite should get even better. So, get out of that cramped up house and get some fresh air while catching some nice trophy fish with us! This month should be amazing! With its warmer weather and longer days, it’s my favorite month for fishing. With that said, give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and book those trips. Let us put you on some of the biggest fish the mountains have to offer. WE ARE MURPHY NORTH CAROLINA’S ORIGINAL STRIPER GUIDE SERVICE. Mention The Angler Magazine and get $25 off your trip. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 22 feet below full pool. Water temperatures have been in the low to Mid

By Shane Goebel

40’s. Due to all the recent rains, water clarity is stained in the river and creeks, and clear towards the dam. Striper fishing has been super out here lately. We’ve had a very successful January and February. Most of the stripers we are catching have been in the 15-to-35-pound range, and we’re averaging about 10 to 20 stripers a trip. The warmer water temps have played a big role in the increase in numbers this year. So, this spring should be amazing! This pattern should continue into the month of March and increase as the stripers start their pre-spawn. Continue the same techniques as the previous months, pulling planer boards with live herring and shad in the backs of creeks and around shallow, sloping banks. As you pull boards, it’s always a good idea to work the banks by casting a Zara Spook or a Red Fin. As the

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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 March. 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. One last note, the smallmouth and trout bite has been extremely good. We are catching some very nice smallmouth and trout on nearby Lake Apalachia. in the 4-5 lb range. We are at least averaging 15 to 25 smallmouth and trout a trip. These trout and smallmouth have been feeding great. Down-lining live bluebacks and lite tackle has been the best technique for catch-

ing a slew of these great fish in 1525 feet of water. March is a great month for catching a lot of huge 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 full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely (in North Georgia), 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

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MARCH 2022

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Fly of the Month - Brassie

By Tom Adams and Alen Baker

y first encounter with the “copper fly” was on a trip to the Pennsylvania Spring Creeks in the Carlie area. In the absence of a hatch, Mike Bullock handed me a “copper fly” to tie on as a dropper. Mike’s copper fly, or what is better known as a Brassie, imitates midge larva and pupa, caddis larva and pupa, and many other small nymphs. The Brassie is a fine example of how little it takes to entice some trout– even highly selective trout in a spring creek or tailrace. The original “copper fly” was tied using wire extracted from an electronic power transformer for the abdomen and a piece of heat shrink-wrap tape for the thorax. The Brassie fly pattern is named based on this original fine copper alloy transformer wire, which was a brass color. In the 1960s, Ken Chandler and Tug Davenport invented this early creation for use on the South Platte River near

Denver, Colorado. My guess is that they were either electronics professionals or hobbyists with the give-away being the shrinkwrap tape. The shrink-wrap tape certainly made a highly imitative, durable fly pattern and they possibly intended the fly pattern to be an English like “buzzer” without the varnished coating. At some point though, peacock herl became the replacement material for the thorax as an even more attractive material for trout. The peacock herl thorax is irresistible to trout. Using wire gives the appearance of segmentation. The most typical Brassie sizes tied are size 14 to size 20. Actual caddis larva and pupa range in length from size 10 to size 16. Larger gauges of wire from 12-gauge to 20-gauge are needed to match these hook sizes. Actual midges range in length from size 18 to size 28. Small gauges of wire from 20-gauge to 32-gauge are needed to match these hook sizes. A simple

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and highly effective fly pattern, such as the Brassie, allows the fly tyer to quickly and easily refill the fly box for the next fly fishing trip. The hook and wire alone provide weight for the Brassie fly pattern to sink toward the bottom. The least bit of current provides for a water column presentation much like a real larva rising to the surface as it transforms into a midge or caddis pupa. It may be used on a variety of streams especially during the fringe months in the spring and fall. It can imitate a Chironomid or midge pupae that lives underwater and levitates in the mid-water column. It catches fish under an indicator or retrieves behind sinking or floating line. It is deadly fished behind a floating line and a 9-foot to 12-foot fluorocarbon leader in a series of six short oneinch strips, followed by a long pause allowing it to fall again then repeat, imitating the natural rise of an emerging midge. The Brassie is a great addition behind any streamer when searching or trolling slowly. In the larger sizes it is a great caddis larva imitation in the western rivers. Do not underestimate this fly, the Brassie is one of the best small fly patterns ever created. It fishes year-round almost everywhere because of its density. Fly fishing with a single Brassie generally

requires an indicator, indicator fly, leading fly, a tandem presentation and 5X tippet. Although trout have keen eyesight, the visibility of a very small fly pattern may be enhanced by the co-existence of another fly. An indicator or indicator fly will be highly visible and theoretically draws the attention of the trout. With such attention, the tiny Brassie is there for a “bait and switch” presentation. A similar, yet amazing technique, is to tie on a leading wet fly, soft hackle, or streamer with the Brassie as a trailer. First fly gets attention, Brassie gets the strike. The same is true for a tandem presentation using two Brassies. However, with a tandem presentation in the water column, either fly may receive the strike. Keep in mind that on tailraces and spring creeks, a 5X tippet is too big, so plan to 6X, 6.5X or 7X tippets with the Brassie. Hook: Tiemco 2488 Size: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 Thread: Danville 70 in black Body: UTC Wire sized for hook in Copper Thorax: Peacock Herl Directions: Detailed tying steps may be found at www. rockyrivertu.org/dry-fly-patterns

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Hangin’ Up My Hammer

By Capt. James McManus

es!!! The winter wanes and the spring swells, trees are budding, temps are warming, but most importantly, fish are biting. This will be the first month that you can depend on improving success on the water. There is renewed confidence in areas, techniques, and baits that will put you in touch with our little finny friends. This is spawning season so remember to release fish that are fat with roe, especially smallmouth, walleye and perch, they need a little extra protection. With better weather conditions, think about those who for whatever reason are not real hardcore outdoorsmen or women. Take the time to invite more kids, young and old as well. On that note... After 50 years in the building business, I am hanging up my hammer (which lately hasn’t seen much action) to concentrate on my guide service. One thing I hope to do is help introduce kids to our sport of fishing. Trying to iron out the details but if you know of either disadvantaged kids, kids of single parents who have no interest or means to take kids, or kids who for whatever

reason aren’t able to get on the water, give me a call. Looking at a trip in a month or so for reduced or no fee, to get them some fishing experience. I was blessed to have a dad that introduced me to the outdoors and supported my addiction to the point of building a pond on my granddad’s farm. He still apologizes to my wife for creating a monster at times, but time spent fishing kept me from spending it in much less productive activities. Remember you don’t have to catch five-pound spots or twenty-pound stripers to give a young’un a start for a love of our passion. A tube of crickets and a hand sized bream is really all it takes sometimes. Patience and an awareness of their desires can make a big difference in how they feel about fishing. I used to fill a five gallon bucket half full, drop a couple of punkinseed bream in and let the boys stand in the bucket, that was the big thrill of the day. So let me know where I can help, enjoy our God given waters and enjoy this season. 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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Lake Chatuge March Hybrids and Spotted Bass

arch is another great month of fishing on Lake Chatuge. With its warmer temps and longer days, we expect March to be just as great as last year. Hopefully even better. Currently, lake temps are in the mid 40’s. Water clarity is clear all over the lake and water levels are holding at about 7 feet below full pool. The hybrid bass bite in March can be crazy. We usually end up catching some nice 7 to 10 pound fish in good numbers for early spring. The hybrids will be staging in their spawning areas in the backs of creeks and feeding on small bait. This should continue through the month of April and into May. Early morning planer boards and free lines have worked the best. As the sun really comes out, the fish are

by Shane Goebel

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, Red Fin, or sexy dog, especially when these hybrids are busting top-water. 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

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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. March fishing on Lake Chatuge is always an exciting month. It’s a fantastic month for catching a lot of monster hybrids on this North Georgia lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1-rated guide service put you on some of Lake Chatuge’s best trophy hybrids during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC and Blairsville GA’s premier

full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee, Lake Apalachia and Nottely (in North Georgia), 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

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MARCH 2022

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 31

8th Annual Fontana Classic March 12th & 13th

oats usually start unloading around 5:30am. There is a mandatory safety talk at the marina at 6:30 AM on both days

The Daniel Boone Council, partnering with Fontana Village Resort & Marina, are excited to present the Eighth Annual Daniel Boone Council Fontana Classic Bass Tournament. Food, fun, fishing and awards are just a few things to look forward too. Proceeds from the event help support the character and leadership development programs of Scouting for over 4,000 youth in WNC. A quality Scouting program contributes to the healthy development of young people by providing them the environment, resources and relationships they need to grow and learn. It’s an investment in the future!

Top 5 payouts Guaranteed after 36 boats. (prizes will be prorated based on fewer boats registering). Single Boat Registration will be $200 per boat. Two (2) fishermen per boat. 2021 Prize Payouts: Lodging will be FREE for 1st Place Boat: $3,000 Gold, Silver and Bronze Level 2nd Place Boat: $2,000 sponsors, One (1) night stay. A 3rd Place Boat: $1,000 Lodging Special of $75 will be 4th Place Boat: $500 provided at an extra cost to single 5th Place Boat: $300 boat sponsors. Two-bedroom 1 in 6 boats will win $200 cabin rentals will be $150 per after 40 boats registered night (two night minimum). Tournament Big Bass: $300 If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or CATCH THE NORTH would like to participate, please CAROLINA STATE RECORD contact James Hylemon at 828SMALL MOUTH BASS & 275-3075 or james.hylemon@ WIN A 2020 F-150 4X4 scouting.org

Participants will be fishing not only to Support Scouting, but to win CASH! A minimum of 38 boats must be entered into the tournament to receive full payouts.

TRUCK PROVIDED BY ANDY SHAW FORD

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HELICOPTER STOCKING continued from page 8 organizations—SCDNR, U.S. Forest Service, Georgia DNR and Trout Unlimited--have worked together as the “Chattooga River Fisheries Coalition” since 1986 to improve the trout fishery. “We are stocking two different ‘management units’ of the Chattooga River by helicopter,” said Rankin. “One two-and-ahalf-mile reach is the ‘Delayed Harvest’ area, and the eight-anda-half-mile upper reach of the ‘Rock Gorge/Big Bend’ area has different regulations from the Delayed Harvest Area.” Delayed Harvest, according to Rankin, is a “fish-for-fun” reach where catch-and-release with single-hook artificial lures is required Nov. 1–May 14 of each year. This stretch reverts to general fishing regulations (5 trout daily limit, no tackle restrictions) from May 15-Oct. 31. The helicopter stocked about 2,500 adult trout (10-plus inches) of rainbow, brown, and brook

trout in this section. The Rock Gorge section of the Chattooga River, which is considered a backcountry area, has no tackle restrictions and a 5-trout daily limit year-round. During the Nov. 2 helicopter stocking, SCDNR stocked 15,000 sub-adult (6-inch) brown trout and 1,000 adult brown trout (10-plus inch) in this segment. Georgia DNR will helicopter stock about 10,000 rainbow trout at a later date. “The idea,” Rankin said, “is that some of these smaller brown trout, and then later the rainbow trout from Georgia DNR, will survive next summer and grow out to a nice size for anglers.” Watching the gathering of equipment at Russell Bottoms, alongside SC 28 just before the bridge that leads to Georgia, is quite a spectacle. Dozens of trucks are lined up in a row, with people alternately running helter-skelter around the field

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(when the helicopter sets down the “Bambi Bucket,” to be filled with trout) and then standing around for long chunks of time while the chopper delivers its load to a remote section of the Chattooga River. Scenes like this are likely the genesis of the phrase “Hurry Up And Wait,” which is so appropriate for any gathering of government employees, whether it be fisheries biologists or infantry soldiers. Completing the scene is that everyone is wearing many articles of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes a hard hat, eye protection, face coverings/ masks, closed-toe shoes (leather boots preferable), gloves, and green and yellow fire-resistant Nomex pants and shirts. The Forest Service is very diligent about PPE, not surprisingly, since being in close proximity to a helicopter is dangerous work. There is zero cell coverage at the site, which makes coordination a real challenge. The helicopter was already

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on the scene when SCDNR videographer/photographer Taylor Main and I arrived around 8:20 a.m. Keith Whalen, Forest Service fisheries biologist, got Taylor suited up in all the appropriate PPE, and after the safety briefing (mandatory if you are going to get near the helicopter while the fish are being loaded), Taylor began what would be many hours of photography and videography. Over and over, she captured SCDNR Freshwater Fisheries staff netting trout from the hatchery truck into two 50-gallon plastic buckets, then carrying them to the helicopter’s “Bambi Bucket,” which was at the end of a 150-foot line. The bucket was already “watered,” and SCDNR staff poured the trout into the bucket, the chopper lifted off, and away it went. The trout are bound for the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, the river that runs through South Carolina and Georgia, and the anglers who will pursue them.

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Patterns of Spring By Ronnie Parris

ey folks, hope everyone is well! Fishing sure has started to pick up on our local lakes. One thing that’s different is the patterns we go through this time of year. One day, it will be freezing cold and the next, it’s short sleeve weather and this can wreak havoc on the

fishing. I usually watch as I’m traveling down the lake and if I don’t see any breaking fish, I’ll depend more on my fish finder as to what they’re doing and how I’m going to fish this trip. If I’m seeing scattered fish, I may throw live bait or artificial along the shoreline. If I’m seeing schools

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

smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com

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of fish, I may drop live minnows, or drop shot a minnow, imitation, or a plastic worm. Sometimes, this calls for spoons or ice jig. Just try different stuff till you see what works and be sure to pay attention to where you catch fish, what kind of banks they’re holding on, and the depth. I’ve seen them be aggressive some days, and other days just barely grab a lure. Fish tend to move a lot this time of year, so don’t be surprised if you don’t catch where you did on your last trip. Be sure to dress as warm as you can; you can always take it off but you can’t put it on if it’s at the house. This is a great time to catch mixed bags,

as species such as crappie are starting to move up to spawn and the bass are beginning to stage. I love this time of year because I can usually put folks on something, even if the target species isn’t cooperating. As always, be safe and take a kid fishing!

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

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MARCH 2022

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 35

Beech Mountain– Walking in a Winter Wonderland

hink you need snow on the ground for a good winter hike? Not at all! When leaves and undergrowth have died back, winter reveals much beauty that is obscured during warmer months. The Town of Beech Mountain is home to twenty-seven miles of public hiking trails which offer everything from an easy stroll through the woods to a strenuous hike with sweeping views. With elevations in town ranging from 5,506’ to 3,500’, Beech Mountain’s multiple micro-climates provide outdoor opportunities all year long. In general, the temperature decreases with higher elevations. The change is an average of 5.5 degrees less per 1000 feet gained if there’s precipitation, or 3.3 degrees less per 1000 feet gained if it’s not raining, snowing or foggy. On a day when the Emerald Outback trails, the town’s highest system, are too cold for a fun hike, the Buckeye Lake trails may be more than 10 degrees warmer. The lake region is also sheltered in a valley, that protects it from the winter winds, which bring a briskness to the highest part of the mountain. There are several trails around the Buckeye Lake Recreation

Area that are popular for winter bird watching, and that part of town is listed on the North Carolina Birding trail. Before heading down to the Buckeye Lake area, birders can stop by the Beech Mountain Visitor Center at 403A Beech Mountain Parkways and pick up maps and a birding checklist. Over 137 species of birds have been identified on the mountain. While many of them are migratory, bird watchers are sure to see plenty of wildlife, including juncos, cardinals, nuthatches, and doves. Winter fishing is also popular on the mountain. Trout season is closed during the month of March but re-opens each year on the first Saturday in April. Canoes and kayaks are available to use at no charge. To arrange to use one on Buckeye Lake, call the Buckeye Recreation Center at 828-387-3003. For those without a North Carolina fishing license, a three-day license can be purchased for $5 by calling 888248-6834. This special license is good for designated Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, and a brochure on this can also be found at the Visitor Center. For more information, stop by seven days a week from 9-5 pm, call 828-3879283 or visit beechmtn.com.

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Stealth and Fly Fishing

By Ethan Hollifield

ne of the first things that any so-called native Appalachian fly fisherman is ever taught is the importance of being stealthy when approaching fish. The tight, clear wild trout streams of Southern Appalachia call for this approach in order to find success. Of course, how educated trout are can play a key role in how much trout perceive human presence as a large enough threat to immediately run for cover, but that is a topic for another time. This article will focus mostly on some tips that will hopefully enable you, as a fly angler, to be able to land a few more fish on your next outing. First, it’s important to understand that trout have incredible senses of “hearing” and sight. Rightfully so, as trout are as much of a prey animal as they are a predator. I’ll spare the complex biology that makes it possible for these critters to survive in the wild (but encourage you to go read about it if you’re interested). To put it in simple terms: we as anglers have to understand that our initial presence is unnatural to fish in a stream. Their lateral lines in addition to complex hearing structures in their heads, can sense vibration and sounds in the water at a remarkable capacity. This isn’t so surprising once you understand that sound waves travel four times as fast under water as it does in the air. I even read one study showing that trout can sense the vibrations of people walking at a normal pace ten feet from a riverbank.

In addition to their hearing, trout also have impeccable eyesight, mainly due to the angles at which their eyes are facing along their head, leaving their only blind spot directly behind them. This is why we, as fly fisherman, are usually taught initially to fish upstream as much as possible. This cone of vision extends for around 320 degrees with the exception of this blind spot. Their eyes have adapted, at least to fisheries biologists’ understanding, to perceive contrast which enables them to detect otherwise small flies on the surface of the water paired against the backdrop of the sky. While it’s inevitable that you’re going to spook fish, there are ways that you can limit the chances of that happening while on the water, which don’t involve you spending money on new camo waders or matte colored rod blanks. Really, there are three very simple things that I teach my clients who are trying to become better fly fishermen. First, understand where you are in relation to the fish and position yourself accordingly. Use the natural cover that is available to you which can be in the form of a big boulder, fast choppy water, tree limbs, tall grass, or simply just kneel down to conceal your profile from the fish. It should also be noted that your movements should be done as quietly as your ability allows. The other, critical component to all of this actually comes down to your clothing. Remember what I mentioned about contrast? Trout

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are constantly seeing their natural environment and the surrounding riverbanks in natural hues (think green, gray, brown, etc). While I’m sure that whoever bought you that bright salmon colored fishing shirt for Christmas meant well, it’s probably better worn to social events rather than fishing for trout. Your chances of keeping trout from spooking are far better when wearing drab, natural colors. On a final note, while I don’t

think it’s always necessary, it does help tremendously to use as long of a rod as you can get away with. I think it’s estimated that for every one inch of rod length, it increases the anglers reach by almost a foot when implementing high-stick techniques. Keeping as much distance between you and the fish as possible can greatly increase your chances of success the next time you’re on the water.

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

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 37

TENNESSEE VALLEY STORIES continued from page 20 That’s an opinion typically shared by virtually anybody who’s ever had a good day on either stream. Those with the most firsthand experience on the “Soho” and “Taug” say few places can inspire angling awe in fresh recruits or battle-tested hooksetters alike than amidst the winding, trout-teeming miles of tailwater currents below South Holston and Wilbur dams. “Both rivers are phenomenal fisheries,” said Anthony Conrad, who runs Conrad’s Guide Service. An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Conrad considers it a personal mission to get men and women with military experience out on the water and help them get fish in the boat, smiles on their faces and happiness back in their lives. “We cater to a lot of that and try to help out with any kind of veterans programs that reach out to us,” he said. “That’s just where my heart is.” There is no question that

connecting with nature is “absolutely” a therapeutic endeavor for physically challenged and psychologically strained military veterans, he said. And the socially isolating events of the past two years with respect to the pandemic have been especially difficult for troubled veterans, he added. Conrad recalls taking out a veteran who not only “had a hard time overseas” but had also lost his mother and father the same week to COVID. Getting that man out on the water and catching brown and rainbow trout rekindled a joy for living that he hadn’t experienced for a very long time. “Afterwards, he was back to being active and doing things,” said Conrad. “That was a day to remember, for sure.”

Vets Guiding Vets to Guide Vets Teaching military veterans not

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just to fly fish but to then in turn teach other veterans to take up the sport is the mission of a group of fly fishing veterans in North Georgia. They have come to recognize the benefits not only that fly fishing itself offers, but also what teaching fly fishing to veterans offers. “A lot of the younger guys are interested in becoming professional guides because it gives them the opportunity to work outside,” said John Mauldin, chairman of the board of directors for the nonprofit group, Flyfishing Veterans, Inc. “So any of them that have PTSD or other kinds of problems, it gives them the opportunity to be outside and kind of engage people so that the problems that they have been having don’t really affect them.” Mauldin, a retired psychologist who served in Vietnam, said the key therapeutic element to fly fishing for veterans is that it requires a person to decelerate their thoughts and movements – and the teaching benefits the teacher. “You have to slow down and take your time,” said Mauldin. “It is

hard to fly fish. You have to put your cast where you want to put it, get your drift right, and if it all comes together, then the likelihood of you catching a fish goes up. And if you are pushing it or you are having a bad day, then it goes right through the rod and down your line and the fish can feel it, and they won’t come anywhere near it.” The fulfillment a guide experiences upon seeing the look of renewal on a veteran’s face after a day on the water is satisfying beyond words, Mauldin said. “It is like there is just something that has been washed away,” he said. “It is like they are no longer in the future and they are no longer in the past – they are just right there in the present, content in the moment.” “For us, there is a feeling of giving back – giving back to veterans, giving back to the stream and giving back to trout. That giving-back piece is something just as addictive as catching fish,” he said.

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Nearly 700 Acres of Brevard Watershed Protected

early 700 acres of pristine forest land in the watershed that provides the City of Brevard’s water supply is now protected forever. In the last days of 2021, the Polchow family donated conservation easements on the land to Conserving Carolina. Land Protection Director Tom Fanslow says, “The Polchow family exemplifies a superb conservation ethic and community spirit. Their sacrifice of development rights ensures our community will continue to enjoy safe, high quality drinking water.” The 694-acre property encompasses an entire subwatershed containing nearly seven miles of pristine streams, headwater seeps, and springs that form Tarkiln Branch, a tributary of Cathey’s Creek. In addition to protecting the public water supply for the City of Brevard, this private conservation land protects Pisgah National Forest from encroaching development. The property is surrounded on three sides by the national forest and it shares a 4.5mile border with the forest. It’s a place of crystal-clear streams, brook trout, salamanders, rare wildflowers, and tall trees. The land is owned by three Polchow siblings — Richard, Elizabeth, and one other sibling. Richard Polchow says that his parents originally purchased the land with conservation in mind. They bought the Cathey’s Creek property in 1963, when he was in middle school. The family lived in New Orleans but the kids went to summer camp in the mountains and the family would stay at Kanuga Conference Center. “We fell in love with the mountains,” he says. His parents, Robert (Bob) and Mary Polchow, went on to purchase land in Henderson and Transylvania Counties. “We never contemplated any subdivision or selling off the property,” Polchow says. “Conservation was the primary goal.”

A family friend, Al Moore, who led hikes and adventures at local summer camps, connected them to the mountains in a unique way. Polchow says, “I’m fortunate to have known people who loved the land and helped to educate me about the value of the mountain land, particularly Al Moore.” Moore was a Brevard native with a deep knowledge of the mountains, who cherished the old mountaineers, Polchow says. For innumerable campers and for the Polchow family, Moore inspired a love for the nature, culture, and history of this region. “He lit the fire for conservation,” Polchow says. The Cathey’s Creek land also benefited from the management of the previous owner, Walter Weilt. He logged the land once, in the late 1940s, but selectively, leaving all trees above 12 inches in diameter. He also logged without heavy machinery, hauling the logs out with horses and mules. “The land was really taken care of,” Polchow says. “It was never abused like some tracts, where it was clear cut and wasted.” Today, the forests have been growing uninterrupted for over 70 years. And, the conservation easements ensure that they will not be logged in the future. While many conservation easements

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do allow agriculture or forestry, the easements on the Polchow’s land are designed to offer the strongest possible protection for the watershed. Future forestry management is strictly limited to forest preservation. Polchow says, “My goal is: Let’s have Joyce Kilmer all over again.” When he was a boy, a year after his parents bought Cathey’s Creek, he went camping in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and was awed to see the towering old growth forest. He says, “The Cathey’s Creek forest isn’t old growth but it’s getting there. It’s destined to be that again.” Tom Fanslow, Conserving Carolina’s Land Protection Director, points out that conservation easements are tailored to help private landowners achieve a range of goals. In addition to protecting their land, those goals might include generating income, making a living from the land, reserving limited development rights, or passing property on to the next generation. For a portion of this property, Equinox Environmental facilitated the easement by setting up a stream preservation mitigation bank. The streams protected under the mitigation bank will offset permitted impacts to streams elsewhere in the French Broad River watershed. The Polchow MARCH 2022

family also generously donated an easement on two upland ridges that surround but are not included in the mitigation bank. Owen Carson, Botanist & Senior Ecologist at Equinox, reflects on the experience: “Working on this project with the Polchow family over the past four years has been a dream come true. In walking each of the nearly 36,000 feet of stream, traversing the slopes and ridges between, and discovering countless wild treasures hidden amongst old trees, my team and I have been truly humbled by the property’s diverse natural and cultural heritage.” Equinox’s efforts to help the Polchows find a conservation solution began in 2017, and were spearheaded by former vice president Steve Melton, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in the spring of 2018. “He’d be so proud of how this project turned out,” Carson says. The land newly protected in the Cathey’s Creek watershed brings the amount of land protected by Conserving Carolina in 2021 to approximately 1,047 acres. Conserving Carolina has now protected a total of over 47,000 acres, primarily in Henderson, Transylvania, Polk, and Rutherford Counties.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 39

Fly Fishing The Toccoa River

he Toccoa River near Blue Ridge, Georgia is a great year-round destination for the fly fisher. The river flows north and is divided into two separate sections. The Lower Toccoa River, or Toccoa River Tailwater section, flows north to McCayesville, Georgia from the Blue Ridge Dam. The Upper Toccoa River is the section of the river that flows into Lake Blue Ridge, but it will be south of Blue Ridge. The Upper Toccoa River is a freestone stream that originates in Suches, Georgia. The Upper Toccoa is formed by Cooper Creek, Rock Creek, and Noontootla Creek, in addition to several smaller tributaries. These are great places to spend the day also with decent populations of trout. As a freestone stream, this beautiful river rises and falls with precipitation and can become unfishable during heavy rain events. The Delayed Harvest section of this river runs for about a mile and a half downstream of the Sandy Bottoms Canoe Launch on

By David Hulsey

Old Dial Road. From November 1st to May 15th, this section is catch and release and artificial lures only water. The river is stocked here on the Chattahoochee National Forest. You might see the occasional wild trout. The river here is large for southeastern trout stream standards. It has quite a few big deep holes with slick rock shelving that can be tricky for wading this water. We recommend using a wading staff for the unsteady fisherperson or it can also help you judge the depth of your next step when moving to other fishing spots. Further, using a wading belt, wading boots with felt, with studs, or Vibram soles with studs, and polarized sunglasses are a must too. Polarized sunglasses with amber lenses are the best to help folks see the floor of the stream as well as fish in the water. Checking the water flow before you arrive at the river is a good idea. Flows less than 350cfs are easier to fish and safer to wade. Over that and

40 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

MARCH 2022

you might consider hiring a guide with a drift boat to safely access the best water. To find out the flow rate, google TVA Valley Stream Flows and look for the Toccoa near Dial. Fly selection need not be too complicated with general purpose nymphs, streamers, and dry flies working well most of the time. Wooly Buggers, Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tail, and Hares Ear Nymphs will normally catch a trout or two subsurface fishing. A Parachute Adams, Yellow Stimulator, and Elk Hair Caddis will take surface feeders. Being able to cast a long line and get a good drift without drag or slack in your fly line are essential here. A long-foot single hand fly rod in 4 or 5 weight should do the trick. Further, an 11 foot 2 or 3 weight trout spey rod should work for our swingers. Soft Hackles and Small Intruders are effective flies to swing in the many riffles and runs.

Access is pretty good along the road at the top half of the river with every pull out normally almost sitting on a good run or hole. Weekends can be crowded, so getting here early or late in the day will show you some peace. Hiking into the lower half of the delayed harvest will help eliminate competing for good runs or riffles on the river as well. The river fishes good all year, even in the heat of summer. You can catch fish early in the day before the throngs of tubers descend on the water. There are also a few smallmouth bass and spotted bass that make the trek from beautiful Lake Blue Ridge in the spring and summer. They are a welcome surprise for the fly angler. We hope you will check out our 3 Hour Intro to Fly Fishing Class or Toccoa River Trout Spey Class for opportunities to fly fish with us on the Upper Toccoa River. We provide all gear needed.

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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The U.S. Mint Just Struck Morgan Silver Dollars for the First Time in 100 Years!

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Celebrating the 100th Anniversary with Legal Tender Morgans

Honoring the 100th anniversary of the last year the Morgan Silver Dollar was minted, the U.S. Mint struck five different versions in 2021, paying tribute to each of the mints that struck the coin. The coins here honor the historic New Orleans Mint, a U.S. Mint branch from 1838–1861 and again from 1879–1909. These coins, featuring an “O” privy mark, a small differentiating mark, were struck in Philadelphia since the New Orleans Mint no longer exists. These beautiful coins are differO PRIVY MARK ent than the originals for two reasons. First,

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MARCH IS THE TURN-AROUND MONTH

The early part of the month will feature very cold water temps around the inlets and river mouths, and keep the trout, drum (redfish) and flounder a little on the sluggish side, but that doesn’t seem to bother the shad, rock and cats. As a matter of fact, it kicks them into overdrive. It’s not water temperature so much as it is the length of daylight in the beginning of the month, but water temps do come into play by the end Tim Barefoot of March. The end of March will see the big spawning female speckled trout his has been a winter for the books, with cold temps, constant wind and sometimes too much rain keeping us arriving at the inlets and river mouths, and the drum bite will be on from the offshore grounds weekend after weekend. In light of fire. This is the time of year when you stand to catch an egg-filled gator trout, but for goodness sakes, take some this, let’s talk about some of the things that brought a lot of good photos and dimensions/weight us to the dance, the anadromous fish that are coming home and let her go do her spawn. This can be in the month of March. the time of year for some great topwater/ If you live on the East Coast, white and hickory shad, popping cork trout and drum bites. striped bass and sturgeon are coming back to the place There are bites, then there are topwater they were born to spawn. March is traditionally a very bites. It’s exciting fishing to say the least. windy month, so on the days we can’t get offshore, there is March will also produce tuna, a safe haven up in the river for some entertainment. Truly, dolphin and wahoo when you can get some of the best to them. The wind will keep us inside memories I have a lot during March, but whenever the were made up seas lay down enough to get offshore, the river. While go for it. This can be the time to catch a not the best stud wahoo and numbers of tuna. Find table fare, white a temperature break and/or the bait, and and hickory you’ll find the wahoo and tuna. They are shad are right on the move and chewing. up there at I don’t care what the wind is doing, I the top of the can always find somewhere to get a bite entertainment and grin in this turn-around month we list. Other fish call March. that have always been at the top See more from Capt. Tim Barefoot of my favorite spring entertainment list are striped bass (rock) and blue at barefootcatsandtackle.com catfish. They come back to the upper reaches of the river to spawn in and rigandjig.com. large numbers.

KEEP IT GENUINE PRECISION PROTECTION

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NATIONAL 15

PHOTO BY SEIGO SAITO/B.A.S.S.

At Hartwell, Stage is Set for 2022 Bassmaster Classic By TAM Staff

or months the field has been set for the big show. From March 4-6, some of the world’s top professional bass anglers will fish South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell, vying for a championship in the 2022 Bassmaster Classic. Upstate South Carolina will play host to the field of 55 professional anglers as well as hordes of fans, who will attend daily weigh-ins at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville and morning takeoffs at Green Pond Landing & Event Center, near Anderson. The annual Bassmaster

Classic Outdoors Expo will take place each day at the Greenville Convention Center. As for the fishing, Hartwell is familiar to the anglers. The 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will mark the fourth time the tournament has been held on the 56,000-acre reservoir. The fishery is renowned for excellent spotted and largemouth bass fishing. Early March is typically a transition period on upstate lakes, when bass begin moving up in preparation for the spawn. Weather will have

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everything to do with how successful anglers will fish. The two normal patterns that set up that time of year are either a deeper bite on ditches and points in 30 to 60 feet of water, or a shallower bite when bass move up into the 5- to 20-foot range to stage next to the spawning flats. The prespawn bite can provide excellent numbers of fish as well as some solid size, which could potentially produce fast action and heavy sacks for Classic competitors. Lake Hartwell’s bass eat a lot of blueback herring, and Hartwell tournaments are responsible for the rise of the underspin as popular bass lure. If the fish are deep, it’s likely underspins, shaky heads and football jigs will see a lot of time in the water. If fish are shallow, jerkbaits, jigs and red crankbaits are Hartwell staples. Each of the three previous Classics have provided action-packed finishes. In 2008, Texas pro Alton Jones Sr. went into the final day with little more than a pound lead, but managed to hold off the rest of the field and claim his only Classic trophy. In 2015, when temperatures dipped as low as 9 degrees, hometown favorite Casey Ashley, of South Carolina, came from behind on the final day to win his only title. Then in 2018, young Alabama pro Jordan Lee jumped from sixth place on the final day to win his second-straight Classic. Fans turned out in droves for all three visits, creating an electric atmosphere for the weigh-ins and packing the Expo all three days. For information on fishing Upcountry South Carolina, visit FishUpcountrySC.com.

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n paper, I was in Switzerland to ski the Alps and eat my weight in fondue. According to some, I was actually there to keep an eye out for Karloff, a rival spy who’d been attempting to rip off a Swiss bank. Walking through Bern’s picturesque Old City, passing Einstein’s house,

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I noticed that I was being followed by a dark figure in a trench coat. No matter how I zigged and zagged through the old cobblestone streets, I couldn’t shake him. Finally, I turned a corner and quickly ducked into an old watch shop. The place looked like it had been there for ages, as did the shopkeeper. Taking me for a customer, the shopkeeper began giving me the full story on why Swiss-made watches are renowned the world over. In 1971, he said, rules were established mandating that any timepiece bearing the “Swiss-made” hallmark must have its mechanics, casing and final inspection take place in Switzerland. Swiss watches are built to last several lifetimes. I smiled, because I knew only Stauer can build Swiss-made watches without it costing a fortune. Now you can also enjoy the precision and accuracy of a Swiss-made sports watch with a moveable bezel. Introducing the Pride of Bern Watch, a timepiece built to keep pace with the underworld of spies. The first time we offered this watch it sold out in TWO DAYS. Finally back in stock after six months, supplies of this quality Swiss-made timepiece are still limited. Get your hands on it before we run out again!

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rom humble beginnings in a home office five years ago, GaugeSaver has flourished on word-of-mouth and happy customers. The company has found great, hardworking friends to help the business grow, and a year ago expanded into a commercial property at 5049 Hwy 17-S in Green Cove Springs, Fla. They fixed up a 1,500-square-foot building for a main office and technician space, and recently constructed a 2,500-square-foot rigging shop. The plan is to grow into this space and offer electronic installs, repairs, etc. Happy customers are the key to GaugeSaver’s growth. Eric Clayton and his wife Tammy believe in their service so much that they both left 25-plus-year IT careers to grow the brand. They now do more than just gauge restorations. They remanufacture replacement parts for Yamaha, Mercury and Suzuki gauges. They restore LCDs for many devices and most major manufacturers including Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno, Simrad, iCOM, Volvo, Honda, Humminbird, SeaDoo, Kawasaki, and more. They can restore almost anything that has an LCD. This includes VHFS, Chartplotters, AutoPilots, Jet Skis and Side-By-Sides. GaugeSaver can even replace LCD assemblies with aftermarket or OEM parts to keep electronics out of landfills. GaugeSaver was founded to extend the lifespan of electronics and save people money. Every week they are learning new ways to do so. They offer Dealer Discounts for friends in the industry. Check out Gaugesaver.com (or drop by and meet the shop dog, Jeb) to see if WWW.GAUGESAVER.COM GaugeSaver can save you money!

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Unlimited Fishing Range NEW Sea Eagle® PaddleSki™ 437ps

With the new inflatable PaddleSki™ 473ps kayak you can go 17 mph with a 6 hp outboard and motor 70 miles on just a 3 gallon tank of gas. That means this unique catamaran kayak can get you to fishing spots that no other fishing kayak can get to! And when you get there, you can fish in ways no other fishing kayak can...you can stand up and cast with the sure knowledge that you are stable and safe. You can sit for hours fishing on the swivel seat and enjoy 360° views in total comfort.

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exter’s complete line of surge actuators are highly engineered, easy to use, and go through rigorous testing to ensure that you get to your destination safely. Available in capacities from 6,600 lbs. to 20,000 lbs. in both disc brake and drum brake varieties, Dexter surge actuators provide smooth and powerful operation. All you need to do is replace the trailer’s standard tongue coupler with a surge actuator and add hydraulic brake end units. The “surge” or “push” of the trailer toward the tow vehicle during deceleration automatically synchronizes the trailer brakes with the tow vehicle brakes. As the trailer pushes against the tow vehicle, the actuator compresses and applies force to its master cylinder, which supplies hydraulic pressure to the trailer’s brakes. As a trusted leader in the Marine Industry, Dexter also outfitted its surge actuators with corrosion-resistant rollers and bushings to create smoother movements and added longevity. Tow with WWW.DEXTERAXLE.COM confidence – Demand Dexter!

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WILD SALMON THREATENED BY INTERBREEDING WITH FARMED FISH

nterbreeding between farmed salmon and wild populations in Norway is changing the lifecycle of wild salmon, according to a report from the website Phys.org. Researchers with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and Rådgivende Biologer studied scale growth patterns in thousands of salmon taken from rivers in Norway from 2010 to 2017. They looked at the impact of escaped farmed salmon breeding with wild salmon by collecting scales from 6,900 adult wild Atlantic salmon in 105 Norwegian rivers. The researchers conducted genetic tests on the scales to learn the genetic history of the fish. The researchers found that both farmed salmon and wild salmon with farmed ancestry mature and age at a faster rate and return to rivers earlier to spawn. It was hypothesized this accelerated maturation process puts salmon at a higher risk of predation because they venture into saltwater earlier, when they are less likely to evade capture by sharks and halibut. Prior studies have indicated that salmon with farmed ancestry are less afraid of predators. The study suggests interbreeding of farmed and wild salmon will result in reductions in wild populations, which has already been observed in some areas. To read the entire report, see phys.org

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GOOD FISHING Visit Upcountry South Carolina Stop by the South Carolina Lakes booth at the Bassmaster Classic Expo, March 4-6, 2022 at the Greenville Convention Center.

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Lake Hartwell, host of the 2008, 2015, 2018, and 2022 Academy Sports & Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk