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PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE LONGORIA VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 282
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BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND : Amy Chibbaro • (386) 478-3812 • achibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com Chris Chibbaro • (386) 478-9234 • cchibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
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INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
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Losing Count On The Clinch River By Nick Carter
E
very now and then, there are magical days when all the variables align. It can seem almost too easy. The fish just eat what you’re throwing, and it’s glorious. Of course, these days happen more often for those who have a fishery dialed in. And for the rest of us who can’t be on the water daily to learn a river, the next best thing is to go with someone who can. That’s where Capt. Dane Law and Bill Stranahan, of Southeastern Anglers, stepped in during a recent trip on the Clinch River, northwest of Knoxville, Tenn. The Clinch is one of the Southeast’s
premier trout fisheries. It is a 13-mile tailwater fed by cold, oxygenated waters of Norris Dam. Tennessee stocks the river with rainbow and brown trout, and bank anglers line up near stocking points to pitch baits for a seven-fish limit. That’s all well and good, but for anglers in search of more than a fish dinner, the river is great because of all the trout that survive this initial onslaught. There is some natural reproduction in the river, and with a 14- to 20-inch protected length range and an allowance of one keeper fish longer than 20 inches, trout that reach the protected slot are free to grow. And they grow quickly. The Clinch has gained a reputation for being fickle and for requiring delicate presentation of tiny flies. “The Grinch or The Cinch,” is a clichéd phrase Bill related to me while launching his jet-powered G3 on a hot Tuesday morning in June. By mid-afternoon, it was difficult to imagine this river being stingy. Maybe a minute into our first drift, Dane hooked up with a gorgeous rainbow that pushed the upper end of that 20-inch slot. It was an indicator of good things to come. The action remained constant for the next five hours. We must have caught 30 or more trout, including four that measured 18 to 20 inches and a couple presumably larger fish that snapped the 6x tippet required to draw strikes. And it was simple fishing. Dane and Bill showed up armed to the teeth with 5- to 7-weight rods and reels, with everything from floating to 300-grain sinking lines. Their flies ran the gamut from tiny midges to big articulated streamers. On this day, the vast majority of their arsenal saw no action. The only thing we needed was Bill’s initial suggestion: a size 16 bead-head Prince Nymph dropped 5 feet beneath a foam hopper. Several times, Dane or Bill remarked that the river normally doesn’t fish this ridiculously well. But when it all comes together, there is nothing more fun than floating a river and losing count of the fish. Southeastern Anglers is a multi-state fly fishing outfitter. Check out all the trips they offer at www.southeasternanglers.com
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Destination: Fishing!
Using Technology For Rhode Island Stripers By Tom Schlichter
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t’s hard to find a place better suited for catching trophy striped bass than the waters surrounding Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay area. With a mix of rocky bottom, strong currents and tons of forage species in nearby ocean waters, plus miles of mud flats inside the bay, this stretch is loaded with big fish potential. Flippin Out Charters skipper BJ Silvia has mined these waters for more than 30 years. He’s boated hundreds of bass in the 40-pound class, plus five weighing 50 to 54 pounds… and he thinks the fishing here is on the verge of getting better! “The number of stripers coming through the ranks right now is amazing,” he said, “We’ve got plenty of cow bass, plus an unprecedented number of fish ranging from shorts to 20 pounds. If we protect the young year classes over the next few years, the potential is outstanding.”
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The shallow waters of Narragansett Bay receive a solid shot of big stripers each May, the 48-year old revealed. Those fish drop out of the Hudson River and spread across the mud flats, traveling in small wolf packs that most anglers target with random casting. Using the latest technology, however, gives Silvia a big edge. He’s hooked on side-scanning sonar to isolate the bass packs on the flats. “Any fishfinder can spot fish below the boat,” Silvia emphasized, “but my Humminbird Solix 15 scans the surrounding waters with super-clear images that push out several hundred feet. For the sharpest images, I set my system to scan within 100 feet. Once we spot these fish, we target them with big plugs like a Musky Mania Doc or topwater spooks. Last spring, the big bass were more spread out than usual, so my Solix proved a lifesaver. It helped get me on the fish quickly, which resulted in more fishing and less searching around.” Technology counts later in the summer as well, added Silvia. Once the stripers leave the shallows, they hold around bottom humps in ocean depths ranging from 20 to 50 feet during July and August. Here, the striper sharpie targets cows using live eels. He’ll fish one weightless rig, one with a small egg sinker, and a third with more weight based on drift speed. On tough days, he said, the biggest bass often prefer the lightest rigs. Focusing again on his technological edge, Silvia noted the bestknown striper spots see tremendous pressure, so he uses his Humminbird fishfinders (he also has a Solix 12 and Solix 10) to look for isolated pieces that don’t show up on the charts. “I use the auto-chart live feature to record them as way points,” he said. “That way, I’m hitting small spots others miss. These often hold the biggest fish.” Contact Silvia at Flippin Out Charters (Flippinoutcharters.com; 401-529-2267). To go it alone, tie-up or launch from Fort Adams State Park Newport, RI (www.dem.gov; 401-847-2400). For overnight accommodations, The Courtyard by Marriot, Middletown, RI (www. marriot.com; 401-849-8000) is reasonably priced and a five-minute drive from the water.
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America’s Boating Club Delivers Boating Education
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hen it comes to boating education, nothing beats getting out on the water with an instructor. Whether you are learning about the subtlety of throttle control while docking or decision making based on the rules of the road while underway, having a knowledgeable instructor to guide you is irreplaceable. A good source for on-the-water boater education is United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club. Your local squadron will have a schedule of courses covering topics like boat safety equipment and procedures, basic vessel operation and controls, close quarters maneuvering, operating a boat on plane, docking, anchoring, emergency maneuvers and man overboard recovery, to name a few. To bolster your on-the-water training, America’s Boating Club has released digital assets designed to enhance boating education with the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel. Funded by grants from the United States Coast Guard, United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club’s Digital Media Library houses multiple formats of digital media focused on boating safety and boater education including videos, slideshows, images, animations, audio presentations and instructor’s manuals. Videos have also been made available through a YouTube channel, America’s Boating Channel, to allow users to stream video content online. Videos and animations cover a wide range of topics and are organized into sections like Planning, Departure, Underway and Arrival. Each video goes into more detail tackling subjects like life jackets, vessel inspections, steering basics, anchoring, man overboard, docking, mooring and shoreline landings. “In an ongoing effort to make boater education more accessible, we have turned to digital and online resources to disseminate the latest information,” said Gary Cheney, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “The mission of the United States Power Squadrons is to promote safe boating through education. By offering video assets through the Digital Media Library and America’s Boating Channel, we give
individuals access to vital boating information that they can view at home or on the go. It’s all part of making it easier than ever before to become a safer and more knowledgeable boater.” Providing original multimedia content instructors can use to enhance their classroom offerings, the Digital Media Library lets individuals view videos at home to reinforce what is learned in class. Videos provide an introduction to a range of boating topics, essential skills and etiquette. Links to “Learn More” at the end of each video promote further education. New content is added regularly. A new video series currently in production includes four videos on various aspects of life jackets, six on personal watercraft operation and one each on accident reporting, frequently asked questions about navigation rules, visual distress signals and mobile maritime service identities. Videos are also available in both English and Spanish. The Digital Media Library can be accessed at uspsdml.org/videos/. America’s Boating Channel can be found at americasboatingchannel.com/. Knowledge is key to a safe and enjoyable time on the water. United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club, has the materials you need to enhance your education. Find your local squadron at www. americasboatingclub.org and sign up for a class today!
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FISH & FISHING
Hunting Sharks
MARK SOSIN
M
ost anglers go out of their way to avoid hooking a shark. In their minds, anyone who actually hunts sharks doesn’t know much about fishing and has his priorities mixed up. They reason that these toothy critters don’t put up much of a battle. With sharks of any size and particularly in relatively shallow water, you’re going to have to crank the engine and chase them with the boat. Two of the toughest and most memorable battles I have ever endured involved sharks that pounced on a fish I had almost landed. In the first instance, I was leading a relatively small wahoo to the boat so we could release it. Suddenly, an oversized mako shark ate half of that fish in one bite and inadvertently got itself hooked. We chased that mako forever, and I put every ounce of pressure on it that I could until my arms and shoulders turned numb from the pain. During all that time, we hadn’t even slowed the shark down. Finally, in desperation, I purposely broke the shark off. The second battle took place over Pinas Reef in Panama, where I was getting close to landing a 250-pound black marlin. That’s when some unseen creature devoured the marlin in three bites. It took over an hour before I could bring that shark alongside the boat. It had to weigh at least 1,500 pounds and was half as long as the boat. That, by the way, was the biggest fish I’ve ever caught. Whenever and wherever you fish, keep a rod rigged and ready for sharks. It should have an abrasion leader about 10
feet long and 12 to 18 inches of single-strand wire between the abrasion leader and the hook. A circle hook should be your first choice because its hooking ratio is higher than any other type. And remember that you don’t have to set it. Unless you are only trolling, you want to be able to cast a bait in front of a cruising shark and retrieve it on the surface or close to it. A balao or a strip of natural bait should do the job. Casting to a cruising shark is exciting sport, but in areas that boast plenty of sharks, you can also anchor the boat and chum them with chunks of natural bait. You’ll need a quick release on the anchor, because a hooked shark will take off at considerable speed. Keep in mind that sharks on the flats or in relatively shallow water can be easily spooked, so your cast has to be on target. The bait should ease in front of the shark and appear as if it is getting away. Sharks do not have a bony skeleton like other fishes. They can literally turn their head and bite their tail, and their body is extremely strong. The best policy for any shark and particularly those of size is to keep them in the water and don’t bring them aboard the boat or try to handle them like other fishes. And, every shark has teeth, so be careful. If you’ve never hunted sharks, this is a good time to try. You’re going to be amazed at the battle they put up and how many times you have to follow them with the boat. Catching sharks can be exciting for anglers of any age, but if you take youngsters fishing, they’ll talk about catching it forever. Don’t pass up the opportunity to expand your fishing horizons.
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Center s Sheri Daye
H
ogfish – it’s an ugly name for a pretty fish. It’s also one of the most delicious species in the world. I know some seafood shops that store hogfish fillets behind the counter and bring it out only for special customers. I’ve had chefs beg me for hogfish once they found out I was into spearfishing. One chef wrote, “Not even for fresh broiled flounder could you pry my cold, dead hands off a hogfish fillet.” Some describe it as the perfect combination of flavor and texture because they are “sweeter than grouper, flakier than mahi, and as rich as scallops.” Their unique flavor is due to their diet of small crabs, shrimp and seashells, which translates into moist, white, tasty meat. Hogfish use their elongated snouts to root around in the sand for food, like a hog. Due to this tendency of searching with nose in the sand, it is very uncommon to catch them by hook and line, although it is possible to bait them with shrimp. Hogfish are sometimes thought of as nature’s gift to spearfishers, especially for beginners, because they are relatively abundant, relatively easy to spear, and such a prized catch. Hogfish can live up to 11 years, and they all start out as females. Upon reaching about 3 years and 14 inches, they transform into males with harem groups of females dominated by a larger male. Juveniles are pale pink and attain a deep dark band spanning from the snout to the first dorsal spine as they mature and turn into males. Maximum size is about 24 pounds. They can be found on rocky bottoms, ledges and reefs throughout the western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda, south to the Gulf of Mexico and the northern coast of South America. They are very common in Florida and the Bahamas and can be
found in shallow waters, ranging from 10-100 feet. Assuming you are in the right place to find them, here are some spearfishing tips: 1) Bag/size limits ensure a healthy stock and protect it from overfishing, so respect the local laws. 2) Look on reefs and especially on sand edges for bigger hogfish. 3) They are not difficult to spear, so take your time, be selective, and don’t take long shots. 4) They are abundant in the Bahamas. This is a good fish to practice your slinging/polespearing skills. Only take the shot if you are sure you can land it. 5) If you are not seeing any, try Sheri Daye displays a stirring up the bottom and make a world-record hogfish. sand cloud. If there are any in the vicinity, they will come to investigate. 6) Do not take advantage of their nature. Take one for dinner, and respect them for the beautiful experience and the delicious meal. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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7/18/18 10:14 AM
NORTH CAROLINA
By Nick Carter
I
don’t remember if I even caught a fish the first time I visited Slickrock Creek. What I do remember is the place was so gorgeous it spurred many return trips to the deep valley that runs the North Carolina/Tennessee border for a couple miles in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area. The old growth trees and the canopy they create over Slickrock Creek inspire awe. Dropping 1,000 feet in about a mile and a half, the hike into Slickrock on the Big Fat Gap Trail is like a steep descent into
what the world must have looked like before logging. For those who trout fish because of the places it takes you, I can’t think of a prettier place to be. The fish are pretty too. Above Lower Falls, which serves as a barrier for stocked fish moving upstream from Calderwood Lake, Slickrock is home to a population of brightly colored wild brown trout. The original and only stocking occurred in the 1930s, when the Civilian Conservation Corps carried fingerling browns in by backpack. Big ones are few and far between, but a good day will yield multiple fish in the 8- to 11-inch range with an occasional bigger fish showing up. Like any wild brown trout fishery, Slickrock’s fish are sometimes hard to catch. On the other hand, when sulphurs, drakes and yellow sallies start popping off in spring it can be a ton of fun fishing dry flies. Below Lower Falls, which is about a mile upstream from the mouth, the fishing is a little different. Fish stocked in Calderwood make their way up the creek, and some of them get pretty big. One of the largest brookies I’ve ever caught in the Southeast came from the big pool at the base of Lower Falls. Upstream of its mouth, the creek would be considered a medium sized stream with some big pools to fish. As you work upstream, it loses flow from feeders and becomes very small in its headwaters. Difficult access by foot is a good reason to pack in and camp at Slickrock. When I was younger and in better shape, I’d drop in from Big Fat Gap and make a day trip out of it. Even then, the climb back out was brutal. There’s an old cast iron wood stove in a clearing off the side of the trail down in the valley. It’s hard to imagine how it got down there in the first place. You’ll understand why it’s still down there when your calves start burning about a quarter of the way up the switchbacks. That old stove will likely remain in the hollow for eternity. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of all the region’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available on Amazon or by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
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ou don’t have to quit fishing just because it’s hot. You just have to fish at night rather than during the day. Oh yeah – and leave a light on. August is the perfect month to catch white bass, crappie and hybrid bass under lights. Young-of-the-year shad, the primary forage in many reservoirs, are just getting to “bite size” and sport fish are busy filling their bellies. To catch fish under the lights, anchor your boat in a strategic location just before dark. Your best bets are over a deep brushpile or artificial structure, creek channel ledge or mudflat. Once the sun sets, set out lanterns, floating lights or submersible halogen lights, and wait. What happens is a natural phenomenon of the aquatic food chain. The light attracts microscopic zooplankton, which attracts minnows and shad. When the lights have congregated a large school of shad, the predators show up below. Drop a jig or live bait down, and you’re in business. It might take a trip or two to become accustomed to fishing at night, and there are safety considerations to keep in mind. Once the sun sets, your boat needs to have navigation lights on. Wear your lifejacket and become familiar with the area before it gets dark. Go slow and use a hand-held spotlight to locate shorelines or obstacles while under power. Check out the July/August 2018 issue of Kansas Wildlife and Parks Magazine (ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine).
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MURPHY AREA LAKES
August Outlook for Murphy Area Lakes By Aaron Kephart
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ell, August is here, and with it comes the proverbial “Dog Days” of summer and the heat and humidity associated with it. Luckily, our mountain reservoirs in the Murphy area still provide opportunities for you to “beat the heat” and catch some really nice fish. I know it can be hard to tear yourself away from the AC, but when you do, you can be rewarded with some awesome summertime fishing. Here is what I foresee happening in terms of the bite for a few different species in August.
Hybrids and Stripers:
This has been a phenomenal summer for the Hybrid bite on Lake Chatuge. As of right now (early July), a lot of the fish are still on the deeper flats adjacent to creek channels, but by August, most will have taken up residence on the main channel. In all honesty, I have fished Chatuge for over
30 years, and the hybrid fishery is currently as good, or possibly even better, than it was in its heyday 25 years ago. The Striper bite on Hiwassee has been consistent. We had a phenomenal shallow bite for them in early summer, but now that the water temps have risen our most consistent action has come from creek mouths and rocky points on deep downlines. Some fish are biting lines set as shallow as 20 feet and some are biting bait set as deep as 50 feet, but the main consideration is to set up somewhere between 40 and 60 feet of water. Bait presence, as always, has been a big key. This pattern should remain stable until the water cools and the lake lowers in early fall.
Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Spotted Bass:
The big smallmouth are really chewing right now, especially when current is involved, and we have had some incredible 30 fish mornings lately. I foresee this bite actually continuing throughout the summer, and in fact, I am supremely confident I can put you on some big smallmouth all the way until they spawn again in spring (I don’t like messing with spawning smallies given how rare they are becoming in a lot of our lakes). The largemouth are also still biting, and we have caught quite a few 5-plus pounders in the last few weeks. The spotted bass on Chatuge are still as
big and willing to bite as ever, and we have had a number of mornings where we went through 8 or 9 dozen baits in just a couple of hours. The spots on Hiwassee are also still biting, although they are a bit smaller on average than their cousins on Chatuge.
Crappie, Walleye, Trout, and the rest:
We have had a couple of very productive night trips for crappie recently, although I don’t get to do this as much as I used to. We landed 38 keepers in 2 hours on my most recent trip. The walleye have really slowed down and gone deep, and while we are still picking
up one or two a week, I probably won’t focus on them intentionally again until they make their spawning run in late winter/early spring. We have also been picking up a few nice brown trout while smallmouth fishing, and have run into quite a few channel and flathead catfish the last couple of weeks. I hope this gives you an idea of what you can expect in the coming weeks on our awesome Murphy area lakes. While summer is a busy time for a guide, I do often have openings due to cancellations and whatnot, so if you are interested in a trip give me a call at 865-4661345. I would love to hear from you. Have a great day!
Aaron Kephart is the Owner of Mountain Lakes Guide Service. To book a guided trip on one of the Murphy area mountain lakes, contact him by phone at 865-466-1345 or by email at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com Check out his website at http://www.mtnlakesguideservice.com and catch him on facebook@mountainlakesguideservice
Murphy North Carolina’s
premier trophy smallmouth and spotted bass guide service
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Hiwassee - Apalachia - Chatuge Aaron Kephart 865-466-1345 mtnlakesguide@outlook.com
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LAKE HIWASSEE
August Lake Hiwassee Striped Bass Mayhem
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By Shane Goebel
ugust brings with it some explosive striper fishing in Western North Carolina, and there’s no better lake to experience that late summer mayhem on than Lake Hiwassee. The striper bite is intense; it’s the perfect time to hit the lake and catch some amazing fish. And what’s the best way to do that? By booking a trip with Murphy, NC’s #1 striper guide: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is at full pool. Water clarity is clear and slightly stained in the backs of creeks, and water temps are in the mid 80’s. Striper fishing has been excellent. These fish are schooled up and we’ve been killing it out here. Our morning trips usually average 30 to 50 stripers a trip. The early-morning and evening bites are your best times to see action. Target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel. Also, during the hot sunny days of summer, search out areas with some good shade. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 6 to the dam. Your best technique will be down lining live blueback herring. The top-water bite has also been great. I like to keep a spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag those surface-busting fish. The fish will continue to stay schooled up through the
next couple of months. Just remember to keep an eye on your electronics and watch for schools of stripers when cruising the lake. Also, remember to try to get the fish back into the water as quickly as possible after they are caught. Bringing up stripers from deep water really puts a hurting on them and the quicker you get them into the water the more likely they will survive. August is a fantastic month for catching some monster 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 only and original premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely, Chatuge, and Lake Blue Ridge. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing and have the best live herring around. 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 is the Owner of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and a member of The Angler Fishing Team. Contact him at www.bigolfish. com or (828) 361-2021 / 1-(844)-4-ANGLER.
SMSS has all the essentials for hunting, target shooting, home defense, reloading and more Call for date & time of monthly concealed carry class. 53 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC • 828-837-7677 Beside the Courthouse
www.smokymountainshooters.com www.facebook.com/smokymtnshooter
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All these fish were caught with the same Rooster Tail in The Valley River near the Murphy Peace Valley KOA by: Matt Walters – Owner, Murphy/Peace Valley KOA Campground
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LAKE CHATUGE
Monster Lake Chatuge Hybrids
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his summer has been off the charts for us out here on Lake Chatuge. We’ve had one of the most productive and exciting hybrid bites in years and now that August is here, that means fall is knocking on our doors it should remain the same. Currently, Lake Chatuge is at full pool. Water temps are in the mid 80s, and water clarity is clear throughout the lake. Hybrid fishing has been phenomenal lately. Late summer patterns are in full swing. The fish are schooling in large numbers, and we are catching some big quantities. Most of our hybrids are averaging 8-12 pounds. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest-fighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The early morning and mid-afternoon bite has been prime. Look for schools of fish along the main channel and off points. Downlining live blueback herring has been the best technique. Search out your areas and watch your electronics. When you mark fish, drop your lines. Fish will be slightly shallower in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by mid-morning.
By Darren Hughes
Top-water bite has slowed down considerably but you can still find a few busting. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a plug, spook, or red fin at the ready. Look for this same pattern to continue for the next month or so until water temps begin to fall. August fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA-it’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. We also carry ethanol-free gas and have some of the best hot, madefrom-scratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, Apalachia, Hiwassee, or Nottely, or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes, at Hughes General Store. And whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give Chatuge a shot for some of the best spotted bass and hybrids in the area. Good luck, and get hooked!
The beauty and solitude of the Great Smoky Mountains make this new KOA an ideal spot to settle in and relax for a while.
Darren Hughes is the Owner of Hughes General Store & Bait Shop and a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team and Guide for Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Look him up at www.bigolfish.com or give him a call, (706) 745-6569 or (828) 361-2021.
Your riverfront, award winning KOA Campground in the Western NC Mountains. Deluxe Cabins, Full hook up RV sites, and tent camping. At the campground, guests can wade into the water to cast their lines for trout in the stocked river or relax in the lounge with friends.
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The Fate of Fontana Walleyes By Capt. James McManus
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hen folks think of Lake Fontana, they think... smallmouth bass, classic mountain scenes, light boat traffic... but the thought we guides get most is...I just want to catch a few walleyes. Well, you all are not alone, a lot of us just want to catch a few walleyes. So, what has happened to Fontana walleyes? If there is a biology graduate student reading this you have a ready-made thesis topic in this question. I think I can give you a head start on some answers, but would love some real scientific research to back up my theories, which are based on years of observation on the water. I think there are three main reasons for the lack of fish today. I guess, first, folks like me have to take some of the blame. Years ago, the springtime river run and the short period after that saw probably 90% of the walleye catch for the year. Sure, there were folks that fished at night through the summer and caught fish, but after that, “ole eyes” had basically the rest of the year off. A time when they would suspend in deeper water, cruise around feeding on huge schools of threadfins that were also suspended out over deep water. Most folks, until the introduction of really good sonars, didn’t even know they were there. Now, we can spot and fish for a single fish at 80 to 100 feet out, in 200 feet of water, and drop a jig right on their nose, or even more effectively, troll downriggers and cover any area where they may be holding- there
is really nowhere to hide. The big schools of eyes and most of the big schools of threadfins are dispersed now, which leads me to reason number two, spotted bass. We can thank our bass fishing friends for introducing this little fellow. Now, I love to catch spots, especially bigger ones, but they are a feisty bunch. In the olden days, schools of threadfins that may have been a hundred yards long and fifteen or twenty yards deep, have now been broken up by roving bands of spotted bass, most 8 to 10 to 12 inches long. Walleye, as we know, aren’t the most aggressive fish on the planet. If they have to chase open water fish, pushed to the surface by spots, it just ain’t gonna happen. Times of finding big schools of walleye suspended right below big schools of bait are not ever going to be seen again. This trend has been going on for maybe 15 years. TVA has dramatic graphs of net surveys that back up this correlation. As the spots increased, the walleye decreased...it’s an almost perfect X on a graph. This governmental information leads me to the third reason... neglect! For fifteen years, TVA and the wildlife folks have known about this decline. Now our wildlife folks do a tremendous job on a whole bunch of things, but the “powers that be” have totally dropped the ball on the Fontana walleye. I know there are tons of trout fishermen in the mountains and they are treated to some of the most heavily stocked and best maintained streams any-
where in the country. I have had guides come from Colorado, California, Maine and Florida, they all rave about the job the wildlife folks do on the trout. All we are doing is asking for a little of the concern for Fontana that they show to our trout streams. Increase stocking programs, not little test stockings to see if they take; by gosh, put some dern fish in there, we know the need is there. With the bluebacks now making a showing in the lake, I feel like they will take some of the pressure off the threadfins and give the walleye a little more to eat. It doesn’t take a genius, it is well documented that bluebacks and walleye don’t mix, there will never be a viable walleye spawn with herring present, so plan to totally supply the lake by stocking. I think you
also need to do a correct stocking, not one place, not 2 or 3 inch fish that get gobbled up by spots, a lakewide distribution of decent sized fish. You are not trying to recreate a spawning population, you are just putting fish in to be caught out, the big spawn... that is over forever with the herring here. Well, my rave is about over, any grad students with connections in Raleigh, I will gladly take you out to show you first-hand what’s happening, especially if your mom, dad, uncles, aunts or grands wants to donate money and have a new walleye hatchery named after them. If you need my help, give me a call- my number is 828-421-8125. Be safe, thank God for our beautiful place and later, Capt. James
Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing!
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SWAIN COUNTY / BRYSON CITY / ROBBINSVILLE
Size Matters
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verybody’s heard it, size matters. If you don’t believe it, then you’ve never spent the night with a tent full of mosquitoes. No other time of year is that statement more true. Whether you’re throwing a size 14 Parachute Adams for wild mountain rainbows or fishing the lake for breaking spotted bass, you’d better be thinking small or you might spend the day fishing and not catching. This is the time of year that makes anglers pull their hair out. You work your boat close to breaking fish and make several perfect casts into the school with your favorite jerk bait, and you don’t get a bite. All you need to do is go smaller. Sometimes, the same lure you are throwing and getting no strikes on will produce “big time” if you only drop down to the smallest size it’s produced in. When you get a fish in the boat, it’s easy to
By Ronnie Parris
see why; most of the shad they spit up will be a half inch or smaller. Being the bait is this small, these fish have to eat more so look for some aggressive early morning and late evening top water action. Bass aren’t the only fish feeding on these small shad; you won’t see them on the surface in the mad breaks with the bass, but if you watch your fish finder, you will see longer thinner marks, usually from 60 to 90 feet deep, right under this top water action. What this is, are walleye and white bass, the first layer in the 60 foot range will be the whites. They will be the fish eating the shad as they dive to try and escape the spotted bass and the smallmouth. The fish I like to target are the bottom range fish, which are the walleye. As you catch fish deep, they will begin to spit up shad an sometimes this will cause a feeding
frenzy. Some of the biggest walleye will wait till this happens and just sit tight and wait for their meal to drop to them. The key to catching these fish is to know your electronics and then “match the hatch”, so to speak. Don’t throw a 4-inch bait when the fish are eating half-inch minnows. If you don’t have a good fish finder on your boat, you’re still not out of luck…Watch for the breaking fish on top. Sometimes you will also see a foamy “slick” where the feed is occurring. On lakes south of us, you will have gulls and cormorants diving in the bait. Around our area lakes,
Kingfishers are usually present flying over to dive in for a shad minnow that’s on the surface. One thing to note is, this is the time of year that fishing etiquette is very important. Often you will have multiple boats running for the same school of breakers, so try not to get excited and get on top of each other as it’s awful easy for tempers to flare and things to get out of hand. A few fish are not worth an altercation that can change someone’s life. So, go out and have fun and remember to fish smaller lures this time of year. As always, be safe and take a kid fishing.
Ronnie Parris is the Owner and Head Guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, North Carolina, heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. (www. smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com)
Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING We offer both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.
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Swainglers Enjoying Summer Break!
Top row, left to right: Caleb Taylor, Enoch Franklin, Lance Grant, Zach Franklin. Bottom row, left to right: Ms. Parris, Abby Shuler.
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August in the Gorge By Ken Kastorff
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ugust is a great month for fishing here in the mountains. This is a fly anglers dream come true. It is an outstanding month for smallmouth, brim, spotted bass, and red eye bass on the Little Tennessee River. With the warmer weather, comes great top water action. There is over thirty miles of river to wade
or float. Look for clear water for the best fishing. Poppers will normally work well, even during mid-day. If you want to mix it up, throw a popper with a girdle bug dropper. Another option is to throw crayfish patterns. Orange and brown are good colors to try. If it’s trout you’re after, then the Nantahala River is a good choice. August is a great month to fish this unique tail race river. It has consistent 50 degree water temperatures all summer long, making it one of the top 100 trout fisheries in the United States. It has great nymph fishing and dry fly fishing for both brown and rainbow trout. It is also one of the best native trout fisheries in the area. With school starting after the first week of the month, weekdays will
have less raft traffic. This a good time of the year to find one of the trophy brown trout that live in the Nantahala. August also ushers in some great dry fly action. Book a float trip on this fantastic eightmile stretch of river. The best time to fish is during the generation release, which is typically from 9:00 AM to 5PM. Once the generation stops, there is usually some phenomenal dry fly action.
Ken Kastorff is the Owner and Guide at Endless River Adventures located along the Nantahala River in Bryson City, North Carolina.
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CHEROKEE / GSMNP / GATLINBURG
Great Smoky Mountain National Park – Tennessee Side
H
igher elevation fishing is marvelous right now. With brookies feeding on anything and everything, we are having 50 fish-1/2 days. The rain we’ve had this year is keeping the water a good level and temperature. As far as what to use, it has not mattered much. From hopper patterns down to small parachutes. Ranging in colors from tan and yellow to black and purple. We are still throwing droppers like a pheasant tail and prince nymph. Longer casts have been a little more necessary with the clear water. Lower elevation streams are still producing more on the nymph bite. Not much has changed on patterns to use for that. Little river is still the best lower elevation river to hit.
By Chad Fouts
Upper chimney tops has been the hot ticket of late. Road prong has been prime above the second bridge.
Smallmouth
The Smallmouth have officially moved back out to their home water-the French Broad. You can float from knife works down to 7 islands state park and can have a triple digit bass day. But make sure they are running one generator. Seems to be the best time to hit those bronzebacks. You might find some rock bass, white bass and largemouth also.
Holston River
The Holston River is still on point. With generators on and floating, or wading with gener-
CONTINUED, GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN, PAGE 14
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN
continued from page 13
ators off, it has been producing great numbers and sizes. If you are going to fish this water, make sure you have emergers in your box that you can swing. Seems to be the most effective method. The traditional Holston patterns are still working though. Smallmouth are still hitting everything like crazy below Nances Ferry.
Gatlinburg
They are still stocking every Thursday in town. We are seeing fish caught in every stretch of that river. Fly wise I would throw something flashy- it really doesn’t matter what size. For those of you spin fishing. Either throw bait or a bright color rooster tail or mepps spinner.
Chad Fouts is the Fly Shop Manager at The Smoky Mountain Angler in Gatlinburg, TN. He is a self-described fly fishing junky. If you have any questions about fishing in this area give us a call 865-436-8746
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Summer Time Mashup
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By Scott Norton
he waters are warm and storms are rolling in. We are now in the summertime pattern, and now is the time to search out where the “big ones” are. You might ask what is a summer pattern? It’s any and all things shallow. Top water lures are hot right now and if you’re not using a frog, walking bait, wake bait, poppers, and prop baits, you are missing out. This is also a great time to use swimbaits as well. So when do you use top water baits? They work great in low light situations and cover. Mornings, nights with full to three quarter moons, cover, and cloudy days. My best catches come from brush piles when a storm is coming in, which means the barometric pressure is on its way down. You can also judge it by how low the clouds sit in the sky. Make sure when you fish cover like brush piles, grass,
over hangs, and docks, that you don’t cast your bait on top of their heads. Cast past your target and work your way in. If you have a sunny day with no clouds they will hang tight to cover as well. Places where current is present is another spot to stick with. You will find yourself in situations where you may have days that are just too hot to fish and the answer to that is to fish at night. The best times are near, or on, a full moon. You’ll want to stick with top water baits on this one. If you haven’t tried night fishing you will never find a better bite. The reason for using top water is so you don’t get snagged in cover you can’t see. Give it a try-you’ll thank me later. Big swimbaits like glide baits, paddle tails, and multi sectional baits have a large drawing power for big largemouth. If you’re
looking for quality, go this direction. Lately, I’ve had the best results with a bluegill style multi-sectional bait. Big bass are feeding up on bluegill wherever they congregate. Paddle tails are great, if your find bass down deep. I recommend a three quarter to a halfounce bait for these situations. Now let’s talk about weather. You’ll want to plan on a day where the pressure is falling and will continue to fall. The easy way to judge this is go before a storm hits. Be sure to plan on getting wet so bring a rain suit because these big bass get turned on after the rain moves
in, so don’t miss out on that. Hope this helps for all you anglers this summer. Good luck!
Scott Norton is a native of Western North Carolina. Born in Asheville, NC, he is a long time avid hunter, angler, and weekend warrior.
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HAYWOOD COUNTY
Fly Fishing Cataloochee Creek (GSMNP)
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ataloochee Creek is located in one of the most unique areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It lies in the northern part, not really close to anything. Maggie Valley is the closest area of any population. Traveling there takes some time and requires traveling over gravel roads in some areas. It lies in a secluded valley that was once home to several families of mountain folks. It is now the main area where Elk have been introduced into the park. There are some large meadows in an area (something not common in the park) where they can often be spotted. It is also close to an area of water where it is possible to catch a “grand slam” consisting of a rainbow, brook and brown trout. The park maintains a nice campground
By James Marsh
there where anglers can stay without having to travel in and out of the valley on a daily basis to fish. Most of the creek, and its main tributaries, consist of typical fast moving, pocket water but there are sections of the main creek that have smooth, moderate flowing water. That makes it a little more difficult to catch trout, but it also provides a different habitat for some of the crawler mayflies that are not nearly as plentiful in the other fast water streams. Seasons: The season is open year-round and trout can be taken year-round. Spring: Spring is certainly the best time for dry fly fishing because that’s when most of the hatches take place. Summer: The hot summer rarely gets the water too warm for good
fishing, thanks to its excellent tree cover and elevation. Brook trout fishing in its small tributaries is excellent during the summer. Fall: Fall is certainly the most beautiful time to fish Cataloochee Creek. It’s also big brown trout time. Winter: It is very possible to catch fish throughout most of the winter and fishing is sometimes very good.
Fly Fishing Guide to Cataloochee Creek Fly fishing Cataloochee Creek first requires a decision on the kind of trout you want to try to catch. The smaller, fast water streams in the upper section of the valley and
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lower mountains, from which they drain, provide the easiest places to catch trout. Small rainbows are especially plentiful there along with the brook trout in many areas. Cataloochee Creek has several tributary streams including Palmer Creek, which is one of the larger ones. Browns, rainbows and brook trout exist in its lower section. It has a small tributary steam with brook trout named Pretty Hollow Creek, a very appropriate name. Another one if its tributaries is Lost Bottoms Creek. It has some rainbows in its lower section and plenty of brook trout upstream, a short ways. Caldwell Fork is a small tributary stream that flows into Cataloochee Creek near the camp-
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CATALOOCHEE CREEK
Enjoy our relaxed dining experience overlooking Jonathan Creek We have something for everyone, veggie platter, fried catfish, lemon peppered catfish, or a killer turkey melt with bacon. We make all our sauces in house daily. Our southern pearl catfish fillets are straight out of the Mississippi Delta. Try them grilled with our lemon pepper seasoning or have them deep fried to perfection. We will also serve it on a freshly baked onion roll or kaiser bun with all the fixins on top.
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ground. It has a population of brown, rainbow and brook trout. Den Branch, McKee Branch, and Double Gap Branch are all very small tributary streams of Caldwell Fork. Rough Fork is another major tributary stream to Cataloochee Creek. Part of this stream runs through beautiful meadows and part of it through hardwood forest. Most of its trout are rainbows. Little Cataloochee Creek is another tributary stream. It is a medium to small sized stream with brown, rainbow and brook trout. The stream has several tributary streams that form its main portion. Coggins Branch, Conrad Branch, and Andy Branch join the Little Cataloochee Creek. These streams have mostly small rainbow trout. Correll Branch and Woody Branch, both tributary streams, have brook trout. I hope you get the idea that there are plenty of places to fish. Many anglers choose to fish the fast water runs and riffles with generic and attractor dry flies or nymphs, and they will catch some trout particularly in the fast water. We prefer to fish specific imitations of what’s the most available food at
the time or what is hatching. The best procedure in our opinion is to study the hatch section of this site and the Smoky Mountain National Park hatch chart linked on our introductory page and select the flies to use based on that. When the dry fly doesn’t seem to produce, trout can normally be caught by “high stickin” nymphs. This is a method that requires getting close to the area you intend to fish in the faster, deeper runs and making very short “flips” of the fly. You want to dredge the bottom with plenty of weight. It is also a good way to catch some of the large brown trout that like to hide out in crevices underneath the boulders. Some of the best brown trout are found in the slower moving water of the long pools and moderately flowing riffles. Some of the larger rainbows seem to be in the lower section of the stream near the area it exits the park, but there are also some nice brown trout there too. Just about anywhere you fish the stream or any of its tributaries, you can expect to catch some trout. It is one of our favorite areas of the park to fish.
James Marsh is the Owner of The Perfect Fly online and catalog mail-order store. www.perfectflystore.com 18 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
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ASHEVILLE / BREVARD / HENDERSONVILLE
Let The Lure Do The Work
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ave you ever noticed how much harder fishing is when you can see the fish? The other day, I stood on a dock at Lake Jocassee with my three kiddos and watched as they attempted to catch bluegill. My seven-year-old is patient. Extremely patient. like win-a-staring-contest-with-a-King-Cobra patient. Not only did he catch a blue gill, but he also caught a smallmouth bass. My five-yearold daughter, however, is not patient. She pulled the line up and down and up and down. “Daddy, did I catch something yet?” She asked over and over again as she pulled the hook out of the water to check the bait. “Just wait, baby!” I responded, “It takes a few minutes.” She could see the fish, which made it more difficult. As soon
By Daniel Day
as anything approached her hook it was out of the water before the fish had a chance to smell the bait. Eventually, I had to hold the line so she couldn’t pull it up, and guess what? She caught a fish. And then she caught another fish. Why? Because she—with a little help from me—let the bait do the work. Oftentimes, anglers like myself struggle to let the bait or lure do the work for us. As soon as a nibble floods our bodies with adrenaline, we want to jerk the line and set the hook. Good anglers, however, are patient, even after receiving that first nibble. They wait for a full hit to attempt the catch. Hidden in this story is not only good fishing advice, but also good advice for finding the right job, or the right spouse, or closing a sale. We live in a culture where we’re taught to make things happen on
our own. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Pick yourself up by your bootstraps?” Maybe you’re more familiar with, “Git r dun” (which is so early 2000s). What’s the message? Don’t let the lure do the work, take success into your own hands. Although there are times when it’s necessary to seize a moment, more often than not, life offers opportunities to be patient. The problem? Americans are terrible at being patient! We want everything to work out yesterday. Take job hunting as an example. Most of us want to interview for a job and then get an offer immediately. I take that back—most of us want an HR recruiter representing the perfect job to find us on LinkedIn, call us and give us an offer we can’t refuse. But that’s
not how it works. The best someone can do is create an excellent resume and cover letter, ask to drop off a resume in person and look for an opportunity to shake hands with the HR recruiter. But that’s about it. It’s a lot like throwing a lure and then waiting for a bite. Sure, you can—and should— ask if there’s a time to follow up, and it’s a good idea to follow up at least once after about a week or so, but it’s mostly a waiting game. You have to let your resume do the work. If not, you may end up annoying an HR recruiter by following up too many times.
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LET THE LURE DO THE WORK This happened recently: I was hiring a new manager at Asheville’s Fun Depot, and one person followed up with me so many times that I stopped answering his phone calls. I actually thought he would be a good candidate, but his follow-up made him look desperate. His desperation caused him to try so hard to set the hook that he missed the job altogether. And patience doesn’t just apply to job searching. Think of closing a deal. It’s important to throw the lure—to describe how great the product is as well as the benefits of buying the product from you— but a good salesman also creates longing. If you try to set the hook too early, you risk pushing away the potential buyer. I know people who have bought the wrong houses, pushed away potential clients and ru-
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ined relationships with potential spouses, out of desperation. They couldn’t wait. I understand! There have been times in my life where desperation has caused me to make mistakes too. But according to a friend of mine, “wise people don’t do desperate things.” They let the lure do the work for them, and they wait for the right opportunity to come along. Desperate situations make it really hard to wait. It’s hard to wait on God. It’s hard to wait on other people. And it’s hard to wait on right timing. But trying to make things happen can sometimes hurt more than help our chances. So, in whatever situation you’re facing, go ahead and throw the lure. Go ahead and do your part. But then it’s time to wait. Be patient and let the lure do the work.
Daniel Ryan Day is the author of two books, including his most recent work: Intentional Christian (now available). He’s also the COO of Cascades Mountain Resort, Old Orchard Tavern and Asheville’s Fun Depot. Daniel lives in Fairview, NC with his wife and three kiddos. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram or at intentionalchristianity.com.
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Teaching Fish to Swim By Wilson Love
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few months ago, a young man printed his name on the signature line of a sales ticket in my store. I didn’t think much about it until a retired schoolteacher told me that many children are not taught handwriting in school now. “What?” I said, “That’s crazy”. But my friend was right. Something called the Common Core State Standards was adopted by North Carolina and 41 other states back in 2010. Now we’re living with the results of that wretchedly bad choice. Those promoting this widespread standard claim, in essence, that young children need their training focused on learning to communicate by technical device (keyboarding, etc.). That’s brilliant. Let’s teach fish to swim and birds to fly while we’re at it. Let’s instruct kids in school to do something they are already doing twenty four/seven. Am I missing something here? Could you possibly prevent a child from learning how to operate gadgets that speak, buzz and light up? Our grandchildren were clawing for our cell phones before they could walk or put two syllables together. By the way, Common Core also minimizes learning multiplication tables, history, social
studies, art and music, as if these are obsolete or inconsequential. You can’t know who you are if you don’t know where you came from. Ignore the past and the future will ignore you. It seems unfathomable that so many leaders signed off on policy that promotes average achievement and ignorance of needed instruction. To move back in the right direction, new law was enacted in our state in 2013. It requires schools to teach cursive writing to third, fourth, and fifth graders. But compliance reportedly varies (a lot). It’s a greater effort to pick up the ball you dropped than to hold on to it in the first place. Why am I making a big deal out of this? Because value is attached to ability, and like it or not, poor handwriting or no handwriting is associated with illiteracy. Communicate poorly and watch opportunity pass right on by. A restaurant owner told me today that many of his job applicants cannot count change – a minimum entry level skill. A banker said that some of their applicants ask, “What’s that?” when told a signature is required. If we choose to, we can sit still for the far-left-of-center dumbing down of America. Or, we can set our own higher standards by home schooling or whatever
means become necessary. Personally, I’m going to make sure my family and employees can sign their names and do simple math without a calculator. And they will know the difference between your and you’re, sell and sale, there and their. Internet slang may be cool and quick, but it will not serve you well when you are face to face with someone you really want to make a good impression on. As usual, a bigger picture overshadows the obvious. Many who read this won’t get it and some who do get it won’t believe it, but here is a simple truth. There are (and always have been) evil forces operating in high places (Ephesians 6:12). If the elitist can manage to make the rest of us dumb enough and com-
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placent enough, then they can run their totalitarian game on us. Their desired result is complete control over our lives. By God’s design, this approach ultimately fails every time (Isaiah 5:20-21). It didn’t work for the slaveholders and it didn’t work for Hitler. But evil has a way of bouncing back for another try. Don’t fall for Common Core or anything like it that reduces us all to the same low level. There is nothing common about excellence. Make sure your children are reading, writing, and counting cognitively. Doing their very best is the goal, not being the best, - and certainly not being like everybody else. It’s our job to inspire them, not to teach them what they already know.
Wilson Love is Owner/Operator of The Practical Outdoorsman, a retail and consignment store.
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The Price of Notoriety: Can Our Waters Handle Oversaturation?
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By Ethan Hollifield
ake a look at any stream in the mountains in the summertime and I guarantee that you will find a whole passel of people at every available roadside pull-off and recreation area parking lot, either swimming, tubing, fishing, etc. If you’re a local to these mountains than I can also guarantee that you have probably noticed a significant influx of people engaging in these activities in places that were otherwise left untouched just a decade ago. Through magazines, online tourist guides, and social media sites, more and more people have access to find out how and where they can find these places along mountain waterways to recreate. Places that were already famous, such as the French Broad River in Asheville, have seen a significant spike in usage over the last few years. People in the tourism industry might see this as a good thing, however others, like myself, have begun seeing the negative sides of this notoriety of our streams, in the forms of trash and overcrowding, as it has been negatively marketed as a tourist commodity, rather than a natural resource. Don’t get me wrong; I’m against barring anyone who can appreciate the beauty of our mountain streams, from coming to see them. The key word being, appreciate. The mentality that, unfortunately, many people hold of natural spaces is that of just a playground, and when a natural space like our mountain streams and rivers is publically announced in mass, it can bring with it the physical consequences of those ingenuous mentalities. This is generally evidenced in the form of trash that is carelessly tossed
out of car windows or left on the stream banks to get washed away. Along with this, the localized habitat of the stream becomes compromised. Fish will either move off completely or not feed at a natural pace due to the increased traffic flow of people. Rocks that serve as homes to aquatic insect species become displaced, and a greater opportunity for more serious pollutants to enter a stream arises due to the increased traffic flow. In some cases, entire sections of rivers that were once extremely productive and high in diversity now only show their abundance in the amount of beer cans and cigarette butts left on the river shores. This constant flow of traffic and the negative impacts that it has on our natural resources makes it increasingly difficult for folks who actually appreciate the places to find solitude in nature. No one wants to come to a place that is supposed to hold serenity and instead find 50 tubes, baby diapers, and screaming children/ adults lining the stream banks. As the outdoor recreation appeal of Western North Carolina grows, I can only imagine that these issues will only become more compounded year after year. Is there any good solution to this? I seriously doubt it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth discussing. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who truly appreciate our mountain streams are the first and, in some cases, the only defense from careless misuse and over saturation. The problem is there, but the solution has to come from us before we lose these places to the long arm of commercialism and ignorance.
Ethan Hollifield is an Environmental/Physical Science Teacher and is also a guide for Southern Appalachian Anglers COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Something Fishy Going On...
iving in Western North Carolina, the opportunity to explore marine life from different parts of the ocean is a scarcity. That is why in 2001, Team ECCO was started as a learning program to reach and teach students of all ages about the ocean. Location should not be an excuse for lack of resources and knowledge, so Executive Director, Brenda Ramer decided to take action. She worked to grow and expand Team ECCO, gaining full IRS 501 c 3 non-profit
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status in 2005. Four years later, the first Team ECCO classroom was established. What started out as a simple 800-square foot room grew in two more years to a public aquarium. In 2011, Team ECCO opened the doors of the first inland aquarium in North Carolina- The Team ECCO Ocean Center & Aquarium on Main Street in Hendersonville, North Carolina. In 2017 our marine research progressed under funding from the
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NC Science Museum Grant program, the Community Foundation of Henderson County, and the Henderson County TDA. This support allowed us to reach out even further. With our re-branding we became the Aquarium & Shark Lab of Team ECCO. Stepping up, we renovated many existing displays and added our new 2,000 gallon shark study tank. We enter this tank twice daily to feed and monitor the behavior and development of our 3 sharks. Also, this is the new holding tank for our shark hatching and development study. Our Aquarium is home to dozens of species of tropical ocean fish and invertebrates. We house a reptile collection that includes
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frogs, lizards, geckoes, turtles and tortoises, which are kept under strict guidelines and permit from NCDNR. We are the only ocean education lab and hands-in marine study center in Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Our programs include but are not limited to fish ID, marine adaptations, reef/mangrove/grass bed ecology, water quality, turtle rescue, local reptile education and marine bio diversity. In order to expand our learning even further than our aquarium,
we partner with outside institutions to provide the most well-rounded education that we can. These places include organizations such as the Georgia Aquarium and the UA Biosphere 2 in Oracle, AZ. We train and incorporate student interns and volunteers into daily care and maintenance. The Executive Director shares her passion for teaching with her love of the ocean as a volunteer. Team ECCO has 3 part time paid position: front desk/bookkeeping; Lead Intern; &Assistant Director. Those involved take such pride in
the work that they perform. Even on days when we are not open , we are there dedicated to making sure that our animals are taken care of. Team ECCO encourages minds and bodies with custom field exploration trips to local and distant points of environmental interest. These areas of interest include manatees, aquifers, coral reef development, sea turtles, shark research and mangrove recovery. Experience is the best teacher and a positive learning experience can change a life. Our Aquarium & Shark Lab are focused on educa-
tion and enrichment. We integrate science, history, math, and culture into our immersive exhibits and education programs. Like the tide, we are in continuous motion saying “Why not” and “What if ” as our students and interns research ideas, document, and defy existing standards. Team ECCO operates with the help of its committed volunteers. All of our students, and adults that you see around the aquarium feeding the fish, manning the cash register and interacting with customers are our volunteers.
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At Team ECCO we pride ourselves on the ownership that our volunteers get to take in the success of the aquarium. All of our volunteers are ready to share their knowledge with you during your visit to the aquarium whether that be educating you on our fish feeding practices, telling you about their personal experiences at Team ECCO or advising you on the best lunch spots. Visit them at 511 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792. For more information visit https:// teamecco.org/
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The National Fly Fishing Championships 2018
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he National Fly Fishing Championships (NFFC), were held in Bend, Oregon on May 30th through June 2nd, 2018. 56 anglers from across the country competed this year. Anglers are selected to compete by competing in Regional events throughout the country over a 2-year cycle dating back to 2016. At Regional events competitors are awarded points based on their individual results. Competitors can compete as much as they want but can only use their 3 best finishes plus the National Championship to compile points for that 2-year cycle. From there, the USA Fly Fishing Team selects their 2018 20-man roster based on the top 20 points earners. At this year’s National Championship, there were 5 venues used during the competition.
By Michael Yelton
Lava Lake, Crane Prarie Lake, South Twin Lake, North Twin Lake and the Upper Deschutes River were the venues. The 56-angler field is broken up into 5 man teams. Each competitor, fishes five 3-hour sessions at each venue. Before the competition starts there is a draw, which determines which group each angler is in and where they will be fishing during each session. After each session, results are compiled based on the number and size of each fish caught during that session. Competitors are rewarded by placing points after each session based off the number of fish they caught during that session. So the competitor that catches the most fish during a session get 1 placing point, the angler that catches the 2nd most fish gets 2 placing points and so on. If you don’t catch any fish, you re-
ceive the maximum placing points based on the number of anglers in your group, so if your group has 10 anglers, you’ll receive 10 placing points. In the event that two anglers catch the same amount of fish, the tiebreaker is based on fish points, which is based on the size of each fish caught. The angler with the least amount of placing
points at the end of the competitions wins the tournament. New Mexico’s Norm Maktima finished first place, Pat Weiss of Pennsylvania was 2nd place and Michael Bradley from North Carolina took 3rd place. The 2018 Team USA Fly Fishing is as follows:
2018-2020 Fly Fishing Team USA: # Name 1 Pat Weiss 2 Lance Egan 3 Devin Olsen 4 Josh Graffam 5 Michael Bradley 6 Cody Burgdorff 7 Russell Miller 8 Norman Maktima - Retired 9 Mason Sims 10 Josh Miller 11 Sean Crocker
12 Jeremy Sides 13 Dzifa Glymin 14 Ken Crane 15 Glade Gunther 16 Nick Bell Alternates: 17 Robert Humston 18 Laramie Smith 19 Chris Eussen 20 Michael Yelton 21 Kirk Lewis
Please note: Norman Maktima retired after Nationals. Nick Bell was moved up from first alternate. Kirk Lewis was moved up to 5th alternate. The 2020-point cycle has already started with 2 events al-
ready completed. For more information on competing in Fly Fishing Team USA events go to http://flyfishingteamusa.com or www.flycomps.com for more information.
Michael L. Yelton can be reached at The Granddaddy Fly Fishing Experience, LLC located in Lake Lure, NC by email at info@granddaddyflyfishing.com, by phone at (828) 980-3554, or at his website at www.granddaddyflyfishing.com
www.granddaddyflyfishing.com (828) 980-3554
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Show the River Your Wacky Side
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he Anything That Floats Parade is where people from all walks of life come and express their creativity on the river. Teams work together to create all sorts of river vessels; some simple, some elaborate, some made from recycled materials, and others made with lots of flair. The sky is the limit, as long as it floats. The whole parade will be hosted during the annual RiverFest Music Festival at New Belgium where people will be able to watch the floats go by from the liquid center deck. This year’s parade is August 18th starting at 12 PM.
When should we register? Early registration starts now and will go until July 25th, the registration fee during this time is only $25. Late registration will go from July 25th until Thursday August 16th but the registration fee will
be $40. On the registration you can indicate if you want to float with another raft. Once you register, you will receive additional information via email.
Where does the raft parade Start? Rafts are launched at Hominy Creek Park. All floaters will need to sign a liability form when they arrive.
What time should my team be at Hominy Creek? Each team will have a specific launch time. You should show up 30 minutes before your specified launch time to allow for check in, affix your number to your raft, have an official photo taken of the entire team of floaters and drop off your raft. Launching may be delayed for unexpected reasons, so be prepared to be flexible and
follow the guidance from the RiverLink Volunteers.
Where do the rafts take out? Take-out is at the Craven St Boat Launch where your finish will be noted. This dock is almost directly across from New Belgium Brewery. Rafts must finish here to
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qualify as a “winner”. Volunteers will direct you to the take out site and help get your float out of the water. This take-out is within walking distance to New Belgium where RiverFest will be happening, so we encourage floaters to check it out. For more information visit: https://riverlink.org/get-involved/ annual-events/afp.
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HIGH COUNTRY
A Madison County Primer By Paul Kisielewski
WNC Mountain Adventures
The quaint towns in Madison County, North Carolina speak for themselves. Mars Hill, Marshall and Hot Springs are some of the more, well known towns in the county, and each has something special to offer. Mars Hill is home to the historic Mars Hill University, ranked among the top 100 regional colleges in the South. The small town of Marshall is nestled in the mountains on the bank of the French Broad River, and though it may be small, it is rich in scenery, history, and unique dining experiences. Hot Springs is a quaint mountain town that is known for its healing hot natural springs. After hiking a rugged mountain trail, one can relax in a hot mineral bath before heading to dinner at one of the locally-owned and operated restaurants in the area. Hot Springs remains untrammeled by chain restaurants and department stores, and it becomes easy to succumb to the romance of simple mountain life while taking in the gorgeous views this town has to offer. There are many outdoor adventures in Madison County, including hiking the Appalachian Trail, rafting, biking, and fly fish-
ing. From vast rolling hills to untouched mountains, the county is surrounded by the French Broad River, running west of Highway 26. Feeder creeks, springs, and backcountry streams all fall into the French Broad River, and almost every smaller creek provides trout with lush, native habitats. Madison County offers the perfect backdrop for any outdoor adventure, and each town offers an authentic, refreshing experience.
Madison County Rivers
The charming towns of Mars Hill and Marshall have much to offer when it comes to fly fishing. You will find water in virtually every direction you drive. Some of the best fishing in Madison County can be found in Big Laurel Creek. The delayed harvest creek is stocked every year with big brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. Big Laurel Creek, however, is unlike any other delayed harvest section. The river curves through the mountains and smaller feeder creeks feed into the Big Laurel, providing fly anglers with a chance to catch wild trout. Big Laurel provides anglers, of all ages, easy river access and abundant fishing opportunities.
Fly Selection and Clear Water
The gushing mountain water can be dingy at times, but it doesn’t take long for the river systems to clear out after a rain. The water is usually crystal clear, and the blessed fly fishing dictum is, “if you can see the fish, the fish can see you.” This is true for the freestone river. Tippet selection between 7x and 5x is highly recommended when throwing dries or nymphs. Fly selection can vary by month or even week. It is recommended to look at a fly fish-
ing hatch chart before heading to the river to ensure the hatch is matched.
Summer Hatch
The Ephemerella Invaria – Sulphur is one of the best dry flies to match when fly fishing the Big Laurel. These mayflies hatch during the month of June and into July. As the sun begins to set, tie on a #16-#18 Light Cahill for late afternoon and evening dry fly action. You will begin to see hatches at dusk and these flies prove effective.
Paul Kisielewski is a seasoned guide in Asheville, NC and owns Southern Appalachian Anglers – Asheville Fly Fishing Guide Service. He is local to the area and grew up chasing wild trout around WNC. For reservations call (828) 691-1506 or visit southernappalachiananglers.com to reserve a fly fishing destination.
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Don’t Mow, Let It Grow!
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By Chelsea Blount
owing your lawn to the water’s edge can cause all kinds of problems for the river. Streambanks need woody shrubs and trees along the bank – this is called the riparian zone. Without root systems, your soil is susceptible to erosion during rain events, and your property will wash away and pollute our waterways. According to George Santucci, President of New River Conservancy, one of the most serious threats to the New River is the gradual destruction of riparian zones. “Unfortunately, one of the greatest threats to the river is the degradation of those buffers along the streams and rivers,” Santucci said. “Mud, by volume, is probably our largest pollutant in the river. I know mud doesn’t sound like a pollutant, but if you have gills, and you live on the bottom of the river, you’re not very excited about mud
32 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
coming into the river.” Some erosion is natural and necessary to river ecosystems, but vegetated buffers help support natural erosion and prevent excessive sedimentation. “There is some natural erosion that will happen over time, there’s absolutely no doubt. But substantial flood events or ice flows that scour the banks of the river will also happen,” said Santucci. “Heavily vegetated buffers are resilient against those forces.” Establishing fully vegetated riparian buffers that include grasses, shrubs, and trees help support the river ecosystem, otherwise fish populations suffer. Fish depend on aquatic insects for food and aquatic insects are dependent on streamside vegetation for habitat. Riparian zones also slow down runoff and filter pollutants before they ever reach the river. Ideally, rainwater would fall onto the ground, be slowed down by grasses
AUGUST 2018
and trees, and soak into the ground to replenish groundwater or enter the river slowly in a more natural way. However, without vegetated streambanks, polluted runoff flows straight into our streams and river at high velocities, further contributing to erosion of the banks. “The more we denude the riverbanks, and the more we pave, the more we increase storm flow velocity to cause greater erosion than would happen naturally,” added Santucci. If every landowner had a veg-
etated riparian buffer, less mud would make it to the river, insect populations would thrive and so would the fish that depend on them. New River Conservancy is here to help! Since 1998, the New River Conservancy’s River Builder Program has planted and stabilized over 100 miles of the New River and its tributaries. Contact us to learn more about the River Builder Program and how you can protect your streambanks in the New River Watershed!
Chelsea Blount is the River Builder Coordinator for the New River Conservancy in Ashe County. Find out more at www.newriverconservancy.org.
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A Steep Trail, A Bear Encounter and The Linville River
I
’ve made a commitment. I will go fishing at least once a week for the rest of the year…or at least as long as the weather holds out. Now you may be wondering, why would a publisher of a fishing magazine need to make a commitment to go fishing? Well…let me answer that question by first stating that I love my job. I get to travel around the mountains of Western North Carolina talking to people about fishing and hiking…and kayaking and rafting…and lost streams and adventure. However, the day to day responsibilities of the magazine can make it tough to get out on a stream or a river or a lake. So believe it or not, I have to place fishing trips on my calendar, then make a commitment to actually go on that fishing trip. It’s a sacrifice, I know, but one I’m willing to make…you know, for research purposes. So that’s how I ended up on a steep trail in the Linville Gorge last Thursday night. I’d just finished a three day business trip in Boone and Ashe County recruiting writers and selling ads when, low and behold, my calendar told me to go fishing…that was it. The little alarm on my smart phone said “Go Fishing”. So I obliged. I didn’t really have a plan. I knew I needed to push myself a little but a quick glance at my waistline reminded me that I didn’t need to push myself too much. It’d been some time since I’d fished the Linville Gorge. I would be driving right through the Linville Falls Community, so that would be the place where I would go. I also knew of a very steep, but shorter, trail down to the river…I love how detailed plans come together.
By Joe Woody
So I found myself standing at the top of Piney Gap Trail at 7PM. I knew it would be a twenty to twenty five minute walk down to the river where I could fish for approximately 40 minutes. It would take me thirty minutes to walk back up the trail. If all went well, I would be standing beside my truck before dark with a few minutes to spare. I stepped off down the trail already making up stories about the Large Browns and Smallmouths I would land in the 40 fishing minutes allotted. If you’ve ever been on the trails going down to the Linville, you know they can be steep, rocky and tight. Piney Gap fits this bill. Half way down, the hair on the back on my neck stood up. I knew I was not alone. Something was bird-dogging me. I could not see it but every so often, I would hear a sound. It was behind me so I did not want to go back up the trail. I kept moving down to the river. When I reached the water, I quickly made it to the other side and placed myself high on a rock in an over watch position so I could get a good look at what I figured was following me down the trail. After a minute or two, a young bear walked out onto the riverbank following the trail I had just taken. He walked out into the middle of the river, stood up on his hind legs, and started looking for me. We made eye contact…I yelled at him and clapped my hands together hoping I could convince him to not follow me anymore. If you know bears, they are either ambivalent or scared… curious is not a good sign. My new bear friend did not run. He just walked across the river and
onto the steep bank where he disappeared into the underbrush. I quickly crossed back over the river to keep the water between us. I then retraced my steps back up the steep trail where I found myself standing beside my truck much quicker than I intended. It was kind of exciting. I’ve had plenty of bear encounters, but never one where the bear actually followed me. It was also sobering to realize that a bear had actually followed me. After some reflection, it seems more logical that the bear and I ended up on a trail at the exact same time going in the same direction and he was just trying to
Photo courtesy TripAdvisor.com
keep his distance from me. Which would strengthen the ambivalent bear theory… I hope that is what happened. Anyway you shake it, the Great Spirit allowed me to have an adventure that day. I have to admit something. There is a part of this story that is untrue…I don’t have a calendar.
Joe Woody is Co-Publisher of The Angler Magazine WNC with his wife Debra. He is an Army Veteran and a self proclaimed “Adventure Angler”. You can usually find him wandering around Western North Carolina telling fishing lies. He is also a baseball nut and a crazy FCS Football fan. He has a Bigfoot magnet on the back of his truck.
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Watauga Riverkeeper
T
he Watauga Riverkeeper is the key protector and watchdog of the Watauga River Basin in Western North Carolina. MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper endeavors to monitor and protect the quality of our region’s waterways through dedicated volunteers and engagement with Watauga and Avery county communities and local and state government. The riverkeeper wants all High Country residents and visitors to enjoy clean waterways free of sediment pollution and supporting a thriving mountain ecosystem. The Watauga Riverkeeper carries out the following programs and initiatives to protect the Watauga and Elk Rivers: VWIN Water Quality Monitoring Program where volunteers take 65 water samples
34 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
monthly from 13 sites located throughout the Watauga River watershed to ensure that our waterways are clean and healthy. Recreation/Access: The Watauga Riverkeeper works with local individuals and groups to improve access to fishing and recreational opportunities on the Watauga River. Stormwater management will occur through the Muddy Water Watch program. Trainings will start this fall for Muddy Water Watch, a citizen-led initiative to Andy Hill is MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper, protecting and reduce the amount of sediment advocating for the Watauga River Basin. Andy has a passion for clean, cold, fishable, drinkable, swimmable water. As a long time fly polluting our waterways. fisherman, educator and guide, Andy is intimately familiar with our SMIE Biomonitoring Prowatershed from headwaters to the tailwater and is passionate about gram through which the Watauprotecting the places we love. ga Riverkeeper will be leading workshops and trainings so that citizen scientists can help de- indicators of river health. as a resource and point of contact termine the presence of certain Patroling the watershed for for the public on issues related to aquatic insects, which are great polluting activities and serving the Watauga River.
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Fish Springs Marina is your gateway to fun on the water! Watauga Lake is the perfect family-oriented destination for boating, fishing, camping or sightseeing excursions. Fish Springs Marina is the oldest continuously operating marina on beautiful Watauga Lake, having been in the White family for three generations. Fish Springs Marina Store We carry all goodies for all your boating needs! Our marina store has all the essentials for lake activities, including a huge selection of boating supplies, bait and tackle, inner tubes and water toys & more.
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Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Ashe County
A
she County’s abundant trout waters may get most of the attention from area anglers; however, the county’s smallmouth bass rivers should not be overlooked! Pound for pound, smallmouth bass (aka bronze
38 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By Ben Lucas
backs, brown bass, smallies) are arguably the hardest fighting freshwater fish in North America. Ashe County is fortunate to have miles of fantastic smallmouth bass water with abundant populations of the fish. The New River
AUGUST 2018
is known, among smallmouth enthusiasts, as being one of the best rivers in the country. This unique ancient river system starts as two forks, the North and South Fork, which flow in a northerly direction through Ashe County and converge at the Ashe and Alleghany County line near Virginia. At that point, the New River doubles in size and continues its journey into Virginia, then West Virginia, eventually forming the Kanawha River where the New and Gauley rivers converge. The Kanawha flows into the Ohio, then the Mississippi and ultimately empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Both the South and North Forks have good numbers of smallmouth and as you continue downstream, anglers will notice increased quality (size) of these awesome fish as well. Bigger water=more habitat=more forage=bigger fish! Both forks of the river are easy to float in a canoe or kayak, with more outfitters and public boat launches (i.e., New River State Park) being located on the South Fork. Numerous public roads parallel certain sections of the river and offer wade fishing access. Remember, always wear your personal floatation device and respect private property! Smallmouth can be caught every month of the year but are primarily targeted in the warmer months. Starting in late winter, smallmouth enter their prespawn stage and fish begin migrating from deeper wintering holes to-
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wards their spawning grounds. They also start feeding heavily this time of year. Conventional spinning anglers should try natural colored tube jigs, rigged weedless and fished slowly on the bottom. Tube jigs are dynamite this time of year as they mimic a slowly moving crawfish, a staple in the smallmouth diet. Other great lures this time of year include jerk baits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Remember, the colder the water, the slower your presentation needs to be. Fly anglers should try crawfish patterns fished slow on the bottom with a sink tip line or split shot to get the fly down. Smallmouth will be active leading up to the spawn, often slowing down during the spawn and then firing back up
during the post spawn period. Not all fish spawn at the same time so, although some fish may be sluggish after the spawn, there’s still plenty of hungry fish to be caught. During the summer, a wide variety of lures entice smallmouth with topwater lures being the most entertaining. Buzzbaits, Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and Whopper Ploppers work great. Long rodders can’t go wrong with popping bugs, especially if there’s a good cicada hatch late in the summer. Soft plastic stick baits, wacky rigged or Texas rigged with a 1/8 oz tungsten bullet head weight, do the trick. Nose hooked soft plastic jerkbaits and 3” Zoom grubs on an 1/8 oz jig head also work great this time of year. Minnow imitating streamers and crawfish patterns are great choices for fly anglers. Smallmouth remain active through the fall and then start to slow down as water temps drop into the 30s and
50s, at which point anglers should focus on wintertime patterns. For more information or to book a guided smallmouth fishing trip, contact Ben Lucas at 540-520-9629 or visit www.RockOnCharters.net.
Ben Lucas is a river smallmouth and musky addict that lives in Ashe County and guides trips for Rock on Charters LLC. Rock on Charters specializes in float trips for smallmouth, musky and walleye on the New and James rivers in the NC High Country and SW VA. Ben is also on staff with Blue Ridge Conservancy.
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Boondocks Brewing’s New Brew Haus
oondocks Brewing’s new Brew Haus opened in the fall of 2014 at 302 S. Jefferson Ave, West Jefferson, NC 27804. The Brew Haus is just a short block up the street from Boondocks Brewing’s Tap Room & Restaurant . The Brew Haus has a full kitchen, a service bar that can accommodate 20 craft beers on tap, and a 30 foot viewing bar. We have space available to customize seating and serving on both the lower level and our unique second level that overlooks the main level. The Brew Haus will only be utilized for special events and private parties. The Tap Room & Restaurant will continue to serve as our main dining facility and will also provide catering services for events held at the Brew Haus. Since opening the Tap Room & Restaurant on August 1, 2012, requests to hold private parties, fund raisers, special events, and large Community gatherings at the
restaurant has increased to a level that it is just not feasible to schedule them at the restaurant in the future. We also found that there was a real need in Ashe County for an affordable and engaging venue for these types of special events. Demand for Boondocks Brewed Craft Beer has also increased to the point that a larger facility was needed in order to expand brewery operations. In April 2014, the owners of Boondocks Brewing purchased the building that has been the home of
Geno’s Restaurant since the mid 1970s. Between May and September 2014 the building was totally renovated and transformed into Boondocks Brewing’s Brew Haus. We opened the doors on August 15th, 2014 to the Community for a “sneak peek” and were overwhelmed by the positive response that we received. We are currently on schedule to install a new 10 Barrel (300 gallon) brewery in the Brew Haus before the Summer of 2015. Once the Brewery is operational, we will open the tasting bar on a regular basis and will offer
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AUGUST 2018
Brewery tours when they do not conflict with scheduled events. We have a lot of plans for future improvements to the Brew Haus which includes Brewery Tours, Cooking Classes, Wine & Beer Pairing Dinners, Concerts. We also hope to have a roof-top viewing deck by 2016 so that folks can enjoy the awesome view from the top of the tallest building in West Jefferson. We look forward to serving you at the Brew Haus as well as at the Tap Room & Restaurant.
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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA
“Dog Days of Summer”
F
un in the sun, the mountain rivers, and many days of afternoon thunderstorms, seems to be the trend as the “Dog Days of Summer” have reached us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop. Great amounts of water in the rivers means the trout have plenty of water to seek thermal refuge in the river bottoms, from the summertime heat. Now, if Mother Nature will be kind to us for August and the beginning of September, without sending high heat and no rain, the trout fishing will continue to be
44 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By Karl Ekberg
good and the outlook for the fall will be excellent. For those who like getting up early and being on the water at daybreak, many trout are being caught, and the opportunities are great at landing numerous other fish. As the temperatures rise, move nymphing in the deeper runs of the rivers. The rivers are loaded with a large amount of small nymphs. While fishing, take a minute to turn some rocks over to find these and do not hesitate to tie on a nymph resembling these, trailing behind a larger heavy fly to get deep in the water columns. Don’t hesitate to pinch a small piece of split shot on your line to get deeper, if you are not catching. As the sun creeps over the treetops and ridges of the mountains, start moving your position
AUGUST 2018
on the river towards the shaded areas and deeper runs against the banks with brush cover. If the trout are being a little tough to catch, Bass and Panfish can still make for a great day on the river. Lower sections of the river are fishing well now; top water and streamers seeming to be the big hit for a successful day. Wet wading is an enjoyable way to beat the heat of summer. A small pack, plenty of fluids (to keep you hydrated), a small fly box, a good pair of polarized sun glasses, exploring waters you might not normally fish… what a way to spend a summer day, and did we mention, catching fish on a fly rod? As river levels have been a little bit higher than normal, do not be surprised by
catching a few trout in these lower sections of the river. While out on your day of fishing, expect afternoon thunderstorms, and the river level to rise slightly. Although it may not be raining where you are fishing, the river level may start to rise as rain may come over the river upstream, so keep an eye on the water level around you. Let’s all pray for a little cooler weather and some rains to keep the rivers cooler and the water levels up. We look forward to a great fall season, as the temperatures start to fall off from the summer heat. We also look forward to seeing everyone out on the rivers around us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop.
Karl Ekberg is the owner of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832A Highlands Hwy, in Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 or look them up on the web at chattoogariverflyshop.com.
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By CAM Staff • Photo by Jessica Merz/flickr
A
ugust heat can put a damper on North Carolina’s inshore fisheries. The shallows are too warm. Redfish, trout and flounder seem to have vacated the marshes for more comfortable en-
virons. The good news for anglers is there’s still plenty of action to be found in the surf. Get out early in the morning or show up late in the evening, and you’ll not only find the best feeding activity, you’ll also see fewer beachgoers as you enjoy the coolest hours of the day. It’s still a little early for the spottails to show up in numbers along
By Billy Darby
F
ishing is not an exact science. So why is it that the same elite anglers show up near the top of the weigh-in board at every tournament? Whether the tournament is for bass, crappie or walleye, these same characters are always dominant. Even in local club competition or amateur trails, the same names loom above others. Can they throw a lure farther or do they apply a certain hocus-pocus magic potion to the lure every cast? Does Mother Nature smile on these same individuals and give them an uncanny inherent advantage? My bet would be that it is not always the fanciest-attired dude or the guy with the fastest boat that is the most successful. The smartest anglers are the ones who rise to the top. And even if you don’t fish tournaments, you can learn something from these scholars of the sport.
the beaches. One might encounter them, but reds in the surf is more of a fall bite. Right now, pompano are the main event, and one might also hook up with a few tasty little whiting, which are present on the beaches year-round. It’s pretty convenient that the same rigs and bait are effective for either species. It’s simple fishing with limited gear requirements. And don’t expect to catch any monsters. Surf fishing in August is more of a numbers game. If you hit it right and find them feeding, it’ll be no time before you’re headed back to the kitchen with a cooler full of tasty little fillets. Pompano start showing up around June, when water temps climb into the 60s. They do not arrive in great numbers until water temperatures are at their hottest in August and September. Then, like throwing a light switch, they will be gone with the first cold front of fall. A standard two-hook bottom rig, with light-wire No. 2 to No. 4 hooks, baited with small pieces of fresh shrimp or whole sand fleas will suffice. Use just enough weight to keep it from rolling in the surf. Some people prefer the traditional pyramid sinker, while others go with a flat pancake-style weight that allows them to move the rig along the bottom. This can be fished with a lightweight spinning outfit and 8-pound-test line. With such a simple setup, the most critical skill to catching pompano is the ability to read the surf. The best days will offer up light surf and clear water. Pompano will hang out and feed in the sloughs, and they’ll also move up onto the bars to feed. Cast to the drops on either edge of a sandbar. Fish any break in the bar, or drop baits just on the edge of the deeper water where the waves break. Finding the right beach with these kinds of structure within casting range is as important as anything else. For first-timers, reading the surf will be the most difficult aspect of this type of fishing, but with a little practice catching pompano becomes an easy and relaxing endeavor. And the rewards are second to none. Pomps offer some of the most buttery, tasty white fillets in the ocean. Careful study of forecasted weather condition, the rise and fall of barometric pressures and wind speed and direction all play into a game plan for a day of fishing. Projected lake levels, rain and amount of rainfall, fresh water, mud lines, safety factors, time of year, water temperatures… the list goes on, but a smart angler considers each and every variable and studies their effects on the fish. Applying all these factors, along with an ample amount of good common sense, into an indelible memory of past experiences is crucial. The best anglers also have complete knowledge of their electronic equipment. The ability to utilize all available tools properly provides a leg up. Careful study of charts and maps during pre-tournament days and weeks also adds to the confidence level necessary for combat, yes combat. Competitors in any sport must have a certain tenacity coupled with mental and physical preparedness as well as God-given physical abilities and talent to be champions. Although the normal every-day angler might not need or desire the competitive drive of the top pros, knowledge and competence make catching fish easier. I am reminded of many years ago when it was acceptable for the pros to attain information from locals within a certain time window of an upcoming tournament. A top pro, “no names please,” was using me for lake orientation. I told him about a school of bass I had found using an underwater camera, but could not get them to hit anything I tried. Upon arriving at this spot, he analyzed the situation and requested the front seat while rapidly tying on a drop-shot rig. His expertise had me spellbound as he boated several nice fish. The tournament was several weeks away, and he did not return to this same spot, but I learned a very beneficial new technique. All of us can learn from the success of others by paying close attention to why others are winning, while we are relying on plain old luck. Billy Darby is a retired professional guide on Lake Eufaula. He can be reached at imfishing4u@windstream.net or 229-768-2369.
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Bassmaster Ranks Rayburn The Best Bass Lake In The Country B.A.S.S. Photo
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fter three years hovering in the Top 5 of Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, Texas’ Sam Rayburn Reservoir finally took the crown as the best bass lake in the nation for 2018. Consistent production of heavy five-fish tournament limits and the potential for giant bass made this 114,500-acre reservoir northeast of Houston tops in the country this year. Rayburn started showing out in 2015, when it climbed to fifth in the rankings. In 2016 it jumped to fourth. And last year, Rayburn was the bridesmaid, sitting in second place. But, Rayburn is a bridesmaid no more, and for the first time captures the title. “Although there were some pretty spectacular numbers being produced from other lakes this year, Rayburn was a clear No. 1,” said James Hall, editor of Bassmaster Magazine. “While some lakes were boasting of a single 30-pound, five-bass limit being caught, Rayburn was spitting them out in rapid succession. And to top it off, a 40.28-pound limit was recorded in June.”
Countless limits of solid fish aren’t the only thing special about this lake. “When it comes to double-digit bass, Rayburn also seems to top the list this year,” Hall continued. “Three 10-pounders were weighed in during a one-day February derby. Plus, a 12.05 and a 13.06 were landed here in March. The lake is simply on fire right now.” The process to create the rankings takes about three months to complete. Data is received from state fisheries agencies across the U.S. This is coupled with catch data collected from dozens of tournament organizations from the past 12 months. After the numbers are crunched, a panel from the bass fishing industry debates the strength of the lakes to settle on the final rankings. The rankings identify the Top 10 lakes in the nation regardless of location, as well as the Top 25 lakes in four geographical divisions. “By dividing the Top 100 into four regions, anglers have perspective on fisheries nearby,” Hall explained. Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake, which took the No. 2 slot this year, made a strong argument for No. 1, as it also produced 40-plus-pound limits this spring, two of them exceeding 42 pounds. Although this 36,240-acre fishery hasn’t produced quite as many big fish as Rayburn, there were two bass over 10 pounds recorded since February. The biggest weighed 11.21 pounds. California’s Clear Lake landed the No. 3 position on the strength of its production of big largemouth. Michigan’s Lake St. Clair climbed from ninth last year to the fourth in 2018, while Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake (last years’ No. 1 fishery) fell to No. 5. The remainder of the nation’s Top 10 are: sixth, Santee Cooper lakes (Marion/Moultrie), South Carolina; seventh, Diamond Valley Lake, California.; eighth, Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), New York; ninth, Lake Guntersville, Alabama; 10th, Falcon Lake, Texas. When it comes to bragging rights for the state with the most lakes to make the Top 100 list, Texas wins with 12. California boasts eight fisheries within the rankings, while Florida has the third most with seven. Complete rankings can be found in Bassmaster.com photo galleries.
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BEAT THE HEAT WITH NIGHT FISHING
BRANDON LESTER he dog days have arrived, and the lake is crowded with recreational boat traffic. The best fishing to be had during summer is after the sun goes
T
down. Around my home in Tennessee, most all of our club-level tournaments go to nighttime hours this time of year. Let’s talk about why the nighttime bite is so good, what to look for and baits that work well at night. First and foremost, if you’ve never spent a night out cruising your local lake, I think you’ll find it is the most quiet and peaceful fishing you will ever do. It’s like the whole world is asleep, and you have free rein of the lake. Baitfish often become more active at night, and the water cools just enough to get fish to come to the shallows and feed. Bass are a lot like us in that 100-degree temperatures make them want to find somewhere cool to just hang out. Their feeding windows become shorter this time of year, and mostly occur after dark. When looking for night fishing hotspots, think high percentage areas where you know bass live and feed. Keep in mind that they can’t see as well at night, so they must rely on their lateral lines to find food. Start at lighted boat docks, boat ramps, brushpiles
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Fish for Hungry Trout at Hunger Games Site in Western North Carolina
D
uPont State Recreational Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, provides not only a scenic setting for trout fishing, but also a unique one. The delayed harvest waters of Little River flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those same waters were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie. Movie buffs who wet a line on Little River in the DuPont Forest will no doubt recognize Triple Falls, which played a prominent role in multiple scenes in the movie. But there is good news for anglers: spending time on this stretch of Little River does not involve the life or death struggle it did in Hunger Games. Everyone is expected to come out alive. Many anglers also come out happy as this 1.8-mile stretch of Little River is stocked annually with a combination of 7,750 brook, rainbow and brown trout. North Carolina Wildlife regulations require a valid fishing license and the delayed harvest designation means it is single-hook artificial lures only with no harvesting of fish from Oct. 1 through the
first Friday in June. Starting the first Saturday in June and continuing through Sept. 30, there are no bait restrictions and a creel limit of seven trout per day with no minimum length on trout harvested. Because DuPont is a state recreational forest, there is ample parking in both the Hooker Falls Access Area and the High Falls Access Areas, with wide, easy-to-navigate trails to many of the key fishing spots. One downside to fishing this stretch of Little River is the popularity of the trails and waterfalls with those who do not fish. Expect plenty of hikers and sightseers, especially on nice weekends. And when the fishing is done, Hendersonville provides plenty of options for outdoor exploring, listening to live music, sipping craft beverages and enjoying great meals. The town’s main street has a serpentine shape surrounded by pedestrian-friendly sidewalks punctuated by planting beds, park benches and outdoor dining. The abundance of orchards makes Henderson County an ideal location for hard cider fans. Three cideries offer tasting rooms: Flat Rock Ciderworks on Main Street, Bold Rock Hard Cider in Mills River and Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders in a 1940s-era barn-turned-cidery. Another craft beverage experience is the East Coast location of Sierra Nevada Brewery, considered the Taj Mahal of craft breweries in the eastern U.S.
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“ Rainy Season ” Action Rages Out Of Playa Garza, Costa Rica By Craig Sutton
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he five-boat FishingNosara team logged 78 trips last month, and I’m stoked to announce that the marlin are here in northern Costa Rica, as our “second high season” is in full effect. The 32-foot Harvester led the charge for our Playa Garza-based fleet, with Capt. Alex going on a crazy run of marlin and sailfish releases over four days between June 9 and June 12. Jeff Broome scored the fish of a lifetime with Capt. Alex on June 10 with a black marlin weighing well over 450 pounds. The next day, Broome posted the trip of the year, to date. First off was a true double sailfish release. After the safe release of both fish, they added a third sailfish for good measure. Another monster came calling, as the Harvester reported another massive marlin release, the second
in two days. It was amazing work by Capt. Alex, Mate Wilson, and this group of Florida anglers. Here’s what Broome had to say: “Just wanted to say an enthusiastic THANK YOU for the incredible trip we had thanks to your team. In three days, we got three Marlin—two blues and a massive black—three sailfish, a huge dorado and a good deal more tuna and mahi! “Thanks to Capt. Alex and his hard-working deckhand Wilson, I was able to cross marlin off my bucket list of fish to catch. Definitely a dream for me, and I know I speak for all the guys in our group that it was definitely the fishing trip of a lifetime! “You could tell how passionate Alex was about fishing. His favorite thing to say after we brought in a catch was, ‘Let’s get another one!’” “Pura Vida!”-Jeff Broome The next day, Capt. Alex and FishingNosara Hall of Famer Chuck Harris scored another marlin release. That’s four monsters in four days. It was a truly legendary run for the Harvester. Meanwhile, Lila Weirich brought a big group of folks from Texas down in early June, so many that they need both the 32-foot Wanderer and Discoverer to hold them all. In addition to having a big time all week, these Lone Star anglers scored some fillets big as Texas. Monster mahi-mahi were abundant, and meaty yellowfin tunas added variety to the fillet bag With all the other fishing operations in Costa Rica on the hill for the summer, we have attracted adventurous anglers from all over the Pacific Coast, as well. Scott Burke drove in three hours from Tamarindo at 3 a.m., fished a full day, and went back the same day. The odyssey proved worthwhile, as the group reported three great sailfish releases. Shea Ralph is another journeyman angler who came from Jaco to Nosara, covering 140 miles on land in order to reach Costa Rica’s closest bluewater. They hooked up multiple sailfish and proved once again that the fish eat every day, even during the so-called “rainy season.”
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Teen Breaks Wyoming Green Sunfish Record
“J
Photo courtesy of Wyoming Game & Fish
ust one more cast, please,” Chris Castleman, 14, pleaded several times the evening of June 7. On the very last of the “just one more” casts, Chris hooked a new Wyoming state record green sunfish on a worm and bobber. He and his dad, Allen, knew the fish was much bigger than the panfish they’d been catching that evening at Bryan Stock Trail Pond in Casper. The next morning, the fish weighed 1-pound, 4-ounces on certified scales. It measured 12.25 inches long with an 11-inch girth. It was officially identified as a green sunfish by Fisheries Supervisor Matt Hahn, the state record form was filled out and a new record was on the books. The fish resoundingly beat the former state record caught at the Lovell Ponds in July 2010 by nearly 6 ounces. The world record weighed 2 pound, 2 ounces and was caught in Stockton Lake near Springfield, Missouri in June 1971. “This was a one in a thousand, maybe even one in 10,000 fish,” Hahn said about the frequency of a fish this size in the Wyoming green sunfish population. The green sunfish is native to middle America from the Great Lakes to Texas and as far west as Nebraska. It was introduced to Wyoming primarily as forage for bass, but also because it generally cooperates with warm-water anglers.
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$
COMPARE TO
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*
NOW
$1 69 SAVE $19999 100
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 12/1/18.
SUPER COUPON
99
99
COMPARE TO
ITEM 62728/62583 47770/62570 shown
NOW
NOW
20% OFF ANY SINGLE ITEM*
SUPER COUPON
21 GALLON, 2.5 HP, 125 PSI VERTICAL OIL-LUBE 10 FT. x 17 FT. PORTABLE GARAGE AIR COMPRESSOR Customer Rating Customer Rating
797
MODEL: 20210003
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 12/1/18 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
ANY PURCHASE
SUPER COUPON
AUGUST 2018
FRESHWATER
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7/2/18 9:15 1:46 AM PM 7/18/18
For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboard on approved credit.*
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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