CHATTOOGA RIVER

Springtime arriving in the mountains of South Carolina brings a wilderness song of rejoices throughout the forest creatures. The warmer wisps of southern breezes start to whisk away the colder morning air, and the sun starts to peak over the mountain tops a little sooner each morning, and settle down over the western sky a touch later every evening. As these warmer breezes raise the temperatures with ease each day, brings the subtle warming of the mountain creeks, streams, and rivers. The winter grip is not always willing to let go to spring each year, as we have seen an occasional snowfall accumulation, although this is a rarity rather than a normal occurrence, and as for this year, no snow has fallen, at the time of writing this article. As far as winters go, this winter has been quite warm and blessed with plenty of precipitation to keep all the waterways in great shape for fishing. The long-term outlook has the temperatures a bit warmer than normal and with slightly above average rain amounts.

As the warmer spring weather graces the mountains from the drab color of winter, the waterways start to awaken with the emergence of bug life in the hatches of many midge, mayfly, caddis, and stonefly. Hatches for mayflies occur after the nymph has reached maturity, and the bug breaks out of the nymphal shuck and emerges to the top of the water, where the fly awaits for its wings to dry, so it can fly off the water. At the start of the day of fishing using the nymph and a soft-hackle pattern for an emerger, of each colored and size appropriate mayfly will be essential. Great hatch days start with the weather temperatures starting in a range of the thirties to forties, and then warming to the highs being anywhere from the fifties and upward. Sunlight beam- ing down will enhance the hatches to come to life on the river. Take time to stand on a high enough point riverside, by a calm pool (polarized sunglasses are a must) and watch the fish start to react as the bugs start their emergence to the surface. Observe also the subtle and acrobatic eating habits of the trout as the bugs helplessly slide down the river awaiting take-off.

Caddis fly emergers are also of great importance at this time of year. Fishing on the swing technique will aid in catching fish eating these emergers. Watch the water as double winged bugs start to skitter along the river surface and trout swipe to eat them. Having a dry caddis on at this time with a dead drift and as the fly quarters down stream slowly lift the rod so the fly will gently bounce across the top of the water will entice even wary trout.

The exact size and color of flies is important, and we take care of making sure we are fully stocked on all hatches of the south here at Chattooga River Fly Shop. Guided trips are always a great outing, try our new three-quarter day trip with a great lunch provided by our inhouse chef. We hope to see everyone out on the water and let us all remember to bring out a little more than you walked in with and “Leave No Trace”

Contributed By: Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping

A friend told me about a husband and wife that were going fly fishing. As the wife got on the boat she said to her husband, “If I want any advice from you, I will ask for it.” At the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show last month, I was asking for it. I tried to get as many seminars and demos in as I could. There was a wealth of information and I figured, if there was at least one nugget, one style of teaching, or a bit of information that I could take away from it, then it was a success. Let me tell you... the show was a success.

Then while working at the Fly Fishers International booth as a casting instructor, I was able to take folks to a casting area and give tips, tricks, or lessons. I found that giving a pointer and just letting them work on it for a few minutes was

Meetup Organizer

key to them learning it. Explain and demo a concept and then let them feel it, practice it, get the muscle feeling and combine it in their brain. That seemed to help more than me constantly giving feedback as they cast. It takes time to learn something. For example, one of the instructors at the show taught me how to tie a perfection loop as a non-slip loop for a fly. I can tie a perfection loop with my eyes closed. But now adding a fly... that took practice. I went home and after practicing about 5 knots, I still suck at it. But I’m getting better each time I practice it. Maybe by next week, I will be able to do it well consistently.

My point is, fly casting, like anything else, takes some coaching and practice to get better. I thought I knew how to fly cast well until I met someone that took the time to explain what good casting was and how to do it. Then I practiced and practiced. Still do. It’s good to be left alone to practice something that’s new so you can focus on it. It’s also good to have someone with the knowledge, to watch and coach...then leave me alone.