CHATTOOGA RIVER

ceive plenty of rain to keep water table levels up, as warmer temperatures are on the horizon.

Now with the winter season behind us, warmer, longer daylight days are ahead. Many days of dry fly fishing have blessed the South Carolina waters through March. Excellent cool evenings, and warm days have made early Spring fishing a delight throughout the Chattooga and Chauga rivers. Great rain has also blessed the river valleys, with rain, coming in every four to five days bringing water levels up and then subsiding to wadable levels within a day or two of the storms passing. The hatcheries from both Georgia and South Carolina have been stocking trout throughout the Delayed Harvest and other sections of the rivers with great abundance this Spring. The April outlook, for the weather, looks to have a continued wet/rainy month with about average temperatures in the mid-sixties. This time of year is crucial that we still re-

A “dry-dropper” rig is a favorite of our guides, during their guided trips with clients, this time of year. Excellent numbers of fish are being caught using this technique as this is an easy set up for everyone to use. Simply select a large highly buoyant dry fly, consisting of a highly visible wing (top of the fly), and preferably a foam body. From the hook of this fly, tie on a piece of tippet, of 4X-6X diameter, of eighteen to twenty-four inches. To the end of this tippet will be tied a smaller nymph or emerger of the hatches which are occurring on the rivers at the time of fishing. The dry fly has several purposes in the entire presentation of the flies which are being fished. First, the large dry acts as an “indicator” for strikes from the trout on the trailer/dropper fly. Secondly, and as of possibly more importance, shows if the flies are drifting drag free throughout our entire drift/presentation of the flies. Having the leader and fly line upstream above the dry fly is crucial for the drift with little to no-fly line on the water. After the cast of the dry-dropper rig, a mend or two of the leader, fly line, and an easy rod lift is necessary to accomplish the dead drift, which is critical. If fish are coming to the surface and refusing to eat the presentation of the fly, try a couple of the following things, downsize the fly by one size, try the next size down of tippet, change color, lastly the position of the cast for a slightly different drift. If the dry flies are not working, try emergers or heavy tandem nymph rigs on the Euro side which will still produce many fish throughout the day. A day or two following a heavy storm with lower water clarity, heavier flows, and elevated water heights, heavy steamers are a great idea with a weighted leader. The streamer side of things will be a great choice especially with the emergence of many small baitfish out as the waters warm again.

As the weather warms, trees, bushes, and wildflowers are in bloom throughout the river corridors, which brings out many folks. With the added foot traffic, there also seems to be added litter along riversides, and parking areas. Please let’s all remember to “Leave No Trace”, while we enjoy the outdoors.

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

Last month, I met with a good friend, Izet. He is a good fly fisherman. Although we had not seen each other for quite a while, it was like we never skipped a beat. Other than catching up on the family talk, we were back in the groove, fly fishing on the Etowah River and working the fly rod to make any type presentation that might produce a big trout. Something struck me about our conversation. He said he gets the Angler Magazine each month to see what type of casting info he can get in The Casting Corner. That made me feel great. Then he said, it was often rather technical, and it would take a few reads to put it in the memory bank for the next practice or fishing trip. I like to give a tip or trick in each article, and I will in a moment. But first I would like to share the best place to gather fly casting and fishing information.

Fly Fishers International (FFI) is ‘The’ source for all fly-fishing information. If you want to dig into a fly subject, they have it. Joining is recommended, and they have discounted rates seemingly for everyone but me. If you are going to start fly fishing, try to get a coach or mentor. That will improve your casting more than a fancy new rod. If you are going to join an organization, FFI is a good one.

Okay, here are a few tips for distance casting. First, say to your friends, ‘Hold my beer, watch this.’ Then strip off the amount of line you are going to cast. Stretch the line between your hands to get the coils out. I’m assuming you have cleaned your line (You do clean your line, don’t you?) Then make a clearing cast. (Let them know it is a warmup cast.) When you strip the line back in, put it in big, hula hoop size coils on the ground out in front of you. That way the line will shoot out from the top of the stack.

Now that you are ready for the cannon shot, remember to make good loops on the front and back, and be sure to double haul....

If you are not sure how to double haul...Visit the Fly Fishers International website or reach out for a coaching session.