The Angler Magazine | August 2019 | Great Smoky Mountains by Coastal Angler Magazine

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION

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NEARSHORE BONANZA

OUT OF PANAMA CITY

By Nick Carter

he rising sun revealed unaddressed devastation as Capt. Randy Cnota backed his 22-foot Pathfinder down the ramp at Tyndall Airforce Base. Less than a year after Hurricane Michael rocked the Florida Panhandle, we launched near the heart of the destruction. Just east of Panama City and a short drive from the catastrophe that unfolded at Mexico Beach, this slice of the Panhandle is a community doggedly enduring the slow process of rebuilding. The bright boards of new framing show progress in neighborhoods of single-story homes. Blue-tarped roofs, shredded metal buildings and acres of tall pines snapped like so many twigs are reminders of just how far there is to go. At the docks, bare wood pilings and concrete footings are left from what was a bustling little marina before the storm surge. But the fish don’t care. And with an eager 8-year-old angler perched on the leaning post, Capt. Randy pointed us toward the open Gulf of Mexico. This was early July, during the Gulf red snapper season, and Capt. Randy’s numbers would take us a few miles out to some hard-bottom that promised big snapper. But first we had to catch bait, which was plentiful in the form of Spanish sardines balled up around the markers just outside the pass from St. Andrews Bay. The 8-year-old would have spent all day catching sardines on a Sabiki rig, but shortly we left the other boats jockeying for position at the marker. We had our bait, and Capt. Randy now had an idea of how the boy would handle his first fishing trip on the open ocean. The kid emitted enthusiasm, and it’s a good thing we didn’t make a several hour run. The waiting would have driven him mad. Bigger boats out of Panama City can comfortably take anglers dozens of miles out to deeper water, quick limits and huge fish, but this nearshore trip was more our speed. Less than 10 miles from the coast, and even inside the 9-mile state waters, there are wrecks, reefs and hard bottom in the 100-foot depths that offer plentiful bottomfish as well as shots at some big pelagics. Within minutes at our first drop, the boy was hooked up with a big bonito, and Capt. Randy was steering with one hand, while holding the butt of the rod with the other. The kid had a death grip on the handle and cranked with all his might. “You’re gonna have to come over here and make sure this rod doesn’t get pulled out!” Randy barked at me with both hands full. But I couldn’t. On the other side of the boat, I was pumping and grunting on what turned out to be a stud red snapper. Somehow, both

fish made it onto the deck, and Randy went right back to work feeding out a freelined sardine from the stern. “Where there’s Bonnies, there’s kings,” he called the shot. Shortly thereafter, he handed me a rod with line ripping off the spool. I came up tight on a good king mackerel. It was one of three kingfish we had on that morning, but it was the only one that made it in the boat. Through the morning, the fish kept us continuously busy. We caught more red snapper than we could keep track of as well as gag and red grouper. Capt. Randy was great with the kid. Seeing the big bottom rigs were too much for an 8-year-old, Randy tied up a chicken rig on a lighter rod, showed the boy how to bait and fish it and then set him loose. Although the beeliners we were hoping for didn’t show up, the boy had a field day hauling snapper and triggerfish off the bottom. He was particularly proud of an FWC-tagged trigger he caught. “Part of the fun is you never know what you’re going to catch when you’re out here,” said Randy as he unhooked a 2-foot-long smoothback pufferfish. The whole time out, we kept eyes peeled for weeds and surface activity that might belie the presence of mahi-mahi or cobia. In the week before our trip, Randy managed to put clients on a sailfish and a big blackfin tuna. Although we didn’t encounter these species, we did watch in awe as two 10-foot tiger sharks circled uncomfortably close to the boat. We went home with a cooler full of fish. But more importantly, while those meaty chunks of snapper sizzled in hot oil, the boy regaled his grandparents with stories of the trip. His first time was an experience he will never forget. Snapper seasons may be over along the Gulf Coast, but if you find yourself hankering for a good fishing trip that’s fun and easy, consider hiring a captain out of the Panama City area. Capt. Randy said fall brings better opportunities for sailfish and tuna nearshore, and with his smaller boat, he is also well equipped to fish inshore. The fall redfish and trout bite can be off the charts. These hurricane-battered communities remain in recovery, but the fish, beaches and visitor ammenities are still there. Go spend some time at Panama City and eastward along The Forgotten Coast. You’ll be glad you did, because the fishing is pretty spectacular. Capt. Randy Cnota is co-publisher of the Panama City/Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine and owner of C-Note Charters. Check him out online at www.cnotecharters.com or call 229-834-7880.

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Urban Chrome In Grand Rapids, Michigan

Photo by Aaron Peterson Photography, LLC for Experience Grand Rapids

By Tom Werkman

hy do people feel the need to head to remote destinations a million miles from nowhere to fish? Some of the best fishing opportunities exist right under our noses, and many times they are very close to major metropolitan areas. The Grand River is just such a place. Michigan’s largest river runs through the heart of the state’s second largest city, Grand Rapids, and offers great fishing through its 252-mile run from rural headwaters in Hillsdale County down to Lake Michigan. Downtown Grand Rapids: Home to more than 37 craft breweries, Grand Rapids is Beer City. But there is another side of Grand Rapids that few know about. It offers the

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lure of big-river fishing in an urban environment. The river through downtown Grand Rapids offers the angler a unique opportunity to fish for steelhead in swift rapids beneath the city’s skyscrapers. On an early leg of their run up out of Lake Michigan, these fish are strong and as hot as they come. From October through December and again during March and April, droves of steelhead run through downtown as they migrate through and hold up in the rapids. Some of the best steelhead fishing lies between Sixth Street Dam and the Fulton Street Bridge. It’s not uncommon to see people wading the river, fishing from the banks or in boats landing these chrome bullets. When fishing here, the angler can expect to only move a few times to get on fish. Once you have your spot, you don’t want to move very much as it can be crowded at times. If you’re not on a fish right away, be patient. These fish get backed up at the dam and constantly move around in search of the fish ladder to pass through and continue their migration up the river. Lowell To Ada Section: Just minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, a roughly 10-mile stretch of the Grand River between the towns of Lowell and Ada offers fishing that is a little more secluded. From late spring through early fall, this section offers smallmouth bass and northern pike. There is little public access here, and the angler can expect solitude and no-pressure fishing in a remote river setting just outside Grand Rapids. A typical trip involves floating in a drift boat or jet boat from Lowell to Ada, covering a lot of water while casting to the banks, river timber and rocks. Bald eagles, osprey, blue heron and deer are common sights on this piece of river. Rarely will the angler lay eyes on another boat or fisherman. On the Grand River, one can enjoy spectacular fishing and then enjoy a cold beer and everything else the city has to offer. Tom Werkman, and his son Max, are owner/guides at Werkman Outfitters, a guide service on the Grand River in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan. Contact them at tom@werkmanoutfitters.com or check them out at werkmanoutfitters.com.

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FISH & FISHING

FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS MARK SOSIN

t may seem logical, but it’s not always right. My favorite example is George Westinghouse, the man who invented the air brake for oversized vehicles. Researchers relied on logical thinking and experimented continuously on using air to apply the brake. It didn’t work. Westinghouse took an opposite approach and used the air to hold the brake off the drum until the driver stepped on the brake pedal and released the air. The common approach to understanding fish behavior lies in applying human values with the assumption that a fish’s brain has the capacity to reason. Just because a particular lure looks good to us does not mean it’s a fish’s favorite, too. Few of us can boast even the slightest knowledge of the release that triggers a fish into striking or simply passing up an offering. And, we probably wouldn’t recognize it if we saw it. Repeated observations hold the key to helping us focus our efforts on techniques that have worked in the past. As an example, fish have an amazing alertness to movement. It can cause them to flee a situation or take advantage of it and feed. The same applies to underwater sound. Low frequency vibrations such as those that indicate a fish is in distress usually cause predators to investigate with the hope of finding food. The more natural a bait or lure appears to a fish, the greater the chance a strike will occur. When you can see your quarry

and observe hesitation of any type, assume that something in your offering appears unnatural. Fish may be curious, but they are seldom in the habit of wasting energy to pursue something needlessly. Many species have the ability to measure energy expended in chasing food against the value received. Because fish are creatures of habit, they tend to do the same things over and over. That’s why captains and guides boast the ability to find fish. The quarry may hold in one spot with uncanny precision day after day, month after month, and year after year. If that fish is caught or leaves for any reason, another will take its place. Those fish that work a tide follow the same pattern daily. Even offshore skippers understand reliable patterns that fish follow and troll the waters where their quarry should be. For some unknown reason, fish tend to hold at the same depth over a wide area. If another angler can tell you the depth where he found fish, you don’t need to know the precise spot. Keep in mind that water temperature can play a role. Each species has its upper and lower limits. As water temperature drops, fish tend to swim slower and chase an offering for shorter distances. Figuring out what motivates a fish to strike a bait or lure becomes a continuous challenge for leading anglers as well as the scientific community. The important thing to remember is that fish do not think like humans. Their basic approach is simple, yet it is not always easy to detect. The more you observe fish behavior and understand that it follows patterns and procedures established a long time ago, the more successful you are going to be.

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t first glance, Alphonso Jackson’s 2-pound, 1-ounce redbreast sunfish might not seem all that impressive. But when you consider the size of your average redbreast, this thing is a monster. Jackson was fishing the Lumber River in central North Carolina’s Scotland County on June 10 when he caught the fish on a cricket. It bested a 36-yearold North Carolina state record for the species by 5 ounces. The previous record, caught in 1983 by Ronald Stanley in Big Swamp in Bladen County, N.C. weighed 1 pound, 12 ounces. Jackson’s fish also outweighs the world record. The current IGFA all-tackle world record for the species has stood at 1-pound, 12-ounces since 1984. That fish came from Florida’s Suwannee River. Wikipedia claims the heaviest redbreast on record weighed 2.3 pounds (2 pounds, 4.8 ounces), but there’s no information as to where that weight came from or whether it was angler-caught. So, if Jackson bothers to complete all the paperwork properly, he would definitely be the new IGFA record holder. Jackson, 43, is an avid fisherman, a passion he attributes to his father Johnny Jacobs who taught him how to fish when he was a boy, and one that he has passed on to his children, ages 23, 18 and 17. They were with him the day he caught the massive readbreast. “We started fishing in a pond but weren’t having any luck, so I said to my kids, ‘Let’s go back to where I learned how to fish.’ And this is what we caught,” Jackson said. “I’d like to thank my daddy for teaching me how to catch fish and where to catch fish.” COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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TIPS FROM A PRO

READ GRASS MATS FOR BIG BASS

BRANDON LESTER

ate summer and early fall absolutely scream for a frog. With big bass holed up in thick vegetation, working a frog across grass mats can lead to some of the most explosive strikes in fishing. I always look forward to the frog pattern setting up around this time of year. This year should be especially sweet because of the reemergence of Alabama’s Lake Guntersville as one of the best bass fisheries in the nation. This Tennessee River impoundment is frog fishing heaven. Over the last decade the Guntersville bass fishery saw a bit of a decline. But the “Big G” has come back in a big way. Bassmaster ranked Guntersville the No. 2 fishery in the nation in this year’s “100 Best Bass Lakes” listings. It is fishing lights-out, with five-fish tournament sacks regularly approaching and surpassing 30 pounds. I just came off a top-10 finish in the June Elite Series event on Guntersville. Some fish came off frogs, but the best patterns I found were deep cranking and worms. You can bet the frog bite will ramp up soon, though. No matter where you fish, the key to topwater frog fishing is reading the grass. To really dial in a pattern, you need to observe what’s happening on the lake. At Guntersville, the two prominent grass types are hydrilla and milfoil. There are other types, but these are the two you will encounter

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most often. From the time the grass first tops out in the summer until the first frost of the fall, I will concentrate on milfoil. Milfoil creates a great canopy and is hollow underneath, so the bass can get through it to get to your frog. When the hydrilla is still green, it is so thick that a bass has trouble seeing your frog on top of the mat. With that said, later on in the fall when the hydrilla starts to turn brown and break up, it starts to get hollow underneath. That is the time to start targeting it more. Another key to frog fishing is to listen and watch for “active” grass. Bass school up in grass mats just like they do on ledges, points and humps, so it is important to find a mat that has activity in it. Listen for bluegill popping the mat or watch for shad to flicker. Those are signs that bass are not far away. Also, look for points, turns and indentions in the mat itself. Anything different will often hold bass. Rod selection is important for hauling bass out of matted grass. I throw a MHX-MB-874. This rod is 7’3” heavy power with plenty of backbone, but more importantly it has enough action in the tip to allow the fish to eat the bait. I use 50-pound Vicious braid and a 7:1:1 reel. Try a topwater frog on your next trip out, or better yet plan an excursion to Guntersville for the trip of a lifetime.

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IT’S TERRESTRIAL TIME ON TROUT WATERS

By James Bradley ugust is a great time of year to throw those big ol’ nasty dry flies. About anywhere you go, big dries will work from the smallest streams to the big tailwaters. Look to be casting hopper patterns, beetles, Letort Crickets and the biggest dry flies in your box.

Many of the sparse hatches of mayflies and caddis have dissipated, and if you get lucky to see a hatch, these insects will be tiny morsels. Since trout have become accustomed to looking up for their next meal, larger flies can be very enticing for trout to engulf. Remember, breezy days in early morning or late evening will put larger terrestrials on the water. Many will be knocked off due to being careless, the wind, or being on the wrong leaf that becomes detached. One of the best things about throwing larger flies is they’re easy to see. Many anglers attempt to softly land a large dry fly pattern. Don’t worry about that. Big trout eat big patterns. First, you must get their attention. A real bug or hopper is heavy. They hit the water’s surface with what I would call a “blop.” This is the attention getter, so there’s no need for a soft landing. If you’re having no luck with that big dry, add on a dropper pattern such as a big number 6 or 8 on top with a smaller number 16 or 20 as the dropper. Any takes on that sub-surface dropper will jerk that big dry under the water. Where to fish these big flies depends on the angler. Good casters can toss these things 30 feet into an 18-inch opening under the rhododendron where a trout will be hiding. One of my favorite sayings is: “Good casters catch all the fish.” Grassy areas along the bank are a surefire place where grasshoppers or crickets might find their way into the stream. Casting a beetle pattern along a bank log can be another dandy place to float a terrestrial, and yes, even out in the wide-open middle of the stream. One of the best ways to learn about fly fishing is to spend time with those of us who are professional full-time guides. Currently, we are doing floats on Georgia’s Toccoa Tailwater, which is producing well on early morning trips. James Bradley is the only Orvis endorsed fly fishing guide in north Georgia’s historic High-Country. Reel Em In Guide Service has permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offers over 6 miles of private trophy waters and operates drift boats on the Toccoa River and the Tuckasegee River in North Carolina. www.ReelEmInGuideService. com; (706) 273-0764.

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MURPHY AREA LAKES

The Elusive Walleye of Hiwassee Lake

By Aaron Kephart

ummer is most definitely here, and the fishing has been as hot as the weather. We are catching a ton of stripers, hybrids, smallmouth, spots, largemouth, crappie, and even catfish, but the species I want to focus on this month is walleye. Every time I post Facebook pictures of walleye my phone rings off the hook with inquiries regarding walleye trips, and we have caught a lot of them over the last couple of months. With that in mind, I would like to talk about the walleye fishery, both past and present, in this wonderful lake. Historically speaking, Hiwassee used to be an extremely productive walleye fishery, rivaling Fontana or any other lake in the South in terms of sheer numbers of catchable walleye. However, the introduction of blueback herring into the fishery led to a serious decline in walleye num-

bers. Natural spawning recruitment plummeted, and I honestly wondered for a while if there was a future for these fish in the lake. Luckily, the state stepped in and started a stocking program that has been somewhat successful, and there is still a bit of natural spawning occurring, as well. In terms of walleye today in Hiwassee, numbers are simply not what they used to be. Gone are the days of catching limit after limit when they ran the river in late winter/early spring, when they ran back down lake after spawning, at night under a Coleman lantern all summer long, and again in winter jigging a spoon or ice jig. However, at certain times and under certain conditions, there are still catchable fish in the lake. Aside from the simple reduction in population, I have also noticed a definite difference

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in walleye behavior in the lake now versus 20 years ago. For one thing, I think a lot of the walleye we have now are lake spawners and do not participate in the annual late winter/early spring river spawning run. This is probably due to these being stocked fish, and not fish that were actually spawned in the lake. The fish also set up in much different places and bite much different baits than they used to (although I am not willing to get into too much detail on those fronts), and I think this is simply a reflection of the fact that their diet today is almost 100% based around bluebacks. Another thing I have noticed is that the size of the walleye has increased dramatically. A 20 incher used to be a big fish, but nowadays you rarely catch one under 20 inches, and most average 2225 inches. I have also caught my personal best walleye three years in a row out of Hiwassee. I mentioned at the beginning of this article that I get a ton of calls about walleye trips, and I tell everyone that calls me the same thing. I feel like I catch as many or

more walleye than just about anybody on the lake, but I also feel that it is disingenuous and a bit unethical to advertise and book walleye only trips. Simply stated, the population is not such that I (or anyone else for that matter), as a guide, can say with certainty that we can go out and catch a cooler full of walleye. Instead, I book trips for other species, but if I have run into walleye or feel that conditions are right for them I am more than happy to give the client that option. In terms of the best time to run into a Hiwassee walleye, I have caught them twelve months a year, but I prefer the timeframe between December and late August, depending on the weather and water levels, with fall being my least favorite time for them personally. If you are interested in a striper, smallmouth, crappie, or just a “whatever is biting” best trip on Hiwassee and want the possibility of hooking into a walleye or 6, please give me a call at 865-466-1345, and I will be happy to talk to you a bit more in depth.

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 or by email at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com Check out his website at http://www.mtnlakesguideservice.com and catch him on facebook@ mountainlakesguideservice COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Monster Lake Chatuge Hybrids

By Darren Hughes

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, it should get even better. So, if catching an insane amount of hybrids is on your bucket list, give us a call. 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 (40 to 60 a morning.) Most of our hybrids are averaging 6-10 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. 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. July fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. You won’t regret booking a trip with Murphy NC and Blairsville GA’s #1

guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. 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 vis-

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it us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA--it’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. So book your hybrid and striper fishing trips now with Big Ol’ Fish and come get your fish on!

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

AUGUST 2019

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 3

Lake Hiwassee Striper Mayhem

By Shane Goebel

ugust brings with it some explosive striper fishing 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 throughout the lake, and water temps are in the mid 80’s. Striper fishing has been very 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 school 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

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 5

Beating the Heat

his summer has definitely been a hot one, and the dog days of summer are just beginning. By mid-morning, temperatures are hitting the 90 degree mark and higher. The high humidity just exacerbates things to the point that you’re uncomfortable fishing in a sweat-soaked shirt and wondering if you would have been better off staying cool in your favorite recliner watching Nuts & Bolts of Fishing episodes on TV. When the air temps rise and we have several days of sunny skies, the surface water temperature rises as well. Just like us hu-

By Capt. Cefus McRae,

mans, fish don’t particularly care for the heat, especially when the water temperatures rise to near 90 degrees. Game fish will go deeper to find the comfort of cooler water, and that’s where you need to be fishing. You can use jigs, weighted plastics or downline live baits to target those fish hanging lower in the water column, and you’ll most likely catch fish. But that doesn’t help the fact that you’re still, essentially, standing in the sun and dripping with perspiration. Here’s a potential solution that works for me and countless other anglers who have figured out how to alleviate some of the stagnant heat of the summer. Try trolling. Whether you’re fishing for bass and stripers or fishing the along the coast for flounder or mackerel, trolling can be an extremely productive tactic. Those deep diving crankbaits can be trolled just as easily as they can be cast and retrieved. Simply troll over those same open lake humps and points where you would normally stop and cast toward. Flukes and swimbaits can also be trolled deep with the addition of a trolling weight or large egg sinker rigged a few feet in front of the lure. Umbrella rigs and casting umbrellas like the Project X X-Rig are super effective ways to catch deep-dwelling fish. You can vary the depth of the rig by varying the distance behind the boat and with boat speed. If you’re fishing nearshore in the salt, a diving plug like the Mann’s Stretch 15 or Stretch 30 will dig deep and usually catches larger fish than smaller live baits like pogies or pinfish. Trolled spoons like Clark Spoons and Drones come in a variety of siz-

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es that will draw amazing strikes from Spanish mackerel, kingfish, bonita, dolphin and more. Match your spoon size to the prevalent bait in the area. To get them deeper, use a Scotty High Performance Downrigger, and with the built-in digital depth counter, you can put your lures exactly in the strike zone. Trolling has a number of benefits. First and foremost, you can cover lots more water compared to drifting or stealth-trolling with an electric trolling motor. You’ll be pulling baits from 2 ½ mph, up to 7 mph. Secondly, when you get a strike, it’s usually a solid hookup, because the boat is helping to set the hook. And finally, you’re putting a breeze across your face. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how wonderful the breeze created can feel, even trolling at 2 or 3 mph. No drippy brow, and no soaked shirt. So leave your bow-mounted trolling motor stowed and crank the big motor to find fish in the dog days of summer. You’ll be in for a much cooler and potentially fishier day on the water.

AUGUST 2019

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SWAIN COUNTY / BRYSON CITY / ROBBINSVILLE

Dog Days of Fly Fishing

By David Hulsey

ugust fly fishing trips usually begin with good intentions of leaving before dawn, hanging in there all day, and motoring home that night giddy with all the trout caught and released that day! Normally though, it goes kinda like this… We left before dawn, beat everyone to the river “yeah” good so far, blazing hell hot sun gets above trees at about ten am, no fish even seen, can’t take the blistering heat and humidity anymore, make a break for the truck and turn the air conditioner on nuclear winter and say the heck with this and get back home about 1 pm and watch TV for the rest of the day. In the South, the dog days of summer can really beat you down pretty darn quick! You could fish at night, nah… too much trouble, or you could just forget it until maybe like October or November and take advantage of all of the great delayed harvest streams. Come on man, you have two months of nasty hot weather to deal with, that’s just too long to wimp out and play inside. You could take up fly tying and that’d be cool but that just seems like a wintertime deal even though I tie usually every night even in summer because, believe me, there is no end to the amount of flies someone can launch into

the trees on a guide trip. We just want to catch fish don’t we? It totally comes down to dropping a lot of coin and traveling out West or North or toughing it out and hanging tough down here. Higher elevation streams can be pleasant early and late in the day, just make sure the water temperature is low enough to keep the little trout safe. Avoid the heat of the day like the plague and you should have some success and not kill any fish. Consider fishing for bass and bluegill, they normally will be munching out early in the morning and late in the evening. Small popping bugs or a slow stripped wooly bugger will normally get the green light. When that gets boring, turn to the shallow water areas around your local lake or pond and keep an eye peeled for carp. Yep, old pucker lips can change your life! The common carp can be the most challenging

game fish in fresh water. As Lefty Kreh once said, “Carp are like fishing for bonefish, but harder!” Carp can take pretty much any amount of heat or siltation old Mother Nature can throw at them. Flies that imitate little crayfish, nymphs, or even small

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baitfish can be effective on the golden ghost! When you see a ten pound carp rooting around in vegetation and then watch it spot your fly and turn into a predator and pounce on it like a hungry house cat, it will blow your mind the first time you see it. The first run will usually put you into your backing, you might get another run of the same magnitude. I guarantee you will have the utmost respect for what many call a trash fish. So, get out there when that old summer sun is still below the treeline or behind the mountain, and tough it out a little bit longer. After all, winter is coming! I’ll see y’all on the water!

Give David a call to book a class or trophy trout guide trip at Noontootla Creek Farms. We can make learning to fly fish easy and fun! You can make the switch.

AUGUST 2019

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 7

Reading The Signs

By Capt. James McManus

was at the courthouse the other day in my capacity as a contractor when a fellow passed by and said, “You must be a guide”. I was a little surprised and said yes I was and he went on his way. Afterwards I thought (as is usual) a great line of return would have been “What gave me away the sight or the smell?” That encounter made me think about the little things, things that give away all the little secrets, that if observed properly and recognized, can lead you to some outstanding truths and subsequent outstanding catches. I remember reading years ago about Bill Dance picking up rocks at a new lake looking for crawdads so he could match the color of his baits to the color of the local bugs. Just the other day on Hartwell, after running through several coves looking for stripers, my son and I came to one with two ospreys circling and I said, “Now that’s a

good sign” and sure enough, the cove was full of bait and fish. Fontana has several aviary friends that can point you to fish, Old Mr. Bald eagle is the most majestic sign of life while the kingfisher is almost always pointing out bait, flitting from bank to bank, even if you don’t see them dive, means there is food for them near. Not during this time of year, but wintertime brings a few seagulls and an occasional tern that is a surefire guide. The best indicators of feeding fish are splashes as they break at the surface chasing threadfins or bluebacks. It amazes me that, as a guide, you assume folks know to throw to splashing fish, but many times I have pointed out breaks and had clients throw in the opposite direction. Summertime is an excellent time to chase breaking fish, and while you may troll through or towards topwater fish, breaks are an indication of feeding

below the surface as well. Other indicators on Fontana are sometimes weather related. Wind that blows across a point will stack up bait and fish, look for current pushing by a point and the fish can be upstream, down stream or even way back and deep, I have seen schools stacked up downstream from a wind blown point as deep as 100 feet and a hundred yards away from the point itself. Add a little mud to the point and that can be a super spot at times. My buddy Frank once found a school of fish on a bank with really high wind blowing trees violently at the waterline. They were concentrating on the little inchworms and caterpillars being blown out of the trees into the water. If you have a scenario where there are breaking fish and you can’t get them to bite there are a couple of things to stimulate them. My first go-to, especially in the summer, is to try and match the hatch. Lots of bait this time of year is really small, as small as 3/4 of an inch so a big crankbait ain’t gonna

get bit. One trick is to tie a couple of small crappie jigs together so you have the right size and a little extra weight to throw. Trolling really small crappie plugs or XTS inch long minnow baits will get strikes especially when fish are scattered and moving around randomly chasing little groups of bait. One of my favorite baits and one I use year around is the Kitech swimbait. You would be surprised that some days they will hit only on the fall, other days they want them ripped back with big jerks and pauses, so try and vary your retrieve until you find out what they want. So, the point of this article is “be observant, you never know what is going to be the key that particular day.” I remember in my youth, during summer, we would fish farm ponds and you could smell the bream beds...that was as good an indicator as there was. I wonder what that fellow at the courthouse was going by, hope it wasn’t that. Give me a call and we will try and find a few, 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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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 9

Dog Days & Deep Fishing

he temps outside are in the nineties. The lake surface temps are high eighties, so some anglers would say it’s useless to go fishing, but they would be wrong. Fish are like us, the heat may slow us down but we still have to eat. As the water gets hotter, I tend to fish the colder lakes more and concentrate on fishing deeper. No other time of year are your electronics gonna be more important. Fish may be scattered or you may get lucky and find a wade of baitfish, if you can locate just a few degrees cooler. Sometimes, it will be a cold branch or stream pouring into the lake that you can visibly see but often times, you may find an underwater spring that cools the water a few degrees and that’s all it takes to make a difference. In the picture for this article, you can tell we were getting a good rain all morning and that cooled the sur-

By Ronnie Parris

face and had the bait coming up shallow with the fish right behind them. At this time of year, it’s awfully easy to get discouraged if you don’t find them fast, but be patient and watch that fish finder. Pay close attention to the thermocline, which will mark as a blue static looking fuzz. It may look different on your sonar but it should show up as a fuzz of some color. Fish should be close to this; usually walleye below it with bass in or above it. The thermocline is the point where the hot and cold water meet and this is also where the oxygen level will usually be the best. Usually this time of year, I am trolling and I will set my lines at several different depths according to what I’m seeing on the screen, which is why I usually catch several different species of fish. Slow your presentations down. These fish aren’t into chasing in this hot-

ter water, so try to make it as easy as possible for them to take your bait or lures. If you fish live bait, take care to keep your baits lively. A handful of ice cubs every once in a while does wonders for minnows as the water in your bait well heats up. Be careful and take precautions not to dehydrate. There have been a lot of cases where people didn’t drink enough water and suffered from dehydration or heat stroke on the water. Always wear a good sunscreen to protect your skin and wear a good set of sunglasses. Also, if you’re keeping fish to eat, it’s gonna be important to have ice for your cooler or livewell to keep your catch from spoiling. If

you practice catch and release, it is crucial to not over-fight the fish and not to handle it with hot dry hands. The faster you get it back in the water with the least amount of handling, the better chance it will have of surviving. If you take kids out, go early and come off the water when it gets hot so you don’t burn them out. You may want to fish till it gets hot and swap up to a good swimming trip. Dog days may be a little tougher but that just means there will be less competition when you get on the water. Be safe and have a great time on the water. If you would like to go for some great hot weather fishing give me a call and I would be glad to hook you up.

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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The Dead Sea Fishing Camp

By Danny Maybin

ver the years, I have been blessed with more than my share of fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, Pacific, countless lakes and rivers and inland coastal. There are so many kinds of fish and so many different methods to catch them that I doubt anyone could learn it all in two lifetimes. I think this is what creates the mystique we all get caught up in. We seek that hidden wisdom that always pays just enough to keep us coming back. As I now have more years behind than ahead of me, I’ve learned to not diminish the fun of whatever activity I find myself immersed in by over thinking all the finer points and taking too seriously the honing of my skills. To that point, I have begun to see the whole picture, so to speak, of whatever endeavor I happen to attempt, especially fishing. Interaction with people and quietly observing what’s going on around you can be extremely entertaining.

Just a little while back, a couple of fishing buddies and myself set out on a three day brackish water trip that promised plenty of action. We loaded the truck and camper with six coolers, nine tackle boxes and about nine hundred rods and reels [Just in case one got broke] and headed out with great anticipation. Our destination was a brackish river on the east coast and that’s about all I can say as some folks there struggled to see the humor as it unfolded before us. There was a campground on the river that I had booked months earlier and we arrived late the first night. The attendant told me my spot number and the couple staying in the spot right behind us along with their beagle, Harvey, came out and helped us get set up. I threw out a couple of bait traps and we turned in with great hopes of a fruitful days fishing and it was all going to start the next morning. It turned out this beautiful river

should have been called the Dead Sea. Even the bait traps were empty except for one anemic bluegill about the size of a ping-pong ball. It seemed to look at me with grateful eyes, sensing its misery in this river was over. Even the bread in the bait traps had turned black! We gave it a valiant effort and as the sun was now high, we decided to head back for lunch. As we neared the camper it became painfully obvious that our peaceful little campsite of last night, now in the light, more resembled the back lot of a tire store! We downed a couple of sandwiches and decided it was more pleasant at the Dead Sea. We returned to the camper empty handed only to find a party going on at the site behind us, including Harvey the beagle and an older lady from another site that we called [just among ourselves]”Granny”. The site in front of us

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was occupied by an apparently single, middle aged man with a large motorhome pulling a cargo trailer that he had graciously offered to let us lean our poles against along with putting our tackle boxes on the ground. It helped keep our site uncluttered and I was grateful. I never heard his name but he was at the party as well. The festivities went into the morning hours and ended with the couple in a huge fight, Harvey in between them howling and Granny crying. The following morning, we decided to try our luck in saltwater, so we dropped the camper and headed for the coast. We caught fish, although nothing remarkable, and were beginning to feel a bit better about the whole situation by the time we headed back to the campground. We returned to find the whole

CONTINUED, SEE THE DEAD SEA, PAGE 13

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 11

Swainglers Break for Summer Following Third Successful Year By Tammy Millsaps

Fly of the Month By Eli Crumley

Blackhawk Fly Fishing keepemwet94@gmail.com

ear three of the Swainglers came to an end at the conclusion of the 2018/2019 School Year. Our last trip tradition is to fish and eat at Naber’s DriveIn by the river. I have to admit, we ate more than we fished. It’s hard to beat a cheeseburger and cherry-lemon-mountain dew! It was a nice break in the school day as the students were preparing for their

end of year exams. The students and myself have been enjoying summer break. I’m sure the majority of them are working summer jobs, as I am. But no doubt, they have found time to cast a line. We are blessed to live where we are surrounded by cool creeks and vast lakes. I’m so excited to see Hook: Tiemco 100 size 14/18 what is in store for year four of the Thread: UTC 70 denier (color)Dark Brown Swainglers! Parachute: White Calf Body Hair Tammy Millsaps is the Leader of The Swainglers fishing club at Swain County Tail: Brown hackle High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. They fish once a month of the Body: Muskrat Grey Dubbing school year during club time. Contact her at tmillsaps@swainmail.org for more Hackle: Brown and Grizzly Whiting information or to support this popular club. Saddle Hackle

12 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

Parachute Adams

AUGUST 2019

This fly is typically a mayfly imitation but can be used to imitate many insects.

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DEAD SEA FISHING CAMP campground in an uproar. There were about a dozen people in front of the couple’s camper, including Granny and Harvey. Apparently in our absence, the woman of the couple had taken a fancy to the guy in the motorhome and the guy of the couple had returned from somewhere earlier than expected only to find them both in the motorhome and now she wouldn’t come out! The owners of the campground were there along with several concerned souls from different campsites. I know all this because as soon as she saw us, Granny made a beeline to one of my buddies to get us up to speed. I watched as she told the whole sordid story with such worry in her voice but I also noticed a sadistic gleam in her eyes as she expressed her concern. The day was getting on now and we were tired so we thought it best to grab a sandwich, sit around the picnic table and see where this was going. About the time things were starting to quiet down, we heard a “SLAM” and the sound of breaking

continued from page 11

drenched guy headed back to the motorhome with a pistol! The occupants of the motorhome must have seen it too because it immediately fired up and tore off up the drive. It was almost sundown when they took off and as the sun touched the horizon, I gained a memory I doubt I’ll ever lose. We had most of our gear stowed, except what we had used that day, which was two or three fishing poles and my old standby tackle box. I’ve always been amazed at how easily fishing gear can tangle. As the motorhome guy took off, one of my poles caught on the trailer fender that, in turn, caused my lure to grab the handle of my tackle box. Imagine if you will, a huge motorhome pulling a trailer, roaring into the sunset, red dust curling up around the taillights, my tackle box sliding, then bouncing five and six feet in the air, [it’s amazing how strong braided line can be] Harvey

chasing my tackle box and howling like he was on fire, the ex behind Harvey cursing and pelting the trailer with rocks and Granny on her knees, both hands in the air, alternately crying then looking to see if she was being noticed. By this time, we were all pretty sure the fat lady had sung and there was nothing more to do but pack up and find a local motel. After two six packs and a bucket of chicken, some basic cable and a good nights sleep we all felt better about our fishing trip although we did check the local paper next morning to see if anyone had actually been shot. No news is good news. It was a long way home but it gave us time to get our fishing stories straight. It was mostly a quiet ride with the silence being broken with an occasional muffled laugh as we each remembered the funny things that happened on our fruitless fishing trip.

glass. Her now ex had thrown a beer bottle at the motorhome and taken out half of the window in the kitchen slide-out. He ran up to the window and started screaming things that I can’t write here. All at once, exhaustion seemed to overtake him. He turned and leaned with his back against the motorhome and with tear filled eyes looked up at the sky as if searching for answers. This is where things went off the rails. As he leaned back and looked up, a female hand emerged from the broken window holding an inverted beer can. The funny thing was, he didn’t seem to even notice that he was being drenched. Everything got real quiet and his countenance suddenly seemed that of complete serenity which made us a little nervous. I guess a half an hour passed and it was still quiet. We were thinking the show was probaDanny Maybin’s family have fished and hunted in the area of Lake Summit bly over when I heard his camper for at least six generations. He is a state firearms instructor a, blacksmith, door quietly open and shut. The musician/luthier, and his favorite, a fishin’ and hunting resort facilitator. He also does voice acting, copywriting, and short story humor. next thing I saw was this poor beer

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 13

ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD / HAYWOOD CO.

How Many False Casts?

ou know the visual image of fly casting. The line is flowing back and forth with beautiful loops in a cadence that flows like a willow in a breeze. It is an image that draws people into the sport, and I really enjoy watching it applied correctly. Needless false casting can create all kinds of issues. What is the right amount of false casts? It depends. The short answer to the question would be the minimum necessary to make the cast work. So, if you can make one back cast and then send the fly to the target, that in my mind is the best you could do. But that’s not always easy. A fixed distance cast with a generally short retrieve over and over lends itself to that type cast, as in working a

by Rene J. Hesse

bank with a bass bug every few feet or working a trout run over and over. However, if you are changing distances or changing directions, generally you will need to make a few false casts to

pull it off. The general thought process is that three false casts will be enough to cover a change of distance, zeroing in on a target, changing direction or drying a

fly. The pick up and back cast starts the series. Slipping line for a change of distance cast is done on the false casts. Sizing up the target and loop for the target shot is done while false casting. Repositioning the rod on the back cast for the change of direction happens when we false cast. The delivery cast should be set up by the pickup and the first false cast. The importance of the false casts can’t be stressed enough, so just picking up the line and waving it in the air without specific thought behind them is not a good idea. The more the line is waving in the air, the more things can go wrong. So giving some thought to the next sequence of casts before you start will really help your casting.

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Fall Fly Fishing Retreat at Lake Logan November 4 - 8, 2019

our fly fishing get-away includes instruction, professionally guided fishing on private waters of the West Fork of the Pigeon River and other nearby rivers, a fly tying class, delicious, hardy meals, comfortable lodging, and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery while you fish. Make it a trip with friends or your own personal adventure. Overnight registration includes three night’s lodging with private bath and linens included, all meals, program, use of equipment from Curtis Wright Outfitters, and all ap-

plicable taxes. Lake Logan lies in a pristine valley near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Canton, NC where visitors experience the serenity of God’s glorious gifts in a 260-acre sanctuary. Lake Logan lends itself well to hosting spiritual retreats, conferences, and seminars, as well as offering a beautiful and serene place to rest, relax, and recreate. All are welcome to this special place, where the power of nature’s bounty nourishes, restores, and rejuvenates. To register, visit lakelogan.org/ events, or call 828.646.0095 ext 102.

Camping & Cabins Available Contact: info@lakelogan.org or 828.646.0095 ext 102 to reserve overnight accommodations

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 17

‘Keeping Secrets’

By Ethan Hollifield

have often written about the inherent value and necessity of wild places, and the fish that are found within them, particularly for us anglers. Whether it’s a powerful whitewater gorge with steep cliff sides towering above the rapids or a tiny speck stream one could jump across: both are equally as necessary in relation to the health of the ecosystem, as well as for our own mental stability. These are places that I keep tight-lipped about. Where the fishing is still as good as it was when I was a kid, and the landscape only changed by the natural progression of time rather than by human progress. I keep these places to myself as a way to hopefully preserve them so that I, and others who might genuinely appreciate the ever-dwindling amount of wilderness left in Western North Carolina, can find solace, and tranquility. Keeping your fishing spots secret isn’t a new thing. I can remember that being one of the most fundamental lessons that I was taught growing up trout fishing in Western North Carolina. One older gentleman in particular confided in me that he made up names of creeks so that when people asked, they could never

find it. My favorite name place of his was “The Left Hand Fork of the Right Branch of Little Pigeon Ass Creek” or something to that effect. It should also be noted that their secrecy, as well as my own, is not out of selfish intent but rather as a way to conserve the land as it once was, where the thickets of rhododendron and stands of birch and hemlock are left unscathed by summer developments or tourist traps. Those old timers understood that not everyone could appreciate a wild trout stream with the same amount of dignity and respect as they could. You could compare a trout stream almost as a church to God himself: a quiet place of prayer and peacefulness where anymore than three people in communion with one another is overcrowded. These secret, if not sacred, places that I keep to myself are out of this same necessity for communion with God, nature, and the wild trout found within them. More conservation groups are also waking up to the idea of keeping places secret as an important tool of protecting wild places from being trampled. Leave No Trace just recently updated their minimal use prac-

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tices to include not geo-tagging or hash-tagging fragile ecosystems on social media in order to prevent places from getting destroyed just from over-exposure alone. This notion of keeping some streams under the radar has opened up a Pandora’s box for me as a professional guide. Do I want people to experience the same fulfillments that I have whenever I fish? Absolutely. Do I ever tell anyone or guide on my secret spots? Absolutely not. While my job as a guide is to teach and lead people in the right direction when it comes to fishing, the other side of that is to also help ensure and protect places from overcrowding and

under-appreciation. No amount of guiding prestige or money is worth destroying a place that is ever more special in both angling and ecologic significance. I hope that you, the person reading this, will find that secret place to cast a line out. Somewhere that is tranquil and quiet, so that you can experience the wonder of nature and the true spirit of fishing while we still have these places around us. If you find one of mine, you’re more than welcome on it under the premise that you can appreciate the place even more than myself. I hope to see you out there, and I hope you’ll keep it secret.

Ethan Hollifield is an Environmental/Physical Science Teacher and is also a guide for Southern Appalachian Anglers

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Changing Gears

By Scott Norton

he dog days of summer have set in and the frequency of bites is tapering off. Water temperatures have exceeded the 80-degree mark and the approaching 90-degree temperatures are in sight for some places. If you are to be productive on your catches, a change in plans must happen. This is the time of year so many avenues will work to remedy the problems with bite shutdowns. Fishing at night is the most productive time to fish for bass in more ways than one. First, you have falling water temperatures that occur after sunset and into the morning, until sunrise. This allows for active feeding and relief from high temperatures with low oxygen levels. Second, the human activity from boat traffic and swimmers is not present. Large, smart bass will come out to feed, as they feel little to no pressure just from the drop in water activity. This will give an angler the edge to land one of those

true giants. Moon phases also make the bite predictable, as bass will feed more aggressively closer to the full moon. The full moon will also aid the angler by making it easier to see where you cast without the use of lights, which gives you a stealthy approach. If you have to fish in the daytime, there are options for that as well. The mornings are always great for a topwater bite and as the day progresses they will transition to the deep water drop-offs. When fishing deep, they can be very aggressive so when you find a school of bass, you can use deep water reaction type baits such as deep diving crank baits. Running a reactive bait through a school of bass can cause them to fire up and become unglued. Pay attention when you keep catching smaller fish in a school because this is when a large fish can get caught up in all the excitement and, it could be your chance at a personal best. When

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you see them on your graph and they’re suspended, or not in the mood, you can use a spy bait or finesse tactics to force them to feed. The option of going to the backs of creeks looking for currents and waterfalls where water is rich in oxygen is a good plan for finding active fish. Grass beds and Lilly pads are another choice for oxygen rich water areas as well. This provides a situation where you can catch them with just about any bait you own. Frog fishing and lipless crank baits come to mind when fishing vegetation. Jigs, worms, swim baits, and jerk baits are good for rocky bottoms. Making plans to fish a front blowing in, or the middle of storms, will give you great results due to the barometric pressure

drop. This is, over all, the best times fish will feed in any situation. Baits with a rattle or lots of displacement of water will be a good choice since you’re dealing with wind and rain. If you apply one of these plans to your summertime routine you can find ways around the problems with high water temperatures. Hope this helps guys and good luck out there this summer.

Scott Norton is a native of Western North Carolina. Born in Asheville, NC, he is a long time avid hunter, angler, and weekend warrior. He is a member of Southern Raft Supply’s prostaff team representing them in his Jackson Kayak Coosa FD

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Learning Essential Fishing Knots By Andrew A. Cox

ying knots is an essential skill in fishing. For almost every aspect of this sport, knots are used to attach lures and other terminal tackle, make live bait rigs, attach lines to fishing reels, and joining lines together. Various specialty fishing techniques such as flyfishing have knots specifically used within these angling methods. If you consider the knots used in boat handling, the angler’s repertoire of essential knots is quite extensive. Though the above sounds like remembering and mastering a large array of knots is required, the angler can reduce required knots used over the course of the fishing day or season to just a few. Most knots can serve multiple purposes. I have favorite knots that are used extensively within my fishing. The reader can consult knot tying books as mentioned within this article, knot tying websites located on the Internet and YouTube videos for tying instructions and other information. For attaching lures and terminal tackle, I like the following knots: • Improved Clinch knot; an exten-

sively used knot within the fishing world. • Palomar knot; my preferred knot over the Improved Clinch knot. It is easy to tie with practice and can be used to attach lures and terminal tackle to braided line • Rapala knot; can attach lures with a loop making them swivel better through the water. I use mostly braided fishing line at this point but like to attach monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders of various lengths to the braid. The UniKnot is an easy knot to join various lines, even those that have different diameters. The Arbor knot is easy to tie for attaching lines to reel spools. It does not leave a bulky knot that can interfere with casting under the line as it is reeled onto the reel. With disuse, I experience difficulty remembering the knot tying steps. Accordingly, I made copies of pictures for the tying steps for the above knots, had them laminated between plastic waterproof covers at an office supply store, and keep these laminated knot tying cards in several locations within my

fishing boats. Therefore I have a step by step guide to tying a desired knot with me at all times. Some resources providing details for tying useful fishing knots are as follows: McNally, Bob, The Complete Book of Fisherman’s Knots, Fishing Rigs, and How to Use Them. McNally Outdoor Productions. This book has detailed diagrams with steps for tying each knot. This is the source for my laminated plastic cards with step by step tying instructions for selected knots. Budworth, Geoffrey. The Complete Book of Fishing Knots. This book has detailed tying instructions with pictures for a wide range of fishing knots. Wilson, Geoff. The Complete Book of Fishing Knots and Rigs. Revised edition. Another book with tying instructions with illustrations.

www.animatedknots.com A good Internet based sources for details on tying knots. This website has videos with step by step tying instructions. www.netknots.com. Also an Internet based source. This also has detailed drawings and pictures for a wide range of knots to include those used in fishing. Do not forget about YouTube videos. There are multiple videos providing detailed tying instructions along with the uses for various angling knots. Various angling magazines will also provide descriptions for tying knots and their applications. I have found such in BassResource.com that includes instructions for essential knots. Take time to learn knots and their applications in various fishing techniques. You certainly do not want to lose the fish of a lifetime due to poorly tied knots.

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

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Dugans Pub – An Authentic Piece of Ireland in the Blue Ridge Mountains

ransylvania County, located in the western mountains of North Carolina, is proud of the wonderful fishing opportunities available. But talk to a native, and they are equally proud of the True Irish Pub located in the middle of Brevard – Dugan’s Pub. The Pub, as it is known locally, has a full bar with a large selection of Single Malt Scotch, Irish whiskies, and smooth Bourbons, as well as 20 beers on tap, featuring many local Craft Beers. They also have a full menu including several Irish dishes: from Fish and Chips to Corned Beef and Cabbage, as well as the best Corned Beef Reuben Sandwiches you have ever had. There are also astounding Burgers and terrific wings. The Pub opens at 11:30 AM, Monday through Saturday, and the kitchen is open until 10:00

PM, with a limited late night menu from 10:00 PM until close. Sundays feature Brunch from 10:30 AM until 1:00 PM, including specials on Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas. Kitchen is open until 9:00 PM. Check out the calendar on the web site for dates and time of special events as well as the music schedule. From the 150 year-old barn wood and the Notre Dame memorabilia, to the authentic Irish dishes and libations, you will find the rustic atmosphere true to an Irish pub. Take a look around at the Irish treasures collected over time from visits to Ireland, antique stores, and gifts from patrons and friends alike. So, whether you end a successful fishing day with dinner and libations, or take a mid-day break for lunch, enjoy this ‘wee bit of

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Ireland’ that Dugan’s has brought to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. They look forward to seeing you time and time again! Visit their web site for more in-

formation: Duganspub.com Dugan’s Pub®, 29 W. French Broad St, Suite 101, Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 862-6527 Do dheagh slainté

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HIGH COUNTRY

A True Mountain Fly Fishing Experience

By Ben Wayne

ighland Outfitters is located in the heart of the high country in Boone North Carolina. Our mission is to educate and equip fly anglers of all skill levels as well as to conserve our local fisheries. Fly fishing is a multifaceted sport and the niche that I enjoy most is exploring our near endless amount of wild water. Catching trout on the fly is the goal of course, but a large part of what it means to be a fly angler is the experience of it all. Whether it be the hike in to a remote stream, coming around the next bend to find an unnamed waterfall, or the calming presence that nature and solitude provides, it is all of those experiences combined that lead up to catching a trout on the fly. As such, we at Highland Outfitters strive to give our customers

a true mountain fly fishing experience. So what is a true mountain fly fishing experience? Understanding what that means begins with understanding what the high country has to offer. Our watershed offers copious amounts of small freestone creeks full of waterfalls, plunge pools, and native Brook trout that are eager to rise to a well placed dry fly. The small freestone streams gradually grow as they descend the local topography, coalescing with other tributaries as they cascade down the valleys growing in size which welcomes a higher propensity of wild Brown and Rainbow trout. The conglomeration of our many freestone and spring creeks produces many medium sized streams and rivers that wind through the boulder fields that were left behind by

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retreating glaciers at the end of the last ice age. The wealth of our water is in the wild places and wild trout that call them home. Any person taking a fly fishing trip in our area should experience the ancient and wizened landscape as well as the stunning coloration of a wild trout. The vivid hues of pink and purple in the lateral line of a rainbow, the blood red spots of a brown trout traced by halos of bluish white, or the cosmic mosaic colors of a native brook trout are all humbling to witness in person. Catching trout is the ultimate goal of our sport but there is so much

more in all of the experiences that lead up to fooling that trout into eating a concoction of feathers, wire, and fur. Anything less would be disingenuous to what our area has to offer and to what a true fly fishing experience is.

Ben Wayne is Highland Outfitters’ fly shop manager and wild water guru. He specializes in seeking out big, wild brown trout in back country streams in the Appalachian Mountains. With his background in biology and education, he’s a wealth of knowledge on the water and in the shop.

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What Did You Do This Summer?

sn’t this the first question you get when you run into a friend whom you haven’t seen during the summer vacation period? So, what have you done this summer? For trout anglers in Georgia, summer is the time we dream of fishing in the majestic Rockies out West where waters generally remain cool, the trout grow large and the insect hatches are as dependable as a Timex watch. I’ve been fortunate to fish Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana over the years, and they all have a magic of their own. Year after year, however, I find myself planning a trip to the Yellowstone area. My first trip there was 1987, the year before the big season of fires in the Park. I’m so glad I got to see the Park before almost 800,000 acres were scorched, but I’m just as grateful for all my return trips to see the

by Jimmy Harris, Unicoi Outfitters

mysteries of regeneration. Mother Nature is a tough old girl. I’ve made so many trips to the area in the ensuing 33 years that I now feel very much at home out there. There are certain streams I know I’ll fish; the Madison, the Lamar, Soda Butte and others. But it’s also exciting to try new streams or new sections of old familiar streams, particularly those that don’t see much angling traffic. The opportunities are virtually endless if you’re willing to wander away from the road a ways. Just last year, I fished a small stream that I have driven over more times than I care to count. In my arrogance I assumed it was full of tiny fish, not worth the steep hike down into the canyon it had created over the eons. It was a rough and tumble little stream that averaged maybe 20 feet wide in most places. Some boulder

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hopping was involved, but mostly just negotiating around the huge rocks that towered overhead until you could cast up to the next pool. It was about as much fun as a person could have while standing in a stream, and I found myself actually disappointed when we reached a 90foot vertical drop waterfall that prohibited going any further. As we hiked out (the part I was really dreading when we decided to go in), I had enough adrenalin pumping through me, along with several handfuls of wild huckleberries, to get me back to our vehicle with a skip in my step. The

little creek is now on my all-time list of favorites, and I plan to hit it again this month when I once again heed the call of the Rockies.

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Switzerland Inn – A Perfect Weekend Getaway

t was June 1909. Grassy Mountain rose steep in front of them as the three men guided their mules cautiously over the rough turf that covered the mountainside. As they reached the open grassland of the top, the instigator of this trip drew in the reins of his mount The Switzerland Inn, photographed sometime soon after it opened in 1911. It was operated by and sat gazing in dis- Ida Clarkson Jones (sister of Heriot Clarkson). belief. From all sides, as The building was demolished in 1961 and far as the eye could see, replaced with today’s current Switzerland Inn. they were surrounded by an incredible dream the foothills of Swiss Alps. of misty blue mountains and You will be enchanted by the green valleys. To the west, Mount Inn’s old world charm, lovingly Mitchell, the Black Brothers, preserved by the Jensen family and Celo; to the south, Linville for generations. Fine continental Mountain, Turkey Cove, the val- dining, generous accommodaley of the North Fork of the Ca- tions, interesting Swiss shops, all tawba River, and, in the distance, in a peaceful, scenic mountain the South Mountains. To the setting in the Blue Ridge Mouneast and northeast, Table Rock, tains of North Carolina. Close to Hawksbill, and Grandfather; and area attractions, Switzerland Inn to the north, Roan Mountain, al- has the closest accommodations most obscured by the brow of the to Mount Mitchell and is the only mountain they were on and by commercial property on the Blue the tops of chestnut trees. Ridge Parkway. Thus Little Switzerland was The Switzerland Inn, located so named because its sweeping directly on the Blue Ridge Parkpanoramas of deep valleys and way, is your vacation destination distant ranges resemble those in for a North Carolina mountain getaway. Accommodations range from casual quarters in the Main Lodge to mountain view suites and rustic cottages. Fine dining, generous accommodations, on-site shops, relaxing spa, all in a peaceful, scenic mountain setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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‘The Guide Life’

By Jeff Dean

he other day a customer asked me, ‘What does it take to be a guide?’ Well, here’s my answer: ‘Dedication!’ You can’t just have a fly rod and a guide license and call yourself a guide. Our guides have spent thousands of hours on the water gaining knowledge and perfecting their craft. Now, just because someone can fish, doesn’t mean that automatically makes him a good guide. You have to be able to work with all skill levels and be able to teach any angler from ages 6 to 96. It’s our job to give you the best opportunity at catching fish. We cannot, and will not, catch them for you. If we can’t teach you how to catch that fish, then we aren’t doing our job! Fly fishing isn’t an easy sport. You won’t become ‘good’ at it in a 4 hour trip. It takes practice, practice, practice, but we will do our best to teach you the fundamentals and give you the best opportunity to catch fish. A guide’s day doesn’t begin

and end with your trip. Whether it’s a 4 hour wade trip or an all day float trip, many hours have been put into preparing for that trip. Guides spend hours upon hours tying flies all year long. A guide will tie hundreds of flies during the winter months, and the process will continue throughout the year. On a typical 2-person float trip, we’ll go through 12-24 flies. Sometimes, more...Sometimes, less, but they can add up quickly. We may take you on a wade trip in the morning and head right back out in the evening to scout ‘new’ water or do another trip. There are countless hours spent on rod setup, gear maintenance, lunch prep, and keeping cars and boats clean. If the hours were broken down, you could add around 3 hours of prep for each trip. Some of this time may have been spent scouting water and tying flies in the winter, but needless to say, a lot of time is spent on the trip before you even meet the guide.

I get asked, 100 times a year, ‘Should I tip my guide?’ and ‘What is a customary tip for my guide?’ YES, YES, YES to the first question. The second, well, take the info I have given you already to heart, and also realize, the guide is supplying most of the gear. You are using their rods; they are buying all the leaders, tippet, indicators, etc; they are paying for shuttles and lunches for float trips; and they are buying or tying the 2 dozen flies you will use. The point is, there are a lot of expenses that go into a trip and a tip will hopefully cover those expenses. For a short answer, 20% is standard. It is like any other job in the service industry; if you had a good experience and were happy with the service you received, tip accordingly. We are very appreciative of our tips and it also shows us that you were

happy with your experience. Being a guide isn’t easy! We’re up early and in bed late; then we turn around and do it again the next day. I am very proud of our guides. I see how much time they spend getting ready to give you a trip you won’t forget. They are very good at what they do and I am lucky to have them on board. I hope you understand a little bit more about what it takes to do our job. It is not the life for everyone, but it is very rewarding for us and we love doing what we do. We are dedicated to our passion of fly fishing, and we are here to give you a great experience and show you why we love this sport! Happy Fishing! For inquiries on guided trips come to the shop or give us a call (828)963-5463 and we’ll be happy to help!

Jeff Dean is the owner of Watauga River Fly Shop located at 5712 NC Highway 105 South, Vilas, NC. Visit their website at www.wrflyshop.com, email them at info@wrflyshop.com, or give them a call at (828) 963-5463.

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EAST TN / GREAT SMOKIES

Great Smoky Mountain National Park – Tennessee Side By Chad Fouts

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. Upper chimney tops has been the hot ticket of late. Road prong has been prime above the second bridge.

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 Smallmouth

Holston River

The Smallmouth have officially moved back out to their home water-the French Broad. You can float from knife works down to Seven Islands Sate 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.

The Holston River is still on point. With generators on and floating, or wading with generators off, it has been producing great numbers and sizes. If you are going to fish this water, make

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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 colored 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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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

The Best Of Both Worlds

By Stephen Tomasovich

guess I could describe myself as a “tweener”, not old school but not new school either. I see too many anglers being in one camp or the other. There is a lot to be learned from the older generation, and a lot of new ideas that can up your game. If you are newer to the sport, here are a couple of observations: Nothing can replace time on the water. Nothing, not even fiber internet. There is a ton of information out there, videos (heck I make them), blogs, books, etc. but spending time on the water is the best teacher. Stream research is best done by having an old timer take you fishing there than by any other means. You will find out more than any topo map or website will reveal. You will probably come away with

some awesome life lessons as well, which could be priceless. Euro-nymphing is not the solution to every water type and is not the best technique to learn first. Learn how to cast a weight forward set up, mend, fish a single dry fly, swing a wet fly and toss a streamer. Then you should get the Euro-rig out. Join a local Trout Unlimited chapter and meet some folks to learn from. On the flip side for the old schoolers: The internet is a great resource. Use it to find new techniques, fly patterns, and for stream research. Especially if you are travelling to foreign water and do not have someone you know to rely on for information. Some of the new products are great. Lighter weight rods that can

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handle big fish are great. Fluorocarbon tippet is a better option than mono in most circumstances. Tungsten beaded flies are effective and a lot easier to deal with than spit shot. You can learn from the new schoolers. I bet you ask your grandson for help with your cell phone and computer. The same can apply to fishing – they may know more about the latest and greatest. Euro-nymphing is a fantastic technique to know. While it is not for every application, it flat catches fish in the right scenarios. It can

be as simple or highly technical as you want to make it, and it will offer a change of pace to your fishing experience. If you are like me, there is nothing better than learning new ways to catch fish. Actively recruit younger folks into your local TU chapter if you are a part of one you will both benefit. Fish On! Big T

Stephen “Big T” Tomasovich is the owner of Big T Fly Fishing, Outfitter and Ecommerce Fly Shop. Visit them at 106 Grand Ave, Suwanee, Georgia, or look them up online at bigtflyfishing.com

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Lake Russell Fishing Forecast By Wendell Wilson

ass – One thing we have noticed is the standard pattern is always using drop shot rigs and shaky head worms on main lake points in 20-25 feet of water, and if you can find a brush pile on those points then so much the better. Another thing we have noticed is the large mouth are showing up a little more. They are a totally differ-

per end of the lake in the Hartwell tailrace below the dam using freeline herring on planer boards. Crappie – Look for the crappie to be biting on brush piles using small minnows. Fishing 12-14 feet down in 20-25 feet of water will produce the best results. Water temperature: high 80s to 90 degrees Lake level: 6 inches below full pool ent pattern. You can catch some down rods and fishing in 20-50 Clarity:very good of them early in the morning or feet of water. There are a few peolate afternoon with topwater lures ple catching some fish on the upand swim baits around the grassy coves. They are still fairly shallow Wendell has been a full time guide since 1990. In his almost 20 years of early and late in the day. guiding, Wendell has welcomed fishermen of all ages and experience levels. Stripers – Stripers are most- Wendell is intimate with the finshing conditions on Lake Russell on a daily ly still baiting on the lower half basis. He authors magazine articles and provides fishing reports for other websites. Wilson’s Guide Service / 706-283-3336 of the lake using live herring on

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Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast by Preston Harden

ater temperature is in the upper 80s and water level is at full pool. As of mid-July, hybrids and stripers are heading towards the lower Lake. We have been catching lots of fish heading down the rivers towards the dam. They have been about 30 or 40 feet deep over the river channel . The thermocline forms up Lake and the fish ride on top of the thermocline heading towards the lower Lake. The thermocline settles out about mid-lake most years. The water quality gets better towards the lower Lake and the better fish will be concentrated in the deep water near the dam. Good electronics will show the fish, sometimes deeper than 100 feet. Last year, August was my best month with lots of big fish coming in the

boat. Live Herring worked great. Power reeling with big spoons or a 1 ounce jig head and a 5 inch swim bait also catches lots of fish. The key is to locate a school on your sonar. Bass have moved off the banks and are hanging around brush piles in 20 to 30 feet deep water. The spots school up like stripers and when you find a school, there may be a bunch of them. We have been catching them every day. After we catch a limit of hybrids and stripers, we throw top water’s around the schools of spots. If we have left over Herring, the spots will not refuse a Herring in their face. There are not as many largemouth Bass left in the Lake, as the spots are taking over. They out compete the largemouth and over time they will displace the

largemouth. This is sad to those that like to catch largemouth. I don’t mind because spots are easier to catch. They fight better, and

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they taste better. They are prolific spawners and are here to stay.

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Fishing the ‘Dog Days of Summer’ By Karl Ekberg

he “Dog Days of Summer” have reached us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop. The rivers have received a good amount of rain, although summer temperatures have been a little warmer than we would like to see. The great part of a good amount of rainfall and good river levels is that the trout have plenty of water to seek thermal refuge from the rising water temperatures. Many fish are being caught, although, you must like being on the waters at daybreak when the opportunities are great for catching fish. As the temperatures rise, move to casting nymphs 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 them, trailing behind a larger stonefly. Tying these smaller nymphs on behind a larger stonefly

nymph pattern will allow the flies to get deeper in the water column, where the fish are holding. Don’t hesitate to pinch a small piece of split shot on your line to get deeper, if you’re not catching. Terrestrials have also been productive. Casting these towards the over-hanging foliage, and a deaddrift and twitch method, will produce for you. These patterns will continue to work throughout the remainder of the summer. If the trout are being a little tough to catch, a great day on the

rivers can mean Bass and Panfish. Lower sections of the river are fishing well now. Top water and streamers seem 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 hydrated), a small fly box, a good pair of polarized sun glasses, and exploring waters you might not nor-

mally fish…what a way to spend a summer day, and did I mention, catching fish on a fly rod. While out for your day of fishing, expect afternoon thunderstorms, and the river level to rise slightly. Although it may not be raining where you’re 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, and please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

WHAT A CATCH!

Karl and Karen Ekberg are Co-Owners 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

Lilly Kate Jennings Lake Russell 8 years old 32 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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Family Fishing Clinics

ave you ever been fishing or has it been a long time since you ‘wet’ your line? If you are intimidated by how to tie a Palomar knot or proper casting techniques for all situations, then we have a class for you. Family Fishing Clinics is an introductory class to fishing. Family Fishing Clinics will teach skills on how to tie fishing

knots, how to rig a rod and reel, casting and the best part is everyone will get to try their hand at fishing. Kids from ages 4 to adults are welcome, so come out and play, enjoy the outdoors and make this a Family Fun Day! For more information regarding an upcoming Freshwater Family Fishing Clinics event or want to host an event of your very own, please contact Sarah

Chabaane, fishingclinics@dnr. sc.gov or 803-737-8483. For more information regarding Saltwater Family Fish-

ing Clinics or to host your own event, please contact Olivia Bueno, BuenoO@dnr.sc.gov or 843-953-9809.

Upcoming Clinics August 5, 2019

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. KHOV Four Seasons 109 Magnolia House Dr., Summerville, SC 29486

August 10, 2019

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center Saltwater Event 310 Okatie Hwy,, Okatie, SC 29909

August 17, 2019

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lexington Wildlife Chapter 3225 Emanuel Church Rd., Lexington, SC 29073

August 17, 2019

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sun City Grand Parents Park 1353 Del Webb Blvd Fort Mill, SC

34 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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The Clemson Bass Fishing Team

he Clemson Bass Fishing Team is currently a club sport, that is open to any full-time student at Clemson University. We are currently a student ran organization, and our club size varies on average between 30-60 members each semester. While most of our member have been enjoying the summer on their home waters, we have had several teams that have continued to compete in national events ran by FLW, BASS, and ACA. During June, the team of Liam West and Brady Waits recently finished 6th place out of 150 teams in the 2019

West, Waits 2019 FLW National Championship (Photo: FLW)

Yeti FLW National Championship on the Potomac River in Marbury, MD. West and Waits qualified to fish the Yeti FLW National Championship in May of 2018 with a 7th place finish during a qualifying event on Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee. The Clemson Bass Team had 4 teams travel to the St. Lawrence River to compete in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series qualifying event. Derek Freeman and Caleb Allgood led the Tigers with a top 50 finish in Waddington, NY. As of June 24, 2019, Clemson University is ranked 10th in the nation

according to the ACA School of the Year Standings. To wrap up the summer, the teams of Liam West and Brady Waits, as well as Derek Freeman and Caleb Allgood will be traveling to Dayton, TN to compete in the 2019 Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship August 1-3. They will be facing over 100 other teams on Lake Chickamauga for a berth in the 2020 Bassmaster Classic. The top 4 teams from the 2019 Carhartt Bassmaster National Championship will compete in a bracket style tournament later in

August for the lone berth to the 2020 Bassmaster Classic. Both West and Waits, and Freeman and Allgood earned their qualifications to the 2019 Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship by finishing in the top 10% of the field during a qualifying event in March 2019 on Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman, AL. To stay up to date with the Clemson Bass Fishing Team, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ClemsonBassFishing. For any other inquiries, please email Liam West (President) at lhwest@clemson.edu.

Freeman, Allgood 2019 Bassmaster event on St. Lawrence River (Photo: BASS)

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Photo Courtesy: FLW

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DIVER STICKS WORLD RECORD SHEEPSHEAD

n June 2, Quentin Turko, of Kitty Hawk, N.C., speared this 16.8-pound sheepshead while diving off the coast of the Outer Banks. It is a new International Underwater Spearfishing Association world record (IUSA). Turko officially weighed the fish at TW’s Bait and Tackle in Nags Head the day of capture and sent in the paperwork to IUSA, which officiates international world records for spearfishing. A month later, on July 2, he was officially awarded the new IUSA world record, beating a mark of 15 pounds, which had stood since 2011. By comparison, the IGFA all tackle world record for sheepshead weighed 21 pounds, 4 ounces. It was caught on rod-and-reel out of New Orleans in 1982. The North Carolina state record for sheepshead caught on rod and reel is 19 pounds, 4 ounces. It was caught by Chris Robbins off Oregon Inlet in 1999. To view more spearfishing records, go to www.iusarecords.com.

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, KINGFISH BACK TO THE BASICS Photos by Gene Dyer

By Gene Dyer

6 barrel swivel. I like to stay on the long side with my leader to be a bit stealthier. This step will help to avoid line twist, especially when using a spinning reel. Now it’s time to put together some rigs. You’ll need some #5 stainless steel, coffee-colored wire, and depending on the bait that is available, octopus hooks ranging from 3/0 to 7/0 and some treble hooks in size 4 and 6. If you are using smaller baits like pilchards, you’ll want to use a smaller main hook and smaller treble hook for your stinger. For bigger baits like goggle eyes, blue runners and speedos, step up your hook size for your main hook and stinger. Use a haywire twist to attach a 20inch length of wire to the main hook. Don’t over do it, as four to five twists on a 45-degree angle will suffice. Finish off your haywire with three to four straight wraps to secure the connection. Now it’s time to attach your stinger to the main hook. Again, depending on the size of your bait, attach 4 to 8 inches of wire to your stinger hook with a haywire twist and then attach the other end of your stinger rig to the eye of the main hook with another haywire twist. It’s extremely important to rig your stinger with enough slack so that your bait will swim naturally. Now you are ready to attach your rig to your leader. Use an albright knot to connect your rig to your leader. If you don’t know how to tie an albright knot, do an Internet search and plenty of pages and videos will pop up. You can fish this setup a couple of different ways. If you will be drifting, fish at least two rods. You’ll want one bait on the surface and one deeper, from 30 to 60 feet. Send your surface bait out first and allow it to swim away from the boat. You can attach a balloon to your main line to help keep track of where your bait is. Depending on conditions, add 4 to 8 ounces of lead to your deep rod. Slip your lead on above the swivel or attach it to the main line with a rubber band. If you utilize the rubber band method, it’s highly likely that you’ll lose your sinker on the strike. These rigs can also be used for slow trolling baits. Slow trolling can help determine what depth the fish are in. Start trolling in about 60 feet and head out to 200 feet and then back to 60 feet. Once you find the fish, set up your drift at the depth. When kingfish strike, they typically go on a long run away from the boat. Take your time and slowly work the fish toward the boat. Don’t be surprised if you get it close and it takes off on another short run after it sees the boat. Let the fish run and tire out. You should then be able to get your fish back to the boat for a gaff shot to the head.

ing mackerel are aggressive predators with extremely sharp teeth. To catch them with consistency, you must prepare accordingly. Though there are many ways to rig your rods for kingfish, I’d like to focus on a few techniques that have worked for me over the years. These techniques can be utilized on both spinning and conventional tackle. To start, you’re going to want a rod in the 7-foot range that has a sensitive tip, so you can feel the bite, but also some backbone to turn the head of a smoker that just peeled off 100 yards of line in 20 seconds. Sometimes, a big king will swim right back at the boat after a blistering run, and you will have a better chance of coming tight with a higher speed reel. You’ll want nothing less than a 5-to-1 gear ratio. When it comes to line choice, you can certainly spool your reels with braided line, but I prefer 20- to 30-pound monofilament, as I’m kind of old school and learned to fish for kingfish before braid became so popular. That said, you’ll want to connect your main line to Gene Dyer is co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine’s Fort Lau4 to 10 feet of 40- or 50-pound fluorocarbon leader with a size 4 or derdale edition. Contact him at gene@coastalanglermagazine.com. 14

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FLY FISHING 16

CHUMMING UP MAKO SHARKS One of the greatest adversaries on the fly rod in saltwater is the shortfin mako shark. The mako is considered by many as the fastest of all sharks, but what makes this great gamefish stand out is not only its fighting ability but its tendency to leap 20 feet in the air once hooked! The mako shark is one of saltwater fly-fishing’s outstanding but unappreciated gamefish. Found on both in the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, a smaller mako in the 20- to 30-pound range can be perfect for the beginning saltwater fly fisherman; of course, fishing for sharks is a tad different than fishing for bluegills in your Uncle Ned’s farm pond. First, you’ll need a boat, preferably a boat over 18 feet that can handle fairly choppy seas. Most center-consoles will do; however, a skiff with a beam of 8 feet or wider and a not-too-deep V will settle in the water better and reduce pitch and roll to a minimum, guaranteeing a much more stable casting platform. A chum line is the most effective way of attracting makos into casting distance of your boat. Chumming attracts the larger makos and will allow you to sight-cast to them. Into a chum bag, place the belly sections or fresh carcasses of tuna, bluefish or bonito. Then place the bag into a milk crate or five-gallon bucket, lower this mess by rope over the side and listen for the musical score from the movie “Jaws” to begin. You won’t have long to wait once that chum slick begins to spread. Ideally, you should use fresh carcasses, but store-bought chum will suffice. One bit of important advice: Less is more when chumming; you don’t

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What customers are saying about Stauer knives...

êêêêê “Very hefty, well-built knife and sheath. Extremely goodlooking and utilitarian.”

Once a lost art, we sought out a knifemaker who — R., Lacey, Washington has resurrected the craftsmanship of Damascus steel to create the August Knife. The elusive, ancient production technique mixes different steel alloys to form a super steel–– the outcome is a beautiful one-of-a-kind pattern of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. With the August Knife you’re getting the best blade money can buy. What you won’t get is the inflated price tag. We know a thing or two about the hunt–– like how to seek out and capture an outstanding, collector’s-quality knife that won’t cut into your bank account. Limited availability. Only a handful of artisans make these blades, with each handcrafted knife taking months to perfect. We currently can get less than 1500 this year, so we can’t promise they’ll stick around for long–– especially at this price. Call today! Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. But we believe once you wrap your fingers around the August’s handle and experience the BONUS! Call today and you’ll also receive this beauty of its Damascus steel blade, you’ll be ready genuine leather sheath! to carve out your own legend.

August Knife non oﬀer code price $149*

Oﬀer Code Price Only $59 + S&P Save $90

1-800-333-2045

TAKE 60 % OFF INST ANTLY! When you use

Not shown actual size.

your

INSIDER OFFER CO DE

Your Insider Oﬀer Code: AGK282-01 You must use the insider oﬀer code to get our special price.

Stauer

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. AGK282-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

*Discount is only for customers who use the oﬀer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

Rating of A+

• 7 ½" overall length • Genuine Damascus steel blade • Stainless steel guard • Leather handle • Includes genuine leather sheath

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.™

Start the new boating season off right with the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard from Suzuki. Buy during our Spring Sales Event and get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.

3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.

INST

ANT SAVIN GS SAV

SELECE RIGHT N T SUZ UKI O OW ON UTBO ARDS

REPOWER FINANCE

Instant Savings on select models when you buy during this promotion. See your dealer for details.

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

To learn more, visit www.suzukimarine.com. 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s 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 04/01/19 and 06/30/19. “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. © 2019 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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3/15/19 2:26 PM