The Angler Magazine | June 2023 | Great Smoky Mountains & The Upstate Edition

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Field Dress For Success

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Trophies Traditions !

or those of us afflicted with the fishing bug, nothing will deter us from returning to the ocean. We’re often planning our next trip before the current one is over. There is no difference between fishing daily, or being deprived for weeks, the fisherman’s mind will never stop nagging to get back out there.

Fishing stories and trophies are a great way to keep the inner fishing-monster soothed in between trips.

Photographs are an easy way to relive moments, and should not be overlooked. It doesn’t take much effort to get out a camera and capture the catch when it hits the deck while its colors are vibrant and the smile is fresh on the angler’s face. Friends don’t let friends take deadfish dock photos without at least a few taken out on the blue.

When it comes to fishing trophies, there is a whole lot more to be taken home than just some good photos.

The standard go-to trophies are wall mount replicas, which can easily be reproduced with some measurements and photos. This provides the opportunity to release the fish and also be able to take it home with you. Gray’s Taxidermy does excellent work with this type of customization, and outfits most charter companies with the

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

required paperwork to get you started on this process. Make sure to ask your captain about mounting your catch before you release the fish.

There are still people who work with the tried and true art of fish taxidermy, utilizing the fish itself, but these services are harder to find, and the product doesn’t last forever.

Gyotaku fish rubbings are another way to accredit the true size of a trophy fish. The fish itself is painted and printed on paper. This method does not allow you to release the fish, but if you work quickly, and utilize acrylics, the fillets may still be consumed. This is a fun method to try on your own, but there are artists you can hire for this as well. These trophies work out better when wall space at home is more limited.

Various parts of the fish can be taken and treated, such as bills, tails, skeletal systems and even eyeballs transformed into epoxy shot glasses. These trophies can have some of the best outcomes, but require some involved and stinky DIY processing. There are a variety of techniques for this, and endless creative potential.

Participating in fishing traditions is another great way to boost the excitement of a first catch, and add to the memory. Who knows how these got started, but it is our communal obligation to keep them alive.

I’m sure there are some I have missed, but here

are the ones I know of, and practice.

When you catch your first tuna, it is customary to eat the heart or, at very least, take a bite out of it. It’s not bad with a bit of lime and a chaser. Tastes a bit like what I would imagine tuna-jerky to taste like.

When you catch your first marlin, you earn a celebratory jump in the ocean. Usually, this is done back at the dock for safety reasons. This is the most refreshing dip you’ll ever take.

When you catch your first swordfish, your crew will hollow out the eyeball, as to make a cup out of it, and you then take a drink from it. I highly recommend being quick about this before extra slime leeches out into your drink. Don’t worry, it all tastes like victory.

However deep your commitment to your fishing affliction may be, the best trophy will always be memories of having a good time. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy being out there. Your local captains understand that it’s difficult to manage life between fishing trips, and we are here for you. Blue Magic Charters is available for your next fix, out of Marathon, Florida Keys.

Capt. Quinlyn, of Blue Magic Charters, is also a Gyotaku artist and a Gray’s Taxidermy agent. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 and follow her social accounts @CaptainQuinlyn.

Electric AN GREEN DRAKE HATCH

small green drake just as it was annihilated by a frisky brown trout.

I hurried to tie on a Colorado Green Drake and caught a brown on my first cast. My second cast was taken as soon as it hit the water—a nice rainbow. By then, drakes were all over the surface and the trout were feeding without hesitation. One trout went airborne, and I swear it was looking for the next green drake on its way back down.

It was dry-fly heaven fishing my 7.5-foot “Perfectionist” bamboo rod (made by “Preacher Jim” Beasley, of Crossville, Tenn.) and a green drake tied on 5X tippet. But over the ridge came ominous blue-tinged storm clouds. The pyrotechnics began immediately, with lightning pinging down all around me. Seeking safe haven, I dove into a shallow creek bed that emptied into the river. Elk, deer and bear tracks had beaten down the bed and formed foot-high banks. It was muddy but much safer. At first, it was too dangerous to even sit up, so I lay in the mud and watched the hatch, which was still in full swing.

In 25 years fly fishing, I’ve only experienced two bona fide green drake hatches. The second time I witnessed one of these hatches it was spectacular, the stuff of legends.

Green drakes are large mayflies that, under the right conditions, hatch in huge numbers and send trout into feeding frenzies. It happened for me one afternoon at about 8,750 feet of elevation on a Colorado river. The left bank hugged the base of a mountain ridge and the right bank opened onto a flat meadow of grasses and wildflowers. It was hot and windy—a tough day for fishing dry flies, but I’m a stubborn dry-fly bigot. I refused to nymph and hadn’t caught a single fish until the weather changed. Clouds floated over the ridge and the temperature and pressure dropped. A bright-white flash and instantaneous rumble sent me toward the truck, but on the way I spotted a

Eventually, the lightning lessened, and I was able fish. Once, two fish—a rainbow and a brown—came from opposite directions and arrived at my fly at the same time. A violent collision of noses ensued, and both fish quickly retreated. My drake was partially submerged after impact, but a different brown appeared, circled once, and daintily took the fly. He was not happy when I hooked him!

Once, I was surprised when my drake drifted almost back to me without a strike. Just as I was picking up the fly to cast again, an upstream brown came like a freight train. It took the fly on the uptake, went airborne and hit me in the chest. When you get nailed in the chest by a 16-inch brown, it’s gotta be a green drake hatch!

This short story (copyrighted by the author) and many other true-life fly fishing adventures can be found in Michael Fitzsimmons’ book “Adventures of a Dry-Fly Junkie,” available only on Amazon. Contact the author at dry_fly_junkie@hotmail.com.

By Michael Fitzsimmons

PHOTO BY GAIL HAMPSHIRE

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL FITZSIMMONS

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MITZI SKIFF: Affordable Performance on the Flats

boat. It really is a very nice boat, notwithstanding the price point.”

The Mitzi Skiff 17’ is a stripped-down and customizable version of the 17’ Tournament, which comes with the options Grubbs said most of his fishing customers were asking for. Both boats draft just 7 inches loaded, they pole easily, they pole straight, and they reach speeds into the 40s with a 60 hp engine.

While the 15’ is a one or two-man boat that’s at-home on the flats, the 17’ can fish three people and it’s got better range. The 17’s primary purpose is still as a flats boat, yet it also doubles admirably as bay boat.

“It’s not just a flats boats; it’s a little bit of an open water boat, too,” Grubbs said.

The 17’ features a modified V-hull with an 11-degree deadrise at transom. There’s no hull slap, and rolled gunnels knock down spray for an exceptionally dry ride. They are built for light weight to run shallow, yet they are solid and durable to stand up to long years of heavy use.

Going back to the mid-1990s, Mitzi Skiff has led the industry with no-nonsense flats boats for skinny-water anglers.

In the very beginning, Tom Mitzlaff’s intent was to design the boat he needed to fly fish the flats. He couldn’t find an affordable boat on the market with the shallow draft, clean layout and quiet maneuverability he needed, so he designed and built the original 15-foot Mitzi Skiff.

That boat revolutionized the marketplace. Mitzi Skiff became the brand for skinny-water anglers who value simplicity and functionality. A Mitzi does everything the pricier skiffs do, yet they are affordable enough for any angler to own

and operate.

About 30 years later, Mitzi has expanded to offer 15’, 16’ and 17’ skiffs that all perform the purposes of the original design exceptionally well. Continued innovation has made Mitzi a boat other builders imitate, and they still come at a significantly lower price point than the competition. The 17’ and the 17’ Tournament have become the brand’s hottest sellers.

“The 15’ took the micro-skiff market by storm,” said Brad Grubbs, who owns and manufactures Mitzi Skiffs in North Carolina. “Since then, the brand has sort of evolved toward the 17’, which works just fine as a multi-purpose

From hideaway pushpole holders to flushmount hardware, Mitzi has obviously put some thought into making decks clean and fishable for fly anglers. Large, clean and stable casting decks are something Mitzi has become known for.

“Keep it simple stupid, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Grubbs quipped. For nearly three decades, Mitzi has built skiffs for anglers more interested in fishing than in spending a lot of money. It’s a philosophy that works.

Mitzi Skiff boats are available exclusively through select dealers. For more on Mitzi Skiffs, go to www.mitziskiffs.com.

The Ball, the Bat, and the Grand Slam

By Jim Parks

Afew years ago, I took a neighbor fishing. He had recently moved next door and we talked sports. He was a huge baseball fan and baseball season was just underway. I admitted to a give or take mentality with “America’s pastime”. As is typical for me, I soon converted our discussion into trout fishing and the Smoky Mountains. He said he liked fishing, and he liked the Smokies, but had never fished there. His fishing background consisted of ponds and lakes. Over the next few months, I wore him down and removed any inhibitions of trying things with a fly rod in the small streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Learning that he liked to hike, I took that as an opportunity, so we hiked a few miles to a likely spot to catch trout.

After showing him the ins and outs of fly fishing for trout in the pocket water of the Smokies, he quickly developed a knack with a fly rod, however he was not skilled at wading, which I told him was an acquired talent mastered via many cuts and bruises. Still, he caught several trout. Thus, I finally felt comfortable to a point that I walked upstream a bit, leaving a small stack of rocks on a midstream boulder for him to fish up to, then get out of the stream and walk up to me.

After a while, I did not see him and thought I’d better go see how he was faring. As I made my way from the creek to the trail, I looked down and saw a baseball. I’m thinking, “How did a baseball get here?” But there it was and in good condition, so I put it in my back vest pocket.

After finding him, I showed him the baseball I’d found, and I asked how he’d done. He said, he caught a few more then he asked, “Did you see that bat?”

“What bat?”

“Let me show you.” He walked me to the spot down on the creek where he pointed at a clump of leaves hanging from a piece of fishing line that had broken off on a tree limb.

I said, “I remember seeing that as I fished by, but I just thought it was a clump of leaves.”

He said, “Yeah, I thought that too until it moved. Scared the crap outta me!” At that point, it moved again!

What I saw was a small, brown bat unfolding its wings. It had been hooked by the fly dangling at the bottom of the broken fishing line.

“What are you going to do?”, he asked.

“Well, I’m not going to let it die a slow death by hanging there. I was born on Halloween, and I guess I feel something of a kinship with bats. I’m getting it free.” I walked over, placed my net beneath the bat and cut the fishing line, dropping the bat into my net. I then carried it over to a rock and laid it down on its back. I borrowed a set of forceps from my buddy to use along with mine. One pair I used to open its mouth. “Man does this thing have teeth!”, I said as I spread its mouth open as would a dentist.

“Well don’t get bit”, my friend offered.

“I don’t plan on touching it”, I replied as I worked. I took my pair of forceps and found the hook embedded, but not too deeply into the roof up its mouth. Fortunately, the bat was very calm and docile like it was asleep. I was able to slip the fly out with some ease. Though a bit tired and groggy the small bat seemed ok.

We walked away about 30 feet to sit on a rock and eat some peanut butter and honey sandwiches. He said, “Well, we have a baseball and a bat. Maybe we’ll find a glove!”

Laughing he proudly showed me some photos of some of the trout he’d caught. He knew what a rainbow was, but he wasn’t sure about some of the others. While flipping through the nine or ten photos of small trout he’d photographed I realized he had caught each of the three species of trout in the GSMNP, a rainbow, a brown, and a brook.

I looked up, smiled, and said, “Forget the glove”, as I handed him the baseball I’d found. “You have a baseball, a bat, and a grand slam!” After explaining the concept of the Smoky Mountain Grand Slam of trout, we looked over at my net, and the bat was gone.

Jim Parks, a native of Newport, TN, has spent over forty-five years flyfishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which he considers his home waters. Jim has written articles for Fly Fish American and The Angler Magazine. He works with and gives talks on fly fishing to various civic organizations. Jim is the author of “Tails of the Smokies”. For copies, he can be reached via his Instagram page at “TailsoftheSmokies”

KY / TN FISHING REPORT

Owner StriperFun Guide Service, Tennessee and Kentucky Walleye, Bass, Crappie and Muskie Charters, Superbaittanks. com, Captain Jim Lures and Marine Electronics and much more…… DATE OF REPORT: June 2023

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

STRIPER FUN GUIDE SERVICE ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER

Captain Jim’s StriperFun Guide Service Cumberland River Adventures fishes the Cumberland River in TN and KY for several reasons.

• First, the Stripers are much larger in the Cumberland River system in TN and KY than other fresh water arears. Per the two State’s Wildlife Boards, there is an average of over 15 Stripers caught annually in excess of 50 pounds and 40-pound fish are not uncommon. The smallest fish we generally catch daily is over 3 feet long! These fish mostly eat high protein Rainbow Trout, large Gizzard Shad and Skip Jack and also fight the current all day, making them much heavier and stronger than “lake” fish.

• TN allows the use of Rainbow Trout as bait, and we catch large Gizzard Shad in the allowed creeks and use them in the KY waters.

In the cold waters of the Cumberland River, the caught fish survive very well and can be released unharmed. The average size Trout we use in TN for bait is 12 inches with some up to 16 inches long. The average

size Gizzard Shad we use in KY is 10 inches and we occasionally use big Skip Jack up to 20 inches long (“yes” the Stripers in the Cumberland River are large enough to eat a 20-inch piece of bait!). When a big river Striper comes after a large bait, the bait will be tail dancing all over the surface trying to get a way. Sometimes the “dance” will last half a minute (as you watch the big predator circling the prey!) until the Striper finally gets the big bait then its “Kabam”!! The rod gets yanked down and the reel is screaming!

We also catch huge fish casting Captain Jim Special (see our website store) Striper Magic “glide” baits and my mini umbrella rigs!

As I advised above, throughout the year, it is not uncommon to see 40 or 50 pound “goliath” Stripers pulled from the beautiful waters of the Cumberland River. This fishing is not for the faint of heart however! These big fish hit like freight trains, making long powerful runs in the constantly flowing waters of the river! We use large rods, heavy duty reels, 50-pound test line and titanium hooks!

Continued, see KY/TN FISHING REPORT Page 4

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER ARE GREAT MONTHS TO FISH!

It is great to be alive and be a “free” American! I look forward to seeing all of you this year on the water. Always remember to stop and shake the hand of a person in uniform or wearing garb that shows they are a veteran! Their service is why you speak English, can vote and can enjoy the freedoms you do!

Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!

With full State licensing and insurance, all Captain Jim’s Guide Service guides (19 guides on 18 waterways) can take you on a safe, fun and unforgettable fishing adventure! Check out all of our fishing services as well as our exclusive “online” store at www.striperfun.com or call 931-403-2501 to make reservations today.

With full State licensing and insurance, all Captain Jim’s Guide Service guides (16 guides on 16 waterways) can take you on a safe, fun and unforgettable fishing adventure! Check out all of our fishing services as well as our exclusive “online” store at www.striperfun.com or call 931-403-2501 to make reservations today.

Swimbait Crappie?

By Perry Hensley

Its late spring-early summer and most if not all the female crappie have spawned and are roaming, as they make their way back to the creek channels in the deeper waters. So Now What?

I’ll tell ya—it’s time to start trolling the bandit crank baits and maybe trolling or casting the 2.8 swimbaits for those hungry females that are chasing or following just below those baitfish schools. If you own a live sonar unit of any kind, it’s the perfect time to target those aggressive females by using the spot-n-stalk method or, as many call it, sniping.

Don’t be scared to try different methods to catch these fish. I myself admit I am new to this method, and it takes a bit to get your confidence built up, but once you start catching them in this manner I am sure you will love it as much as I do. For the best results, in my opinion, anchor or spot lock your boat facing the wind. This way you will be able to cast past the fish. Note: crappie face into the wind as baitfish/shad follow the wind, which I’ve discussed in previous articles.

Now! One may be able to target some schools on creek channel ledges or deep rock piles, points or stumps and brush. Make sure you cast your bait past your target bringing the bait just above the fish. In most cases you can see the fish turn on your bait and begin to follow it as you pull it by them. At this point it is very important that you continue to retrieve it without stopping the bait. I have stopped my retrieve several times and 99% of the time the fish stop chasing or turn and go back to the structure or school. Continue to reel the bait all the way back to the boat. Most times the fish will strike as the bait starts to climb in the water column, so hold on tight!

As far as baits and colors go on Douglas and Cherokee Lakes, here in East Tennessee, the preferred colors would be Chartreuse Pearl Glit’r, Topaz Shad, Tennessee Shad, Glim’r Shad and K’Jun Krit’r of the Slab Happy Lures brand of the 2.8 SlabTek Minnow. Although I am sure the Kietech, and others would work just as well also.

I hope that this method will help you put more fish in your boat as well as open your mind up to using different techniques and methods of catching these beautiful and tasty fish, but above all, I sincerely hope that you all take the time to get out there and enjoy what God has given us and do it with those you love.

Tight Lines and God Bless

Photo Credit: Jeff Stiles, Perry Hensley

FINE TUNING PRESENTATION

By David and Becky Hulsey

Presentation of the fly is most always more important to a trout than the fly pattern used. There are exceptions of course. Very educated trout in highly pressured water will show favoritism toward certain patterns that probably won’t result in getting their faces ripped off for the twelfth time. That fly moored by too heavy or inflexible tippet, causing drag, will usually get passed up by almost any trout though.

All that fish really cares about is the last foot or so of tippet, the fly and the fact that it doesn’t scare the crap out of it. Your leader system is more important than your thousand-dollar fly rod, especially if you don’t know how to use it. Czech nymphing is so very effective at close range because of the ability to eliminate drag from your drift. Using straight small tippet as your “leader” slices through the water, making the contact with the fly and fish instantaneous and effective.

If the need to cast the fly to a waiting fish at a bit of a distance comes up, leader design becomes more critical. Sure, you can use a typical store-bought leader of monofilament or fluorocarbon and have some good results, but what if you tweak that leader system and could get great results? Building your own leaders is almost a lost art used by just a few anglers out there.

Building leader butts with a connected 2 mm tippet ring allows me

to change tactics, drift depth, drift speed, buoyancy and to get 3 or 4 trips out of a leader instead of just one. Four or five feet of butt section of pure nylon or a hybrid of nylon and fluorocarbon allows fine tuning of your presentation to give the fish a fly that enters the strike zone for that particular time period a lot more than a straight up machine produced leader ever could. It is a little time consuming to tie your own but very rewarding to catch a fish on your own creation kind of like fly tying.

Here’s a system that I use that I’ve worked out over the past 40 years of fly fishing, which has made success on the river easier, more effective and less expensive for me and my clients: A mono butt section of 30 lb. blood knotted to a 20lb. mono or flouro to a 12 lb. section of mono or flouro of equal lengths of 16’’ to 24’’ to a tippet ring will result in a nice casting leader that will give you a great presentation for finicky fish by adding an appropriate tippet section. Full monofilament for dries, one section of fluorocarbon for normal nymph fishing in shallow water, two fluorocarbon sections for deeper water or full fluorocarbon sections for even more depth or streamer fishing. Experiment with this formula or come up with your own, and I guarantee you will put a few more fish in the net this year.

Give David Hulsey a call at (770) 639-4001 to book a class or a guided trout trip. See his website at www.hulseyflyfishing.com.

Shane Goebel Fishing Lake Hiwassee June Stripers MURPHY & WESTERN NC

The long hot days of summer are finally here, and so are the insane schools of stripers and hybrids that this warm weather brings with it. We always tell everyone, “If you wanna catch numbers, then June is a great start”. It’s the perfect time to hit the lake and catch some amazing fish! And when I say numbers, it’s not uncommon for us to catch 30-50 of these explosive stripers in just a couple of hours. Now, what’s the best way to do that? By booking a trip with Western NC & North Georgia’s #1 striper guide service: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Check out our Facebook and Instagram page to see just what I mean. And, of course read these awesome articles.

Lake Hiwassee is unbelievable for summer striper fishing. There’s nothing like starting your day off with the birds chirping, morning fog lifting and an explosion of stripers slamming all your rods. It’s a feeding frenzy of schooled-up stripers and mass chaos of loading the boat with tons of fish. It’s not uncommon for us to boat 30-50 fish per trip out here on this serene Western North Carolina lake.

Currently, Lake Hiwassee is at full pool. Water is clear throughout the lake, and water temps are in the low 70’s. Striper fishing remains excellent. We have been loading the boat with some big fish in good quantities. Several of our fish have been in the 20-35 pound range.

The early-morning and evening bites are your best times to see action. In the early morning hours, we have had an insane top water bite! Most of our fish have been caught on light tackle. You can still pull planer boards and free lines with live blueback herring and shad if you wish. Covering some ground will usually insure you catch some great fish. As the sun comes up in the later morning hours, start to focus on deeper water and switch to down lines. Target creek mouths and points off the main channel.

As the top-water bite has also been excellent, keep a spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag those surface-busting fish. By mid-month these fish will really start to school up and we’ll switch to an all down line bite. Just remember to keep an eye on your electronics and watch for schools of stripers. Also, remember to try to get the fish back into the water as quick as possible.

June is a fantastic month for catching a lot of trophy stripers on this Murphy, 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 stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime.

We are Murphy, NC’s and Blairsville Georgia’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely and Chatuge (in North Carolina) and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, GA.

So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

Shane Goebel owns Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and is a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team. See the website at www. bigolfish.com or call (828) 361-2021

Prepare for Success

By Ronnie Parris

Hey folks! Hopefully everyone is doing well and getting ready for springtime fishing trips. This article is just a few tips to make sure your outing is as enjoyable as it can be.

If you’re a person who likes to do your own thing and you don’t want a guide, it’s still probably a good idea to research the area your planning on fishing and try and get as much local knowledge as you can before you even pack for your trip. Great places to ask for advice include the local bait and tackle shops where folks can tell you what’s biting a what technique is producing the best, and also what baits your gonna want to bring or buy when you arrive. Most guides are willing to give you some pointers and try and help you get pointed in the right direction.

If you do get a guide, things you will want to consider prior to the trip include the time of year you are going what’s going to be biting. One of my biggest pet peeves is when you have a client come in for a trip and you tell them what’s biting, and they say, well I don’t want to catch that species of fish, I want walleye. Well that would be great if I could make a walleye bite 365 days a year but sadly I can’t. Also you need to let the guides know if you intend to keep fish to eat as some guides only practice catch and release.

If you want to only fish with your equipment, make sure to ask the guides if that’s ok and if so, what line size you are going to need to use. My advice is to use the guides equipment, since it’s going to be one less thing to have to pack and it’s probably going to be matched better to the fish you are going to be catching. And ask the guides if you are going to want to do a full day or half. In our area the hot midday sun slows the bite in the summer, so I usually suggest a half day so that the trip ends as the bite slows.

Whether you are lake fishing from a boat or wading for wild trout, listen to the guide and don’t assume you know better. You’re paying him or her for their experience and knowledge, so soak in as much as you can from them.

On a recent fly fishing trip I had 2 clients and after getting the first guy in the water and showing him how to make a good drag free drift with his dry fly, he was doing pretty good. So I told him to make a couple casts in each place in the pool that might hold a fish, then take a few steps upstream and repeat the process. I said I’d take his buddy upstream a few hundred yards to give him plenty of undisturbed water, that I’d work with his buddy a few minutes, then return and work with him some more. I took the second guy upstream and in a few minutes had him doing good, and he had gotten a couple hits. So I got went back to check on the first guy, only to find he had gotten out of the stream. Long story short, I spent the next hour or so walking up and down the creek looking for him.

If you’re going to pay good money for a guide, pay as much attention to directions as possible, and I guarantee you’re gonna have a better trip than if you disregard directions and try to run off on your own an outcompete your buddy.

Another consideration, which really doesn’t have anything to do with fishing, is the accommodations where you will be staying on your vacation. If you are by yourself or with a fishing buddy, a no frills motel is great because you are probably going to be fishing most of the time and just need a hot shower and a clean bed to get some sleep at the end of day. But if you’re bringing the family, you may want to consider renting a house so the family can enjoy themselves, and you’re probably going to have an easier time getting them to go again.

Also consider the driving distance from your place of stay to where you are going to meet your guide. You don’t want to get up early and then have a 2 hour drive to meet the guide. If catching fish is more important

than comfort let the guide know you’re willing to start as early as you need to. The first thing in the morning is usually the best, and I like being on the water for that morning bite. But if a client doesn’t care and wants to go later most guides are fine with that.

Just ask a lot of questions prior to your trip and make sure if it’s a guided trip you’re both on the same page as far as expectations. If you’re going to go it on your own, research any local knowledge you can and have everything ready to go so you spend your time on the water fishing. Research the laws, rules and regulations for the area you intend to fish. Nothing can put a damper on a fishing trip like a ticket for not following the rules. Try and plan your trip for the best time of year for the fish you are targeting. Don’t get blindsided; be prepared. Dress for the weather conditions. Above all be safe and have fun.

As always, take a kid fishing. Build those memories.

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

Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING

We o er 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.

Lured by a Cool Summer on Beech Mountain

Beech Mountain, N.C. is a prime destination for outdoor adventure all year long. Our cool summer and fall seasons offer biking, hiking, fishing, birding, and various events and programs for the whole family to enjoy. And you won’t want to miss the Beech Mountain Brewery, or 5506’ Skybar and great dining options. That covers a lot, but it is still only part of the story.

Beech Mountain hosts a variety of festivals and events all year long. We kick-off the fun on June 3rd with The Annual Kiddo Fishing Derby. For ages 12 and under, this FREE family favorite offers our little ones the opportunity to cast their line and go after the biggest catch. Every Friday evening from June to mid-August, the Brick Oven Pizzeria is the venue for Family Fun Night, featuring free live music, a bounce house, games and outdoor movies.

July follows with a bang! Fireworks will be set off from the top of the slopes at The Beech Mountain Resort and ignite the evening sky on Saturday July 1st. The Independence Day weekend celebration at the Resort will feature, games, live music, food and other fun activities.

But the Beech Mountain Resort is not the only game in town, on that same Saturday the 52nd Annual Roast Hog will be back, offering the best darn BBQ in the High-Country. And earlier in the day, the Buckeye Recreation Center will hold a Sparkler 5K Run. Every July 4th weekend, this unique destination

provides experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

On weekends throughout summer, you can enjoy free live music at various venues like, The Mile High Tavern, Brick Oven Pizzeria, 5506’ Skybar and Fred’s Gazebo. Plus, this year the Beech Mountain Resort has added more dates to their extremely popular Summer Concerts Series. Check out beechmountainresort.com for schedules and ticket pricing.

If all this music isn’t enough for you, there is also an iconic craft festival on the mountain on Saturday, August 5th. The grassy area beside Fred’s General Mercantile is the site for the annual Crafts on the Green, which features over fifty vendors. This event also features music and food, and there is always something new to discover.

Before summer ends and we usher in the spectacular color that fall brings, it’s time for the Mile High Kite Festival on Labor Day weekend, kicking off a September to remember. The last three weekends in September, bring wonder and joy to families from near and far during the Autumn at Oz Festival. Other activities this summer include a downhill mountain biking, high-altitude disc golf, hiking, Mile High Yoga, and of course, scenic lift rides and spectacular views.

More information can be found at beechmtn.com or by calling the Beech Mountain Visitor Center at 828-387-9283.

Ihad a dream.

Interpreting Dreams

By Jim Mize Excerpt from A Creek Trickles Through It

The dream had a foggy feel to it, as if I were standing in poor light. Water lapped against my thighs, and I held my 4-wt. fly rod in my right hand. The fog swirled and I recognized the hole. I was deep in the Appalachian Mountains fishing a long, slow pool where brown trout could outgrow this mountain stream.

I saw myself casting my favorite streamer, a big red fox pattern with a hot orange wing that glowed in the low light. It landed up against a heavy log and immediately stopped. I set the hook and the line stretched tight as piano wire, singing in my dream under the strain. Slowly, whatever I had hooked moved away from the log and went upstream. My line sliced the water following and pointing at my anticipated catch.

Who knows how long you fight a fish in a dream?

It could have been minutes or days. Finally, after this lapse of time, I gained line and brought my adversary near my feet. The dark water hid him from my sight. Backing up, I planned to beach my catch on the sandbar.

As it reached the shallows, my catch stood and walked up on the beach beside me. It was a small pig. Waking abruptly, I sat up puzzled.

What could it possibly mean? Catching a pig? It had to symbolize something meaningful.

Looking outside, the sun was trying to peek over the horizon, but was being swallowed by an incoming cloudbank. A storm was rolling in. Thinking about my dream, I had a hunch. It was a premonition. Perhaps it meant that I should go fish that stream on this overcast day, and if I did I’d catch a “hawg,” as we Southerners often refer to a big fish.

E-mailing work, I alerted them of my absence and went to the mountains. I hiked in to the hole I had seen in my dream with a box full of streamers. The fog swirled around the hole and my confidence built. I was living my dream.

On my first cast, nothing happened. Then on the second cast, still nothing. But on the third cast, I reached a little farther on my backcast and wrapped up on a hemlock branch. This part had been left out of my dream.

The morning passed without a strike. By afternoon, I rested the hole and my arm for a full hour. Then I thrashed some more. Still nothing. By late afternoon, exhausted and hungry, I headed home, wondering what my dream could have meant.

As is my habit when I’ve fished this stream, I stopped at my favorite barbecue joint and had one of their vinegar-based sandwiches with enough tartness to curl your tongue. I chomped and chewed until halfway through the sandwich it hit me. My dream revealed itself as I noticed the name of the place on the menu—Hawg Wild.

All along, I’d thought my dream meant that if I went fishing that day I’d catch a hawg; in reality, all it meant was that if I went fishing, I would eat a hawg.

This just proves that interpreting dreams, like many things, should be left to professionals.

Jim Mize likes to both catch and eat hogs. “Interpreting Dreams” is an excerpt from his award-winning book, A Creek Trickles Through It. You can find it on Amazon or purchase autographed copies at www.acreektricklesthroughit.com.

A Humorous Book for Fly Fishermen

Awarded First Place in the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association Excellence in Craft Competition

Award-winning author, Jim Mize, has written a humorous book specifically for fly fishermen. Titled, A Creek Trickles Through It, this collection delves into such topics as carnivorous trees, persnickety trout, and the dangers of fly-tying. Whether you are an arm-chair fisherman or one with well-earned leaky waders, A Creek Trickles Through It will be a welcome addition to your fishing library.

Jim has received over eighty Excellence-In-Craft awards including one for his first book, The Winter of Our Discount Tent. His articles have appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal, Fly Fisherman Magazine, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, as well as many conservation publications. You may order copies through his website and online store at www. acreektricklesthroughit.com

A Long Crazy Spring

By Capt. James McManus

It’s been a long, beautiful spring. There have been 70 degree days and 30 degree days switching back and forth for months, but that’s over and only shorts weather from here on out. Once June kicks in the offshore bite picks up. Everyone is finished spawning at least by the end of the month, early spawners fry has hatched and after a brief hug up on the banks little ones make their way offshore. Get out early before the jet skis, tubers and wakeboarders and you will find fish breaking in the middle of big water openings. I like the area where the Tuck and Little Tennessee come together, but they can congregate anywhere.

Most of the shad and herring will be small, at least the ones that get busted most frequently. I suppose they are easier to catch but I think spotted bass are like cats, they like to chase things as much as actually eat them. On Fontana 95 percent of what you catch is going to be spots so that’s what I target now. Trolling is going to be the best method for reaching them. With deep, we are talking 200’ plus water, throughout most of the productive areas there are very few landmarks or structures to key on. Your best bet is to find actively breaking fish or bait balls on your sonar if nothing shows on the surface.

I run six rods minimum, with two downriggers, two side planers with shallow running plugs or spoons and two flat lines. You can switch out lipped plugs for floating Rapala type plugs if fish are holding a little deeper, just read the room, if lots of surface action, stay shallow, if not, go a little deeper. About the only structure that may help are points, but often they

hold way off them, but they are worth checking out if nothing is showing. The other key for me is plug size, there are times when only 2-3 inch baits will produce. If you are in fish but not catching drop down a size or two, you might find the answer.

Enjoy the water, cool off with a swim every now and then, get out early and thank the Lord for our blessing of amazingly beautiful mountain lakes.

Later, Capt. James

Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Open June 3

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 10, 2023)

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open 34 trout streams and two lakes classified as Delayed Harvest to trout harvest on June 3 through Sept. 30.

From 6 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. on opening day, Delayed Harvest waters are open only to youth under 18 years old. At noon, waters open to all anglers. During this time, anglers can keep up to seven trout per day — with no gear or bait restrictions and no minimum size limits. The Wildlife Commission established the youth-only fishing period in the morning of “opening day,” which is always the first Saturday in June, to promote trout fishing among young anglers and to provide special opportunities for young anglers to catch and keep fish.

Delayed Harvest trout waters are posted with diamond-shaped, black-and-white signs. A list of Delayed Harvest trout waters, regulation information and trout maps can be found at ncwildlife.org/trout.

While fishing, anglers are urged to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species like gill lice, whirling disease and didymo, by following these minimal steps:

·CLEAN equipment of all aquatic plants, animals

and mud.

·DRAIN water from boats, live wells and equipment.

·DRY equipment thoroughly

·NEVER MOVE fish, plants or other organisms from one body of water to another.

Learn more about aquatic nuisance species by visiting the Commission’s Aquatic Nuisance Species webpage, ncwildlife.org/fishing/ANS.

About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. Purchase or a renew a fishing, trapping and hunting license and renew a vessel registration online at ncwildlife.org.

Get N.C. Wildlife Update news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more delivered free to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

A Secret Spot

By Ethan Hollifield

There are places I see in my mind’s eye that speak to a time that is so foreign now. Places where wild trout, big wild trout, still take dry flies readily. Where the stream bank isn’t covered in footprints, and nature is as it was before man scarred it with selfish intent.

It’s not very large, maybe about 20 feet wide, at what I named “The Pool,” where a good sized trout is almost guaranteed if the fly is presented correctly. It fishes best in the spring, and I still follow the old rule of “dry flies only” when I go and fish it.

With guiding and a newborn on the way, I seldom have a chance to come back to this place. I did manage, however, to sneak away for a couple of hours to fish here. It was cold, with the trillium just starting to bud on the banks, as I made my way down to the stream on the hidden path my great grandfather carved out years before me.

It had been almost three years since I fished here, but thankfully nothing had changed. The first cast yielded a healthy, heavily spotted, wild brown trout, with many more to follow after. Fish were charging from 5 feet away, some of them knocking the fly so hard it would send it flying into the air. As a fly fisherman, it really doesn’t get better than that.

These are the moments we fishermen live for, what we pray will happen, if only once, during our time on a trout stream. There’s something insatiably magical about it that calls to me to return to this place every spring. Hopefully, I can get my priorities straight enough to make more time to come here in the future. And hopefully, it’ll remain a secret.

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

CAPT. CRAIG HENSEL

What’s going on guys and gals? Captain Craig here with AWOL Fishing Charters. I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying this spring/fall like weather most of us have been experiencing.

Let’s dive right in and talk about this crazy weather pattern we have been having. It has been one of those months where if you don’t like the weather just hang tight, it’s going to change in 5 minutes. I mean, what is going on! The fish are just as confused as we are. We have had a bunch of bizarre fishing action to match the bizarre weather pattern. It has been a weird one for sure.

These fish don’t know whether to spawn or not. I have noticed an early spawn in some species, and a much later spawn in others, and some are just holding those eggs for the right time. We have caught everything from huge red ear (shell cracker) to massive catfish both blue and flathead and some amazing largemouth and striped bass. Our water temperature on the Cape Fear River just broke 70 degrees for the first time this year and we are halfway through May. Once the water hits that magical 72 degrees these big flatheads will be a little harder to target but we are putting in the work and finding some nice fish. We have boated one blue catfish just over 60lbs and one nice flathead weighing 57.54.

The pre-spawn bite has been on fire. The river has been up for most of April and is just now coming back down to normal level at around 11 ft. The post spawn largemouth bass bite has been amazing. The catfish have been taken recently in water as shallow as 1.9 ft. We have been targeting these shallow flats just outside of logjams on straightaways on the main river, and just off the shallow creek mouths. The flatheads have been on the prowl at night and are just now starting to come out more and more.

Live redbreast and live gizzard shad have been my go to bait’s this month. If you are willing to put the work into getting shad and having the proper equipment for keeping shad alive, the payouts can be out of this world. It can be a lot of work and a huge headache, but guys trust me when I say it’s worth it.

With all that said, I want to take a minute to bring up the St. Jude Fishing to Fight Cancer Tournament hosted by the Swamp Boys

Organization here in Fayetteville North Carolina. It will take place on May 20-21st, 2023 24hrs on the entire Cape Fear River. This tournament is special to me for two reasons, we are fishing for the Children at St. Jude, and a dear friend of mine comes all the way from Missouri every year to fish it with me. It’s the one tournament where we go out and have a blast without stressing and worrying about winning because we are all winners. Now first place does pay out $5,000 dollars but we don’t do it for the money. We do it for these children.

If anyone of you are interested in being a part of this wonderful event you can look it up on the Swamp Boys Organization Facebook page. This tournament is hosted every year in May. I hope in the near future some of you come and join us. I do apologize for not mentioning it earlier on as this is only my fourth article I’ve written so please forgive me. But definitely check it out and make plans to come fish with all of us next year. Come back and check out my column in next month’s issue for an amazing story on this tournament as we are nearing blast off. Until next time.

Tight lines

Capt. Craig

AWOL Fishing Charters with Captain Craig Inc.

Slow Ramp Up

By Scott Norton

If you are a weekend warrior on the lakes, then you will feel that it only rains when you fish. The cold fronts came in wave patterns and were consistent from week to week. If you got to fish during midweek, then the bites were better. Beds are being sighted the first week of May and still the cooling trends continues. You can combat these situations by playing the elevation game that I talk about so much.

Many anglers are fishing in the Georgia and South Carolina areas until it turns on in Western North Carolina. Those living further south play it the same way after the spawn funk happens. If you decided to stay local and battle it out, then you have been battling wind and cooling trends. I have had most of my luck with blade baits and spinner baits, which are known for catching fish in the wind.

Bass seem to be backing down to deeper water in brush piles when a cold front blows in. When you catch the sun coming out they will move up into the lay downs. Even if this continues, they will have to move up in spite of the cool weather. In these situations keep moving around where you know there is fish and rotate through baits until you get your first clue. Once you get a clue like depth and mood of the fish, then you build off of that information.

When planning for a successful day look for warming patterns as the foundation of that plan. Check for wind and overcast because this will help the mood of bass. If you are stuck with blue bird skies in the post-front cycle then you still have options. Bass stop feeding once they are on their beds, so mood does not matter. You can have a great time catching bass off beds. They will come in waves so you will

have bass in pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn if you find yourself in a good situation. This is that time period where you can really hook into big ones with numbers. Make sure you use subtle baits on calm days and aggressive baits on winding days.

Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is a long-time hunter, angler and weekend warrior.

Springing Toward Summer

By Karl Ekberg

The month of June looks to be much the same as May as far as weather goes. This has been one of the best Spring seasons we have seen in quite some time. The major ninety degree heat has held off this Spring and the trout fishing has been spectacular. The cooler spring weather and sporadic rainstorms has kept the trout waters cool and the water levels at good flows. Evening fishing is a delight with evening hatches the highlight of nature. Many fish are exploding out of the river caching the many bugs trying to catch flight.

June brings summer vacation, wet wading, and taking the kids fishing, like at the free Kid’s Fishing Rodeo, June 3rd, at Burrell’s Ford Campground on the Chattooga River, which is put on by the U.S. Forest Service. This event is all about the kids fishing, with registration at 8:00am and the fishing starting at 9:00am. There’ll be many prizes for the kids and a lot of fish to be caught. Taking the kids to fishing derbies and events like this is a great way to introduce them to fishing, in areas where many fish have been stocked to keep their interests and excitement high.

First light and last light of the days of summer are best for the trout. Get out at daybreak, with dry flies, nymphs, and emergers, while in the evening the dry fly is the way to go. Dry-dropper rigs for the day is very popular, with high floating foam dry flies, which will suspend nymphs through any type of water situation.

Having plenty of dry fly floatant for the day or evening, whether powder or gel, is a must. Pre-treating the dry flies prior to going to the river and having the dry powder to dry the fly out after catching a fish is a

great plan. Find the riffle areas leading into long glides to find the best dry fly fishing.

Warmer months also means it’s Bartram’s bass time! Top-water fly fishing for these gems of the red-eye bass family is an absolute treat. The water temperatures above fifty-five degrees, and these fish are out and about, and readily available to eat some top water presentations. Water levels on the lower Chattooga can be tricky, but a good rule of thumb is, anything below 1.25 feet on the Burrell’s Ford gauge, then the river is absolutely safe to wade below the West Fork confluence. Finding slower moving water for the bass is best, along with back eddies with a lot of overhanging trees and brush.

The most tropical fish of the Chattooga, the red breast sun fish, may also be caught in these areas as well. Their fire-orange breast with blue coral colored masking from their mouth to their gill plates makes this fish a treat to catch as well. These fish are finicky, but will take small top water poppers, and some small streamers.

Keeping hydrated and sun protection is key to having a great day out on the rivers. And let’s all remember to “Leave No Trace”, as we can always bring out a little more than we walked in with, and the entire forest will be a better place for ages to come.

Karl and Karen Ekberg are co-owners of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832-A Highlands Hwy, Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 and visit their website at www.chattoogariverflyshop.com.

Location, Location, Location

By Capt. Cefus McRae,

Nuts & Bolts of Fishing Series

In the real estate world, the top three criteria most folks use for selecting their new home or business address are location…location…and location. When you think about it, the same is true for our piscatorial friends in both fresh and saltwater.

With perhaps the exception of the top predators, most fish base their location selection on the Big Three…Food, Comfort and Safety. Identify where all three of those factors converge and you’ve got a very fishy spot.

Game fish have to eat, and they have to eat often. A yellowfin tuna has to eat nearly its own weight in food every day, because it spends its entire life roaming the ocean currents. And that uses up a lot of energy. On the other hand, large trout will find a spot in a slip-stream behind a rock waiting for a tasty tidbit to float by. So your first task is to find the kitchen.

The next factor is Comfort. Fish will move both horizontally and vertically to find a location that is comfortable. Just like us, they have to breathe. Larger predators will find a place in the water column that has the right amount of dissolved oxygen. Ever notice how reservoir-based stripers will move to deeper water in the summertime? Sure the water is warmer at the surface than it is 50 feet down, but that warm water doesn’t hold as much oxygen as the cooler water does down deep. Fish are cold-blooded, and the actual temperature of the water may have less to do with preferred locations than the oxygen content. Water temperature is definitely a factor though, as evidenced by the old adage… “68 and the Fishin’s Great!”. Most of us have experienced the impact weather can have on the fishing. And changes in the barometric pressure, especially quick changes that occur with rapidly moving fronts can make a dramatic difference in the bite. As the front approaches, the bite can really fire up. And when the front arrives the fish may get lock-jaw for a couple days. I believe the change in pressure (which transfers into the water) can make fish either lethargic or frisky.

And the third factor is Safety. Why isn’t Safety the number one factor? Well if you are starving to death, or can’t breathe, being in a safe place doesn’t really matter does it? In reality, I’ve never been able to actually get a fish to tell me the correct order, even though I have interviewed a lot of them. So, let’s go with my supposition for the moment. Safety can come in the form of a good hiding place like a rock outcropping, or vertical structure such as pilings or ledges. Or it can be exhibited by large numbers like we see in schooling baitfish. The ability to blend into the environment or use camouflage is another trait that provides safety from being eaten by something larger. Similarly, predator fish use those same techniques for finding food. Starting to see a pattern?

Inland lakes, coastal waters, and even a mountain trout stream will usually have places that provide at least two out of the three factors. During certain times of the year, you’ll find a spot that has all three. And to find these spots, modern technology has provided us anglers with an assortment of tools. Detailed charts will show ledges and drop-off’s, structure, creek channels, bottom composition and more. There are temperature probes to see the water temp down where the fish are…remember the water temperature on your sonar unit only shows the temperature at the surface. It could be 5 to 25 degrees cooler down below.

Picking the most suitable location to make a homestead is as important to fish as it is to us two-legged critters. If you keep that in mind as you make your selection on where to fish, and in many cases…how to fish, you’ll find your days will become more and more productive. So find a location that has the Big Three... Food, Comfort and Safety and you’ll be well on your way to closing the sale on some fine fishing.

Tight lines and calm seas.

Big Fishing Means Big Economic Impact

From XVI World Bass Championship to Bassmaster Elite Series, and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour – Lake Murray is The Top Fishing Destination

Columbia, S.C. – Over the last 6 months Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) has hosted the biggest and the best in international and national fishing competitions on Lake Murray. In October of 2022, Lake Murray became the first location on U.S. soil to host the XVI Black Bass World Championship – the tournament designed to propel bass fishing to the Olympics. Recently, picturesque Lake Murray was the backdrop to the best in professional bass fishing competitions in April of this year, as CCLMC hosted the Bassmaster Elite Series (B.A.S.S) and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour. Both tournaments were live-streamed, and include national television air dates this fall, further promoting the region.

Big fishing means a significant impact on the local economy from hotel room nights to dining at restaurants, and gallons of gas purchased at local gas stations. B.A.S.S. estimates up to 2 million dollars in economic impact alone from the Bassmaster Elite Series. Hotel bookings were up across the region from Lexington to Newberry as anglers often arrive early to practice fish and get a lay of the land, then stay after to enjoy the region’s offerings. An estimated audience of 180 million tuned in to watch the Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Murray on Bassmaster.com, Livestream, social media, and FS1. According to B.A.S.S, Saturday’s live coverage from Lake Murray went up 44% over last year’s Saturday Elite average on FS1 and Sunday’s national coverage lasted for 5.5 hours!

“Capital City/Lake Murray Country is proud of the results from these three major fishing events that have produced over 6 million dollars in tourism impact and $52 million in marketing value,” said

Miriam Atria, President/CEO of CCLMC. She went on to say that “with our national appeal and positive message, we see an increase in foot traffic and revenue sales at local fishing and sporting-related businesses.” Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour generated 20.9 million live stream minutes and 6.2 million social media impressions during the tournament coverage - national television coverage will include airing on the Discovery Channel in the fall.

CCLMC has been very successful over its 42 years in luring these regional, national, and (international events to our region. These tournaments gain and deliver national television exposure for the Jewel of South Carolina and further serve to amplify the organization’s designation of “Top Southern Destination” (Forbes). October’s XVI Black Bass World Championship earned Lake Murray the title of “Best bass fishing lake in the world”, saw 25 international teams, and brought in over 21.5 million dollars in economic impact. In April, CCLMC wrapped up a momentous 6 months of elite-level professional fishing competitions with the Big Bass Tour, where over 920 amateur anglers competed on the waters of Lake Murray.

CCLMC’s marketing continues to attract these high-caliber events with the staff already reviewing contracts into 2027. The professional anglers have stated vehemently, “We want to come back!” – and that’s the plan. Through partnerships with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Dreher Island State Park, CCLMC ensures that the water is pristine, and the fish are healthy and plentiful. Visit LakeMurrayCountry.com for more event details and big news coming to the region!

OKUMA CAVALLA OFFSHORE REELS

For anglers looking to conquer the toughest offshore conditions, Okuma’s Cavalla 2-Speed Lever Drag reels are the ultimate weapon of choice. Over the past decade, Okuma has cemented its position as a leader in the saltwater market, starting with the groundbreaking Makaira line of reels. Today, the Cavalla 2-Speed Lever Drag is yet another example of Okuma’s unwavering commitment to providing top-tier, reliable products for saltwater anglers.

With its compact, machined aluminum frame and side plates, the Cavalla is a reel that can withstand the toughest conditions Mother Nature can throw at it. The rigid one-piece frame ensures stability and durability, while the cold-forged, type-II anodized machined aluminum spool adds to the reel’s sleek, rugged design. Whether you’re targeting monster grouper, sailfish, giant snapper or other offshore saltwater species, the Cavalla is the reel you want in your offshore arsenal.

The Cavalla reels feature a battle-proven carbonite drag system with Cal’s drag grease that can put out an impressive 24 to 34 pounds of drag at full. The 17.4 grade stainless steel main and pinion gear, along with the CRC coating process, make this reel virtually corrosion resistant. With four corrosion-resistant stainless-steel bearings and a silent retrieve system, the Cavalla operates

smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that you never miss a catch.

Okuma’s Cavalla

2-speed reels feature a 6.4:1 and 3.8:1 gear ratio on the 5 size reels and a 4.7:1 and 2.1:1 gear ratio on the 12 size, allowing for versatile performance across a range of fishing styles. The 5 and 12 size reels come in both left- and right-hand retrieve and feature an on/off bait clicker. The reel’s compact size and comfortable Ergo Grip handle knob and anodized aluminum handle arm make it easy to handle and use for extended periods of time.

So, why should you choose the Cavalla lever drag reel for your next offshore fishing trip? Here are five reasons:

• Durable Construction: The Cavalla’s machined aluminum frame and side plates, along with its corrosion-resistant components, ensure that this reel can handle the toughest offshore conditions with ease.

• Versatile Performance: With its 2-speed capabilities and variable gear ratios, the Cavalla is a reel that can adapt to a range of fishing styles and conditions.

• Smooth Operation: Thanks to its silent

the Cavalla operates smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that you never miss a catch.

• Strong Drag System: The Cavalla’s carbonite drag system with Cal’s drag grease can put out up to 34 pounds of drag, making it a reel that can handle the biggest and toughest fish in the ocean.

• Comfortable Handling: With its compact size and Ergo Grip handle knob and anodized aluminum handle arm, the Cavalla is a reel that you can use comfortably for extended periods of time, even during the toughest offshore fishing trips.

The Okuma Cavalla 2-Speed Lever Drag reel is an all-around, top-of-the-line reel that every saltwater angler should have in their arsenal.

For distributors and retailers, Okuma Fishing Tackle Corporation will be available to meet at ICAST 2023 in Orlando, Fla. July 11-13 at Exhibit Hall Booths 1202 and 1308.

FISH THE GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT

JULY 17-22

GrandPrizeValuedat$160K!

It’s Kingfish Time! The 43rd annual 121 Financial Credit Union Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is slated for July 17-22, 2023. For five days, with four tournaments and $400,000 in prizes, the “Grandaddy of all Kingfish Tournaments” will keep the docks buzzing with fun events for everyone from die-hard anglers to casual spectators.

The cornerstone of this historic and thriving event is the general tournament, which launches Friday, July 21 with a boat package valued at $160,000 going to the team that lands the largest kingfish. The grand prize is a sweet 25-T Contender with twin 150hp Yamahas, a custom T-top by Custom Marine and an Ameritrail trailer. The tournament pays through 20 places for largest fish and aggregate, as well as a Lady Angler division that pays to 10 places, totaling nearly $250,000 in cash and prizes.

All the boats and the fish coming into the docks at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Park in Jacksonville creates a festival atmosphere. Traditionally, the tournament draws thousands of spectators who enjoy cold beverages, hot food and vendors at the Liar’s Tent. Awards Day on Saturday, July 22 is all about celebration, with Kids Zone activities, drawings and a fishing seminar, followed by eye-popping fireworks in partnership with the City of Jacksonville.

Also for the kids, there is a Junior Angler Offshore Tournament on Wednesday, July 19, as well as a Junior Angler Dock Tournament. The grand prize in the Junior Angler Offshore Tournament is an Ohana 14’ skiff with a 25hp Yamaha and trailer, and this tournament pays through 25 places.

popular Redfish Tournament fishes on Saturday, July 22, with weigh-ins at 2 p.m. during the Awards Day activities.

Through its history, the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament has been all about putting on a great tournament and helping to provide access to marine resources and promoting education, preservation and research in partnership with its junior anglers and Jacksonville University’s Marine Biology Department. Jacksonville Marine Charities is the operating arm of the event, and it supports non-profits throughout the state. Recently, Child Cancer Fund, the Down Syndrome Association and the Child Guidance Center have benefitted from the organization, which also supports other local charity fishing events like The Premier Trout, Flounder Pounder, Wounded Heroes on the Water and others.

For complete details, go to https://kingfishtournament.com/.

Coastal Angler and The Angler Magazine, Suzuki Marine and Sea Eagle have come together to offer readers a shot at this Sea Eagle FishSkiff 16 paired with a Suzuki DF4 outboard that’ll take you wherever the fish are. The FishSkiff 16 is an inflatable fishing boat that is lightweight, sturdy, stable and extremely packable. It rolls up small enough to fit in the trunk of a car and quickly inflates into a fishing machine. Powered by Suzuki’s four-stroke DF4A, you’ll have to hold on to your hat as you scream over the flats. Designed for efficiency and performance and portability, the DF4A provides all the speed and acceleration you can handle. It’s lightweight and can be attached or removed with ease.

Images for illustration purposes only and prize may vary from what is shown. Contest runs May 1st through July 31st 2023. Winner till be announced on Facebook July 31st.

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SWIM JIGS AND SPAWNING BLUEGILLS TIPS FROM A PRO

This is the time of year when bass gorge themselves on bluegill. One of the best ways to catch bluegilleaters is with a swim jig.

The swim jig is a versatile bait. It can be used in different colors and actions that drive bass crazy. All the variety can make jig shopping a bit overwhelming. There are thousands of color options, countless styles, different hooks and line-tie variations. When I’m looking for the perfect swim jig, I keep a few things in mind. I only throw two different color combinations, bluegill duplicators— the greens, browns and oranges—and a black and blue. You want a jig with a slender head style with a vertical line tie that will come through the cover you’re fishing. I also like a jig with a stout hook. Throwing a swim jig around heavy cover calls for heavy line, and you don’t want your hook to bend out or break when you hook into a big one.

Selection of jig trailers can also be overwhelming. Guess what? I only throw two different styles of trailers. I usually put a swimbait-style trailer with a boot tail on the back, but occasionally I’ll use a craw trailer with two kicker legs. At the end of the day, you just want something back there kicking

and giving your jig some action, and these two styles are my go-to. I match the color of the trailers to the color of the jig.

The cover to target with a swim jig can be endless. They are great in vegetation as well as around docks, wood, rocky banks and for covering water over expansive flats with wood and grass. You can cover a lot of water with this bait, and typically covering more water leads to more bites. You should throw it anywhere bass are chasing bluegills or where bass are actively feeding. I always keep one tied on and ready.

A retrieve I find myself using a lot is a yo-yo retrieve. Point the rod tip high and vary the retrieval speed by either cranking fast and slow or moving the rod tip. This gives the bait some erratic movements and drives them crazy. I also use a steady retrieve. Depending on the part of the water column you are trying to target, you can reel the bait fast and keep it up high—even on the surface—or slow it down and creep it deeper, maybe to keep it around some submerged cover.

Swim Jig Gear

Fishing cover requires heavier equipment. I fish a heavy action rod with a length between a 7’3” and 7’6”. The 13 Fishing Defy Black 7’5H is a super affordable rod and is awesome for the job. Pair the rod up with a fast reel like the 13 Fishing Concept A 7:5 spooled up with 50-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid, and you are ready to put some fish in the boat.

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

TYLER WOOLCOTT

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Whether you use a gas or electric motor, the in atable FishSki ™16 will get you to the sh. Add a canopy for protection from the sun or rain. Add a solar panel for perpetual power that can keep your electric motor battery charged; whether your camping, live on the water or just love the idea of solar power.

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ORANGE BEACH BOAT LANDS

MASSIVE BLUEFIN

In early May, a 600-plus-pound bluefin tuna was brought to the docks at Alabama’s Orange Beach Marina. It was not a world or state record, but it was a giant fish and a first for Capt. Johnny Greene who has been a charter captain for the last 33 years.

According to the story written by David Rainer for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Greene and his crew aboard the Intimidator were hosting a group of anglers from Georgia on a three-day trip deep into the Gulf of Mexico. Greene said he has encountered big bluefins before in the April and May timeframe, when they arrive in the Gulf to spawn, but he’s never managed to put one in the boat or even “slow one down.”

“Last year we hooked one about noon and fought that fish four or five hours. We had 10 people on that charter, and they ended up changing the rod between anglers probably 20 or 25 times,” he told ADCNR. “We ended up breaking a rod after fighting him that long. We were so close, so that one was really a heartbreaker.”

This recent trip did not end in heartbreak. After hooking the fish, the Intimidator chased it for about 2 miles before getting to within 100

feet of the leader. Then the fish dove deep. They managed to stop the dive with a Shimano 50-wide and a stand-up harness, and after battling it for about four hours they could tell the fish had died. They began the laborious process of winching it up on 80-pound-test mono.

“When you have to pull a 600-pound animal up, it’s not the easiest thing to do,” he told ADCNR. “It requires communication between the angler, everybody in the cockpit and the wheelhouse. It’s basically a momentum game. You’ve got to get the fish coming up, and you have to keep him coming. If you take a break, the fish is going to start sinking again. It’s tricky.”

The celebration began when they finally brought the giant fish to the surface and tethered it with a tail rope. They used a come-along to hoist it into the boat.

Knowing their fish was not a record, the crew went ahead and gutted it and iced it down to preserve the meat during the ride home. It weighed 579 pounds gutted, with an estimated total weight of 625 pounds. The Alabama state record, caught in 2006, weighed 829 pounds.

To read David Rainer’s entire account of the catch, go to www.outdooralabama.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF INTIMIDATOR

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

believe the popping cork found its beginnings in the 1930s, and it’s still a mainstay in most saltwater anglers’ tackle boxes. Many versions have been introduced along the way and undoubtedly more will come. One thing is for certain, if they didn’t work, they would not have lasted for nearly a century. In Texas, a popping cork typically finds itself dragging a live shrimp, but there are other options. What makes the popping cork stand out is the cupped top, which creates a popping sound and splashes water forward when twitched. It simulates a fish feeding on the surface.

I was once no different than the masses tossing live shrimp under a cork, but in the early 2000s— when I had already turned my focus to exclusively lure fishing—I found another place for the simple but effective popping cork.

At that time, our famous Baffin Bay was plagued with brown tide, an algae bloom that turns the water, well, brown. The water had nearly zero visibility, which made fishing soft plastics difficult at best. Looking back, I wish I had already invented my Knockin Tail Lures with the built in tail rattle, but better late than never. At the time, I started using lures under a cork instead of live shrimp. I realized a noticeable increase in the number of fish I was able to catch. Depending on the circumstances, I would use a jighead, a weighted weedless hook or an unweighted hook about 24 inches under my cork. Although I heard

a lot of grief from my buddies who would not touch a popping cork, it worked and I continued to out fish them on most trips. I stayed with this technique in Baffin until the brown tide cleared.

A lure under a cork is also a great way to introduce kids to lure fishing. Paddletails, twitch baits and artificial shrimp all work well with this strategy. The method takes a lot of the hand coordination out of the picture for children and lets them realize that you don’t need live bait to catch fish.

Another of the many options this cork gives the angler is a way to effectively fish jetties. At times, trout will suspend 8 to 10 feet deep off the rocks. In this situation, the popping cork’s sound creating ability is still important, but it needs to be modified. Casting a cork with 10 feet of leader to get your lure down to the fish creates a challenge. This is where the slip cork method comes into play. With a slip cork, you can cast a 2- or 3-foot leader or less, but the cork will have a rubber stop that allows your bait to sink to the desired depth where the bite is. Look up slip cork for more on this method.

The weather is warm, don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

To some, sunglasses are a fashion accessory…

But When Driving, These Sunglasses May Save Your Life!

Drivers’ Alert: Driving can expose you to more dangerous glare than any sunny day at the beach can… do you know how to protect yourself?

Thesun rises and sets at peak travel periods, during the early morning and afternoon rush hours and many drivers find themselves temporarily blinded while driving directly into the glare of the sun. Deadly accidents are regularly caused by such blinding glare with danger arising from reflected light off another vehicle, the pavement, or even from waxed and oily windshields that can make matters worse. Early morning dew can exacerbate this situation. Yet, motorists struggle on despite being blinded by the sun’s glare that can cause countless accidents every year. Not all sunglasses are created equal. Protecting your eyes is serious business. With all the fancy fashion frames out there it can be easy to overlook what really matters––the lenses. So we did our research and looked to the very best in optic innovation and technology. Sometimes it does take a rocket scientist. A NASA rocket scientist. Some ordinary sunglasses can obscure your vision by exposing your eyes to harmful UV rays, blue light, and reflective glare. They can also darken useful vision-enhancing light. But now, independent research conducted by scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has brought forth ground-breaking technology to help protect human eyesight from the harmful effects of solar radiation

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FAT COLORADO LAKER OUTWEIGHS WORLD RECORD

If this potbellied 73.29-pound lake trout isn’t a new world record, it should be.

Scott Enloe and his son Hunter were fishing an undisclosed Colorado lake in early May when Scott hooked into the 47-inch-long monster on a 6-inch tube jig and 10-pound test. According to Free Range American, it took 13 tense minutes to fight the huge laker boat-side, and both men had to haul it over the side because their net was too small to land the fish.

The fish was full of eggs and had an incredible girth of 37 inches. After some photos and measurements, they released it to go lay those eggs and spread the genetics for obesity.

The IGFA all-tackle world record for lake trout weighed 72 pounds, even. It was caught in 1995 by Lloyd Bull at Great Bear Lake in Canada. With the strict procedures required by IGFA for record consideration, it is unlikely Enloe’s fish will break the all-tackle world record, but there is a chance the organization will consider it for a world length record.

The current Colorado state record weighed 50.35 pounds. It was caught by Donald Walker in 2007. We’re not sure about Colorado’s record submission requirements, but most states require a weight taken on certified scales.

Regardless, it is the fish of a lifetime for Enloe, and if it doesn’t qualify for a record… it should.

To read the full report from Free Range American, go to https:// freerangeamerican.us/world-record-lake-trout-enloe/

NORTH CAROLINIAN SMASHES U.S. SURF CASTING RECORD

There’s no doubt these guys can get it out past the breakers. The Carolina Surf Casters Association gets together four times a year to hold distance-casting competitions. In an April contest, North Carolina’s Ryan Lambert set a record for the longest fishing cast in U.S. history. He launched a massive 889-foot, 4-inch cast.

Lambert is a frequent competitor in the sport of surf casting, known in Europe as long distance casting of sea weights, in which participants gather on a large marked field with surf fishing tackle to see who can cast different sizes of large sinkers (3.5 to 8 ounces) the farthest.

Though the sport originated in the U.S., reportedly as far back as the 1890s, it has become more popular in Europe and South America in recent decades. Only three surf casting clubs exist in the U.S. today. They are SurfCast USA (SCUSA), based in Maryland, Surf Fishing & Casting Club International (SFCCI), on Texas’ Gulf Coast, and Carolina Surf Casters Association (CSCA), in eastern North Carolina.

Lambert is the vice president/secretary of the CSCA – a more than 10-year-old organization with members from North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland and Texas. The club organizes four competitions per year in spring and fall. These events are open to surf casters of all skill levels.

Lambert, a sales representative for a large agricultural supplier, lives in Angier, N.C., with his wife Blair and their two daughters. He’s an experienced saltwater fisherman who, like most competitive casters, originally developed long-distance casting skills to improve catch rate from piers and the beach. He learned those skills under the tutelage of fellow North Carolinian and long-time U.S. surf casting champion Tommy Farmer.

Tapping into his athleticism from playing baseball for N.C. State University, Lambert is able to generate huge power using a pendulum cast. This highly specialized technique involves swinging the sinker into an orbit around the tip of a long 12- to 14-foot surf rod, and at a precise moment, rotating the body and rod through a large arc, ending with a powerful punch-pull motion with the right and left arms.

“It’s great that one of our own from North Carolina—someone from our club, no less—was able to set this new benchmark,” said Matt Tuers, president of the CSCA. “One of the main objectives of this organization is to grow a community where U.S. casters can develop and start taking back the international records. Casters like Ryan are in a position to do that, as well as inspire the next batch of elite American competitors.”

The current world record longest cast is held by “Big Danny” Moeskops of Belgium with a 940 foot cast made in the early 2000s. The previous U.S. record was held by Will Nash of Texas, with 873 feet.

Check out CSCA at carolinasurfcasters.org.

Popular on the tournament field, but rarely seen on U.S. beaches, the pendulum cast is Ryan Lambert’s preferred casting style for launching heavy sinkers long distances.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUNTER ENLOE

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