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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION

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In The Sailfish Capital of the World By Nick Carter

apt. Scott Fawcett didn’t hesitate when asked to make a prediction about sailfish season off Florida’s Treasure Coast. His outlook is extremely bullish. “This is going to be one of the best sailfish seasons we’ve had in a long time,” he said. “By the middle of December, I think we’re going to see the best sailfishing we’ve had in the last 10 years.” Fawcett’s optimism is based on a number of factors he’s followed for more than three decades fishing Florida’s Atlantic Coast. December and January is the historic peak season from Vero south to Palm Beach, Fla. The bite is heavily influenced by winter fronts and the proximity of the Gulf Stream, and everyone is eagerly awaiting strong northeast winds to usher sailfish south to their wintering grounds and closer to shore. Closer to shore isn’t far out of Stuart, Fla., where Fawcett’s Off the Chain fishing charters is based. In an area known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” it’s typically a short 8-mile ride in his 4 NATIONAL

DECEMBER 2020

32’ Contender “Off The Chain” to reach the color edges and temperature breaks where sailfish hunt. In November, Fawcett’s attention was tuned to fishing reports some 600 miles to the north off the coast of North Carolina. “We had a phenomenal sailfish summer,” he said, speaking of the action that usually goes down from April to June or July most years. “It seems like that body of fish disappeared offshore for a while and then showed up off Morehead City. Last time that happened, we had a fantastic season. I expect to see good numbers of sailfish in December.” With the relatively flat bottom out of Stuart, blind trolling to cover water along the temperature breaks, color edges and reef lines is the preferred tactic. Fawcett pulls a dredge, an umbrella rig of some 30 or 40 baits and lures, to locate and draw in fish. “You’ll see them come up behind the teaser,” Fawcett said. “Then you’ll put your hook baits in front of the fish.”

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It’s up to the anglers to manipulate those “hook baits”—usually ballyhoo on a circle hook— in front of the fish. “On a good day, expect five or six sailfish bites and the same amount of dolphin bites and then some bonito or a big kingfish mixed in,” Fawcett said. “Occasionally, we’ll also get a blackfin or a big wahoo while trolling or kite fishing.” Kite fishing out of Stuart requires the right conditions. Sometimes when Fawcett finds a good current rip or color change, he’ll drop the trolling motor and deploy kites and live baits. Off The Chain’s center console allows 360 degrees of fishability, and when kites are flying, it’s worth dropping baits to the bottom, as well. While waiting on sailfish, anglers can fill the cooler with whatever’s in season. A mixed bag of snapper and grouper species is the norm. Check out Off the Chain at www.offthechainfishing. com. Call Capt. Scott Fawcett at 772-285-1055.

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Every Region

Has Its Season! J im Baugh Outdoors TV has had the pleasure of filming in most parts of the East Coast over the last 33 years. However, the bulk of our programming comes from the Mid-Atlantic region. The Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers, and all up and down the Outer Banks has been our mainstay of outdoor storytelling. Every region in the United States has a species of fish it is known for. From largemouth bass to white marlin, where you are determines what you catch. While our Mid-Atlantic states offer a large variety of species to fish for, one of the most popular fish—and one that the Chesapeake Bay area is renowned for—is rockfish. Also known as striped bass, these fish are widely sought after because they grow large, put up a decent fight and will make for one of the most delicious holiday meals one will ever have. ’Tis the season for rockfish! Our favorite rockfish has had its ups and downs over the years. In years past, there have been moratoriums, then come backs, then the fish seem to “disappear” by simply not coming into the bay, then everything seems to rebound again. These fish are pretty closely monitored,

By Jim Baugh

and I do hope all sportsmen will adhere to the regulations. These swings affect a lot of things like tourism dollars and fishing tournaments. One of the longest-running and best-run rockfish tournaments is the Rockfish Shootout, held at the Oyster Farm on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in December. If you are thinking about coming to our area, I highly suggest you try this tourney out. It is always a great event. If you are coming to the Chesapeake Bay and are new to rockfishing, here is some good advice. As always, contact local tackle shops to get the latest and current info. Hiring an experienced local charter is always a great idea and will introduce you to how the locals catch their fish. A tried-and-true method is live eeling, simply with a freeline or small sinker. Fish the channels and over the tunnels of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge or the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. These bridges have Years of rockfish TV Shows are available on Jim fantastic “light lines” in the water caused by Baugh Outdoors TV channels; season 33 is on the highway lights on the bridges. Get yourself both Amazon Prime Video and YouTube. some bucktails and soft-plastic shad and cast to If you want a great Christmas gift for your the pilings at night. Just be sure to fish the upfavorite outdoorsman, check out Jim Baugh’s current side of the bridge pilings. book “HOOKED,” which is available on Amazon.

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EAST TENNESSEE GREAT SMOKIES

Gentle Suggestions On How To Become A Better Bass Angler

get that question often on the radio show, and generally we could think of thousands of examples and recommendations that would work. Let’s handle a very few today and see if it makes a little sense. Go fishing. Join a fishing club that requires you to go to different lakes and streams and during times and days that you wouldn’t go otherwise. You will get to fish with, and observe, different anglers and copy, or discard, their techniques. I recall a friend and tournament angler from many years ago who was an example of this. He qualified for the first Bassmaster Classic and, I believe, did win more than one regular season BASS tournament. His name was Junior Collis. He had only a 10th grade education but was persistent in fishing at least 100+ days per year, under many different

By O’Neill Williams

conditions and on lakes all over the country. I fished West Point with him a few times and he beat me consistently. How? Just by staying in touch with the bait. He had made thousands of casts over the year, and I had not. He could feel the bite better. It’s a good example of ‘going’ often. Without naming them, I know of several talented bass anglers who won the ‘Classic’ but then were never heard from again. Why? They started a promotional tour visiting fishing clinics and retail stores, and gatherings of that type, and stopped fishing as often as they had. Their talent faded. Be a student of fishing. How? If you want to be better and enjoy it more, stop going to the same lake so often and visit others. Even on the same lake, restrict your area to parts of the lake where you’ve never fished before. Go up the river and try that.

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I bass fished in a tournament with Rick Clunn. I still remember the little practices and ‘tricks’ he used to catch more and more. Here’s one he taught me that you should apply. When spring approaches, the first creek closest to the dam will warm up first because it’s not as affected by the cold temperatures of the main rivers that feed the lake. So, fish there first. Secondly, the day we were together, we were using buzzbaits, and if he got a rise to the bait but not a hook up, he had rigged a plastic worm in readiness and immediately dropped the buzzbait, without even reeling it in, and threw the plastic worm into the spot where the bite was missed. He caught the bass almost every time. I learned. Techniques make a difference too. A few years ago, I fished with Davy Hite for a TV show. Recall

that he was BASS Angler of the Year and Bassmaster Classic champion at least once. It was a cold day at 24 degrees with water at 42 degrees. I was in the front of the boat so got first shot at the targets, which were grass outcroppings in the mouth of the coves in a shallow lake in North Carolina. At these temperatures, it was one of those days that you ‘might have gotten a bite’. Not with Davy! In three hours, I caught two and he caught five fishing ‘used’ targets. His casts were more precise and landed softly and within six inches of the edge of the grass. My casts were a foot or more from the edge. He was better at casting and, although I wouldn’t be able to tell, probably was more talented in detecting the bite or strike. So, there you go. Go often, try different places and techniques, and you’ll get better.

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Winter Fly Fishing

By David Hulsey

id-winter days in the southern mountains are usually quite tolerable, temperature wise, as long as an angler can find a little sunshine. Cloudy and cold days don’t quite get me or the trout too excited about making an appearance, especially when the water temperature is in the 30’s and slushy with ice. The midday sun usually gets a few midges stirring around and the fish will normally follow suit. Water temperatures in streams will usually move about three to four degrees during the day and you want to be there when it is on the rise. Falling water temperatures during the winter are better spent tying flies or some other similar required action. Fishing late morning, around 10 or so until the sun slips behind the ridge or trees, can be productive as long as you fish low and slow. Nymph rigs, slow

swung streamers, or wet flies are the usual suspects that produce fish. Hitting the strike zone accurately is very critical at this time of year due to the normally tiny distance that a fish will move to take a fly. Most fish will be hugging bottom in spots that require very little movement to maintain their position. Heavy nymphs that get down and dirty will produce fish. Rubber legs or marabou, in addition, will give flies a little more attractive action. Sometimes the fish will get on the tiny, shiny bite, as we call it, and small flashy nymphs will outproduce any other fly pattern so have plenty of both. Due to the fact you will be dredging bottom, losing a few flies will be in order. Using fluorocarbon tippet will get you more strikes. Fluorocarbon sinks better than nylon and it also is more difficult for the trout to see. If you can get close enough to the fish to watch its reaction to your fly,

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you can see more fish eat your fly than you realize. Strikes during this time of year will be very subtle. Oftentimes just seeing the ‘’wink’’ of the trout inhaling your offering is about all you’ll get out of these fish. Being

fast on the draw is of upmost importance. Check out our website for information on our many different classes and guide trips. We make it easy and fun to learn to fly fish!

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.

DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 3

The Up Cast By Rene Hesse

here are a lot of ways to learn casting. There are many different terms to describe the parts of the cast. All the great fly casting instructors have a different way of saying the same thing. When I get to share what I’ve learned from the masters while teaching a class, I usually learn something from the students. See if this thought process sticks in your brain the way it did for them. We were doing a class with several veterans who were guests at Frog Hollow trophy trout stream as part of the nonprofit Veterans Fly Fishing Co. LLC. Several of the veterans were experienced fly anglers. As we worked on making good loops and fine-tuning the casts, the subject of the ‘back cast’ came up. We watched the back casts and talked about the rod tip stopping and launching the line. It’s hard to break a habit, and

getting the correct trajectory was difficult for a few of the guys. After a while, they picked up on it, and the casts started to look great. The back cast sets up the forward cast. We had smiles as they saw the progress. At the end of the casting session, two of the guys came up to me and said the thing that made the difference for them was hearing the term, ‘up cast’, as a way to describe the back cast. The mental picture was what they needed to change the trajectory, close the casting arc and improve the shape of the loops. So now the term up cast will be in my quiver of terms. There are a lot of ways to describe the same thing. Tip: Stand in front of a large glass building or window and to the beginning of the loop) is watch your back cast. If the rod pointed down at the ground or leg of the line (the part of the line even horizontal, think about the touching the rod tip and going

4 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

up cast and see if you can get it going upward.

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Take A Kid Fishing!

By Charlie Beasley

taught myself how to use a baitcast reel when I was around 11 years old. I had been fishing since I could walk, but I wanted to fish tournaments with my dad and didn’t want to be limited in my choice of baits or techniques. We went fishing anytime we could. The opportunities for kids, back in the early 1980’s, were limited. I fished with him in a small club and in wildcat tournaments when we could get to them. Those are some great memories from almost 40 years ago. I wish there had been junior and high school fishing back then. I fished against adults in almost every situation. The advent of the youth fishing teams has opened a lot of opportunities for the young people of today to learn and compete against people their own age. It is a great thing to see the growth in those areas of our sport. Youth can also benefit from scholarship opportunities to a number of colleges. I sponsor the high school fishing team at one of the area schools I attended. There are many local companies doing this as well. The young anglers have access to all of the quality fishing gear through many manufacturers who also support the youth initiative. B.A.S.S. and MLF/ FLW have numerous opportunities for them to compete and learn during the course of a season. A lot of the kids today can read a graph better than many adults who aren’t as tech savvy. You can also see the effect of the college programs on the professional

level. Jordan Lee came through Auburn on his way to getting a berth from the college championship into the Bassmaster Classic, which he won, back to back, a few years later. I think it is great for so many young people to be in the great outdoors instead of being glued to the screen of a computer in the house. That is how our beloved sport will grow and continue in the future. The kids on the lake are getting to spend quality time with family and friends. That is actually more important to a lot of parents than the kids realize. I guess my point is to take a kid fishing. Not only will you enjoy it, most of them will cherish the time spent on the water with friends and family. Very few will make a career out of it, but they will make a lot of memories like I did with my dad. Remember, it isn’t always how many fish you catch. It is the experience of getting to enjoy God’s creation and savor the great outdoors our area offers.

Charlie Beasley is the owner of 129 Fishing in Maryville, TN. They provide the resources to help anglers catch more fish on every trip.

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DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 5

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GREAT SMOKIES

Competition

was standing waist high on the east side of the Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam across from Haw Creek. I was fishing a popular run, trying to replicate my success from a couple weeks prior, when I ran into a pod of recently stocked trout. A football field away entering the river they came, three comp guys with their big nets and chest packs. “Man I can’t stand those guys,” I muttered to myself as they proceeded to catch a ton of fish in water I walked through minutes ago, laughing and bantering about. Then it hit me, I was jealous. They weren’t doing anything wrong, just having fun catching fish in water I didn’t think held anything. In fact, as I began to further self reflect, they were the group that posted quality information on the forum I had learned so much from. I was the one with the problem.

By Stephen Tomasovich

Turn the page a couple of years and I began to dip my toes in competitive fly fishing. I have met some of my best friends and learned a ton from the competitive experience. It is a very small group of folks, and if you fish in one you are likely to compete with someone from Team USA or the national youth team, high level anglers. I thought I would share a few of the things I have leaned that really impacted my ability to catch trout. Find someone really good to fish with at least once. I fished with some pretty good guys before I competed, but when I saw just how many fish the best comp fishermen were catching, I didn’t know that was possible. I knew then that I had a lot to learn, and still do. Fish don’t just live and feed in big pools and deep runs. Competitive fly fishing forces you to fish areas we

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DECEMBER 2020

call B and C water; the shallower stuff, the off the beaten path stuff. Being able to catch fish in these areas make fishing crowded water so much more enjoyable. If you aren’t catching a good number of fish, it is unlikely that “they just weren’t biting today”. After all, trout live on a treadmill and eat breadcrumbs. Change something – flies, technique, location etc. until you figure it out. And if you never figure it out, at least you made the effort to change up. I also learned about patterning trout, much like a bass angler. On any given day, or even during the course of the day, trout may be feeding more actively in certain water types. Once you figure that

out, target that type of water. Being competent in multiple techniques is a key to being a good angler. Comp guys get pigeonholed as the euronymphing guys. And while the method is widely used in competitions, the top guys know how to dry drop and fish a streamer with the best of them. I figured out that barbless hooks don’t lose fish but sure are better for them, and me. Big nets are good even if your fish are small. Competitive fishing is less about competition and more about camaraderie. While I

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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DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 7

Trust Your Instruments

By Capt. James McManus

here are many reasons I like to fish, the solitude of soloing, teaching newbies, or just getting together with buddies are some splendid reasons to hit the water, but one facet I really enjoy is watching my electronics. Now I have pretty good machines; they aren’t the biggest or the newest, but they work great and after using them for years, I can tell by what I am looking at on the screens, what is happening below the surface. I am not a real high tech guy, I just got a mini controller for my SuperSmart trolling motor because the original unit was like flying a fighter jet with all the options for routes, compass headings, replays, digital screens, etc. All I wanted to do was go forward or backwards at a certain speed, turn right or left and anchor when needed. It also weighed about three pounds less than the original unit. My boat has a couple of Gen 3 Lowrance units that are

nine inches, they fit my console and I have fished salt enough to feel more comfortable duplicating things rather than relying on a single of anything. If I am on familiar water, I use one for side scan and the other for conventional sonar. If on unfamiliar or bottom feature specific areas, I split the side scan and GPS. The old sonar with bright colors and easy to see arcs work best for me, so that’s what I typically concentrate on. Recently on Fontana, I fished down towards the dam. Having spent little time lately down that way, I started out throwing to the bank with jigs and jerkbaits, something that typically is good this time of year. With no hits in the first bit, I changed to point hunting. By that, I mean searching close to a point then moving out either circling or weaving out to at least 120 feet of water. There was no surface activity and at the first point, I found out why. In about

80 feet of water there was a big school of shad and undulating fish marks tailing the school. The more irregular the school of shad, with scattered small clouds or trailing wisps on the edges, the more likely they are getting hammered by something. In Fontana that is more likely mixed schools of spots and smallies. Sure enough, I dropped

an eighth ounce jig with a Keitech swimbait and as soon as it hit the magic 40-foot depth, there was that beautiful tick. As long as I kept up with that school, that’s all it took to catch a really nice bunch of fish. The best thing about good sonars is that when you lose the school there are always some fish, especially spots that just sink to the bottom

Continued, see TRUST YOUR INSTRUMENTS Page 13

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Pressure and Its Effects on Fish

By Ronnie Parris

hen you go fishing, nothing affects fish more than pressure. There are different kinds of pressure. The first is the pressure we, as anglers, put on the fish. This kind of pressure is always a negative. Ask any fly angler if he wants to fish a stretch of creek that has just been fished and he will, undoubtedly, reply with a big “NO!”. This was the case most of the summer here in the Smokies. I can’t tell you how many times I had to change stretches of a stream after finding myself in a stretch that had been fished the day before, and these were remote places where I hardly ever see a boot track. Same was the case for the lake fishing; I’ve never seen so many boats on the water. Folks were so tired of the quarantine that they were hitting the water in droves. The second kind of pressure that will affect your day fishing is almost as important. It’s barometric pressure and it’s sometimes the difference between loading the boat or going home empty handed. This was the case my last several trips. I got on a really good section of the lake where the water temp was just right and the bait was loaded along with about every species of fish you could ask for. We had gone through several days of stable pressure where the fish were feeding both on top water and down to 60 ft deep. But this bluebird morning would be different; the pressure was on the rise

and bite was nowhere to be found. We did end up catching a few fish but there was no breaking fish to be found. The next day was a little better with the trout bite on a drift boat trip, but I was looking forward to the next day, when the weatherman was calling for a pressure drop and some scattered rains and the fish didn’t disappoint. We caught five different species and picked up fish from the surface to 60 ft, which was the bottom depth where we were fishing. The next day, I had an open day and I took my girlfriend, Penny; the pressure was still holding low and we had to wait a few minutes to launch the boat while waiting out a passing shower. As we pulled up on our first spot, we had only had our baits in the water about 2 minutes when she set the hook on a big white bass. From then on, it was almost constant fish on our lines with a lot of doubles where we both were hooked up at the same time. We only fished a few hours before heading in but several smallmouth got to see the inside of our boat before getting released back to the lake. We kept several crappie and white bass for a fish fry. What an awesome day with all the fall colors; makes you really appreciate our beautiful mountains. Next time you start to plan your fishing trip and have a few days, look at the forecast and if you can plan on fishing on the falling barometer, you won’t be sorry. As always, be safe and take a kid fishing.

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).

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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.

1012 East Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC • 828-488-9711, Cell: 828-736-9471

smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com

DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 9

A Place I Can Go

By Danny Maybin

wo years ago, I had the opportunity to bring one of my heroes and mentors on a saltwater trip. It was early June and although he was aging and had some limitations, he was all in. You see, I have known this guy all my life and he is like a second dad to me. Even the long trip to the coast was a joy, as I listened to the stories of his childhood here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Larry is his name. As we neared our destination, he seemed a little apprehensive. Larry had never been out of sight of land in all of his 78 years. We checked in at the motel and the charter, making sure everything was set for a good day on the Atlantic. By the way, if you want

good seafood, Calabash, N.C. is not a bad choice. We made sure we got our fill. The next morning we were up with the dawn and headed to the dock. Larry seemed nervous about seasickness, but a Benadryl and a coke later, and he was good to go. If you’ve ever done a headboat trip, you know to be in the front when boarding so you can get set up at the stern of the boat. Everything, so far, was working perfectly until one of those thoughtless, inconsiderate, I’ve done this a thousand times guys with his son tried to elbow in between Larry and myself. To say the least, I was steamed and had started to confront him and then I caught

Larry’s expression. In a glance Larry told me, “It’s just not worth it” which I had to respect although I did manage to elbow the guy out of the way before we started fishing without Larry’s knowledge. I still can’t fathom why anyone would act like they are a seasoned headboat customer. Really? We fished our hearts out in one of those strong N.C. currents and caught a lot of fish, most of which wouldn’t make creel length here in the mountains, but every time I would glance over at Larry he had

a big wide grin on his face and that was my payoff. You see, Larry knew how to enjoy the moment and let the little annoyances of life flow right on by, undetected. I have to admit, I’m still working on that. A kind heart and peace of mind is a wonderful treasure to possess. His real sons, my best friends, and I lost Larry last year to pancreatic cancer. Even through his suffering, he was always kind, gentle and encouraging. My wish is that every man or woman would be blessed with a Larry in his life.

Danny Maybin’s family has fished and hunted in the area of Lake Summit for at least six generations. He is a state firearms instructor a, blacksmith, musician/luthier, and his favorite, a fishin’ and hunting resort facilitator. He also does voice acting, copywriting, and short story humor.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

10 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

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DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 11

Lake Hiwassee Monster Winter Stripers By Shane Goebel

Trophy Striper Season is Here!

f the thrill of a 30-pound striper exploding on the end of you line as if a bowling ball was dropped on it from a two-story building, then winter striper fishing in Western North Carolina is for you. These are by far the most wicked fighting freshwater fish around, and we are very fortunate to have several area lakes stocked with these monster fish. So, after opening all those Christmas gifts, come get your fish on with Lake Nottely and Lake Hiwassee’s #1 striper guide service, Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Also, remember all of our December half-day trips and Christmas gift certificates are only $250. That’s a savings of $100! Sale ends January 1st. Check out our Facebook page or www.bigolfish.com for more details. Lake Hiwassee is currently about 23 feet below full pool. Water temps are still in the lower 60’s. Lake clarity is clear and stained in the backs of creeks. Striper fishing has been excellent lately. The bigger fish are really starting to come up in the water column and are headed towards shallow humps and into the creeks. We’ve already had many stripers in the 15 to 25 pound range. Look for these big stripers anywhere around the lake; however, most of our fish are being caught in the mouths and backs of creeks. This is a great time of year to start using bigger bait. Start off by pulling planer boards and free-lines early in the morning. Live bluebacks and gizzard shad are working best. Top water bite has been wicked good

and should be getting even better as the water continues to cool, so as you’re pulling baits, keep a Red Fin or a spook tied on and work those banks and points. As the sun comes up and the day gets warmer, the fish will move a little deeper. Switch to down lines and weighted free lines. Remember, this is the time of year to keep an eye out for seagulls. Where there are birds, there is bait, and where there is bait, there are fish. We want to wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for an awesome year of fishing, and we hope to see you in 2021. Remember, December is a fantastic month for catching a lot of stripers on this beautiful mountain 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 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. 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 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

SMSS has all the essentials for hunting, target shooting, home defense, reloading and more Call for date & time of monthly concealed carry class. 53 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC • 828-837-7677 Beside the Courthouse

www.smokymountainshooters.com www.facebook.com/smokymtnshooter

12 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition is now part of MountainTrue!

n July 1, 2019 Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition merged with a larger regional environmental nonprofit called MountainTrue to establish MountainTrue’s new Western Regional Office. Although this step ensures a measure of sustainability, we still need everyone’s support to continue our vital programs in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. General donations to MountainTrue will be attributed to the various offices’ budgets by zip code, so your donations will continue to go straight into our budget for programs and projects in the western region. The merger allows us to continue HRWC’s existing programs and to build one organization that can effectively advance the interests of our mountain region. As of June 2019, the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition was a 25-year-old private, nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining good water quality in creeks, lakes

and rivers that flow into the Hiwassee River. The Coalition worked with local landowners, governments, schools and businesses to understand and address threats to our water resources. With a staff of knowledgeable professionals, the Coalition planned and implemented volunteerpowered projects to solve problems before water quality was beyond reasonable recovery. The Coalition also monitored water quality across the region and conducted education programs for all ages about water quality concerns and what individuals can do to help. From 2000-2018, the Coalition brought $7.3 million in grant funding into the upper Hiwassee River watershed. Approximately 93% of these funds were spent for on-theground projects and programs to facilitate water quality improvements in areas where it has declined! Less than seven percent went to the Coalition for operating support.

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Lake Chatuge – December Hybrids and Bass

By Darren Hughes

he cold weather is finally here, but don’t be a fairweather angler. December and the winter months on Lake Chatuge are off the hook, so throw on some thermals and hit the water for some of the best bass and hybrid fishing in Western North Carolina. Remember, all of our December half-day trips and Christmas gift certificates are only $250. That’s a saving of $100! Check out our Facebook page and www.bigolfish.com for more info. Our gift certificates are a perfect gift for that angler on your list. Water temperatures are currently in the low 60’s, and the water level is down 7 feet. Water clarity is clear throughout the lake and slightly stained in the backs of creeks. Spotted bass are still schooled up throughout the lake and we are absolutely slaying them! We’ve had a fantastic top-water bite and down line bite in the mornings. Check shallow humps and areas from 15-30 ft. deep. Watch for these fish to bust the water as they chase up bait then cast into them. Poppers, spooks, spoons, and, of course, live bait have been working great on catching these spots. Also, don’t forget to target your points and brush piles. Some excellent largemouth and spots have been

caught lately off rocky points and around brush. Now that water temps have fallen, the hybrids are on the move. These guys are heading towards the creeks and rivers and are moving up in the water column. Early morning top water has been great on Red Fins and Zara Spooks. The same rule of thumb applies for the spotted bass—search around shallow areas and watch for fish chasing up bait. Trolling free-lines with live bait and planer boards should work fine as well. We’ve also been doing awesome with a downline on some big hybrids still schooled up deep in the mouths of creeks. Several fish from the 8-10-pound range have been boated with us lately. Live blueback herring remains your best bet to catch these fish. December fishing on Lake Chatuge is always an exciting month. The bigger fish start feeding more aggressively, and for us, it’s a great time of year for some great top-water action. So bundle up and give us a call. We are Lake Chatuge’s premier fishing charter service, but we also do striper fishing trips on Lake Hiwassee and Lake Nottely. Come get your fish on with Big OL’ Fish Guiding Service!

Darren Hughes is the owner of Hughes General Store & Bait Shop, a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team and a guide for Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Look him up at www.bigolfish.com or give him a call at (706) 7456569 or (828) 361-2021.

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TRUST YOUR INSTRUMENTS continued from page 8 and wait for the school to return, or at least digest some of what they have just eaten. All you need to do if you mark small arcs close to the bottom is drag a jig slowly in front of that mark. Spots have never truly been full, there’s always room for one more morsel. As much as I like catching fish on the surface I like to

catch fish period, so getting used to your electronics can keep you in business when fish either aren’t busting the top or hanging to the bank. Let me know if you want to find some on the screen and enjoy what God has given us with these beautiful mountain lakes. Later, Capt. James

Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing!

DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 13

It’s That Time of Year Again: Outdoor Holiday Shopping By Andrew A. Cox

he cold weather is finally here, but don’t be a fair-weather angler. December and the winter months on Lake Chatuge are off the hook, so throw on some thermals and hit the water for some of the best bass and hybrid fishing in Western North Carolina. Remember, all of our December half-day trips and Christmas gift certificates are only $250. That’s a saving of $100! Check out our Facebook page and www.bigolfish.com for more info. Our gift certificates are a perfect gift for that angler on your list. Water temperatures are currently in the low 60’s, and the water level is down 7 feet. Water clarity is clear throughout the lake and slightly stained in the backs of creeks. Spotted bass are still schooled up throughout the lake and we are absolutely slaying them! We’ve had a fantastic top-water bite and down

line bite in the mornings. Check shallow humps and areas from 15-30 ft. deep. Watch for these fish to bust the water as they chase up bait then cast into them. Poppers, spooks, spoons, and, of course, live bait have been working great on catching these spots. Also, don’t forget to target your points and brush piles. Some excellent largemouth and spots have been caught lately off rocky points and around brush. Now that water temps have fallen, the hybrids are on the move. These guys are heading towards the creeks

14 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

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on some big hybrids still schooled up deep in the mouths of creeks. Several fish from the 8-10-pound range have been boated with us lately. Live blueback herring remains your best bet to catch these fish. December fishing on Lake Chatuge is always an exciting month. The bigger fish start feeding more aggressively, and for us, it’s a great time of year for some great top-water action. So bundle up and give us a call. We are Lake Chatuge’s premier fishing charter service, but we also do striper fishing trips on Lake Hiwassee and Lake Nottely. Come get your fish on with Big OL’ Fish Guiding Service!

and rivers and are moving up in the water column. Early morning top water has been great on Red Fins and Zara Spooks. The same rule of thumb applies for the spotted bass—search around shallow areas and watch for fish chasing up bait. Trolling freelines with live bait and planer boards should work fine as well. We’ve also been doing awesome with a downline 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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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD / OLD FORT

Fall Feast By Scott Norton

hen finding feeding bass, critical thinking must be applied. Most anglers know where to search for bass at any given time, based off of water temperatures and time of year. New anglers trying to learn this skill can have some challenges ahead. The most important thing to learn about bass fishing, other than the fundamentals, is where they are. It doesn’t matter how good your technique is, or the quality of gear you brought with you; if you can’t place your lure in front of the fish, you are not going to catch anything. Today you have so many resources to pull information from. With technology, such as satellite imagery and streaming data, it is so easy to educate yourself. The two sources that come to mind would be Google earth and YouTube. YouTube can give you information that is current and related to your area. Learning from

other anglers is a good way to look for problem solving from different s of view. It has basically created a shortcut to the learning process. You can use Google Earth and plug in the information that you currently know, such as water temperatures and time of year. Searching on a current topical map of the lake you choose can show if the water is high or low. Maps from past dates can also reveal features on the bottom, when the water was really low. Big bass do different things than smaller bass do this time of year. Remember, small bass like to chase shad while big bass are lazy and like to position themselves under smaller bass to pick up scraps that the small bass leave behind. It is easy to choose quality or quantity based off of this information. If you choose a shad presentation, you can fish deep with baits like blade baits, spoons, jigs, and lipless cranks. You can get the chasing

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bass by fishing the upper water column. Baits, like top water baits and jerk baits, will give you great results for these types of bass. In the fall, bass will follow the shad to the backs of the creeks. They will position themselves in places where they can corral and ambush shad. Bass become very efficient feeders the older they get. Look for secondary points, pinch points, and pockets where they corral shad and pan fish. In the morning hours, the

location of active bass will be easier to spot as bass will blow up on the surface when feeding on shad in open water. If you see that the water has been drawn back, bass will be in the deeper water offshore. This time of year is a fun time to get out and catch loads of fish, much like it is in the spring. The use of these resources will speed up the process and help with eliminating problems. Enjoy the fall because it won’t last long with winter around the corner.

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

DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 15

RIVER REFLECTIONS

The ‘Chatty Girl’

ne of the greatest things about having the French Broad River cut straight through the most densely populated corridor of Western North Carolina is that there is no shortage of riverbanks to walk and fish from. All along its muddy, meandering slumber, there pop up various greenways, parks and boat launches. With it comes a never-ending buffet of interesting people to observe or converse with. Recently, I had a few free minutes between client appointments so I did what any professional insurance man would do in my situation, I drove to the nearest river access and pulled out my fishing pole. I knew I could only get in about 20 minutes worth of casts, but that was 20 minutes of living I wasn’t going to pass up.

By Matt Mittan

Three casts into my flash-fishing expedition, a vibrant and energized voice rang out from close behind me, “Catchin’ anything Mr.?” I turned to see a young girl, probably about 9 years old. “Just started,” I answered. “Yeah, I know. I saw you walk up,” she smiled. “What are you

papers; you watch the news. We live in scary times. But before I could finish my visual inventory of folks at the park, this curious youngster chimed up again, with a cadence of delivery that would leave any auctioneer jealous. “You mind if I walk with you while you fish Mr.?

“You mind if I walk with you while you fish Mr.? I love fishing! I used to do it a lot with my Grandpa.” trying to catch?” “Anything that will bite. I’m just happy being out here. It’s a beautiful day,” I answered. Immediately, as a 46 year old, father of two boys, I started scanning around the park wondering where this girl’s parents were. You read the

I love fishing! I used to do it a lot with my Grandpa. He never let me cast it... or bait it... or take em’ off the hook. But he would let me reel them in though. Do you have a Grandpa? I bet you do. You seem to know how to fish pretty good. Oh, my name is Sarah. Nice to meet you!” She reached out and eagerly shook my hand. “I’m Matt. Nice to meet you too Sarah.” Immediately, I recognized that any answer I offered probably wouldn’t matter. And besides, I felt a little bit protective of her. At least if she’s hanging out by me, she’s safe until I can find her parents. So, we began to stroll down the shore. Me casting. Her asking a half-dozen questions, each throw and retrieve. A few casts later, as I tossed my 4” gold Rapala floater under an overhang that shaded some slack,

dark water behind a branch pile, the surface erupted in a violent splash. I leaned back into my hook set and down went the top half of my pole into a cobra like series of lunges toward the river. “You got one!” she yelled out. Within a few seconds, I had my thumb in the lip of about a 10-inch Largemouth River Bass. Little did I know that this fish would lead to a 5 minute in-service training on how, why and when to fish cover for Bass. Truth is, I loved how curious she was to learn every little detail about how this thing ended up on the end of the line. With each lesson I offered up she, in turn, would passionately share another story from her own library of experiences, fishing with her Grandfather. We walked along for another 10 minutes or so, casting every few steps. She was like a Gatling Gun of stories and questions. She never stopped smiling and her pride and love for her Grandfather was ever present. I started to think that perhaps he had recently passed away and that was why he was so prevalent in her stories. I didn’t ask. Knowing that I needed to get back to work, I again scanned the area looking for anyone who might be her parents. Before I could ask her about it though, some shouting rang out from just around the next bend. There were two young folks sitting on a bench in full throttle

Continued, see THE CHATTY GIRL Page 17

16 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

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THE CHATTY GIRL continued from page 16 argument mode, tearing into each other. We were close enough to hear every word at this point. “Oh you have all the answers, don’t you – as always!?!” , one of them yelled out. I felt the air go out from my little shadow. “That’s my parents,” she said softly. She started to turn away from me to head back down stream rather than go any closer to her parents. I realized instantly that I had served as an escape for her. A sadness came over me. I said to her, “Hey Sarah. Thanks for fishing with me and for teaching me all those great things from your Grandpa! You’re a pretty awesome kid.” She smiled back at me. I added, “You know, no one can ever take away those great memories, or from enjoying places like this as you grow up.” I didn’t know what else to say. Just then, her

parents got up from the bench and started walking back toward the parking lot, which was on the other side of me. I made it a point to wait for them to get to me so I could comment on what a wonderful and smart daughter they had. As she walked back to the parking lot behind her parents, she looked back at me and gave me that perfect kid wave and smile that melts anyone with half a heart. I don’t know what happened from there. I don’t know what stress or turmoil that family is dealing with. I pray they work it out. What I do know is that my 20 minute fishing break, in the middle of the day, ended up being a blessing, for both me and the chatty little girl who just wanted somebody to share a few stories with, there along the banks of the French Broad.

Matt Mittan is the owner of Biz Radio Asheville and Co-Host of the Matt & Michele Outdoors program. Visit www.MattMittan.com for more information and to contact him.

B & B Tobacconists

WNC’s Oldest Pipe and Cigar Shop B & B has been a place for gentlemen and connoisseurs of tobacco to gather since it opened its doors in 1979.

No glass. No vape. Pipes, pipe tobacco and cigars only.

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DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 17

Excess Urban Development and Its Impact on Our Mountains

here’s no doubt that change has come to our mountains, maybe in some ways that aren’t as beneficial, or as harmless, as we perceive. I’ve pondered for a long time on the integrity of our mountains and

By Ethan Hollifield

our watersheds; wondering in my mind what the single biggest threat to their survival is, which is in turn directly linked to the survival of the trout, smallmouth, and musky populations within our river systems. Development, in all its aspects, will be

the proverbial “nail” in the ecological and cultural coffin. I can’t help but cringe slightly as I see a mountainside being built upon, or new urban expansion taking place, and think of the potential negative impacts of how all of this left unchecked will damage and potentially destroy our fisheries. Developing particularly delicate ridge-line ecosystems, where headwater streams are located, can have scaling effects throughout the entirety of a watershed’s course, resulting in entire river systems becoming completely degraded. Excess development, firstly, can lead to the removal of forested areas which are replaced with impermeable surfaces (i.e, asphalt, concrete, etc), which, in turn, results in the regeneration of aquifers becoming less frequent. Additionally, most homes within mountaintop developments

rely on well water, which puts further strain on the aquifer’s ability to supply water for the streams it feeds. You can look at it as putting too many straws in the same cup. What this results in is water levels dropping drastically throughout the main stem of a watershed over the course of time; the Watauga River is a great example of this due to the amount of development that has taken place around it. Development can also increase water temps, decrease dissolved oxygen levels, and decrease diversity of species, just from the lack of forested land taken over by houses. These areas can turn into mini heat islands which not only affect the aquatic ecosystems but the health of the surrounding forested land as well. The removal of riparian zones can also increase erosion/sedimentation, pollutant runoff, and increase risks of flooding.

Continued, see EXCESS URBAN DEVELOPMENT Page 21

18 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

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HIGH COUNTRY

Convenient to Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Beech Mountain

Holiday Gifts, Gadgets and Doohickeys

Our resorts offer the perfect vacation or getaway in the mountains of Western North Carolina

By Capt. Cefus McRae

re you trying to find a holiday gift for someone who loves to fish? That can be one of the most difficult tasks of the year. First, because they probably have too much stuff already, and it would be almost impossible to buy a lure, a reel, or a fishing accessory they really need, and second, because whatever you buy them will most likely end up on a shelf, gathering dust. Buying me $25 flashy lures that I’ll never use is kind of a waste of money, at least for me. I’d bet many folks who fish on a regular basis might tell you the same thing. Anglers can be a fickle group of folks. I know, because I am one. So, I searched my memory for things that I use a lot; stuff I need to replace regularly because it wears out, or gets used up, or I drop it in the water and lose it. Sound familiar? Here are a few gifts, gadgets and doohickeys you can stuff in your favorite angler’s stocking or put under the tree this holiday season. I’d be really happy to get any of these.

Fishing pliers–

Get the really good ones. The cheap ones will rust after one fishing trip. Get titanium or aluminum so they are less prone to rusting. Cuda and Project-X make good ones for less than $40, or produce a very big smile by giving a set of Van Staal titanium pliers for around $350.

A good multi-tool–

Again, stay away from the cheap ones that have 30 blades and cost

$10. Go with a quality brand like Leatherman or Gerber and choose one that just has a few tools on it.

FoodSaver vacuum sealer system–

Frozen filets will keep longer. Get a couple of extra rolls of sealing bags too. If your angler owns a boat, get them a gift certificate for a full clean and wax from a boat detailing company. Nothing looks better than a shiny boat on the water.

Practical gadgets-

These are always appreciated. For example, a LED headlamp that clamps on the bill of a ball cap. Get one with both red and white LED’s. Other good ideas are line clippers on a retractable spool or pair of compact binoculars. The Nikon Aculons are about $60, and they are great.

Gift Cards-

If you’re still having trouble finding the perfect item, gift cards from Bass Pro, Cabela’s, or West Marine are always a good back-up. I personally love gift cards, because I can buy exactly what I want. Be sure to throw in some sunscreen, bug spray and single use lens cleaning wipes, then put it all in a 5-gallon bucket that has a lid with a seat cushion on it. A 5-gallon bucket is one of the most useful items on a fishing trip. It helps carry gear to the boat, it then becomes a trash can or bait tank, and ultimately the soap bucket for washing the boat at the end of the day.

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Located on the headwater of the Watauga River, we are convenient to all of the wonderful attractions of the High Country like Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Falls, Gem Mining and more. Enjoy the adventure at affordable rates! Hook up your RV, pitch your tent or rent on-site lodging. We are conveniently located 10 miles south of Boone on Hwy. 105 or 7 miles north of Linville on Hwy. 105. You’ll find the High Country of N.C. offers many activities for everyone in the family!

Call Today 800-788-2582

www.grandfatherrv.com 125 Proﬁle View Rd., Banner Elk, NC 28604 DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 19

UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Paddle, Pedal or Power

here is a reason kayaking is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports. Kayaking is relatively simple to get into and it provides both recreational and fitness activity to many. One of the most favorite attributes of the industry is the amount of options available. Whereas, at one time the only option available was to paddle, we can now add the option of pedals or motorized power. For many years, the only way to propel a kayak was by paddle. Paddle kayaking is by far the cheapest way to get on the water and requires far less maintenance. There is nothing to break along with ample deck space. The propulsion is from your arms onto the paddle. The downside on a paddle kayak means your arms are always in use to propel the kayak, so when fishing or doing

By William Reed

other things in the kayak, you are not in control. This is even more pronounced when fishing in wind or current. The other downside is speed, where a paddle kayak is the slowest of the three options. A budget paddle kayak can be had for less than $500 with USA-made fishing kayaks in the $1-2k range. The next type of kayak is the pedal kayak. The pedal kayak is faster than the tried and true paddle kayak. Pedal kayaks work like a bicycle, using some of the biggest muscles in the body for propulsion; the legs. The other great benefit of a pedal kayak is hands free control. This allows movement while fishing, arm strength for fighting big fish, and if the need arises, you can still paddle. The downfalls of pedal kayaks include cost, space, and

20 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

unsuitability for some waters. For space, pedal kayaks require dedicated deck area for the pedals and the drive assembly. The other main consideration is type of water. Shallow waters that have rocks, vegetation or logs can cause failure of the drive or even stop you in your tracks. As for cost, a budget pedal kayak starts around $1,500 with high-end selections costing over $5k. Lastly I will talk about motorized power. Some will say a motorized kayak is no longer a kayak at all. However, kayak manufacturers are making direct bolt-on motors. Motor companies like Torqeedo and Motorquide actually make kayak specific motors. Once you decide to go the motorized

route, keep in mind the other components that tag along. You will need to plan for transportation more thoroughly, register it in your state as a motorized vessel, and you will either need a large battery to power the motor or even gasoline depending on the motor you choose. To highlight Nucanoe, their kayaks are all built with a square transom and can be paddled, pedaled or equipped with a motor. For a motor, all Nucanoes are rated up to a 2.5HP outboard to really cover some water. You can have the best of all worlds. Take one word of advice and try before you buy as any reputable manufacturer or shop will let you demo a kayak first.

William Reed is a Nucanoe National Pro Staff Writer. You can contact him at will@nucanoe.com or find him on InstaGram @wde_will

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Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast December 2020 By Preston Harden

Water Temp.-65 Water Level-full pool ecember fishing should when it gets calm and cloudy. The be great. Water turnover worst days will be after a front, should be complete by when the sun gets bright and the December. After the turnover, the wind blows hard. water gets a pretty green color and Hybrids and stripers move up the fish go on a feeding frenzy. The lake and into the major creeks by best days will be before a front, December. They move shallow and

EXCESS URBAN DEVELOPMENT continued from page 18 Lastly, development results in an increase in the populatants from people visiting a given area. One of the biggest side effects to development is that our remaining protected natural areas are becoming “loved to death” due to the increasing amounts of human traffic that the mountains are receiving. I studied this while at NC State, looking at how different groups of people who recreate in certain areas view, intrinsically, their environment, and I’ve anecdotally noticed a significant

chase bait on the banks and on the day. Free lined herring works all day surface. A bucktail jig, and a small on cloudy days. Largemouth and spotted bass fluke that imitates a small shad, work well. Fly fishing becomes viable with also feed hard preparing for winter. a small clouser on a sinking line. They know that the water is cooling Live blueback herring can put lots fast. When the water dips into the of fish in the boat. Down lines work 40s, their metabolism will slow and on a bright sunny mid-day and no they will also feed less. This usually weight, free lines work early and late happens in January. Preston Harden / Bucktail Guide Service / 706-255-5622 / bucktailguideservice.com

increase in the overuse of our area’s fisheries working as a professional fly fishing guide. Like most issues in conservation, there is never an easy blanket solution for a given problem. The excess development of our mountains, however, is something that cannot be tolerated or ignored by those of us who love them and call this place home. A conversation needs to be started, particularly by us, as anglers, before we lose our fisheries and our mountains for good.

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

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DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 21

Fishing Boat Docks

ocks can be great locations for game fish, but not all docks are the same. They are magic hideouts for all types of fish. Docks can be long and flat or sharp and deep. Fishing docks can be floating or have dock poles that keep them stable. Docks can be made from wood or some type of metal. So which ones are the best? Docks that are “T” shaped provide more shade with different angles of the sun than a straight line dock. Over time, anglers have learned that wood docks provide several options over metal docks. Fish like to hide in the shade, and in the warmer months it can provide comfort with slightly cooler water. From years of fishing experience, wood docks are the best ones. Wooden docks are usually covered in microorganisms that all small fish need for food, and any plankton

By Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com – kensturdivant@att.net

that grows on the docks brings the baitfish to feed on it. Then the game fish show up. The location of the dock also has a lot to do with its fish attracting ability. Is it on a point or near a drop off or deeper

long time and attract fish sooner. In comparison, the wooden docks will begin to deteriorate as soon as they are exposed to the elements. Homeowners on lakes may have added structure that can easily be replenished with new

The best way to find the best docks is to use the latest Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology. water? If so, all the better. Check your Lowrance C-Mapping technology for the better locations surrounding the docks. This is a feature many do not use. For longevity of use, an aluminum dock is a better decision. They aren’t as likely to require repairs or rebuilding, though they can last a relatively

22 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

structure, as needed, over the years. If the dock is also to be used by swimmers, homeowners take care to put fish attractors out of their way. The best way to find the best docks is to use the latest Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology. This technology can scan up 300 feet to both sides of

the boat. Set the range to the Lowrance Structure Scan side beams to reach the bank, say 80 feet left and right. Ride by the docks, and in less than 60 seconds, anglers can see the fish, count the fish, tell what they are and put an exact waypoint on them. Set the Down Scan to auto depth so anglers don’t miss anything under the boat. So the common question is: why scan both ways? In many cases, there might be structure out from the dock that anglers would miss if they scan only one way. We hear this phrase many times: “I think I can catch them, but I just don’t know how to find them”. With Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology, it’s real simple. Don’t stop the boat until you see the fish.

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Trout Find A New Home in The Rivers of SC

By Karl Ekberg

housands of fish that have flown through the air from the cement walls from whence they were raised now have a wonderful second home in the rivers of South Carolina. These fish have now acclimated themselves to their new habitat, and are well spread throughout the river corridor. Significant rains from leftover remnants of hurricanes have boosted our water levels and abetted in the dispersing of the fish. Once again, many great thanks must go out to all of the hard-working individuals of the Walhalla Fish Hatchery here, for raising these incredible fish. The vast amount and beautiful fish they have provided are absolutely incredible. The added abundance of rain has saturated the grounds and, at times, has made the rivers unsafe to wade. Waiting a few days after the rain has stopped has been the trend of late, and the rivers are slow to recede quickly, due to an elevated water table. The use of a

sink tip with streamers has been very productive. Swinging, and then a strip and pause retrieve, has put a lot of fish in the nets. The use of these sink tips is just like a common looped leader, only with weight added to it, and without the cost of purchasing an entire full sinking line. Keeping flies down in the water column can be tough with raised water levels, and these leaders help immensely. During the raised levels, also cast your flies close to the banks, as fish will find safe havens near them to avoid heavy flows of water. As temperatures start their usual winter plunge, water temperatures will follow, dropping quickly as well. So far, a couple of days have ushered in river temperatures in the high 40’s. As the river temperatures drop, the fish will drop in the water columns to the depths, where the warmest waters are located. The abovementioned sink tips, are also

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helpful in bringing, nymphs, and midges to the depths, where the fish are located. The use of heavily weighted flies, or the use of a spilt shot or two, will also be a very helpful resource in dropping flies in the water column. Dead drifts of flies along the seams will lead to a successful day out on the waters. While fishing deep water, the use of strike indicators, high-visibility, colored leaders, and high-visibility tippet materials, will assist in seeing subtle takes of flies. Let us all remember that the great outdoors that we all like to enjoy will not be there if we do not take care of it together, so let’s remember to Leave No Trace. As we draw near the close of a year, that has been quite interesting to say the least, all of us here at the Chattooga River Fly Shop would

Trinity Thomason, from Lexington, NC with her very first trout on a fly rod!! You can tell by her smile she was excited!!

like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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.

DECEMBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 23

24 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

DECEMBER 2020

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NATIONAL 9

J.O. SPICE COMPANY CELEBRATES 75 YEARS AND 4 GENERATIONS

teamed blue crabs seasoned with J.O. No.2 or a custom blend that J.O. manufactures is the flavor people experience at crab establishments all over. Most people credit this crab house seasoning to another product but J.O. has been the crab houses’ seasoning of choice since 1945. J.O. Spice, started by J.O. (James Ozzle) Strigle and his wife Dot in Baltimore City in 1945, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. A native of Tangier Island, Va., J.O. Strigle brought the seafood spice blend he created in his kitchen on the island to Maryland. Jane McPhaul, J.O.’s daughter took over operations of the family business in the late eighties while her son, Don Ports, was serving in the Marine Corps. In 1990 Don joined his mother in the family business with a vision to expand. In the summer of 1991 Don met his spice girl, Ginger, with the pick up line, “you’re destined to be mine; you’re named for a spice,” said J.O. Spice Company president Don Ports to wife Ginger Ports the moment they met. Twenty eight years later, Don and Ginger- alongside their children Brittany, Tyler and Bethany, are continuing the family traditions of quality seasonings, spices, and more at reasonable prices at their Halethorpe based J.O. Spice Company. “We can provide crab houses everything they need for the crab eating experience, minus the crabs”, Don says. The company added crab boxes, crab paper, bushel baskets, crab knives, crab mallets and a variety of other items to their offerings. “We purchased our first laser engraver and that opened the door to the retail gift world and personalized options,” Don says. J.O. specializes in custom blended seasonings for pizza companies, pit beef stands, butchers, potato chip companies and more. We are more than seafood seasonings. “My children, the fourth generation, and our amazing team work side-by-side to make all of this happen,” Ginger says. “At J.O., we are all family who enjoy working with so many other family businesses. We are blessed.” Please visit us at jospices.com.

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BLUE CAT CRUSHES GEORGIA RECORD

Florida man fishing Georgia’s Chattahoochee River caught a 110-pound, 6-ounce blue catfish Oct. 17. The monster blue cat crushed the existing state record by more than 17 pounds. Tim Trone, of Havana, Fla., was fishing the Chatt Kat tournament out of Florence Marina on the upper end of Lake Eufaula when he caught the monster fish. He had run way up the river south of Columbus, Ga., and dropped baits in about 50 feet of water when the giant catfish picked up a piece of cut bream Trone was using for bait. Surprisingly, the fish didn’t put up much of a fight. “I reeled it up like a 100-pound log,” Trone told a reporter from the Tallahassee Democrat. “It was just a little bump. It took about three minutes to reel it in.” Trone’s blue catfish bested the previous record of 93 pounds, which has stood since 2017. That fish was caught on the Altamaha River in southeast Georgia. The current IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 143 pounds. It was caught on Virginia’s Kerr Lake.

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