The Angler Magazine | October 2020 | Great Smoky Mountains Edition

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE EDITION

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FALL TROUT TIPS SMALLIES ON THE FLY VOLUME 25 • ISSUE 307

F R A N C H I S E

PHOTO CREDIT: RALPH MALEAR

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n the early 1930s watch manufacturers took a clue from Henry Ford’s favorite quote concerning his automobiles, “You can have any color as long as it is black.” Black dialed watches became the rage especially with pilots and race drivers. Of course, since the black dial went well with a black tuxedo, the adventurer’s black dial watch easily moved from the airplane hangar to dancing at the nightclub.

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9/1/20 11:34 AM

Four Destinations To Get Your

Flats Fishing Fix

By CAM Staff

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALPHONSE FISHING COMPANY/WWW.ALPHONSE-ISLAND.COM

T

here’s no experience in fly fishing like standing on the deck of a skiff and watching for shadows that belie cruising fish. Sight casting saltwater flats is a pursuit that lies somewhere between biggame hunting and angling. For many anglers it is the ultimate expression of the sport.

The following are four destinations that offer some of the best flats fishing in the world. Whether you seek the visceral thrill of leaping tarpon, the bone-jarring speed of giant trevally or the finesse and skill it takes to hook bonefish and permit, these places should be part of every angler’s bucket-list.

The Bahamas

No other island chain in the world has so completely associated itself with a single species of fish as the Bahamas. This 1,000-mile-long archipelago is bonefish heaven, and it has supported generations of famous fly fishing guides on more than 500 square miles of mostly hard-bottomed flats.

There’s a reason the Bahamas are so famous for bonefishing. From Grand Bahama and the Abacos in the north all the way down to Long Island and Acklins in the south, there are more than 700 islands. Each little cay supports its own flats, which all offer perfect habitat for bones and perfect environs for fly fishing.

Another great thing about bonefishing the Bahamas is easy access to the fishery. The islands are a quick hop from southern Florida, and every inhabited island has its own bonefish lodges. From swanky resorts to beachfront huts, there’s something for every type of angler, and the fishing is varied as well. Whether you seek the challenge of big wary fish or you’d rather have fun catching numbers, you’ll find it somewhere in the islands—and Bahamian guides are legendary for their skill and hospitality.

Seychelles

Out in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, the Seychelles are an

archipelago of 115 islands that offer some of the most remote and beautiful flats in the world.

With a strictly managed fishery, the atolls of the Seychelles are teeming with fish, and the out islands offer flats that few anglers have ever seen.

It’s one of the few remaining destinations where the fishing experience cannot be oversold.

Bonefish are big, numerous and lightly pressured, so they will readily take a fly. But traveling anglers should go geared up for multiple other exciting flats inhabitants. From high-flying milkfish to powerful giant trevally, there’s really no place on the planet that offers such a diverse and exotic cast of characters.

And you’ll be sight fishing for all of them, either wading or poling gorgeous shallow-water flats.

Belize

If permit are your passion, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to chase them than Belize. This little English-speaking nation,

wedged in on the Caribbean between Mexico and Honduras, lays claim to what just might be the world’s best permit fishery.

Belize is small. You could fit the entire country within Florida six times, and its population density is the lowest in all of Central America. These statistics explain the unspoiled nature of Belize’s forests, flats and beaches.

Punta Gorda, on the southern coast, is the headliner destination for permit devotees. Yes, there are opportunities for tarpon, snook, bonefish and jacks, but the abundance and size of permit is astounding. Now, that abundance doesn’t make individual permit any easier to catch.

It does, however, mean an angler will have numerous shots to get everything just right, which is a necessity when it comes to hooking permit on a fly.

The Florida Keys

No such list would be complete without mention of the Keys. The Florida Keys are the birthplace of backcountry fly fishing, and for decades the waters within the Gulf-side curve of this island chain have provided some of the best shallow-water fishing in the world.

The more than 1,000-square-mile expanse of Florida Bay is a vast shelf lagoon, where bays, channels, flats and small islands exist in the mix of warm Gulf waters and freshwater seeping in from the Everglades. A skiff with a captain opens up a world of mud and grass flats to spot and cast to fish. Even an angler in a kayak could explore the mazes of mangrove islands.

And there’s no telling what fish you might encounter. The summertime tarpon run is legendary. Bonefish and ever-difficult permit cruise the flats. Big snook and redfish are also potential sight-fishing targets. It’s a place where even big sharks have been known to take a fly.

From the eastern United States, the Florida Keys are a no-hassle flats experience, and the fishing can be spectacular.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

11:34 AM

OCTOBER 2020

NATIONAL 5

FOUR TIPS FOR

E

very river is its own enclosed ecosystem. The specifics rarely translate from one fishery to the next when it comes to trout fishing. But there’s at least one thing you can count on when the first cold fronts roll in and autumn leaves color the banks of our mountain trout streams: the fishing will be good.

The small window between hot summer and cold winter is a trout’s opportunity to fatten up for the lean months. But nature is not kind. Fall does not bring massive hatches of meaty mayflies like spring.

Feeding opportunities can be sparse, which forces trout to be opportunistic. It is advantageous for anglers.

Here are some general guidelines to remember when you’re fishing for trout in fall: 1) Conditions: Although water temperatures are cooling, levels remain low and clear in most streams. This makes trout wary. Wade stealthily and use longer, thinner leaders to avoid spooking fish.

all F TROUT

By CAM Staff

2) Meat Theory: Trout pack on weight in fall, particularly brown trout, which are also fueling up for the spawn. Consider fishing larger flies than you normally would to give them a mouthful they can’t refuse.

Streamers target the largest, most aggressive fish in a run. Large articulated streamers might seem outlandish, but they’re the deal if you’re willing to sacrifice numbers for size. Use a loop knot to tie streamers to tippet, it’ll give your fly more

PHOTO BY NICK CARTER

action, and consider an intermediate sinking line or a sink-tip to get your streamers down.

Fluorocarbon leaders are also a good idea for stripping big streamers or drifting heavy stonefly nymphs through deep holes. Fluorocarbon sinks, and its abrasion resistance helps your rig stand up to the rock and wood you’ll encounter.

3) Spawning Browns: Brown trout run upstream to spawn this time of year.

That means big browns show up in places you wouldn’t normally expect. Go ahead and fish the deep undercut at the tail-out of a pool, but look to the head of the run, too.

There might be a giant butterbelly up in the riffles getting ready to move up the creek.

4) Dry Flies: If you just have to fish a dry fly, most of the topwater action will go on in the afternoon and evening.

Terrestrials that carried fish through the summer are still a primary food source until the first hard frost. Be sure to carry hoppers, beetles and ants.

Some areas see hatches of October Caddis, also called Autumn Sedge. These big orange bugs are mostly nocturnal, but trout will be looking for them.

Other than that, most fall insect life is small. Blue-winged olives and midges are what trout rise to when cool weather settles in. Bring your box of size 18-24 BWOs and Griffith’s Gnats. Try fishing them behind a large, high-floating attractor pattern so you can track those tiny flies on the water.

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Rush Production of U.S. Silver Dollars Creates 2nd Lowest Mintage in History

The Mystery of Silver Bullion A coin’s value is often tied to its rarity.

One way to determine a coin’s rarity is by its mint mark—a small letter indicating where a coin was struck. Since Silver Eagles are almost always produced solely in West Point, the coins don’t feature one of these mint marks. But this year’s Silver

2nd Lowest Mintage (240,000)

3,000,000

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For just 13 days, the U.S. Mint struck an “Emergency Production” run of U.S. Silver Dollars at the Philadelphia Mint.

This was great for silver buyers, and really great for collectors. Here’s why:

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U.S. Mint Halts Production West Point, the U.S. Mint branch that normally strikes Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Silver Eagles, went into lockdown.

Prices quickly shot up, and freshly struck Silver Eagles became much harder to find at an affordable price. To meet the rising demand, the U.S. Mint knew it had to act—and act fast.

Eagles were also produced in Philly—so few (a scant 240,000) that they are now the second smallest mintage of Silver Eagles ever struck! So how do we tell a 2020(W) Silver Eagle from a 2020(P)?

1995

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ne of the most popular ways to buy silver is the Silver Eagle— legal-tender U.S. Silver Dollars struck in one ounce of 99.9% pure silver.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping the world, demand skyrocketed.

But there was a problem...

2016-S

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Actual size is 40.6 mm

Certified “Struck at” Coins Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) is one of the world’s leading third-party coin grading services. Thanks to some skilled detective work, they have certified these coins as being struck at the Philadelphia Mint during this special Emergency Production run. What’s more, a number of these coins have been graded as near-flawless Mint State-69 (MS69) condition—just one point away from absolute perfection!

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BULL REDFISH On theFly I

By CAM Staff

t’s a special time of year for anglers who specialize in redfish on fly tackle. For the next couple of months, bull reds from the Carolinas to the Texas Gulf Coast will be on the move. Invigorated by cooling waters and the spawn, they run inshore to stack up in the passes and along the beaches.

They’ll even push up into the marshes to feed with their smaller cousins.

It’s the time of year to trade your 7-weight fly rod for a 9-weight, because the chance of hooking into a 20- to 40-pound redfish is better now than at any other time.

In the South Carolina Lowcountry, big reds are herding adult shrimp on shallow mud flats. In the world famous Louisiana bayous, bulls are visible cruising and crunching crabs on the bottom. All along the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts, anglers seek diving birds with binoculars. The schools of hungry redfish pushing baitfish from beneath are primed and ready to eat a fly.

Those new to saltwater fly fishing will find that redfish are a very good place to start. Although the pursuit requires some stealth in terms of boat handling or wading, the fish are not leader shy and rarely spook at errant casts or line hitting the water. These are not wary bonefish that run from shadows. Catching red drum does require quick, accurate casts, but this time of year generally provides anglers with numerous shots at fish.

One of the great thing about reds is they are aggressive and opportunistic feeders. Fly selection is a matter of matching the predominant forage where

you’re fishing, but generally they will eat most anything that runs away. Crab, spoon, shrimp and baitfish patterns all work, and the local fly shop will clue you in to the top producers. These flies are frequently tied in highly visible colors with flash and rattles.

The key is put your fly in front of a redfish and then get its attention. You have to provide action for the fish to take notice, and seeing a fish react to your bait is extremely exciting. It’s one of the things that make reds on a fly so much fun, even for veterans of the mud flats. As a rule, you’ll want to keep the fly moving with short, quick strips. Let sinking flies bounce on the bottom to kick up mud.

Whether it’s a waking dorsal fin, the violent parting of marsh grass or a shadow streaking across the bottom, you’ll know it when a big redfish homes in on your fly. At that point, you can slow it down, but keep that bait twitching. Let the rattles, flash and undulating feathers do their work.

Strip-set hard on the take and PHOTOS BY NICK CARTER let the fish put a bow in the rod before giving another jolt to make sure the hook is home. You’ll soon realize why you needed a large arbor reel with a smooth drag and 100 yards of backing.

A 20-pound bull red is going to seriously test a 9-foot leader tapered from 40 down to 15 or 20 pounds. It’s the kind of struggle that’ll bring you back for more.

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he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.

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The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.

The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.

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FREE-FALL U.S.A. The Rebel Series from the Last Frontier to the Southernmost Point

PHOTO BY PAUL PLASCJAK

T

he Rebel series’ reputation for being the ultimate Alaskan anchoring machine precedes itself. Churning out ultra-thin dyneema cord at impressive free-fall speeds in the North Pacific from Oregon to Alaska, the “Alaskan-tough” anchoring solution is not isolated to the rugged beauty of America’s last frontier where it was made most famous; its true free-fall capabilities are utilized for charter businesses and recreational boaters who set sail from the extreme north of Fairbanks all the way down to the southernmost islands of the Florida Keys.

One example rests in Paul Plascjak, who splits his time between Maryland and Florida. No stranger to boating, the retiree docks his 1985 Bertram 30 Flybridge Cruiser at his Key Colony Beach residence where the Rebel EZ-5 drum anchor winch is comfortably perched on the bow of the 31-foot vessel.

“All of us old guys with bad backs are sick and tired of all the old piece of crap windlasses that we have had to repair and cuss at all these years,” Plascjak said. “We just want to go fishing and keep the kids safe!”

Proudly nestled at the front of the bow, the complete stainless steel anchor winch simply requires a two-second push from the helm or wireless remote.

Gravity does the rest! Paul’s installation consists of 230’ of ⅝” rope combined with a homemade rock anchor. He says that the Rebel EZ-5 could “easily take another 60’ to 70’ of line,” if needed.

It’s no wonder Paul’s neighbors are absolutely “envious” of the ease of use Paul experiences when they inspect the “beautiful” jam-free, time-saving anchoring installation.

“A friend across the canal was hammering on his windlass last night trying to get it to grip the chain,” Plascjak emphasized in a summer e-mail to the

E-Z Anchor Puller team. “I loudly expounded on the virtues of your reliable drum winch with the free-fall capability [and] it’s looking prettier to the neighbors every day!”

The Rebel’s spool design and internal spring around it’s drive shaft provides constant pressure on the braking plate, so Paul never has to worry about rope backlash or tangling while his Rebel churns out the anchor, rope and chain combination down to the seabed. Paul says E-Z Anchor Puller has greatly improved his recreational experiences and that the manufacturing company makes safe boating and fishing in the Florida Keys possible.

Paul’s personal installation is right in the ballpark of the 2020 manual recommendation for rope and chain configuration: the EZ-5 is conservatively rated for 275’ of ⅝” rope plus an additional 20’ of ⅜” chain by the company.

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OCTOBER 2020

NATIONAL 11

THE BASICS FOR

A BETTER DAY

OFFSHORE

By CAM Staff

T

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISHINGNOSARA.COM

he habits you bring to the boat can be as important as all the gear and knowledge in the world when it comes to catching fish.

Whether you’re the guy with a new boat just figuring it out or a seasoned tournament captain whose main duty is to shout at the crew, developing good routines and fishing with the right mindset leads to better days on the water.

Here are a few tips that might help:

Get Organized. We all know the gear guy who loads everything and the kitchen sink in the boat. We’ve also been with this same guy when the last 8/0 circle hook breaks off in a big gag grouper.

He’s got a fresh pack of 4/0 hooks under the seat from the last time he went scamp fishing with sardines, but that just won’t do for the big pinfish in the baitwell. You’re left looking in the cup holders for an appropriate hook while the fish are down there waiting to be caught.

Keeping your tackle—and all your other gear—well organized makes you a better angler because you’ll have what you need when you need it.

Not only will your tackle remain rust free longer in waterproof storage boxes with compartments, these handy trays tell you at a glance when you need to restock the items you use most.

Be Prepared. Pre-rig leaders and ready the gear you plan to use the night before a trip. Check the latest reports, gather local intel, follow the weather and use a service like Sirius XM’s Fish Mapping to keep up with what’s going on before you leave the dock. Having a plan puts you on the fish quicker so you’ll be there when the bite turns on.

But offshore fishing is also about adapting to circumstances on the water. The best anglers recognize and react to opportunities as they arise.

This requires planning for what might happen on top of what is expected.

Make sure you’ve got rigs, tackle and lures handy for when bottom fishing becomes chasing birds.

Keep It Simple. Whether you’re trolling or sinking baits, know the limits of your crew. More lines in the water does not always equate to more fish on the deck.

It takes an experienced and aware bunch of anglers to deploy and man complicated trolling spreads. Even a simple drop can come confusing when there are multiple fish on the line and unmanned rigs on the rails.

One of the best ways to have an enjoyable and productive day on the water is to spend less time untangling snarls and more time fishing.

Knowing how to avoid aggravation and wasted time is a skill in itself, and the first step is to keep it simple.

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EAST TENNESSEE GREAT SMOKIES

Fly Fishing Dad Nathan Chapman

S

tateline Ridge is a significant geologic formation along the west slope of the Appalachian Mountains. It rises sharply out of foothills just to the east of the Cumberland Plateau, and creates some of the most dramatic views, looking up at the Appalachians, anywhere along the massive mountain chain, which ranges from northern Georgia all the way up to Maine. It is the backbone of the Smoky Mountains, the individual mountain range in question, and probably most important of all, it is the central geographic feature forming Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Dropping steeply from this paternal ridge, are dozens of water courses, that collect into branches (pronounced “brainches” in mountain-speak), which flow into creeks, which in turn, flow

into the handful of sure enough rivers supporting the water flow of the region.

It was to one of these water courses, hidden by sharp folds in the land that was bought, traded, and sometimes even taken from the mountain families that called it home at the creation of the park, that my wife and I visited with our boys on a balmy summer July day in North Carolina.

I am the father of three boyscurrently ages 11, 9, and 2 (yikes). I am the oldest of three boys, myself, so I have been familiar with that particular-dynamic for most of my life. My wife and I have worked hard, for years now, to provide an upbringing for our children that will help them to become well rounded, successful adults. A healthy portion of that upbringing means getting out of doors. When I say getting out of

2 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

OCTOBER 2020

doors, I mean going well beyond the end of our own driveway-though we do have a beautiful home on a steep mountain ridge with room for the boys to run, and climb, and find all

sorts of trouble to get into.

During the summer, a lot of our outdoor expeditions involve creeks and picnics. We often visit the park, as there are plenty of places where

Continued, see FLY FISHING DAD Page 4

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age 4

East Tennessee Fishing E

By Travis Stinnett

ast Tennessee offers some of the most diverse fishing in the southeastern United States. With 15 lakes and countless rivers and streams within a two-hour drive from Knoxville, there is a body of water where your favorite game fish swims. Whether you’re chasing trout in the Great Smoky Mountains or hunting for bass in the grass on Lake Chickamauga, East Tennessee does not disappoint. The breathtaking views and abundant wildlife you can experience are an added bonus to your fishing trip. Anglers frequent the area for the following game fish: Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Striper, Trout, Muskie, Walleye, and Panfish.

Perhaps the most popular game fishing in East Tennessee is bass fishing. The national spotlight shone on Fort Loudoun/Tellico Lake in March of 2019 when Knoxville hosted the World Championship of bass fishing, The BassMasters’ Classic. The passionate local bass anglers and fans of the sport set attendance records for the 4-day event, and the pro anglers

brought quality largemouth and smallmouth to the scales each day of the tournament. Chickamauga, Douglas, and Cherokee Lakes have also hosted national BASS tournaments within the last few years. Many locals believe that the next world record smallmouth bass will be caught from an East Tennessee body of water. Several of the lakes are part of the Tennessee River system and formed when the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dammed up the big river to help produce electricity. With the current created in these deep rocky lakes, it’s hard to argue against a potential world record smallie.

With so many bodies of water to choose from and quality fish of all species, East Tennessee is a fishing destination that should be on your list. Affordable resident and out of state fishing licenses are available online at tn.gov/twra, TWRA offices, and sporting goods stores.

Plan your next fishing trip to East Tennessee.

Travis Stinnett was born and raised in East Tennessee, and currently lives in Maryville with his wife, Sarah, and two daughters, Harper and Reagan. He is the owner of Stinnett Outdoors, a local family owned bait and tackle shop.

Travis has a passion for fishing and seeks to provide the needed tackle, lures, and bait to area fisherman that will help them be successful on the water.

Bass fishing is not the only fishing that thrives in East Tennessee.

Check out the record breaking catches below: WORLD RECORD: Skipjack Herring: 4 lbs 3 oz Watts Bar STATE RECORDS Quillback Carpsucker: 4 lbs 7.6 oz Watts Bar Blue Catfish: 130 lbs Fort Loudoun Saugeye: 10 lbs, 12 oz Melton Hill Muskie: 43 lbs 14 oz Melton Hill Paddlefish: 104 lbs Cherokee Goldfish: 3 lbs 5 oz Douglas

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FLY FISHING DAD continued from page 2 we can find a quiet spot along the water to set up a folding picnic table, a few chairs, and break open the familiar aroma of Kentucky Fried Chicken (a tradition that has carried on since my earliest childhood memories). Any time that distinctive smell reaches me, it can call up a host of memories of moments from my life that represent some of the best of times.

It has often been the case on these picnics, that I have had some of my best opportunities to draw my sons into fly fishing. They are happy, well fed, and they have a playground before them that not every kid out there ever gets to enjoy. I almost always take a rod along and fish a little around the area we choose as “our spot”. If any of the boys want to participate, it offers up a moment that can be a stepping-stone to something more.

I grew up in a family that constantly recreated out of doors, yet that recreation nearly always had a purpose. Hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, blueberry picking- get

outdoors, but have a game plan.

On the day in question, I chose a creek we’d not ventured to as a family unit before, and one that didn’t have quite the ease of access we typically look for, as toting all the gear necessary gets tiresome when dad is treated as pack horse- as well as entertainment director, science teacher, and maybe, just maybe, fly fishing instructor.

Our plans for the day were to go on a short hike upstream, then to come back down to the road crossing and find a spot to eat and play in the water. We made about a mile or so with the two-year-old in tow and came back down to the bridge where the highway crosses the creek. Right under the massive bridge was a wide, rocky, beachy area that looked like just what the boys would want for exploration and play. I left my wife with the younger two, and our eldest, and I marched back up the steep trail that climbed to the parking area near the road crossing.

We loaded up (miraculously)

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all, of our picnicking paraphernalia and headed back down to the creek for a much needed by that point, spot of sustenance. We were sucking wind hard by the time we arrived with all the gear and provisions. I set up the table and the chairs, while my wife doled out food to the kids.

Soon, everyone was munching and crunching, and I finally let my mind drift to the hustle and -bustle of the water, laughing to itself, sliding harmlessly by my feet.

I wolfed down my food, and soon had a rod strung up.

Meanwhile, my wife had discovered that the one thing my oldest son and I had forgotten was drinks for the adults. She became more than a little agitated with my mental shortfall and talked herself into marching back up the ridge to the car and bringing the mom and dad water bottles back as soon as she could. I spend plenty of time alone with all three boys, so that by itself wouldn’t even give me pause, yet here we were, aside a rushing mountain stream and nothing

between the water and our toddler, ‘cept yours truly.

As it turns out, that was only one issue to be dealt with that afternoon. I made certain that the two-year-old was happy and content, sitting with his brothers at the plastic picnic table we always carry because we do not rely on a provided table as that severely limits where we can go. I quietly slipped a few yards downstream and began lazily casting a weighted nymph rig to likely looking seams and pockets, managing to hook the odd small rainbow or two.

About the time I got back, even with the portable picnic table, my middle son had finished his food and wanted to get in the water. He asked me, “dad, is it ok if I wade across the creek to the other bank?”

I replied in the affirmative, but I cautioned that he should leave his flip flops on the creek bank he was abandoning, as he’d likely lose them on the way across. My kids all have good sandals to hike in, but middle son is known for his forgetfulness

Continued, see FLY FISHING DAD Page 8

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As The Weather Gets Cooler, The Fish Get Hotter!

By Charlie Beasley

A

s we roll into October, the weather gets cooler and the fishing gets hotter.

Top water baits can provide some of the most exciting bass bites during the fall season. As the water temperature drops and the daylight hours shorten on Fort Loudoun, Tellico, and Chilhowee Lakes in East Tennessee, bass will be moving into shallower haunts as they feed on baitfish.

The creeks and pockets are where a lot of the bass will push baitfish and become active. A River2Sea Whopper Plopper, Rebel Pop-R and a buzzbait can provide some of the most heart racing action of the year. A Strike King KVD 1.5 or a shad colored spinnerbait will also fool gorging bass in the shallows. A Z-Man Chatterbait, a rattling lipless crankbait, like a Strike King Red Eye Shad and a Zoom plastic fluke, can put fish in your livewell in this time of year as well. The main thing is to imitate the baitfish that bass are chasing.

If you venture to a lake and find grass present, a Z-Man Leap FrogZ frog can give you jolt as an aggressive bass, busting through the vegetation, is a sight and sensation like no other.

Crappie anglers also get in on the action as the weather cools.

Bobby Garland plastics, live minnows and trolled crankbaits are baits of choice for most anglers searching for the tasty slabs. The water is cooling and the crappie get active in their fall feed as well. We carry a full line of Bobby Garland plastics for all the needs of crappie anglers as well as live bait for those who prefer that approach.

One thing to remember, no matter how many you catch, the important thing is 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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Fly of the Month

By Jake Darling Unicoi Outfitters | jake@unicoioutfitters.com

Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow-Sculpin Hook: Umpqua U301, #06 Cone Head: Size Large Black Cone (6mm) Underbody: 10-15 wraps of .020 lead wire Tail: Combination of White, Tan, and Olive Marabou (white on bottom, tan in the middle, olive on the top). Also, add a few strands of copper colored Krystal Flash.

Body: Two colors of wing-n-flash (angel hair) - gold on top and pearl on bottom. When finished, use a black magic marker for coloration of the back.

As we transition into cooler weather, I often find my streamer rod in my hand more than any other time during the year. Streamer fishing can be fantastic as the water temperatures begin to decrease and the trout become more active. Out of all the streamer patterns I use, the Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow in Sculpin color produces more strikes

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than any other. I prefer to fish this fly on a 250 grain Scientific Anglers Streamer Express line, while stripping the fly erratically to entice the strike. This fly can also be used with a swing presentation while imparting a rhythmic jigging action with the tip of the rod whenever trout may be looking for a slower moving offering.

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‘My Favorite Trout Stream’

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By David Knapp

eople often ask me what my favorite stream, or river, is.

I always tell them the same thing: Little River. There are many reasons for that, not the least of which is loyalty. I learned to fly fish on this trout stream, after all, and have spent more time on Little River than anywhere else, but there are many other reasons as well.

One favorite thing about Little River is the diversity of water.

The lower and middle reaches of Little River include plenty of larger pools, many of which have been named. Usually the pools are named because of their propensity for turning out large trout. Pools such as Big Rock, April Pool, Baptizing Pool, Rootwad, Snow Hole, and Crusher, just to name a few, are legendary for producing big brown trout. They also produce some of the best hatches found on Little River. If you want to test your wits against wild rainbow and brown trout feeding on the surface, the lower and middle sections of Little River are where you need to go for the best sight fishing, preferably in spring or fall.

Stop by Little River Outfitters in Townsend for a selection of the best flies for the current hatches on your way there.

Of course, the big pools are not my only favorite part of Little River. Miles and miles of classic pocket water continues upstream

from Elkmont Campground.

Hiking up Little River trail puts you into some of the best pocket water fishing around with lots of feisty rainbow trout and a few browns. There are brook trout as well if you are willing to walk far enough. In other words, Little River has a little bit of everything, and I haven’t even started to mention the fishing down lower in elevation.

Smallmouth bass can be found in the Park upstream to the Sinks. Their numbers improve drastically as the stream exits the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The state of Tennessee also stocks Little River in Townsend, providing a seasonally excellent trout fishery that is perfect for those wanting to keep a few fish to eat.

If I had to choose one favorite thing, the large brown trout are what keep me coming back to Little River more than anything else. I’ve caught lots of quality browns over the years, but I can still remember my first big Little River brown like it was yesterday.

I was young enough that I had to rely on my dad to drive me for trips to fish in the Smokies.

On that day, we had fished a few places, and it was getting late in the day. My dad agreed that I could fish one more pool. I thought I saw a large golden flash near the surface at the head of the

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pool and changed tactics. I tied on a large yellow Stimulator and started dancing the fly across the rapids. Once, twice, a big brown trout swirled on the fly. On the third cast, it finally happened as the fish inhaled the big dry fly. The fish ran strongly downstream into the big pool, the perfect place to effectively fight a large trout.

To make a long story short, I landed the fish and admired it briefly. I held the big brown trout carefully in the water as it regained its strength after a valiant fight.

Soon it swam strongly off into the depths to be caught another day

by another lucky angler. Releasing your catch is the best way to share these experiences with others, especially in the case of a wild trout fishery like Little River where the stocking truck won’t show up to replenish the stream.

Over the years, I’ve made many memories on Little River, both as an angler and as a guide. I still remember that first big brown trout like it was yesterday though.

Hopefully, other anglers are able to experience what a special stream Little River is, just like I did on that day many years ago.

David Knapp is an author and fly fishing guide, specializing in trips in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and on Tennessee tailwaters like the Clinch and Caney Fork Rivers. David is a former high school mathematics teacher who decided to change classrooms beginning in 2014 and has been spending his time teaching others to fly fish ever since.

Look him up to reserve your guided trip at TroutZoneAnglers@gmail.com or call/text him at (931) 261-1884. Website: www.troutzoneanglers.com

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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GREAT SMOKIES FLY FISHING DAD continued from page 4 and could not find them when it was time to leave that morning.

To my exasperated chagrin, he proceeded to wade across in the ridiculous flip flops, whereupon reaching midstream, he floundered most violently, went ass over teakettle into the creek, came back up thrashing as Little John, and proceeded to howl out to me for help. I didn’t move. I simply said, “Stand up son.” The boy found his feet, sans flip flops, and began howling again about his lost shoes, as they hurriedly picked their way between midstream boulders on a hectic flight for Fontana Lake.

Bedraggled and woe begotten, my middle child slogged to shore and slumped, deflated, to the gravel beside his brothers.

I waded back up to the picnic in an attempt to cheer up the soaked kid, while thinking to myself that I

hoped his mother wouldn’t arrive before the crying ceased. I was all prepared for one of my best fatherly motivational speeches when all hell broke loose. My eldest had finished his lunch and was down on his knees beside the picnic table, picking around the gravel of the creek bank, looking for who knows what, when I saw, to my frozen horror, that the toddler had climbed up to the table top and had picked up a large, smooth creek rock that mom, or one of the older boys, had sat up there for further examination. He unceremoniously chucked said stone through the air, where it fell directly between the shoulder blades of kid #1. I kid you not. My oldest son began howling in obvious and serious pain, which automatically shocked and scared the toddler into tears and setting up a wale of his own.

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Utterly without course of action at this point, I stood, mute and impotent upon the shore of a gorgeous trout stream in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as one kid was sobbing to himself about his soggy clothes and lost shoes, another kid was rolling around on the ground, keening and gyrating, while the toddler sat on the edge of the picnic table and called out to the sky for mommy.

So of course, this was the point when my wife arrived back from the parking area, carrying water bottles and deep concern in her eyes for the scene playing out before her. And as all things tragic and scary so often play out in the lives of children, mommy was the Mercurochrome for it all. Tears dried, waling and gnashing of teeth subsided, and life became tolerable once again.

On the walk back out to the car, I asked the boys what they’d remember most about that day. My middle son Garret, immediately popped in with, “You kiddin’ dad?

How would we ever forget the day I fell in the creek, lost my shoes, and Brodie hit Hayden with a rock?!”

A couple weeks later, further north in western North Carolina, I was fishing with the older two sons on a tiny blue line near my father-inlaw’s place, north of Boone. While wading in a particularly rough stretch of creek, and only moments after watching my oldest son Hayden stalk and catch a sizeable native Southern Appalachian Brook Trout all on his own, Garret looked up at me and said, “Hey dad, I get now why you said not to wear flip flops in a creek!” Small victories.

Nathan Chapman is a freelance writer, former guide in and around the Smokies and part-time rod builder. From a multi-generational, southern highlander family, he lives with his wife and three sons in Cullowhee, NC.

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Fly Fishing Slickrock Creek North Carolina

By James Marsh

T

he name of this stream could possibly tell you something.

The low pH of the water that’s typical in this area of the southern Appalachian Mountains means there’s little algae in the water and that means the rocks in a stream are usually not as slick as those in water with a high pH. This stream probably does have a higher than normal pH, although I don’t know that for a fact. It’s also supposed to have Green Drakes and if this is true, then the pH of the water is certainly much higher than the average stream in the area. We have not verified the existence of Green Drakes. The name could mean that those rocks out of the water, covered with moss, or fallen leaves are slick, which would be true for certain. It could also just be that someone that had something to do with naming streams took a hard fall on Slickrock Creek at one time.

Angie and I have only fished this stream one time and then probably not in the best area of it because it

requires more effort to reach than we have been willing to exert. We always take a commercial grade video camera along and that makes it tough on a long hike, especially when you reach my young, old age. Neither of us slipped and fell in Slickrock Creek. We did catch one half-dozen small brown trout but none of them were over 12 inches. We only fished a short time due to the time it took to negotiate the steep decline of the trail. All of the trout above the lower falls are supposed to be brown trout.

The stream is probably too low in elevation to have any brook trout in its headwaters. Below the falls, fish from Calderwood Lake can enter the stream to spawn. Fly fishing Slickrock Creek in its lower section will probably get you both browns and rainbow trout.

Slickrock Creek is a tributary of the Little Tennessee River. It flows into Calderwood Lake not very

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far from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. It’s known for its brown trout. It doesn’t have any road access and therefore, it has maintained all the things it takes to continue to be a good trout stream over the years.

It flows through the Joyce KilmerSlickrock Wilderness Area.

Much of the stream forms the border between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, but most all of the headwaters and upper part of the stream are in the state of North Carolina. It’s managed by agreement between both states, so a license from either state works for Slickrock Creek. Most of the stream is in North Carolina and that’s why we call it a North Carolina stream.

The stream can be accessed from only a very few places, none of which are exactly an easy route to take. The lower part of the stream

can be reached from U. S. Highway #129, the most dangerous road in the Eastern United States, as far as I’m concerned. U. S. Highway #129 crosses Calderwood Lake just below Cheoah Dam. From the trailhead at the bridge, the Slickrock Creek Trail (also called the Ike Branch Tail because it intersects it) follows along the bank of the lake to the mouth of Slickrock Creek. It’s about a 2 mile hike. According to a friend of mine that regularly fishes this stream, the Ike Branch Trial is the better trail to take to get to the water in the lower section of Slickrock Creek.

The other place to access the creek is from Forest Service Trail # 41 which is located at the end of Forest Service Road #82 (Slickrock Creek Road) which is off highway #129 in Robbinsville. You have to drive about 7 miles to Big Fat Gap over a small, gravel road to get to the

Continued, see SLICKROCK CREEK Page 17

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The First Good Chill In The Air

W

ell, the first of what I like to call “decent fishing weather” is here. I know that wearing shorts and slathering on sunscreen, drinking bottles of “whatever is your choice” and applying yet another layer of bug dope thrills some, but I personally like that first good chill in the air. Call out the dogs and let’s GO! I think the fish much prefer this time to any other, except maybe when love is on their minds in the spring. Nothing like rounding the bend of a point to see breaking fish explode all over the surface. It doesn’t matter if you are here in western NC or upstate SC, there will be some topwater action this month. My home lake of Fontana can have some really spectacular topwater action from now ‘til after Christmas. There are some late summer hatches of threadfins coming of age about now and spots, smallies and whites all love those little tidbits. We have

By Capt. James McManus

only had bluebacks for several years but the young of the year will be on the menu also. They may make catching easier because with just threads, you had to match the hatch a little more and so BB’s open up the possibility of more bait options. By that I mean larger and sometimes more traditional lures like Spooks, Pop-R’s and spoons. With only threads, you were sometimes limited to small jigs, swimbaits and the smallest of hardbaits.

I have been throwing some of the new suspending jerkbaits from Rapala and Mirrolure and love their realistic finishes. If I had could only have two baits for a year, I would choose the Kitech swimbait and a Rapala X-Rap. Everything from redfish, trout, snook, bass of all types, and stripers have come on both these baits. It’s a good time to just put the boat in gear, take in the special color show that’s happening now and just cruise whatever lake you are on. If you get out early, there

is usually plenty of activity to make you slow down and cast to surface breaks. If they are too far away, just chill and they will probably be back up close to where you last saw them. Here bait stays out in open water so just keep your eyes open rather than staying glued to the shore structure. While Fontana has been in a down swing the past couple of years, I pray things will start to turn this fall. We have been catching more fish and though the size isn’t exactly spectacular that should improve as the year goes on.

The same is true on Hartwell and most area lakes in my opinion. So put down the remote, grab a jacket, fill up with gas and hit the water for the prettiest time of the year. Thank God for fall! Later, Capt. James Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing!

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Finding The Thermocline

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By Ronnie Parris

robably the one most important thing an angler can do to increase his or her fishing success is to learn where the species of fish you’re trying to catch are hanging out, whether feeding or just suspending. Our mountain lakes are huge and, if the truth be known, probably 80% of the fish at any one time will be located in 20% of the water in the lake you’re fishing. You can have the very best bait, the fastest boat, and give the most natural presentation to those fish but if you’re not where they can see it, you will just be wasting your time. I have often wondered if the fish were more comfortable locating in the thermocline in a lake or if that’s simply where the bait they are feeding on is and therefore, they are there to feed on them.

The thermocline, for anyone new to fishing, is the level in depth where, in the summer, the water is warmer on top and as you drop down, there will be a level where it will cool drastically and there will be more oxygen for bait and fish. Different species seem to react differently to it; walleye will usually be suspended under it, while bass, trout, and striper will cruise through and above it, while feeding. As far as finding it, all you need is good quality sonar. I run a Lowrance HDS and it will show up as a blue static layer across the screen. It can vary in thickness and can run different depths, depending on where you are located on the lake, be it in the headwaters or close

to the dam. If your sonar is not showing it, increase the sensitivity level until you get a dirtier picture and it should show up. Threadfin shad are the primary food source in our mountain lakes, as of now, and the threadfin will almost always be close to the thermocline.

The blue back heron, that have established themselves in our lake, don’t seem to be so dependent on the thermocline and seem to be more scattered on the surface but that could be due to the fact that the threadfin are a little more temperature dependent.

When fishing deep around the thermocline, don’t be surprised when you bring a fish in with its swim bladder blown out of its mouth, as with the walleye in the picture provided. I know there are tons of expert anglers that will disagree but I don’t think these fish can be released with a high ratio of survival. Some say they can be vented but I think this only gives the appearance of the fish living, since it will go deep when released and I just think it dies and the air is released from the swim bladder so it doesn’t float back to the surface. For this reason, I think it’s so important to not keep fishing after you get your limit of these deep fish, thinking you can safely release them. I hope everyone has weathered this Covid-19 scare and is getting to enjoy some cooler temps. I hope to see you on the water and, as always, 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

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Monster Mountain Stripers on Lake Hiwassee

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By Shane Goebel

ctober in the Western North Carolina Mountains is a fantastic time to hit the water. With the beautiful views of the changing leaves and the cool comfortable temps, a day on the water seems like a dream come true after a hot summer. Not to mention the striper fishing is also super awesome. This is the perfect time to hit the lake and experience some extreme fall striper fishing, and what’s the best way to do that? By booking a trip with Murphy, NC’s #1 striper guide service: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We’ve been striper fishing these mountain lakes a longer than anyone and have what it takes to put you on some huge fish.

Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 11 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear and water temps are in the low 80s.

Striper fishing has been absolutely phenomenal. We have seen some huge schools of stripers and these monsters are hungry! We’ve averaged 20-30 stripers a morning for the last month or so on most of our trips. Talk about some exciting fishing. Plus, we’re starting to see a good increase in size. We’ve had a bunch of fish already in the 20-30 pound range!

The early-morning and evening bites are your best times to see action.

We’ve also had some heavy bites in the mid-day hours. With the cooling water temps, continue to target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel but also look for schools to move back into the creeks. The

majority of our fish have been caught from Point 6 to the dam. For October, in the early morning hours, freelines and planer boards will work well. As soon as the sun peeks through, we are going right back to down lines. For those who wish not to troll, October is also a great downline month. Just keep an eye on those electronics. The top-water bite has picked up a lot, so keep a spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag surface-busting fish. The fish will start to spread out here soon and move in to the creeks. We will then move to all planer boards and free lines. We will also start pulling bigger baits. This is a great lake to catch some very nice small mouth and walleye. We always snag a bunch of those while striper fishing, so this can be an exciting lake to fish.

October is a fantastic month for catching some great trophy stripers on Lake Hiwassee. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of WNC’s most explosive striped bass. We are Murphy, NC and Blairsville, GA’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Nottely, Chatuge and Blue Ridge.

And, for all your live blueback herring and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing.

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

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On Bears

By Joe Woody

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ears have been on my mind a lot lately and not the “Hey BooBoo…Pick-a Nick Basket” kind either. I’ve literally just been running into them more than I ever have before.

Eight to ten years ago, a bear encounter was a fairly rare occurrence. Now it’s odd if I don’t see one when I go out into the woods. On a recent trout fishing trip up Palmer Creek in Cataloochee Valley with my buddy and fellow

Angler Magazine writer, Ben Bailey, we ran into three sets of Mama Bears and cubs within a quarter mile of each other.

Then…a fella got eaten up on Hazel Creek a few days ago. Park Rangers don’t know if the bear actually killed the person yet but they did find the bear eating on the remains. It happened at Campsite 82, or Calhoun as we like to call it.

It’s roughly 9 miles up the trail from Proctor if you know the area. I’ve

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spent a lot of time there…alone.

I’ve had literally dozens of bear encounters in the backcountry over the last few years and most of the time the bear is either running away or indifferent to me. I did have a bear follow me all the way into the Linville Gorge a few years back.

That was sobering but the bear was a youngster and was scared off with just a look.

But something different is going on. Food is abundant. Mamas are having two and three cubs at a time and they’re surviving. Bear hunting is not as popular as it once was in our mountains. My worry is when the food goes away after a dry summer…what are all these bears going to eat?

I fear that the unfortunate event on Hazel Creek will most likely

happen again with more and more frequency. I’m not an alarmist. I don’t want to have open season on bears but we are going to have to be more diligent in the backcountry.

I’ll leave bear management to the experts…but…

I now carry a handgun on fishing trips. People who plan to take walks in the woods should probably invest in some bear spray, at least.

Getting back to those mama bears and cubs we saw on Palmer Creek. When we made it back to the parking lot, a young couple asked if we’d seen any bears. I carelessly mentioned the encounters we had just had up the trail. The couple then made a bee-line up the trail to view the bears with their two year old son in tow.

We have to me more careful.

Joe Woody is Co-Publisher of The Angler Magazine WNC with his wife Debra. He is an Army Veteran and a self proclaimed “Adventure Angler”.

You can usually find him wandering around Western North Carolina telling fishing lies. He is also a baseball nut and a crazy FCS Football fan. He has a Bigfoot magnet on the back of his truck.

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Lake Chatuge Hybrids

By Darren Hughes

S

eptember was an insane you mark fish, drop your lines. Fish month out here! These hybrids will be slightly shallower in the and spots have been biting early morning hours and will move everywhere on the lake and we’ve to deeper water by mid-morning. been absolutely wearing them out. Top-water bite has picked up October should remain about the considerably and you can find fish same. Its definitely one of the best busting everywhere. When these fisheries in the North Georgia and fish start busting on bait, it’s always Western North Carolina Mountains a good idea to have a plug, spook, and October is a perfect time to or red fin at the ready. come get your fish on!

October fishing on Lake Currently, Lake Chatuge is 3 Chatuge is always exciting. feet below full pool. Water temps Remember, live bait on this lake are in the low 80s, and water clarity can be the difference between a is clear throughout the lake. successful day of fishing and a Hybrid and spotted bass fishing horrid one. For all of your bait remains great. The fish are still and tackle needs, come visit us at schooling in large numbers. Our Hughes General Store in Blairsville, average trips are still consisting of GA--it’s the best place around for 30 to 40 fish. Most of our hybrids quality live blueback herring. We are averaging 5-10 pounds. These also carry ethanol-free gas and are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest- have some of the best hot, madefighting fish, and we’re having a from-scratch biscuits in North GA. blast wearing them out. The spotted For guided fishing trips on Lakes bass bite is on fire as well and we’ve Chatuge, Apalachia, Hiwassee, or been loading the boat with these Nottely, or questions about the feisty fish. The early morning and bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes, mid-afternoon bite has been prime at Hughes General Store. And for both fish. Look for schools whether you’re a seasoned angler of fish along the main channel or just starting out, give Chatuge and off points. Down lining live a shot for some of the best spotted blueback herring has been the best bass and hybrids in the area. Good technique. Search out your areas luck, and get hooked! and watch your electronics. When 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) 745-6569 or (828) 361-2021.

SLICKROCK CREEK

continued from page 10

trailhead. It’s about a 2 mile hike to the creek’s middle section using this route but don’t let the millage fool you. This route seems like two miles of vertical distance. It does put you in a good area of the stream.

I can see why many anglers claim they have poor results fishing this stream. The wild browns are a lot easier to spook than rainbows.

They avoid the sunlight. Nymphs are always far more productive than dry flies fishing this type of water for brown trout. During low water conditions, it’s especially difficult to approach the browns in this relatively shallow stream. Here are

just a few difficulties you face. You can’t use the high sticking method effectively in low water and double and tandem rigs wouldn’t work well either. Staying hidden while you make longer than normal, precisely placed presentations with a nymph, isn’t easy. Unless you are staying overnight, fishing during low light conditions, early and late in the day, would be out. Strike indicators wouldn’t work well. There are other problems with fly fishing Slickrock Creek using the traditional, locally accepted fishing methods that are beyond the scope of this article.

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James Marsh is the Owner of The Perfect Fly online and catalog, mail-order store. www.perfectflystore.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

OCTOBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 17

RIVER REFLECTIONS

‘The Challenge’

I

By Matt Mittan

f you have read my column over the years, then you know that I always look for the life lessons or the parallels to our daily lives that fishing can provide. Well, I found one in the most unlikely of places.

Over the past couple months I had been asked several times if I would do some “lure challenges” for the “Matt & Michele Outdoors” program. I finally relented and decided to do a competition between a $2 popper and a $10 popper. It was agreed that the main factors in scoring would be presentation, finesse capability, fish caught, price and durability.

So, I set out on one of the lakes of Table Rock State Park in the Upstate of SC with poppers and cameras in hand. I loaded up my Old Town canoe and off I went. It was a grind.

The conditions could not have been any worse for top water fishing. I just

knew that the fish would be stacked up along drop offs, in the deeper waters. And my depth finder proved that to be true. But I pressed on.

After all, I was there on a mission.

About 2 hours into the day I finally got my first action, as I pounded the shoreline, switching back and forth between the baits.

Over the next few hours I ended up catching some Bass and was able to declare a very clear, and one sided, victor of the challenge. On that day, at least, it was the $2 popper.

Now, the easy lesson here might be to press on through initial adversity. Or it might be that money doesn’t equal results. But those are too easy to see. The take-away came later.

Once I got the video edited and posted up, I immediately started getting requests for other lure challenges. How could I say no? But

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What’s your go-to lure? Do you find yourself going with the same few tried and true baits? Maybe now’s a good time to switch things up and try something new. “Lure Challenges” are a fun way to try new gear.

here was the challenge… The most popular requests were for lures that I didn’t have in my box and that had I never used before. But hey, got to keep the People happy!

So I went shopping. I’m a few weeks into doing these now and I have gotten to learn lures and presentations that are completely

new to me. And I’ve even found a couple of lures that I have used and picked up new patterns to add to my tackle. I also decided to start hitting new waters that I’ve never fished before, rather than going to the same several spots that I know inside and out. In short, I’m having a blast! I’ll turn 50 in a couple of months and yet

Continued, see THE CHALLENGE Page 19

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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD / OLD FORT

Understanding Wild Trout Behavior

I

By Ethan Hollifield

’ve found, in my experience, that people make fly fishing for trout way more difficult than it has to be. People get so caught up on tackle/ fly selection that they forget about understanding trout behavior as a whole. This is an interesting science, in that I wouldn’t call it exact, but maybe “predictable.” I do think that learning and trying to conceptualize how trout behave in given environments is a much more worthwhile endeavor than spending time worrying about tackle selection. I’m going to try and break down some of the basic concepts of trout behavior that have helped me in my fishing and guiding career, and will hopefully translate into a greater appreciation of these critters for those who may have thought trout are just mindless creatures.

1. When it comes to understanding trout behavior: Assume the fish are smarter than you in every way possible. It actually makes sense, when you think about it. Wild trout spend their entire lives living within an aquatic ecosystem that is obviously different than what we, as humans, live in. They are masters of their environment, in which their entire existence is instinctually based.

A trout, in a given run, will know exactly what a real nymph or adult fly looks like drifting down through a given current lane. If you ever find yourself getting skunked: 99% of the time it’s not the fish, it’s the anglers

presentation. Trout are by no means a mindless creature (well, unless it’s a stocker).

2. With that being said: All trout are consistent. All trout will face upstream, and all trout will eat aquatic insects. Granted, there are slight variances between trout species in what particular part of a current lane or pocket fish will sit in, but all trout will follow this exact same pattern. They will also always look for the easiest possible holding position that still gives them good access to dissolved oxygen, food, and shelter from potential predators.

3. Presentation is more important than fly pattern: I’ve written on this before in a previous article, but your fly pattern is a minimal part of the overall equation compared to how your fly is fished in the water. Different flies are created to present with different sink rates, buoyancies, and profiles in the water. Each trout responds differently to certain flies presented differently as well.

4. While all trout behave the same, there are variances between individual fish. I’ve seen instances where certain fish out of a group, for one reason or another, do not eat in a consistent manner. I think this holds true especially for trophy size fish in the summertime, as I’ve seen the majority of those fish caught in the extreme morning, evening, and nighttime hours that I’ve fished for them. Natural selection in regards

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to individual fish intelligence is something that I think most people don’t consider either. There are some trout that are just, quite frankly, way too opportunistic to survive for very long periods in the wild.

These are just a few of the

variations that I’ve seen in my fishing and guiding career. I hope that it does give y’all an insight into how changing your own perceptions of how you view these magnificent critters can help you appreciate their tenacity and willingness to survive.

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

THE CHALLENGE continued from page 18 I feel like I’m getting to experience fishing all anew again.

And therein lies the lesson this month… Push yourself to try new things. Break the patterns and habits that you’ve held on to for so long. It can, not only introduce you to new tactics and presentations, but it can open the door to new opportunities

and adventures. It also gives you the ability to pull your tried and true tricks out of your bag at the most impactful moments and situations.

This is as true for fishing as it is for life itself. Switch things up. See what happens. That is my challenge for you – and for myself too.

Matt MIttan co-Hosts “Matt & Michele Outdoors”, a weekly program devoted to nature-centered day trips around the southern Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills. Visit www.MattMicheleOutdoors.com for more episodes or check out the show on most podcast platforms – such as iHeartRadio, iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, TuneIN and many more. Email MattMittanOutdoors@gmail.com

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 19

The Ramp Up

By Scott Norton

W

e are now entering the fall transition, as bass will be leaving their summer spots to feed up for the winter season ahead. How do I know that we are in the transition? The first signs are when the days start getting shorter.

You will also notice the cool crisp air in the mornings and evenings.

This is the turning point at which bass hear the dinner bell ringing. I will go over what’s ahead and what to look for leading into the fall.

So, you know now where the bass are located in the summer but, all of a sudden, they either disappear or the bite is sparse.

You have witnessed the transition and it can happen overnight. The days can be just as hot but the difference is nights are cooler and days are shorter. Well, you have planned on a summer pattern and all you have are the baits you have used all summer. What can you use from your selection of summer pattern baits? Let’s start

with jigs. Jigs work year round and you can adapt them to fit what bass are eating. If they are chasing shad use a shad colored fluke or swim bait as a trailer. Make sure you use a lighter weight so it looks like a dying shad slowly sinking to the bottom. Just make sure to move off shore to find shad they are feeding on. The smaller bass will be chasing the shad while the bigger more lazy bass will be on the bottom getting the scraps. Be aware that they will be spreading out eating lots of variety of forage.

If you key in on that change of diet, they won’t be used to seeing what has been offered to them over and over again all summer. Spinner baits are great, flukes, swim baits, glide baits, crank baits and more.

Basically, adapt what you have for offshore fishing. Once you learn to tune baits, the better off you are.

This time of year will hit differently for lakes in different

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regions and elevations. Just be prepared to use baits you can adapt with. Look for the signs in the morning and be ready to search for the forage because this is key in locating bass. They will also start their journey to the eating areas on the secondary points before heading to the winter holes.

I fished the last full moon with success but I know the next one will probably not be as good. I did

notice the bass have abandoned their usual summer spots and are located at the river mouths feeding at the secondary points. The nights were very cool, where you could see your breath. I felt as the last night I fishing marked an end to summer. Make sure you dress in layers from this point on, as the days are still hot and mornings are cool.

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.

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., he is uthern sa FD.

Hooked Up

I

By Capt. Cefus McRae

t’s been a long time since I got a hook stuck in me. I try to be careful when tying on a lure, when landing fish, and when removing hooks from fish. But if you do enough fishing, at some point, you’re probably going to get stuck.

Now, probably 99% of the times I’ve felt the pointy end of the hook piercing my skin, I was able to react quickly enough to prevent it from doing much more than a simple prick of the skin. That other 1% of the time is when the hook becomes embedded beyond the barb, and that’s what happened last week.

In this particular case, I wasn’t even fishing. I was just cleaning up some tackle in my man-cave. As you can imagine, I’ve got waaaaaay too much fishing gear. At least that is what my wife tells me on a regular basis.

I’ve got a wire rack where I

hang lures to dry after I’ve fished with them, or when I wash everything down after a trip to the ocean. I like to let my WhoopAss bucktails dry in the air, versus drying in the tackle box. It keeps the filaments of the bucktail nice and straight, and it also keeps the hooks from rusting. The same goes for my hard plastic lures, spinnerbaits and trolling plugs.

On this particular occasion, I had just hung up a spinnerbait, and as I was taking my hand away, my finger got a little too close to a MirrOlure Top Dog, and in a split

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second, I was having a tug of war with the wire rack. The bottom treble hook of the Top Dog had completely buried itself into the tip of my middle finger.

In reality, I really didn’t even feel the hook go in. The hooks are super-sharp, and this was a freshly cleaned and hardly-used plug.

Now I’ve got a huge plug dangling off the end of my finger, and each time I moved my hand the plug also moved, which caused the hook to move, which caused me to

wince in pain.

After determining I wasn’t going to pass out from shock, the next step was to get the hook off the plug. Fortunately, I’ve got some great Cuda Cable Cutters, and after four snips the hook eye had a gap big enough to fall free from the eye screw on the plug.

You might say “Why not just cut the hook at the shank?” If you do, then you have nothing to grab securely during the removal procedure. It’s better to keep the entire hook intact.

For the 1% of the time I’ve had an embedded hook in me, probably 95% of the time I’ve been able to remove it myself either by pushing it on through enough to expose the barb, cutting the barb off and then backing the shank out. Or I’ve done the ‘piece of monofilament wrapped around

Continued, see HOOKED UP Page 22

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 21

HOOKED UP continued from page 21

the shank and jerking it out the way it came in’ method. Google both of these methods and you’ll never want to get near a fishing hook again. Neither of them are fun for the hook-ee.

I tried both of these methods this time too and neither of them proved fruitful. The net result was a lot of pain, and no success.

So, it’s off to the doctor we go.

I live on the lake. Our local doctors have seen plenty of hooks in anglers. The procedure was pretty simple: a little Novocain, some surgical skills to expose

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the barb, and then the sterilized bolt cutters. Doc closed the small incision with Super Glue, and one Bugs Bunny Band-Aid later, I was walking out of the office. Oh, and I got a tetanus booster shot too.

Lesson learned. Now my wire lure drying rack has fewer lures, so it’s darn near impossible to touch two lures at the same time. And I’ve gained a new respect for just how sharp MirrOlure hooks are.

Wishing all of you many days of only putting your hooks in fish.

Tight lines and calm seas.

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HIGH COUNTRY

Best Stew Ever

T

By Chris Smith

his story may or may not be true. Identities have been changed to protect the innocent, or the guilty, depending on how you see it!

Many, many years ago, in a place where; if you were not Airborne, you were just a Leg, lived a young family on post. In this housing area, there were other young families, many with small ones running around. Jake and Susan lived in the same complex with five other families. Living on post comes with a price; for example, grass can only be so high, sidewalks must be kept clean. Basically, an HOA on crack.

Every family worked diligently to maintain its 8x12 front yard.

Jake and Susan decided to install a 4x4 post with a birdhouse on it.

They were so proud of it that they even put mulch and flowers around it. Of course, others said it was against regulations, but they didn’t care. They enjoyed watching the birds. Then, one day, the squirrels

discovered it. It almost became a daily chore to keep it filled with birdseed due to the pesky squirrels.

Jake was losing his patience with the situation, but Susan insisted on maintaining it.

After about a month, Jake told Susan they either had to take the birdfeeder down or do something about the squirrels. Jake was a young, enlisted guy, hardly making it paycheck to paycheck, even with Susan working but birdseed was quite expensive. Susan still said not to touch the birdfeeder. Jake being the responsible man he was, wanted to maintain peace between them.

So, he hatched a plan. Now, one of the drawbacks about living on post is that you cannot just go out in your yard and shoot a gun, for obvious reasons. However, Jake, being a good old country boy, had grown up being exceptionally good with a slingshot.

So, when the time came, Susan left for work and Jake said he would

have supper ready when she got home. He waited a little while just to make sure she had left; then he went upstairs, and removed the screen from the window that looked down on the birdfeeder and waited.

Shortly after this, the squirrels arrived. One by one, Jake took aim.

Later that night, Susan came home. Before she took two steps in the house, she exclaimed how good it smelled. Jake was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the stew he had prepared containing potatoes, celery, carrots, spices, and meat. He had set the table and set the

food out. They sat for a spell talking about how their day had gone and Susan kept complimenting Jake on how good the stew tasted. Then it happened… Susan asked what he had done differently to the stew?

Without missing a beat, Jake said they wouldn’t have to worry about the squirrels anymore. As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew he had messed up. Susan’s face went pale and she ran upstairs.

To this day, Susan will not eat any stew or anything else out of the ordinary unless she sees the wrapper in which it came.

Chris is a Combat Veteran recently retired. A few places he has deployed are Afghanistan, Jordon, Panama, and several other hostile areas. He is an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting, camping, fishing. He lives with his bride of 30 years in Alabama who he calls “Household 6”. If any Veterans or family member of a veteran who sees changes in their loved one or for that matter anyone that is contemplating suicide, he urges you to contact him at combatvettalk@gmail.com

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OCTOBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 23

Delayed Harvest Trout Waters

Delayed Harvest Trout Waters •October 1, 2020to June 4, 2021•No trout may be harvested or possessed •Only artificial lures having one single hook may be used•No fishing allowed at all between 1/2 hour after sunset on June 4, 2021and 6:00 a.m.on June 5, 2021•At 6:00 a.m. onJune 5, 2021these waters open to fishing

for youths under 18years old under Hatchery Supported Trout Waters regulations•No bait restrictions •No minimum length limit •Seven (7) trout per day creel limit•At 12:00 p.m. on June 5, 2021these waters open for all anglers underHatchery SupportedTrout Watersregulations

Special Regulation Trout Waters

The Special Regulation classification allows the Commission to implement site specific regulations on unique trout fisheries in the state that do 24 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

OCTOBER 2020

not fit into existing categories.

The regulations for each water body managed under Special Regulation will be displayed on each sign.

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The Wind

T

By Rene Hesse

he wind is everywhere (Deep thoughts by Rene Hesse). We cast in the wind everywhere we go. The plains of Montana, the Florida flats, and yes, here in the Blue Ridge. Using the wind to help us is the key to making the casts that may help us catch some fish.

While on a recent vacation out west, I was met with very windy conditions, and while using a 5 wt with 5X leaders, I had to get out the tool box of wind casts. At the end of the day, it was a great exercise in using the wind, and here were the two main casts I use.

With the wind coming into my casting arm and gusting more than 10 mph, it was easier to make the short 20-30 foot casts by casting over my downwind shoulder. Make the lift and back cast by having the rod tip travel over the opposite shoulder and then bringing it forward on the same casting plane.

It was easy to keep the line and fly away from my head by doing this.

Adding a haul on the back and forward cast really helped.

To give you an idea of the arm and hand position during the cast, do this exercise. Put your elbow at your side and point your finger straight up. Next, bring your elbow out to the side, but keep your hand in the same place. Your fingertip should tilt and point to the top of your head. That is the casting plane the rod should travel.

When it took a longer cast to reach the fish, I switched to a delivery on the back cast. Turn your back to the wind and make the cast away from the fish. Make that cast with a very high trajectory (as you would on a normal back cast), and then make the delivery to the fish with a downward trajectory, just above the water. Using a ¾ offvertical rod plane makes it easy to use the wind to extend your line.

Using the double haul will too.

These two casts will work in any wind situation where the wind is coming into your casting arm.

Before you go to, ‘the destination’, try out these casts in the wind. It’s not hard to find.

n

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OCTOBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 25

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UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Fall Hatches

F

By Karl Ekberg

all in the South, the leaves are changing colors, cool crisp breezes from the North and West are starting to chill the daytime temperatures, and water temperatures are dropping. What a difference a year makes, from last years’ record setting heat and no rain to much cooler temperatures and a surplus in the rain gauge this year. Fall fishing this year is shaping up great. Water levels are great with a lot of fish being caught from the depths to top water as well. The weather trend continues to look promising, with cooler temperatures and plenty of rain to keep water levels up and temperatures down.

Along with the falling water temperatures, the emergence of the fall hatches blessed us again.

Swinging nymphs and soft-hackles, on a dead-drift, are essential to a great day on the rivers. An upstream cast, a mend or two of

your line, and letting these fine bugs drift freely, with no drag, all the way down stream, will produce fish. We have noticed, with the cooler than normal early fall temperatures, that some of the fall hatches are appearing on the rivers a little earlier than most years.

Streamer fishing will be great this fall season as well. There are tremendous amounts of shiners, minnows, and sculpins throughout the watersheds. Targeting fish in the seam lines, just off the big runs of the riffles, will be beneficial. Cast the streamers up stream, “deaddrift and twitch” through the drift, and then a strip and pause retrieve, will be rewarding.

Delayed har vest starts November 1, here in South Carolina, so this is a great time of year to get out on the waters and

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knock the rust off your cast and drifting techniques. Along with catching a few fish, what better way to spend the day with the colors of the trees and bushes changing, splashed across the mountain sides, and casting their reflections on the rivers. For a full line of bugs and streamers, stop by and see us, and check out the new arrivals,

to fulfill your fall fly fishing. We have added a full line of barbless flies, and expanded our fly tying supplies to include a full line of barbless hooks, Czech & Euro nymphing products, along with Whiting Farms products. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers, and let’s all remember be safe, and leave no trace!

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.

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FishHunter by Lowrance

L

By Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com | 770-889-2654

owrance has a new advanced portable sonar, the FishHunter 3D. This bobber allows the anglers all the versatility of a castable sonar with enhanced features like directional casting view, custom mapping and fishing with 3D images.

This is sonar technology that is the size of a tennis ball, and it is very affordable, and does not require a boat.

FishHunter is pocket-sized technology that floats on the surface of the water and sends you sonar views via the FishHunter app. It tracks bottom depth, water temperature, and fish location and lures to help you find and catch more fish. Even if you have conventional sonar technology, FishHunter gives you access to shallow and vegetative areas you could not reach by boat.

If you’re used to traditional sonar views, you can replicate this on your mobile device via the FishHunter app. The classic view

produces results in real time from the powerful transducer. Be the expert, interpreting the classic sonar view to determine the depth and structure beneath FishHunter, along with ‘arches’ in the water, the telltale sign of fish nearby.

For those who want the simplest view of what’s going on beneath FishHunter, use the Fish ID. Lowrance interprets the data for you, simplifying the bottom structure to give you the clearest view below the water. Most importantly, Fish ID clearly points out the target for you with one of three different sized fish icons.

And add Pinpoint Casting Accuracy with FishHunter 3D. Its unique 5 transducer arrangement shows anglers where fish are in

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relation to your cast. This feature dramatically increases your chances of catching fish by landing your bait as close to them as possible.

There is also Three Dimensional Fishing. When you don’t have much time out on the water, these lifelike images of what’s going on beneath your FishHunter 3D will give you the best chance of finding and catching fish.

With the Three Dimensional Mapping, exclusively with FishHunter 3D, anglers can understand their favorite fishing territories inside out with 3D mapping. You can now form accurate and beautiful custom maps, see drop offs, ledges and ditches with

uncompromising clarity, marking your favorite fishing spots with waypoints.

With FishHunter 3D, you can also create custom maps of the depth and bottom contour of the area you’re fishing by drifting, reeling or trolling your castable behind your boat. Even the most inaccessible areas can be mapped effectively by FishHunter, including shallow and vegetative spots.

One of the key features is Reliable Wi-Fi, No Data Connection Required. Offering a more reliable connection than Bluetooth®, the WiFi33 connection between FishHunter and your smartphone or tablet does not require a cellular or internet connection and keeps your phone available for texts and calls. This buoy-like design gets a more reliable Wi-Fi connection with FishHunter’s unique design.

There are multiple fishing views

Continued, see FISHHUNTER Page 31

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 29

Falling Back Into Fly Fishing

By Stephen Tomasovich

I

like to chase trout year round, and in the South, between mountain streams and tailwaters, there is almost always somewhere a short drive away to fish. However, I do understand that a lot of folks either switch species or stop fly fishing completely in the hot summer months. If you have ever taken, or plan to take, a break for months at a time here are some helpful tips to get back into the swing.

Pull your gear out well in advance of your first planned trip to check condition and inventory.

It may just remind you that you let a buddy borrow something, or that you lost and item the last time you fished, giving you time to track down or buy any needed equipment.

Put on your waders and boots to make sure they still fit and are in proper condition. Ideally, get in some water to also check for leaks.

If that isn’t possible, put rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spritz your waders. Any holes should show up as dark spots that you can repair. Every year, I have a client

30 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

OCTOBER 2020

who hasn’t worn their gear for an extended period of time that has a catastrophic wardrobe failure or finds that things just don’ t fit like they used to. Speaking of failures, check those boot laces since they often dry rot and break easily after storage.

Before assembling your rod, apply ferrule wax. This keep your sections from coming apart when you don’t want them to (while casting) but also makes it easier to disassemble. Put reel oil on your reel if the manufacturer calls for it to help with lubrication. Ideally, you cleaned and dressed your fly line before putting things away but if you are like most of us, you didn’t.

Now is the time to do it. While you are at it, go ahead and stretch your line and your leader to remove memory. You may find that your leader should be changed as well.

Water water

It is a good time to peruse your fly inventory and make sure you have what you will need for fall fishing.

Check your local hatch calendars.

The bugs you need may be different than what you had in your box the last time you were on the water. Go through your vest, chest pack, sling pack etc. to make sure you have what you need, and purge what you collected but don’t need.

Lastly, shameless plug, consider taking a guided trip to knock the rust off!

Fish On –Big T

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

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

Lake Hartwell Fishing Forecast for October 2020

By Preston Harden

Water temp.- low 80s water level - full pool Fishing has been tough. Hot water and a thermocline to the dam has been tough on most game fish. Hybrids and striper fishing has been slow with bait, but good with power reeling and trolling.

There is a difference between seeing loads of fish on the sonar and catching them. Power reeling and trolling get the reaction strike that you cannot mimic with live bait. I think the big problem has been too much rain. Less rain would help the water quality.

Cooling water temps as we move into fall should have a positive affect on the fishing. I will have a Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost minnow ready for the top water bite that gets going in October.

Bass fishing has been tough.

They will become more active with the cooler weather of fall. They will move back to shallower water.

Unlike spring, fall usually sees no crowds, beautiful fall colors and active shallow fish.

FISHHUNTER continued from page 29 so anglers can watch fish relating to changes in bottom contours.

The FishHunter’s 3D Fishing View can quickly check water depth and the location of fish relative to the FishHunter 3D with Directional Casting.

Anglers can create custom maps with bathymetric color contour charts or structure maps of their favorite fishing spot or the entire lake by trolling FishHunter 3D behind your boat, canoe or float tube.

There is an integrated LED light so FishHunter 3D is easy to see during early morning and nighttime conditions. It also functions as battery indicator/charging light. With the FishHunter app, you can log catches and waypoints, and anglers can follow friends and even live stream catches around the world with the free FishHunter app, available from the IOS App and Google Play stores.

See more at www.lowrance.com.

Preston Harden / Bucktail Guide Service / 706-255-5622 / bucktailguideservice.com

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OCTOBER 2020

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE 31

32 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & THE UPSTATE

OCTOBER 2020

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ou choose your fly with the utmost care. The same should go for the gear you wear for an outstanding day on the flats or shoreline.

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Remember, no gear’s as comfortable or performs better than GILLZ. Before you go out on your next fly fishing adventure for snook, bonefish, tarpon or any other species, check out Gillz gear.

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

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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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This 18-pound Everglades snook is proof that big fish eat artificials.

It ate a Chicken on a Chain-colored Knockin Tail Lure.

O

ctober is one of the best months to fish in the southern United States. This transition month signals the migration of marine life along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, creating a feeding frenzy and a great opportunity for anglers in more ways than one.

The obvious opportunity is an abundance of feeding fish congregating in the path of schools of bait. From the mullet run on the Atlantic to the shrimp migration of the Texas and Louisiana marsh, these two annual migrations give anglers the opportunity to catch any native fish they desire.

Some of the more popular game fish include snook, tarpon, speckled trout, redfish and flounder. The flounder will also be making their annual voyage to spawn in open water, which makes them extremely easy to target.

In addition to making fish easier to locate, and catch, the second opportunity is not as obvious. However, I feel it is one of equal importance to hone your fishing skills. The time is now to learn or fine-tune your skills fishing with lures. With aggressively feeding fish, this is the best time to gain confidence throwing plastic, and as the saying goes, “fool’em, don’t feed’em.”

As a lifelong angler, I’ve utilized just about every legal means to catch fish, but none are more rewarding than tricking them into eating something that is not natural. Sure, as a youngster I just wanted to catch and that was very rewarding, but until you make the switch you will never know the feeling I am referring to.

Soft plastics will pay the most dividends when it comes to artificials.

They are tried and true lures and some of the easiest to use. They will also save you money because, unlike a live or dead shrimp, you can catch several fish on one lure.

To hone this down even more, paddle-style lures, or swimbaits as they are often called, are the most simple to use for the novice angler.

Depending on the area and structure you are fishing near as well as the strength of the current, you will either choose to rig these on a jig head or a weighted weedless hook.

A great attribute of the swimbait is it can be very effective on a steady retrieve. For the beginner, you can just cast, reel and catch. It can literally be that simple.

The jerk-style or “fluke” soft plastic is also very effective, but takes more effort to fish and you will need to develop “the touch” when working the lure. It’s is not that difficult, but it does take a little practice to produce that erratic action fish love.

This fall, pick up a few packs of soft plastic lures, grab a few jig heads, and leave the bait bucket and stinky dead bait at home. The time is now to catch fish, gain confidence in something new, and save money doing it.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures with the built-in tail rattle, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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Handle Fish With Care

By Jerry Kane

W

hether you intend to release a fish you catch or legally keep it, the fish should be handled properly... for the fish’s sake – and yours.

Any caught fish that you do not intend to keep should be returned to the water immediately with as little stress to the fish as possible. That means minimal handling of the fish.

One thing can make handling fish challenging is fish are slimy, potentially making grasping and holding them difficult. A fish’s coat of slime is what protects it from diseases and parasites. The more a fish is handled, the more its protective slime coat is compromised. The best way to release a fish without causing damage is to remove the hook and release the fish while in the water. There is another option.

Take an old kitchen towel with you fishing and soak it. When you catch a fish, cradle the fish in that wet towel. It not only will let you get a good grasp on the fish and prevent possible punctures from fish spines, but it will protect the fish and its slime coat. Remove the hook while holding the fish and then release the fish back into the water.

For removing hooks from fish, use needle-nose pliers or forceps. If you plan on releasing all your fish, use the pliers to bend down the barb on the point, making hook removal easier.

Another tool you can use is a net made of fish-friendly material that minimizes stress on fish. On the other hand, if you want to harvest some fish, there are ways to handle that. A bucket of water or stringer will keep fish for a short time. Otherwise, place the caught fish on ice immediately.

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IT’S FALL FISHING TIME! www.

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Recreational Marlin And Spearfish Harvest Closed In Atlantic

N

OAA Fisheries closed recreational harvest of Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin and roundscale spearfish on Sept. 30. Fishing for these species in all Atlantic waters will be catch-andrelease-only through Dec. 31.

The closure was implemented due to landings PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE MARLIN WORLD CUP information that suggests the 250-landings limit for 2020 had been met and exceeded in September.

Under applicable regulations, only catch-and-release fishing is permitted for these species for the rest of the year.

HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat category permit holders and persons aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic tunas General category or Swordfish General Commercial that fish in registered Atlantic HMS Tournaments, may catch-and-release (or tag and release) Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin and roundscale spearfish of all sizes. Atlantic sailfish may continue to be landed and retained consistent with applicable regulations.

Anglers are reminded that Atlantic billfish that are released must be handled in a manner that will maximize survival, and without removing the fish from the water. Here are some additional tips:

• Do not remove fish from the water, even for a photo.

• Rig a measuring device so the fish can be measured in the water.

• Never gaff billfish in the body. Use a lip gaff in the front lower jaw or a snooter.

• Use non-offset circle hooks.

• If you cannot safely remove the hook, cut the leader as close to the hook as possible.

• Use heavier tackle to reduce fight time.

• Slowly tow spent fish with the boat until their color/energy returns before release.

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Big Sheepshead Is A Maryland Record

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massive 14.1-pound sheepshead caught by an angler targeting speckled trout and striper is a new Chesapeake Bay record, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Daniel Mastronardi Jr., of Dorchester County, Maryland, caught the record-breaking fish on Aug. 9 in the lower bay while fishing peeler crab in about 15 feet of water.

Mastronardi’s catch breaks the 13.73-pound record that was set three years ago by Dave Alveberg.

Mastronardi, 33, said his catch came unexpectedly. “I really had no idea what I had on the line,” he said.

Mastronardi reeled in the recordbreaking sheepshead and immediately called his father to check the current state records. He said, “It really was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen.” He plans to have his catch mounted.

Maryland state records for sportfish are kept four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Non-tidal, and Invasive. The Maryland record for sheepshead in the Atlantic division weighed 18 pounds and was caught in 2017. The IGFA world record, caught off New Orleans in 1982, weighed 21 pounds, 4 ounces.

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Anglers who think they have a potential record catch should download and fill out the state record application and call 443-569-1381 or 410-260-8325.

The department recommends fish be immersed in ice water to preserve weight until it can be checked, confirmed and certified.

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SHRIMP BOATS AND OIL RIGS OUT OF GRAND ISLE

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By Dana Burkhart

erched on the outer edge of the bayous south of New Orleans, Grand Isle, Louisiana, is like a whole other world to outsiders. Last year, my husband and I entered the Battle at Bridge Side tournament with the Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman’s Club, simply because neither of us had ever fished Louisiana.

Arriving over the bayous hinted at the otherworldliness of this excursion. We had entered a realm where time didn’t hurry or run out; it ebbed and flowed as it pleased, just like the creole accent dripping from every local’s greeting.

Our first adventure invoked scenes from Forrest Gump as we prepared to fish the shrimp boats. A line of smaller vessels patiently waited for turns behind Miss Geraldine. While we were waiting, Capt. Ward Lang informed us it would go incredibly fast. We cut up small porgy in anxious preparation.

When it was our boat’s turn, I squelched the urge to declare we were WAY too close—I could see the boots of Miss Geraldine’s crew!

We inched 5 feet behind Geraldine’s prop wash and threw out fistfuls of porgy parts as we drifted. The fish popped hard for what seemed like a split second, and then it was over.

My husband, George, reeled in a 25-pound tuna on the first pass before the rest of us got sharked on the second and third passes. The fish fight coupled with the urgency of this maneuver gave a great shot of adrenaline.

All I could say for the next few hours was, “That was awesome!”

Ten miles from Bridge Side Marina, we used sabikis weighted with 8 ounces of lead to fill baitwells with blue runners. That bait would fuel an overnight excursion to a deep-water rig. I bowed out; my husband did not.

A day and a half later, I welcomed him back, along with his play-byplay account of a bucket-list night. The teenage grin was still on his face as he began: “Once we finally got 100 miles out there, we waited for the sun to go down and the action to pick up. We circled ‘Brutus’ (the rig’s nickname).

I caught a beautiful yellowfin head, and a shark got its tail. You know how it goes!

“Two of Brutus’ support ships shielded us from the weather, and our captains’ Rhodan spot locks did the rest of the anchor work. We were in 3,000 feet of water with vertical jigs, and the bite was around 350 feet.

By 6:30 the next morning, only one person was awake in each boat. We hauled in 31 blackfin with the help of an electric reel. I helped position the outriggers for morning trolling back to the docks and caught a nice mahi.

Then I caught a nice snooze in the beanbag. It was amazing!”

I rejoined the team on the last day of the tournament. We dropped baits 60 feet around a system of ocean-floor oil pipes and pulled up some nice red snapper. It was nice of the DNR to give us an additional weekend of open season right at the last minute.

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PENNSYLVANIA’S

POPPIN’ BUG SMALLIES

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By Will Schmidt

O

ctober means pumpkin spice is everywhere and the smallmouth bite is strong. As the first cold fronts show up, cooler temperatures kickstart a feeding frenzy as the fish rush to fatten up before the long cold winter.

Normally we would be hitting the Susquehanna River this time of year.

The Susquehanna runs right through Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is known as one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the country, especially for fly fishing. Bob Clouser actually developed the Clouser Minnow here as he helped make the area famous.

Unfortunately, we had a hot dry summer that left the river so low it’s hard to even get a kayak around in some parts. Fortunately, one of the Susquehanna’s tributaries, Conodoguinet Creek, seems to stay much more hydrated. The bass have no issues moving up into it.

This is a great time of year, even for novice fly fishermen, as it’s all pretty basic from equipment to technique. I use a G. Loomis Asquith 7 weight and a Nautilus 7/8 with Scientific Anglers floating line and an 8-foot, 10-poundtest leader, but any quality 6 to 8 weight will do. For flies, a yellow, green or black popper works perfectly. You know the kind. They are the popping bugs you find anywhere from high-end fly shops to gas stations with microwavesized fishing departments.

The fishing is pretty simple, and even a beginner can catch dozens of fish in a day. The bigger bass tend to hang in the creases created by disruptions in the water produced by rocks sticking up or bridge pilings. Fish these

4

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Sav 40% creases far downstream of where you think the water has fused again, as there is still a freeway of food being funneled to waiting fish. When there is nothing to create creases, it’s best to concentrate on the shoreline, which holds abundant small fish.

Presentation is pretty basic, but accuracy helps. Cast into the crease and let the fly settle until the ripples disappear. If you haven’t hooked up by then, give the fly a slight twitch and pause again. I find that most of my strikes come right after the fly hits the water, so the fish are keying in on that sound. That said, making hard strips with the popper tends to act more like a fire alarm than a dinner bell and sends fish running for cover. Usually, after a couple of twitches, it’s time to recast to keep in the crease. Utilizing a backcast is also useful to work both sides of the creek, especially if you are being guided, so as to not hook your captain.

Regardless of whether you are working down the creek by boat, tube or foot, this time of year is great for fly fishermen who want to catch strong and lively smallmouths.

The Return of a

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler and has been writing about fishing for more than two decades. For central Pennsylvania fly trips, contact Wildeastoutfitters@outlook.com.

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$

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(4396)

2000w2000w Super Quiet Super Quiet Inverter Inverter Generator Generator

$ 99 $ 99 .

(4396)

SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON

*73889114 *73889114 * *

LIMIT 3 LIMIT 3

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

*73888962 *7 73888962 * * 3 8 8 8 97 63 28 8 8 9 6 2

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Original coupon Original must becoupon presented. mustValid be presented. through 11/17/20.

Valid through 11/17/20.

Compare to Use Online Use & In-Store Online & In-Store Energizer HDB32EH $16.97 7 3 8 8 9 1 7 93 9 8 8 9 1Exp. 9 911/17/20*Exp. 11/17/20*

*73889199 *73889199 * *

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4" 7 x ft.

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6" MODEL 9800 MODEL 9800 YOUR CHOICE YOUR CHOICE All Purpose/Weather All Purpose/Weather 30", 5 DrawerOF 7 COLORS $ 49$ Waterproof 49 Waterproof Protective Protective Rifle Cases Rifle Cases OF 7 COLORS Resistant Resistant Tarp Tarp $ 99 $ 30", 995 Drawer Mechanic’s Mechanic’s Cart Cart YOUR CHOICE YOUR OFCHOICE COLOROF COLOR Side Side

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Use Online Use & In-Store Online & In-StoreBG8X10-Y $10.98

® Rapid Pump Rapid®Pump 1.5 Ton 1.5 Ton Lightweight Lightweight Aluminum Aluminum Floor Jack Floor Jack

(337)

*73891846 *73891846 * *

SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating (3957)

(337)

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SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON SUPER SUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating Customer Rating Customer Rating (5300) (5300) (890) (890) HeavyHeavy Duty Foldable Duty Foldable Aluminum Aluminum SportsSports ChairsChairs 100w Solar 100wPanel Solar Kit Panel Kit YOUR CHOICE YOUR CHOICE OF COLOROF COLOR

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ITEM 63066/62314 ITEMshown 63066/62314 ITEM 56719 shown

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*73931687 *73931687 * * MODEL 1800

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(1416)

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(3609)

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(2353)

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(2324)

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SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating

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*73929836 *73929836 * *

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*73926277 *73926277 * *

SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating

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(3957)

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*73903278 *73903278 * *

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*73950783 *73950783 * *

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1,000+ Stores 1,000+Nationwide Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com • HarborFreight.com

*73966263 *73966263 * *

*73972557 *73972557 * *

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WPON

9/9/20 3:35 9/9/20 PM 3:35 PM

SUPER COUPON

Exercise Your Liberty Comfort and class go hand in hand in the Liberty Walking Stick.

Yours for ONLY $59!

T

he right to free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly are what make the USA the land of liberty. These constitutional rights are embodied in the Walking Liberty half-dollar, the famous coin showing Lady Liberty striding powerfully and purposely forward into the future.

The Liberty Walking Stick showcases this iconic symbol of freedom with a genuine Walking Liberty Silver Half-Dollar— 90% pure silver— struck by the U.S. Mint. The perfect way to celebrate what makes this country great while putting some pep in your step.

Today these tributes to a gentleman’s power, prestige, and posture are fetching as much as $200,000 at auction. Because Stauer takes the quicker and less expensive route and goes right to the source, we can offer you the vintageworthy Liberty Walking Stick for only $59!

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

Experience the comfort and class of the Liberty Walking Stick for 30 days. If you’re not feeling more liberated, simply send it back within 30 days for a refund of the item price. At Stauer, we walk the talk.

Limited Edition. Only 4,999 available! These handcrafted beauties take months to craft and are running (not walking) out the door. So, take a step in the right direction.

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PRAISE FOR STAUER WALKING STICKS

“An excellent walking stick. Solid and elegant.

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Well crafted.”

– J. from Pacific Grove, CA

36" Liberty Walking Stick $79*

Offer Code Price Only $59 + S&P Save $20 40" Liberty Walking Stick $99*

Offer Code Price Only $69 + S&P Save $30

1-800-333-2045

Not shown actual size.

Your Offer Code: LWS235-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer

®

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. LWS235-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

Rating of A+

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

• Eucalyptus wood with cast brass handle containing genuine obverse U.S. Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar (1916 -1947); rubber tip • Supports up to 250 pounds

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®

Featuring a genuine Liberty half-dollar

Fall Specials from Suzuki Marine Fish On! Make sure you don’t REPOWER miss a single bite this fall. Reel FINANCE in a super low finance rate from Suzuki Marine or hook a select model and get instant savings.

Now bring it home with Gimme Six, get six years INSTANT of protection without SAVINGS paying extra!

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SELECT SUZUKI OUTBOARDS

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Gimme Six Extended Protection promotion applies to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/20 and 12/31/20 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 10/01/20 and 12/31/20. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 10/01/20 and 12/31/20. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2020 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.