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Mike Iaconelli Talks Kayaks Inshore
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ELITE SERIES PRO MIKE IACONELLI CHASES REDFISH FROM A HOBIE KAYAK VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267
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Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
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The cover of this month’s Coastal Angler Venice, Louisiana: editions features a gorgeous Louisiana red A Paddler's caught by Kaku pro-staffer and Louisiana Heaven tuna captain Jeff Schneider while fishing from the deck of a Kahuna SUP. There is perhaps no better place in the world to chase redfish from a paddle-powered boat Local Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli than Venice, Louisiana. Kaku’s president Talks Kayaks Inshore Kevin Hawkins tells us all about it in this issue. With thousands upon thousands of acres of marshland situated around the mouth of the Mississippi Delta, it is a paradise for inshore species and the anglers who target them. There are so many options for kayak and paddleboard anglers around Venice. They range from mothership trips out in the Gulf of Mexico for big cobia, jacks and bull reds to easier hand-launch expeditions off the side of the road in Venice, where marsh ponds and canals in tall grass make it easier to find fishing out of the wind. No matter where or how one decides to deploy a little plastic boat in the waters around the Delta, the fishing will be fantastic. It truly is heaven for anglers under paddle power.
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Bass Pro Mike Iaconelli: Down Off The Deck
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Professional bass tournament angler and Mike Iaconelli TV personality Mike Iaconelli is one of the most recognized anglers in the world. The 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion and 2006 Make New Lures Angler of the Year, “Ike” can claim to have won Confidence Lures Local almost every major award in professional bass fishing. But he’s also a self-described fish-head, who will fish anywhere, any way for anything that will pull on the other end of a line. It’s fitting that the rig pulling his stateof-the-art Bass Cat boat also has a Hobie kayak strapped to the roof for quick and easy, on-the-spot fun fishing. In this month’s magazine, Ike tells us about his love of kayak fishing in a question-and-answer session that delves into some of the tools and techniques he uses inshore. Ike is one of the best bass fishermen in the world, and his tournament skills translate well to saltwater. The cover of this month’s The Angler Magazines is of “Ike” with a good redfish caught while filming for his TV show “Going Ike” in Port Fourchon, Louisiana. We interviewed him in the run-up to this year’s Bassmaster Classic, and taking a moment to talk kayaks seemed a breathe of fresh air for him during crunch time. Talks Kayaks Inshore
ELITE SERIES PRO MIKE IACONELLI CHASES VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267
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Kayakin’ The Spring
By Patrick Sebile
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ife is getting vibrant. Things are warming up, and spring is here. As a ritual long established, I feel the need to be close to nature. And to me there’s no better way to experience the feeling of life awakening than riding a kayak with a rod in my hand. I have fished and guided from all kinds of boats, from small skiffs to majestic deep-sea vessels, but a small plastic shell puts me right next to the fish, my hands always a few inches from the water’s surface. It’s not a money matter, as I own boats. Perhaps it is the challenge? I definitively spend more time each year fishing from my skiff or bass boat, and surely catch more fish from these boats. They are true fishing machines, helping me cover lots of water to find fish. And they can carry all the gear necessary for any situation. On my kayak, I have to think effectively about what my needs are and carefully consider every single thing I will bring onboard. It’s a good way to find the balance between needs and wants. So how do I fish while kayaking? In freshwater and saltwater, my approach is to slowly and surely cover every spot. In a kayak, I am much more aware of, and more capable of, targeting the places where fish hide. Superbly silent, my Pro Angler carries me at the edge of two worlds, above the surface where we
live and the liquid world, which holds the object of all our passions. My kayak tackle boxes have a variety of carefully selected key lures that will help in different situations and environments, nothing more than what I will need. I carry Magic Swimmers, hard for open water and soft for heavy cover and structure. A Flatt Shad snagless is effective in both open and snaggy areas. Twitch baits like the Stick Shadd definitely go into my box, as they are needed if fish are active. A handful of plastic worms, a couple of bucktails, and then a topwater or a pivot frog will complete this set to fish from a ’yak. Seated just above the water, gliding silently with gentle movements of my feet on the pedals, rod in hand and with eyes searching, I use the smooth approach to get as close as I can to the spot or to the fish. Then all that’s left is a short but accurate cast. Proximity also gives me greater enjoyment of seeing the fish and seeing it bite. That’s why I love kayak fishing this time of the year. And you never know; I may let my lures sit in the tackle box and simply hook a shiner or a shrimp and let it swim. Or maybe I won’t even do a thing, just watch the water and the life that surrounds it—just enjoy life… and a kayak ride. Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).
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Mike Iaconelli Talks Kayaks And Redfish
Editor Nick Carter had the chance to interview professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli just before the Bassmaster Classic. We didn’t want to jinx Ike by talking about the Classic, so we asked the Hobie pro about his love of kayak fishing.
W
hat’s the appeal in stepping down from the deck of a bass boat into a kayak? Ike: Growing up in southern New Jersey, I consider myself a small-boat angler first. Many of my early childhood experiences fishing involved fishing from the bank, rowing a small jonboat or paddling a canoe. Kayak fishing fills a huge niche in my fishing life. Outside of competitive bass tournament fishing, I’m still a huge fish head. That means fishing for all freshwater and saltwater species in my down time. When I’m fun fishing or filming for TV shows, I love to access remote places that I can’t get into with my full size bass boat. Kayak fishing is also a HUGE breath of fresh air to leave behind the big boat and all of the time and preparation that go along with launching and running that boat. With your tournament schedule, do you get to spend much time on the salt? Ike: I definitely try to go inshore and offshore fishing each fall when the tournament season concludes. This past fall, I spent a week in Port Fourchon, Louisiana hanging out at Hobie Worlds 6 and filming a kayak fishing episode for season two of my TV show, Going Ike, which premiers this spring on the Pursuit Channel! I had a great time catching big redfish and trout, plus it was awesome meeting the Hobie World Championship competitors from all over the world who love fishing as much as I do. I also had a chance to go offshore fishing with my buddy Ish Monroe in San Francisco during November. We were mainly targeting lingcod, and it was an amazing day of fishing! Where do you put your kayak in and what do you fish for in New Jersey? Ike: I mostly fish the small lake behind my house, which has largemouth bass, northern chain pickerel, crappie and sunfish. My son, Vegas, got a brand new Hobie kayak from Santa for Christmas this year. The fish in our lake better watch out this summer! I’m really looking forward to spending time with my family and pursuing exciting new fishing adventures. How do redfish compare to “green fish?” Ike: Anyone who has caught a big redfish would agree that they are definitely more powerful and are a very aggressive fish in general. One of my favorite things about targeting redfish is that most of the time I can focus on shallow-water power-fishing techniques and search for active, feeding reds. With the “green fish,” there are a lot of times that I have to slow down and present a bait to them slowly such as with a jig, worm or finesse fishing.
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What skills, techniques and gear from your bass arsenal translate well to inshore? Ike: Casting accuracy/ presentation, reading tides and powerfishing techniques are the first three that come to my mind. Often when I’m inshore fishing, I am targeting fish that are relating to a grass edge or current break. If I can make accurate, quiet casts, there’s a good chance I’m going to catch more fish! Having grown up fishing the Delaware River, which can have up to a 7-foot tide swing between low and high tides, I’ve spent much of my life learning how fish position based on the tide level and current. This experience translates extremely well to inshore fishing…. I bring a lot of traditional power-fishing gear that you’d also find in my Bass Cat boat when I’m fishing for bass: Abu Garcia “Ike” Series Rods, Berkley Trilene braided/ monofilament/ fluorocarbon fishing lines, Rapala Skitter Walk and Skitter V topwaters, VMC jigheads, and Berkley Powerbait and Gulp swimbaits, grubs, and more soft plastics. How is your Hobie rigged out? Ike: I have a Power Pole Micro Anchor to stop the kayak on a dime. This is a very crucial piece of equipment, which allows me to quickly stop and fish an area without the kayak drifting with the current or wind. This is huge when you are fishing specific targets such as points, current breaks, laydowns, docks and more. I also have a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit, a storage crate for my Flambeau Zerust tackle boxes and tackle bags, landing net, rod holders, and of course, Hobie’s Mirage Drive pedals so I can keep my hands fishing instead of paddling! Electronics play a huge role on the bass tournament scene, what’re your thoughts on electronics in kayaks? Ike: Electronics play just as huge of a role in kayak fishing. I really use it the same as with my Bass Cat boat! As I just mentioned, I run a Lowrance HDS 9 Touch unit on my Hobie for its GPS/ sonar abilities. I rely heavily on the information I can gather from the Lowrance such as mapping/ bottom contours, reading the water temperature, and using the sonar for locating fish, cover and structure to name a few. I may mount a Hydrowave on the Hobie as well soon. It’s another great innovation in electronics, and I use it often in my boat to fire up fish. I’m always interested in adding tools to my boat or kayak that help me catch more fish!
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By Nick Carter - Photos Courtesy of Kaku
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f there’s a heaven for folks who fish from paddle-powered boats, it must look a lot like Venice, Louisiana. This narrow spit of marshland at the Mississippi River Delta is a maze of canals and bays that flush into the Gulf of Mexico with fecundity born of joining waters. Channels and marsh ponds tucked into thousands of acres of wetlands make it the perfect habitat for redfish, seatrout, flounder and other species. It’s like the landscape was designed for fishing and exploring with a paddle. Kevin Hawkins was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Fla. He is the president of Kaku Kayaks & Paddleboards but calls himself the company’s chief pro-staffer. He prides himself on the amount of fishing he does and designs his boats on experience. Venice is one of his favorite testing grounds. Whether its launching roadside into the marsh, a trip outside the pass from remote Port Eads or a mothership expedition to the Gulf ’s famous oil rigs, it’s the perfect setting to test his boats. It doesn’t hurt that the fishing is awesome. When the seas aren’t too rough, there’s no adventure quite like a mothership trip out to the oilrigs in search of cobia, kingfish and bull reds. Kaku pro-staffer Capt. Jeff Schneider is also a tuna captain who runs a 36-foot Contender when he’s not paddling a small plastic boat. With kayaks loaded, it’s about an hour and a half run from Venice Marina out to 50-foot-deep rigs in West Bay. Hawkins described a day he fished with Schneider, and although the primary target was cobia, a big 45-inch redfish was the highlight. Armed with big 5000 reels and 40- to 50-pound tackle, they dropped Kaku Wahoo kayaks into 2- to 3-foot seas. Even on the stable fishing platform, Hawkins said it might have been a bit much for new paddlers. For a veteran it was fun. “It’s awesome, man. I love paddling a good kayak in that stuff and busting over big waves,” said Hawkins. “When it gets rough like that, it’s fun.” They fished a series of four or five structures linked by a bridge, which gave space to paddle around and explore. Hawkins said he paddled right up to the corner of a pier, dropped his jig straight down and began back paddling before jigging. That’s when the big bull red ate. “When you’re in the shallows and they pull you around, they call that the Cajun sleigh ride,” Hawkins said. “When you’re in deep water like that, he heads straight down. He was pulling me, and that kayak was smashing straight down on those waves. It was pretty intense.” Invariably, fish seek something to wrap the line around, and only by kicking off a beam was Hawkins able to keep himself from going
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Experience Heaven
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under the rig and losing the fish. He gave a piece of advice for battling big fish from a kayak in deep water. “Keep the tip of the rod toward the front of the boat,” he said. “When the rod goes to the side, that’s when you run the risk of flipping.” If an open-water mothership trip seems a little much, Port Eads sits on the southernmost tip of Louisiana, right at the end of the Mississippi River. It’s only accessible by boat, and reasonable prices buy lodging and good meals. Also known as South Pass, the location is a few minutes paddle from the open Gulf and offers excellent fishing for big jacks, reds, cobia, blacktip sharks and any number of other species big enough to warrant medium-heavy rods, 3000 to 4000 reels and 30- to 40-pound-test lines. Hawkins likes artificials and prefers Slayer Inc.’s Sinister Swim Tail rigged on a 4/0 jig head. For him, sinking bait outside the pass would detract from the reason he fishes from kayaks and SUPs in the first place. “Kayaks are about stalking and hunting the fish,” he said. “You’ve got to use your instincts to find them. I don’t like to just sit on a hole and fish bait.” It’s as much fun as you can have sitting down… or standing up if seas are calm enough for an SUP like Kaku’s Kahuna, which is specifically designed for fishing. But perhaps the best bet for calm waters is a third Venice option, to launch roadside. Highway 23 runs from New Orleans to Venice, and Tidewater Road is where the pavement ends. There are any number of places to hand-launch a kayak or paddleboard. Hawkins mentioned Yellow Cotton Bay as well as a series of marsh ponds and cuts at a circular canal known as The Pinwheel. Once you find fish off the grass edges, it’s probably the best inshore action in the world, and it’s easily accessible to paddlers. Popping cork rigs are a no-brainer, but Hawkins said once you get tired of catching scads of rat reds and trout, it’s time to switch to the paddletail rig he likes to fish outside the pass. “We’re looking for the big ones,” he said. “You’ve still got to be ready for the big ones. No matter where I am in Venice, I’ve got a 30-pound rig.” For more information on Kaku Kayaks & SUPs, see kakukayak. com.
To learn more about fishing from a Kahuna Paddleboard, go to
FISHINGLIFE.CO
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The 12.5′ length of the Wahoo helps ensure stability. The Wahoo spans 33″ wide, great for fishing! Weighing only 74 lbs, the Wahoo is WWW.kakukayak.com lightweight, but incredibly stable. The Wahoo has a capacity of 400lbs.
KAKUKAYAKS.COM
STABILITY LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN!
The Most Versatile Paddle Craft… Ever! The new Kahuna offers extreme stability, versatility and durability. Mount coolers, seats, storage boxes, rod holders and more to its rugged frame. It’s the first paddle craft of its kind to offer fully integrated mounting for the Micro Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor!
THE DAY’S BIG CATCH SHOULD BE YOUR ONLY FOCUS Insurance coverage through BoatU.S. makes for a great start to what could be an epic day of fishing. Our policies are designed with coverages custom-made for Anglers and include 24/7 claims service from boating experts. • Agreed Value Coverage for Your Boat, Engine(s) and Boating Equipment • Broad Cruising Areas • Charter and Guide Coverage Options Available • Coverage for Fishing Gear • Tournament Coverage • Water Towing and Roadside Assistance from TowBoatU.S. – the Nation’s Largest Fleet
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Paddlesports Product Review COVERALLS KAYAK COVER
CREEKKOOLER FLOATING COOLER
Who says kayak covers need to be bulky and thick? CoverAlls kayak covers deliver protection, strength and durability in a lightweight, tough material that keeps your kayak clean and dry year-round. Protect your kayak from nature and the elements. Prevent dirt, debris, pollen and leaves from piling up in the cockpit and seat. Block bugs and critters before they move in. Keep water out with material that’s not just water-resistant—it’s water-PROOF. Our covers are also UV-resistant to preserve your kayak’s hull and rigging from the sun’s damaging rays. Best of all, CoverAlls kayak covers are a breeze to use. They slip on quickly, draw closed with a single poly cord and cam lock—not zippers—and get snug with durable Velcro straps. There’s even a built-in red flag for transport. The cover slips off easily and stows neatly in an included compact stuff bag that even fits in most deck hatches. Spend more time with a rod and reel and less time with a hose and scrub brush. See how much better protection can be at www.coveralls.biz!
Space is always at a premium when you’re on the water in a paddle-powered vessel. Whether it’s a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, a lack of stowage often forces us to leave behind the things not absolutely necessary for the activity at hand. On a larger boat where there’s plenty of room, many anglers wouldn’t think of going fishing without a cooler full of iced-down beverages. With the new Creekkooler, those navigating under paddle power can have the same luxury. The Creekkooler is an innovative floating cooler designed with dual-wall construction and top-quality insulation to retain ice and keep things cold for extended periods. Its shape cuts through the water, limiting drag and allowing it to be pulled easily behind a boat. Creekkooler has a 30-quart capacity and will hold 30 12-ounce cans and 20 pounds of ice. It has four drink holders on deck and a 1/8-turn watertight lid that makes it a great tool for extra dry storage, too. Whether it’s for keeping drinks cold during a day on the water with buddies, packing in provisions for a multi-day float trip, or extra dry storage for the stuff you need but don’t have room in the boat for, Creekkooler is an innovative new product that will make your excursion under paddle power more comfortable.
WWW.COVERALLS.BIZ
KANOOLERPRODUCTS.COM
WHALEBACK PADDLEBOARDS TORTUGA
When I’m not in the studio or at the racetrack, I’m fishing. Every chance I get. I recently started SUP fishing, and the 12’6” Tortuga by Whaleback Paddleboards is a real game changer. At 12’6” x 34” x 10.5”, with twin pontoons, the stability is ridiculous. I can walk nose to tail and all around the rails to reel in fish from any direction. Its 3-inch side bite tracking fins allow me to squeeze into shallow flats, and its maneuverability and stability is great offshore as well. With a fullcoverage, water-resistant traction pad, the deck space is unmatched. And its 28 customizable
By Matt Nix, Racin’ Nation Radio
WWW.WHALEBACKPADDLEBOARDS.COM
JACKSON KAYAK KRAKEN 13.5
Jackson Kayak’s Kraken 13.5 is an all-new option for paddlers looking to tackle big water. Based on The Kraken 15.5 platform, the 13.5 sheds some length for more maneuverability but with all the punch of its big brother. This kayak, just like the original, is designed for the most challenging paddling environments and intended for the offshore and big-lake kayak angler. It’s a natural follow up to the first collaborative design between legendary kayak angler, Jim Sammons and Jackson Kayak’s design team led by Tony Lee. The new Kraken 13.5 is a boat shaped and built to accommodate those hitting the open water in a nimble, smaller footprint but still capable of big water management. It’s designed for punching through surf, handling rough offshore currents, swells, beach landings and those who desire ultimate performance and maneuverability. With more features than can be listed, Jackson has considered all the needs of bigwater anglers and packed them thoughtfully into this kayak. Its great-tracking hull has the speed to cover miles and the volume and storage to carry you and your gear comfortably on long outings. 16
inserts and deck tie downs let me rig up my YakAttack lean post, rod holders, GPS and paddle holder and still have room for the cooler, cup holder and lawn chair. Because let’s face it, nothing’s better than celebrating a good catch with a cold one. Whether you’re an experienced SUP fisherman or just getting started, the 12’6’ Tortuga is the board for you. It sets you up with everything you need. You just have to find the fish. All Whaleback boards are made in the USA. Visit www.whalebackpaddleboards.com or call 561-3361612 for a dealer near you.
PAU HANA BIG EZ ANGLER At 11 feet long and available in both 32 and 36 inches of width, Pau Hana’s Big EZ Angler is built to be stable, the perfect platform for fighting any game fish. This paddleboard is derived from the classic Big EZ, and is shaped to provide anglers the balance they need while remaining easy to maneuver in shallow water without disrupting fish underneath. It is lightweight at just over 30-pounds, which means it is easy to launch anywhere there’s a place to carry it to the water. It can be rigged up for any kind of fishing, can handle heavy loads and carry all the gear you need. With a soft and stylish deck and space in between the pieces for water drainage, the Angler comes pre-equipped with 25 multiple threaded mount attachment points using Pau Hana’s innovative SeaMount System. Coolers, tackle boxes, anchors, nets, rod holders, paddle clips, lights and anything else an angler needs can be easily mounted on deck. The Big EZ Angler is a real teak paddleboard with the capacity to carry everything an angler needs and provide a stable platform to fish from.
WWW.PAUHANASURFCO.COM WWW.JACKSONKAYAK.COM APRIL 2017 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Paddlesports Product Review RAM MOUNTING SYSTEMS Whether you are on a lake, stream, whitewater, inlet or ocean, kayaking is all about adaptability. RAM has created a complete line of rust-resistant mounting solutions for kayaks that allow anglers to mount items where they are needed. RAM Mounting systems offer the widest selection of kayak fishing accessories to adapt to a wide range of fishing scenarios. With a patented ball-and-socket design, RAM mounts allow anglers to mount almost anything at the perfect angle. This provides flexibility to mount equipment within reach, but out of the way. RAM’s kayak mounts and fishing accessories are rugged, compact, and have no sharp edges or points. All of our kayak mounts are backed by a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA. RAM mounts are the solution for mounting anything you might need on the water. A full line of rod holders covers everything from fly rods to conventional baitcasters and spinning rods of all sizes. Electronics, like fishfinders, chartplotters, phones, tablets and cameras can be mounted securely where they are needed. RAM even has a special system for mounting transducers for depthfinders. If there is something that needs to be mounted on a kayak, chances are RAM has thought of it and designed a product to hold it.
WWW.RAMMOUNT.COM
THE SKIMMER KAYAK MOTOR KIT Paddle fatigue getting to you? Want to motorize your kayak or canoe? There’s no need to pay $2,000 for a motorized kayak. Watercraft Technologies’ The Skimmer is a simple system for motorizing your kayak or canoe, and it costs less than $400. It is a lightweight, portable motor that mounts easily to your stern. Just snap it on when you need it. Fishing has never been easier, safer and more convenient. Go farther and save your energy for fishing! Increase your range! Catch more fish! The Skimmer weighs only 6 pounds. It’s 12v battery operated. There are easy controls for steering and motor lift. It’s environmentally safe, with no pollution, oil or gas spills. The Skimmer is made for saltwater, but does great in brackish or fresh water. It is able to propel a craft 2-4 knots and lasts two to five hours per charge. Imagine running your kayak at that speed and that long with zero effort! This propulsion system is great for people who want to get on the water and not worry about paddling hard into a swift current or strong wind. It is also great for those with shoulder, back or elbow issues. This kayak trolling motor kit carries a one-year, full parts replacement policy. See The Skimmer in action and order online at www.kayaktrollingmotor.com or order by phone at 631-848-3119.
WWW.KAYAKTROLLINGMOTOR.COM
MALIBU X-WING CONSOLE
Storage is a huge issue when all the gear you need at hand must fit in a space the size of your legs and lap. Malibu’s X-Wing Console is a fantastic option for storing and organizing gear in the cockpit of a kayak. Mounting of electronics, rod holders and other accessories can all be accomplished on one unit without drilling unnecessary holes in a kayak’s deck. A dry-storage compartment included in the unit makes the perfect place for valuables as well as being a great place for a battery. The X-Wing slides back and forth on a track mounted to the gunnel, so placement can be customized on the fly so it’s there when you need it and out of the way when you don’t. It’s also completely removable for storage and transportation. The X-Wing fits Malibu Kayaks, and modifications and adapters can be used to make the console fit other brands.
WWW.MALIBUKAYAKS.COM
YAKGEAR COOLER SEAT A cooler is one of the most valuable tools in most anglers’ arsenals. It goes everywhere and serves as a refrigerator, stepladder, poling platform, storage box and even a seat. YakGear’s Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit allows anglers to turn their cooler into a more comfortable and practical seating platform. Perfect for fishing, paddling, camping, tailgating and hunting, the YakGear Cooler Seat and Rigging Kit consists of the YakGear Sting Ray Seat and the necessary hardware to mount and secure the seat to a cooler. The kit is compatible with all coolers that feature “Front Locking Holes” including Yeti, Grizzly, Engel, Yukon, Icehole, some of the Bison models, and many more. The YakGear Sting Ray Seat features built-in back braces, which allow rigid back support without pressure from an exterior backrest. While most seats slouch down or fold over, the YakGear back braces hold the seat in place. As an additional feature, the seat has an aggressive non-slip pad to prevent unwarranted movement while sitting.
YAKGEAR.COM APRIL 2017
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INSPIRED BY STRENGTH HELL-FOR-STOUT CONSTRUCTION INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL GEARS AND UP TO 30-POUNDS OF AVAILABLE DRAG.
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Okuma KomodoSS-ShadowStalkerGC-Strength 7.625x5.0125.indd 2
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FLY FISHING A Modern Take On Booking Fishing Guides And Charters
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a better way. In April 2016, Fisher Guiding was founded. Since then, Hill has been working full time to turn his dream of easy one-stop shopping for charters and guided trips into reality. Fisher Guiding is a web-based service that lets anglers book trips with guides and charters online. It allows potential customers to search, review, message and pay guides all through an easy-to-use website. This service allows guides and captains to advertise and book clients based on available dates. It makes payment hassle free and allows guides and captains to market to customers in a way never before available. For some independent guides, the local fly shop is the only avenue available for them to book clients. Fisher Guiding is looking to supplement and modernize by offering a variety of scheduling and booking tools. Right now, Fisher Guiding currently has booking options from Alaska to the East Coast, Bahamas, Belize and Costa Rica. Although the consumer website just launched eight days ago, Fisher is already off to a great start with trips booked and new guides joining daily making for a constantly growing community. “Ultimately, the goal is to have guides and charters representing every market and fishing destination in the USA and around the world,” said Hill. It will be interesting to see how Fisher Guiding impacts the industry. The advantages are obvious for guides and charter services, but the greatest benefit may be for the consumer. Customers can read reviews and even message guides right through the website. Booking and paying for trips can be handled in two easy steps. While all change forces adaptation, a more competitive and transparent system will serve both the professionals and consumers. Ultimately the goal of Fisher Guiding is to make guides and charters more accessible to the public and contribute to the growth of the sport. A high tide will raise all the boats. See for yourself at www.fisherguiding.com.
FLY FISHING
ooking fishing guides and charters has not really changed at all for 50 years, so the industry is ripe for change and improvement. That is what Edward Hill—founder of Fisher Guiding– thought before launching his online service for guides and captains and the anglers who use them. Hill worked at Front Range Anglers before By Charlie Warfield graduating from the University of Colorado. There he saw firsthand how the guiding business worked in the local area. After school, he did private sector work in Washington, D.C., but after a couple years felt the need for a change and a new challenge. He began planning a trip to the Everglades with his father to do some fishing and reflection. Hill began searching the Internet for local guides. He was frustrated by the lack of information and the hoops he had to jump through to get hold of a guide. He had to look up guides and then call them for available dates and rates. It was a hassle, and it then turned out the guides he tracked down didn’t have the dates available he was looking for. Hill thought there must be
CHOOSING THE CORRECT BAITFISH FLY
I
f you look in many fly anglers’ boxes, you will see a huge array of flies in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, having the one correct fly in the box is the key to fishing success. Picking the correct flies for any saltwater fly fishing situation is key to whether or not you’ll be catching fish. Walking into a fly shop and looking into the fly bins can prove mindboggling to the uninitiated. The bins are filled with so many flies with which the fledgling saltwater fly fisher has little or no knowledge. Saltwater flies differ from their freshwater cousins in size and dress. Sometimes, like the kid in a candy store who is more influenced by the attractive wrapper than its contents, the beginning saltwater fly angler often chooses the eye-candy, over-dressed flies far too bulky to resemble a baitfish or a crab, flies that hook fishermen rather than fish.
Baitfish patterns
I believe a sparsely dressed baitfish pattern is preferable to a bulked up flashy fly. Why? The sparsely dressed fly will have a more natural look than will an all-too-spruced-up fly. Also, my experience has shown that a fish is far less selective when presented the sparsely dressed fly. The fly is only an imitation, a hint, of what the fish is feeding on, producing in the fish a reflexive action to strike. Perhaps one of the most important parts of the saltwater fly is its large eye that resembles closely the good-sized eyes on baitfish such as sardines, pilchards, and anchovies. Game fish zero in on that oversized eye when chasing and feeding on baitfish. Focusing on that eye results in fewer lost meals.
Color
Natural colors work best. Olive green, browns, tans and
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FLY FISHING Upstate New York
Bass On The Fly! By Mathew DeRosa
I
t was a very successful spring steelhead season on New York’s Salmon River. Approaching the tail end of the season, a friend and I made a “last chance” trip in hopes of finding a few final drop-back steelhead left in the system. We fished the lower section of the river, near Lake Ontario, to increase our chances of a tight line. It was one of those days when spring starts meshing into summer. The sun was shining with a few high clouds, the warm breeze was 70 degrees, and we had the river to ourselves. For an angler, being outside and fishing in a short sleeve shirt with no one around should be enough to call any day a success. This day was about to get better. As we cast into a river with increasing water temps and a majority of the steelhead already back in Lake Ontario, our expectations of a tight line were low. Soon enough, as we launched large flies
into the water, the addicting tight line grabs began. These fierce strikes were not steelhead, but hungry smallmouth bass. We enjoyed a full day on the river swinging 4-plus-inch flies and catching more than 25 smallmouth bass apiece. Are you a bass fisherman? Have you experienced the power of a bass on a fly rod? Smallmouth and largemouth bass will aggressively hunt down prey, which makes catching them on a fly rod extremely enjoyable. The late spring and early summer months are perfect to experience bass on the fly in Upstate New York. Altmar, N.Y. is on the Salmon River a short drive from the Tug Hill Sportsman Club. Both the Salmon River and the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club are great places to learn how to fly fish and test your skills on bass. The beautiful scenery and vast expanse of meandering clear water make the Salmon River a top-priority fishing location in late spring. Favorable river conditions draw in large numbers of smallmouth bass. The river has more than 12 miles of public fishing property, and you can fish all day without encountering another angler. Smallmouth enter the river in April to spawn and remain in the system until September. Average Salmon River smallmouth bass range from 2 to 3 pounds; some weigh more than 5 pounds. Bass are present the entire length of the river from Altmar to the Douglaston Salmon Run. Tug Hill Sportsman Club The Tug Hill Sportsman Club is located on 450 acres of gently rolling land and is home to four lakes. The lakes make up about 45 acres of pristine largemouth bass-infested water. New to fly fishing or experienced, the opportunity to catch a world-class largemouth is there. The fish in these small lakes have had unpressured feeding, growing and reproductive conditions as the property has been carefully managed for more than 25 years. The goal is to provide guests with the highest quality angling. Enjoy Tailwater Lodge’s relaxing accommodations and fish the Tug Hill Sporting Club with Zero Limit Adventures! Matthew DeRosa is a guide with Zero Limit Adventures. For more information on the Tug Hill Sportsman’s Club and Zero Limit Adventures, visit www.zerolimitadventures.com.
whites are all great color combos for baitfish patterns. You should, however, carry a selection of blue and white, red and white and, of course, chartreuse and white in your fly box.
Size
Depending on what type of fish you’re pursuing, the size of your flies will vary. But, in most saltwater fly fishing situations, you’ll also need baitfish patterns that range from a small anchovy patterns in size 6 to large sardine or pilchard patterns in size 2/0. Remember, just as it is on the spring creek or on the large river, it’s all about matching the hatch, weather it’s insects or baitfish.
For more flyfishing with Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
35 Acres of Private Access to the World-Renowned Salmon River 42 Luxurious Accommodations On-Site Bar and Restaurant • Daily Hot Breakfast Included Salmon River, Altmar, NY 315-298-3434
TailwaterLodge.com
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Center sp
You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
for your boat geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO
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SOUTHEAST
FRANKLIN COUNTY, FLA.,
A Tarpon Fishing Destination
T
he areas of the Forgotten Coast in Franklin County, Fla. might not be your first thought when planning your quest to bag a silver king, but you really should consider it for your next fishing destination. Franklin County is not only home to beautiful, historical areas that take you back in time, the fishing is also second to none. Typically, May through August is the best time to find these migrating monsters as they come north for the summer, but given the warm conditions this year it might be sooner. Tarpon are not always an easy fish to catch, but if you hire one of the many seasoned guides that understand their habits, it increases your odds of landing one exponentially. Capt. Jordan Todd, of Saltwater Obsessions (www.facebook.com/ SWOfishing) understands these fish extremely well, and regularly cracks the code to get them on the end of his client’s line. Having a keen understanding of the migration pattern and feeding habits, he can put you in the right place at the right time to do battle. If you bring your own boat to chase tarpon, you can count on them making an appearance around the mouth of the Apalachicola River, Ballast Cove, Dog Island, Mud Point and Alligator Point. Live bait, like threadfin herring, pilchards or pinfish are always a good bet. Try live mullet or jigs tipped with shrimp near the mouth of the Carrabelle River. They’ll often
be chasing mullet up and down the lower portion of the rivers and into the bays. Live mullet free-lined is a good bet when you’ve located actively feeding fish. You’ll know they’re active when they’re crashing on bait balls; mullet learn to fly and the commotion is intense! Techniques vary from casting and drifting live bait to sight fishing with a fly rod, but one thing is constant: these are big tarpon that migrate to this area! You won’t be chasing juveniles; they will usually be in the 70- to 100-pound class, so gear up accordingly. Spinning gear is always a good bet for presenting live bait. A 7’ med-heavy action rod with an 8000to 12000-series reel will do the trick. Fly fishermen should consider a 12-weight rod and a comparably matched reel with a quality drag system. These fish will test your equipment! Speaking of equipment, Apalachicola now features a fly fishing shop. The Forgotten Coast Fly Company, located in the historic downtown district, is a technical fly shop that provides the fly fishing community with fly tying material and tools as well as American-made rods, reels, line and merchandise. Your Franklin County tarpon quest awaits you along Florida’s forgotten coast. To hook up with one of Franklin County’s tarpon guides, visit www. floridasforgottencoast.com./ca.
Your fish is waiting. Florida’s Forgotten Coast
Boaters and mariners will find something to love in Franklin County. Carrabelle features deep water access to the Gulf of Mexico and freshwater rivers. Plan a kayak or day sailing eco-adventure from Apalachicola or St. George Island. Eastpoint and Alligator Point offer direct access to the best inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast. Bring your own boat or rent one here; there’s no better place to enjoy Florida’s Forgotten Coast.
Visit Floridasforgottencoast.com/ca for complete launch, marina, guide and tackle information.
ALLIGATOR POINT • APALACHICOLA • CARRABELLE • EASTPOINT • ST. GEORGE ISLAND COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Picking the Right Inshore Rod
Agri Supply Is Your Boating & Fishing Headquarters Enjoy The Great Outdoors Carolina Cooker® Deep Fryer
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By Tobin Strickland CAM Special Correspondent
M
any overlook the importance of selecting the right rod for the job as it relates to casting artificial lures. There are five things to consider with casting performance in regard to graphite
rods. The first is the modulus of the graphite in the blank. Higher modulus graphite weighs less and is stiffer. Then there’s power of the blank, the tip action, the weight rating for the blank, and finally the rod length. For example, a medium power 6’6” or 6’9” rod, with a fast tip rated for 1/8 to 1/2 oz. is a great rod for inshore casting and fighting speckled trout and redfish with lures that range from 1/8 to ¾ oz. This rod specification will be well suited for topwaters and subsurface walkers. A medium light rod power with a fast action tip may cast the smaller lures slightly better, lures like the Mirrolure Little John on 1/16- or 1/8oz. jig head or a swimbait hook. The higher the graphite modulus of the blank, the lighter the blank will be and still keep the performance. For example, for my soft plastic rod I use a Lew’s Custom Lite Speed Stick in a medium lite action, 6’10” and rated for 1/8 to ½ oz. It’s constructed from 85 million modulus graphite. It’s light, casts far and accurately and is extremely sensitive. I can still cast larger lures such as She Dogs on this blank, and it makes for a lighter stick working lures all day. Tobin Strickland created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for speckled trout and redfish anglers.
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Wee Willy Wigglers
Are Fly Rod Magic By Craig Riendeau
W
arm-water fly fishermen are always looking for the “magic fly” that will catch fish all the time no matter what the conditions… something irresistible to most species of fish in a lake all at the same time. Well, I think I’ve come up with that fly. Say hello to the Wee Willy Wiggler (W3). This fly pattern is as easy to tie as it is to fish. I would place it under a guide fly category as you can crank out a dozen easily in an hour. For detailed instructions on how to tie this pattern go to my website offthedeepedge.com. If it takes you more than five minutes to tie this, maybe fly tying isn’t for you, which then is the case I’d check out Rainys Flies Inc. They are making the Wee Willy Wiggler commercially available. As for fishing this fly pattern, it doesn’t get any easier. Several of my fishing companions call this style of fishing “just stupid easy.” I tend to fish this fly under a half inch foam indicator or as I refer to it, a depth regulator. Even though the indicator does detect strikes very well, that is really the secondary reason for its usage. Its main purpose to suspend the fly at a specific depth and hold it over a specific spot for as long as you want it to stay there. Basically, you’re putting the fly in the fish’s face and leaving it there until out of hunger, curiosity or annoyance he eats it. Lucky for us anglers, fish do not have fingers to poke at
the fly to see what it is or push it away. Any testing comes in the form of a bite. To fish this, set the fly’s depth under the “regulator” to be just above the cover you may be fishing over. Things such as weedbeds, rocks, logs, fish cribs or even fish you see suspended on your electronic devices. Most species tend to feed upward. Then simply cast at the area and wait. It is similar to being an impatient bait fisherman with a cricket and bobber. Let the fly dangle over the area you think there is a fish for say five or 10 seconds (sometimes more). If nothing happens, give it a six to twelve-inch strip and repeat. If there is a breeze blowing, just let the indicator drift with the current, mending occasionally to control the speed of the drift. It may sound silly but it is addicting, especially once you start catching fish. So, there you have it, the most productive fishing method that you’ll ever do. When using this method and anyone asks what are you fishing for you can blatantly say “fish” without being facetious. That’s because with the Wee Willy Wiggler you’re never quite sure what is going to eat it. Anything from a small bream to a
10-pound bass may show up at any time, so hang on to your rod tightly. Check out Craig Riendeau’s website: offthedeepedge.com.
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MURPHY AREA MOUNTAIN LAKES Lake Hiwassee April Stripers and Smallmouth
A
pril is finally here, and it brings with it some “rip-roaring” fishing action on Lake Hiwassee. So, enough sitting around suffering from cabin fever—the weather is getting warmer and spring is in the air. Time to get out of the house and hit one of Western North Carolina’s best lakes with Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Lake Hiwassee waters are on the rise, and by mid-April, we should have access to Hanging Dog boat ramp. Currently we are around 38 feet below summer pool. Water clarity is clear for most of the lake except for the backs of creeks, which are slightly stained. Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s and a bit warmer in the coves and creeks. Striper fishing has been excellent. We have been wearing out some super nice fish out here. These Lake Hiwassee monsters are in their full spring pattern and chasing bait in the mouths and backs of creeks. Bait has been plentiful this winter, and these striped bass are quickly gaining in size. For the
By Shane Goebel
next month or so, look for fish in the backs of creeks, up the Hiwassee and Nottely Rivers, and around shallow coves. Pulling planer boards and free lines with live bluebacks and shad will be your best techniques. Also, look for a great top-water to start. I always like to have a Zara Spook or a fluke at the ready to nail those top-busting fish. Smallmouth fishing also remains very strong. Look for this to continue for the next several months. At the moment, we are catching some huge 5 to 6 pound smallmouth. These bigger smallmouths will soon start to work their way to shallower water. Start looking for some large schools halfway in the backs of creeks and up the Hiwassee and Nottely Rivers. It’s not uncommon to see a bunch of spotted bass mixed in with these smallmouths. Try a combination of tactics such as trolling planer boards and down lining live herring and bass minnows. Jigging small to medium flutter spoons at the bottom is also another great way to get these feisty bass to strike. Walleye are starting to make their
way into the rivers and creeks from the deeper water to stage in spawning areas. Try fishing bright-colored lures in yellow, orange and red. On occasion, trolling Rapala Jointed Shad Raps, Cordell Wally Divers, and Bomber Fat Free Shad will tend to work more efficiently than live bait. Sometimes, the more erratic movement and vibration of artificial bait will cause the walleye to strike. For the most part, however, we try to target these fish by slow-trolling live minnows and blueback herring pulled behind planer boards and down lining night crawlers. April is a fantastic month for catching some big fish on this lake. From smallmouth bass to hard fighting stripers, we have many great opportunities to catch a number of fish species on Hiwassee Lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let
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the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy fish during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hyrbrid bass. We also serve Lake Apalachia for huge lake trout, and Lakes Nottely, Chatuge and Blue Ridge. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine—let us help you get your fish on!
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APRIL 2017
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Fires Creek: Nestled in Quiet Clay County By Justin Mickens
N
estled in the quiet wilderness of Clay County in North Carolina, is a stream of rare beauty, the Unicorn of Southern Appalachian streams. From the springs that unite to create Fires Creek, to Leather Wood Falls, the water flows crystal clear. Its flow through Forest Service Land, allows this stream to be accessed by the general public, without the worry of crossing onto private property. A two plus mile section of Fires Creek became a North Carolina Delayed Harvest Stream in the fall of 2013. Since its creation, the Unaka Chapter 201 Trout Unlimited has created a bucket brigade, helping NC Wildlife completely stock the two plus mile Delayed Harvest Section of Fires Creek. I want to say, “thank you” to everyone who has helped stock. Without you, Fires Creek would not be the great fishery it is. All North Carolina Delayed Harvest streams are designated catch and release, single hook, artificial lures, from October 1st till the first Saturday of June. From the first Saturday in June till October 1st, Delayed Harvest Streams follow hatchery supported regulations. During catch and release time, Delayed Harvest streams are stocked five times. The heavier stockings provide anglers with a great chance of catching trout. Above the Delayed Harvest section is Wild Trout Water, containing mostly Rainbow Trout, with a rare Brown or Brook Trout. This section is designated as Wild Trout, meaning single hook artificial lures only, and you are allowed to keep four fish that are seven inches or bigger. Wild Water is open year round with no closed season. Fishing in Fires Creek can be intimidating at first. During high water times, the runs can be extremely fast. Last Sunday, I was fishing a particular run that, no matter what I did, I couldn’t get my fly to the bottom of the stream. I finally had to extend my leader and allow my fly to drift in the edge of the current, while leaving my indi-
cator in the eddy. By doing this, I was able to reach the fish that were holding on the bottom. Another factor in fishing Fires Creek is the deep pools. Stocked fish especially like to hold at the base of plunge pools. This allows them to exert little energy, while still being able to feed. When fishing these pools, we have found that putting extra weight above the fly is beneficial. The weight allows the fly to reach the bottom in front of the fish, instead of behind them. There is no magic formula to figuring out how much weight, to use, or how deep, to set your indicator. It is all according to how fast the current is, and the depth at which fish are holding. Always make sure to try different depths before moving to a different spot. I can try to explain the beauty of Fires Creek but I could never do it justice. For example, the clear water that makes an eight-foot-deep hole look two-foot-deep (I’ve personally stepped in a few) or the foliage that seems to always be growing and the wildlife that always shows up when you least expect it. Fires Creek is truly a land of natural beauty that must be seen in all four seasons.
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Justin Mickens is Co-owner and Manager of Appalachian Outfitters Fly Shop located in Murphy, NC. His shop offers fly tying classes, guide services, and everything else you need for a great day on the river! Check out his website at www. appalachianoutfittersnc.com or give him a call at 828-837-4165. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
APRIL 2017
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 3
MURPHY AREA MOUNTAIN LAKES Lake Chatuge Hybrids
M
arch was another great month of fishing on Lake Chatuge and with this warmer-than-usual spring in place, we expect April to be even better. Currently, lake temps are in the upper 50’s. Water clarity is clear all over the lake and water levels are holding at about 6 feet below full pool. The hybrid bass bite has been crazy. We’ve been catching some nice 10 to 13 pound fish in good numbers for early spring. The hybrids are presently staging in their spawning areas in the backs of creeks and feeding on some huge shad. This should continue through the month of April and into May. Early morning planer boards and free lines have worked the best. As the sun really comes out, the fish are moving to slightly deeper water
4 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By Darren Hughes
and hitting on our down lines. Live bait is key here to catching some quality fish, but don’t hesitate to cast a spook, Red Fin, or sexy dog, especially when theses hybrids are busting top-water. Our spotted bass bite has also been insane. We are averaging anywhere from 30 to 40 fish per trip out here. Lake Chatuge offers the best spotted bass fishing in Western North Carolina, and I highly recommend booking a trip with us to experience this super exciting fishing thrill. These big spots are stacking up on shallow points, humps and flats all over the lake and preparing for the spawn. Look for these fish in the 10-30 foot range. The early morning bite has been okay, but it really fires up once the sun comes up. The late afternoon bite has also been
APRIL 2017
pretty productive. Once you find these fish, they are hitting just about anything you can cast at them. Jerkbaits and crankbaits have been working great, but as always, our super lively blueback herring are the biggest producers for some huge spots. April fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA-it’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. We also carry ethanol-free gas and have some of the best hot, madefrom-scratch biscuits in North
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GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, Apalachia, Hiwassee, or Nottely, or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren Hughes, at Hughes General Store. And whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give Chatuge a shot for some of the best spotted bass and hybrids in the area. Good luck, and get hooked! Darren Hughes is the owner of Hughes General Store & Bait Shop and a member of The Angler Magazine Fishing Team. Look him up at www.bigolfish. com or give him a call him (706) 745-6569
MURPHY AREA MOUNTAIN LAKES
April Smallmouth and Spots on Apalachia & Chatuge By Aaron Kephart
A
pril is around the corner, and with it should come a lot more stability in terms of water temperatures and patterns. While we are pounding the big prespawn smallmouth at the moment, I am looking forward to next month. April is one of my favorite months to fish and guide simply because of the diversity in species and tactics that are productive. While I am happy to guide for smallmouth, spotted bass, largemouth, crappie, trophy trout, or stripers on any of our area lakes (especially Hiwasee, my home lake) this time of year, limited space demands I narrow my focus a bit. This month I would like to focus on the smallmouth and spotted bass fisheries available in April on Apalachia and Chatuge. Smallmouth on Apalachia should be firing on all cylinders in preparation for the spawn. They will probably be spawning on the first full moon in the month, but spawning smallmouth are some of the more aggressive fish I have ever fished for. Based upon water clarity, wind, and cloud conditions, a whole host of baits can catch these hard-pulling trophies this time of year. We often have success on tubes, shaky heads, jigs, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits. Live bait can also be exceptionally productive this time of year, but remember to use a circle hook to
keep from damaging the fish. They are too precious a resource to kill this time of year, especially the big 5 and 6 pounders. I would also ask that you release your catch this month, as I feel that keeping spawners does double damage to a fishery. As an example of the kind of fishing that is possible this time of year, we caught 29 smallmouth off one stretch of bank on a single pass on Apalachia, on a guide trip midApril last year. As always, exercise extreme caution on Apalachia due to If you are interested in a trip, please give me a call at 865-466-1345. As the nature of the lake (a river run resof this writing (March 10th) I only have 5 available April dates left. I am also ervoir), and I always recommend you booking for May and June (topwater and night fishing time). I have over 25 years go with someone who knows the lake of experience on Murphy area lakes, and numerous references available upon before trying it yourself. request. Keep up with us on facebook@mountainlakesguideservice, Spotted bass on Chatuge are also and check us out at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com. typically wide open this month. While I am happy to provide live bait for guide trips, it really isn’t necessary on Chatuge this time of year for an angler premier trophy smallmouth and spotted bass guide service with manageable skills. This month offers the tail end of the jerkbait bite. It also offers a decent swimbait bite, at times, and can provide an absolutely phenomenal fluke bite. You can also catch a lot of fish on a shaky head and Guide Service tube, depending on how the fish are setting up and what depth they’re in. Spotted bass on Chatuge just keep getting bigger, often averaging 3 pounds Hiwassee - Apalachia - Chatuge each, nowadays. I had two clients Aaron Kephart 865-466-1345 catch 17 spots over 3 pounds in one mtnlakesguide@outlook.com morning trip, April 14th of last year. Crappie, Trophy Trout, Stripers, and more available
Murphy North Carolina’s
Mountain Lakes
SWAIN COUNTY
The Swainglers
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By Tammy Parris
ishing is more than reeling in your catch, even though that is an awesome part! I have the privilege of not only leading the Swainglers, but also teaching a class, every Thursday, for eight weeks at Swain High School. The group of thirty-six students are: the LIM, Leader In Me Group, Fishing Fundamentals. Our goal (WIG, Wildy Important Goal). is to build fishing lures. We will display our lures at Leadership Day in April. Along with building lures, we have fishing trivia contests. Students answer various questions that range
from the most popular fishing knot to how moon phases effect fishing. Students start with an assortment of lure parts and transform them into a usable fishing lure. The table is covered with hooks, spoons, weights, eyelets, blades, wire shafts, beads, etc. So far, we have built spinner baits made with french blades. Anglers gather their materials, along with their pliers, to begin construction. Some students work solo while others work in groups, collaborating and determining what the fish will like and hit.
Leader In Me Group - Swain County Fishing Club Members (in front row) Leadership and patience are the main attributes in this process. The more experienced students assist the others, which gives them pride in helping someone else. “Book education” is very important in these young minds, while in high school, but “hands on” learning is just as valuable! The finished products will be displayed at Leadership Day in April at Swain County High School.
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APRIL 2017
The Leader In Me is Franklin Covey’s whole school transformation process. It teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. I want to instill in the students a mindset to “Forget all the reasons it won’t work, but believe the one reason it will!” Not only in building lures, but also in life! WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 5
SWAIN COUNTY/BRYSON CITY
Nothin’ Like “Opening Day” By Ronnie Parris
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ey folks, April is here and the fish are biting! This is one of those times of year that we love, especially us guides. I can usually take folks and catch fish anywhere, using any style. If you’re a trout angler, the dry fly bite is heating up in the Great Smoky Mountains. You will need to wait till mid-day for the temps to produce good bug activity. For the angler who can’t wait till noon, nymphs at daybreak should produce lots of pan-sized brookies, browns and rainbows. Hatchery waters will open up at 7 am on April 1st. The limit is 7 fish per person and there are no lure restrictions. As a kid, I looked forward to this day more than Christmas. From the time I was old enough to follow my dad and carry his trout on a forked stick, I didn’t miss a single opener. Recently however, my love of turkey hunting has gotten in the way. There’s still no
better time to take your kid and get them hooked on fishing than opening day. Streams will be stuffed with fish that are all too eager to take your offerings, whether it’s artificial or live bait. I would suggest getting out early, as the other anglers will be competing for the best spots. I remember one year my dad told me I could take my best buddy with us but as we left his house, the truck began to shake and after we pulled off the side of the road, I was horrified to find we had a flat tire. As a 12 year old, I thought this was the end of the world because surely, by the time dad got the tire changed, all my school buddies would have caught all the trout in Alarka Creek. Well, dad made fast work of the tire change and like most opening days, within an hour or so we all had caught our limits of fat rainbows. The fishing in the lakes will be wide open this month too. As the water warms, we should see a good
top water bite. Jerk baits and poppers should also work. The walleye should just be finishing up on the spawn and will be eager to build back some fat. In the daytime, they will be located on points and deep drops, but one of my favorite ways to catch them is to night fish as the walleye come up shallow to feed. I usually slowly drag a night crawler off the bank, a foot at a time. Be sure not to set the hook when you first feel the fish hit, as they usually just have the tail end of the night crawler. You should drop your rod tip and give them about 5 seconds to get the hook in their mouth before setting the hook. Crappie are usually in full swing this time of year and can be taken on either live minnows or small jigs. I usually try to use minnows if I find fish schooled up…and artificials if they’re scattered. The weather should be great and
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you may even hear an old turkey “gobble”. Let me know if I can set up a guide trip for you…I know you will catch a lot of fish and go home with a lot of great memories. Be safe on the water and take a kid fishing I know you will be glad you did. Ronnie Parris is the Owner and Head Guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, North Caronina, heart of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. (www.smounlimited.com)
BRYSON CITY
Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians By Bob Nanney
W
hile attending the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show in early February, I was approached by a gentleman who wanted to inquire about making donations to the museum. We talked for a few minutes and I told him how the donation program works. I explained that we always appreciate donations and items can be either “donated” or “loaned” to the museum. Each item is catalogued, numbered, the donors name is recorded, and lastly, we photograph the items. He then mentioned that he had some items to donate but didn’t give any specific details. This past Tuesday, Alen Baker, the museum founder, and I, met Bob Bagerski and his wife
at the museum. They had driven up from their home in Roswell, Georgia bringing with them 50 handcrafted bamboo fly rods (30 of which had never been fished), 50 reels, 5 wooden rod cases, 4 nets, 6 split willow creels, and 3 rod caddys. This represents a donation in the range of $50,000, with several of the rods having a value of $1200 to $2500. This represents, by far, the largest single donation of rods and gear to the museum in its history. We have received several smaller donations, for which we are equally grateful, but this one tops them all! Needless to say, the museum is in complete awe and is very excited to receive this donation!
Find out more about the Fly Fishing Museum of The Southern Appalachians by visiting our website at flyfishingmuseum.org and don’t forget to stop by on your next trip through beautiful Bryson City, North Carolina!
Left to right: Mr. and Mrs Bob Bagerski and Alen Baker. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 7
The Heralding of Spring Angling in WNC
S
pring is my favorite angling time of the year here in the southeast. Delayed Harvest Streams are stocked all spring from March through May. Rivers, like the Upper Nantahala, Tuckaseege, and Snowbird Creek will give anglers the opportunity to enjoy some of the best early season trout fishing found anywhere. This is a great time to catch fish on streamers, dry flies
8 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By Ken Kastorff
and nymphs. Wooly Buggers, girdle bugs, prince nymphs, egg patterns along with dry flies, like black caddis, light cahill, quill gorden, blue wing olives as well as just about anything else, will work on these streams. General fishing opens up again the first Saturday in April. At the same time scheduled release on the Nantahala River will start for the upcoming
APRIL 2017
season. That means I will be out doing float trips on my favorite river - eight miles of non-stop fishing action on one of the most beautiful rivers in the United States. While fishing the Nantahala is more challenging than the delayed harvest streams, I consider it one of the best trout streams found in our area. The cold water, coming from the bottom of lake Nantahala, makes this the premier late spring, summer, and fall option, for both wading and (especially) floating for great quality Browns and Rainbows. Fontana Lake will start filling up with the spring rains. Those rains will herald in the spring lake runs of steelhead, white bass, rainbow and brown trout, musky, and walleye. It is not unusual to catch several different species on one trip. I have had some great days catching more that 60 steelhead, exclusively on dry flies. I have never found dry fly fishing anywhere else that
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comes close to the action you can find in late spring afternoon on any of the tributaries coming into Lake Fontana. So, the hardest thing about spring fishing in the mountains is getting enough time off work to enjoy all the options! Fish a delayed harvest stream from early morning into the afternoon and then head to a lake tributary for some great early evening dry, fly fishing. You can hardly go wrong at this time of the year.
FONTANA LAKE Fontana in the Spring
T
here is something about spring fishing on Fontana that almost everyone enjoys. In fact, there are lots of things folks enjoy about it. Let’s start with the weather. Except for some nice days mixed in, you will almost always need to come prepared for cold, wind and wet, or maybe frozen wet, through January and February. Once spring arrives, you can at least leave a few clothes behind. Our fish are in a great mood in the spring and so, they respond to the dinner bell with a vengeance, needing to continue eating while finding that “special one” to propagate with, in order to continue the species. When actually in the act, they may have clouded views about chow, but any time, outside of “the moment,” they are generally hungry. This urge to find members of the opposite sex often moves them to the shallower haunts and banks, making them much easier to locate and reach with our baits. No more trolling 100+ feet looking for the scattered pods of fish, any likely looking bank or point or flat can hold great numbers looking for mates. One of the things I like best about spring fishing is that all baits are back in play. During winter, you occasionally get a topwater bite, but most days, a shallow jerkbait will not reach very many fish. There
By Capt. James McManus
aren’t many lures that are more fun to throw than small jerkbaits like the Rapala x-raps, small crankbaits like flicker shad, or topwater spooks and poppers. Everyone can be caught throwing to the bank or points, with these versatile lures. We have caught walleye, smallies, spots and whites on consecutive casts in the same areas, on the same lures. If they are still a little deep then switch over to my favorite, a small jig with a mini zoom fluke. I have said it before, but these will catch all fish, all year, all over. So where to fish... Fish will naturally head towards the river mouths as the spawning urge overtakes them. Walleye and whites are especially drawn into the shallow river areas. Spots and smallies may still be found upriver but can also stay downlake because they use gravelly points and banks and don’t need that running water to spawn. Any rounded gravel point with maybe a few scattered boulders are prime areas to look for. Some points around Greasy Branch and
the areas around Forney, Goldmine, and Noland can all hold fish. You may see fish by just cruising and looking with electronics but many times they are holding tight to the bank and you can’t go wrong pitching a few just to see if “anyone is home”. This is the one time of the year when I may head down a bank for a mile or two and just continue to fish “old school,” without relying much on my electronics. They can be spread out over a general area and, as long as the bank composition doesn’t change much, they may just continue to move and find their own niche.
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Personally, there is one thing I try to avoid, and that is catching what walleye we have left, when they are really in spawn mode up in the rivers. I feel like they need the space and opportunity to be left alone so we can enjoy them for years to come. After they spawn, they stay shallow for several weeks until it gets to be summertime and they return to their suspended time. During this interim, they are fairly easily targeted maybe a mile, to a couple of miles, back from the river mouths. They, again, will hit the abovementioned baits and night crawlers fished on jig heads. You will pick up a little of everything with crawlers including some really nice channel cats. So enjoy the nicer weather, take off a few clothes, get out your larger tacklebag, buy more rods, and enjoy one of the greatest gifts God has given this area. Later, Capt. James
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 9
If The Boot Fits!
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By Aaron Motley
ith wet wading season upon us, it seems only appropriate to think about your current setup, or maybe a new one. If you are unfamiliar with wet wading, it is wading in a creek with wading boots and neoprene socks, or maybe a sandal type shoe, and generally synthetic shorts or pants are worn, too. Most will prefer this wading style during the warmer months of the year. One company that is giving Western North Carolina anglers many wet wading options is SIMMS. SIMMS is introducing a new wet wading shoe with portholes for drainage, or a fully enclosed rugged low top wading shoe. This product comes in two sole styles, Vibram or felt. The Vibram sole is a high carbon rubber designed for coldwater fisheries and can be outfitted with carbide steel cleats or aluminum. The felt version offers a center pad of
felt that is stitched to the sole, at the edges of the shoe anglers will notice there is some rubber too, this offers additional traction in mud, silt, or steep stream banks. On the felt version of this product, an angler may add carbide steel cleats for even more added traction. Another wet wading product for SIMMS is the Intruder boot ($179), introduced in 2016. This product also comes in both Vibram and felt options. Users will have ankle support and protection with the Intruder boot, along with a built in gravel guard to keep annoying pebbles and debris out. With the three products mentioned, a user would find these are the lightest of your wet wading options. The most conventional option is buying a wading boot that will accommodate thick neoprene in the stocking foot on your breathable waders. However, to counteract the space needed in cold times verse the space
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need in summer without waders, anglers may find the need to use a wading sock and additionally, a neoprene guard sock to fill the void space in the wading boot. This will be the heaviest of wet wading options, so if you are trying to be more remote and hiking long distances, this may be a con for you to consider.
Which wet wading option is best for you? Weigh the pros and cons for your angling style. As for me, I like hiking into the backcountry and wild water streams, so I have chosen the Intruder Vibram sole and added 5 studs to each shoe. This sole provides terrific performance of traction on rocks (both wet and dry), sand, and mud, while climbing in and out of the streambed, hiking on trails, and covering 8-10 miles of hiking and fishing in a day. This wet wading boot kicks butt! Also, I have found that I prefer to
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wear a lightweight wool blend sock with my Intruder boots. If you have questions about wet wading or wish to see these boots in person, please stop by Hunter Banks Fly Shop in Asheville, NC or Waynesville, NC. Shop staff can help you and make sure you are well prepared for a day of wet wading in Western North Carolina while seeking trout or smallmouth bass. Aaron is Operations Manager at the Waynesville Hunter Banks. His waterfowl hunting addiction supports his fly tying addiction. He learned his fly-fishing craft from “fishy” people and pursues large trout, bass and musky on a daily basis. He teaches others to do the same.
JACKSON COUNTY/FLY FISHING CAPITAL OF NC
Pick It, Pick It! By Shannon Messer
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ecently our local Trout Unlimited Chapter #373, along with the newly formed Western Carolina University Fly Fishing Club, held a roadside litter pickup along a stretch of the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County North Carolina. This stretch of water is popular with local and non-locals alike, chasing very nice trout. We met and, within one hour, we collectively had removed 19 bags of litter plus one “left for dead” john boat that had been camouflaged by high water flows. I would have never imaged that we would have removed that much litter, but I was wrong. The point is, that we have all been fishing somewhere and, more than likely, we have seen a water bottle, soda can, and/or other forms of litter in the areas we have been angling. Did we take the time to pick it up and pack it out, or did we
just ignore the problem and leave it for the next person? What if the next person never comes? What will happen to that piece of litter? Did the litter make it into the water or a bird’s nest? All of these are very likely scenarios and we all need to take action when the opportunity presents itself. Many of you know me and have seen some of my social media post showing the amounts of litter removed while fishing in the Smoky Mountain National Park. I am shocked by what people leave behind and the places they leave things. I challenge all anglers to pack out what you can after every outing. Yes, I know it takes time, but we each have an obligation to take care of our natural resources and educate others on the importance of taking care of what we have. After all, it is all we have. So, take up the challenge to make a difference and let’s put a
dent in this litter problem! It is not that hard to organize a cleanup or hike a trail, with likeminded people, and remove litter that someone was too lazy to pack out. Individually, we can make a difference but together, we can make a huge impact.
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Shannon Messer is the owner of Appalachian Flies and manages and guides at Blackrock Outdoors Authorized Orvis Fly Shop at 570 West Main Street, Sylva NC 28779. Contact him at 828-631-4453 or appalachianflies@gmail.com
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 11
Improve Regional Water Quality By Managing Stormwater On Your Property
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major source of water pollution in Western North Carolina is stormwater runoff. This occurs when rain or snow melt runs off impervious surfaces— accumulating pollutants along the way— and is deposited into storm drains which empty directly into our local waterways. Common stormwater pollutants include fertilizers, pesticides, petrochemicals, and sediment. In large part due to the topography of our mountains, sediment from erosion is the primary source of water pollution in Western North Carolina. Once in our waterways, sediment can clog fish gills and cloud the water, making it difficult for predator fish to find their prey. The news isn’t all gloom and doom; we can take simple steps to mitigate stormwater runoff and improve water quality in our region.
By Renee Fortner
Stormwater runoff not only occurs along streets, but also around our homes where it runs off roofs, sidewalks, and parking areas. WaterRICH is a RiverLink Initiative to educate homeowners on how they can manage stormwater runoff on their property. Through the WaterRICH program, RiverLink provides an on-line resource and offers workshops designed specifically for smaller sites and private individuals. WaterRICH gives tutorials on how to design and install stormwater features, such as cisterns, swales, and rain gardens. Ideally, stormwater runoff would slowly seep into the ground, where pollutants can be
naturally filtered from the water by plants and microorganisms in the soil. Rain gardens are a popular stormwater feature for homeowners that facilitate this process. A small depression planted with native shrubs and wildflowers, rain gardens can be an attractive addition to the landscape. If cramped for space, swales are shallow channels that serve a similar purpose, but are smaller compared to rain gardens. Swales can be planted in a similar fashion as a rain garden, but are often sown in grass and maintained by mowing. Cisterns or rain barrels can also be used to capture rainwater from roofs, which can then be used to irrigate lawns and gardens. Utilizing rainwater in this
way not only filters any potential pollutants, but also saves homeowners money by reducing potable water use. By installing stormwater features on a residential site, homeowners can not only improve regional water quality, but also reduce their outside water needs and beautify their landscapes. Which stormwater feature you choose, depends on the site conditions around your home. Renee Fortner is RiverLink’s Watershed Resources Coordinator. To get started, visit WaterRICH on RiverLink’s website (www. riverlink.org/learn). If you live in the French Broad River watershed, RiverLink also offers WaterRICH presentations for groups. For questions about the program or to schedule a presentation, contact Renee Fortner at (828) 252-8474, Ext. 13 or renee@riverlink.org.
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(828) 648-3010 12 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
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By: Dustin Stanberry
Light Cahill Dry Fly
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s the temperatures continue to climb into spring, we should begin to see more bug activity. One of my favorite times to fish is during the months of April and May. Of course, anytime is a good time to fish but, spring begins to show signs of significant insect activity. The fish start to gorge themselves after feeding on midges and smaller nymphs through much of the winter. There are several insect hatches that happen in early spring that can be prominent. One of which is the emergence of the Cahill. The Light Cahill is one of my favorite dry flies to fish, primarily because the fish seem to really hone in to the lighter color of the flies. Light Cahill hatches tend to happen after the Quill hatches and around the same time as the March Browns. My observation is that Cahills are a
graceful mayfly and this lends to a much more subtle emergence of the duns. This being said, there isn’t a great need for an emerger pattern for this particular mayfly. Depending on your fly assortment, a March Brown dry fly can be used as a substitute, in a pinch. The Cahill can be tied in several different sizes and the color can be altered to better match your local hatch. I generally fish the fly in sizes 12-18. The color of the fly really depends on the location where you’re fishing. Local fly shops can be a huge help in finding the right color selection. I prefer the traditional Catskill pattern for this fly. It just seems to produce more fish for me, personally. However, I wouldn’t hesitate to try a parachute style fly or a sparsely tied Catskill in slow moving water. As with most fly patterns, the proportions of materials used are something to pay close attention to. When dubbing the body, be sure to build a nice tapered abdomen. I usually dress the fly with paste or gel floatant. When applying the floatant, don’t be afraid to really work the dressing into the materials. As always, best wishes and tight lines!
Photo by Dustin Stanberry
Hook: Tiemco #101, Sizes 12-18 Thread: UNI-Thread 8/0, White Tail: Light Ginger Hackle Fibers Body: Super Fine Dubbing, Light Cahill Wing: Lemon Wood Duck Fibers Hackle: Light Ginger
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Dustin Stanberry is an instructor at Biltmore Fly Fishing and Sporting Clays located in Asheville, NC.
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 13
ASHEVILLE/HENDERSONVILLE AREA
The French Broad River: A New Dawn By Galen Kipar
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he French Broad River offers many things. Soon, it will offer more than just a place to wet your feet or walk the dog. With the growth of Asheville’s downtown and newly expanding river arts district, the French Broad River is becoming more and more colorful. The number of yellow, orange, red, and lime green tubes, kayaks and rafts in sight are growing exponentially at every bridge crossing. We anglers often refer to tubers as “the rubber hatch,” while hoping the booze cruise doesn’t result in a litter-fest. A festival of events will continue to embark on the river’s banks as Asheville grows. I think we all need to believe that it will be a good thing. With awareness comes attention and care. Water, in my opinion, is our most precious and overlooked resource; hence, the expression “it’s water under the bridge.” With hope, I believe more people enjoying the river will yield more people caring about the river. At that point, we will hopefully see people packing out more trash than they bring in. While more people using and caring for the river is a good thing, there is a not-so-shiny, side of the
through some of the most beautiful sections of river found in the eastern US. Until now, this has been the water we fished on our days off. Now we would like to share it with you!
coin. If you are a angler, you’ve heard it a hundred times from the proverbial native veteran angler, “20 years ago, you could reach down and grab a fish with your hand, there were so many...” It is a biodiversity scenario of cause and effect. More people equals less wildlife habitat. In general, pressure will alter the behavior of wildlife. Animals adapt to their environment, whereas, most people change their environment to suit their needs. Will the growth of Asheville affect the fishing on the French Broad River? Yes it will. The question is: Will the outlook be positive or negative?
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Galen Kipar is a guide and owner at Asheville Fly Fishing Company. He is a problem solver who enjoys the connections and process just as much as the pull. Reservations: (828) 7799008 Information: AshevilleFlyFishingCo.com As an Ashevillian angler, you may be asking yourself, “is the fishing good on the section of the French Broad that runs through town?” Yes, we catch trophy smallmouth throughout the year on town sections despite the crowds. We have floated by 12 Bones so many times, we even partnered with them so we can serve hot BBQ on the river. However, as a guide service, our goal is to give clients the best experience available. Sometimes this means taking them to the water that gets the least amount of pressure. In pursuit of less pressured, visually dazzling water, Asheville Fly Fishing Company is pleased to bring you a new kind of adventure trip in 2017. AFFC is the only guide service in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee to now offer a combined whitewater, smallmouth bass trip. Because this water is scarcely accessible and filled with Class III & IV rapids, it gets very little pressure from anglers. These trips offer excellent Smallmouth Bass fishing and flow
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12 Bones “Pioneers of the Asheville New River Arts District”
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Bones Smokehouse began its life in an unassuming cinder block shack in a floodplain in the River Arts District. The building still had river scum in it when founders, Tom Montgomery and Sabra Kelley cleaned things up, and got the smoker running. They then hung a sign which read, “Tender Butts and Sweet Racks.” A decade later, 12 Bones is a local institution that rivals the Biltmore Estate in popularity. (In fact, it’s 12 Bones, alone, that has been on President Obama’s itinerary all three times he’s passed through Asheville.) By the time Tom and Sabra passed the restaurant on to current owners, Bryan and Angela King (2011), the transformation was nearly unfathomable. They were now serving over a
thousand customers on some days and had added a second location in South Asheville. 12 Bones was a catalyst for the entire neighborhood to change. Boutiques and Breweries became a stones throw away instead of a car’s drive and more businesses wanted to be part of the River Arts Scene. With such quick changes, roads, designed years ago,
strained under the added pressure. The old cinder block shack sat in a strategic location pivotal to traffic management plans by the city. A roundabout was the most efficient way to manage the increased traffic. Recently, the property was claimed by imminent domain and 12 Bones had to find a new home. Luckily they found a new location just down the street at 5
Foundy Street. Bryan and Angela tackled the move with uncommon courtesy only found when people look after the common good. They saw the move as a step forward for the whole community…part of a community revitalization benefitting everyone. Sure, there would be obstacles to overcome, but the City of Asheville made the process smooth. 12 Bones retains their authentic environment…a friendly professional staff, the same plates and the same philosophy that created great food served from what was once an old slime filled, cinder block shack. Never pass up an opportunity to sample this local fare. Co-Located with The Wedge Brewery at 5 Foundy St. 12 Bones is an Asheville treasure you don’t want to miss!
Smoked Meat, Ribs, BBQ & More!
Down-home cooking in a laid back, funky atmosphere. We make everything from scratch. Our meats are smoked long & slow over select hardwoods. Our recipes are both old family favorites & new ones we've just come up with. We believe that simple ingredients & lots of care in preparation make the best food.
RIVER STORE: Monday - Friday 11am–4pm, 4pm-6pm Take-Out Only, CLOSED Sat & Sun 5 Foundy Street, Suite 10 Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 253-4499
SOUTH STORE: Tuesday - Saturday 11am – 4pm, TAKE OUT ONLY 4pm – 6pm, CLOSED Sun & Mon 3578 Sweeten Creek Road Arden, NC 28704 (828) 687-1395
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The Citizen-Times named our Hogzilla one of the top 8 big, bad sandwiches in Asheville!! WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 15
A Decorum Manifesto Part 1 of 4: “Could I be too close…?” By Dustin Stanberry
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here are few things that can ruin a fishing trip quicker than poor fishing etiquette. Good decorum would seem like something an angler would tune into and develop fairly quickly. Yet, negative and/or awkward situations and experiences are becoming more the norm for me. Maybe it’s my location or, perhaps bad luck, but I feel that more anglers are affected by poor stream etiquette than let on. An angler that is new to the sport may not even recognize the effects of these actions until someone points it out. Poor etiquette on the water could be a product of many scenarios. It could be an angler with a poor attitude, a sense of entitlement or someone that just doesn’t know what the acceptable behavior is for a given situation while on the water. I feel all anglers, and especially guides, are responsible for setting a good example and teaching the seemingly perishing skill of proper fishing etiquette. There are several occurrences that come to mind when thinking about poor stream etiquette and the majority of them are caused by anglers crowding one another. The fact that there is finite amount of fishable water is something that everyone should recognize. This is especially true for my geographical location, a place where the fish seem to be outnumbered by the anglers, ten to one. If we are fishing a familiar river, we generally have those spots we dream of the night before. A place we feel will produce fish. We get up early; cram breakfast down, throw the bags in the vehicle and off we go. As we approach our favorite “honey hole”, we begin to get excited and we are nervous at the same time. We don’t want to see that
someone else had the same idea but, perhaps, were quicker to the draw. As we turn the bend, we are quickly deflated as we see an angler’s vehicle easily spotted by the slathering of fishing-related stickers and the rod racks. It’s what happens next that will define who we are as anglers. Do we jump out in frustration and stubbornness and rush down to the water and try to jump in front of the angler without giving thought to their space and plan of movement? We should take into account the things that pulled
a grey area and will depend on the size and popularity of the water. To make things simple, I always ask myself how much space is reasonable for the given situation. I have fished rivers where there was an angler every 30 yards and was happy to have that amount of space. I’ve also fished rivers with a half-mile, or better, between anglers. In general, always try to give the widest berth possible when you can. Another factor is the angler’s plan of migration while on the water. Are they fishing upstream or working
us to the sport of fishing, mainly peace and tranquility while on the water. Let’s face it, for most recreational anglers, fishing is about being out in nature or spending time with a friend or family on the water. My dreams of fishing are not filled with me prying open a spot to fish in a small stream full of anglers that are glaring at one another and/ or yelling nasty comments across the river. That’s just not my idea of fun. Giving an angler their space should always be at the forefront of good stream decorum. How much space is always the question. This is
their way downstream? We don’t want to assume they are headed in any one direction before it is established. One option is to take a moment to watch the angler and decide what to do after we recognize the direction they are fishing. I am sure this next bit may ruffle some feathers, but it needs to be discussed. A guide represents more than him, or herself. They operate at the forefront of this sport, tasked with educating upcoming and experienced anglers alike. As a guide, one may have “home water” that they feel is “their” water. This men-
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tality often dictates the actions and attitudes towards fellow anglers in a very negative way. Some guides are just blatantly rude about it. A close friend once had a “guide” approach him while fishing and explain to him that he couldn’t fish a particular stretch of water on certain days during the week because he guided there. Bear in mind that this water is on public land. That is simply unacceptable behavior from a true guide, especially someone that chose the job as his/her profession. I have kayaked several miles to fish a grass flat, only to have a guide pole his boat so close to my location that I could smell the sunscreen from the anglers on board. Much of the time I believe this behavior happens out of spite. From a paying customer’s point of view, being with a guide with a negative attitude and not respecting other angler’s space is a very undesirable trait. Most importantly, it sets a bad example to someone that may be new to the sport. There is simply too much water for a situation like this to occur. There is a “flip side” to this coin, one that must be acknowledged from all anglers, and that is to respect the guides and their client’s space while on the water. Guides are working hard to provide a memorable experience for their clients. When an angler invades the space where a guide is working, it takes away from the experience they are working so diligently to provide. If we all participate in this type of activity, where are we headed as anglers? Where is the sport headed? And most importantly, where is the sportsmanship in that way of thinking? Perhaps a few years later, you are in the river and hear that car approaching. As the door(s) shut, you wonder if they will ask themselves “Am I too close?”
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 17
ASHEVILLE/HENDERSONVILLE AREA
A Willingness to Change By Michael Yelton
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he difference between a good day and a bad day fly fishing can be determined by an anglers’ willingness to adjust and change with the current situation at hand. It’s pretty simple to know when to change. You change when you’re not catching fish! To do the same thing over and over, expecting a different result is considered insanity. So if you’re not catching fish you need to consider changing what you’re fishing, how you’re fishing it, and where you’re fishing. The anglers that can make that decision the quickest are, more times than, not going to catch more fish. So, you’ve determined that it’s time for a change in what you’re fishing. This decision needs to be based on the current conditions, i.e. water clarity, water level, bug activity, and light conditions. These need to be simple, “yes or no,” questions. For example is the water high? Is the water clear? Are bugs flying around? Is it sunny or cloudy? Are your flies too heavy? Are your flies too light? The answers to these questions need to help determine what you are going to change to. Another example would be, the water is muddy, so I’m going to fish a fly that contrasts that muddy water, something that the fish can see in the mud. Now, through decision-making, you’ve decided that it’s time to
change how you’re fishing. It’s the kind of scenario that you’ve caught a couple of fish so you know your flies are working, but you feel like you can still increase your catch rate. This is when it’s time to change your tactics, or presentation, instead of your flies. For example instead of just dead drifting the whole time, on your next cast, lift your flies during your drift. Next cast, jig your flies through your drift. Next cast, swing your flies during your drift. Once you’ve been rewarded with a fish, key in on that presentation and keep using it. Once you’ve dialed in your flies and you’ve keyed in on which presentation and tactics are producing, it’s time to move. This is when you can simply reposition. Take a step up river. Take a step down river. Take a step out. Grid off your water and cover it thoroughly. Then repeat. Be conscious of what type of water is producing fish. Are fish holding deep or up in the water column? Are the fish holding in pocket water or more in the deeper pools? Again, these are simple, ”yes or no,” questions. Once you’ve determined which water-type the fish are holding in, try to target that water type. Theses simple tips will help you put more fish in the net. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about this feel free to contact me at info@granddaddyflyfishing.com.
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 19
BREVARD
Are You Ready For The Lake?? By Johnny Holden
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h wow! Here I am, thinking of spring on this Sunday afternoon in February. It is 75 degrees. I wish I were on the lake. Whether you are a late winter/ early spring angler or you will be DE-winterizing your boat in April or May, here is what you should do to get your boat ready for the season. (If you DE-winterize early, make sure you keep an eye on your engine for freezing temperatures in the late winter-early spring months). Let’s see how well you winterized your boat in the fall...Uncover your boat, clean out all the leaves and mothballs (that is, if you followed my directions in the fall). Go ahead and put fresh fuel in your boat. Remember, fuel that contains ethanol (made from sugar alcohols) is not recommended for your engine. I know boats and beer go really well together, but engines
20 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
should not become alcoholics! Hook up the water hose to the motor. Always fasten the flusher with a bungee cord to the lower unit. Otherwise, when you walk off to grab a tool, you will find the hose lying on the ground when you come back. That will hurt your heart. Pump the fuel bulb on the outboard and pump the throttle on the inboard/outboards. Choke the outboards, unless the engine is fuel injected. If your engine is fuel injected, just turn the key. Nothing? Well, you probably forgot to charge the battery and check for the correct water level. It will likely take a while to crank the oil injected outboards. Just keep choking it! I have had to keep choking some motors for up to an hour to keep them running. Everything running now? No? Oops! Did you forget to stabilize the fuel or stabilize the fresh
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fuel? Here is a little tip: before tearing into the carburetor, pour a bottle of Techron in 3 gallons of gas. Remember to add the correct ratio of oil to the gas mixture, if your engine is not oil-injected. Techron is usually available at Walmart. Run the motor from the gas/techron mixture, choking or pumping the throttle to keep it running. Use up to 2 gallons of gas/techron mixture, without running the engine out of fuel. Shut the motor off and wait 24 hours to restart. If it does not run well after an hour on the hose, you will have to go into the carburetor. This, however, is not for the faint of heart! If trying to repair your carburetor overwhelms you, take it to a reputable boat service shop. There is a “stupid-tax” added to these repairs. The “stupid-tax” is for being too lazy to properly prepare your boat for winter. At this point, you
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should consider replacing the water pump impeller, which should be replaced every three years if you use your boat regularly. Check your safety equipment: life jackets, bilge pumps, horns, and navigation lights. Are you ready to go? NO, wait! Check the bearings in the trailer! Jack the trailer up and spin the wheels…do you hear any rumble or growling? If so, replace the bearings and seals. Use plenty of grease. Air up the tires and LET’S GO TO THE LAKE!! Note: Remember to always check your owner’s manual for detailed instructions for your particular motor! Johnny M. Holden is the owner of John’s Boats, located in Pisgah Forest, NC. If you need help getting your boat ready for the water, give him a call!
All Expenses Paid
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By Danny Maybin
guess we all end up wearing a lot of different hats as we walk through life. Lord knows I’ve got a closet full. The funny thing is, they almost always end up being fishing hats. Of the hats I wore as a young man, I have fond memories of when I was in a band and by extension, considered a musician. It was not a “flash and smoke” rock band or even a swaggering, urban cowboy, country band. We were a simple, five piece, high lonesome, bluegrass band, born right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. One of the highlights of my musical career was receiving an invitation to perform in the Dollywood theme park for the season in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. As a result of the season long contract, we were invited to a “meet and greet” with Dolly Parton, one-on-one with photo ops and all! This is where my hat began to smell like fish. As my luck would have it, I was also invited on an “all expenses paid” fishing trip to Cape Cod on the same date. I have to admit, Dolly, by far had the best landscape but something about the phrase “all expenses paid”, proved to be more than I could resist. Besides, the band couldn’t fire me. I owned twenty percent of the equipment. So I boarded a plane at the Greenville/Spartanburg airport, flew to Charlotte, then to Baltimore, on to Boston and finally to Hyannis port. Incidentally, the commuter from Boston to Hyannis port is really a hang glider with six grocery carts tied to it. Hyannis port is where I was supposed to meet my guide/host. I followed the directions to where he was supposed to pick me up. It was a dingy little side street bar, the kind of bar you drive by and wonder, “who would go there?” He was sitting at a table for one, with his back to the door. From the back, he looked like a huge silverback in an outback coat, sitting on a preschool chair. I slowly circled ‘round the room, not yet sure this was my man. There wasn’t anyone sitting within three tables of him. Knowing my luck so well, this confirmed in my mind, that he must be my guide. He had a bowl of clam chowder the size of a tea cup and a martini the size of Manhattan. As I walked up to introduce myself, I noticed his hands looked more like rawhide clubs and when he looked up at me, I felt sure I could have tied some fine buck tail jigs from his eyebrows. Turns out, his name was “Let”. I am completely satisfied that he did not get his name from “live and {let} live” or “{let} well enough alone. I knew that Salem had a lock on the witches but I didn’t know till I got there that Cape Cod held the patent on grouchy old trolls. He looked me up and down, downed his martini and growled, “I suppose you want to go fishing”. *[Travel tip] When riding with one of these curmudgeony old guides; if he rolls down the window, sticks out his fist and starts yelling obscenities, you are definitely within one hundred yards of a roundabout. He took me to the lodge that turned out to be a “salt box” on the backside of Buzzards Bay, in which I was to reside in the lower bedroom/basement for the duration of my stay. [note to self; Beware of “all expenses paid” fishing trips]. I must admit, I caught blues the size of summer camp sailboats and learned how to dig clams in New England. It’s a good thing I did because the only thing I had to eat was what I caught! I had never experienced pressure in my young life until I was battling a fish almost as large as myself with a giant sized, northeastern accented Yoda, alternately yelling instructions and foul language at me. Funny thing was, he had a way of making me desire his approval that I’ve never figured out. Possibly Stockholm Syndrome? I’m thankful he didn’t think of selling me a timeshare. Ol’ “Let” is gone now. In a way he became dear to me. He showed me things I would have never figured out on my own. I also learned some of his philosophies; which, try as I might, I could not wipe from my young mind and now, oddly enough, seem to be slowly overtaking me. I guess the trip was worth it but thinking back about the chance to meet Dolly, the fishing on Cape Cod could never match the “hills” of Tennessee. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
APRIL 2017
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 21
MORGANTON
The Five Flies Of The Delayed Harvest Trout Season By John Zimmerman
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lucking the right flies from your boxes when you’re on a Delayed Harvest stream can be a real test—especially in the spring—especially with so many different flies calling your name. Here’s why: After the first new stockings in March and April, the Delayed Harvest streams and rivers are populated by two very different fish—the fish that were stocked in October and November and have had their fair share of being caught, and the ones that are fresh from the hatchery, learning to eat stream forage in real time. The holdover fish have learned to eat real bugs and are weary of drag and splashy casts, while the new recruits have only ever had to grab pellets from the top of the surface in their raceways at the hatchery for sustenance and almost have to be stimulated to eat the bugs we throw at them. It’s in this way, that my fly selection evolves over the arc of the delayed harvest season and here are the top five flies I always have with me on a Delayed Harvest stream. Squirmy Wormy: Invented by Dave Hise of Caster’s Fly Shop in Hickory, North Carolina, the Squirmy Wormy is one of the most successful patterns I have ever fished. In it’s origin, it only came in a few colors, but these days, new colors abound. Fresh fish eat this fly with abandon—it’s a crucial pat-
tern to have in your box for the first two weeks or so after a stocking on the Delayed Harvest streams. That said, once fish get stuck several times with this pattern, they start to refuse it pretty quickly. I’ve noticed this to be equally true on the private water I manage in Mitchell County—once a few of my members have run Squirmies for a while, the fish turn off of them until they have forgotten its deadly allure. But if freshly-stocked fish are in the area, you should definitely have plenty of these flies in your box. My go-to colors are earthworm brown, bubblegum pink, bloodworm red, and lavender. You can tie it in any number of ways, but I prefer to tie mine with just one tail coming off the back onto a jig hook armed with a big slotted tungsten bead. Blood’s Egg: Delayed Harvest fish, especially the new recruits, are junk-food-aholic trout. They grew up being fed trout chow and eating the remains of their pals that didn’t make it, and the eggs their other pals dropped in the raceways. Jeff Blood’s blood dot egg is the most effective egg pattern I have ever tied or fished, and Delayed Harvest fish eat it with leisure. It’s especially effective in chartreuse green for the main body of the fly and fluorescent orange for the dot. Make it even more effective by adding a pink Heavy Metal Nymph Head Evo-
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lution Bead from FlyMen. This fly takes freshly stocked fish as well as fish that have been in the river for a while-through early to mid-April when fewer and fewer natural eggs are in the water going into summer. As the water temps start to warm and bug activity increases, more and more fish start to turn off the junk food and on to naturals. Frenchie: Probably the nymph pattern I turn to most, the Frenchie is basically a simply-tied pheasant tail. I keep these tied in sizes 12-18. With just a little bit of effort, you can tie a patch of flies to match the size and color shape of just about any mayflies in the water you are fishing—mix and match pheasant tails died to certain colors… feel free to vary up the color of the copper wire that you’re using for ribbing. And get creative with dubbing collars! Fish that have been freshly stocked are less likely to eat this fly on a dead drift, as it doesn’t have any moving parts to it. But the old guard will, for sure, eat this fly on the dead drift, and the freshly stocked fish will pounce if you jig it, strip it, or just hold it in the current with a few jig motions. If you don’t tie your own flies or just don’t want to tie this one, any simply tied pheasant tail will suffice—no rubber legs or crazy colors. This is a fly that will catch all classes of fish in DH water if fished in different methods—dead drift through runs for the fish that have been schooled…and jig back through for the ones who don’t really know what they’re doing yet and need to be stimulated to eat. Iron Lotus: Another of my favorite patterns from Lance Eagan, the Iron Lotus, is bombproof and catches fish on command. I keep the fly tied on jig hooks myself but you can purchase the fly from Umpqua. I keep the fly tied in several dull colors—the original olive, browns, yellows, and dull pinks. Like the Frenchie, this fly doesn’t have a lot of moving parts and will really wreck the fish that have been
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in the water for a while, especially in the smaller sizes (think 16s) but given some action with the rod tip, the newly-stocked fish will also respond well. Perdigons (Root Beer, Please!): The Perdigon flies are my new addiction. With NO moving parts, this fly sinks straight to the bottom of the water column and has nothing to turn off well-schooled trout that have been in the river system for a long time. Definitely tie this fly up with Root Beer Crystal Flash as the body! Here’s the deal folks—most flies in the fly shops are tied and marketed to catch fishermen—not fish. All the rubber legs in the world…all the bright flash and bling that catches our eyes…after fish have been stuck a few times on these stimulating additions…just turn them off and often send them swimming for the closest rock to hide under. If you’re armed with my recommendations, however, I’m confident you’ll be in good standing for your next trip to a Delayed Harvest stream. For tying instructions on these flies, you can visit Upper Creek Angler’s YouTube Channel: tinyurl.com/UCASquirmie tinyurl.com/UCABloodDotEgg tinyurl.com/UCAFrenchie tinyurl.com/UCAIronLotus tinyurl.com/UCAPerdigon John Zimmerman and Taylor Sharp are the co-owners of Upper Creek Angler, a fly-fishing guide and custom tackle service based in Morganton, North Carolina. John and Taylor are also the founders of Casting for Hope, a regional nonprofit organization based in Morganton, Asheville, and Bakersville that serves women and families in western North Carolina battling ovarian and other gynecological cancers. through fly-fishing retreats and financial assistance. Find them on the web at www. uppercreekangler.com or www.castingforhope.org
MOUNTAIN WISDOM
Stream Etiquette By Ben Bailey
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tream etiquette.” The words invoke thoughts of a list of rules and regulations to monitor our behavior and, perhaps, stream police to enforce them with another list of punishments and fines for each infraction - not a pleasant thought! As a matter of fact, that’s the last thing that we need or want to experience on our weekend fishing trip. Also, it’s a matter of fact that; gone are the days when we can have the creek or river to ourselves. We’re bound to rub elbows with other anglers…and rubbing causes friction. I like to fish the backcountry where few people go, but even there, I occasionally meet someone else who, like me, is seeking solitude and peace.
So, what to do? How do we reconcile this distaste for rules, regulations, fines and punishments with the need for some kind of proper behavior on the stream, so that we all can enjoy our experience? I believe it can be summed up in two words: “honor and respect.” Honor is something I give to myself. It monitors my behavior and does not allow me to do anything that would bring shame or regret to myself, or others. It will compel me to do the right thing much more effectively than a mere rule, or law. Respect will also compel me to honor others, as I would myself. If I respect you, I will want the best for you. I will want you to enjoy your day as much as I want
to enjoy mine. I will not infringe on your space or rights. Next time you get to feeling important and think, “this creek is mine and mine alone”…take a moment to notice how long it takes the whole to fill up when you step out of the creek! If you also take time to honor and respect the stream itself, who knows? It might inspire others to act the same toward you!
Ben Bailey, is a native of Western North Carolina, avid outdoorsman, Master Carpenter, and Naturalist.
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BURNSVILLE
Make Our Streams Great Again By Ethan Hollifield
Fly fisherman don’t need to be told how important clean water is to our sport. The trout, smallmouth, and musky that inhabit our mountain rivers and streams are ever dependent on clean water sources that are free of pollution and over use for fish populations to thrive. It seems, in recent years that, the damage being done to our water systems in Western North Carolina is fully being realized by those, not only in the fly fishing community, but also in almost all other outdoor recreational pursuits as well. I’ve noticed, as a guide, how divided some groups within the outdoor scene have become when it comes to how one chooses to enjoy our natural resources. I’m sure that you are all well aware of the stereotypes that come with some outdoor sports: fly anglers are snobby, hunters kill for the sake of killing, all hikers and backpackers are crazy hippies,
rafters and kayakers clog streams and spook all our fish, etc. Often, we divide ourselves into different political or idealistic groups that come with our chosen hobbies. It’s easy to forget the one resource that unites all of us and is worth coming together for: clean water. I recently had a chance to volunteer with the French Broad River Keepers in Asheville, North Carolina, to paddle down a creek known for excessive sedimentation and implement a process called “live staking” to try and control the source of erosion before it could enter the French Broad River. The others that came to volunteer had somewhat different backgrounds than what one might expect. A mix of your typical granola paddlers, hippy tree huggers types along with fellow fly-fishing guides and hunters all coming together for a common purpose. That seems
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like such a far fetched idea in today’s society where our political ideas tend to divide us seemingly beyond any sort of common ground. What we found more common is our love, and need, for clean mountain rivers and streams that exceeds our political party lines. Despite our personal political beliefs, we all had an understanding of the challenges our streams face from pollution, sedimentation, unsustainable agriculture, mine tailing waste, and urban development (just to name a few). Every outdoor recreational activity in Western North Carolina thrives when streams are healthy. Hunters need clean water resources for game animals, which come from healthy forest and ridgeline ecosystems that hikers and wildlife/wildflower viewers enjoy. These same ecosystems are needed to provide thriving wild trout populations. Healthy trout rivers eventually turn into equally healthy smallmouth and musky waterways that rafters, kayakers, fly anglers, and conventional anglers tend to frequent. When you start putting the pieces together, it becomes easier to see that we all have a lot more in common with each other than we might realize. When it seems like the whole country has been divided on political sides that have unfortunately seeped into the outdoor industry: our need for clean water supersedes it completely. We,
as anglers, have a responsibility to protect our watersheds, which will in turn, affect everyone else in the outdoor recreation world in a very positive way. There are many fantastic volunteer opportunities with various organizations all across Western North Carolina that you can engage in. There has never been a better time, nor a more necessary need, for all of us to come together to protect the rivers and streams we love and enjoy. Ethan Hollifield is a native North Carolinian from Spruce Pine. While earning a degree in Parks and Natural Resource Management from NC State, he was a member of the threetime national championship-winning bass fishing team “BassPack”. Ethan currently guides for Stonefly Outfitters in Burnsville, North Carolina.
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COLOR Me Caught…Choosing Lure COLORS
E
Ladies Fishing Weekend On The North Mills
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he N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering a women-only fly-fishing weekend April 21-23 at the North Mills River Recreation Area in Henderson County. The weekend is open to women of all skill levels who want to learn more about fly fishing. The $125 registration fee covers instruction, fishing equipment and camping for the weekend, and a light lunch, beverages and snacks on Saturday. The three-day program is being offered through the Wildlife Commission’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program. Accommodations are at an outdoor campground, which includes a bath house with hot showers and restrooms. Participants should bring their own tents and equipment, if they have them; however, space in one of two small group tents will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The weekend is broken down into five skill-building sessions. In the stream ecology session, participants will search for aquatic organisms using nets and kick seines to understand what type of flies work best for trout fishing. They will learn how to tie flies that mimic the organisms they find. In the basic equipment session, participants will learn about proper waders, wading shoes, vests and other items. Other sessions include knot tying, fly casting and lure presentation. Experienced instructors will demonstrate casting techniques and offer one-on-one instruction. On Sunday morning, participants will practice their newfound skills with a guided fishing trip on the North Fork Mills River. Pre-registration is required and space is limited to 25 participants. Visit www.ncwildlife.org/bow for registration form. To register or for more information, contact Gillen at bb.gillen@ncwildlife.org or 919-218-3638.
haden migration, matching the natural appearance of the food is pretty important. How to put this to use: • Black is generally the most visible color and creates the best contrast in low visibility. • Create contrast by using dark colors next to light colors. In dirty water or lowlight situations, more contrast is better. Bright clear conditions call for less contrast. • When using lures deep, use blues and greens as they are the last colors absorbed. • Consider the visible colors of natural prey at the depth you will be fishing and match that, not the surface colors. Studies show that fish react to specific colors. Maybe it is a color that occurs during mating or a color that triggers another response. However, what fish see and react to varies species to species. Also, unlike humans, fish can see ultraviolet light, which leads to options when tying flies or using skirted lures. Many materials can bring this into play. There is no doubt that color plays an important role in lure selection. Utilizing colors that show up at the depth you are fishing is a good strategy. Also, use colors that create contrast and make your bait visible under the conditions you are fishing.
Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
veryone has their go to lure or fly, that certain color and pattern that always gets the job done. But why is that one lure so effective? Is it the color, shape, action or just the fact that you have confidence in it? Undoubtedly it is a combination of all of the above, especially when you consider what the fish sees. The colors fish can see are limited by the light absorbing characteristics of water as well as the amount of light and the water clarity. In water, the longest color wavelengths are absorbed first. Red is affected nearly immediately, transitioning to a shade of gray within depths of just 15 feet in clear water. The absorption continues in the order of the color spectrum to affect orange, yellow, green and finally blue. It is important to note color absorption occurs both vertically and horizontally. No matter the depth, red will appear gray to a fish that is 15 feet away from the lure. The distance is shortened in stained water. Conversely, with blue being visible to about 90 feet in clear open water, it will show up pretty well. So does that mean color has little bearing? Absolutely not; while colors might not pop bright and vivid, they have a profound effect on contrast. This might be of even more importance in fishing. Many anglers have discovered that dark colors work better at night, in low light and in dirty water. This may seem counter-intuitive, but consider that fish see the contrast of a bait to its surroundings. Using baits with two colors boosts the contrast when fishing in turbid water. Colors, shapes and patterns are likely more important when fishing a particular run. If you are fishing the mullet run or a men-
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Tackle Corner:
By Mike Pehanich
Angling for comfort and joint health
O
nce upon a time, fishing was deemed a passive, even contemplative game, a quiet pastime spent under a straw hat and a warming sun. No more! Modern angling is an active endeavor generally characterized by energetic casts, and plenty of them. The aggressive style of the modern angler takes its toll on the body with back, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries. “As we get older, our bodies kind of fall apart,” said Bassmaster Elite Series angler Mark Menendez during an outing on Kentucky Lake. Menendez has developed tendinitis in his elbow. “I have had to figure out ways to fish that are less taxing on my body.” He has changed technique and equipment to reduce the wear. He fishes soft swimbaits like the Strike King Shadalicious far more these days, working them on relatively light spinning tackle and line testing no more than 10 pounds. It’s effective and easier on his elbow. The other adjustments he makes relate to his tackle. He lauds the Winn grips now featured on Lew’s Custom Lite, Lew’s Tournament Performance TP1 Speed Stick and Lew’s Mach Speed Stick rods. “The advantage to the angler is that the Winn grip adheres to your hand, but it’s not sticky,” he explained. “It just makes you feel you have a good grip on your rod and reel. The grips also allow me to make longer casts because I have better control of my rod and reel.” Musky and saltwater anglers are also taking advantage of the “tacky” feel and security of the non-slip polymer to protect against joint stress. Eavesdrop on a group of musky fishers for long and you’re bound to hear complaints of sore elbows and forearms. Many musky anglers are building custom rods with Winn grips, employing larger 1.25-inch Straight Taper split grips or a Straight Taper fore
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grip coupled with a 15-inch Straight Cylinder Saltwater grip capped with a fighting butt to extend the rear handle to 18-plus inches. Winn will add a new 18-inch grip to the Saltwater line this spring. Builders of custom surf and offshore rods are already making plans for its use. But oversized grips and rod wraps are finding favor with other anglers, too. At the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Okeechobee in February, anglers with arthritic hands and joint issues noticed the booth Winn shared with North Fork Bait & Tackle owner and rod builder Steve Keller, who also operates a Winn Authorized Service Center at his store in Jensen Beach, Fla. Arthritis sufferers noted their preference for larger grip diameters to ease gripping pressure. The 1.25-inch Winn grips caught their attention, as did the array of offerings in the Winn Superior Rod Wrap line of overwraps, which enable the angler to put a layer of non-slip Winn polymer over existing cork or EVA grips. Winn grips and rod wraps (www.winngrips.com) are available in a wide range of sizes and colors. The Winn interchangeable grip system offers an endless combination of configurations.
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER LEARN CONFIDENCE IN NEW TECHNIQUES
BRANDON LESTER
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rowing up in southern middle Tennessee, I was fortunate to have a lot of really good fisheries within a couple hours of my house. I had my choice between the Tennessee River lakes like Guntersville, Wheeler and Wilson or the typical highland reservoirs located in the hills of Tennessee. I spent many days fishing club events and absorbing every bit of knowledge I could. It helped me become a versatile angler and to stay in tune with the seasonal movements of bass. These things helped prepare me for the situations I would later face on
the Bassmaster Elite Series. I remember my very first Elite Series event. It was at Lake Seminole. I had never been to the lake and didn’t know a thing about it. After a tough first day of practice, I ran way up the Flint River to see if I could find something up there all to myself. What I found was a couple of small backwaters with clear water and fish that were setting up to spawn. These places had been completely overlooked, and I finished 21st in that tournament. I caught almost every fish on a floating worm, something that is very popular during the spawn around my home waters. That tournament and many others since have taught me that no matter where you go in the country, or what body of water you’re on, there will always be something that fits your fishing style. It may not always be the winning pattern,
but more times than not, I would rather be fishing for fewer fish with more confidence. The very best lure in any tackle box is confidence. But this doesn’t mean I stubbornly sticking to the same techniques I’m comfortable with. Successful tournament anglers must keep up with the latest trends. Lures, line, rods, reels and everything else are constantly evolving. It helps to stay on the forefront. As I travel the country, I learn a lot of new techniques and about new baits that work in particular regions. Every time I go to a tournament and a new technique arises that I’m not familiar with, the first thing I do when I get home is take it to a nearby lake and try to learn it. When trying to learn something new, it’s best to do it in areas you know hold fish. A good example of this was at the first Elite Series event of this year at Lake Cherokee. Cherokee is in east Tennessee, but it is much different than my home waters. There is a hot new trend among the locals there called the “Damiki rig” that is dynamite for catching smallmouth relating to baitfish. It is a small fluke-style lure rigged on a Lake Erie-style jig head that allows for precise placement of the lure at depth. I had heard about the rig leading up to the tournament and tried it in practice, but I never could figure it out. Our tournament was actually won on that rig, and several of the top guys were doing it. After that tournament was over, I spent the next day on my home lake with nothing but that rig. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about it. I went on to catch some big smallmouth on my home lake with it, and although I still don’t consider myself an expert, I feel like I can catch them on it next time the opportunity arises.
Get more tips from Lester at
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FRESHWATER BIRDIE BLOCKER Tired of scrubbing bird droppings from the tops and decks of your boat? If you’ve got a problem with birds using the railings of your craft to roost, Birdie Blocker is the solution that will keep your boat free of roosting birds and the nasty mess they make. Birdie Blocker is an easy-to-use and extremely effective bird deterrent to protect any boat with 7/8- to 1-inch railings. It is a simple system using fishing components and some high-quality UV clips. It can be installed in about five minutes, and it’s just as convenient to remove and stow when it’s time to head out for a cruise. A barrier of monofilament held up with easy-to-mount clips deters birds from landing on your rails and roosting on your craft. It is tangle-free and simple, and at less than $100 it will cover about 40 feet of railings. Two Birdie Blockers are the ideal solution for larger boats. The clips are also multi-purpose and can also be used to hang lighting, decorations or double as a make-shift clothesline. The Birdie Blocker is a great gift for any boater. These quality systems arrive pre-assembled and can begin protecting your boat in about five minutes with simple set-up that requires no measuring. It’s a no-brainer for anyone who is sick and tired of cleaning up after birds. Call Birdie Blocker at 440-231-4767 to order or email birdieblocker@ gmail.com. Visit www.birdieblocker.com to see an easy to use video.
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Endless Fishing Opportunities
In Marathon
By Capt. Chris Johnson, SeaSquared Charters Marathon, the very heart of the Florida Keys, offers fishing options as vast as the crystal blue waters that surround the islands. to experience the exhilaration of big game sport fishing closer to shore and easier on your budget. Rounding out the sport fishing options in Marathon are bonefish, snook, Goliath grouper, permit and barracuda. Each challenging in its own right and all worthy of a place of honor on your trophy wall.
F
ill Your Trophy Wall With visions of Ernest Hemingway’s exploits in their heads, adventurers flock to Marathon from around the globe to fulfill their dreams of catching the sportfish of a lifetime. The offshore deep blue waters are the realm of the mighty swordfish, who live in the 1,500-plus-foot depths. Fishing for swordfish is highly technical and is best done with an electric set-up. While a magnificent creature to display above the fireplace, swordfish are also prized for their food value. Closer inshore are sailfish, which are unsurpassed in their size range for combined strength and spectacle. These silver speedsters, with their distinctive blue fan-shaped fin, are free-roamers that seem to prefer the coral reef areas. They are best fished for where their favorite foods are plentiful, such as along weed lines or around schools of blue runners, goggle eyes or pilchards. Perhaps the most elusive of all the sportfish in the Marathon waters is the Silver King. The tarpon that visit the Middle Florida Keys each spring love to hang out at bridge passes, where their food of choice is easily obtainable. These areas are known for their relative calm conditions, making tarpon fishing a comfortable experience for all anglers, even those prone to seasickness. Using light spinning tackle and circle hooks, fishing for tarpon is about as sporting as it gets. And, to hook one and chase it through the bridge pilings, hoping to be rewarded with a few jumps and maybe a picture at the side of the boat is an unforgettable experience. With a plethora of media coverage of sharks, catch-and-release fishing for them has become increasingly popular. The Marathon area sees a vast spectrum of sharks, including lemons, blacktips, bulls, blacknoses, nurse, spinners, hammerheads and tigers. These range in size from little guys to behemoths at 12 to 15 feet in length. Light tackle, shallow water angling for sharks in the Middle Florida Keys presents the opportunity 30
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Fill Your Dinner Plate When it comes to catching fish with a top-quality food value, you’d be hard-pressed to find a greater bounty than contained in the waters surrounding Marathon. On the Atlantic coral reefs and wrecks, snapper of all variety are plentiful for the taking year-round. Yellowtails, mangroves, muttons and lanes offer endless rod-bending entertainment and fill the bellies of hungry anglers at the end of the day. Grouper – blacks, reds and gags – are ever-present as well, although they tend to retreat to deeper waters during the summer heat. Additionally, the season is closed for them from January 1 to May 1. There are many more species that provide high-quality table fare – too many to list – but include amberjack, cobia, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, pompano and on and on. Marathon’s offshore waters are fishing central for pelagic species that provide angling excitement. Venture 26 miles out to the Marathon Humps and you will be in tuna heaven. Blackfin and skipjack tuna are abundant year-round, and the only thing that can prevent you from getting there to catch them on any given day are the winds. But, on a calm day, the ride out and back is comfortable and the catching typically rapid-fire. Dolphin (mahi) and wahoo roam the open sea in a continuous hunt for food. Anglers seek them along weed lines and around any sort of floating debris. Feeding birds, particularly frigates, also indicate their presence. The spectacle of the blue and yellow blaze of a dolphin or the blue and white zebra-like stripes of a wahoo on the end of your line is indelible. Entertain The Family. There’s nothing finer for family bonding than spending quality time together on the water, away from the interruptions of everyday life. Marathon boasts multiple venues that are ideal for a day of family fun fishing. The patch reefs, Hawk Channel, the Seven Mile Bridge and the nearshore bay waters are chock-full of fun-catching fish. Snapper, hogfish, porgy, yellowjack, maybe even grouper, keep the rods bent with tasty rewards at the end of the day. Just for fun, there are sharks, barracuda, jacks and more. Catch ’em and release ’em and on to the next! So, whether you’re looking to fill your trophy wall or your dinner plate, or just have a great day out with the family, Marathon offers the fishing opportunities to make your dreams come true. Capt. Chris Johnson specializes in offshore, gulf/bay, reef/wreck, sailfish, shark and tarpon fishing with SeaSquared Charters, docked at Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club in Marathon. You can reach him at 305-743-5305, http://SeaSquaredCharters.com and http://Facebook. com/MarathonFishing.
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Micron: Generations of Innovation Every parent hopes their children will do well and have a better life than they did. At Interlux, we feel the same way about the products we make. With each new advancement and generation of Micron® Technology comes better performing, higher quality solutions. Innovation is a tradition we are proud to have carried on for over 30 years. From the long lasting and always dependable Micron CSC to our new, powerful water-based Micron Optima with Activated Biolux®, we build on our past success to deliver state of the art protection today. Whatever the year, you know you’ll always have the latest and best in Micron Technology. Visit our website for more information – yachtpaint.com
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All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2017.
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Register For
The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament
A
Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
nglers with the guts to mix big-game tournament fishing with kayaking will head to beautiful Grand Bahama this month to compete in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament April 2023. This two-day kayak fishing tournament will attract anglers and their family members from all over the world for a chance to win more than $40,000 in cash and prizes, and all to help raise funds for the Humane Society of Grand Bahama. There will be free entertainment, food, drinks, a huge raffle and lots of fun for the entire family! “This event, now in its fourth year, has gained tremendous interest and notoriety for anglers and sporting enthusiasts from throughout the USA, Canada, China and Brazil. We have seen the competition grow each year from 40 anglers in our inaugural year in 2014 to some 280 participants last year,” said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT) spokesman Richard Treco, Sr. “The high level of competition, coupled with our incredible on-island authentic cultural experiences and diverse product offering, makes this event most attractive for the seasoned as well as relatively new to the sport, angler.” Joe Hector, of Extreme Kayak Fishing International and organizer of the event, said he is excited to work with The BMOT on this tournament, and is particularly pleased with its rapid growth. “The Bahamas Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament truly is the gold standard for kayak fishing in the world, as it provides everything into one great getaway: fun and family adventures, awesome fishing from white and blue marlins to huge mutton snappers, friendly people and the most beautiful destination in the world,” said Hector. Pre- and post-tournament packages range from $595 triple or qua-
druple occupancy for a three nights stay to $1,370 single occupancy for a seven nights stay, which includes tournament registration, hotel accommodations at the Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, round-trip transportation for the angler and his/her kayak from Port Everglades to Grand Bahama, a cocktail reception and awards dinner. Fish caught during the tournament will be given to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, and volunteers assisting with the project. For more information or to register for the tournament, visit www. extremekayakfishing.com or call 954-661-0175.
To learn more about the event and how to register, go to
THEFISHERMANPARADISE.COM
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UNDER THE SEA
SLINGS AND POLESPEARS
from companies have challenged this SHERI DAYE traditional design by changing the here’s a fun retro-movement taking hand position. The place in spearfishing—a trend toward Headhunter Guerilla primitive hunting gear. Slings and Sling has a comfortable polespears are used in places that do not allow trigger mechanisms, such as Bermuda or the grip, which transfers the weight load from Bahamas, but they are growing in popularity the wrist and distributes the force throughout the forearm. Sea Archer slings look like an outside these regions too. This could be attributed to the new Sling/ underwater bow and arrow. The user holds Polespear category for world records, run by the body of the sling just as they would with a the International Underwater Spearfishing bow and arrow. There’s nothing more beautiful Association (IUSA). However, I suspect the than watching a skilled underwater hunter real reason is that many hunters appreciate using a sling and hitting the mark with a freethe challenge and simplicity, not unlike land- flying shaft! Polespears are another fun option. hunters opting for bow-and-arrow over rifles. It’s a beautiful art form that evokes images of They can be made of fiberglass, aluminum Indians using extreme stealth and having great or carbon fiber. The tip can have a flopper, three-prong paralyzer tip or a slip-tip. Neritic respect for their prey. Slings and polespears are great tools for Diving company makes polespears with someone who is either learning how to spearfish interchangeable sections that can be assembled or interested in improving their hunting skills. in different length configurations. Users may Compared to modern spearguns, they force a choose to use a shorter polespear when hunting diver to become calmer and stealthier because in dirtier water or in tight spaces. When diving of their shorter range. One must slow down and in deep clear water, fish may not be cooperative study the behavior of fish in order to get closer and a longer polespear may be desired. The to them. While both slings and polespears are ability to quickly construct your weapon of powered using rubber bands without trigger choice is one of the best recent innovations, along with magnetic slip-tips that don’t fall off mechanisms, these two styles differ. Slings, sometimes called “Hawaiian slings,” while diving. I must admit that I can’t help feeling a are similar to a slingshot where the band is pulled back to launch the spear. Traditionally, smug sense of satisfaction when I land an the shooter was a tubular-shaped piece of wood elusive fish with a simple stick and rubber with a hole drilled down the center so the shaft band. Regardless if you are a novice or could slide through when being launched professional, primitive hunting offers a forward by the band. Recent innovations fun and entertaining challenge. Why not
T
Charles Duffie with a polespeared hogfish. Photo by James Ferrara.
add another skill to your spearfishing resume and another choice in your toolkit? It will double your fun and make you a better hunter! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
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Spearfishing Course for Freedivers
By Capt. Chad Carney Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
I
n 2016, Freediving Instructors International (FII) presented their new spearfishing course at The Blue Wild Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. If you’re new to spearfishing or a veteran, this wealthof-knowledge course, from many of the world’s best spearfishermen and freedivers will be invaluable. All students must already have a Level 1 freediving certification from an internationally recognized agency. FII founder Martin Stepanek, and freediving instructors John Dornellas and Cameron Kirkconnell, wrote the textbook for the course, called FII Spearfishing. The first course was taught by Martin and John at Florida Freedivers, Jonathan and Kelsey Dickinson’s dive shop in North Palm Beach, Fla. just days before The Blue Wild. Jonathan became a FII Spearfishing Instructor in September and taught the course to most of his staff and several customers since. The classroom section of the course runs a half day and is packed with great content including spearfishing ethics, freediving safety, location safety about dive planning, site obstructions, currents, marine animals, divers and boats. Information about spearfishing gear, it’s handling and use is covered thoroughly along with underwater hunting skills and techniques. The second half of the day is the pool training, where speargun handling and float line training is hands-on. The provided spearguns are unique in that they can be loaded in the water with total safety, because their shafts are completely stationary, as they are permanently bolted to the muzzles and mechanisms. Otherwise, the spearguns are fully functional and allow the best practice for pool or confined water training. Hunting styles and tricks are also taught and practiced in the pool around a portable artificial reef at the pool bottom where students will stalk a foam fish. Certification is completed with the classroom and pool session, along with a written test. A day of real ocean spearfishing is an option and may vary from location to location, but in the Palm Beaches, Jonathan says they plan for a day of spearfishing in moderate depths where water entries with gear can be polished, and also float lines can be used in currents. Reefs with low structure are available for stalking with, aspetto and agguatto techniques. The photo is Jonathan Dickinson with a recent 70-pound amberjack!
Check out www.floridafreedivers.com and www.freedivinginstructors.com for more information about the course and spearfishing and freediving equipment. Capt. Chad Carney runs diving and spearfishing charters in southeast Florida and can be reached at 727-4237775 or chad.carney@yahoo.com.
To learn more about Florida Free Divers, go to
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FISH & FISHING
THE LIGHT WAND MARK SOSIN
L
earning to fish a fly in saltwater adds a new and extremely challenging dimension to the sport. Light-wand enthusiasts on the marine scene don’t have to trip over tradition that sometimes limits the thinking and performance of their brethren who focus attention solely on trout and salmon. There are differences. When you work over fish in a stream, you often have ample time to contemplate the situation, change flies if the first one doesn’t work, and even try several approaches. Even a shoreline largemouth bass lays claim to a stationary feeding station near a log or under the lip of a lily pad. Saltwater critters remain on the move, probing and prowling continuously or they hold on a seat in the restaurant until the water level rises or falls a certain amount. Then, they change position. If you happen to spot your quarry, you only have seconds to get a fly in front of it. The first cast has to count. Simple hesitation can cause you to miss the opportunity. When you are blind casting, it’s important to read the water and recognize another set of signals. Predators frequently follow a feeding rhythm tied directly to the stage of the tide. Since they are not restricted to a few deep pools or the tail end of a run, finding them and presenting a fly with accuracy requires detailed knowledge of their habits and habitat. Casting in saltwater demands a bit more distance than it does in many freshwater settings. False casting becomes a handicap when you’re trying to drop a fly in the path of a cruising gamefish. You won’t have time to admire the tight loops or match the distance to the target precisely before dropping the fly gently on the skin of the water. The repeated surges of a powerful marine denizen tethered to flyline, leader and backing, or the task of driving a fly into the wind and in front of a cruising fish have no parallels in other forms of angling. Once experienced, these challenges trigger an insatiable appetite that demands more.
For smaller species of fish, a 9-weight fly rod that is 9-feet long would be my first choice. The reel should be single action, hold adequate backing, and left or right hand retrieve. You should turn the handle with your primary hand rather than what many fly fishermen do today. With a 9-weight rod, the reel should hold at least 200 yards of 20-pound dacron or braid. The second outfit for larger fish starts with a 12-weight or 13-weight rod and a reel that holds at least 275 yards of backing. Again, if you are right handed, choose a right hand retrieve. If you’re new to fly fishing, the time to break out the fly rod is when fishing is very good and your chances of success are boosted. It pays to keep it rigged and handy all the time. Let me warn you that catching fish on a fly rod becomes addictive. Once you start hooking fish on the light wand you will also be hooked.
For more Mark Sosin visit
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UR-Cut
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DEXTER UR-CUT FILLET KNIFE
Ergonomically perfect. Virtually non-slip. Unmatched comfort. Unmatched control. Takes minutes to do.
A slippery knife can make filleting fish a difficult chore. Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives were designed to eliminate this problem, while providing comfort and control by custom molding the grip to a user’s hand. Coastal Angler put Dexter’s design to the test at the docks with a cooler full of sheepshead, which are known to be difficult to clean. The customization involves boiling the handle before dipping it in cold water and gripping it tightly so the owner’s grip is impressed on the handle. With attention to thumb position during the process, we were able to customize the grip to the exact position our fillet men prefer. It took just a few minutes, and the result was a well-balanced tool that felt secure and comfortable in the hand. Then we took our blades to the cutting table. Dexters are known for maintaining a super-sharp edge, and having just the right amount of flexibility. Past experience has taught us they are also easy to sharpen. We were not surprised to find the blade on our new UR-Cut knives performed flawlessly working along spines and ribcages. Our hands and the table were coated in slime, and this is where the URCut showed why it is more than just a good knife. We intentionally created a slippery situation by not washing down, and the non-slip properties of the custom handles performed as advertised. For more information, visit...
UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXSTEEL, super-sharp edge, and just-right flexibility that you are used to with Dexter... 1.Dip handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. 2. Dip in cold water for 1 second. 3. Grip and form handle for 10 seconds. 4. Put back in cold water for 10 seconds and your done.
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O/B MOTOR BRACKET Mounts to your existing swim platform
RATED FOR 2 & 4-STROKE ENGINES UP TO 15 HP OR 132 LBS.
ADD SOME KICK WITH PANTHER’S ALL-NEW SWIM PLATFORM O/B MOTOR BRACKET Transform your boat into a fishing machine and make trolling for your favorite species more efficient and productive. www.MarineTechProducts.com
f /PantherMarineProducts
PANTHER SWIM PLATFORM OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKET Now, with the new Panther Swim Platform Outboard Motor Bracket you can transform the family boat or even the work boat into a fishing machine. The convenience of having a kicker motor makes slow trolling for your favorite species much more efficient and productive. The new bracket easily mounts to most swim platforms and features three levels of convenient height adjustment to accommodate most platform heights and motor shaft lengths, for optimal prop depth and performance. • Rated for two- and four-stroke motors up to 20 hp with max motor weight of 195 pounds • Constructed of black powder coat aluminum • Comes complete with transom support bar for weight support torque resistance For more information, contact MarineTech Products at 1 651-486-2010 or visit
WWW.MARINETECHPRODUCTS.COM
Come Outside & Play in Okeechobee
www.visitokeechobeecounty.com
PWC Fishing Towers
Enclosures
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Rod Holders
Casting Platform
E-Box
Accessory Mounts
Lights
Storage Bag
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
3/20/17 3:41 PM
Ohio Man Charged With
Cleaning Out The Fishing Aisle
NEVER WAX AGAIN! RESTORE AND PROTECT YOUR BOAT
M
ost anglers would probably enjoy a shopping spree in the fishing section of the local Walmart. An Ohio man allegedly helped himself to not one, but two free-ofcharge shopping sprees last October, and has now been charged with stealing an estimated $3,800 worth of fishing gear, according to NBC affiliate WLWT. Warren County, Ohio prosecutor David Fornshell told reporters that Derrick Marcum, “pretty much cleared out the aisle.” According to the WLWT report, Marcum was arrested last October when he attempted to carry two backpacks stuffed with fishing gear out of an Ohio Walmart. He was arrested that same day for the theft of $1,300 worth of gear. But it wasn’t until recently that investigators connected that incident with another theft that occurred the previous day at another Ohio Walmart. Marcum allegedly filled five plastic bins with tackle and then proceeded to the self-checkout, where he paid only for the bins. Investigators valued that heist at about $2,500. A grand jury indicted Marcum, and he waits in jail for his arraignment, according to reports. Jail time seems a pretty steep price, even for thousands of dollars worth of fishing gear.
Poli Glow does what wax can’t! As seen on Ship Shape TV
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FREE SHIPPING Code: CA13 | 1-800-922-5013 WATCH THE DEMO at PoliGlowProducts.com
Be Your Own Boss Coastal Angler Magazine is now offering Gulf Coast markets for franchise development. If you love the outdoors this is a great opportunity for you to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.
Editor in Chief
FREE Venice, Louisiana:
GULF COAST (Available Now)
A Paddler's Heaven
Bass Pro
Local
Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
Mike Iaconelli
Talks Kayaks Inshore
M RMABG.CO I D E LAN GLE L E W O R L D W COAOSTA I E S A VA I L A P P O R T U N I T
JEFF SCHNEIDER PHOTO COURTESY OF VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 267
• New Orleans, LA SOLD! • Baton Rouge, LA • Lafayette, LA • Corpus Christi, TX • Austin, TX
APRIL 2017
F R A N C H I S E
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For More Information On These And Other Franchise Locations
Call Tracy Patterson 321.777.2773 Email info@coastalanglermagazine.com
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#1
RA LO HE FL
ITEM 6125
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$
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100 SW TRA
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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# 1 SELLING
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JACKS IN AMERICA
RAPID PUMP® 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL SAVE $190 FLOOR JACK ITEM 61282 shown 61253/62326
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26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART
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ITEM 95659 shown 61634/61952
– Truckin' Magazine
• 580 lb. capacity
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Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/1/17.
$269.99
• Weighs 73 lbs.
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SAVE $269 LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17.
$
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ITEM 69780 41005 shown
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45 WATT SOLAR PANEL 10 PIECE KIT ITEM 62443 68751 shown
SAVE $83
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$
149
99
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$203.73
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Blade sold separately.
ITEM 61971/61972 98199 shown Customer Rating
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VALUE LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 8/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
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Item 68498 shown
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18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER AND FLASHLIGHT KIT
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ITEM 63476/61840/61297/68146/61258 shown
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$2999
Compare 99 $39 .94
1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE
• Air delivery: 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI, 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI
7" VARIABLE SPEED POLISHER/SANDER
Customer Rating
ANY PURCHASE
WITH
SAVE $296
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FREE
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Customer Rating
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ITEM 69091/61454 61693/62803 67847 shown
99
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1000 LB. CAPACITY SWING-BACK TRAILER JACK
2.5 HP, 21 GALLON, 125 PSI VERTICAL OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 68496/61363 68497/61360 68498/61359
$499
8
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AMERICA'S BEST GENERATOR
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4000 PEAK/3200 RUNNING WATTS 6.5 HP (212 CC) GAS GENERATORS
Customer Rating
ITEM 69676/69729/63080/63079 shown ITEM 69675/69728/63090/63089 CALIFORNIA ONLY
SAVE $149
7 $15.99
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SUPER COUPON
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$ 99
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ITEM 69594/69955 42292 shown
$
339
Wheel kit sold separately.
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$439
LIMIT 3 - Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 8/1/17. At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go toHarborFreight.com or see store associate.
Use Coupons:COASTALANGLERMAG.COM In-Store, HarborFreight.com or 800-423-2567 • THEANGLERMAG.COM APRIL 2017
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suzuki spring savings Three Limited Time Offers Make A Good Deal Even Better Suzuki Gives You All Three So You Don’t Have To Choose One Or The Other
Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.
Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)
Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.
See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today and find out how you can get the ultimate deal on the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard.
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.
Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.
REPOWER FINANCE
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*
For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “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. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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3/20/17 3:41 PM
PENNFISHING.COM
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN The Slammer is back! Featuring a full metal body and rotor, IPX6 sealed gear box and spool design, a full Brass CNC Gear system,
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and a smooth yet powerful Dura Drag System. The Slammer is not only back…. it’s better than ever before.
3/19/17 2:26 PM
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