WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA EDITION
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VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 285
F R A N C H I S E
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THEANGLERMAG.COM O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
NOVEMBER 2018
W O R L D W I D E
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One trophy deserves another.
No fishing competition offers the cash – or cache – of a tournament in The Florida Keys & Key West. Win a trophy here and you’re one step closer to angling fame and fortune. And with offshore and backcountry tournaments every month of the year, and tournamentproven captains to put you on the action, the chances of topping the leaderboard are better than you might think. fla-keys.com/calendar/fishing 1.800.fla.keys 4
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Veteran’s Program Announcing Our New
for
Franchise Ownership!
EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Nick Barna • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.comw ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FRANCHISE DIRECTORY FLORIDA BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA/DELAND : Amy Chibbaro • (386) 478-3812 • achibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com
Chris Chibbaro • (386) 478-9234 • cchibbaro@coastalanglermagazine.com
FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com
If you’re a veteran, love the outdoors and have been looking for a way to own your own business, we believe we have the perfect fit for your next professional endeavor. We have franchise locations available thoughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii.
LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/DESTIN/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com
Our success with helping veterans to learn to publish their own localized fishing/outdoor magazine leads us to believe that our franchise opportunities are a perfect fit for a wide variety of veteran talents and training.
flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Doug Simmons • (704) 361-6189 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com
Juli Simmons • (980) 333-7273 • simmons@theanglermagazine.com
COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : Brenda Riggs • (757) 409-7518 • brenda@coastalanglermagazine.com
Now, with our special Veteran’s Program, owning a Coastal Angler or The Angler Magazine franchise has never been easier.
Mike Riggs • (757) 681-5001 • mriggs@coastalanglermagazine.com
WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635
If you love the outdoors and have ever considered owning your own business, you owe it to yourself to check out our Franchise opportunities and our new Veteran’s Program.
lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
ALABAMA/PENSACOLA : Paul Caruso • (239) 980-7738 • paul@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL
For more information on our franchise opportunities call
(321)777-2773 or email info@coastalanglermagazine.com
VIRGIN ISLANDS/PUERTO RICO : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers.
Cover photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Dan Bailey, Mikey Erickson, Phil Wolf, Rosemary White, Nick Carter and Victoria Watts.
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AUTUMN SALES EVENT JUST IN TIME FOR THE FALL BOAT SHOW SEASON Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower this fall. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available.
SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION 3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection
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If you’re in the market to buy, we have the deals! See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today for all the details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
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Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. “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. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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TRES NIÑAS TOURS CENTRAL-PACIFIC
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Travel Destinations Mexico
Mexico Ecuador Trout
Photo by Justin Uga
DESTINATION: El Salto, Mexico FISH: Largemouth Bass PEAK SEASON: September-July THE FISHING: There might be a few lakes out there that produce larger largemouths on occasion, but none are as consistent as Lake El Salto at producing huge catches of quality sized bass with the ever-present potential to catch a true giant. For more than 30 years, El Salto has been one of the world’s best bass fisheries, and it remains right at the top of the bucket list for travelling bass anglers. It is a place where 100-fish days are normal, the average fish weighs 4 to 5 pounds, and 7- to 10-pound fish are a regular occurrence. The best day on El Salto? Well, the lake record bass weighed 18 pounds, 6 ounces. The record for most bass caught in a day stands at 607 fish. El Salto is a 25,000-acre impoundment of the Elota River. It sits in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. A yearround growing season and the introduction of Florida strain largemouth bass in the 1980s helped build this big-bass factory. Abundant tilapia as a forage species as well as varied habitat and lots of sunken timber maintain it. If all this doesn’t pique your interest, it’s worth mentioning that many of the biggest fish caught each year from El Salto are victims of topwater tactics. INFORMATION: www.anglersinn.com
Mongolia
DESTINATION: Khentii Aimag and Khovsgol Aimag, Mongolia FISH: Siberian Taimen PEAK SEASON: June 15-October THE FISHING: Imagine fly fishing a river for trout that can weigh 20 pounds
or more. Now imagine these giant trout surface feed on ducks and rodents instead of insects. Sounds like a fairytale, right? Well it’s not. Fish like this actually exist, but the behaviors of Mongolia’s Siberian taimen are more aptly described as the stuff of nightmares than fairytales. The taimen is the largest, most ferocious salmonid in the world. Tactics for catching them include chugging giant topwater poppers on 9-weight fly rods, and the violence exhibited on a taimen’s take can only be matched by the ensuing fight. Anglers can expect to tangle with good numbers of taimen in the 6- to 15-pound range on a week-long camp-and-float through gorgeous Mongolian canyons. A trophy longer than 40 inches and weighing 25 pounds or more is a definite possibility. But the fishing is only part of what makes a Mongolia so special. The warmth of Mongolian hospitality, the skill of its guides and the beauty of its scenery make for an unforgettable expedition. Taimen fisheries in Mongolia are catch-and-release, fly fishing only with a single barbless hook.
DESTINATION: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador FISH: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna PEAK SEASON: January-April THE FISHING: Everyone has heard of the tortoises, diving iguanas and other strange wildlife that made the Galapagos Islands famous. The incredible bluewater fishing is not as well publicized. Deep sea currents carry warm waters and plentiful baitfish past this underwater mountain range about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Blue, black and striped marlin congregate to feed around banks that rise to 300 and 600 feet from more than 2,000 feet of water. It’s some of the best fishing in the Pacific, and it’s only about an hour’s run from the docks at San Cristobal. The striped marlin bite might be the best in the world, with fast action for fish that average 200 pounds and get up into the 350-pound range. Blacks and blues are less frequently encountered than striped marlin, but they are plentiful and big. Fish from 500 to 800 pounds are the norm. Topwater popper fishing for yellowfin tuna is off the chain for fish up to 150 pounds. Big dorado, African pompano and Almaco jacks are bonus fish. And the wahoo fishing is good, as well. INFORMATION: sportfishgalapagos.com
Florida Keys
DESTINATION: Florida Keys, U.S.A. FISH: Tarpon PEAK SEASON: April-June THE FISHING: Although the Florida Keys aren’t as remote as many of the marquee fishing destinations this planet offers, the fishing is second to none. On the southern edge of the continent, where the Gulf Stream carries fecund waters from the Gulf of Mexico through the Florida Straits to the Atlantic, this chain of islands is perfectly situated to create one of the most productive marine environments in the world. Big-game sportfishing and backcountry fly fishing arose from the outstanding and diverse fisheries of The Keys. Year-round, there is excellent fishing inshore, nearshore and offshore. One of the most iconic of these fisheries is for big flats tarpon. There are always tarpon present in the Florida Keys, and nowhere else in the world do they run so thick through clear, shallow waters during their migrations. In ultra-clear water, sight fishing for these beasts from a flats skiff has to be the ultimate shallow-water experience. The size and raw power of tarpon are unmatched among flats species. The aerial displays of fish heavier than 100 pounds are part of what makes fishing in The Keys legendary. INFORMATION: fla-keys.com
INFORMATION: www.fishmongolia.com; 8 NATIONAL I NOVEMBER 2018www.mongoliarivers.com I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Franklin County, Florida DESTINATION: Franklin County, Fla. FISH: Tarpon, Redfish, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Jack Crevalle, Amberjack, Gag Grouper, Pompano PEAK SEASON: June-December THE FISHING: Take a step back in time to experience Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Every cast could produce something different in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Last month, Hurricane Michael lashed out on this beautiful slice of the Panhandle, but the fisheries should bounce back as strong as ever. You’ll find offshore species like wahoo, grouper and sailfish, as well as inshore species like pompano, redfish, tarpon, jack crevalle and speckled trout. In early spring, look for cobia and Spanish mackerel nearshore, while inshore you’ll find trout and redfish crushing topwaters. In summer, the king mackerel bite can be non-stop and tarpon are big and plentiful. Several species of snapper and grouper are always on the menu while offshore, blackfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish and more can be had. As we get into fall, big jacks will be tearing up tackle and the delicious flounder will be found as they spawn. False albacore or bonito can warm up a cool day in the blue water, also. From the mouth of the Apalachicola River to Carrabelle, you’ll find some of the hottest action anywhere! Redfish, trout and flounder abound, and you can cast for freshwater species like bass and stripers the same day. INFORMATION: www.floridasforgottencoast.com
Santee Cooper, South Carolina
Russia
Pike Mongolia
DESTINATION: Kona Coast, Big Island, Hawaii FISH: Pacific Blue Marlin PEAK SEASON: April-September THE FISHING: If a giant marlin is on your bucket list, there may be no better place in the world to check it off than on the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. On the southeastern end of a 1,500-mile archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, massive shield volcanoes protect the leeward side of the Big Island from wind and rain, resulting in nearly perpetual calm seas off the Kona Coast. Three miles from land, the bottom drops into 6,000-foot depths while winds and topography create miles-wide cyclonic eddies that funnel nutrient-rich water up into the warm surface layers. These localized patches of biologically productive water attract big pelagics. Within sight of land, there is the opportunity to catch six species of billfish, six species of tuna, ono (wahoo) and mahi-mahi, among others. The main drawing card is blue marlin… big ones. Kona lays claim to more than 80 blues heavier than 1,000 pounds over the years, and that doesn’t include all the granders that were released. More than half of all the granders ever recorded from the Hawaiian Islands were caught off the Kona Coast. INFORMATION: www.gohawaii.com
Photo Courtesy of James Bradley
DESTINATION: Kamchatka, Russia FISH: Rainbow Trout PEAK SEASON: July-September THE FISHING: Some scientists believe the Kamchatka Peninsula is where rainbow trout originated in a web of cold-water rivers on Russia’s eastern coast. With very few roads and little human population to speak of, this roughly 100,000-square-mile slice of land across the Bering Sea from Alaska is as remote as it gets. In fact, the only feasible way to access its hundreds of miles of trout water is by helicopter. Kamchatka is a place that makes even the Alaskan tundra seem overpopulated with humans. It offers a wilderness experience unlike any other, and the fishing isn’t too shabby, either. Trout that eat dry flies, streamers and deer-hair mice skated across the surface average 20 to 22 inches. Each short season, anglers catch 30-inchers that are aggressive and as hot as they come. And while the rainbows are the headliners, there are also several species of Pacific salmon that make annual runs into the peninsula. Huge kundzha, a close relative of Dolly Varden, weigh into the teens. And trophy grayling round out a diverse fishery that’s one of the most unspoiled on the planet. INFORMATION: www.thebestofkamchatka.com
DESTINATION: Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina FISH: Striped Bass, Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Shellcracker PEAK SEASON: Year-round THE FISHING: For a world-class freshwater fishery, the Santee Cooper lakes in South Carolina are as accessible as it gets. Interstate I-95 crosses Lake Marion and I-26 flanks the twin-lake system to the south. The lakes are connected by a 7-mile-long diversion canal, which provides another unique fishery. Lake Marion’s 102,400 acres of water are a timber-studded, aquatic vegetation-laden fish factory, while Lake Moultrie’s 59,900 acres have an incredible diversity of underwater cover and structure. This twin-lake system provides unmatched freshwater diversity. Marauding striped bass provide surface-schooling triple-digit catches per boat in peak season. The state record blue catfish was taken in 2017 and topped 113-pounds. Catfish in the 50- to 70-pound class are reasonable targets, and the big-fish population is on an upsurge. The system currently holds the world record channel catfish at 58-pounds. Need more? Crappies are abundant and commonly exceed 2 pounds, with 3-pound-plus fish distinctly possible. The system holds state records for black crappie at 5-pounds, largemouth bass topping 16-pounds and the former world record shellcracker that tipped the scales to 5 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces. Santee Cooper is the living legend of freshwater fishing. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I NOVEMBER 2018 I NATIONAL 9 INFORMATION: www.santeecoopercountry.org
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By Mike Erickson
F
ifteen years ago, a friend and I flew into San Jose and took a small plane to Quepos, Costa Rica, where we fished offshore on a 42 express boat called Fishing Frenzy. It was my first fishing trip to Costa Rica, and I didn’t know it at the time, but the over-the-top offshore experience was typical for this tropical Central American paradise. It consisted of plenty of tuna, sailfish and dorado, and the never-ending chase for marlin. The trip had such an impact that it became an annual event. Then, four years ago everything changed. I started some business dealings in Costa Rica, which allowed me to begin splitting time between Costa Rica and my native south Florida. It has been the adventure of a lifetime. I’m not sure I can say what specifically drew me to Costa Rica. I think it’s a little bit of everything. The people, the adventure, the fishing and the beautiful scenery are all truly amazing. The people are always happy and definitely live the national slogan “Pura Vida,” which translates to “The Pure Life.” The diversity and magnificence of the scenery is over the top. Delivering Coastal Angler Magazine throughout the country has exposed me to different and varying locations. Within a four hour drive I can be exposed to the volcanos and hot springs of Arenal, the gorgeous beaches and surfing of Guanacaste, the beautiful and exotic jungles of Golfito and the Osa Peninsula, the quiet beauty and fishing of the Nicoya Peninsula, the world class surfing and fishing of Herradura, Hermosa and Quepos, and even the cooler climates and cultural centers of the Central Valley. The tourism of Costa Rica is truly an adventure. From ziplining through a jungle canopy to four wheeling up a mountain, from white water rafting to rappelling down a waterfall, and even seeing sloths and monkeys in their natural habitats, the adventures are endless. Adventure definitely exists in the fishing of Costa Rica. In 2017 the Herradura Quepos fishery was named the No. 1 billfishing area in the world by the Billfish Report. Offshore fishing easily offers the complete line up of pelagic fish and often includes double-digit catches. This is one of the few countries where catching an offshore billfish grand slam can be accomplished in one day. Last month, Coastal Angler Editor-in-Chief Ben Martin came down and we managed to squeeze in one day of fishing on my 32 Luhrs, Dream II out of Los Suenos. Where else in the world can you catch two blue marlin, two sailfish, and 15 dorado in a day of fishing? The inshore fishing for roosterfish, cubera snapper, snook and even tarpon is also world class. The freshwater fishing offers everything from rainbow bass (guapote) to machaca, and trout to largemouth bass. I have been to many places in the world, and Costa Rica stands out as one of my favorite bucket list destinations. Mike Erickson is co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine Costa Rica.
For more on fishing in Costa Rica, go to
OFFSHOREANGLER.CO COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Destination Fishing! By Tom Schlichter
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t’s 2 p.m. on a bright, sunny day and I’m pitching pilchards in the shadow of a small bridge not 50 yards from a marina. As my bait turns and swims momentarily into the sunlight, a sudden swirl connects me to a solid slot-sized snook. My line has been in the water for less than a minute. “It can happen fast,” chuckled Capt. George Gozdz, who in 2019 is scheduled to host a new fishing show on The Sportsman Channel called Unfathomed. “There’s quality snook under almost any significant structure around here.” “Around here” would be the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and St. Lucie River system, an estuarine wonderland on Florida’s southeast coast that stretches 155 miles and dishes up everything from monster snook, gator trout and delicious pompano to king-sized tarpon, jacks and a variety of grouper. The city of Stuart sits dead-center in this expansive maze of fishing heaven, and makes the perfect launch point Capt. George Gozdz shows off a monfor learning these waters. ster St. Lucie River snook. Look for “The diversity in this area is 8- to 10-foot depths with good current something special,” explained Gonear structure to find the big ones, he zdz, “Two systems converge here, said. Photo courtesy of George Gozdz. the St. Lucie River and Indian River, and St. Lucie Inlet provides access for ocean pelagics like sailfish. Inshore, snook is the most popular target on a year-round basis. From December through March, you’ll find the best action up inside the St. Lucie River because the water is warmest there. The stretch from Rt. A1A (aka: 10 Cent Bridge) west into the north or south fork of the St. Lucie River is the prime winter snook area. I throw Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows and Hydro Poppers in low light conditions and pitch pilchards once the sun gets up in the sky.” Generally speaking, tidal stage doesn’t matter much for these snook, as long as the water is moving. Look for heavy structure near 10-foot depths with good flow and you’ll eventually connect. “Keep in mind this isn’t finesse fishing,” advised Gozdz. “There’s no way to haul a big snook— they can top 40 inches in length—out of heavy structure with light lines. I use 80-lb. test Yo-Zuri Super Braid with an 80- to 100-lb. test Top Knot fluorocarbon leader.” If you are looking to stay overnight in Stuart, Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina (www.piratescoveresort.com; 772-287-2500) is a great choice with affordable rooms, wet slips and free launching around the corner at the Sandsprit Park. To fish with Gozdz, email: ggozdz@bellsouth.net.
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SOUTHEAST
Photo by Nils Rinaldi/flickr
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here are new size limits in place for inland waters within North Carolina’s Central-Southern Striped Bass Management Area. During the harvest season, which runs until April 30, 2019, the minimum size limit for striped bass is 26 inches and two fish can be kept per day/per angler. Waters covered by this new regulation include: • Tar-Pamlico River and tributaries from Rocky Mount Mill Dam downstream to Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge at Washington • Neuse River and tributaries from Falls Lake Dam downstream to Pitchkettle Creek • Pungo River upstream of the U.S. 264 bridge at Leechville • All other unlisted inland waters of coastal rivers and tributaries in the Central-Southern Management Area, except Cape Fear River and tributaries Striped bass are stocked annually into the Tar and Neuse rivers
at a rate of 100,000 fish per river. These hatchery fish are raised to an advanced size prior to stocking, usually 6-8 inches. The objectives of these stockings are to supplement wild populations and help bolster natural production, according to Chad Thomas, coastal fisheries supervisor for NCWRC. “Unfortunately, this objective is not being met,” Thomas said. “Formal evaluations conducted since 2010, with the assistance of genetic testing, confirmed that nearly all the striped bass adults collected from spawning grounds of the Tar and Neuse rivers were hatchery fish.” Biologists hope the new 26-inch minimum size limit will give these hatchery fish additional protection to allow them to spawn multiple times prior to harvest. Larger, older striped bass contain significantly more and larger eggs. The idea is to increase egg production on the spawning grounds with the intention of observing recruitment of wild (non-hatchery) fish in these river systems. “While we know this rule is frustrating to many of our anglers who like to keep fish, this is a conservation measure aimed to promote production of wild striped bass in the Tar and Neuse rivers,” Thomas said. “Currently, these river populations are considered fully supported by hatchery fish, which is counter to our management goal of having self-sustaining populations of striped bass in these rivers.” Advances in genetic technologies now allow Commission biologists to calculate the percentage of hatchery fish returning to the Tar and Neuse rivers each spring. During field sampling, a small fin clip is removed from each fish prior to release, and genetic comparisons are then made with all known broodfish parents used during hatchery production. “Genetic testing is absolute and allows us to calculate the percentage of hatchery fish each year,” Thomas said. “We will closely monitor the effectiveness of this new regulation and recommend modifications if management objectives are not being met.” For more information about fishing North Carolina’s inland, public waters, visit ncwildlife.org/fishing.
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t’s official. Lionel Ferguson’s 5-pound, 7-ounce Tennessee black crappie is a new IGFA All Tackle World Record. Ferguson’s historic catch is the heaviest crappie ever recorded by the IGFA and replaces the previous record for black crappie that has stood since 2006. Ferguson caught the record crappie on May 15, 2018 while fishing in Richeison’s Pond in his hometown of Philadelphia, Tenn. After hooking the fish, Ferguson played the crappie on 6-pound-test line for about five minutes after it hit the jig and grub he was casting. Once landed, Ferguson knew he had something special and immediately took steps to have crappie officially weighed-in and registered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), which awarded Ferguson the state record after a DNA test confirmed the fish as a black crappie. “Setting an IGFA All-Tackle world record for such a popular and highly sought after game fish species like the black crappie is truly an incredible feat,” said IGFA President Nehl Horton while signing Ferguson’s world record certificate. “We congratulate Mr. Ferguson on his incredible accomplishment and are proud to have him as a member of the IGFA.” The IGFA All Tackle World Record for white crappie is 5-pounds, 3-ounces. It was caught in 1957 by Fred Bright at Enid Dam, Miss. To learn more about the IGFA’s world record program, visit https:// igfa.org/.
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10/18/18 10:11 AM
BLUE RIDGE
(An abbreviated excerpt from Flyfisher’s Guide to North Carolina & Georgia)
By Nick Carter • NC Forest Service Photo
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he Little River, near Brevard and Hendersonville, N.C., achieves the original purpose of delayed harvest trout waters back when they started popping up all over the Southeast in the 1990s. It provides a cool-weather trout fishery where there otherwise wouldn’t be one. It was one of the later additions to the DH program. The 2,200acre tract the Little River flows through was purchased by the state in 2000, bringing the total acreage of DuPont State Forest up to more 10,400 acres. This state-managed recreational area is heavily visited. Several lakes and the gorgeous Little River waterfalls bring a lot of non-fishing traffic to the park. Just like most DH waters, the river also receives heavy fishing pressure. There are a lot of trout stocked by bucket brigade into a stretch of about a mile and a half between
Lake Construction
Dense Lake and Hooker Falls. For beginners and those who enjoy catching a lot of fish, it is a good option. It’s also a good option because the Little River offers spectacular scenery. Upper Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls draw scads of waterfall watchers and photographers on busy weekends. The plunge pools at their bases are also a good place to practice deep nymphing techniques. The runs just upstream of the falls are off-limits, though. Fishing within 300 feet of the tops of the waterfalls is prohibited. The standard assortment of DH flies should suffice. Egg patterns, flashy streamers and nymphs, and worm patterns are always popular with freshly stocked trout. The catch-and-release season runs Oct. 1 through May 31, this year. After this the river opens to harvest under regular hatchery-supported regulations. Some of the other creeks spread over the Dupont property have water conditions conducive to wild trout year-round. These are mostly small streams with tight conditions and little fish. For the adventurous angler who enjoys exploring small flows, they are an option when the DH gets too crowded. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission sampled all of the waters of the state forest in 2000 to develop a management plan for the fisheries. Almost 50 percent of the streams on the property hold populations of wild rainbows, browns, brook trout or some combination of the three. There aren’t many who know there are nearly 18 miles of trout water on the park. Pretty little wild rainbows up to 9 inches inhabit most of these creeks. If you find yourself at DuPont and have caught enough fish on the delayed harvest, it might be worthwhile to take a look at Grassy Creek and Jim Branch. There are also several other little streams worth exploring, and some of them contain native brook trout. For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of all the region’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia.” It is available on Amazon or by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
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33-year-old state record fell on Sept. 29 when a Kansas angler reeled in a 10-pound, 2-ounce cutthroat trout from Arkansas’ North Fork of the White River (Norfork). Mike Bowers, of Abilene, Kan., caught the 26-inch-long cutthroat with salmon eggs on a river he has fished annually since before the old record was set. The Norfork tailwater is known for good hatchery supported trout fishing. It is fed by cold water from Norfork Dam, which backs up Norfork Lake just south of the Missouri border. The Norfork Tailwater feeds the White River near Mountain Home Arkansas. The previous record, a 9-pound, 9-ounce fish was caught on the White River in 1985. “To be honest, it didn’t fight real hard,” Bowers said. “It was a much older fish, the biologist said, and it was docile. We drifted downstream with it naturally, had the drag out about 70-80 percent, I’d feel the drag and I’d pull it back in.” Bowers’ fish was officially weighed and certified by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists. It was also determined to be a cutthroat raised by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Norfork National Fish Hatchery and stocked in either 2008 or 2011. At some point, state records for all four species of trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook) have come from the Norfork Tailwater. Arkansas’ current cutthroat trout minimum length limit on the Norfork Tailwater of 24 inches (one fish per day) took effect Jan. 1, and should help protect and grow larger fish.
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ith hurricane Florence unleashing massive flooding in the Carolinas and Michael pummeling the Gulf Coast, it’s easy to see the destructive forces of high winds and heavy rains on land. What’s less obvious are the effects of these massive storms underwater. They can wreak short-term havoc on some recreational fisheries. And although nature has a way of healing itself, the widespread fish kills documented in the Carolinas are a stark reminder of what hurricanes do beneath the surface. According North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologists, plummeting dissolved oxygen levels caused fish kills that went on for weeks in more than 15 rivers across the state. Fish kills were reported in many coastal rivers, but they also stretched far inland as flood waters caused significant drops in dissolved oxygen levels. Fish essentially suffocated, as they were unable to absorb enough oxygen through their gills. Shallow mud flats and estuaries, like the excellent inshore fisheries of the Florida Panhandle, experience a massive influx of cold, fresh rainwater. This reduces salinity and temperature and kills fish. It can also impact the food web. Larger fish might be able to flee from unsuitable conditions, but crabs and other smaller, slower moving marine life are trapped. In the surf and farther offshore, strong currents and large waves that extend well below the surface are destructive to bottom structure like reefs. They also mix the ocean’s layers, which are normally arranged top to bottom by salinity and temperature. Larger marine animals, such as sharks, are known to just swim away on the approach of a large storm. However, with rapid salinity and dissolved oxygen changes, marine life can suffer for months following a large hurricane. Augusta, GA (706) 738-4536
387 Highland Ave. Augusta, GA 30907
Book the Fishing Trip of a Lifetime in the Beautiful Mountains of North Georgia and Western North Carolina with the Area’s Top Rated Guide Service. Fish with the Pros and Get Featured in The Angler Magazine
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BLUE RIDGE
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NOVEMBER 2018 l WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
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NOVEMBER 2018
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MURPHY AREA LAKES November and December Fishing Forecast for Murphy Area Lakes
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By Aaron Kephart
s of this writing (October 12), we are currently experiencing our first cool snap of the year, and it feels awesome. Even though the weather has been abnormally warm for early fall, the fishing has been spectacular. It should remain so for the next few months. With that in mind, I would like to look at what you can expect in the months of November and December on our Murphy area lakes. Current water temperatures on Hiwassee are running in the upper 70s, while Apalachia is low 60s to
mid 70s, and Chatuge is also in the mid 70s. The water temps will drop dramatically in the next few weeks, as will the lake level on Hiwassee. The bait and fish will make some monumental moves in response to those temperature drops, which dictates mobility on the angler’s part as well. Basically, if you aren’t catching fish, don’t be afraid to move around, and always be on the lookout for the presence of baitfish in the area. Pretty much all of the main predator fish (stripers, spots, largemouth, and smallmouth) are currently staging at the mouths of pockets and main creeks. They will continue to follow the bait further back into the creeks and deep coves as the water temperatures drop, and there should be a noticeable increase in surface activity. This pattern should continue until the surface temperatures drop below 60 degrees or so. I really start to get excited when the water temperatures hit the mid 50s. This is when the fish will stop scattering and start congregating in huge numbers on channel points, creek basins, deep flats, and creek channels. Some of our biggest numbers of the year (well over 40 fish) often occur when this migration happens. These fish
are grouping and eating in preparation for winter, and the good news is that once you find these concentrations, they often stay put for weeks or even months at a time, as long as the weather is somewhat stable. In terms of species to catch and baits to throw, late fall and early winter offer a lot of options. The species available will be striped bass, hybrid bass, spotted bass, brown trout, walleye, and largemouth bass. However, the star of the show in the cooler months, at least for me, is the smallmouth bass. I will often throw walking topwater baits or wake baits to start off the day until the fish completely turn off of them (usually when water temps hit the 50s). Other artificials that see considerable use are swimbaits (both hard body and soft), Alabama rigs, crankbaits (lipped and lipless) and hair jigs (I tie my own). The fish are really keyed in on bait this time of year, so I make sure that whatever I throw imitates the predominant baitfish in the body of water I am fishing (primarily blueback herring and gizzard shad). With that said, I provide a tank full of live bluebacks for all of my guide trips in addition to providing all of the artificials as well, and I also provide gizzard shad and live rainbow trout depending upon what
the fish want at the time. Late Fall and Early winter might be better known for changing leaves, deer season, and college football than they are for fishing, but there is no need to put the rods up just yet. This timeframe often offers some of the most fun and productive fishing of the year. At this time, I currently have a couple of November and a few December dates left. I am also offering gift certificates for the angler on your Christmas list. Give me a call at 865-466-1345 to get in on the Murphy area’s best action.
Aaron Kephart is the Owner of Mountain Lakes Guide Service. To book a guided trip on one of the Murphy area mountain lakes, contact him by phone at 865-466-1345 or by email at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com Check out his website at http://www.mtnlakesguideservice.com and catch him on facebook@mountainlakesguideservice
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NOVEMBER 2018
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 3
LAKE HIWASSEE
Monster Striper Fishing on Lake Hiwassee
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all is for striper fishing, and November is a fantastic time to hit the water for some big stripers. Lake Hiwassee offers some fast paced striper action and if you want some huge 30 to 50 pounders we also have nearby Lake Nottely. So, after filling up on that yard bird, grab your favorite rod and book a trip with Murphy, NC’s #1 and only fulltime striper guide: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We’ve been striper fishing these mountain lakes longer than anyone and have what it takes to put you on some huge fish. Currently, Lake Hiwassee is 19 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear and water temps are in the low 70s. Striper fishing has been extremely excellent. We’re still averaging around 20 to 30 stripers per morning out here. The early-morning and evening bites are your best times to see action. We’ve also had some heavy bites in the mid-day hours. With the
4 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By Shane Goebel
cooling water temps, continue to target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel but also look for schools to move back into the creeks. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 6 to the dam. The top-water bite has picked up a bit, so keep a spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag surface-busting fish. The fish will continue to be schooled up throughout the next month and will remain in deeper water before starting to spread out in their typical winter pattern. Just remember to keep an eye on your electronics and watch for schools of stripers when cruising the lake. This is an excellent striper lake, and it’s only going to get better if we help them thrive. I predict some huge monsters out here in the next 5 years but we have to keep them in the lake. November is a fantastic month for catching some big fish on this lake. From smallmouth bass to
NOVEMBER 2018
hard fighting stripers, there are many great opportunities to catch a number of fish species on Hiwassee Lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy fish. We are Murphy, NC’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lake Nottely, Chatuge and Blue Ridge. And for all your live blueback herring and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry every-
thing you need for a successful day of fishing. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!
Shane Goebel is the Owner of Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service and a member of The Angler Fishing Team. Contact him at www.bigolfish.com or (828) 361-2021 / 1-(844)-4-ANGLER.
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LAKE CHATUGE Lake Chatuge Hybrids with Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service By Darren Hughes
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all fishing is wide open out here on this awesome Western North Carolina Lake. The cooler water temperatures have really got these big fish feeding. Currently, Lake Chatuge is 8 feet below full pool. Water temps are in the low 70s, and water clarity is clear throughout the lake. Hybrid fishing has been wicked great. These fish are still schooling in large numbers, and we are catching some big quantities. We typically average about 30 to 50 hybrids a trip. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest-fighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The early morning and mid-afternoon bite has been prime. Look for schools of fish along the main channel and off points. Downlining live blueback
herring has been the best technique. Fish will be slightly shallower in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by mid-morning. With the cooling water temps, the top-water bite has picked up considerably. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a plug, spook, or red fin at the ready. As the month progresses, these hybrids will work their way back into the creeks and spread out. Time to break out the ol’ planer boards. Spotted bass fishing remains excellent, too. We are still catching some huge spots throughout the day, and it’s not uncommon to put 30-40 of these feisty fish in the boat in one trip. Early morning top-water bite has been strong. Top-water plugs, spooks, and jerk
Fly of the Month
baits have worked well. Our downline bite has also been very productive, especially in the mid-morning hours. Look for fish to be schooled up on shallow clay banks, humps, and off points. In terms of location, the upper end of the lake has been producing slightly better numbers than the lower end. Fall 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,
made-from-scratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, 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 and Guide for Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. Look him up at www.bigolfish.com or give him a call, (706) 745-6569 or (828) 361-2021.
By Jake Darling
Unicoi Outfitters, jake@unicoioutfitters.com
Root Beer Midge Hook: #18 TMC 100 Bead: 5/64 Tungsten Copper Thread: UTC 70 Brown Underbody: UTC Tinsel, Brown Ribbing: DMC 3371 Embroidery Thread (one strand)
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local favorite! An easy pattern to tie, and a proven pattern through the winter months. The Root Beer Midge is my go-to pattern when trout become very picky. This
pattern is a killer on tailwaters, but also works well on our clear water freestone streams as well. Add some to the box this winter and watch your catch rate increase!
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NOVEMBER 2018
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 5
Expanding Your Fishing Horizons
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By Capt. James McManus
his is the fishing destination issue and while I love our mountain and piedmont lakes, the lure of different species pulls me pretty hard. My all time favorite place to fish is around the boot of Louisiana on either side of the Mississippi River. Places with names like Delacroix, Hopedale, Houma, Reggio and my favorite...Venice, make my casting arm twitch. These are places that have speckled trout, sheepshead, huge gar and black drum but are best known for that beauty called RED. In North Carolina, they are puppy drum, South Carolina-spottails, but nowhere are they as big or as plentiful as Louisiana redfish. I have been blessed to be sponsored by Firedisc Cookers to fish redfish tournaments on the east coast, Florida, Alabama and Louisiana. My partner, Lou, and I have several top ten finishes out of up to 140 boats but never have won a tournament. Don’t feel sorry for me though, and I certainly don’t, because every tourney we fish, we get to practice for 4 or 5 days beforehand. This gives me opportunities to search out little jewels, locally called duck ponds that may hold a couple, or a couple of hundred, redfish. We fish out of either my Ranger bay boat or Lou’s Shallow Stalker tower boat. Both boats give us elevated stands where we can look down and hopefully sightfish reds with just a flip of a Gulp or a spinnerbait. There is no thrill equal to watching a cruising red stop, tip that tail up and feel
that distinctive “Tick” just ahead of your spinning reels drag start to scream. If the weather turns off windy and stormy, which is often the case, we are relegated to fishing popping corks but that brings me back to childhood bream or crappie fishing and watching that cork go down is almost as much fun as a sight bite. The fact we are tournament fishing adds a twist that amplifies every fish caught. It also increases the pressure to get it right. We lost a tournament once when a worn leader broke at the boat, another we were disqualified from weighing in an oversized fish because we forgot our tail slider which helps pinch your tail consistently. Redfish tournament fishing is a game of parts of ounces and less than 16’s of an inch. Slot fish in Louisiana are 18 to 27 inches and so you try and catch fish as close to 27 as possible. You also look for the dark rusty ones that have fattened up in a little puddle slurping down shrimp, crabs or mullet as they pass within reach. Culling and keeping the right fish alive is an art in itself and my partner and I have lost out when all of these factors weren’t aced. A tournament in South Carolina was won by one one hundreth of an ounce, he rolled up his weigh bag from the checker to the weighmaster quicker and lost fewer drops of water off the bag. Well, enough about the redfish, there are shrimp to be caught with a castnet, a five gallon buck-
et of shrimp look really tasty after they are deposited in the freezer with no pricetag dangling. Appalachicola showed my son, Eric, and I what the word Gator means when talking about seatrout, My friend John, a retired Episcopal priest, showed me that Yankees in Lake Champlain don’t have to acquiesce to us southerners when bass fishing and also can add things like pike and muskies to the list. In other words, there are fish everywhere, waiting to be caught, waiting to teach you something else about these creatures that glide in the weightless zones. Get out, and if possible get away from your familiar haunts;
there is a whole world of creatures to stretch your string. One of my all time favorite trips was given to me by my beautiful bride several years ago. The Marguiree River in Nova Scotia is famous for it’s run of Atlantic Salmon. We spent five days casting and wading, talking and eating with locals streamside, and in all that, I had one bite, no hookup, just a single sharp tap, but it is still one of my all time favorite trips. Let that be your goal, enjoy without restrictions of winning or connecting, the act of fishing is what you are looking for. Be safe, praise God for all these places and see you down the road, Later, Capt. James
Capt. James McManus is the Owner of 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day of boat fishing!
Swainglers Lead by Example
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By Tammy Millsaps
ear three of Swain C ounty High School’s fishing club, The Swainglers, kicked off in September. It was a sunny, very warm day for that time of the year at 288 Boat Access on Fontana Lake. Twenty students, most of them new to the club, ventured out onto the very muddy shore using a variety of live bait and lures. They patiently cast, hoping for a tight line. Anglers remained diligent, but the fish weren’t cooperating. Fish may not have been caught,
but “treasures” were definitely found. The fresh lakebed that had surfaced from Fontana Dam releasing water into the Little Tennessee River, unearthed a bounty of finds. Stefan’s top find was a tackle box. Unfortunately, a lot of trash was exposed. I am so fortunate to sponsor this great group of kids! Kobe and Logan had a truckload of debris when they left. We didn’t have any catches to brag on, but the Swainglers left Fontana Lake cleaner than we found it!
Tammy Millsaps is the Leader of The Swainglers fishing club at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. They fish once a month of the school year during club time. Contact her at tmillsaps@swainmail.org for more information or to support this popular club. 6 WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
NOVEMBER 2018
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SWAIN & JACKSON COUNTY / BRYSON CITY / ROBBINSVILLE
Fontana Walleye
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By Ronnie Parris
ey folks, if you’re like me, the weather is more to your liking this month and it’s not just us, the fish are liking it better too. This is the month that kicks off the great wintertime walleye bite on Fontana. The walleye may be as deep as 100 foot or as shallow as 30 foot, as me and my friend Kevin and I, learned one year. We had been catching in about 70 foot depth range for over 3 weeks and for some reason, on this trip, all the fish we saw were around 30 to 40 feet deep. We were almost sure it was white bass or spotted bass, and Kevin is strictly a walleye angler this time of year. As for me now, on the other hand, I might be a little trashy but I decided I didn’t care what they were. Since the walleye weren’t biting, I was going to put the downrigger on my side shallow and catch whatever we were marking. As soon as I made the change, I got a hit and in a few minutes, was high polling a nice walleye into the boat. Kevin immediately pulled up to 40 foot and was hooked up almost instantly. After finding the right depth, it only took a short time till we had caught our limit of nice walleye. One of my biggest faults, and probably other angler’s as well, is thinking we know exactly what depth a certain species will be in and not trying when the fish finder shows them in a different range. I like trolling, so if you
see me at this time of year that’s probably how I will be fishing for them, but vertical jigging is also a great way to catch a good limit. For jigging, I prefer icejigs and spoons; make sure to bring several color patterns, as walleye can be very color selective. I have also caught walleye dropping a live minnow in them at this time. As far as trolling lures, I start off with a variety till I see what they are hitting best and what colors. I usually start off with Alabama rigs, repalas, spoons and crankbaits. Size and color usually change trip to trip. Pay close attention to size when you catch a fish as some days you have to run small lures. Trolling speed is very important and a few tenths of a mile per hour will make a big difference. I usually run shallower lures for bass while I troll but if the walleye are schooled tight, I don’t run a wide spread so I can turn faster and get back on them. Always watch for breaking fish. If they break on the surface in the same place for long, there will be walleye under them, deeper, catching the shad as they dive and scatter from the bass. Water temps are going be cold, so be careful and always wear a life preserver. Stay safe and enjoy the bite. If you would like to learn how to catch some cold water Fontana walleye, give me a call at 828488-9711 an I would be glad to take you out on the water.
Ronnie Parris is the Owner and Head Guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, North Carolina, heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. (www. smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com)
Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING We offer both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.
1012 East Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC • 828-488-9711, Cell: 828-736-9471
smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com
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NOVEMBER 2018
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 7
How To Be Invisible In The Woods
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he Angler Magazine is well known for publishing informative, locally written articles on fishing. They are always loaded with useful tips, interesting stories and great photos. On occasion, a non-fishing, but, related topic finds its way onto The Angler’s pages. Sometimes a fishing trip includes back country camping. It is a great way to get away from everything and fish some remote water? Many backcountry campers probably learned about this fun activity in the Boy or Girl Scouts, or from their parents. Old Scouts, like myself, learned the basics of wilderness camping with a focus on survival. It wasn’t until recent years that Scouts have been learning how to camp without leaving a trace of having been in the woods. Scouting accomplished this by integrating the principles of Leave No Trace into their Outdoor Ethics Awareness awards and merit badge programs. LNT has its roots in the 1916 Organic Act. It was further developed
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By Mike Kesselring
within the ideals of the 1964 Wilderness Preservation Act. The first LNT pamphlet for the public was created in 1987 and included a list of guiding principles. In 1990 the United States Forest Service partnered with other organizations to provide LNT materials and training to the public. Then, in 1994, LNT, Inc was formed to help expand and promote outdoor ethics through the combined efforts of the NPS, BLM, USFS, USFWS, businesses, outdoor groups, and individuals. Many campers leave behind more than a trail of breadcrumbs, completely unaware, or they just don’t care. Without some form of Leave No Trace training or education campers probably know less about the ethics of backcountry camping than they may realize. Being conscientious about and considerate of other campers, wildlife and natural surroundings is the foundation of LNT. The core values of LNT are seven principles designed to reduce human damage caused by non-motorized outdoor recreation. Learn these prin-
NOVEMBER 2018
ciples and enjoy the outdoors even more knowing you have left no trace. Classes for LNT can be scheduled for organizations, companies and private groups by contacting Mike Kesselring of Bryson City, NC at mikessel59@gmail.com or 828-7366929 or going to the LNT.org website where membership and merchandise information is also available.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles: Plan Ahead and Prepare • Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit. • Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. • Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. • Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. • Repackage food to minimize waste. • Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. • Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. • Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary. • In popular areas: • Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent. • In pristine areas: • Disperse use to prevent the creation
of campsites and trails. • Avoid places where impacts are just beginning. Dispose of Waste Properly • Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. • Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. • Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. • To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater. Leave What You Find • Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. • Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. • Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. • Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches. Minimize Campfire Impacts • Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. • Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. • Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. • Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
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Respect Wildlife • Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. • Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. • Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. • Control pets at all times or leave them at home. • Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. Be Considerate of Other Visitors • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. • Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. • Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. • Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. • Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises. Visit the LNT.org homepage to learn more about the Leave No
Trace program. There are over fourteen cellphone sized plastic reference cards explaining the seven Leave No Trace principles for a wide variety of outdoor activities. They include backcountry, frontcountry, fishing, hunting, winter, heritage sites, rock climbing, canyoneering, geocaching, and other activities. They can be attached to a backpack of fanny pack for quick reference. © 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Mike Kesselring is owner and operator of Point to Point Shuttle Service. He is a volunteer coordinator for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He’s written about and taken photos of the GSMNP for decades. He is the proud of owner of perhaps the largest fly collection in WNC.
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NOVEMBER 2018
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 9
THAT AIN’T NO BULL…Yes It Is! By Eddie Hudon
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his story is about my trip to Montana, in July 2018 with my friend James Serra. The plan was to float the Missouri River and throw dry flies all day. The water level a month before we got there was 20,000
cfm’s. Didn’t look good. Although it dropped to 10,000 cfm’s, we had to change our plans. One of the options we had was to fish the Blackfoot River. The river is famous for it’s cutthroat trout and Bull trout. Cutthroat trout are identified by
the Orange markings on their gill plates. Bull trout are identified by the pale spots on their body with no black spots on the dorsal fin. While floating the Blackfoot, we were throwing dry flies (chubbs-looks like a beedle) with red San Juan worm as our dropper. The river was loaded with fish! We were catching cutthroat’s left and right. During one of those hook ups, James caught a 15” cutthroat. As he was bringing it in, it started to go wild. Why? A 32” Bull Trout was chasing it. We witnessed the whole thing. The Bull trout devoured the cutthroat. Now the real fight was on. After a twenty-minute battle, James landed that Monster. We estimated the fish to weigh
13.5 lbs, plus 1.5 lbs for the cutthroat (15 lbs. LOL); we released it unharmed. It’s in the Blackfoot till the next time. That’s NO Bull!
Eddie Hudon is the Owner of Blue Chip Fly Fishing headquartered in Whittier, NC
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CHEROKEE / GSMNP / GATLINBURG
East Tennessee Fall Forecast By Chad Fouts
National Park-
The fishing in the National Park right now is slower in the morning due to the drop in temperatures at night. You will not be disappointed in the water levels! We’re catching most of our fish between 10am and 5pm. We are throwing dry dropper rigs in the higher elevations and double nymph rigs. With that being said, higher elevation rivers such as Road Prong and Upper Little River are fishing really well past 10am. If you want to hit the lower elevation rivers, it would still be best to hit them in the morning despite the cold. We’re using Orange dry flies with natural nymphs underneath, and of course, a squirmy in the mix won’t hurt. Remember to keep as much fly line and leader off of the water as possible!
South Holston-
There have been high flows on and off due to the rain we have been receiving. But, in between the flows has been some red-hot fishing! The water temp at mid-day is averaging about 47 degrees F so make sure to bring your waders! Best time of day to fish the river is about the same time we are fishing the park right now, 10am - 4pm. BWO’s and Black Flies are catching most of the fish right now. When you are floating the river throw MEAT, MEAT, MEAT on a full sink line.
Clinch River-
About the same on the Clinch River as the South Holston- flows are high due to weather and small windows of really good fishing! Midges, Sulphurs, and Beetles. Try to throw a 12 foot leader, it will
work wonders. When you are floating, try and throw a double streamer rig. Hint: olive and white with a depth charge full sink line.
Gatlinburg Stocked Waters-
The City of Gatlinburg is still stocking every Thursday and water temperatures have lowered, which has made the fishing amazing. There are several very large fish hiding in those waters. Any bigger, flashier fly will catch these freshly stocked fish, while more natural stonefly imitations and worm flies work well for fish that have been in the river for a while. Feel free to give us a ring at the shop with any questions about the fishing. Chad Fouts is the Fly Shop Manager at Smoky Mountain Anglers in Gatlinburg. He is a self described Fly Fishing Junkie.
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NOVEMBER 2018
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 11
Think Open Water
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By Scott Norton
he summer to fall transition is finally coming to an end, and we now have a clear pattern to track bass with. What’s the fall pattern? Think open water. This time of year, bass school to corral shad for consumption. The intake of calories is very important to store energy for the winter months to come. This will also make it easy for anglers to ambush the bass. This will give you a hint as to what pattern to use. This pattern tells me to use moving baits or something that looks like shad. There are lots of choices for matching the hatch. Paddle tails, glide bait, jerk bait, jigging spoons, flutter spoons, flukes, chatter baits, and spinner baits with a paddle tail trailer. If you stick to this list, you can’t go wrong. Why not use jigs or worms? You can use slow moving baits, but with the bass moving
around, you want to cover as much water as you can. If you use lures that just target objects of structure you’ll have to use luck, and that’s what your trying not to do. So what kind of gear do you need for these baits? You’ll want a 6-foot 10-inch medium rod with a high-speed reel. For spinner baits, chatter baits, flukes, flutter spoons, and jigging spoons use a 7-foot 3 inch to a 7-foot 6-inch medium heavy rod with a high-speed reel. When using swim baits, you will want to use a 7-foot 11-inch to an 8-foot rod with a standard to a high-speed reel. Pairing these baits to the right gear is very important to your set up. The goal is to get as much out of your baits as you can. Your line selection should be a fluorocarbon since it sinks on all these baits. With baits with a treble hook, use 10 to 12-pound test.
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Baits with single hook, use 15 to 20-pound test depending on the weight of lure your using. Bass will move from the main lake to the secondary points in the creek channels. The lower the temperature gets, the further to the backs of the creeks they will go. This is also the time of year to really concentrate on your graphs. If you don’t have a graph, do not worry, just look for signs of life on the surface. Shad are easy to see during this time and once you locate them, then you know where to start casting. Bass this time of year are less likely to spook as they are in a frenzy to do what nature says to do, kind of like deer in the rut. They lose their ability of rational
thought. Be sure to take advantage of this time when making small adjustment can give you big gains. Correct set ups on your gear will ensure your bait will perform like it is designed to. Hope this helps and good luck this season.
Scott Norton is a native of Western North Carolina. Born in Asheville, NC, he is a long time avid hunter, angler, and weekend warrior. He is a member of Southern Raft Supply’s prostaff team representing them in his Jackson Kayak Coosa FD.
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Fall Has It All By: Ryan Kennedy
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Email: ryankfishing@gmail.com YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing Instagram: @ryankfishing Facebook: Ryan Kennedy Fishing
eer hunting, fall fishing, cooler temperatures, Thanksgiving, and the month before Christmas. Welcome to November folks! Are you more excited about fast-paced fishing and crisp mornings in the deer stand or are you already focused on busting down the doors at your favorite sporting goods store come Black Friday? For me, I couldn’t care less about fighting crowds to save a couple of bucks on something that I probably don’t need anyways. That’s valuable time that I could be resting up for the next morning of casting lures or letting an arrow fly. As a million ideas of what all I want to do in the outdoors this month pop into my head, I can’t help but think that having that train of thought is a bit selfish. Now of course, between me, myself, and I, there are countless things that I desire to do, but I believe that there is no better time to get a child, friend or family member involved in the outdoors. Wildlife is abundant and active this time of year, and it would be a shame to let such an opportunity pass. Just about everyone can think back to the first great experience they had in the outdoors, and if you’re like me, it was undoubtedly LIFE CHANGING. I can’t even imagine my life without having a never-ending love for the great outdoors around me. When I say that my involve-
ment in the outdoors has been a life changing experience, I mean that with every bit on sincerity in the world. Fishing local holes has given me some of the biggest smiles my face has ever experienced. Hunting out of a tree stand with a view of nature from above has given me a place to think through any thought that could ever pop into my head. Hiking up a mountain just to sit on a rock and gaze out into God’s amazing creation and talk to Him humbles me more and more every time. I could go on and on, but I think I would have to write a book before I was able to even list half of what the great outdoors has to offer. With all of that said about my personal experiences, take someone fishing, hunting, hiking, or ANYTHING in the outdoors to show them an experience that they will never forget. I am beyond thankful to have grown up with family and friends that always gave me opportunities in the outdoors to find my passion just as they had. It’s not all about going outside and trying to make someone have fun, folks, it’s simply about taking the time to introduce someone to what you had the privilege of being introduced to and the tradition of passing on a love for the outdoors will continue. I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and God Bless!
Enjoy our relaxed dining experience overlooking Jonathan Creek We have something for everyone, veggie platter, fried catfish, lemon peppered catfish, or a killer turkey melt with bacon. We make all our sauces in house daily. Our southern pearl catfish fillets are straight out of the Mississippi Delta. Try them grilled with our lemon pepper seasoning or have them deep fried to perfection. We will also serve it on a freshly baked onion roll or kaiser bun with all the fixins on top.
Catering, Large or Small • Pet Friendly Dine indoors or outside under the canapy
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Check out the Dollar General ad for a free sandwich coupon.
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World Class Smallmouth on the West Prong of The Little Pigeon River By Ian Nicely
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here are only a few places in the country where you can regularly catch smallmouth bass the size of the ones in East Tennessee. The smallmouth are abundant, and they are large. During the months of April, May, and early June, anglers can enjoy some of the best fishing of their lives. Ever since I caught my first 6 pound smallmouth, I’ve been
Ian’s brother, Jon Nicely holding two smallmouth
hooked. During the prime months for smallmouth, I try to go fishing as much as possible. For a while, I even convinced myself that I was going to be the one to catch a new world record smallmouth. Although I’ve since come to the realization that that probably isn’t going to happen, there’s still no better rush than pulling in a monster smallmouth. My best fishing trips usually happen when the conditions don’t appear the best. I always prefer days when there has been a decent amount of rain in the preceding days. The water levels are up slightly and the water is cloudy. The fish always seem to be bigger on days like this. One such day, my brother and I hit the water to float several miles of the river. The sky was overcast, as rain from the previous days was
moving out. After an hour of fishing, we had caught some nice fish, mostly in the 3 to 4 pound range. As we were fishing from my old 17’ aluminum canoe, my brother hooked one. It was a big one. Before I had time to pull my line in to help land the fish, I hooked one as well. With the water being as cloudy as it was, we couldn’t see what we had. After fighting the fish for a while, we finally got both of them to the surface. My brother’s fish was a big one. Mine was an absolute monster. Out of all the smallmouth I have caught through the years, this one was the biggest. We took some pictures, measured it to be 24 inches and put it back in the river where it had lived for so long. At the time, I thought
maybe this fish would grow to be the world record I was once after. I rarely keep fish though, as I feel it is very important to practice catch and release to preserve the fishery for future generations. This fishing trip with my brother will be a memory that will last forever. If you are looking for some beautiful scenery and some worldclass smallmouth bass fishing, come to East Tennessee in the spring. You certainly won’t be disappointed.
Ian Nicely is owner and operator of Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort. He lives in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with his wife and three children. He loves fishing and all things outdoors.
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ASHEVILLE / HENDERSONVILLE / BREVARD
A Trapper’s Journal from the 90’s By Wilson Love
(NOTE: In this, the “Fishing Destinations Edition” of this magazine, let me say that my favorite destination to fish is wherever my friends invite me to go. And my favorite meal: the one I’m eating right now. It’s that daily contentment thing that took me about fifty years to grasp. Phil. 4: 11-13). The old man taught me a lot. I was forty at the time and never asked his age. His health wasn’t good. Emphysema had taken his breath and his strength. Still, he smoked one cigarette after another and blamed secret government activities for his condition. “Fur ain’t worth nothing now,” he would say with a little sadness. “The Anti’s efforts have seen to that. The only ones that fool with trapping now are like me and you that just enjoy it.” I had asked Mark Allen to go with me to Barnardsville and set up two ponds with muskrat and mink traps. He was pretty well known in the valley as a trapper and fur buyer. My traps, and most of my plunder, came from his fur shed. But it was late in the season now and he hadn’t set a trap of his own. Asked by others for his skilled help, he just hadn’t had the motivation or energy to do the work of man’s ancient dominion. (Genesis 9: 2-3) He would, however, be glad to help me at Barnardsville if it wasn’t too cold on the day I wanted to go. Well, it was cold that Saturday, but thank God no wind or rain. When we got to the ponds on Dillingham Creek I popped the trunk lid on the old Buick and hung my head. “I can’t believe it.” “What’d you forget?” he said. “I can’t believe I forgot my waders.” “I’ve done the same.” He cracked a grin so small you had to
be looking for it. “You were excited about going with me and what not. I know something about how people’s minds work.” The old man was right. I figured he had already forgotten more about trapping than I would ever know, so I wanted to learn everything I could from him. Yes, I was excited. We drove the eighteen miles back to my house and got the waders. It hadn’t warmed up at all since daylight and I offered him the use of my coveralls. He gladly accepted. Back at the ponds, we started by the small lower one near Mr. Gordon’s house. The bank was mowed clean at least half way around the quarter acre of water. Traps in hand, the old man assumed the lead and headed for the briar patch that separated yard from woods. As he walked, he pulled a piece of tie wire off the roll in his left hand. We stopped and he said, “Throw one in beside that hump,” looking at a moss covered root in half a foot of water. The old man cut another piece of wire and had two sets done before I got my little coilspring bedded. Man, he’s fast - I thought – or am I that slow? He walked thirty feet down the wooded bank, turned and came straight back up. “Nothing down that way.” What? My mind raced. If there’s anything here it is down that way. That’s where the cover is, I mused, but spoke nothing. Moving back around the slick open bank he stopped at a spindly laurel bush two feet from the water’s edge. “Here, tie one to that bush and set it in this little pocket here.” I did as told and stuck a chunk of apple on a stick ten
inches above the trap. “Fold a sycamore leaf over your apple. That way the rat can see it but anybody walking by won’t.” Clever. We walked a short distance. He stared into the water to its black bottom. “Looks like they’re tunneling in, away out.” Enter ignorance. “Really?” Tunneling in from away out? Who knew? Who knew to look? And how can you tell? I don’t see anything. “Drive a stake and set one here, close to the bank as you can. Break your apple in three pieces and press it into the mud.” This I did and our next stop was right in front of Mr. Gordon’s house.
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There, just off the front porch, sat a small boy on a black iron bench holding a fishing pole. From the peeling paint on his hat, face and shoulders, we guessed he had been working that spot for some time. Back to the water. “See that plastic pipe? See if you can slip your foot under it and pick it up. We’ll tie off to it.” Okay, no trouble to lift a one inch irrigation line up off the bottom and wire a trap to it. But why? No muskrat is living or even visiting in Mr. Gordon’s front yard. Not here. Not within ten feet of the front porch and in plain view of that young fisherman. This place is barren. I’ve seen better signs on a frozen mud puddle. When
CONTINUED, A TRAPPER’S JOURNAL, PAGE 24
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 17
Fish for Hungry Trout at Hunger Games Site in Western North Carolina
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uPont State Recreational Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, provides not only a scenic setting for trout fishing, but also a unique one. The delayed harvest waters of Little River flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those same waters were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie. Movie buffs who wet a line on Little River in the DuPont Forest will no doubt recognize Triple Falls, which played a prominent role in multiple scenes in the movie. But there is good news for anglers: spending time on this stretch of Little River does not involve the
life or death struggle it did in Hunger Games. Everyone is expected to come out alive. Many anglers also come out happy as this 1.8-mile stretch of Little River is stocked annually with a combination of 7,750 brook, rainbow and brown trout. North Carolina Wildlife regulations require a valid fishing license and the delayed harvest designation means it is single-hook artificial lures only with no harvesting of fish from Oct. 1 through the first Friday in June. Starting the first Saturday in June and continuing through Sept. 30, there are no bait restrictions and a creel limit of seven trout per day with no minimum length on trout harvested. Because DuPont is a state recreational forest, there is ample parking in both the Hooker Falls
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Access Area and the High Falls Access Areas, with wide, easy-to-navigate trails to many of the key fishing spots. One downside to fishing this stretch of Little River is the popularity of the trails and waterfalls with those who do not fish. Expect plenty of hikers and sightseers, especially on nice weekends. And when the fishing is done, Hendersonville provides plenty of options for outdoor exploring, listening to live music, sipping craft beverages and enjoying great meals. The town’s main street has a serpentine shape surrounded by pedestrian-friendly sidewalks punctuated by planting beds, park benches and outdoor dining. The abundance of orchards makes Henderson County an ideal
location for hard cider fans. Three cideries offer tasting rooms: Flat Rock Ciderworks on Main Street, Bold Rock Hard Cider in Mills River and Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders in a 1940s-era barn-turnedcidery. Another craft beverage experience is the East Coast location of Sierra Nevada Brewery, considered the Taj Mahal of craft breweries in the eastern U.S.
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RIVER REFLECTIONS
Bears, Bees, and Pink Cupcakes By Joe Woody
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y next-door neighbor, Dylan had a bear encounter the other morning. Not a terrifying encounter but a bear encounter nonetheless…most are at least a little pucker inducing. He walked out of his front door smack dead into a three or four hundred pound bear casually munching on his daughters pink cupcakes. Apparently, there had been a birthday party during the week and the leftovers were placed in the trash for pickup…it was a Tuesday. The bear was not startled and continued his breakfast. He continued to pilfer through a few other garbage cans that morning. I managed to pick up most of the trash before the trucks came. I’m telling this story to highlight the preponderance of bear interactions we are having around the mountains lately. There are bears downtown. There are bears at the mall. There are bears at the hospital…bears everywhere. I would imagine if a bear could write an article for a fishing magazine, he would be wondering, “Why are all these people in my back-
yard?” He might even write a story about leaving his den one morning and running smack dead into a three or four hundred pound man eating all his blueberries. With all these bears venturing into civilization, just imagine how many bears there are out in the wilderness. Personally, I’m running into them everywhere, I’m sure other adventure anglers are doing the same. The bear sitting at the end of Dylan’s driveway eating pink cupcakes is a little surreal and a perfect segway into a recent “near” encounter I had. I say “near” because I actually didn’t see the bear but I’m quite sure he played a trick on me. My buddy, Barry, and I recently completed a “Hazel Creek Walk”. If you are not familiar with the term, a “Hazel Creek Walk” consists of a trip of three to four days walking and fishing the Hazel Creek Watershed in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This trip is usually completed one of two ways. You can start at Proctor on the North Side of Fontana Lake and fish upstream, or your can start at the top, like Barry and I did.
Starting at the top eliminates the strenuous uphill climb coming out of the watershed. Either way, be prepared to walk twenty-five miles or more depending on your side fishing excursions up Walker or Proctor Creeks. We started our trip from the Clingman’s Dome Parking Area. We walked up the steep Tower Trail for obligatory selfies at the top of the tower then struck out west on the AT toward Double Springs Gap and the trails intersection with Welch Ridge Trail. A mile into our walk, we started finding numerous, large piles of bear poop. When we turned south down Welch Ridge, the
piles became larger and closer together. We passed large swaths of earth, recently rooted up by large bands of wild hogs found at high altitude during the summer. We passed a large grassy area recently pressed down by a large “Sounder” of hogs. We never saw the animals, but just out of sight we often heard large animals busting through the underbrush to avoid us. It was kind of unnerving. This continued all the way down the valley…bear poop and boar root. Our fourth day before our last push out to Fontana, we decided to explore a seldom-fished area across Ha-
CONTINUED, BEARS, BEES AND PINK CUPCAKES, PAGE 23
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 19
How to Set Up a Drop Shot Nymphing System
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t’s hard to argue that nymphing is an effective way to target trout throughout the year and through varying types of water conditions. Nymphing techniques have multiple branches of skills to be mastered that all have their place on their water, but one thing that can make or break a nymph system is your leader set up. In this article, I’ll discuss my favorite leader set up for a technique called drop shot nymphing, which can be utilized on virtually all water types here in Western North Carolina where trout are present. A leader in fly fishing is the tapered mono/ fluro line that connects the fly line to your flies. How leaders are made, or built, will determine their overall performance in the water; most specifically the sink rate/ turn over of heavily weighted streamers
By Ethan Hollifield and nymph rigs. For nymphing, one of my favorite systems that I run for all water conditions is drop shot nymphing. Drop shot nymphing was made famous by Kelly Galloup, and the system I use is based off of his with some slight modifications. My leader formula for drop shot nymphing is as follows: 9-15 feet of Maxima Hard Mono (depending on water depth) starting with 30lb, 25lb, 20lb, 15lb, then 10lb test segments down to a steelhead grade tippet ring which I attach using a uni-knot. From this tippet ring, I’ll attach generally a 1’– 2’ of 5x tippet (size and mono vs fluro are based on water conditions). At the end of the tippet is my point fly, which describes the heaviest fly you’ll have. In the middle of the tippet segment, I’ll tie a surgeon’s knot that acts as a stopper for a dropper tag. Now, all I use for a
dropper tag is a 4” section of 5x tippet to my dropper fly (the fly of lesser weight in the system). The other end of the dropper tag is tied off with a perfection loop. The fly is passed through the loop above the surgeon’s knot in my section of 5x attached to the point fly and pulled tight. Having this dropper tag allows for the top fly to move more freely in the water and keeps it at a true 90-degree angle away from the main tippet. Lastly, if conditions call for added weight: I’ll attach another segment of tippet off of the bend of the hook to my point fly (around 6-8”). At the tag end, I’ll tie off another surgeon’s knot for a stopper and add a piece(s) of split shot depending on water speed and depth. Place a strike indicator above the tippet ring, and you’re ready to fish. The beauty about this system is how it allows your nymphs to make close contact with the bottom much faster, and that comes with where weight is placed on the leader. Having the majority of the weight at the very end of the leader system allows for the nymphs to mimic a pendulum in
the water: falling with the weight first, which helps get down deeper in the water column than other nymph systems. You can also utilize this technique with Czech Nymphing, and with both techniques since the weight is located below the flies: 90% of what you’ll lose in a hang up is just the split shot at the point. This system also works well substituting the split shot for a tungsten-beaded nymph. Drop-shot nymphing offers the fly angler a more natural presentation that can produce fish in conditions year round. With cold weather arriving here in the mountains and nymphing on everyone’s mind; there’s no better time to try it.
Ethan Hollifield is an Environmental/Physical Science Teacher and is also a guide for Southern Appalachian Anglers
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NUTS & BOLTS OF FISHING
Keep Your Boat Safe From the Storm
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By Capt. Cefus McRae
he past few months have been crazy and even catastrophic for folks who live on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Hurricanes and tropical storms have wreaked havoc from Florida to the Carolinas. If you live far from the beach, you may think the rain and winds that appear as the storm moves inland will be diminishing along the path, and that’s usually true. However, a major storm system can dump several inches of rain in a short period of time, accompanied by winds that can reach 50 miles per hour. If you keep your boat in the water, all that rain and wind could cause considerable damage to your boat, even 200 miles away from the coast. On our rivers and reservoirs in the Southeast, a stiff wind can cause sizeable waves. Imagine someone throwing a 2 or 3 foot wake at your boat for 5 or 6 hours,
or even longer. Although your boat might be tied securely to the dock, it’s still rocking and banging against the dock edge. Fenders do a good job, but the constant rubbing against your gelcoat can leave bad marks or even scour your hull sides. While your boat is rocking, if it gets ‘out of sync’ with the dock, it could potentially get leveraged under the dock rail as the boat goes down and the dock goes up with wave motion. That’s not good. If your boat is on a cable lift, those strong winds could get your boat swinging in the breeze to the point it slams against a piling or support, or compromises the wire connections to the point they give way. Here’s another issue that can have even worse consequences. Let’s say you decide to keep your boat in the water. You secure it so there’s no way it can slam against a dock or come loose from its
mooring. Wave motion doesn’t bother it too much, but then comes the 4 or 5 inches of rain in just a few hours. If your boat has a selfbailing cockpit and the scuppers are above the waterline, then you’re probably fine. If you have a boat without scuppers or they are below the waterline, then you have the potential for water to accumulate in the bilge, fast. Your bilge pump should be connected directly to your battery, versus requiring the ignition to be on, or the battery switch to be engaged. Here’s the problem. That substantial amount of water will cause your bilge pump to run for hours and possibly drain your battery. If the rain continues, you’ll have a boat full of water in no time, and no way for it to be removed. The net result could be your boat swamps, or worse, sinks to the bottom. Even if the boat is still
afloat, all your gear will be watersoaked, and electrical connections in the bilge area could wind up corroding. So here is my suggestion. At the first indication of some major weather on the way, pull your boat from the water. Secure it on its trailer, or have your marina put it in dry storage for a few days. If you’re bringing it home, park it in an open area, away from trees or power lines. If you have a cover for the boat, put that on, and be sure to pull the drain plug. I’ve actually seen deflated trailer tires that resulted from the weight of a boat filled with rainwater. The folks on the coast have been doing this for years. They know the drill. So first, take care of your family, then your house, and when that’s done, take care of your boat. It will thank you for it.
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BEARS, BEES AND PINK CUPCAKES zel Creek from the Sugar Fork Campground. Barry went ahead of me…I had some reel maintenance I had to take care of which put me about fifteen minutes behind him. I crossed the creek and immediately came across fresh bear tracks. What do you do when you come across fresh bear tracks…in the middle of the wilderness…by yourself… obviously you follow them. The bear was in a playful mode. He crisscrossed the little island five or six times. He walked through a little swampy area. He rubbed himself on a tree and scratched it up. I then followed him back to the creek where he jumped into the water about seventy-five yards from where Barry was fishing on a rock. He left almost perfect tracks in a little sandy area next to the bank. I studied the tracks for a
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few minutes, almost mesmerized by them. I love tracks, they tell a story if you have the patience. I squatted down to get a closer look. I then noticed more tracks in the shallow water almost washed away. The bear was almost jumping up and down. I was trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Then off to my right, I noticed a grey cloth like substance. Before I fully recognized what it was, the hornets started swarming me. This bear had knocked a Bald Faced Hornet’s nest out of a tree almost as if he knew I was following him. He led me into a trap and I never saw it coming. Never saw the bear either. I’m not saying this bear hatched a plan to get me stung by hornets. I’m saying that bears are curious and mischievous by nature and can, and will, create
I would imagine if a bear could write an article for a fishing magazine, he would be wondering, “Why are all these people in my backyard?” trouble wherever they wander. Whether it be eating pink cupcakes out of your garbage can or ripping down a hornet’s nest to set you up for a few stings. All in all, I was lucky. I was only stung once but my whole left hand was swollen. Barry, oblivious to all I was doing because he was absolutely slaying fish, only saw me running toward him in a panic swatting
at unseen bees. When I finally made it to safety, he simply asked…”You Ok”? I said yes and we both kept fishing like nothing had happened. We only spoke of it lightly on the way out when we high fived toward the end of our trip. My swollen hand reminding me of what just happened. I guess stories about bears, bees and pink cupcakes become more interesting over time.
Joe Woody is Co-Publisher of The Angler Magazine WNC with his wife Debra. He is an Army Veteran and a self proclaimed “Adventure Angler”. You can usually find him wandering around Western North Carolina telling fishing lies. He is also a baseball nut and a crazy FCS Football fan. He has a Bigfoot magnet on the back of his truck.
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A TRAPPER’S JOURNAL I realized my mouth was open I snapped it shut. Had my disbelief shown? One more set before going to the second pond. This was a mink set under a small bush with a dandling piece of trout for bait. “Maybe you can get a mink and pay for your gas at least,” he grinned. Heavy grass, briars, and trees covered the banks of the larger upper pond. “This looks better,” I said and the old man’s pace picked up a little. Places I would have combed for sign he ignored. “Give me one of those conibears,” he quipped, so I reached into my bag and handed him a small bodygrip trap. “You want to make this trail set?” he asked. “No, I want to watch you.” He set the trap by positioning it atop two small clearance sticks, shoved two pointed stabilizers through the top corners into the ground, built a “fence” of debris on either side, wired the chain off to a pine limb, and camouflaged the whole thing with dry weeds and vines in about a minute. My
continued from page 17 thought: the next rat that drives down this highway won’t know what hit him. “I can’t do it that fast,” I said (not to mention that good). He grinned that little grin and lit another cigarette. “When I was trappin’ for a livin’ I’d a been finished here and moved on. I’ve slowed down a lot.” Right. We made four more trail sets and a few more water sets for a total of seventeen. Back at the car we slipped off our waders, drank coffee and crunched candy bars. The old man wiped his face with a white handkerchief. “There’s probably fifty or sixty muskrats here in the summertime, but there may not be ten now. They go down to bigger water in winter. We’ll catch a few.” Four the first day. Three on the beautiful mowed edge of Mr. Gordon’s lawn and one in a blind trail set. Three more rats the next day with two snagged in the wide open spaces. I pulled the traps on the third day, taking our last catch from a set I’d never have made without him.
Wilson Love is Owner/Operator of The Practical Outdoorsman, a retail and consignment store.
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Grouse Hunters: Wildlife Commission Seeks Your Assistance
he N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking assistance from grouse hunters this hunting season with West Nile Virus Disease sampling and Avid Hunter Surveys. New this season, grouse hunters are asked to submit samples (blood and feathers) from their harvested birds to test for West Nile Virus. Recent research suggests that ruffed grouse are routinely exposed to West Nile Virus, and it appears
this exposure could cause declines in ruffed grouse populations. This project is part of a much larger surveillance effort that is being conducted by other state wildlife agencies throughout the range of ruffed grouse. Hunters who would like sampling packets mailed to them should contact Merril Cook at (919) 707-0075 or merril. cook@ncwildlife.org. Grouse hunters, as well as quail and rabbit hunters, are also encour-
aged to participate in the Commission’s ongoing Avid Hunter Survey. Participants will receive a survey postcard to record the details of their hunting activity. These volunteer surveys help monitor longterm trends in small game populations and hunting activity. Information is used by agency staff to form management and regulatory recommendations. Hunters who would like to participate in the Avid Hunter Surveys, can enroll on
the Avid Hunter webpage or the Commission’s grouse webpage.
Avid Hunter webpage: www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Learn-Resources/Help-Wanted-Avid-Bird-Hunters Grouse Webpage: www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Birds/Ruffed-Grouse Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncwildliferesourcescommission
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Dugan’s Pub – A True Irish Pub
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ransylvania County, located in the western mountains of North Carolina, is proud of the wonderful fishing opportunities available. But talk to a native, and they are equally proud of the True Irish Pub located in the middle of Brevard – Dugan’s Pub. The Pub, as it is known locally, has a full bar with a large selection of Single Malt Scotch, Irish whiskies, and smooth Bourbons, as well as 20 beers on tap, featuring many local Craft Beers. They also have a full menu including several Irish dishes: from Fish and Chips to Corned Beef and Cabbage, as well as the best Corned Beef Reuben Sandwiches you have ever had. There are also astounding Burgers and terrific wings. The Pub opens at 11:30 AM, Monday through Saturday, and
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the kitchen is open until 10:00 PM, with a limited late night menu from 10:00 PM until close. Sundays feature Brunch from 10:30 AM until 1:00 PM, including specials on Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas. Kitchen is open until 9:00 PM. Check out the calendar on the web site for dates and time of special events as well as the music schedule. From the 150 year-old barn wood and the Notre Dame memorabilia, to the authentic Irish dishes and libations, you will find the rustic atmosphere true to an Irish pub. Take a look around at the Irish treasures collected over time from visits to Ireland, antique stores, and gifts from patrons and friends alike. So, whether you end a successful fishing day with dinner and libations, or you take a mid-day
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break for lunch, enjoy this ‘wee bit of Ireland’ that Dugan’s has brought to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. They look forward to seeing you time and time again! Visit them at 29 W. French Broad Street, Suite 101 in Brevard, NC. Visit their web site for more information: www.Duganspub.com. Do dheagh slainté.
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Hooked On Fishing
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By E.J. Mashburn
y Dad, Earl “Friday” Mashburn, was a bass fisherman extraordinaire. He and his fishing buddies preferred Fontana Lake where they fished at least every other Saturday in addition to a week in June and October. As a little boy, I could hardly wait until he got home to hear him describe, in great detail, the results. Generally, it was after dark when he got home so I would have to beg, and beg Mother to let me sty up. He would explain where on the lake they caught fish and what lures worked best at different times during the day. He would even tell us where he ate his favorite bologna and cheese sandwiches, which he always washed down with NEHI Strawberry Soda… his favorite. When I got a little older, I would stand in a chair and shine the flashlight while he cleaned the fish. “My, oh my,” I would hate to know how many
times he said, “Son, shine the light on the fish…not on my head or feet”. Did he ever have the patience of Job. Often, when Daddy caught a really large bass, which he called “Golly Whoppers”, pictures would be taken. Yes…that is me in the picture pretending I’d caught it. When the day finally came that Daddy and I were going fishing, we knocked down two or three large wasp nests from the chicken house. I sure was puzzled because Daddy had two tackle boxes full of all sizes, shapes, and colors of lures he called “plugs”. We went down to the south shore of Lake Junaluska under a huge oak tree.I had visions of catching a Large Mouth Bass that walked on top of the water attempting to escape as Daddy had so vividly talked about. Much to my surprise, Daddy put a wasp larvae on this tiny hook with a red and white bobber about four feet up from the hook. The open tackle
box with all those plugs still had my attention. Daddy squatted down to my level, explaining, “You have to be still and quiet and watch the float”. He flipped the line out about ten feet. The float settled down but nothing happened. Again, he explained, “You have to be quiet and concentrate”. Several minutes went by and nothing was said. I looked at Daddy and asked, “Should we throw it somewhere else?” He just pointed toward the float and, to my amazement, it was gone. He hooked the fish and handed the pole to me and said, ”Reel it in!” I reeled for dear life but the fish was going every which way but toward the bank. I was puzzled because the fish was not walking on
water, like some of his tales. Finally, with a little help, we landed what I knew had to be a “Golly Whopper”. Instead, it was a medium sized bream. Was I ever disappointed! I got over it quickly because when Daddy flipped the bait back in the water, the float disappeared immediately. We caught one fish after the other for two hours. I went to sleep that night one tired, happy little boy…hooked on fishing for life.
EJ Mashburn is the owner of Asheville Security Systems. He is a native of Haywood County. He has spent his whole life fishing and exploring the mountains of Western North Carolina. He is one of the best fly fishermen I’ve ever met.
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Helicopter Stocking on the Chatooga
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By Karl Ekberg
hat a helicopter flew over the rivers, and dropped fish in them? Well, yes they did, if you didn’t believe your fishing buddy. Many thanks go out to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery, SCDNR, and the US Forestry Department, for all their efforts, in stocking the rivers around us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop!! It is now Delayed Harvest time, from November 1st, thru May 14th. This means only the use of single hook, artificial lures or flies. What is an artificial lure? A quote, from the SC official state regulation guide, “means manufactured or handmade flies, spinners, plugs, spoons, and reproductions of live animals, which are made completely of natural or colored wood, cork, feathers, hair, rubber, metal, plastic, tinsel, Styrofoam, sponge, or string, or any combination of these materials, in imitation
of or as substitute for natural bait. Lures or fish eggs enhanced with scents or salts are not artificial lures. Artificially produced organic baits are not artificial lure”. Hopefully, this helps clear up any uncertainty about what you may or may not use in the Delayed Harvest areas of the rivers. Also, while fishing on these waters, all fish caught must be immediately returned to the water. You may also fish with tandem fly rigs, as long as each fly has only one hook. This is a great time to get out there and be rewarded with catching some of these very large Brook, Brown, and Rainbow trout, which the fine folks mentioned above have stocked. Fishing in the Delayed Harvest sections of the rivers will be an absolute delight, with the amount of fish that are concentrated in the Delayed Harvest areas from the helicopter stock-
ing. A wide variety of flies can be used to catch these large fish, which we carry here at the Fly Shop, to make your day a success out on the rivers. The Delayed Harvest areas for “catch and release” on the rivers, are marked with bright yellow signs. Leader and tippet selection is quite simple. Just after these fish have been put into the waters, heavier is better. These fish are not shy about heavier leader and tippet size; only after some time in the waters do you have to downsize. If you are not sure what size or length to use, we can help you out with your selection. We hope to see everyone out
on the rivers. We are open Tuesday thru Saturday 7am-5pm and on Sundays 7am-2pm. We have a large assortment of Christmas ideas including gift certificates for guided trips or the Fly Shop, preset flies in fly boxes, fly tying materials, rods, reels, waders & boots, local artisan works, and we can ship all items daily. Let us know how we can help you with a guided trip, holiday gift ideas, or information, and be sure to enjoy a great day on the rivers.
Karl Ekberg is the owner of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832A Highlands Hwy, in Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 or look them up on the web at chattoogariverflyshop.com
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HIGH COUNTRY
Fishing Destinations: South Toe River
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By Daniel Day
ike a tired teenager who stayed up too late the night before, the early morning mist was still resting on the rushing water as my three kiddos and I approached a new fishing spot on the South Toe River. It was the last weekend we had available before schoolyear commitments consumed our weekends, and we decided to seize our final opportunity for camping and fishing. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was excited about sleeping on the ground for two nights, but that first morning—with the mist sitting on the river—I knew we had made the correct choice. Large gray and moss-covered boulders lined one side of the river, and trees painted with the first touches of fall lined the other. White water flowed between brown, gray and dark orange rocks. If you stick your hand in the sand, you will pull up shiny—glass-like—pieces of mica
scattered in the brown, dark orange and purple sand. It’s beautiful in every way. It’s peaceful. It’s the perfect sensory experience—sight, sound and feel. My kids set up their poles on one side of the river, and I decided to brave the current and make my way to the other side. I needed some space. It had been years since the last time I tried fly fishing. I didn’t want to accidentally catch my son’s nose or my daughter’s ear while casting. When I was first learning how to fly fish, I caught my own ear—I knew how painful that was—but that’s a story for another day. Our camping trip was an excuse to reacquaint myself with fly-fishing, and I was excited. It seemed we had discovered the perfect quiet spot, and I had plenty of space to cast. I picked up my pole. “Daddy,” I heard the voice of my little girl over the constant roar of the
foamy water, “I want to come to your side.” “Just fish on that side for a few minutes,” I said. “But I want to be with you,” she responded, batting her eyes and
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turning her head to the side. How could I say, “no” to that? I waded back across the river and put her on my back. I knew the current was just a bit too strong for her, so I carried her across. It was tricky. The
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Landowner Perspective: Russ and Stacy Oates on Protecting Elk Fork By Russ Oates
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tacy and I came from families that love the outdoors and feel a deep connection with wild things and wild places. Growing up on opposite coasts (Stacy in the Napa Valley of California and me in eastern North Carolina), we were both fortunate to have many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the wonders of Nature. We were married in 1984 and, 4 months later, moved to Alaska where I worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the US Fish and
Wildlife Service. Our two daughters were born in Fairbanks in 1986 and 1988, and we settled into family life. In 1995, we decided it was time to get some financial advice to ensure that we could afford to send the girls to college and have a chance of being able to retire. The first thing our new financial advisor said to us was “What are your dreams?” Stacy and I shared an interest in wild lands conservation, so we told the advisor about our dream to protect some
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rocks were slippery and the current was strong enough that the wrong move would get us both very wet. We made it across. I sat her down and told her she had to stay in a certain spot so I had room to cast. I picked up my pole. “Daddy,” the voice of my 7-yearold floated across the river. “Yes, Fin.” I responded. “Can you help me across?” I sat my pole down and waded back across. I put him on my back and followed the same path I had walked with my daughter. I got him situated. I picked up my pole. “Daddy!” I heard my 9-year-old, “I got one!” I look up, and my son is holding a 7-inch rainbow trout. I hurry across the rapids, making sure not to fall. We celebrate and then pull the trout off the line. By the time I made it to him and helped him get the fish off the hook, the trout had been out of the water for a moment so we revived him by moving him back and forth in the water. He took off like a shot-gun. “Great job, Noah! I’m so proud of you, bud.” My son beamed with joy, and I slowly made my way back across the river. I picked up my pole. “Daddy!” Noah yelled again, “I
got another one!” Sure enough. Noah had another 6 ½” rainbow trout. I went back across the water and helped him get it off. By the end of the day, Noah had caught three different rainbow trout and I hadn’t caught any. I would say I didn’t care, but if I’m honest, I really wanted to catch one too. I did remember how to cast a line on a fly-rod, and it was so rewarding to watch the roll cast, well, roll across the water until it landed the fly right where I wanted it. Although I didn’t catch three fish like my son, I was a dad to three kiddos who didn’t need anything from me except for me to be present with them in one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you haven’t been to the Toe River, it’s amazing. There are plenty of trout to catch, and there are plenty of deep pools in which to swim. Check out Black Mountain Campground— it’s right on the river. But more than just a destination for fishing, the Toe River offers peace in a world that is too busy for peace. It offers deep breaths in a world that moves too quickly to breathe. It offers true beauty in the midst of a world that tries to manufacture beauty. It offers music. And if you have a fly-rod, well that’s just pure poetry.
Landowner Russ Oates (left) discusses the property with Margot Wallston of Hemlock Restoration Initiative (center) and SAHC Stewardship & Volunteer AmeriCorps member Cate Jaffe (right).
woodland. His immediate response was “Buy it now or you never will.” Although I loved the cypress swamps of my youth, we knew after 10 years of acclimation to Alaska temperatures that we would not be comfortable in the eastern part of NC due to the summer heat and humidity. We decided to look at land in the relatively cool mountains of
Virginia and North Carolina. The search began in May of 1995. Stacy stayed in Alaska with the girls and I headed to NC for a 2 week road trip through the mountains. My father, then 80, still loved to roam the woods with me. We headed out in his old Buick station wagon for northwestern Virginia and worked our way southwest
CONTINUED, LANDOWNER PERSPECTIVE, PAGE 35
Daniel Ryan Day is the author of two books, including his most recent work: Intentional Christian (now available). He’s also the COO of Cascades Mountain Resort, Old Orchard Tavern and Asheville’s Fun Depot. Daniel lives in Fairview, NC with his wife and three kiddos. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram or at intentionalchristianity.com. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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LANDOWNER PERSPECTIVE through the mountains, stopping at likely looking parcels we found in the local newspapers we picked up in the small towns along the way. After looking at numerous properties along the way, we found a tract in Yancey County, NC. Although the lower portions of the property had been logged the year before, we decided to check it out. We were concerned about the steepness of the approach road to the land and were not optimistic until we rounded the ridge into the valley of the watershed. We headed up the logging road through the logged area and stopped for our first drink from the stream. Pop was hoofing along very well and obviously enjoyed Robert’s encyclopedic outdoor knowledge. There were large white, pink, and burgundy trilliums everywhere. We also saw a variety of other wildflowers including 3 different violets, showy orchids, turk’s cap lilies (not yet blooming), and Frazier magnolia trees. Robert also introduced us to the flavor of ramps, which grew in abundance among the trilliums and violets. I
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was delighted by the huge size of the Dutchman’s pipe vines that climbed the trees. We were very impressed with the richness of the soil and the variety of herbaceous species. Many of the trees were still bare of leaves, others were just beginning to leaf out. Recollecting the absence of sizeable trees that were purportedly present on the first piece of land we examined in Virginia, I insisted that we climb out of the logged area so that I could see the trees. And climb we did. Pop stayed at the base of the steep ridge as Robert and I climbed. Up on the ridge we found the northern red oaks, cherries, black and yellow birches, ashes and sugar maples that were of the size I had hoped to see. We climbed until I had enough… not to mention that our daylight was quickly running out. We heard songs of towhees, Carolina wrens, black-throated green (and blue) warblers, chestnut-sided warblers, and rose-breasted grosbeaks just to mention a few. We drove back to Weaverville feeling very excited. By now, I knew this property was special. Stacy and I had several long
conversations on the phone about the feasibility of purchasing this land and, at the expense of years of vacations and other non-essentials, we managed to buy the land that we had dreamed of. Thus, the first step towards our goal of protecting forestland was achieved. Now, we had to ensure that the land would be protected beyond our lifetimes for future generations. A conservation easement seemed to be the best way to accomplish our long-term goal. We contacted the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to learn more about conservation easements and to see if they would be interested in protecting our property. After several discussions, it was clear to us that a conservation easement was just what we were looking for. The folks at SAHC seemed excited about our land, and their Conservation Director, Michelle Pugliese, walked the property to assess its condition and determine if it possessed adequate conservation values to merit an easement. It passed the test and we have been so happy with their continuing interest and stewardship.
Over the years, I have gotten to know several of the folks at SAHC and really appreciate their deep commitment to conservation. We strongly support their dedication, and decided to become monthly donors because it is a very convenient way to contribute to this important mission. After looking out airliner windows while flying from Alaska to the lower 48 states numerous times over 30 years, it has become abundantly clear to us that, with the exception of Alaska, most of the ecosystems present in the vast preponderance of US lands (particularly east of the Rocky Mountains) have been drastically altered by human development. There is a tremendous need to conserve and restore these ecosystems to ensure that they can continue to provide clean air, water, and soil and a full suite of biodiversity. Conservation easements, such as those available through SAHC, can help protect functional ecosystems and are an outstanding way to contribute to the security of our children’s futures.”
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Getting Started in Fly Fishing By Jimmy Harris
A
re you thinking about getting into fly fishing but are put off by tales of the expense? You’ve heard stories of $1,000.00 fly rods, $600.00 reels and $120.00 fly lines and wondered if folks have lost their mind. IT’S JUST FISHING! So, here’s the lowdown. I own a fly shop and obviously make more profit off an expensive rod than I do off an inexpensive rod. However, we want to put together an outfit that first and foremost will help you enjoy learning to fly fish, regardless of price. Let’s look at each component with an eye toward what you need. Rods: Prices and performance are all over the board. Without mentioning brands, I can tell
Unicoi Outfitters www.unicoioutfitters.com you there are some cheap rods that you cannot cast, regardless of your skill level. I don’t recommend walking into a shop that does not have staff with a high degree of fly fishing skills. You’ll waste your money and you’ll hate fly fishing. Having said that, one of our best-selling rods is an Eagle Claw fiberglass for around $35, and it’s not just novice anglers purchasing them. They are fun to fish with. For $150 - $250, you can get a rod with a lifetime warranty that can perform better than 98% of the fly anglers out there. Reels: A common theme in any reel discussion is that in the Southeast, it’s just a line holder. Well, that is true in a lot of cases, but if you’re targeting larger fish,
you need something with a serious drag. By far, most trout fishing in our area does not require a reel with a good drag. A simple spring and pawl reel for $50 or less can more than suffice when you’re starting out. Lines: Yep, top-end fly lines these days are over $100.00. Are they worth it? If you fish a lot, yes. The best lines nowadays will cast better and last up to 10 times longer than even the best fly lines of just a couple of years ago. A Cortland 333 Classic is priced at $39.99 and has caught a lot of trout over the years it’s been in existence (which is more than just about any other fly line). Now, we’re at around $125.00 and you’re ready to fish. If you
want a graphite rod with a guarantee, the best entry level outfit we’ve found is the Orvis Encounter. A 9’ 5 weight rod with reel, line, backing as well as a protective tube is priced at $169.00. It doesn’t have the Orvis 25-year guarantee, but they do warranty against defects in the original workmanship, in which case they will replace it. Do you need a $600 to $1700 outfit? No, but you may want one someday. If you do, I hope you’ll give us an opportunity to help you put it together. See you on the river!
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TIPS FROM A PRO
O
BRANDON LESTER
ver the past five years fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, I have visited a lot of really cool places. I have been about as far as a man can go north, south, east and west in the United States. Visiting new places is actually one of my favorite parts of fishing professionally. Don’t get me wrong, I miss my family when I have to leave and they don’t get to travel with me, but I do enjoy traveling. I’ve met a lot of great people and seen some really cool sights both on the water and off. Although I haven’t visited anywhere that I completely disliked, I do have a few favorites that I look forward to every year. One of my favorite stops is the St. Lawrence River in Waddington, N.Y. Yes, that’s right, a Tennessee boy just said he loves New York. When most people think of New York, they immediately think of New York City and all the hustle and bustle that goes with it. Upstate New York couldn’t be further from that. Waddington, and really the whole thousand islands region, is very rural, quiet and beautiful. Row crop fields and dairy farms are mostly what you see along the roadside. Aside from the scenery in Wa d d i n g t o n , the fishing is absolutely phenomenal. I finished third in our Elite tournament up there this year and actually caught my biggest smallmouth ever on the final day of the tournament. She weighed 6-8. I also caught my biggest fivefish limit of smallmouth ever that week. It weighed 25-13. This year was my third time being there with the Elite Series and the fishing has gotten better every time we’ve been. The river flows out of Lake Ontario and in a lot of ways it sets up like the Tennessee River where I fish back home. The current there runs a lot more than I am used to, but that just sets those fish up in likely areas a lot longer each day. The smallmouth are growing extremely large because of the presence of gobies. Smallmouth love them, and the X Zone lures Slammer mimics them perfectly. Rig it on a Mustad Titan X Wacky Neko hook and an MHX rod and you’re good to go. You’ll find a lot of people up there don’t even fish for smallmouth but instead chase walleye. That’s one reason the fishing for smallmouth is so good. Give the St. Lawrence a try and I think you will see why it’s one of my favorite places.
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By Will Schmidt • Photo by Kathryn Maroun
elize City doesn’t have a big fancy airport with neon signs everywhere. In fact, the single runway is also the taxiway, and you exit the plane via stairs. This simple airport sets the stage for the rest of the trip, which is easy, laid back and unplugged. Ambergris Caye is situated in the Caribbean Sea just off the coast of this small English-speaking nation sandwiched between Mexico and Guatemala. During a short flight to the caye and a boat ride to El Pescador Resort, you’ll be blown away by the views and the blues and greens of the water. Upon arriving at the lodge, we were greeted by an amazing staff, which refers to itself as family and thinks of you the same way, always addressing you by your first name. After settling in we, met at the dock for a fly-casting session with the guides, which was very helpful even for veteran casters. After dinner, we talked about what
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to expect the next day. It was quickly noted that this is one of the best places for a shot at a slam. The flats hold an abundance of bonefish, tarpon and permit. At daybreak, my father and I boarded the boat and ran south along the coast to just below the Mexican border. Our guide suddenly made a hard left turn and stopped the boat. Just ahead was a giant school of rolling tarpon, and it didn’t take long to hook up. After about 10 minutes I had the 30-pounder boat side. Unfortunately, the commotion of the fight pushed the other fish away. We then headed into a bay where we had world-class shots at permit. There were cruising fish and 20-plus pounders waving their tails at us as they ate breakfast. Unfortunately, as permit often do, they refused our offerings, but the bay was also filled with eager-toeat bonefish and we spent the rest of day catching them. It was the same each day of our trip, with numerous shots at multiple species and plenty of action. We had shots at juvenile to triple-digit tarpon, small to 20-pound permit and bonefish for days, although we did not see any particularly large bones. Admittedly, I have some isolated places to fish on my bucket list. Seemingly, every time I look at what it will take to pull a trip off, I start searching for more feasible options. Belize always rises to the top. There are plenty of reasonable fight options, and it’s only a couple of hours from south Florida. You will also find many competitively priced all-inclusive lodges that are close to the fish and will pamper you after a long day on the water. When you consider the ease of the travel, price and quality of fishing, Belize is definitely bucket list worthy. Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for two decades.
For more on fishing in Belize, go to
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hen Bob Sundstrom, of Odin Lure Company, created his Oozzie Jig in 2011, he knew right away it was something special. It worked wonders on the New Hampshire coast for cod, haddock and stripers, and he patented his new technology that allows hard baits to disperse a steady stream of fish-attracting scent. Odin Lure Company is the evolution of that design. With its line of topwater poppers and jerkbaits, Odin handcrafts high-quality lures that appeal to all a fish’s senses to draw strikes. From largemouth bass to tuna, anything that will hit a plug will slam Odin’s FRIGG lures. And with the added attraction of a scent trail, FRIGGs are proven on the water to out-catch other lures. “We’ve all had fish follow a lure right to the boat,” Sundstrom said. “You caught that fish’s curiosity through sight and sound, but you haven’t convinced the fish that it’s looking at something to eat.” That’s where the scent system comes into play. For many species, scent is the most important sense utilized in targeting prey. FRIGG
lures use sight, sound and smell to convince even the wariest fish to feed. An empty FRIGG will draw strikes as well as any lure out there, but it’s almost unfair to the fish when injected with a scent product called Fish Smack. Fish Smack was formulated by Bioedge specifically for use with Odin lures. It is a 100 percent natural extract of the oils, enzymes and amino acids from baitfish. It has the viscosity of grease, which makes it uniquely designed for Odin’s “bait chamber.” On retrieve, water pushes through a rubber membrane on the front of the lure and past the Fish Smack in the bait chamber. Scented water exits through laceration points designed to look like gill slits on the lure’s sides. FRIGG lures leave a scented bubble trail that adds an element of realism and triggers strikes. On top of that, the residual baitfish scent in the water acts like chum to attract fish and spur feeding activity. A single injection of Fish Smack will keep the lure “hot” through more than an hour of casts and retrieves. And FRIGGs are remarkably versatile on the retrieve. A concave face gives the seductive wobbling and walking action of a stunned baitfish. When slowed down, the popper’s loud pops, bubbles and gurgles are like ringing the dinner bell. Largemouth, pike, tarpon, redfish, snook, trout, mahi-mahi and tuna are just a few species Odin’s FRIGG poppers and jerkbaits have caught in testing. There are sizes and colors to match whatever fishing you do. Fish Smack also matches the hatch with several different “flavors”— from herring to squid—that appeal to your targeted game fish. All Odin lures are made in the U.S.A. of high quality materials and extra-strong components. Sundstrom hand paints them himself in Odin’s New Hampshire facility, which means he personally oversees the quality of each lure produced. For more information on Odin Lure Company’s revolutionary new lures, see odinlures.com.
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FRESHWATER
By Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
A
laska, the last frontier, is truly a remarkable destination that every angler should experience. Believe it or not, river fishing in Alaska can be done easily without a guide. I like to call it a “do-it-yourself destination.” The famous Kenai Peninsula is a place I have traveled to for several amazing fishing trips. The beautiful scenery in this area alone is worth the trip, and the number of close encounters with wild bull moose, bears, elk, bald eagles, etc. were truly amazing. While there, I find myself not wanting to sleep, since the summer days are never ending and the fishing is usually catching! My last trip to the fabled Kenai River was a last-minute journey
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that proved to be one of my most amazing trips to the peninsula. It was mid-July, and I had been watching the salmon counts and monitoring the run charts for a few weeks. This was going to be my first attempt at catching the larger second run of sockeye salmon. Reports told of massive schools in Cook Inlet that were moving toward the river mouth. Predictions of a record season were starting to fill the nets of the commercial fishermen. As they started to near the river mouth in the town of Kenai, estimates of their arrival at my anticipated ambush point in the small town of Soldotna began to filter in. It was now time to break the news to my wife of this last-minute fishing trip from Texas to Alaska. Fortunately, she understands my passion for the sport and was in full support. The facts that sockeye is her favorite fish to eat and that I had a free airline ticket didn’t hurt. Four days later, the salmon and I hit the banks of the Kenai River in downtown Soldotna. Not only was its perfect timing for the arrival of these large acrobatic fighters, Alaska also increased the limit from three salmon per day to six. Jackpot! For some reason, the crowds were also lighter than what I had witnessed on previous trips. I was not complaining. I was fortunate to harvest my limit each day. With easy limits of salmon in the morning, I found time to head to the Russian River for some rainbow trout on the fly. This is where I had a 15-foot encounter with a momma bear and her two cubs. Fortunately, she didn’t feel threatened as the cubs were crossing the river on a fallen tree. She glanced at me, then to her cubs, back at me, and proceeded to follow her cubs across the river. I will never forget the sheer awe of that experience. A visit to Kenai Peninsula would not be complete without a hike to view Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefields. I have made this hike three times, and if I ever return I will definitely do it again. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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here may be no better saltwater fish to take on the fly than the tarpon. Hard fighting, high jumping and beauty make this gamefish the holy grail of saltwater fly fishing. However, targeting tarpon on the fly might seem a little intimidating to some. The thought of making a 60-foot cast in a 15-knot wind and presenting a fly to a fish pushing 100 pounds keeps some anglers from venturing onto the flats. Anyone looking to tangle with a tarpon on the fly should first get their chops down by targeting baby tarpon. There is no better year-round fly fishing destination for baby tarpon than the Yucatan Peninsula. Campeche My first experience with Yucatan baby tarpon was the in the Campeche area. The city of Campeche is a wonderful colonial community nestled along the mangrove-lined coast six hours west of Cancun. The city has spec-
t a r p on t o grow up to 40 pounds. Anglers make casts to large schools of rolling tarpon over shallow eel grass flats early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The town of San Felipe is quaint and offers some of the best local seafood in the Yucatan. Rods, Reels And Tackle The tackle set up for Yucatan tarpon is simple. I carry two rigs. The workhorse is a 9-foot, 8-weight rod matched with a large arbor reel that can hold 200 yards of 20- or 30-pound backing. I fish a saltwater taper floating line. The second set up is a 9-foot, 9-weight rod and reel matched with a 30-foot intermediate sink tip and a shorter leader of 7 to 9 feet. This outfit works great subsurface. Leaders
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tacular views of the ocean, and the town square is highlighted by an amazing cathedral that towers over the city. The fishing is just as spectacular! Within a short panga ride from your hotel, you can cast flies to rolling tarpon on the open-water flats. Tarpon here are accommodating, often hitting poppers or a well-placed subsurface fly. Once hooked, baby tarpon put on a spectacular show, burning fly line off reels and making their trademark jumps.
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Baby tarpon can be spooky, so keep the fly line out of the tarpon’s field of vision, especially in calm conditions. I suggest a 10- to 12foot leader of 20-pound test with a floating line. You’ll also need a short 40-pound bite tippet.
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COMPARE TO
HONDA EU3000iS1A
• 15,704 cu. in. of storage • 1200 lb. capacity
$229 $
*HONDA EU3000iS1A stated specs
$
COMPARE TO
KOBALT
26910 SAVE $39
$
COMPARE TO
PELICAN
9995
MODEL: 1450
ITEM 63927
$
1
COM
SNA
SUPER COUPON
21 GALLON, 2.5 HP, 125 PSI MECHANIC'S VERTICAL OIL-LUBE GLOVES AIR COMPRESSOR NOW • Air delivery: 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI Customer Rating
NOW
$1 49
Case contents and locks not included.
Custo
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, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/19.
SUPER COUPON
12-7/8" W 6-11/16" H
SAVE $69 $ 3999
ITEM 64023 64012 shown
ITEM 69030/69031 shown
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/1/19 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF Customer Rating WEATHER-RESISTANT LOCKABLE CASE NOW • 16-15/16" L
$2999
MODEL: 831097
20% OFF
30"
• 12 of • 58 • He str at
*69608469 * 69608469
6
MODEL: L4825HV
SUPER COUPON
MODEL 3800
99
24999
KOMELON $ 98
*69616269 * 69616269
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
46" MOBILE STORAGE CABINET WITH SOLID WOOD TOP Customer Rating
1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
PRICE $1,999 *69627672 * 69627672
$
ANY PURCHASE
• Thumb Lock • Rubber Wrapped Case
SUPER COUPON
NOW
WITH
SUPER COUPON
COMPARE TO
HUSKY
$ 229 SAVE $79 MODEL: C201H $
99
17499
ITEM 61454/69091/62803/63635/67847 shown
$3 99
COM
KT
5
$ 99
COMPARE TO
VALEO $ 02
11
ITEM
Customer Rating
MODEL: 25521
62434, 62426, 62433, 62432, SAVE 63% ITEM 62429, 64178, 64179, 62428 shown
*69628653 * 69628653
*69631381 * 69631381
*69635732 * 69635732
*69654116 * 69654116
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
Custo
SUPER Battle Tested COUPON 18" WORKING PLATFORM 5000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH STEP STOOL WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND Customer Rating AUTOMATIC BRAKE Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
200 LUMENS LED SUPER BRIGHT FLIP LIGHT
20-60 x 60MM SPOTTING SCOPE WITH TRIPOD
• Wireless, tool-free and easy installation
4
Customer Rating
$ 49
Customer Rating
NOW
NOW
SAVE 50%
$2 $
PROMIER
6
MODEL: P-SWITCH-12/48
NOW
$3999
99
COMPARE TO
• 350 lb. capacity
$
COMPARE TO
ITEM 64189 64723/63922 shown
CELESTRON
97
99
MODEL: 14593491
54
99 SAVE $ 59% ITEM 62774
COMPARE TO
GPL
$
5145 SAVE 61%
MODEL: H-21
ITEM 62515/66911 shown
2999
$
COM
28
17999 $
COMPARE TO
WARN
MODE
Voted Best Winches
32639 SAVE $186
MODEL: WAR89040
ITEM 61384/61605/68144 shown
*69674169 * 69674169
*69678045 * 69678045
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL 14" EAR MUFFS CHAIN SAW Customer Rating NOW
COMPARE TO
HOBART
$
MAGNESIUM FIRE STARTER Customer Rating
99
$2
99 9 3 $ $4999 Customer Rating
SAVE $399 55%
12999 SAVE $90
MODEL: 77054
6
$ 74
COMPARE TO
Customer Rating
TR INDUSTRIAL MODEL: TR88014
ITEM 61610/63122/91214 shown
ITEM 61372/60792/43768 shown
NOW
$
9 4999 $39
SAVE $60
9
ITEM 64498/64497 shown
COMPARE TO
CRAFTSMAN $ 99
99
MODEL: 071-45247
NOW COMPARE TO
COGHLAN'S $ 59
9
MODEL: 7870
$1 49
SAVE 84%
1
$ 99
*69682413 * 69682413
*69684045 * 69684045
*69686212 * 69686212
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
DRIVE 1/4" 3/8" 1/2"
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
CLICK-TYPE TORQUE WRENCHES
130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CASE
ITEM 61277/63881/2696 61276/63880/807 62431/63882/239
COMPARE TO
HUSKY $ 97
MODEL: H2DTWA
SAVE $ 99 88% 19
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
40 PIECE, 3/8" DRIVE SAE AND METRIC SOCKET SET
2 HP GAS POWERED EARTH AUGER
Customer Rating
• Reversible Item 239 shown
Customer Rating
NOW
E YOUR CHOIC
$9
99
COMPARE TO
HDX
$
66
39
MODEL: H137HOS
SAVE 54%
$29 $
38
ITEM 68998/63248/64080/64263/63091 shown
NOW
99
69
COMPARE TO
KOBALT
$
1997 SAVE 80%
MODEL: 89809
$3 4
$ 99
ITEM 975/47902/61328/63015/62843 shown
*69692214 * *69695492 * *69699359 * 6 9 6 9 2I2 1 NOVEMBER 4 69695492 69699359 NATIONAL 2018 I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 24 hft_coastalangler_1118_spread_M-REG152008.indd 2
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
99
Cust
ITEM
ITEM 69457/63733/66560 shown
*69681471 * 69681471 Customer Rating
SA 65
PER $
*69671294 * 69671294
AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMET WITH BLUE FLAME DESIGN NOW
24
$
$13999
*69669515 * 69669515 SUPER COUPON
84
$1 999
NOW
60" WIT
• 6" diameter x 31" long auger bit included Customer Rating
SAVE $164
COMPARE TO
EARTHQUAKE $ 98
334
MODEL: E43, EA6F
ITEM 63022
NOW
$1 69 $
99
21499
*69701648 * 69701648 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
10/18/18 9:49 AM
COM
GRI $
4
MODE
ON
%
F
NY NGLE EM*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
30", 4 DRAWER TECH CART
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" RAPID PUMP® 3 TON STEEL ALL PURPOSE/WEATHER HEAVY DUTY LOW PROFILE RESISTANT TARP FLOOR JACK
• 12,600 cu. in. of storage • 580 lb. capacity • Heavy duty gas struts hold lid open at 90 degrees
NOW
Customer Rating
$
Customer Rating
NOW
99
$1 07 99
159
$
COMPARE TO
SNAP-ON
99
SAVE $691
79995
MODEL: KRBC10TBPC
9
$ 98
COMPARE TO
4
$ 99
BLUE HAWK
ITEM 64096
ITEM 69115/69121/69129/69137/69249/877 shown
MODEL: BG8X10-Y
Customer Rating
$
$4699 7450 SAVE 53%
MODEL: KTI61205
Customer Rating
• 450 in. lbs. of torque • 1.5 amp hour battery • Weighs 3.4 lbs.
$
ITEM 60658/97711 shown
3999
SAVE $34 COMPARE TO
99
MODEL: P1811
4 PIECE, 1" x 15 FT. RATCHETING TIE DOWNS • 400 lb. working load
Customer Rating
NOW
$
$64 $
10 FT. x 17 FT. PORTABLE GARAGE
Customer Rating
$699
99
RYOBI $
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
NOW
NOW
$1 6999
1199 COMPARE TO
74
99
$
COMPARE TO
ATE TOOLS
ITEM 64754/63531 shown
5488 SAVE 87%
MODEL: 33079
ITEM 63094 63056/63057 63150/61524 shown
$
SHELTER LOGIC
$19999 270 SAVE $100
MODEL: 76377
ITEM 62859/63055/62860 shown
*70454740 * 70454740
*70456551 * 70456551
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER
SUPER COUPON
18" MACHETE WITH SERRATED BLADE
.50 CAL METAL SNATCH BLOCK AMMO CAN Customer Rating
UPER UPON
• Includes sheath Customer Rating
Customer Rating
NOW
$1 999
NOW
SAVE 65%
NOW
COMPARE TO
PERFORMAX $ 99
$
28
MODEL: 2411-1
$999
14
99
ITEM 69645/95578/60625 shown
99
$12
COMPARE TO
GAME WINNER $ 99
24
MODEL: FSGWHE1030
SAVE 48%
$
$
COMPARE TO
15
99
ITEM 63750/63181 shown
WARN $ 99
NOW
$499 $599
2899
SAVE 52%
41
MODEL: WAR88898
$
COMPARE TO
SOG
ITEM 62435/61673 shown
1869 SAVE 73%
MODEL: 947981
ITEM 62682/69910/60641/62683 shown
*70457789 * 70457789
*70457886 * 70457886
*70458197 * 70458197
*70458661 * 70458661
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
ATV/LAWN MOWER LIFT
Customer Rating
• 300 lb. capacity • Weighs 72.5 lbs.
UM TER
$
ating
SUPER COUPON
80 PIECE ROTARY TOOL KIT
Customer Rating
NOW
8999 $74
99
SAVE $67 Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
2/10/50 AMP, 12 VOLT BATTERY CHARGER/ 12" WIDE MOUTH ENGINE STARTER TOOL BAG
COMPARE TO
MAX LOAD
$
142 08
MODEL: 38028
ITEM 60395/62325/62493/61523 shown
SAVE 50% $5299 COMPARE TO
59
NOW
$2999
SCHUMACHER $ 99 MODEL: SE-1250 ELECTRIC ITEM 60581/60653 shown
SAVE 75%
Tools sold separately.
COMPARE TO $
AWP
1998 $ 99 8
MODEL: 3L-2216
ITEM 38168/62163/62349/61467 shown
NOW
99
$4
SAVE 73%
NOW
Customer Rating
COMPARE TO
$699
26
9
$ 35 PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER MODEL: 51832
$ 99
ITEM 69451/68986/63235/63292/97626 shown
*70462654 * 70462654
*70462904 * 70462904
*70463421 * 70463421
*70463587 * 70463587
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
60" HARDWOOD WORKBENCH Customer Rating WITH 4 DRAWERS
long d ating
4
6499 SAVE 69%
MODEL: 426920
*70453466 * 70453466
Customer Rating
99
COMPARE TO $
MIBRO
$1 999
*69721420 * 69721420
shown
9
$7999
ITEM 64264/64266/64879/64883 64881/61282/62326/61253 shown
SUPER COUPON
6 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL 20 VOLT LITHIUM CORDLESS JACK STANDS 1/2" COMPACT DRILL/DRIVER KIT
2432,
99
NOW
LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 38847/69596/62393/61197 shown
W
MODEL: T830018Z
97
NOW
99
*69720196 * 69720196
K TOOL
RED GER
14999 SAVE $70
$
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
COMPARE TO
OUPON
TEQ $
*69710418 * 69710418
$34
199
• Weighs 73 lbs. COMPARE TO
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
99
9
• 5400 lb. capacity
20"
*69709049 * 69709049
NOW
W
3/8" x 14 FT., GRADE 43 TOWING CHAIN
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
UPON
es
SAVE 70%
Side tray sold separately.
Customer Rating
*69703248 * 69703248
. *Cannot ds: Inside m, 3 day cabinets, er, Cobra, , Jupiter, on prior gh 3/1/19.
ing
$2
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
18" x 12" 1750 PSI ELECTRIC MOVER'S DOLLY PRESSURE WASHER
Customer Rating
• 1000 lb. capacity
COMPARE TO
GRIZZLY $
425
MODEL: H7723
Tools sold separately.
SAVE $295
$
15999
ITEM 63395/93454/69054/62603 shown
• 1.3 GPM • Adjustable spray nozzle
RECIPROCATING SAW WITH ROTATING HANDLE
NOW
NOW
$12999
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
COMPARE TO
BUFFALO TOOLS $ 65
17
MODEL: HDFDOLLY
$
1099
SAVE 54%
NOW
99
$7
ITEM 63098/60497/61899 63095/63096/63097/93888 shown
Customer Rating
$7999 $
99
99 Customer Rating
COMPARE TO
44 SAVE $94 BRIGGS & $ STRATTON MODEL: 20600 ITEM 63255/63254 shown
174
COMPARE TO
PORTER-CABLE $ 98
59
MODEL: PCE360
NOW
Blade sold separately.
SAVE 66%
ITEM 65570/61884/62370 shown
$1 999 $
2799
*70464930 * 70464930
*70465235 * 70465235
*70466108 * 70466108
*70466416 * 70466416
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 3/1/19*
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was 900 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I national NOVEMBER 2018 I NATIONAL advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised 25 by others
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 3/1/19.
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 25
may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
10/18/18 10/2/18 9:49 1:54 AM PM
26
NATIONAL
I
CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 26
NOVEMBER 2018
I
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
10/18/18 9:49 AM
WHO CARES ABOUT LIVE SCANNING SONAR? ANYONE WHO FISHES.
PANOPTIX™ LIVESCOPE SYSTEM LIVE, REAL-TIME
2 MODES IN
SEE AROUND YOUR BOAT
RANGE UP
SCANNING SONAR 1 TRANSDUCER SEE BELOW YOUR BOAT TO 200’
WORKS EVEN WHEN
AHRS STABILIZES
BOAT IS STATIONARY SONAR VIEW
EASY TO INSTALL
INTEGRATES SEAMLESSLY
© 2018 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
COMMON CVRS_1118.indd 3 18-MCJT11128 Panoptix LiveScope Full-page Near Shore Ad-8.125x10.875-CoastalAngler.indd 1
10/18/18 AM 10/10/18 10:50 2:01 PM
THE PLANET’S
CLEANEST OUTBOARD *
It’s never been this much of a rush to make the right choice. The new Evinrude® E-TEC® G2® gives you power plus responsibility. Run the cleanest combustion outboard on the planet, period. Not just clean, but lean, with up to 15% better fuel efficiency**. No competitor takes you further on a tank of fuel. That’s more adventures to the gallon, more fish in the boat, more dollars in your wallet. The planet friendly E-TEC G2. No outboard engine runs cleaner.
©2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. * Emissions claim based on reported certified emissions of Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O., Yamaha 250 SHO® and Mercury OptiMax® 250 Pro XS™. Actual emissions dependent on engine model. ** Fuel economy claim based on BRP-conducted ICOMIA testing of Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O., Yamaha 250 SHO® and Mercury OptiMax® 250 HP in a test tank to determine ICOMIA average cycle. Actual fuel economy dependent on engine model.
COMMON CVRS_1118.indd 4
10/18/18 10:50 AM