Volume 1 Issue 2 May Newsletter by E Workman

MBTU Newsletter What is this Newsletter about? You, it’s for bragging, places to fish, maps, places to stay with contact info, fly tying info & links, fly fishing items and fly fishing gear & accessories for sale from members – 10% of your sale comes to MBTU, other links… Everyone can contribute ideas, stories, your favorite flies and recipes, places to stay, etc.

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Editor: George Derdziak The MBTU Newsletter will be published once per month – before TU meeting All newsletter inserts/info to be sent to the editor by email to gderdziak@gmail.com during the first week of the month. If received after the first week of the month the item/info may be published in the following month.

Caught this nice Brown where the West Fork of the Chattooga River joins the Chattooga River below the Highway 28 Bridge. This Brown took a “Pats Rubber Legs” a.k.a. “Girdle Bug.” If you choose to fish at the confluence of both streams cast your fly up stream into the West Fork and let it drift down deep into the pool. Let it drift out of the pool before you make the next cast. It may take several casts before a nice fish takes your fly. Maybe!

How to tie a Pat’s Rubber Legs http://www.flyfishfood.com/2017/09/pats-rubber-leg-stone-variation.html

Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter Where Should I Go Fishing? Where to go fishing is a question that seems to have many answers. It depends on what you want to catch, what the weather is doing, how far you want to travel, how much you want to spend on your fishing adventure, who you are going with, and a host of other things. What this column will attempt to do is let you know where some of the retired guys and gals go to spend a day or more fishing – nothing more - nothing less. If you care to read about some of the results of their fishing forays just go to the “Trip Report page on the web page called retiredguysworld.com. If you want to tell other folks where to go fishing write a note to the editor of this page and he might let you report on where you suggest other folks should go…. Be nice now…. "Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn." Chuck Clark South Holston River – Near Elizabethton Tenn. The South Holston River is a jewel of a river in NE Tennessee. The closest town of any size is Elizabethton where another great Tennessee River (the Watauga) flows right through the city but that’s another report. The river is like a western spring creek where the hatches can be absolutely terrific. The river (of which about 14 miles are fishable) comes out from the bottom of the South Holston reservoir through a remarkable “labyrinth aeration weir dam.” It was the first of its type when it was built in 1991 and it is located about 1 mile from the earthen dam. This “labyrinth aeration weir dam” adds oxygen to the water as the water goes through the weir. It also has another function of evening out the water surges when the floodgates are opened as well as lessening the scouring effects on the stream bottom. The higher oxygen and less scouring have increased insect life (Sulphur hatches sometimes are absolutely amazing) as well as vegetation. Lots of beautiful Brown Trout all natives – as there have not been any Browns stocked in some time and rainbows. Lots of 12-14 inch fish – many much larger... There is a wonderful recreation area with all of the amenities you might want to be located at the upper end of the river at the Osceola Island Recreation https://www.southeasterntraveler.com/blog/2013/06/fishing-walking-picnics-and-beauty-at-osceolaisland-at-south-holston-lake/. There are many pull-offs located along the river road where you can sometimes have the river to yourself. Other more popular areas have many more fishermen – it's your choice. Have fun – Be Careful - Tight Lines Some of the access points are:     

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Osceola Island Recreation Area located at the weir dam Hickory Tree Bridge Riverside road above Weavers Pike Bridge Big Springs Rd – pull offs TVA access off of Emmett Road Floating the river

Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter Precautions to take for fishing the South Holston River • • • •

Listen for the siren if near the dam – water comes up slowly Wear felt soled boots with studs Use a wading staff – some places wading can be difficult Clean your waders and boots when you get home to prevent the spread of “Didymo” algae that have spread from Canada – it’s in the Holston and to some degree in the Watauga

Flies to Use Throughout the Year Jan>Mar Black Flies - Size 20-26 Dry Fly - Black CDC Comparadun - Size 24 Black Fly Larva - Gold, Silver or Black Nickel Bead headed Zebra Midge - Size 20-24. BWO's - Size 20-22 Dry Fly - CDC or Hairwing Comparadun - size 20-22 Emergers - Loop Wing Emerger or Olive Soft Hackle Nymph - Size 20 Pheasant Tail Nymph, Olive Real Meal Nymph - Size 18-20. Copper PT Beadhead Nymph April Sulfur’s start around the middle of April Dry Fly - Size 16 and 18 Sulphur and PMD CDC or Hairwing Comparaduns Nymphs - Pheasant Tails - size 14-18. Copper Bead head or Plain PTs. Emergers - Yellow Soft Hackles BWO's - Size 20-22 Dries - Comparadun + Parachutes Emergers - BWO Soft Hackles - Loop Wing emergers Real Meal Nymphs Nymphs - Pheasant tail- Bead head or not – 18-22 Black AP Nymphs - Sizes 14-20 Black Flies - Size 20-26 Zebra Midges - Size 18-24 Rainbow Midges - Size 22-24 Jujubee Midges - Sizes 20-24. Black and Olive Ginty Midges - Size 18-24 Olive Larva - Size 22 Black Larva - Size 22-24 Black Caddis - Size 22 Black Elk Hair Caddis- Z- Caddis Black Soft Hackle - Size 22

Volume 1, Issue 2

May to Oct. Sulphur’s - Sizes 16-18 Sulfur and PMD CDC or Hairwing Comparadun Loop Wing Emergers and Yellow Soft Hackles PT's Size 16-18 Black AP Nymphs - Size 14-16 Black Flies - Sizes 20-26 Whitewing Black Body - CDC Comparadun Zebra Midges - Sizes 18-24 Jujubee Midges - Sizes 20-24. Black and Olive Ginty Midges - Sizes 18-24 Rainbow Midges - Size 22-24 Olive Larva - Size 22 Black Larva - Size 22-24 Crème and Grey Midges - 22-30 Blue Quills - Size 22 - early in the a.m. BWO's - size 22 occasionally Beetles - size 10-16 Black Caddis - Size 22 - Z- Caddis or Black Elk Hair Caddis. Black body Henryville Special Black Soft Hackles Green Larva - Olive Larva - Size 22-24 Midges - Creme and Grey - Sizes 22-30 NOVEMBER>DECEMBER Some Sulphur’s - Size 18-20 Black Flies - sizes 20-26 White Wing Black Body - CDC Comparadun Zebra Midges- sizes 18-24 Jujubee Midges - sizes 20-24 Black and Olive Ginty Midges - sizes 18-24 Rainbow Midges - sizes 22-24 Olive Larva - size 22 Black Larva - size 22-24 BWO Hatches - can be very good on the lower part of the river. Sizes 20-22 BWO CDC and Hairwing Comparaduns Midges - sizes 22-30

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter MBTU at BMW Earth Day - we were swamped! Tom said “it was a blowout”

MBTU members took up their positions and worked the crowds while tying flies at BMW Earth Day... From the looks of the pictures the “guys” had their hands full. Need to pat these guys on the back…

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Tom Theus MBTU president announced at the April TU mtg. that during September 2018 MBTU will be sponsoring a Davidson River Outfitters (DRO) trip to Bozeman, Montana. This is a fully paid trip (except for transportation to Bozeman, Montana) for two which includes: 3 days guided float fishing, 3 days unguided wade fishing with DRO staff, all meals, 7 nights lodging at the Rainbow Valley Lodge https://rainbowvalleylodge.com/ – Ennis, MT and ground transportation once in Montana. Cost per person for this great trip is $3000. But this is not what it will cost you if you are the lucky person who purchases the winning ticket – each ticket costs $20. Only 500 tickets will be issued. No discounts for multiple tickets purchased. MBTU will potentially garner $5000 to be added to the TU project coffers if all 500 tickets are sold. I am sure that Tom could be pressured to add kicker prizes to further entice you to buy the winning ticket. Ticket sales start in May. Not Included: Montana Fishing License, guide gratuity, personal fishing gear, flies, bar tabs and incidentals. DRO will make every effort to coordinate picking you up at the Bozeman airport (BZN) free of charge. However if you have a super early or late arrival or departure you may have to take a shuttle at your expense as we will we assisting other clients. Weather and water conditions may dictate fishing different rivers.

More info such as specific dates in Sept. will be announced shortly.

Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter Tom Thues recently floated the Watauga River Eastern TN; during a Caddis hatch with these results;

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The Tuckasegee River (a.k.a. “the Tuck”) Watershed

You should be able to find a spot to fish….. Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter Here is another great site to help you try out current or newly acquired fly tying skills. http://flytyingnewandold.blogspot.com/p/nymphs.html Wilson Creek Fishing Update The “retired guys” never wet a fly in Wilson Creek because we couldn’t get close to Wilson Creek. David our host for the two days at his cabin called me as we were driving up and said that “the road to Wilson Creek was impassable – he had never seen Wilson Creek up as high as it was.” We were disappointed but soon were quite elated as David gave us a rain check for two weekday days within the next two years. I can tell you from experience that most places do not give out rain checks for weather or anything else. Once again check David’s place out at: Wilson Creek Cabin Info    

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Easy wading – usually lots of fish – private water in front of the cabin Cabin sleeps 4 – 2 queens and 2 single beds $75 per night plus cleaning fee Be respectful of property and people. No smoking inside the cabin. Dogs must be well behaved, house trained, non-aggressive towards other dogs or people. Dogs may not be left alone in the cabin while you leave for the day. Unless they are kept in a crate. There is a dog fee of $15 Amenity limitations - The cabin is very remote. Closest towns with stores, restaurants, or shops of any kind, are at least 35 minutes away. A dirt road is used to access the cabin. Contact: David @ +1 (828) 394-0733

Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter Are You New to Fly Tying? If you are new to fly fishing you may want to try your hand at tying your own flies. This newsletter will always have links to flies that catch fish. To start you need some simple tools.  

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Whip Finisher – but if you learn to whip finish by hand you will not need this. Thread Bobbin – save your money a get a good ceramic bobbin. Or buy one for less than $3. If you do then you will eventually have a dozen steel versions that do nothing but cut your thread. Save your $$’s and get a ceramic bobbin. A Bodkin – this is something you can make yourself Bobbin Threader – or you can go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and get a couple of needle threaders – or you can learn to suck the thread up the stem of the thread bobbin. Hackle pliers – several good ones out there – choose with care. Hair Stacker – get a brass hair stacker – it will last you a lifetime. Half hitch tool – or learn to make the half hitch knot with your fingers. You can start out with an inexpensive one that is shown below or get a Regal – will last a lifetime.

Simple tools like these will get you started and can be purchased at a nearby fly shop, the “Big Box” sporting goods dealers or by searching the internet – lots of places to shop but support the fly shops first is my suggestion. Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter Euro Nymphing While searching the net for info about Euro Nymphing I came across the website known as Troutbitten – Life… on the water. Since my rotator cuff is no longer functional and I can’t cast very well I have had to change from the normal methods of fly fishing with a fly line to fishing with a mono leader set up which is called “The Mono Rig.”. Since I don’t dry fly fish “The Mono Rig” as defined on the website https://troutbitten.com/ works for me. Try it you may change your fly fishing methods as I did… Geo… ________________________________________________________________________

Starling and Herl

This dressing uses a starling shoulder hackle rather than the starling covert Sylvester Nemes suggests. Hook: 12-18 Thread: Black Wire: Extra Small – counter wrapped around the Peacock Herl Body: Peacock Herl Hackle: Starling shoulder

Hobby Lobby Rug Yarn Fly

Hook: 16-20 Bead: black glass Thread: Black Body: Hobby Lobby Black Rug Yarn Once you have the black glass bead on the hook and in your vice; attach your thread to the hook behind the glass bead. The rug yarn is composed of 3 strands – separate the strands and then halve one of the strands so that you don’t have much black yarn. Tie in your tail with this material and then wind the black yarn up to the glass bead and wrap the thread tightly. Then wrap a couple of wraps of the remaining black yarn to simulate legs. Be sure to tease out the wool to make it look like the photo. Another great little Black Stone imitation. Geo… Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/

MBTU Newsletter Saluda River Stripers Steve Hilbert

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Our own Chuck Rouse (group leader) will bring everyone up to date on the Mt Bridge Trout Unlimited project with the Greenville SC, TU project “Healing Waters. He will report on what took place at the recent event at Oconee State Park.

Project Healing Waters Rendezvous Oconee State Park April 27-28 Good camaraderie amongst veterans and volunteers. Fishing was slow, the weather was great, and the food was outstanding.

Volume 1, Issue 2

May 2018

https://www.mountainbridgetu.org/