After the Triangle Fly Fishers Haw River Cleanup I decided to do a little fishing. Not really expecting much I tossed my black bead head wooly bugger under a tree. Gave it a few strips and felt some tension. The fish didn't tug hard at first but then it was like it woke up and started to peel off line.The water was brown and the visibility was horrible. All I could see was my line pointing at the water and zigzagging as the fish headed to deeper water. I knew it was either a carp or a catfish. I let the fish run then remembered how I"ve lost plenty of fish before by letting them run too far. They eventually get caught on a tree or some log and you have to snap the line. After about 100ft of running I grabbed the line and tested the Orvis 8wt. It held fine and the the fish did some interesting things. Went straight towards the bank so fast I thought it was gonna fly out of the water and land on shore. Stopped like a dime about 6inches away then headed for deep water again. It kept doing this over and over and each time it inched closer. The fish rolled about a foot away and I could see from the mustard shimmer that it was a carp.I finally horsed it towards me and like all of my other carp landing attempts the fish made a last ditch effort run right as my hand was grabbing for it. Usually this is about the same time my tippet or knot snaps. Luckily it held and the fish came to hand.Sorry no glory photos, I just removed the bugger and the fish had enough in him to splash me and swim off on his own. I have to thank my buddy for taking the pics while the whole thing was going on. Usually when I'm fishing I never have any pictures of "me" actually fishing. =)
It's kind of sad, but this five minute video explaining how to proper fish with indicators has helped me more than all of my on the water fishing experience. After watching this my fish count when nymphing has gone up considerably. I know it has even kept me from getting skunked
For spring break my wife and I decided to go up and stay with her brother and family in Boone. I was looking forward to seeing Kora playing with her cousins. In between the hiking, family fun and general all around relaxing I went fishing. I went to some of my old haunts. When I first stepped in the water I looked around for any sign of bugs.
On the sunny side of the rocks you could see little black caddis. I have never seen caddis this small before. I scanned the water to look for fish rising but the water was pretty quiet. I tried tying on a stimulator with a dropper and fished that for awhile. The weather was amazing. Usually in the Mountains in April you aren't wearing warm clothing. The temp was in the 70's and you could get buy with a t-shirt and shorts. The water was still way too cold for wet wading. Even though it was high because there was still a lot of snow run off the river ran clear. I hiked a long the shore and where ever I looked there were caddis scurrying across the rocks. I was waiting to see a spot where fish would be stacked up waiting for bugs to fall in the water. I walked a pretty good stretch and never saw fish rise or even follow my flies. I tried several fly combos but I never felt even a tap. The day got worse after I slipped on a boulder and my leg was caught in between two rocks. I didn't get hurt really bad but it left a good mark on my leg. To top it off my Korker boots finally bit the dust. The toe cap came off and my sole would not stay on my boot. I decided to call it a day. It had to be one of the strangest days of fishing. Tons of bugs were hatching, I finally had the right flies to match the hatch but I didn't catch a thing.
DH Redemption
The next day I made it to the Foscoe Fishing Company and picked up some new wading boots. I was surprised to find that Orvis Wading boots were the cheapest boots they had. I felt good about getting out of there for under $75 and after talking to the salesman there I was given some good info on where some trout were stocked. I headed to that location late afternoon. I dropped down into a section that didn't have very easy access, I figured it might have seen less pressure. I worked my way upstream trying runs, pools and eddies. Nothing again, no hits, no follows, no sign of life. I was beginning to feel deja vu and to top it off I saw some of the same caddis I watched cover the rocks the day before. As I came to a run where I was confident there was fish I finally had my first taste of action. I was using a wooly bugger and I let it swing in the current as it was finishing its swing I felt a tap tap then noticed a splash at the end. It was a fish trying to hit the bugger but never fully committing. I tried several more swings and received a few taps but never a hammering strike like I'm used to from stocked fish. I messed around a little more then I noticed something peculiar.
Whenever I raised my rod up to back cast and the bugger raced towards the surface 6/10 times I would see a splash, like a fish going for it. I wondered if the fish thought the buggers was a minnow and they were chasing it to the surface. I started to incorporate the bugger rising in my swings and that was the ticket.
I caught a few fish here and there on the same technique. Then the fishing slowed down considerably. I also ran into some spin fisherman. I decided to head back and work the water all the way to where I dropped in. The raising technique I was using before wasn't very effective, nothing I had tried prior to that worked with buggers was giving me any success. So I decided to try something I've never really done before. I'd throw upstream about a 45degree angle or even sharper upstream then I'd strip with the current. I thought of the presentation Lee Cook gave at our last TU meeting and tried to put some zip in my strip. This technique turned out to be the best of the day. The sun was setting behind the mountains and fish were rising here and there. I was hiding myself in the shadows of the Appalachians and just focused on strip........... strip..... strip strike! Fish on! This went on for about an hour. The fish were hitting very subtle. It could have also seemed that way because I was fishing with the current. I kept working my way back then looked at a spot where a big pool was under a tree.
Whenever you fish a stream you always see a spot where you feel a big fish should live. This was exactly one of those places. I launched my bugger into the pool and slashed it a few times. I felt the familiar pull and it seemed the same as before until the fish turned and went downstream. Not only that but it was taking line. The fish spun and flashed showing the broadside of the fish. It was a biggun. I instantly kind of panicked and started to wonder if my knot was gonna hold. I had been catching fish steadily and never retied my knot. Lucky for me the fish went up stream and I put heavy pressure on it. As it got closer I noticed its coloring. A BROWN! I've never caught a really big brown. This made my anxiety even worse I had my net ready and swiped at the fish. The fish avoided the net easily and made a swift run upstream. I was sure my knot was gonna break any minute. With the fish going up stream and the pressure of my rod I was able to tire the fish enough to scoop him up.
The fish was easily the biggest brown I have ever caught on a fly rod.
I could have left and been happy or even stopped fishing for the rest of the week. But I fished on until it was too dark to see my fly. Catching fish on almost every other cast. No more monsters but I felt spoiled already.
Could Have Been A Lot Worse
My brother in law Russ and I went to a section of the New River we hadn't fished before. After parking the car and surveying the situation we realized the opposite side of the river was the better location to attack many of the runs. The water was running high and swift and right in front of us was an old wooden bridge. When we walked closer I didn't like the looks of the bridge. Russ felt pretty confident that as long as we stayed on the steel beam holding the bridge we'd be fine. Russ made his way across first. I took a picture hoping it wouldn't be the last one I'd ever take of him.He said some of the boards are kind of spongy but it seemed pretty solid. I made my way cross and at about the second board I understood what he meant. Kinda spongy? They were pretty much like balsa wood. I scampered across the beam as fast and safely as I could. Then when I got about two feet from Russ I thought it was safe enough to move off the beam. The next scenario was just a flash of images. I heard a crack saw the bridge for a split second then I was on my back looking up atthis hole. A tree had broken my fall and as I moved off of it to make sure I was still in one piece I noticed my gear every where. My rod some how just came a part at one of the sections and managed to not snap. My camera was under water and the case was flung about four feet away. My hat was in some bushes right behind me. I guess what had happened is I came threw the bridge and t-boned the tree underneath it. Luckily I didn't hit my head or lose anything. Here was Russ's view.
When something like this happens, especially with guys you can't help but laugh. Once Russ knew I was OK he was dying. I had to start laughing to because the whole event was pretty funny. What really annoyed me is when I looked at the water a few feet from where I fell I could have easily waded across it and avoided going over the bridge all together. It's a lesson learned and I won't be going over any rickety old wooden bridges any time soon. Even after that we continued to fish and had a fun day. The fishing was tough. Your drift had to be right on. I love this kind of fishing. It's really fun because you have to have some skill to catch the fish. Your cast and drift have to be just right and it's the difference between getting skunked and catching something. The whole day the only other souls we saw on the river were these cows. This section is going to be one I check out probably every time I come back to Boone. I will just choose my crossing points more effectively next time.
I was at the monthly TFF meeting tonight and talking with a few people I realized just how many different people I have met and fished with. I would never have met these people with out the existence of TFF. This next post will highlight some of the people I have fished with because of Triangle Fly Fishers.
Jim Burchette The first time I went Striper fishing I had no idea what I was doing. Jim was happy to have a Striper Virgin on his boat. He welcomed me and assured me that we were going to have an epic day. The fishing wasn't the best but the company on the boat couldn't have been much better. The other fisherman sharing the deck with me was Ed Mgee. Jim and Ed had me laughing the whole trip. I'm using that as excuse to why I only caught one fish. I'll never forget Jim's generosity of sharing his boat and knowledge of Stripers with me. Seeing the spawning activity, all the boats in the water, and Jim sitting for hours then getting up for 10min and catching a fish in seconds is something I'll never forget.
Dave Maeda Dave is probably the only person I know that could probably fish in a mud puddle and still catch something. He has extensive fishing knowledge and if you ask him a question he'll be happy to share it with you for a great length of time. His fly box doesn't look like your average joes. Dave's flies are neatly packed and seem to be put in a particular order. The flies are specially positioned by size, color and pattern. I've only fished with Dave a few times and all of them have been fun. On the Haw I forgot extra leaders and tippet and was too prideful to ask anyone for some. Dave would have none of it and insisted on giving me one of his furled leaders. That still is one of the best leaders I have ever used.
John Eichorn Anyone who can make breakfast five feet away from a hornets nest is cool in my book. John was one of the first people that really made me feel welcome in the club. I first really got to know John on a TFF Small Mouth trip on the New River. The fishing consisted of wading 10miles and casting about 5000 times for 3 days to catch 4 fish. It was John's hospitality and presence around the campfire that reminded me, the fun of fishing trips isn't always about the fishing.
Sam Costello The first time I fished with Sam was on the Eno. What I noticed right away was his enthusiasm. It was contagious and I couldn't help but have a good time around him. We were hunting Roanoke Bass on one of Sam's favorite haunts. We caught a lot of fish that day and it was fitting that Sam caught the lone Roanoke.
John Barnhardt John and I fished for white bass on a section that was new to the both of us. In the beginning we didn't catch much but passed the time as fisherman often do having good conversations, dodging thorny briar bushes and keeping our balance while wading. It was one of those fishing days where you talked about a lot of things but can't really remember what any of them were later. We stumbled on to a really good hole and caught quite a few bass.
Mike Poe If you want to know all there is about water skiing Mike is your man. Also if you are ever in his house don't make the mistake I made and call a custom room he has a "BBQ Area". Unless you want to hear a lot of yelling and gnashing of teeth. It's GRILLING AREA. Mike, Preston and I survived a Smallie trip of exhausting wading, wild dogs, seemingly fish less water and even someone dying within a few 100yds of where we were camping.
John Leraas and Martin Mayonette You can get a pretty good impression of some one by sitting in a car with them for three hours. Sometimes you meet someone and you know they are just genuinely a nice person. That's the impression I got from John and Martin. We fished a stretch of Wilson Creek on a chilly rainy day in January. John Laaras is an awesome fisherman. Both times we have fished together in about 5min he had a fish on the line. He's one of those people who is humble but has the knowledge and skill to be formidable on any water he fishes. I look forward to many more fishing trips with these guys.
Jim Coveny and Paul Parks Jim work at Great Outdoor Provision. Unfortunately he's the only one that knows a Wooly Bugger from a Pheasant Tail there. Paul is a great guy who I've fished with a few times and his company is always a pleasure. Jim, Paul and I hit the Mitchell on a over cast weekday and tore it up. We found a few runs that had stocked DH fish just stacked and willing to hit almost anything.
Brian Thomas Brian has invited me on several occasions to fish with him. We were going to fish together for Striper last year but ended up on different boats. This year we got together to chase some white bass on the Eno. The fishing was pretty slow but we made the most of the day with humorous chats and the occasional fish here and there. Brian was one of the first people I met that made me realize there are people out there that are just as obsessed about fly fishing as I am. It's also fun to have as much fun talking about our kids as we do fishing. I'm sure Brian and I will have many more fish stories to be a part of.
Preston Mcqueen Some people you're lucky enough to call your friend. That's how I feel about Preston. He is a great example of what a gentleman, father and friend should be. He is one of the most generous people I have ever met. He never complains about donating his time to TFF and other activities. Preston and I have never really had an amazing fishing day. I still never turn down a chance to wet a line with him.
I made a commitment to myself to start a new style of fishing reports this year. I'm going to try to hide the exact location to where I recently fished. The reason for this is I've noticed great fishing water is over populated as it is. The internet already provides all the information most people need to find most of the decent fishing locations. Even though I've made this decision in this next report I'm revealing everything. Mainly because these places are no secret.
Stone Mountain
My friend Bill and I took a week day off to head up to Stone Mountain and try our luck. This was my first time fishing there. From what Bill informed me on weekends you can rarely find a good spot to fish. This place is the closest trout water to most of mainly populated cities in North Carolina. On the way to the DH section we got our first glimpse of the creek. It looked like most of the trout streams I've fished. When we reached a parking area there was one other vehicle and we could see some people in the water.
I set up my line with something I've only used one other time. It was an indicator that pretty much resembles and works like a bobber. I scrambled into the water and tried to find the best sections to fish.
Basically every section looks like it can hold fish. The creek is full of runs and pools that probably after a good stocking hold a fish. I stepped in at a run where I figured there had to be at least one fish.It only took a few casts to land my first little rainbow. It didn't seem to want to leave me just yet after releasing it. It stayed by my wading boots for a few minutes.
I was able to catch more fish through out the day. They made me work for them but with the right cast and a good drift most of the time you'd catch a fish.
In a few hours the creek went from a private place of solitude to a competition of who can get to the best fishing hole the quickest. When I lived in Boone I never noticed how crowded DH streams were. Living in Raleigh only really allows me to fish on weekends so I get a taste of how the DH normally is. I'll just be blunt, weekend fishing DH streams sucks. I guess DH streams are the first choice for trout fisherman looking for a quick fix. The result is combat fishing.
Watauga DH
Over the weekend I fished the Watuaga DH. This picture shows about the farthest distance I was from another fisherman. When I first got to the stream I was the only one in the water. Within 20 minutes looking both ways up and downstream there were other fisherman. I really don't understand why there are so many. Around Boone there is like 100 miles of trout water. March is off limits for fisherman to fish hatchery supported trout waters. This makes Delayed Harvest streams fished even harder.
The last couple times I went looking for white bass have not been that productive. Today started out the same. I went fishing with a guy I've never been with before and we were trying a stretch of river that was new to the both of us. We bush whacked and searched holes and nice runs that looked fishy. Before getting in the water I did see what looked to be bluegill running into deeper water from my shadow. This was a lot more encouraging then my last few trips to this river. The last time I came there was no sign of life. We continued to hike and wade until we came to a section where the water came around a bend and made a deep eddy. I figured there had to be fish there. The access to the water was sketchy. I had to watch my balance on a sandy steep hillside, try not to snag the trees on either side of me and above all not fall off the small cliff into the water. I made a successful cast and started to strip my line. My white fly stood out in the dark black water. Then a silver silhouette came from the depths and started to follow my fly. A quick silver flash and a line strip later I had my first bass of the day. It was bigger than any I had caught previously. I tried to get a movie of me releasing it but the fish dropped out of my hands before I got the camera in position. I figured well it's ok I'll catch more. As time went on I started to wonder. The wading and hunting continued with no more hits or any sign that the day was gonna get better. We had fished for almost an hour and my 1 fish was all we had to show for it. The thought to try a another place altogether was brought up but fortunately for us we pressed on.
I went on upstream of my friend and did some reconnaissance. When you go fishing sometimes you come to certain spots where you just know there is fish there. It's not a feeling or a sixth sense specifically but rather an intuition. The spot I encountered had a deep run going between trees that had fallen and been positioned by high current to frame a picture perfect pool. I cast my line in expecting to catch a fish. Even with that expectation I was surprised to see a silver bullet chasing my fly from the depths. As the fly came towards the surface I noticed it was actually two fish following the fly. This is what I had been searching for a school of bass. I kept getting picks at my fly from different fish and seeing silver flashes like tinfoil reflectors under the water. Finally one of them was tugging on my line.
This was bigger than the fish I caught earlier in the day. I was able to catch a couple more then I went and got John to come up and try his luck. I went upstream a little further. There was a similar looking pool that I knew had to have fish. I sent my line in and caught a really nice fish. This was the type of bass I had heard stories about. 15inch 2-3lb slab.
I called over to John who was still having no luck. Had him cast to where I figured the fish would be. Instantly he had a fish on. What was funny is that it was a sunfish. Quickly he got it off his line and cast again. Again an instant strike and again another sunfish. It was actually comical. I asked for him to let me try again, I made a cast and then had a sunfish on myself. Gladly, those were the last sunfish of the day. The next cast John made caught his first white bass.
In that same hole was the mother load. Cast after cast we hooked really nice size bass and even a couple times had a double going. The action stayed fast and furious and we started to get cocky and felt we could throw anything and catch fish. Right about that time the fishing slowed considerably. When it was all said and done we figured between the two of us we caught at least 20 fish just in that one hole.
I can't think of a better way to end the day. The weather, water, fishing and company were great.
Went hunting for white bass again with a friend. We tried a creek he had done well on a couple years ago. You'd think with spots like thisthat we would tear it up. That wasn't the case. We covered a lot of water but the fishing was pretty rough. Everyone we talked to was having a slow day. Even the bait chuckers. It was still fun to find fish here and there. My buddy caught a nice bass. There was one sections that seemed to have a few fish. I messed around with my camera and took this video. It was a fun day even though we didn't get the white bass we were hoping for. From the information I gathered by talking to other fisherman it's hit or miss. You either catch a ton or nothing. That would make you appreciate the really good days. I'm hoping to visit this stream again before the bass run is over.
The water was brown and the visibility was horrible. All I could see was my line pointing at the water and zigzagging as the fish headed to deeper water. I knew it was either a carp or a catfish. I let the fish run then remembered how I"ve lost plenty of fish before by letting them run too far. They eventually get caught on a tree or some log and you have to snap the line. After about 100ft of running I grabbed the line and tested the Orvis 8wt. It held fine and the the fish did some interesting things. Went straight towards the bank so fast I thought it was gonna fly out of the water and land on shore. Stopped like a dime about 6inches away then headed for deep water again. It kept doing this over and over and each time it inched closer. The fish rolled about a foot away and I could see from the mustard shimmer that it was a carp.
I finally horsed it towards me and like all of my other carp landing attempts the fish made a last ditch effort run right as my hand was grabbing for it. Usually this is about the same time my tippet or knot snaps.
Sorry no glory photos, I just removed the bugger and the fish had enough in him to splash me and swim off on his own. I have to thank my buddy for taking the pics while the whole thing was going on. Usually when I'm fishing I never have any pictures of "me" actually fishing. =)
Jim Burchette
