As a fly fishing guide, each and every year I spend a lot time on the water with a lot of different folks. Mostly all great people. But that still means lots of different opinions, attitudes, approaches, fly selections, and casting styles. In other words, on some days I learn from my clients… and some days I wonder why I’m even there. Here’s what I’m getting at. Through watching my clients over the years the one most common mistake… make that the TWO most common mistakes I see, more so than anything else, is first the way people approach a stream… and second the amount of casting they do to effectively cover the water they are fishing. I too make these same mistakes at times. Usually in haste or lack of concentration or at the sight of some huge rising fish in the distance. Sometimes adrenaline is an uncontrollable substance.   

That being said, here’s my suggestion for a couple of 2011 resolutions that I promise will help us all catch more fish. Number 1 – STAY OUT OF THE WATER as much as possible… and Number 2 – QUIT MAKING SO MANY CASTS. Yeah, I know, everyone is scratching their head and wondering “what does he mean by that”. Aside from just not tying on a hook… these are probably the two worst things a fly fisherman can do. We may as well throw a stick of dynamite in the water and wade out with a net. Success ratios are sure to climb and fresh trout will be a given. Here’s a quick tip on stream approach. This is probably something most of us already know but just don’t think about. Not until it’s too late and the fish of a lifetime is scurrying off like a rice train bound for China. So, here it is… anytime you step foot into the water of any brook, creek, river or stream anywhere in the world, you are alerting everything within a very large radius to your presence. Proceed with caution! Again, I realize that for most anglers this is just a reminder… but trust me, the more time I spend on the water the more I find it to be a revelation for others.

So, with that in mind, here we go… ready? Repeat after me: “This year, when I’m fishing, I will always make a stealthy approach, I will always fish the inside seam first, I will not wade into the water any more than necessary and I will not make unnecessary casts. ” Well, wading and casting is what fly fishing is all about” you say. Wrong… spending time outdoors, being on the water and enjoying mother nature at her finest is what it’s all about, catching fish is a bonus. Yep… wading, casting and false casting are very much an integral part of  this sport, but most of us do entirely too much of it… and ALWAYS do them at the wrong times.

I find it very common for anglers to assume that any fish in a given river or stream will always be found in the “middle”, or against the “far bank”. I won’t argue that point as there is certainly some very good reasoning for these belief’s. Due to stronger currents, the middle of a stream is not always, but is usually the deepest part and therefore offers trout safety from the variety of predators they face on a daily basis. As for the “far bank” theory… yes, trout do in fact prefer the “quieter side” of the river. And as it just so happens, that’s usually away from the anglers’ access points thus leaving them laid up on the opposite side of the river on the “far bank”.      

But here’s where anglers get into trouble. As we get focused on that “middle run” and then go stomping out into the water we are practically kicking trout out of our way, and usually don’t even realize it. This in turn alerts every fish in the area to the presence of something that shouldn’t be. Instant red flag. And you just made catching the trout  in that particular stretch of water much harder than it may have been otherwise. Here’s another tip to remember. The edge of any stream offers great structure. Structure that trout enjoy even though the water is usually shallower than in other places. Stream banks usually have protruding logs or rocks which offer relief from swift currents. And because most species of aquatic insects migrate toward the shore line in preparation for hatching, bait fish move to these shallows followed by predator fish, and that’s where we get busy. And lets not forget all the terrestrial insects that make their home along the river’s edge and somehow manage to tumble their way into the stream as a form of trout chow.

All things considered, here’s my approach to any stream I have ever fished anywhere in the world. I don’t care where you are, unless you see working fish in midstream, ones that you REALLY want to catch, start out by approaching the edge with a low posture. Be very quiet and fish the water directly in front of you. In some instances if a fish is sighted on the inside seam you may have to crawl into position or risk spooking it. Fish any spot that you think could would a trout… then fish the spots that may seem unlikely. Here’s the main point of todays post, if at all possible, STAY OUT OF THE WATER the entire time while doing so. In fact, stay at least a rod length back from the water’s edge so any fish on the inside seam won’t see you. Take just enough time to make a few good drifts and make a couple of fly changes and move on. You may come up with a goose egg or you may catch a fish that you never would have otherwise. One that would have spooked off and scared everything else in sight had you just stomped right in heading out to the middle stretch.

So, enough about not wading more than you have to. The flip side to this scenario is casting when we need to reach some water that may be 50 or 60 feet away. In such case it’s alway’s better to wade to it than to try to cast to it. I often tell my clients to ”be the heron, move toward your target in stealth mode and make sure the water between you and pay dirt is clear of any fish that may give up your presence”. Moving slow and paying attention to your surroundings while focusing on a 25 inch trout rising on the far bank is no easy feat. Yet it’s one that every angler must be able to execute in a manner of precision if that big trout on the far bank is to ever see the inside of a net. 

There’s an old saying in the fly fishing world that goes something like  “never cover water with line when a pair of waders will do fine”. That’s something to keep in mind… and I think that just rhymed. Yeah, yeah, I know, move on. And my point is this. Fly fisherman have big ego’s. More so than any other athlete I’ve come across, especially us guides… and that’s another story for another time. As fly anglers most of us are cursed with distance envy. So to say the least, we’re all proud as hell, grinning from ear to ear when standing just downstream from our fishing buddy we unconsciously, out of nowhere, lay out a long 100 ft. frozen rope that lands on the water’s surface like a mayfly. And you stand there like you meant to do it, yeah right! Feels good though. Well, guess what boy’s… time to put your ego in check. The facts are this. In most scenario’s, the farther you cast, the more you increase the potential for things to go wrong.

Long casts create a variety of problems. Spooking a fish holding between you and your target by lining them is the most likely outcome. You also take the risk of spooking the fish you’re trying to catch when the excess line inadvertently lands heavily on the water. Longer casts increase drag. Often by currents that you can’t even see yet are strong enough to pull your fly off its course. In most instances the above situation usually causes your fly to be pulled out of the trout’s feeding lane altogether and the fish will never even see your offering. Or worse yet, the trout sees your fly acting so completely unnatural that it becomes uncomfortable and either quits feeding or moves out. Then there’s the inevitable… it happens, it never fails! LONGER CASTS WILL GET SNAGGED ON STREAMSIDE TREE BRANCHES… end of story! And nothing, I repeat nothing is more frustrating than being on your final approach, ready to cast. Then just as your coming into your last forward stroke, eyes fixated on the fish in front of you…. schwack!  The sudden stop of your casting arm and the rustling of the tree branches behind you gives absolutely no reason for turning in awe as to what just happened. You know what you did… bye-bye fish. Keeping it close… keeps it accurate. Short and precise will win every time.

Then again, we all like showing off from time to time. So, if room for a backcast permits… and intervening currents aren’t a factor… and you’re sure there are no trout between you and your target…  then hell fire, let em’ rip. Of course, there will be times when you absolutely must make a long cast. Usually when the water is too deep to wade. But, back to our previous discussion about wading, if you can shorten the distance by wading so that you only have to cast 40 feet of line instead of 60 feet of line you’ll have much more control which makes for a more precise presentation. This also allows you to set your hook in a more solid manner in the event of a take.

Bottom line: Keep out!… Cast less!… enjoy success!

Tight loops -

Todd Fox, Co-Owner Flies and Fletching

As a fishing guide “no hatch” never means “no fishing”.  As any trout angler worth his salt will tell you, there’s always a way to fool wary fish. Whether with streamers and terrestrial’s or attractor’s and egg patterns, there always something in your box that will get their attention. It’s just a matter of getting it on your line at the right time and getting it in the right place. But still, as fly fishermen one of the things we miss most during the winter months is the presence of flies. 

Thank goodness for midges, my go to winter bugs. These little bugs, some of which aren’t that little at all, are active all winter long and serve as a major food source for trout during these cold months. Most of the action when fishing midges is sub-surface. But if you’re lucky and in the right place at the right time you may find trout rising to eat hatching midges during the later winter months. During the coldest part of the year I’ve found that the “right place” is usually a deep, flat, slow-moving pool.  Combine this with a windless day when both air and water temps are in the mid 40′s and you’ve found the “right time”.  Yes, I realize this is winter and that doesn’t happen every week. But if you pay attention to the weather patterns and have the ability to cherry pick a day here and there to go hit your favorite stream then you have the ability to pull it off. When you do, look up and thank the good Lord, tie on your favorite floating midge pattern and cherish the experience.

A midge spends most of it’s life as a slender, segmented larvae. Then after a brief  pupal phase it hatches at or just below the surface and fly’s off to live a brief life as winged insects. This is the same cycle for many mayflies and caddis. Being widely distributed around the world, there are numerous species of midges in existence. In many bodies of fresh water, including many trout streams, midges are by far the most numerous insect. This is not only the case in winter months but on a year round basis.

Of course, the king of the dry midge pattern is the Griffith’s Gnat. Although technically a dry-fly, I add a small split shot about 4 inches above the hook eye and fish it just as you would any other midge. Rigged in this manner it’s a super effective fly and can be deadly when most else fails. It may not look exactly like other midges in the water but I guarantee you it will produce fish. 

Other great patterns are the Lil’ Brassie, Zebra Midge, and the WD40. Small, skinny Hare’s Ear’s or Copper John’s will also do the trick in frigid temps. The key to winter midge fishing is to fish them PATIENTLY under a strike indicator. Get it on or near the bottom and be alert for any subtle takes. Trout aren’t moving around much in the winter so you HAVE TO cover as much water as possible. Winter is not the time to be stationary and beat one or two holes to death. Fish thoroughly and move one after a dozen or so casts.  

Most trout anglers are about to put away their rods, hang up their waders and wait for spring to arrive. No way man, there’s never been a better time to get out and enjoy some un-crowded waters and fish your favorite winter time bug! 

With access to over 5 miles of trophy trout waters we have all the winter time fishing action you can stand. Give us a buzz and come fish the North Georgia Mountains for 30 inch rainbows and browns.

Big N. Georgia bow taken on a weighted down Griffith's Knat.

Our private waters have been on fire with some hot and heavy top water action over the last two weeks. Beetle and hopper patterns were the most successful, providing lots of  18 to 26 inch bow’s and brown’s. As the first round of really cold weather approaches this weekend, expected temps in the mid 20′s, the top water action will more than likely slow down quite a bit giving big leeches and stimulators all the attention. Fall is also a great time to fish some of your favorite minnow patterns. Try tying bigger than usual sizes and fishing them faster than you normally would. You’ll be surprised how a big trout reacts when dinner comes flying by. Yes, any trout is a good trout, that I will concede. As a fly fishing guide who thrives on repeat customers that statement is especially true. But when I have time to fish for myself, which is rare these days, my approach is a little different. I’ve been fortunate to have spent time fishing in most parts of the country including Alaska and Canada. I’ve caught all the 8 to 15 inch trout I care to catch and prefer to spend my time on the water chasing larger fish. Again, that’s just the approach I take when it comes to my personal fishing time. For me… big flies’, fished fast, means big fun! And this is the time of year to do it. Try it out and let me know what the outcome is . Oh yeah, some words of advice…. hang on and don’t get caught sleeping!

Aside from the occasional cold front between now and Christmas, fall trout fishing will remain consistent with larger patterns getting most of the larger fish. With the arrival of cool weather, gorgeous fall colors and hungry trout, there’s never been a better time to come see us.  

For more information or to make a reservation visit us on the web at www.fliesandfletching.com or call us at (706) 374-6768.

Beautiful fall rainbow

Now here’s the real irony in all this. Fannin County was just recently named the “Trout Capital of Georgia” and weeks later the TVA decides to go and f#*% up one of the best trout fishing river’s not only in the state but the entire Southeast. I tell you one thing, that took some real planning by some real fart smellers. At this point, it is what it is and all we can do is pray for the best. 

As I jumped back in my truck I realized it was still early and… it can only get better.  Afterall, my favorite time of the year to fish for BIG trout is just around the corner.

Fall is in full swing here in Blue Ridge. The colors are just starting to pop as the stage is being set for some of mother nature’s most impressive painting’s . Not only does fall mean beautiful weather and vivid colors… it also means BIG TROUT to a lot of die-hard fisherman. After the first real cold front and on through mid December is the best time to fish for some of your biggest trout of the year. That being said, now what do you use? Dry-fly fishing in the fall usually sucks. I’ve had some pretty good times in other parts of the country but here in North Georgia it’s off more than it’s on. Nymphing is always productive and the numbers can add up pretty quickly under really good conditions. But if you really want a legitimate shot at a wall hanger then try fishing  some BIGGER than usual streamers this fall.  

Most trout  spawn in the fall and during the pre-spawn periods female trout are at their heaviest weights of the year. They are also very eager to pack on more weight in advance of the post-spawn winter fast that is steadily approaching. During the fall spawn trout are also very defensive, making bigger trout easier to catch than during other times of the year. These fish are not so much hungry as they are protective of their surroundings. At these times trout can portray the same characteristics as a spawning salmon whereby they strike out of anger rather than hunger.  Taking that into consideration, the trick to choosing my patterns is to match the minnow’s found in the same rivers and streams you are fishing… and then tie em’ BIGGER. These small minnows are very opportunistic feeders and live to prey on trout eggs. Understanding this little chain of events makes a large “holed-up” trout an easy target for a good fisherman.  In attempts to protect their breeding grounds trout are very eager to pounce on one of these little guys as it drifts through its territory. Try tying oversized versions of these minnow patterns and ripping them through some prime looking water on your favorite river or stream this fall. Fish them on a down stream swing as if you were going pass it right in front of the fishes face. Then as the fly approaches the fish quickly strip it back and be sure to watch how the trout reacts. They will usually eat it as it comes at them on the first pass. But never let it drift too close on the first pass as it could spook the fish. If you don’t get a reaction on the first pass then get in a little closer, and a little closer… until the fish either spooks out or eats your fly. Remember the trick is to fish your fly as if it were a minnow sitting on the outskirts of a trout bed waiting to sneak a few eggs. Never drag it across the beds, always keep your fly out in front of the trout where it can be seen. 

I like using crystal flash, flashabou, mylar stripping and other flashy materials when tying my patterns. Do your own experimenting… just be sure and hang on.

One last thing to remember is that these large breeding trout are the future of this resource. Handle them with care and release them unharmed so they can help us replenish what has been taken. Catch and release is one sure-fire way to do your part in attempts to protect our trout populations for years to come.  

Tight Loops!

Cory Ford and a beautiful rainbow caught on one of my favorite fall patterns. Can you guess what it is?

           



  

Wanting to see for myself just how bad the temps are getting I went down to Tammen Park the other day and tied my little digital thermometer to one of my wifes 2 pound hand weights (I hope she doesn’t read this) and tossed it out on some light rope. I watched it sink to the bottom about mid-stream and tied it off. After about 20 minutes I hauled it in and looked at the reading. That’s when I realized for certain that if nothing is done… IT WILL GET WORSE! Under generation, at 10 am, the temperature just below the dam was already at 68.4 degrees… not good! I then headed down to and did the same thing at Curtis Switch… 69.2 degrees… even worse! Then again at Horseshoe Bend… 70 degrees. And with that my friends it’s almost time to start building the pine boxes. At 72 degrees WE WILL start seeing dead fish… any higher and there will be a significant fish kill.

In a recent article in the News Observer, TVA spokesman Travis Brickey said that TVA monitors water temps and so far there have been no reports of dead fish. I believe reports of such nature are certain to fall on deaf ears. My reasoning behind that statement is that I’ve been out on the water, and I’ve already seen quite a few fish lying dead on the bottom or up against the bank. I’ve scooped them up and checked them out only to find no apparent signs of physical damages. They are just dead. Granted, this could be from many different causes but I guarantee you this will become common place very soon. Now, getting back to the point I was trying to make earlier… what are we going to do about it at this point? What CAN we do about it at this point? Our only recourse is to speak out in masses in hopes that TVA see’s value in what they are potentially going to destroy and puts a halt on the project until cooler weather prevails. Continuing on the current track will certainly result in a significant loss of trout over the upcoming weeks. A potential fish kill of this magnitude will be devastating to our county, our tourism industry and our economy. Not to mention those of us that make a living guiding on the river.

TVA says they understand our concerns, and that water temperatures throughout the reservoir are on the rise. Personally, I see that as an excuse to avoid the subject at hand. That sort of reasoning  gives me absolutely no piece of mind as the direct cause of the issue at hand concerning the future of the tailwater lies directly in their hands. Since nothing from nothing leaves us with nothing I feel the best we can do is to speak out and openly express our concerns on this issue to anyone who will listen. The end result may be the same…  but at least we’re educating others about this matter and that’s better than complaining about it. 

I encourage all anglers to be ethical at this time and stay off the water until the high temps subside. As a fishing guide, I myself have been turning away trips… no amount of money is worth killing the fish. I’m not fihsing the tailwater rightnow and we’ve shut down all our private streams. None of us need to fish that bad and catching fish under the current conditions will certainly result in loss of life for the trout.  

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed and hope that this works out in the best interest of this precious resource we all so thoroughly enjoy.    

Tight Loops-

The most obvious way to avoid temperature-related trauma begins with knowing when the water is too warm. Stream thermometers can be a great help, as it will definitely tell you when a stream is too warm to fish. As a general rule of thumb, anglers should avoid any trout water above 70 degrees. For me, as a guide and someone who invests a lot of time, money and effort into managing our private trophy streams, 68 is tops. Anything above that and we shut them down to any further angling pressure. Some anglers are tempted to say the heck with it and fish anyway but that isn’t what I would call an ethical fisherman. When in doubt, stay home. Or, follow local reports on stream conditions so you know before you go. Most local fly shops have stream conditions available on their websites. Local information from your favorite guide (that would be me) is often the best source of honest information on what’s on your home water’s. 

Even spring creeks and tailwaters can get very warm under the relentless glare of the summer sun. Most will cool down to fishable temperatures during the overnight hours. During this time, fish the early morning hours, the water is coolest it will be and the fish are most active. The potential for good fishing makes the trouble of getting out of bed early worthwhile. I dont know about any of you but for me, being on a trout stream at the crack of dawn on a summer day is one of life’s pleasures.

 Once you’ve found a good place to fish you can greatly increase the odds that any fish you catch and release will survive. Land them quickly and release them with as little fuss as possible… leave the camera at home. Ethical angler’s will use the heaviest tippet possible to minimize potentially fatal stress when water temps are in the upper 60s or even higher. I use fluorocarbon tippet, with its low visibility it’s provides a stealthy presentation even when using heavy diameters like 3X and 4X. Anglers should always use barbless hooks. Extracting a barbed hook can become chaotic and place undue stress on the fish.  

 Hey, let’s face it. Fishing in the Georgia heat is never fun. So, put yourself in the fishes shoes, or gill’s. Fish cool running streams, fish in the evening and especially early in the morning, use extra caution when handling and playing  fish. The fish will thank you and live to fight another day.  

Client Scott McKenzie prepares to realease a beautiful rainbow on one of our private trophy streams here in North Georgia.

On my last few trips with clients we’ve decide to sleep in during the wee hours of the morning and get on the water around 10 am. Although the bite is slow during the mid day hours, it’s the scenery of the mountains and the stream that keeps their attention focused on the action that is soon to come. The sounds of the slowly swaying trees as they rustle in the summer breeze, the  rumbling water as it churns and turns over the shallow rocks and plunging pools, the song birds perched on a nearby fence… these are all a sensory exciting part of enjoying a day on a North Georgia stream. Then the last hour of daylight arrives, the time we’ve been waiting for all day. It’s the “magic hour” for most species, and especially wary trout. For you experienced fly fishermen, you know that it only stands to reason that fish feel more willing to move around when light levels are low making them less visible to predators. The same holds true for the trout’s food: insects, bait fish and other tasty morsels that lay low during the heat of the day now become active during the low light evening hours… which in turn stimulates hungry trout.

 The evening shade also brings a welcome relief from the unrelenting summer sun and the water can now begin to release the warmth it has absorbed all day. Trout need cool water to survive. In North Georgia anything above 68 degrees is not good. As the sun drops so do water temperatures… and the trout begin to feed.

 During calm summer evenings many species of mayflies gather for their mating swarms and spinner falls can also be a common occurence. As they fall to the water, hungry trout come out of their hide-outs for an easy meal. How many of you have ever heard of the phenomenon known as the “behavioral drift”?  This is when large numbers of nymph’s leave the safety of the rocks and allow the current of the stream to carry them downstream for a while. It’s nature’s way of evenly distributing these bugs, and this happens only dusk and dawn hours. So as you can see there’s many good reasons for trout to feed during the “MAGIC HOUR”

The “magic hour” also brings good reasons for people to fish into the early evening, too. It’s usually the most comfortable part of an otherwise offensively hot summer day. The long rays of the setting sun create that peaceful setting we dream about all winter. And for the most part, during long these long, hot, dog days of summer days most anglers prefer to be home by 9pm rather than still standing on a stream bank… late evening fishing is for diehards. At the same time, it’s when people who work unfortunately have to work “traditional business hours” have a little time for themselves… yes, I am fortunate to be a fishing guide. 

Even though fishing in fading daylight is full of rewards,  it can also present a few small challenges. Here are some things to keep in mind when fishing between sundown and nightfall. Fish places you know. It’s not un-common for anglers to get caught up in the action of an evening hatch and then look up in surprise at how different the place looks in the dark. Trout streams here in the North Georgia Mountains, or anywhere away from the hustle and bustle of human development get very, very dark at night. It’s very easy to get turned around or lose sight of the many trip-and-fall hazards that are visible during day light hours. Being in a familiar place makes a big difference when your sense of vision can’t help you navigate. Also remember to bring a flash light. Although this seems obvious to me, many anglers only remember they need this very important tool when it’s too late. The edge of darkness often brings some spectacular action and having a handy light will make sure you’re able to find and tie on the correct fly. Any number of small flashlights are available these days, from mini-Maglites and key chain LEDs. I have a couple of  baseball style caps with a couple small LEDs built right into the brim of the hat.

 For those of you not so fortunate to have extraordinary vision, having a pair of reading glasses or some other kind of magnifier with you will serve as great help. You’ll be thankful for a little extra help if the evening action presents a hatch of size 20 BWO’s. Also, consider bringing a lightweight jacket along on the trip. Here in the mountains, even after a long hot day, it’s very possible to catch a chill in the evening hours when you’re standing in cold water. Remember, it’s always better to have, than have not… come prepared and you’ll be prepared for success. 

 Being on the water in the evening, being comfortable, being able to use the flies you need and being able to find your way back to your car without injury makes for some of the greatest pleasures of trout fishing. So, the next time the fishing bug bites, sleep in and stay late. Enjoy the summer and be safe on the water. 

Tight loops…. 

Heres a nice 24" brown that was caught by a client lurking in the darkness just prior to nighfall.

In terms of fly fishing… our “busy” season has begun. Tourists are flocking to Blue Ridge like migrating birds and will do so until the last leaf falls in mid November. For me, that means 4 to 5 days a week out on the water searching for hungry trout. I’m hoping that just as last year, we remain somewhat consistant in temperature and rain patterns allowing us to avoid the low water and extreme heat conditions that can really put a damper on thing’s. So far, “early summer” is off to a great start. Just as the weather has begun it’s warming trend, the phone starts ringing. And that’s music to my ears. I had four clients out at Noontootla Creek Farms yesterday. The water temps are still in the low 50′s and the fishing was great! Between 4 anglers we hooked a pile of fish and landed about 2 dozen. A couple of those went over 22 inches with one going just over 25. The rest averaged betwen 12 and 20 inches, which by Georgia standards are damn nice fish. Needless to say, having two guys who had never really fly fished for trout before, these guy’s were ecstatic. The other two were avid fly fisherman and certainly no strangers to the art. And for the same reasons we all enjoy being on the water, they too were absorbed in the day. It was just a damn good day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. The water was slightly stained, caddis were coming off everywhere, we had the place to ourselves and the fish were biting all day long.

There was no certain pattern that seemed to work any better than others. We caught them on top, we caught them on the bottom, we caught them sub-surface… it just didn’t seem to matter what we lobbed in as they ate it just as any other. The sun, moon, and stars had obvioulsy aligned and the fish were running wide open with reckless abandon. All the fish brought to the net were rainbows. But we did manage to hook one really nice brown that would have gone around 25 or 26 inches. A big, hook-jaw  male that showed absolutely no hestitation what so ever when he decided to smash one of my favorite patterns for browns on this particular body of water. The cool thing was we saw him coming from what seemed to a block away. As the fly came zipping by about 10 feet in from his un-known location, he came out from under a big mountain laurel cluster… pushing a head wake like a big redfish would do on a shallow flat. I bet I yelled out “here he comes” more than 15 times before the big ol’ boy opened his mouth, turned sideways, and caused the eight foot 6wt. to double over like someone who just took a sucker punch from Mike Tyson. No hook set was needed with this strike, just hang on. And just as the drag on this old Abel reel really started singing the big brown came leaping out of the water giving a glimpse of the golden gladiator himself. Then all of a sudden the rod stood at attention pointing at the sky as the fly came hurling back towrds us. Just as quick as he came… he was gone. Oh well, it was pure adrenaline pumping excitement none the less.

Providing the rain stays consistent enough to keep the water levels up, now through the end of November is a great time to come fly fishing on our private waters. We have access to over 12 miles of private waters on 5 different streams here in the North Georgia Mountains. Although the public waters can be fun to fish, I prefer to provide my clients with a sense of solitude and a stream all to themselves. For more information or to book a trip just give me a call or shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tight Loops -