So with all the excess rain we have had in East Tennessee on the South Holston and Watauga Tailwaters the rivers are high and TVA is puching lots of water through the dams. Most folks think that with all the water it is streamer time, we are seeing some great BWO hatches on the Watauga and BWO and Blackfly hatches on the South Holston. When the BWO’s are coming off the clients are hooking up best with a loop wing biot bodied emerger pattern that our guides have been working on. The fly sets deep in the film giving that “stuck in the shuck” look that turns on that predatory instinct of the trout. Here are a couple of these fly, one is a BWO and the other is a Sulphur imitation. When putting floatant on the fly, hide the body and tail in between your fingers and only apply the floatant to the loop wing. This really makes this fly ride low in the water, don’t pick it up at the end of the drift, let it sink and twitch it a couple of times before picking up to cast back up in the run. I hope this information helps you have a better day on the water.
When the mayflies are hatching on the South Holston or Watauga Tailwaters in East Tennessee, do you struggle during the time they are feeding on emergers just under the film. I use this easy to tie knot on a three soft hackle rig that has made for some memorable days for clients on these great tailwaters. I use an anchor soft hackle with a oversized brass or copper bead in the thorax, the upper two flies are standard biot body, peacock herl thorax soft hackles. This system is tied on a straight piece of 3x or 4x fluorocarbon leader. The first fly is 6 feet from the flyline/leader connection and then each fly is 20 to 36 inches below that. Here is the video on tying the dropper knot. I hope this information helps you have a great day on the water.
When you are fishing a tailwater like the South Holston or Watauga and the surface is covered with midges and you want to have a successful day. Here are a few of my best producing midge patterns during the winter. I hope this information will help you have a more productive day on the water.
Just got back from an informational luncheon at Bristol Motor Speedway about their Thunder Valley Fly & Wine Festival. With Troutfest not taking place this year, why not come up to Bristol Motor Speedway on May 3rd and 4th, 2013 to support a great organization, Speedway Childrens Charities. There will be great fly fishing personalities, seminars on casting, tying, and lots of other great information to help you in your fishing journey. Check out the link to the official website and keep checking back as the information grows.
I will be perticipating in this event and hope to see you there in support of Speedway Childrens Charities.
So how many tools do you use during your daily activities on your job to help you accomplish the tasks in front of you. You undoubtedly will have many and some will be very specific in what they do. With this in mind, take the type of eyeglasses/sunglasses you wear while fishing. Will the tool you are wearing do the best job for you and help make your angling outcome best the best possible it can be? Here are a few pictures to help you see how a good pair of polarized eyeglasses (for those needing prescription eye-wear) or sunglasses can make a big difference when out on the water. Without good polarization you will see glare and distorted views that will not allow you to visibly see the fish working and feeding.
without polarization
with polarized Costa sunglasses held up over camera lens
Get yourself this good tool to go along with your rod, reel, waders and boots. I personally have found Costa sunglasses to work for me. The reduced silvery glare in the early mornings and late evenings is gone.
Check out the Costa’s at your local retailer and go see for yourself.
Many of you while floating with me have watched me do this knot. Just wanted to post this as a refresher as we get closer to those times when we all get back on the water more often.
We have secured a good entry and exit set of ramps on the Nolichucky River. This river offers you the chance to float and wade for smallmouth and musky. We also have the ability for you to stay in a great cabin right on the river at our exit ramp. Check out the pictures of the cabin, don’t forget right now is prime musky hunting time and we have the winter pricing in effect so lets go chase some toothy critters.
Don’t forget the Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show this coming Saturday January 26th. I will be there, stop by the booth and watch me tie some South Holston and Watauga Guide Special flies. I will also have the TFO Tenkara rod with me so you can learn more about rigging or casting techniques.
Happy New Year to everyone. Hope you have a great 2013
Here is the first newsletter for the year, it contains all our trip specials and what shows and fly shops we will be at. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.
As you gather with your family and friends I wish you a joyous holiday season. Thank you for being part of my life and making it so rich and rewarding.
So you want to target big browns with streamers, we can make it happen. It doesn’t matter if you have never thrown big heavy flies on sink tips or sinking lines. I have developed the right rod, reel and line systems that make it possible for everyone to have a chance at one of these big trophy browns that the South Holston and Watauga Tailwaters are known for. Here is a sampling of some of the fish from the past week.
Don’t forget about the Winter Smallie Floats, yes thats right smallies in the dead of winter. A float this past week yielded 30 smallies and some nice rainbows all in the same stretch of water. If you want to try some winter smallies, I am having a introductory price for these new floats, $295 for a trip down this awesome section of river. Here is some of what’s available.
We are launching a new website after the first of the year and are already promoting it on Facebook, click here: East Tennessee on the Fly click on the like button and be sure to send your friends to like it as well.
One quick note, Debbie Griffith, please call me at 423-360-1468, your email address did not come through on the email you sent me.
So you think that with winter coming your smallmouth bass addiction has to end until next spring? Not here in East Tennessee, we have the privilege of having a smallmouth bass fishery that gives us a great bite on smallies all year. The winter fishing season brings out the Trophy Bronzebacks. You want to try out this crazy winter fishing for smallies, send me an email to fishwithrandy@embarqmail.com and I will send you and introductory trip coupon good from November 26th, 2012 through February 28th, 2013. This coupon will be good for a one or two person, six (6) hour float on this special water for only $295. Smallies in the dead of winter, yeah you heard right. There also may be some big trophy trout in the 4 to 10 pound range thrown in at no extra charge.
Tenkara style of fishing has become very popular and my recent casting and technique demonstrations have really brought out folks looking for information on this new style of fishing. I am seeing a new group of fisher persons who want to get into fly fishing but get frustrated with the traditional western style of rod, reel, line, leader, tippet and fly. Then there is all the casting techniques, mending skills, stripping skills, and such. With Tenkara it is just simply rod, line and fly. The cast is simple and the new rods that Temple Fork Outfitters has brought onto the market make casting effortless. The folks I worked with on casting at the recent WNC Fly Fishing Expo were amazed at how quick they picked up the casting skill needed, you could see the confidence that they could go fly fishing and not have a high level of frustration. The Tenkara style of fishing is bringing new blood into the sport and I like this. I know how much I, my friends and clients enjoy the benefits of being in the great outdoors and it makes me happy to see others joining in on this fun. You need to take a hard look at Tenkara and join in on the simplicity of it, don’t we all need something a little more simple to help bring down the stress we all face each and every day in out lives.
