I am starting a new series of information to assist you in becoming a better fly fisher person. This will be an interactive series where I want you to post questions or comments to my blogs. I hope that this will help you in your fly fishing journey.

As we progress into the summer fishing season and the tailwater trout waters get low and clear, you need to think about the newer styles of longer rods. These new design longer rods will assist you in getting better distance on your cast, give you more of a lever to make longer mends of the fly line as you have to fish further away from the rising fish. Yes you do need another arrow in the quiver, you just can’t fish all situations with one rod. Something to think about is that in your daily job you have many tools available for you to use throughout the day to be most efficient at your tasks. Why not have several rods to help you in your fishing tasks.

Yes I am a guide and I have many rods in my arsenal, my wife always asks do you need another one? When you wade or float with me I have many different types of rods ready for all the fishing situations that arise during the day. It all goes back to the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared”

There are the ten (10) foot 3 weight rods that are great for delicate dry fly presentations with longer than standard leaders. These rods also do well with swinging soft hackle flies to picky fish. We also use them on our multiple micro nymph rigs, nymphs in the size 18 to 28 ranges. The ten foot 4 weights will also do the same fly set-ups along with throwing some smaller streamers in size 6 to 10. The ten foot 5 weight rods can also do the same fly set-ups as the 3 and 4 weights but the better backbone in these rods have made them excellent for the deep nymphing high sticking method used in many rivers and streams all over the world. In many books, magazine articles and other publications it is called Euro Nymphing, Czech Nymphing, French Nymphing, and Spanish Nymphing. When I was taught to fly fish many years ago it was just called ‘high sticking”. There will be more about the rigging and methods of fishing of these rods in upcoming articles.

So take a look at what Temple Fork Outfitters has to offer, there is the 8 foot 3 weight with the conversion kit that will give you two rods at a 30% cost savings. There are the 10 foot 4 and 5 weight BVK rods that have all the lightweight technology. The 10 foot 5 weight Professional is a the workhorse rod in my quiver.

Just some thoughts to ponder as you look to make yourself a better fly fisherman.

Now for a fishing report. The South Holston is slowing down with generation this week, so it will be wade friendly this week. The Watauga will be doing its normal summertime releases so the morning are good for wading up high and then you will move to lower sections for the afternoon. We are seeing Sulphurs on both tailwaters along with a decent beetle bite.

The smallmouth are feeding good all day and poppers seem to be the fly of choice.

Booking Randy Ratliff for

Fly Fishing Speaking, Power Point Presentations & Demonstration Seminars

I’m available for program presentations as well as hosting fly-fishing events/shows. I conduct hands on clinics such as fly tying, casting, and fly-fishing demonstrations. I also have slide show presentations covering various topics related to trout and smallmouth bass fishing. Costs are subject to the length of the program you wish me to attend, the actual classes/clinics within your program, and travel costs. Contact me for availability.