Fishing Report - Spring on the Chattooga River

by: Matt Walters

Spring on the Chattooga River

Spring time has arrived and the fishing has been great.  The days are much longer and the temperatures are on the rise.  All of the trees are in bloom, the colors are vibrant, and the smell of spring is in the air.  As Ron Burgundy in Anchorman would say, "Drink it in, it always goes down smooth.".  

We recently took a trip to one of the most picturesque rivers in North Georgia, the Chattooga River, to do a full day of fishing.  The water was running clear and cold due to a lot of rain the prior days and colder mornings. The bug life was incredible.  Every submersed rock that I picked up and inspected the underside of had caddis, mayflies, and stone flies darting for cover on the slippery surface.  The trout menu was endless.  It was a beautiful sight to see with so many different varieties of insects.  

The most productive flies early on in the day were a size #14-16 pheasant tail or hares ear.  We caught a few with a streamer in some of the deeper stretches using a pine colored slump buster as well.  Towards the end of the day when the light was fading on the water, we started catching brown trout on emergers.  

Some of the fish were breaking the surface of the water while the majority were feeding in the surface film so we focused our attention on the emergers by casting size #16 soft hackles with success.  Overall, it was a great day catching the Chattooga Trifecta (Brooks, Browns, and Rainbows).

Where have you been fishing recently?  We'd love to hear your Spring time fishing stories in the comments section below.

             

Throwback Thursday - Bonefish on the Fly

Bonefish on the fly caught in Turks and Caicos

Photo by Jena Walters

Walters Fly Rods In Action - Gary Long Rainbow Trout

Excellent rainbow caught by Gary Long in Virginia over this past winter using his Walters Fly Rods 9' 5WT Chattahoochee Rod and BT12 5/6 WT Reel. 

Thanks, Gary, for sending your photo to us, we love seeing our rods and reels in action. If you have a photo you would like to share with us please send it to info@waltersflyrods.com. 

The Core of Fly Fishing

by Matt Walters

Photo by David Cannon (click here for more photos by David)

What lies at the core of fly fishing?  To me it takes a look into history to the roots of human beings.  Humans were mobile nomadic creatures in the past.  We traveled great distances in the pursuit of food, shelter, and water.  We are meant to expend energy during the day and use our hands and bodies to handle manual tasks.  

Our distant ancestors lived in caves and the tasks of hunting, fishing, and gathering were just daily chores needed to sustain life.  If you didn't accomplish these life giving activities, you did not survive, period.  For some of us, these drives and instinctual habits remain alive within us in modern day society.  

Today a lot of these activities that were performed by our ancestors are gone due to the introduction of modern conveniences and technologies. They are just simply no longer needed or required activities.

I have friends ask me why I go backpacking for days in the woods, why I sit in a duck blind when it's snowing outside, or why I fly fish for hours in terrible weather only to catch a few fish (and then release them all).  These activities make me feel as though I am tapping into that relentless and powerful instinctual drive.  A drive and curiosity of what's out there that has been lost by many in our society due to the conveniences of modern day living.  

I know some friends that live this outdoor life daily. (Trust me, I am jealous).  My home is in a metropolitan area and although the fire pit out back is great, the true need of being in the wilderness is not met.  I have to get my "fix" in smaller doses on planned outings.

Fly fishing, similar to hunting, backpacking, and many other outdoor activities triggers a feeling within me like no other.  Hooking into a fish brings on a rush that is undeniable and often times a large fish will leave me shaky as the adrenaline pumps through my veins.  

Being out in nature gets me back to satisfying my instinctual need as a human being.  Sitting on a mountain top with an incredible view or staring down a foggy river at sunrise makes me truly realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things.  This viewpoint brings a different perspective to life and the world and provides clarity and insight.  It raises the question, how significant are we in the big picture as individuals.  This viewpoint helps minimize daily problems and any issues I may be facing.  For some including myself, there is also a religious connection that is made when experiencing these natural wonders. 

Fly fishing is very involved and keeps our minds constantly on the task at hand and completely in the moment.  We rely on skills that have been acquired and learned over years to make decisions.  Some of these skills. I like to believe, are instinctual and part of our DNA.  

Although catch and release is my standard and is becoming more of a common practice for most fly anglers, the pursuit of fish in a river and the thought that you could provide food and nourishment to your family and friends offers a feeling of true accomplishment. 

Being immersed in the outdoors while fly fishing is like no other feeling or experience.  I receive a feeling of gratitude and respect for being out and a part of the elements and also a sense of pride and history while enjoying one of human's oldest traditions and activities.  Not everyone experiences this same internal drive and excitement that some of us share, but I would still challenge everyone to pick up a fly rod or any other outdoor activity and head into the wilderness. You may not know what you are missing.  That instinctual drive buried deep in your core may surface.  

In closing, I'm just glad my family does not rely on me for food like our ancestors during the slow days on the river.  For now going to the local (modern) Mexican restaurant isn't that bad.

Bring on the Spring Time

Here's To Overworked Streamers & Warmer Weather  

Photo By David Cannon (click here for more photos by David)  

Getting Back to the Blue Lines

by Matt Walters

Photo by David Cannon (click here for more photos by David)

I learned how to fly fish on smaller water.  I practiced the intricacies of this type of fishing for years on these technical stretches.  When moving to an area where my home river was much larger I didn't have to pay attention to some of the smaller details and utilize some of these fine tuned skills as often.  I'm not saying that larger rivers are easy and not technical, but you can get away with making more mistakes and you have a much larger buffer room for error.   My tendencies now, after spending a great deal of time on a large river and also saltwater fly fishing, are to pay less attention to the smaller details, walk around freely in the water, and bomb long casts just because they are fun to do.  Unfortunately, these techniques and fun tendencies don't correlate to success on small water.  I have to really remind myself of the tactics and ways that were once second nature to me when I make trips to smaller streams and rivers.  Here are a few tips when dealing with smaller water that I have to make a mental note of when getting back to the blue lines:

-Stay out of the water as much as possible.  The sight of your large silhouette will scare fish away.  I'm a taller guy and I have spooked more fish because of this than I realize and probably will ever want to know.

-Use faster moving sections of water and seams to disguise your movements and your body underwater.  The bubbles and stronger current act like an underwater visual barrier.

-Keep as much fly line out of the water as possible and make smooth softer landing casts.  A good friend of mine once told me after I returned from a saltwater fly fishing trip to fish a smaller river, "don't try to kill the trout with the strike indicator." I may have been still using similar casting force as I was when throwing large clousers and crab patterns long distance.

-Use rocks, branches, logs, and downed trees to your advantage by hiding and crouching behind them.

- Be mindful of your shadow and use shaded spots to your advantage versus standing in the direct sunlight.   

- Wear colors that match your surroundings to blend in with your background and break up your silhouette.  I once had a red rain jacket when I first started fly fishing, but quickly retired that for obvious reasons.  Trout can pick out these colors above the surface.

- Use small white or neutral colored strike indicators to mimic bubbles on the waters surface versus unnatural colors that can alert fish to your presence.

-Approach the water slowly and methodically.  I have a tendency to want to rush out of my car after blasting music to get pumped up and walk right into the water.  The best approach is to take your time and devise a plan of attack.  Take a deep breath, the fish were not head banging to the Allman Brothers band for an hour before you arrived and are on an entirely different pace.  Therefore, you should slow down to their speed.  Planning helps you maximize your opportunities as there may be fewer chances to catch fish on a smaller stream or river so every cast counts.

- Avoid kicking up rocks on the bottom and walk in a slow speed not creating wakes especially in slack water conditions.

- If you are in the water attempt to create a decent distance between you and the area you are fishing but, do your best to not compromise your casting angle on the fish (typically casting around a 90 degree angle to the fish in the current).  

- Use finer tippet material and leaders to catch more fish.  The fish may be more difficult to actually bring to net, but you will have many more opportunities and hook sets come your way as the shallow clearer water allows better vision for the trout.

-Teaming up with another person to spot fish is always very beneficial.  Two sets of eyes is better than one.  Having a buddy high on a bank overlooking upstream can yield great results.

Small streams and rivers are great to fish and are one of my favorites.  With the variety of fishing I do these days, it helps to have a mental checklist to remind me of some of the smaller details that may have slipped through the cracks when targeting other species of fish and on larger bodies of water that require less finesse. 

Please feel free to add any other tactics to the comments below as we would love to hear them.  

Technology & Fly Fishing

by Matt Walters


Photo by David Cannon

With all of the new technology available out there you can still remain active in the fly fishing community and discover new topics about our pastime without ever leaving your couch.  I believe the use of technology should be used wisely to enhance our knowledge and skills, but for me time on the water is a cell phone free zone.  It is my time away from modern technologies and a place where I can gather my thoughts and escape the daily grind.  The only thing that typically requires batteries is a quick camera shot on most days (although I'm not perfect and have carried on a phone conversation or two while wading).  My suggestion is to use the below items while planning and to help strategize for trips, but to keep the power button off while on the water as much as possible to fully enjoy the moment.

This week I wanted to go over a few websites, programs, and apps that I have found super helpful for retrieving current conditions and also planning and safely navigating new terrain.  Below is a list of the most used technology for these circumstances:

River Data iPhone App - this great app delivers historical and current river conditions throughout the U.S. The app allows you to check water temperature, stream flow, and gage height.  You can create favorites in the menu for even quicker information pulls.  This is especially great for tail waters or after heavy rains to quickly check your current river conditions.  The app even includes the tiny stream that flows through my neighborhood.

Tides & Multi Tide iPhone Apps - this is another crucial water condition app available at the tip of your fingers.  Although tide tables and predictions are readily available through many paper publications, this app allows the user to quickly search through tide tables for the entire nation.  The information provided back gives the time and height of the tides.  The app even integrates sunrise and sunset into the time lapse view. 

Trimble GPS Hunt Pro App -  although I started using this app more for hunting and scouting for hunting trips, I believe this piece of technology is great for fly fishing.  I especially believe this app comes in very handy on unfamiliar and remote waters.  It allows you to safely navigate over varied terrain and note your exact location.  The app gives you the ability to create trips with a start point.  During the course of the day the trip is active and a blue line on a topographical map will trace your exact steps throughout the day via GPS tracking.  You can mark spots, like a honey hole you may have found or a perfect camping spot.  Marking the spot on the trip also allows you to take a photo of the location as well.  The trips created can be saved and you can use them at a later date and retrace your exact steps.  The app will continue to work while stowed in your pocket in your waders and also functions without cell phone service because it only relies on GPS.  This app may be the only reason I pull my phone out during a fishing trip (but only for a quick second of course).

Fly Fishing Message Boards (NGTO-North Georgia Trout Online) - message boards are one the fastest ways to learn more about local conditions and the opinions of other anglers who have actually visited these locations first hand.  North Georgia Trout Online is a message board I visit frequently to get river\stream conditions and also to hear the experiences of other anglers in the local area.  There are many great write ups of trips you may be considering taking or are just curious to learn more about.  The perspectives can vary and as any great angler knows, most people are not going to give away their "secret spot" to a message board forum with thousands of users (I know I wouldn't).  The message board also displays maps created by users that show specific highlights and areas of interest.  NGTO is great for me locally and you can find other message boards available through a web search that applies specifically to your area.

Google Earth- we all are familiar with this one or at least should be.  This has to be one of the most fun to use.  You can fly around the world and view sites in incredible image quality in front of your computer screen with some pretzels and beer.  I'm a sucker for maps in general and could spend hours glued to the screen on this one.  Discover new sections of water you have never seen before or plan your hike in.  Nothing compares to real life scouting, but this can provide a great start and spark some interest in some new areas.

These are just a few of the technologies I use when planning trips and for retrieving current conditions.  The best part is that all of the above are available free of charge.  We'll explore more uses of technology as it relates to Fly Fishing in future posts.  

If you have any ideas to add to the list or if you have another creative use for anything above feel free to comment below. 

Trophy Regs for the Chattahoochee?

by Matt Wilson

Fisheries Technician, Chris Looney, with a 14-pound, 31 inch brown trout collected during an electrofishing survey on the Chattahoochee between Buford Dam and Morgan Falls Dam in October 2013. (Photo from Georgia Department of Natural Resources)

 

I had the opportunity to meet with Patrick O’Rouke, Fisheries Biologist with the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia DNR to review some of the results from the Department’s recent study on brown trout behavior in the Chattahoochee tailwater. After discussing brown trout movement, diet, and spawning habits, I quickly reached a topic I have been itching to talk about. Will anglers ever see a strictly enforced catch and release, artificial only section of the river above Morgan Falls Dam?

Many anglers enjoy and appreciate the chance to catch wild trout in the Metro Atlanta area. And just as many anglers travel to other rivers throughout the United States in pursuit of big trout. However, we already have monster, boomerang-jawed brown trout right in our backyards. Is it selfish of us to want a section of the ‘Hooch dedicated to growing trout big enough to scare small children?

The discussion regarding a trophy-trout section of the ‘Hooch is not something new. If you hang around enough of the local fly shops and TU Chapter meetings the topic is sure to come up at some point.

I understand anglers have access to the Delayed Harvest section of the Chattahoochee tailwater but I am not the only angler who has expressed an interest in something more. There’s no doubt that the river is large enough and supports the habitat to grow big trout and lots of them. If we could protect a specific stretch of river and give that area the chance to grow some big fish and keep those big fish around, couldn’t we attract more anglers to visit and support this fishery? Why can’t we have some of the same “trophy” regulations as some of our other Southeastern rivers? 

Here’s our answer

According to Patrick, a lack of consistent nutrients in the river attributes to slower growth rates amongst trout. The evidence also supports that fish numbers as well as catch rates remain high throughout the river which defers the argument and/or need for a special “trophy” regulation section of the river. Essentially, the status quo of the ‘Hooch tailwater will not change any time soon. The science behind recent reports regarding insufficient nutrients and oxygen levels is unfortunate for the anglers that would prefer to see a separate section of the river ( catch and release, artificial only, etc. ) designated for those anglers looking to catch and release big trout on a more consistent basis.  (Click here for the link to the Brown Trout study).

 

If you as an angler and supporter of the ‘Hooch had the opportunity to create a “trophy” regulations section of the river, would you?  Would it be beneficial or detrimental to the long term success of the Chattahoochee Tailwater fishery?

Last weekend on the Chattahoochee River

Excellent fish caught on the Chattachoochee last weekend by Nathan Curtis.

Tailwaters - Buford Dam & The Chattahoochee River

by Matt Walters    

Buford Dam below Lake Lanier 

Over the past few months everytime I hear the sound of rain I know it's going to be trouble for fly fishing on my home water, the Chattahoochee River.  It has been one of the wettest past years that I can remember and it has caused rivers to reach near flood levels and lakes to hover around full pool consistently.  The water we receive is the life blood of our city and others downstream. The abundant water that flows down the Chattahoochee provides a home for aquatic species and nourishment for other species that live nearby.  So even though I cringe hearing the sound of rain falling on the roof top I realize there is a greater good at stake. 

The other side of this equation is not enough water.  Not too long ago we were praying for rain as the water crisis in Atlanta was an alarming concern.  Lake Lanier's water level was so low that most boat launches were closed as the water didn't even come close to covering the bottom of the ramp.  This quickly grabbed the attention of many people who call Atlanta home as 70% of our drinking water comes from this river system and Lake Lanier.  

The volatile ups and downs we have witnessed over the past few years with droughts and too much water doesn't compare to how the Chattahoochee River used to behave.  It was once a wild and untamed natural resource that was capable of causing havoc and destruction along it's waterway.  The river was responsible for destroying many communities along it's banks as well as wiping out many agricultural lands during times of heavy rainfall.  Looking at a historical graph of the streamflow shows every few years water running as high as 25,000 CFS prior to the dam being constructed.  To give a comparison, preferable wading conditions on the Chattahoochee near the dam are around 800 CFS.  The water which was capable of such destruction could also be reduced to a trickle causing fear and anxiety in all who relied on it's life giving properties.    

Snow on Buford Dam.  View from Lake Lanier.

Completed in 1957, Buford Dam took about 10 years to complete through planning and construction.  Located about 50 miles north of Atlanta, the dam was built to tame these wild waters and create a consistency in water availability for the surrounding area.  The dam controlled the amount of water released into the river so that it stayed in a stable range not rising too high or dropping too low.  The other huge benefit of the dam is the electricity that it generates, supplying power to thousands of homes and people.

While none of us want to have another river dammed as they interupt a pre established ecosystem there are some great benefits to having this tailwater so close to my home.  One of the most overlooked reasons is the availability of trout fishing this far south.  Without the dam producing such cold water (on average around 48 degrees flowing from the bottom of Lake Lanier through the dam all year long) these waters would not hold trout.    Introduced soon after the dam was constructed, trout were stocked in the water through private funding.  Soon after, the government funded stockings of rainbow and brown trout.  Within the past few years, it was found that the brown trout population is able to reproduce on the river bottom creating a natural life cycle.  In my opinion this is a great accomplishment and something to be noted and appreciated the next time you hook into a brown on the "hooch".               

The reality of this tailwater is that it offers a trout fishing opportunity in a place where it was not possible before. The release of the dam and water level is completely up to two factors, mother nature and the operators at the dam.  The water is released due to the need for water downstream, hydro power demand, and/or the excess collection of water in Lake Lanier.  We are at least given an update of the water release schedule via a phone number with an automated message the day of and on Fridays for the entire weekend annoucing the water release schedules.  On other tailwaters many are not afforded this luxury and are at the mercy of a completely random and unpublicized release schedule.  The downside to this is the inability to plan trips in advance without a back up river to travel to.  Your guests (especially coming from out of town) and you will not know if the water release will occur on that particular day far enough ahead of time.

High muddy waters last summer at Jones Bridge on the Chattahoochee

Back to the rain.  I don't want to be a selfish angler as this water is used for much more important things, but the release schedules these past few months have made planning and going on fishing trips extremely difficult and minimal.  If it weren't for hunting, cabin fever would have set in long ago.  The dam has been releasing two times a day recently making the water rise to unwadable levels and at times too high for boats to run.  The water then remains high throughout the entire day. That being the case, I would not trade this amazing man made trout fishery for anything.  Even after consecutive days of heavy rain the high water flow currently pales in comparison to the days when the river was not dammed. 

The Chattahoochee tailwater is one of the most beautiful rivers and has been ranked in Trout Unlimited's 100 best trout streams for years.  The river changes as it travels from Buford Dam and through Atlanta.  Sometimes it is surrounded by steep cliffs, other times the banks are low as it meanders around slow turns.  The shoals are wide and plentiful and exploring with a boat can yield a new spot rarely fished by others.  I have enjoyed many afternoons taking a break on the rivers edge or on one of the many islands relaxing and gathering my thoughts to the sound of the water flowing by.

The Chattahoochee is one of the southernmost trout holding water and I am proud to call it my home water.  Even during high precipitation/water times I at least have the satisfaction of knowing the dam contributes to keeping the lights on at the fly shop.  

Snow Day in Atlanta

 

Hope everyone is having a safe and warm day.  We are at home in snowy Atlanta with all of the essentials.

 

 



Who is Walters Fly Rods?

by Matt Walters

Photo by David Cannon

I recently had a conversation with Kent Klewein about an article he had written for he and Louis Cahill's blog, Gink and Gasoline (http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/fly-fishing-tips-technique/is-your-introvert-personality-holding-back-your-fly-fishing-growth/).  If you haven't already visited their site, you are missing out on some of the best fly fishing content out there.  I left our conversation with a ton of insight and also a realization that not everyone knows who I am and what this company is truly about.  So here goes.....

This story begins about 20 years ago  growing up North of Atlanta in a neighborhood with a creek and a farm pond.  I grew up in the same neighborhood as Kent.  I remember watching Kent and his buddies catching fish out of the pond and creeks.  My friends and I were slightly younger and tried to follow along and pick up any fishing advice these guys (that we looked up to) would be willing to give us.  I received a lot of information directly from them, but learning through osmosis of just watching them fish was an unforgettable lesson.  

Fast forward through countless bass, crappie, trout, bream, and too many late night cat fishing trips (oh the late night cat fishing....) and you arrive in the soccer fields at Brevard College in North Carolina.  I'm receiving my first fly casting lesson next to Kings's Creek from my college roommates, Peter Caye and Steven Marascalco.  It was quickly realized that this was not only a passion, but something I HAD to do and do VERY often.  My mountain bike, backpacking gear, and conventional fishing gear began to collect dust in the closet rather quickly.   My fly rod and fly tying vise were in constant use.  In between college courses and "occasionally" skipping a few I would hit the local rivers or hang out watching fishing videos and looking at new destinations and new flies with my good buddy, Guide Ken Hardwick, at the local fly shop, Davidson River Outfitters.  These were the days and I would fish as much as I humanly could.

The fishing didn't end in the mountains.  I soon discovered salt water fly fishing early on and have been chasing redfish and sea trout around the Charleston, SC area for years.  I typically kayak fish around the small creeks, but when another good friend, Capt. Elliott Hillock gives me the call to hop on the flats boat I'm all in.  I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to fly fish for bonefish in the caribean a year back, an experience of a lifetime and I was able to share that excellent time with my wife. I love the diversity that is offered between saltwater and freshwater fishing.  To me life doesn't give you two better options. 

After college I moved back to Atlanta from Brevard, NC.  Wanting more information on fly fishing for trout in Georgia, I approached Kent to see what he was up to and to locate some good spots in Georgia.  We caught up and he offered up some great spots and fly patterns to get the job done.  I still made trips to the mountains regularly as I still had Ken's couch in Brevard to crash on which I utilized as much as possible.  We would have a few drinks, tie flies and then fish the next day from sun up to sun down only to do it all over again until the weekend reached it's expiration date and it was back to Atlanta again for a week of work.

I spoke with all of my buddies over the past year or so about my idea for starting a fly rod & reel company and there was an overwhelming support and excitement from all of them although everyone agreed it would not be an easy task.  I have always wanted to have some sort of stake and part in this great fly fishing community, no matter how great or small.  I like to have the thought that this will be something I can tell my grandchildren about, a tangible part of something you love to do, the ability to chase your dreams.  

I have bounced plenty of ideas off all of my buddies through the course of this start up and they have always remained honest and upfront through it all with their opinions and feedback.  Kent has been a great friend and mentor similar to when we were in our younger years and I am truly thankful for that.  

This year has been exciting and fun starting this new company.  The fly fishing world is full of some of the best and most interesting people one can meet.  I feel blessed and extremely fortunate with all of the people I have been able to meet and stay in contact with over the years and the new ones to come.  I can only imagine it getting better.  

I hope you learned a little more about me and where this company's heart is.  I'm sure I have accidently left some parts of the story out, but to simplify things, I love fly fishing, tying flies, building fly rods, and meeting the amazing people involved.

Feel free to drop me an email anytime at matt.walters@waltersflyrods.com for any more information or if you ever want to go fishing.


Matt Walters

Walters Fly Rods, LLC

Atlanta, GA

www.waltersflyrods.com

Nymphing Depth

by Matt Walters

Photo by David Cannon

When I first began fly fishing one of the more difficult concepts was how deep to fish nymphs. Others may have had different struggles but for me it was this. I always questioned my fly fishing buddies as to why the flies needed to be so deep and have so much weight attached as they always snagged leaves, moss, trees, etc on the bottom and would cause me to have to re rig my whole set up when this occurred. The common response that I now have branded in my memory from those early days is "because that's where the fish are."

There is a reason for this.  Trout tend to stay deeper in water especially in faster runs.  Deep in the water the current is not as strong and this helps the fish exert less energy in their pursuit for insects/food.  The natural drift of an acquatic insect is also near the deeper portions of the water as their tiny frames have very little control over the direction they take when facing moving water thus pushing them deeper in the water column.   

Use judgment when selecting flies from your box.  The size and weight of the nymphs you use will also alter the fishing depth. I tie my #8 Kevin's Stone Fly with a wrap of lead wire around the shank of the hook so I don't have to use as much split shot to compensate for water depth. Obviously size #18-20 midges will require more split shot than the #8 Kevin's Stone Fly described above. You want your flies to reach the bottom where the fish are located as quickly as possible so that every drift in the run you are fishing is as efficient in covering the deepest water for the longest time frame possible.   Mending the line will also play an important factor in the depth and speed your fly will travel. The fly will travel at a greater speed and higher in the water column out of the trout's consistent striking range if your line is not mended properly causing the fly line to drag the leader too quickly through the water.  You want to make sure a dead drift is accomplished by mending appropriately.

It is also important to keep adjusting your indicator and weights for different sections on the water throughout the day. Sticking with the same depth that you rigged at your vehicle that morning and fishing it the same way all day will typically yield fewer fish.  Your nymphs should be bouncing off the bottom as a natural aquatic insect will do in its larva & pupa state.  The other variable that needs to be accounted for is water speed. You will need much more weight (split shot) added to your line if you are fishing faster moving waters as the current will not allow the fly to drop to the strike zone of a trout.  I have always heard "if you are not snagging the bottom you are not fishing the right depth and you are not putting your fly in front of the fish.”  

Sometimes the depth and speed of the water is a guessing game. A good way I have always used is to cast a short amount of line in front of you (near your feet) where you may still be able to see the flies under water using polarized sunglasses. The depth they reach will be a good indication of where they will be when you cast further into the run holding fish (similar to a practice run before the big show).  If you can see the flies near the bottom of the water you are fishing the correct depth if not you need to adjust your rig.  Another option is to dip the flies into slack non moving water in a spot you approximate to be the same depth as the run you will be fishing to determine the correct depth.  These "practice runs" may be difficult in very deep water where visibility will lack below the water's surface or in smaller tighter rivers that don't offer much "practice" area.  A stick or other depth gauging device can be used in this process as well if all else fails.  With time and experience and trial and error, determining the correct depth will become much easier.

How deep is too deep? If there is too much line between your flies and the indicator you may encounter missing strikes when attempting to set the hook on a fish as well as foul hooking some fish. If this is the case, try fine tuning your line length by shortening the distance between the flies and the indicator by removing some weight.  Use your best judgement based on the information above according to the water depth and speed of the current. If you find yourself not catching fish it may be time to lengthen the line below your indicator and/ or add some more split shot to your line. It may just make a major difference in your success on the water.

This is a simple yet very effective basic fly fishing technique.  I'm sure there are other tricks and techniques everyone uses out there to determine nymph depth if you want to share below we'd love to hear your insight.

Southeastern Angler

by Matt Walters

Photo by David Cannon

There's a certain charm to the southeast. The slower pace of life, the backyard grill outs, the bourbon, and the natural beauty. The orange glow of a sunset on a marsh coastline and the morning fog rolling off of the Blue Ridge mountains are like priceless works of art when witnessed.

The bodies of water that make up the region are full of life and good times to be had. From the freestone streams that race out of the mountains to a flooded tidal creek during a spring tide.  The small ponds and the large lakes where bass and crappie thrive all contribute to the wide spanning blanket of fisheries here.  

The angler is given much water to work with in the southeast although at times it is not an easy destination to get to. Most of the times, the best spots are tucked back far off a single track trail or are only traveled to from a remote boat launch. These places in the southeast are my favorites to get to and to fish. Hidden back behind the rhododendron and spartina grass is a waiting fish ready for your next cast. An opportunity for the fish of a lifetime.

From our native strain of brook trout high in the mountains to the tailing redfish feeding on crabs in the mud the southeast is their home and home to a world of excellent fish species.  Often times you dont' even have to cross over state lines in order to reach the abundant varieties of fish.   

The southeast angler is an extremely dedicated and proud crew having much experience in both salt and fresh water given the close proximity of the mountains to the coast.  Our fisheries last all year long and the true die hards are found on the water during the slowest of times and through the worst of weather conditions. We find comradery in meeting other anglers in our region and sharing stories of places and fish caught.  We share the methods we have learned from our own experiences and pass these on to our family and friends. 

The diversity of stunning landscapes, species of fish, and the extremely close proximity of it all truly make the Southeast an unusual and exceptional angling environment.  It is a great time to be a part of the southeastern fly fishing culture and we are proud to help support it and the community.

Where is your home water in the southeast?

Happy New Year from Walters Fly Rods

Cheers to 2014!

 

Southeast Winter Trout Fishing Tips with Ken Hardwick

by Ken Hardwick 

At a point the weather pattern shifts and the app on your phone says it’s going to be cold for a long, long while.  The sunny and 75 is long gone and eventually you’ve wandered into the monotonous stupor of endless overcast and too many days at the tying desk. Time to add layers until you feel like Ralphie’s little brother in that famed Christmas classic and head out to the local run.

Winter has become one of my favorite seasons to fish. Along with the warmth most of the anglers have long since gone and the fishing pressure with it. Runs can be empty even on the weekends and that wary brown that you missed in the cut bank on a hopper back in August may be laid up in inches of water sipping size 20 blue wings without a care in the world. 

Winter offers up some great fishing though on the surface it can be sporadic. Midges, BWO’s, and little winter stones dominate your bug spectrum this time of year. In the mornings and evenings you are better off dredging the bottom. Pick apart your deepest water. Fast or slow, fish will congregate in these lies when the temps are at their lowest. It may be your 13^th drift before you hit your first wily ‘bow of the day so don’t be in a hurry to move, the fish aren’t in a hurry either.

Even with temps in the mid 30’s you can find lots of activity. Add some extra layers and grease up your guides with mucilin line dressing to fight off icy build up and work your gentleman’s hours. Starting late and finishing early keeps you away from the hypothermic shiver and focuses your efforts on the warmest part of the day. As it warms look for fish moving into shallower water to feed. Keep a patient pace and take advantage of these low-pressure opportunities to work on some sight fishing. A majority of the nice trout I have caught in the winter I have seen first by scouting from a high bank or a good vantage point.

Frozen Guides

Convince your buddy to go. Having twice the fly selection in the water helps you get dialed in to what the fish are doing that much faster and you can take turns with one guy scouting and one working the run. If he’s a good friend he may bring a flask along for knocking that wintery bite!

By mid afternoon on a typical southern trout stream start looking for those dimples on the surface. This is usually the peak time for activity.  Look for blue wings or midge hatches but don’t forget about those little black things crawling on your waders. Here in the Davidson river area of North Carolina our winter stonefly hatches can show us some of the most bugs we’ve seen all season.

If all else fails don’t be afraid to throw that pink san juan or that big rubber legged stone literally chilling in the lost corner of your nymph box, or whip on that olive conehead bugger for some fun. Sometimes it takes a different approach to get fish moving. 

Its better to be on the river, even when your feet feel like  concrete galoshes. Some of my most memorable days are not the ones filled with fish, but the ones spent working a familiar run with banks blanketed in snow really learning how to appreciate sunny and 75.

Ken Hardwick is an experienced fly fishing guide with over 5 years of guiding clients for Davidson River Outfitters in Brevard, NC.  Ken has fished many Southeastern waters from North Carolina, Georgia, Tennesee, South Carolina, and beyond.  He has spent time fishing in Alaska while guiding for Great Alaska Fish Camp on the Kenai River and Alaska West Camp on the Kanektok River.  You can book your next trip with Ken on the Davidson River or other surrounding area rivers by sending him an email at Khardwick@davidsonflyfishing.com

Happy Holidays from Walters Fly Rods

Best Christmas lights in Georgia, hands down. 



www.waltersflyrods.com

Chattooga River - David Cannon Photography

by Matt Walters

Photo by David Cannon

We recently took a trip to the Chattooga River in North Georgia/South Carolina for a full day of fishing.  It was the coldest morning of the season so far and we were excited for what the river would hold for us that day.  We left Atlanta around 4 in the morning and arrived at the river before sunrise.  Meeting us there was David Cannon, an experienced photographer from Georgia and author of Fly Fishing Georgia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters.  David joined us to shoot some photos while we fished.  We suited up in our waders and rigged our rods up while David got his camera ready for the day. 

I had met David a few months prior at our local Trout Unlimited chapter meeting where he did a presentation about fly fishing photography and gave some tips and tricks to snap better quality photos while on the water.  I took some valuable notes from that meeting that I still use on the water today in my own photos.  I was immediately impressed by the quality of his photos that were displayed during his presentation, the colors were amazing and the photographs seemed to tell a story from that day on the water.



Photo by David Cannon

We dropped in the river and were the only ones on the water the entire morning.  Breaking ice off of the rods was a constant chore, but the sun finally came out and burned off the morning chill towards the afternoon.  It was quickly realized that this was going to be an excellent day as we began catching a lot of great fish from the beginning.  The highlight of the trip were the large Brook Trout we caught and each of us was lucky enough to land at least one.  The day ended at sunset when we began our hike out in the dark down the fishing trails smelling wood smoke as we walked past a few anglers who decided to make the Chattooga their campsite for the night. 



Photo by David Cannon

Throughout the day our group shared a ton of laughs and there was plenty of healthy and hilarious trash talking between Ken and Matt about who was catching the most fish and the biggest fish . All in all it was a perfect day.  David snapped some amazing photos which I wanted to share just a few from the day in this post.    



Photo by David Cannon

To get in touch with David for your own photos or to pick up a copy of Fly Fishing Georgia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters please visit his website at http://www.cannonttl.com or find him on Facebook under David Cannon Photography.   

Where It All Begins

by Matt Walters

Chattahoochee River near Jones Bridge

Since Thanksgiving is all about spending quality time with family and friends and sharing stories, I wanted to write up a post to share a story on here as my first blog post. 

Above my fly tying table is a memory a great time and accomplishment in my life. It is a picture of my first fishing trip ever. It was with my grandfather Walters on a lake in Ohio. The picture is of a smaller me holding a tiny yellow perch. Smiling from ear to ear. I remember the day vividly as it had been raining everyday prior to our fishing trip and I had asked my grandfather to take me fishing growing more and more restless with every passing inclement weather day of our week long family trip to Ohio.

We packed up the car with fishing rods and reels, a tackle box, and lunch. We used my grandfather's fishing poles which once belonged to my great grandfather. Those poles now rest on the wall in my office as well. Grandpa baited the hooks with fresh night crawlers harvested from his backyard. They were plentiful with all of the rain that had been falling.

We walked a good way from the car and set everything down in a promising looking spot. My first attempt at casting a conventional rod and reel was a complete disaster and I bailed the entire line into a bald eagle sized nest that had my grandfather busy for the remainder of the afternoon frustratingly pulling knot after knot out of the reel. Needless to say, he did the casting from there on out. We waited a while until finally we had a fish take my bait.  The fish weighed no more than a few ounces, but to the younger me and my larger than life imagination it felt like a striped bass ripping line. We snapped a few photos of the fish and continued on fishing celebrating over lunch on the side of the lake.

That day with my grandfather meant a lot to me as an angler and is a constant reminder of how great of a pastime we all share.  It taught me patience in fishing and in life.  It also taught me to never lose the excitement and adrenaline rush of catching a fish. Seeing the metaphors that fishing and life share is priceless. That day is a point in my life that began the love of fishing for me and that pushed me to progress into the world of fly fishing.  Fishing has come a long way since my grandfather's and great grandfather's time with the advancement in equipment, methods of fishing, and tackle used to outsmart willing fish. One thing that will always remain a constant is the tradition and importance of a day on the water with great company.

Chattahoochee River near Bowman's Island

Where were you and who were you with when you caught your first fish?

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from Walters Fly Rods.  

Fall Brown

Ken Hardwick, guide, at Davidson River Outfitters caught this brown trout on his Walters Fly Rods set up in Western North Carolina. www.waltersflyrods.com