Carp on the Fly!

August 11, 2011 in What's Happening

This has been an interesting summer to say the least. Here on Long Island we had a surprisingly weak flats season. We had lots of big fish but the numbers were way down. Hopefully this is not a sign of things to come. With that, my days were also limited so when I decided to take my son Ethan back to where I grew up to visit family, I knew I had to bring our rods and fish the flats of upstate NY. It was also a great excuse to try out some knew prototypes!
I grew up about 40 minutes east of Syracuse, NY and as I got more and more in to fly fishing, especially sight fishing, I discovered what is now, perhaps, my favorite freshwater fish. The common carp!
My folks live on the eastern shores of Oneida Lake. A lake that is over 5 miles wide and 21 miles long with an average depth of 12 feet. It is basically a giant flat. The first morning I woke up to a sight I haven’t seen in years. Carp were tailing all over the bay, pushing water, looking for food. The nice thing about Oneida Lake carp is that they are big. The lake record is 56 lbs and my biggest on fly is almost 40lbs. I swear I’ve hooked bigger but I have never been able to land them.
I walked out with my son and with in minutes spotted fish and after a few misses and bad casts I had my first take, but after a long run the hook pulled. Walking around a little more I spotted another fish tipped up, tail slightly breaking the surface. His face was covered by a puff of mud. I threw the fly just off the mud and as soon as her head popped out, she saw the fly, chased it down and I was on. It always amazes me at how strong of a fish the carp is. They make runs longer than most stripers we catch and dog you back fighting against every inch. I had Ethan fight the fish to feel its strength, we landed it for a quick shot and watched her swim away.
As my trip came to an end I landed a few carp and relived several days in my past. More importantly my son was able to reel in his first carp and I was able to show him the type of fishing I did while growing up. Even the new prototype 8wt met my expectations. Not a bad weekend.

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Acklins Island Bone Fish Trip – Rise Fishing Co.

May 10, 2011 in What's Happening

My trips to Acklins Island was an interesting trip to say the least. Acklins is known for its “Do It Yourself” aspect. There are lodges to stay at but we decided to do it on our own and stay at Ivel’s B and B. Which I have to say is above and beyond anything you would expect. We booked through Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters owned by Vince Tobia. I highly recommend using them. He gives you maps and great instructions that even a novice fly fisher could use to catch fish. I went with long time friend Acee Acee, owner of Adirondack Angler in upstate NY. Acee is a great fly fisherman and best of all easy to travel with. We had not done a bonefish trip together in 10 years or so, when we fished the outer islands of Abaco. Let me say that Acklins is nothing like that.

Acklins is not easy to get to. You have to fly in to Nassau first and there are only 4 flights a week in and out. Monday and Friday on Pineapple air and Wednesday and Saturday on Bahamas Air. Our trip looked promising Saturday morning as the skies were blue and it was 80 degrees at 8 am in Nassau as we boarded our flight to Spring Point, Acklins. Little did we know that this would be one of the last times we would see the sun for a while. As we approached the runway thunder storms welcomed us to Spring Point. It was pouring rain but it was warm. We were picked up with our rental by the staff at Ivel’s and drove about 20 minutes to where we would be staying. This was the first nice surprise as Ivel’s blew us away. It was very clean, with great bed’s and all of the amenities a fly fisher could ask for. Rod racks outside and a freshwater hose to rinse everything off.

We decided since it was raining to take our rental car and drive around to see some possible fishing spots and perhaps grab lunch. It soon became apparent that finding spots to fish was easy but the lunch would be much more difficult. The weekly Mail boat had mechanical difficulties and most of the stores were closed or out of food. It was rather comical. If the mail boat doesn’t come, the supplies on the island become scarce. Thankfully we found Club Rolex and owner Henry and a few patrons at the bar who directed us to a place that we were able to grab some canned tuna fish. The rain stopped so with the advice from Jerry, a local at the bar, we decided to venture out on the flats.

The skies were grey with intermittent sprinkles of rain but we did see a couple of bones. The fish were decent size but were not interested in our flies. As the skies grew darker we decided to pack it up and head back to Ivel’s to prepare for tomorrow. Hopefully the weather would be better.

It was mainly cloudy with brief moments of sun, just enough to tease us. We found a great little creek with several small bones. But to our amazement they were the spookiest fish I had seen. So I thought. The winds were high but we were able to get a few casts at them with no luck. We then decided as the tide came in to go to the spot we were at the day before. This was a great spot but we just did not see the numbers of fish we should have for a flat that nice. We did see a permit!! But it would not let us near and then I saw 2 beautiful bonefish. I threw a cast leading them by 6 feet or so and as soon as the fly hit they were gone! I looked at Acee and we knew that the 30 mph winds and storms really made our fish spooky. Finally we headed to a small creek where we found several 2 lb bonefish and finally Acee hooked up and the skunk was lifted. We were off to Club Rolex to celebrate with some great food and beer. The mail boat had arrived!!

We were pump about the next day as now we had an idea of the tides and several spots to explore. However when we woke up the winds were 30 out of the north east and the tide was way out. I mean, boats that were floating the day before at the same tide were sitting on dry land. Our creek with the small bones was completely dry. We went south to an area where four creeks come in and everyone we had talked to raved about it as an incoming tide spot. Knowing the tide should be coming in we felt this was a good spot. As everything with this trip, there had to be a surprise. The strong Northeast winds blew so hard that the tide never came it. When we got to the creeks the mouths were dry. Several people we spoke to said this happens only a couple times a year. However we say hundreds of bonefish! Not that big but hundreds. Several large schools kept trying to get in to the creeks but since there was no water they were spooky!!!!! After hours of switching flies, lightening up on tippet and making what seemed like hundreds of casts we finally figured out what to do. We watched the patterns of the bonefish and noticed that they would keep circling as if the water would rise so they could get in the creek. We ended up casting to a spot, letting the fly sit some 30 seconds until the school came close before moving it and finally we hooked a few bones. Perhaps the toughest 1 ½ to 2 lb bonefish on the planet but we felt extremely accomplished about our success.
Our success was short lived as we decided to pick up and head to our now good friend Jerry’s recommendation. When we arrived we finally saw the numbers of bonefish that this beautiful flat should have. But of course they were not easy at all. These fish were much nicer. I would say 4 – 5 lbs and in groups of 5 – 10. Acee had a shot at a group 50 -60 ft away but as he lifted the rod to make cast they were gone. It was amazing. I chalked it up to the wind and tide issues but we went back to Ivel’s discouraged.

Trying to rebound the next day we woke, had breakfast and tried came up with a plan to go north. The winds were still over 20 but they were out of the SE and, of course, little to no sun. Discouraged we decided as it was our last day to just have fun. We packed several beers and hit the rode. The tides were now supper high in the north making it very difficult to find fish, so by 10 am we decided it 5 o’clock somewhere and cracked open our first beer. We decided to head to our friend Jerry’s spot as it was our most reliable and with no sun the white sand would allow us to see fish. With a few beers back we hit the water and with in 10 ten minutes we had both landed fish. The Kalik worked! As we walked along the flats we saw life for the first time. Sharks and rays were all over. Everyone told us that there are sharks everywhere on the flats and until the last day we saw only one! It must have been the weather. This day we ended up tracking bones all day. Nothing huge but we hooked 4 – 5 each. It was clear that the weather really played a role and for the first time we really saw the potential of the island!

We definitely had issues because of our weather. In fact a group of 4 anglers that came in when we were there had incredible luck especially after we left as the weather cleared. It seems they lost track of the number of bonefish they caught during the week they spent. That’s fishing though. The potential is there and one great thing with the trip is the cost. Anyone can hit bad weather but it is much easier to swallow when your trip with 4 days of fishing costs $1400(depending on flight cost).
I highly recommend trying a “Do it yourself” Acklins trip. It was by far the most rewarding bonefishing I have ever done. You have to figure out the tides, the fish and what to throw at them. Keep in mind this is not a trip for the out of shape fly fisher. I would say we averaged 5 – 8 miles of walking a day!
We will fish Acklins again, to hopefully get revenge. We would however mix it up, by getting a guide for a couple of days and wade fishing on our own the others. I was exhausted after this trip and I think if faced with tough conditions the guides would but a huge asset.

All in all, Vince at Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters is first rate. You can not beat Ivel’s B & B and the food and drinks at Club Rolex is a must at your stay. Keep an open mind about Acklins. It is a very remote place with lots of potential.

Side note: I highly recommend doing some research about Acklins. There is some neat history behind the island. Even National Geographic has been there exploring the island and the famous Blue holes there.

Tags: ACKLINS ISLAND
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Owl Jones Rise Fishing Co. Contest

May 5, 2011 in What's Happening

Owl Jones is his trademark mad man way is giving away a Rise Fishing Co. Fly Rod to the winner of his Owlrageous contest. The contestants have to complete a series of tasks to accumulate points in order to win.

In the true nature of fly fishing, Owl brings out fun in the sport from writing with Sharpie marker on their chests, to producing commercials, these guys know who to compete!

3 weight fly rod testing, In-Stream Series

April 28, 2011 in What's Happening

3 Weight Fly Rod Testing.

We were asked many times about introducing a lighter rod to our line-up, so we are. More people are fishing from kayaks, tubes as well as fishing smaller streams and rivers, and thus the need for lighter and shorter rods.

Once we were happy with the action and response of our prototype, we handed it off to one of our field testers, Harold Metcalf, to give it a hard workout.

Here are some of Harold’s comments on the 3 weight:

“Hi Amanda

The rods arrived this afternoon – and here’s my first impression of the 3wt

Lawn cast w/ 3DT line and 7x leader

Very good balance, smooth loading, very accurate at distances of 10 to 40 ft.

Nice feel in the hand

Roll casts are ok, line shoots well, hauls add to the power but are not needed to get a fair amount of line out (40 ft was easy to reach)

Guides are a little different than “normal” but the rod treaded fine and was easy to cast

Fit and finish are good, cork is very good, ferrules are smooth and tight, overall impression is good quality.

End cap is a little bland and plain.

If it fishes as well as it lawn casts, this is definitely a winner 3wt.

I have a trip scheduled for Wednesday 3/30 with a friend, and we’ll be the first testers of the rods. I may also be out on the 2nd on a different stream, and will try to line up a few more people to test and comment on the rods.

Thanks – looking forward to getting these wet!

Hal”

“Good morning, Amanda

Round two:

Didn’t fish either rod on the 30th on the Rose River, but Jay and I fished the rods on the Conewago on Monday the 4th.

The 7 ½ ft 4wt – Jay fished it all day, landing 5 or 6 brown trout in the 12 to 15” range. He was using a 4WF line with a 7’ 5x leader, and was throwing nice tight loops with very good distance.

He is writing up his overall impressions and will supplement my comments later.

One park ranger looked over the rod and his comments were nice balance but he thought the cork handle could be a little bigger.

Jay liked the 4 wt very much.

One of our TU chapter members is fishing the 4wt this weekend and will give me comments as well.

The 6 ½’ 3 wt – clearly a winner. I fished it on the Conewago Monday (stream pictures attached, sorry but didn’t have a fish on to capture) with a 3DT line and a 9’ 5x leader.

It handled large fish well (better than the angler did) and was spot on accurate. At one point, I was casting under a bridge with a tree behind me and was able to put the fly into a very narrow lane consistently.

Jay didn’t like the 3wt – said it was too small for him, he liked longer rods.

Took both rods to the TU meeting last night, and explained they are prototypes (but wouldn’t tell the members who made them, yet) and available for fishing in exchange for comments. 10 or 12 members looked them over and were very interested.

Kiki Galvin (our chapter VP) loved the 6 ½’ 3wt and wants to fish it (she will be doing that later this month). She guides and will be a good field tester.

I’m fishing the 3wt Sunday on the Gunpowder and next week on some streams in the Shenandoah Valley, and will have three or four people also field test the rods and give comments.

Overall at this point: generally people like the rods at first look. The rods present a line nicely with excellent control. The reel seat on both rods has gotten good comments.

More to come!

Hal”

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Mike Rice, Mud Dog Flies – an evolution of an avid Fly Tyer.

April 11, 2011 in What's Happening

Mike has two passions in his life, his daughter and chasing anything that swims in saltwater! Mike came to fly fishing later in life, but has made up for it in bounds and now has an wildly successful fly tying business and continues to create flies for the men and women who follow his passion as strongly as Mike does. We were fortunate to steal some of Mike’s time and ask him a few questions. ( as well as getting a sweet package of some extraordinary flies!) Thanks Mike!!!

1. Tell us how you got started tying flies?
I was introduced to fly fishing the salt by my best friend from high school, and now my former brother-in-law, Scott Howard, who guides out of Portland, ME. I spent the summer of 1998 fishing with him almost every weekend. I became obsessed with it. I noticed that the mass-produced flies I had been buying at the big name stores didn’t hold up or catch as well as the ones that Scott was getting from one of his friends who was a commercial tier. I figured I could tie my own flies that wouldn’t fall apart or foul easily and “save some money”. After that first summer, I took a beginners tying class at a local tackle shop and learned to tie 4 basic patterns. A short time later I caught my first striper on a fly that I had tied myself. From there my obsession became a sickness. I read everything I could find on fly tying, went to every show I could get to and would stand for hours watching guys like Rich Murphy, Dave Skok and Joe Cordeiro tie.

2. Why did you decide to tie commercially?
I was sitting on the bank of the Back River in Weymouth, MA one afternoon with my dog Jack. I had fished the river early that morning and had been fishing a little olive over white Deceiver I had bought at one of the big name retailers. I had been into a pack of rat stripers and they would hit the fly and it would fall apart. After 3 of the store bought flies exploded on me, I tied on this nasty looking thing I had tied myself and landed a bunch of
fish. My fly still looked nasty, but it had held up and didn’t fall apart. So as I was sitting there that afternoon watching my dog cover him self in mud, I decided that with a little fine tuning, other people might buy the flies I was tying. I had also decided that when I grew up, I wanted to become a guide. I figured that while banking up my sea time, getting a boat and working on my skills on the water, being a commercial fly tyer would be a good way to get involved in the business and gain some exposure that would be an asset later on. So I started knocking on doors of local fly shops and calling all the guides I knew. Eventually one shop took a chance on my stuff and a couple of my friends started using my flies on their charters. From there it grew and lead to my on-line store.

3. Where did the name Mud Dog come from?
The name came from a fateful day on the riverbank. While I was sitting there roughing out a business plan in my head, Jack kept running up to me splashing river mud all over me. I knew that I would need a catchy name for my business and was trying to come up with something cool. I watched my black lab, now covered in chocolate colored mud, running across a mud flat that had a few inches of water on it, mud and water flying everywhere…it was a no brainer. Those first few years Jack would lie at my feet every night while I tied, getting up every once in a while to sniff the fly I had in the vice and look at me like “does this mean we’re going fishing?” He has since passed on but he is still the face and soul of the business.

4. Do you have a certain fly tyer or tyer’s who have influenced you and your style of tying?
My favorite is Joe Brooks. I’m a huge fan of the Brooks Blonde. The Blonde is actually the “chassis” on which a lot of my flies are built. And the greats like Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Flip Pallot and Bob Popovics. I actually met Pops for the first time a short time ago and got to talk to him. For me it was like meeting God. There is not a cooler dude out there.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from, and become friends with, a lot of great fly tyers – I’m a huge fan of these folks. Dave Skok – creative beyond what was once thought humanly possible and constantly thinking outside of the box (he’s not even on the same planet we are.) Capt. Jamie Boyle – for his pragmatic and common sense approach. Joe Cordeiro – truly an artist with feathers. Capt.’s Jeff Smith and Bill Strakele – always there to answer questions and bounce ideas off. And the Steelhead Ladies from BC, April Vokey and Hannah Belford – I really like the big flies they tie, the materials, colors and the profiles they achieve. I have a new pattern for this season called April’s Reign that I fished the heck out of at the end of last season that was inspired by April’s flies and it slays.

5. How many flies a year do you tie?
It depends on how much sleep I need and how the bluefish bite is. Actually, the last few years I’ve averaged between 2500 and 3000 bugs. Not all of that are flies sold. I contribute a lot to different charities, fund-raising events, friends etc.

6. Do you tie custom flies for customers with specific patterns?
I have in the past on request. I’ve kind of moved away from that. I get asked all the time to tie the Mushy, the Crease Fly, the Gurgler, the Jiggy and Surf Candy. They are all great flies and to be honest, I have all of them in my gear bag. But I don’t tie them because there are numerous places to get them. I don’t mind tying something specific for someone once in a while but I just don’t have the time to figure out a new pattern. Customizing the patterns on my menu board is no problem; I do that all the time.

7. Do you tie fresh and saltwater flies?
Strictly salt. Freshwater is a totally different science. And I have a hard time seeing those tiny hooks and with ice climber’s hands, I have a hard time tying on anything smaller than a #4. A lot of my stuff will work in the sweetwater. I’ve bagged a few smallies and pickerel on salty patterns.

8. Tell us about your tying process and what makes your flies so good?
It goes back to the main idea behind Mud Dog and that is to put a product out there that is going to catch fish and hold up to multiple catches.
Every fly that goes out the door has my name on it. I’m not going to sell something to someone that I wouldn’t fish myself. Every pattern that I tie is one that I have fished myself. I won’t sell something I haven’t caught the intended target on.
When I build a fly, I put as much thought into making it indestructible and foul proof as I do in achieving the profile or appearance of the fly. My goal is to get a fly out there to my customers that is the antithesis of the flies I used to buy.
All that being said, I keep it as simple as possible. Basic fly patterns, proven to catch fish. That’s the philosophy behind the whole process.

9. If you had to choose one fly to tie and fish for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
The Fur Strip Fly. Not one of my own patterns but definitely one of my favorites. It’s just one piece of rabbit zonker lashed on the hook and palmar wrapped up the shank. It takes about 90 seconds to tie one. It looks like crap and I get laughed at when I pull one out, but I’ve caught everything on it. A few years ago I started fishing on May 15th with a Fur Strip Fly on my 7 weight. On the 4th of July I had to replace it because the hook point was just wasted from sharpening it, but in that time frame the only thing I changed was the leader and I boated 92 fish on it. Granted they were all river rats and schoolies but 92 fish! When I retired it there was just a little piece of hide and a wisp of fur left to it but I’m sure it would have still worked.

10. What is your best story you’ve heard about one of your flies?
Capt. John Mendelsen at Bostonfishstix had a client, Bob Clancy, out chasing bluefin and they were determined to get one on the fly. The rod (a 14 weight I believe) was rigged with one of my 7” Dazzle Baits (tied with Deadly Dazzle hence the metro name). Bob hooked up and had a monster on for close to 4 hours. He and Mendy took turns hauling on the beast only to have the line break when they got the fish to within a few feet of the boat. Mendy told me afterward he thought it might have gone 200 pounds. I talked with Bob about it a show recently and watching his face and listening to the story I felt like I was right there.

But my new favorite one happened last week at a fishing show in Connecticut. One of the show organizers was my friend Tom Pitasi and when I got there to set up the night before, he introduced me to his 8 year old son, Thomas, and showed me pictures of some Clousers that Thomas had tied. Pretty impressive for an 8 year old. So Thomas hung out with me, looked at all my stuff and asked a lot of really good questions about tying which I was happy to answer. At the start of the show I tied up some bodies of my Yak Hair Deceiver. Thomas watched me tying the bodies and asked when I was going to finish them because he wanted to see a complete one before he left. So I put on the eyes and epoxied the head of one just as he was leaving and handed him the fly to take home. His eyes lit up when he thanked me and I could see him figuring out a way to get his dad to go out and buy some yak hair.

MUD DOG FLIES

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Gjuro Bruer – Tarpon and Redfish

April 8, 2011 in What's Happening

A few years ago I was asked by Jon Fisher from the Urban Angler to come along on a Tarpon trip to Apalachicola, to fish with Gjuro Bruer. I had the time and since the idea of Tarpon fishing is about the only thing that still gets me excited, I opted in. It took me about 6 hours to learn how to pronounce Gjuro’s name, and to get past his good looks, but once I did, my focus was on his complete professionalism.
We were not blessed with stellar fishing conditions, but after our first day on the water, I fully comprehended the potential of the fishery and the knowledge and expertise of our guide. When I returned home from that trip I called and booked in advance for the next year, as I had finally found where the big Tarpon actually eat a fly! Steve was the lucky one who got to go back and in one day he and his Buddy Ernie jumped 18 fish and landed 8. Not a bad day on the water!

Gjuro was born and bred in Alabama. A mixture of the marsh waters and his Croatian blood has created a fishing life force, found in few anglers.
My first impression of Gjuro was that he was on it. A natural born businessman is rare in fishing guides, but he has taken his fishiness to the next level. Not only has he been running a full-fledged guiding service for many years, he is an accomplished photographer and is in the planning stages of a worldwide booking agency.
In addition to his Tarpon fishery, Gjuro guides for Redfish from Florida to Louisiana for Bull Reds and is now exploring untapped fisheries on the other side of the globe.
What Capt. Bruer has beyond that southern easy going way, is the ability to relate to his clients and put them at ease when they are face to face with some of the biggest fish that they will ever catch of that species. For me, this is paramount, as I do not respond well to someone chirping at my back when I am casting to an “ox”.

A part from his fishing prowess, Gjuro could have become a professional photographer if he chose to go that route in life. He was generous in sending me some photos to use when we were putting together our website and creating our ads for the launch of Rise Fishing Company. If you get a chance, I recommend browsing through his photos in his website, as they will make you want to leave your desk and hop on a plane for the Gulf Coast.
We are proud to have Capt. Bruer on our Team as we feel he exemplifies the sport of fly fishing and will continue to give fishing guides the recognition they deserve.

Tags: GJURO BRUER, tarpon
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Spring Sight Fishing for Stripers

April 5, 2011 in What's Happening

Sight Fishing With Tom Collichio ( we spent one day on the flats with Tom and Paul and had a killer day!

In about three weeks the flats will light up once again with the arrival of striped bass. Nine long months of waiting is almost at an end. Its time to start tying flats flies (actually it was time this winter!) and getting the lines changed on the reels. The flats boat needs a little care and the trailer oiled, but once that is done, I am more then ready to get back out in my home waters to start stalking.
The fish show up first in the back bay where the water warms up first. The sand eels start flooding out of the estuaries and the huge schools of bunker start stinking up the shores, a smell that I find no offense with.
The scouting starts as soon as I feel the warmth of the sun through my fleece, usually premature, but at least I know the boat is running and I get the rust out of my poling.
Spotting the first striper of the season is the highlight of my season. At first I think I am imagining it, but then the shadow moves off and I know that the games are about to start. Once the fish are here, they are here for a good three months on the flats and all of my free time is now accounted for. When I am not guiding or busy with the company, I am on the flats, either walking the beaches if no one is around to pole me, or on the boat with whomever I can grab at that moment.
I have always loved fishing. Starting from fishing the dock, then drawn to off shore shark trips, then eventually graduating to fly fishing to find that my passion existed in my own back yard.
Every winter I think about putting the house on the market and getting the hell out of The Hamptons. The winters are bleak, the prices for everything are ridiculous and everything is so far away, but then the lilacs start to bloom and the first striper of the year shows his iridescent fins, I tell myself I live in the best place in the world (at least for six months out of the year!)

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Stripers Forever – the road to game fish status

March 31, 2011 in What's Happening

Rise Fishing Company is among the many businesses that the striped bass recovery of the 80s and 90s helped create. When striped bass came back from the brink, a whole new generation of fishing fanatics was created, while their abundance also provided fishing opportunities for more casual anglers. All of a sudden there were guides where there had been none, boats named after striped bass, striper art, striper flies and fly rods, and plugs galore. Hotels in out of the way coastal places extended their seasons to provide accommodations for anglers hot on the trail of the migrating bass. Urban East Coast residents found a great natural spectacle outside their back doors at the turn of every tide.

Rather than managing striped bass to enhance this great value to society, fishery managers brought their commercial fishing mentality to the table, resulting in a degradation of the stock which threatens the quality of, and even the future viability of striped bass fishing.

During the striper collapse of the 1970s, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and South Carolina designated striped bass as game fish and set this species aside for the benefit of the angling public. They recognized that this was the highest and best use of this magnificent resource and that to preserve and sustain it, striped bass must be managed for the values of quality recreational fishing. Striped bass must be game fish wherever they swim on the Atlantic coast; this is the goal to which Stripers Forever is dedicated.

Stripers Forever is an internet based operation, meaning all communications are via e-mail and through our website. This creates low operating costs, enabling membership in Stripers Forever to be free. Joining is simple by going to our website www.stripersforever.org and selecting ‘Become a Member’; it takes only a minute or two. We’ll send you occasional e-mails to keep you up to date with issues concerning striped bass management. At times we’ll ask you to weigh in with e-mails to various fishery officials to support the case for striped bass game fish. This is the only way that future generations of fisherman are going to enjoy the kind of striped bass fishing that has brought us all so much pleasure.

Brad Burns President Stripers Forever

Tags: STRIPERS FOREVER
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Davidson River Fly Shop – A taste of southern trout

March 25, 2011 in What's Happening

I have just finished fishing and filming with Walker Parrott and Bill Strickland , two extra-ordinary fly fishing guides working out of the Davidson River Fly Shop in Pisgah Forest, NC and I could not be more impressed with the fishery and the guides who call this river their home.
I defiantly am not a trout fisherman. I have limited experience and skill, so I am always a little intimidated when I step into a pair of felt bottom boots and step into the river. When we got to the fly shop, we were given our waders and boots (Love the fact that they provide these no charge) and ten minutes later we were fishing.
These guys have private water within walking distance of the shop. 3.5 miles of easy wading, very fishy water, all to themselves.
We arrived and were set up within minutes….casting in holes where fished were stacked up due to the cold weather. I really enjoy dry fly fishing, but using streamers is almost as fun, as I was able to work the fly like I would in a rip in saltwater. This I felt comfortable doing! This area is not known for its dry fly fishing, but there are times when they are picking up bugs off of the surface giving this place a variety of fishing opportunities. The good news is that there is a mixture of small and large fish. You mostly catch Rainbows and Browns between 14-18 inches, but there are the occasional 20-14 inch fish that will eat if they see the fly!

I was happy to catch a few fish and then hand over the rod to the guides as I really wanted to film and take photos. Watching these guys fish really helped me understand the difference between a good fishermen and a great fisherman. Both of them could place the fly within inches of where it needed to be, producing fish, as if willed. I guess it makes sense since they both are tournament fly fishermen. Walker has competed in the Masters, formally an ESPN show, and Billy competes in European style tournaments.
The guides here are top rate, educated, charming and know the waters beyond imagination. They make you feel like you know what you are doing, and have the patience of saints.

Never did I except to find such a prolific fishery in North Carolina, but that isn’t saying much as I have only really trout fished about ten times in my life!
I have traveled to New Zealand and Montana and expected off the chart trout fishing, and got it, but now I have a new favorite. I would consider taking my son here for his first experience freshwater fly fishing, because the people are so nice, the fishing off the charts and after wards, you can get some of the best damn BBQ in the country!