Going Light on The Sipsey

I’ve been waiting about a week to make today’s trip to the Sipsey because my game plan was to go super light using my new 7 ½ ft. 2 weight. I purchase the fly rod mainly to fish in the Smokies, but I decided I would use it today to break it in on the Sipsey rainbow. June of last year was the last time that I wet a fly in the Sipsey since we moved to Tennessee.  

Upon arrival, I found one other truck, so I knew I would have the place pretty much to myself most of the afternoon. The skies were a crystal blue with a slight breeze out of the northeast most of the afternoon. I entered the gorge at access six and saw no surface movement, so most of the afternoon was spent fishing nymphs. I did manage to take a few trout on top but I think the trout were annoyed with the presence of the fly as opposed to really eating the fly. The drift had to be near perfect to get a take on any pattern. I’m really glad I had numerous boulders to sit on because I did a lot of experimenting with different patterns most of the afternoon. A lot of fun takes and a lot of trout lost today.

This was the size trout today that broke the 2 weight in on its first outing. I kept wondering on the way home why I missed a lot of takes today; could be slow reflex and learning to fish a lighter fly rod. Whatever it was I enjoyed the afternoon on one of my favorite tailraces.

Special!!