Landing Weary Trout in High Winds and High Water

I finally got back on the tailrace today with my fishing buddy Charles. The 3 hours Charles and I had to fish proved to be productive.  We were fishing in high wind with gust in the twenties and some of the highest tailrace water we have fished this year. As we approached the first access point we notice no hatch and a wave covered water surface, so dries were ruled out. There was an occasional sub surface trout scattered in some of the faster runs that both of us normally fished. We decided to tie on a couple of soft hackles and fish the flies just under the surface of the water. The drift would be difficult at times with all the wind; but we were persistent and it paid off.

This rainbow just couldn’t resist Alan’s Soft Hackle. I have really got into fishing soft hackle flies this year. An excellent pattern when trout are sub surface feeding. The drift is critical even on windy days.

Charles with another sub surface bow, a good fight for the 3 weight

One usually walks dry on all these rocks but today we were wading for the entire trip.

My best rainbow this year, giving the 9 ft. 3 weight Greys Hardy fits!!!

This trout made my trip---I know this trout may seem small to you guys, but a trout this size on the Sipsey is special!!!

Charles working this trout to the net

I change my tippet after landing this fatty---one determined rainbow!!

Fishing a tailrace today with water reaching from bank to bank, super clear and a cold 55 degrees made for a special outing for Charles and me.



Finding That Gem of a Restaurant in Asheville

  

My wife and I were on a trip to Asheville, North Carolina recently and discovered a fantastic restaurant, Fatz Café.  If you haven’t been to this incredible place, then it needs to be on your bucket list for sure. When we travel, food always comes into play, especially great restaurants, and my wife and I found a gem on this trip.
   Fatz Café is a polished gem not only for the food, but also for the personnel who work at the restaurant. They create a homey atmosphere while you’re enjoying the delicious food. Our waitress Hannah was a prime example of genuine hospitality and making the customer feel at home. My wife and I eat out a lot, but we seldom are blown away with the service and food like we were with Fatz. We enjoyed the food and service so much we dined there twice while we were in Asheville.
   I will end this post by saying if any of you are within driving distance of the Fatz Café, then make it a point to go and take in the great hospitality and the
diversified menu.

Fishing a Fertilized Lake can be a Challenge

I was back on Walker County Lake last week to see if the bluegills have started their spawn? I arrived later in the day and saw numerous boat and bank fishermen scattered around the lake. The lake itself had been fertilized four days earlier so the fish should be a little more active. The fertilize can cause the fish to become somewhat dormant two or three days after the fertilization. I started my journey on the east side of the lake to avoid the bank fishermen who had the west side well occupied.

 I had tied on a white Bar Nunn popper using my 4 weight 8 ½ ft. Redington. The white and light chartreuse have always been a great early spring popper for me on this lake. The long rubber legs on these poppers drive the bluegill nuts. I was fishing closer to the bank today because the fertilize had turned the water cloudy.

My first of the day on the white Bar Nunn put a bend in the 4 weight. This one will become a counter.

Nice Shellcracker on the light Chartreuse Bar Nunn popper; if you want a fight on the fly rod land a Shellcracker!!!

This brush pile gave up the Shellcracker, at its edge where I think more will show up for the spawn.

 

As the sun stated hitting the banks the top action stopped so I went subsurface the rest of the trip. No big bluegills after the sun hit the banks but numerous small gills using the bead head grub subsurface. I had a limited amount of time today because of yard work I had been putting off, but rest assure I will return closer to the spawn.

Some of you have asked me about my Pelican boat. This is actually my newer version of the boat, meaning I replaced my 8 ft. with this 10 ft. to have more room for the Grandchildren. Two individuals can fish out of this boat with ease. I can even stand and cast from it. It is extremely stable. I did replace the seats that came with the boat with thick cushion seats which are much more comfortable.

 

Post Note: I am now 45 away with a long way to go to reach the 50 mark.