Fly Fishing Streams in Mississippi

I use to fish sparingly with the fly rod back during my early days in Mississippi. I was too busy fishing my bait casting combo for largemouth bass mostly from my small aluminum boat. Little did I know that when I lived there that there were 100’s of small streams in the state that was a fly fisherman's dream. This fact really hit home the other day when I was reading the Outdoor Sports section of the Clarion Ledger the largest newspaper in Mississippi. Rex Jones a documentary film maker at Ole Miss had put together a fantastic piece on fly fishing streams in Mississippi. The documentary features David Frazier an avid warm water fly fisherman who has fished some of the best streams in the state for bluegill, spotted bass and largemouth bass. After watching the video, I discovered I missed out on some great stream fishing using the fly rod in Mississippi when I lived there. Hope you enjoy the video much as I did; it is worth the watch.

 

 

 

Interchanging Fly Line Weights With Fly Rod Weight

 

I started experimenting towards the end of the fishing season last year with interchanging different line weights with the fly rod weight. I did this because at times fishing the tailrace I experienced lots of wind in some of the narrow areas. I started using a 5 weight line with my 4 wt fly rod to help cut through the wind a little better. I found the exchange made it much easier to cast and place the fly with more accuracy. I also discovered that with the wind ripples on the surface I didn’t need the longer leader in the 9 -10ft. range; I could actually fish a 7 ½ ft. leader and get even more accuracy. So hopefully I have the wind problem solved when it is whipping down the gorge at break neck sped.

 After trying the “wind scenario” and it proving to be successful; my next experimental pairing will be to use 2 or 3 weight line with my 4 wt 8 ½ ft. fly rod. With this pairing I still have the power in the rod, but I am getting a much softer and lighter presentation of the fly as it touches the surface. Using a 9 to 10 ft leader/tippet size will cause even less disturbance on the surface. The trout here experience a lot of fishing pressure and I feel the lighter the better for me when it comes to producing a take on a tiny dry or nymph. This will be my first set-up I will be experiment with when I get back on the water. I know a lot you guys have interchanged lines with rod weights; what’s your take on line weight verses rod weight?

 

Hope all you guys have a great Christmas!!!

Viewing the Mico Nymphing Technique--Interesting!!

 

I have to admit trout fishing or any kind of fishing is put on the back burner during this time of year for me. The tailrace will be up and going again sometimes this month. There will be 3000 rainbows released right below the dam in the coming weeks. These trout will be coming from Missouri and will be larger than the 9-10" trout we get from Tennessee. I hope to be on the water as soon as the trout get accumulated to the surroundings. In the meantime I fill the days going to the gym, removing tons of leaves in the yard, visiting our children and grandchildren and watching lots of fly fishing videos clip on YouTude. While scanning the tube yesterday I came across this neat little piece of footage I thought was really interesting. It is called “Micro Nymphing” the guy gives an excellent presentation on this nymphing  technique. I learn something every time I watch one of these clips; I hope you learn something as well.

 

 







Converting a Good Trout Stream Into an Excellent Trout Stream

Guys I wanted to share some of the good things that are happening on our tailrace below Smith Lake. There is a mile stretch that Alabama Power is making improvements on. It will give the area a Western look with all the pebbles and boulders they are adding. A lot of the water on the stretch has been diverted to create some natural looking seams, deep runs and fast water with less depth. The improvements were drawn up by the Southeastern Engineering Stream Improvement Firm. Trout Unlimited and the Riverside Fly Shop which is located on the tailrace worked closely with the Engineering group. The results have been spectacular as far as this area is concerned for trout fishing. The following images below can give you some insight into the work that has been done. All of the improvements for this area should be finished by the end of January. The work on the next two mile stretch will begin next fall below the pump station. After that completion there will a little over 3 miles of Western style trout fishing here in Jasper. Think of the revenue that can be produce for this cash striped county.

One will have much more room for the back cast now

Notice the large rocks that have been added

There is very little water that is flowing while all this work is going on.

This image was taken after they completed this area, the water was shut down the next day to start work above this area--can't wait to fish this place!!

Some of the smaller rocks that are being place in the stream bed.

Here is another area that is complete, a lot of rock broaders are being used

Finished stream that has been narrow with depth and underwater logs

Huge boulders at the edge of a deep hole with underwater logs--this should be a great area

This area use to be extremely wide and shallow; it is half the that size now

A little creek area flowing into a small pool which opens up at the other end--interesting place to fish for trout