1.) It's been in the lower 80's all day here in the southern Piedmont. Sporadic showers have moved through the area. I myself have been dodging a few showers.....I just got back from the Southwest Regional FFA Convention at the Agricultural Department located in Monroe, NC. It was a lot of fun, though a little overwhelming having to memorize 187 tools and their complete definitions and uses. It was without a doubt worth it.

2.) Fishing in the mountains of the Tar Heel State has been excellent. Low water (Not as bad as summer...) is basically the only obstacle that may or may not affect fishing. Warm temps (Not hot) even across the higher streams are really making fishing great. Most fish will take a dry on the surface (Adams, Wulffs, Trudes, Lt. Cahills, March Browns) will work just fine. I was out mowing the lawn the other day, and I did not see a single grasshopper jump out of the grass. If there aren't any hoppers here in the lowland, the mountains aren't going to have many either. I would say another 2 weeks (give or take a few days) before hoppers will really start working on the area rivers. Once they do start becoming more active, the trout will start to key on to them and the famed pop on the top of the water after casting a hopper will drive the fish crazy. Beetle, inchworm and ant patterns should be a good idea to try right now. Copper Johns, PT nymphs, Green Weenies, BH midge patterns, attractor nymphs, Lightning Bugs and San Juan Worms will catch fish this time of year.