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Friday, May 15, 2009
1.) Safe and sound in Vols country. Last minute change of plans though. The weather just didn't cooperate for an enjoyable camping trip, so I am just staying with family here in Etowah, TN until Sunday. Getting up at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning to head on over to the Little River/GSMNP to fish from sunrise to about 11:45 or so. Then it's off to Little River Outfitters for a few last minute fly tying stuff and then the event we've all been anticipating for the last 12 months since last May....Troutfest! I feel like it's Christmas. Bobbins will be a spinnin' and scissors will be a snippin' away. 40 tyers, 20 tomorrow and 20 Sunday will be present. Judging by the 10 day (Accurate? Not from 10 days out it ain't!!) we are going to be dodging some storms and showers for Troutfest 2009. I'm glad there are tents (HUGE to be exact) set up at the Townsend Visitors Center. One of the tents is 120' x 80'.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
1.) I'm in the long and strenuous process of packing and organizing all of my tying materials, tools, flies, fishing gear and camping gear. I'm leaving Kannapolis around lunchtime and heading west on I 40 for Troutfest in Townsend, TN. The last time I was in the Smokies was last August. I'm over due for a GSMNP trip. I'm glad I get to see Joe Humphreys, Lefty Kreh, and Bob Clouser. Joe flew in yesterday evening and Bob and Lefty are flying down here tomorrow morning. I saw Mr. Humphreys on Fly Fishing America and Fly Fishing the World not to long ago. He's a great guy...He is one HECK of an angler. Joe is in his 80's, and he can still run around on a trout river chasing fish just like the rest of us. Troutfest will be spectacular to say the least. Byron Begley, the owner of Little River Outfitters/chairman of Troutfest along with tons of volunteers have worked their butts off to make Troutfest 2009 happen. Hats off to all of them... If anyone is milling around the Smokies, make it a priority to head over to Troutfest. Trust me, you won't regret it.
2.) I will definately take plenty of pictures and I will post them Sunday evening.
3.) Tomorrow better come fast and then the weekend needs to slooowww down. There's no such thing as Monday, there's no such thing as Monday....
4.) If you are going to attend Troutfest, I will be tying from 1-5 Saturday afternoon. Be sure to stop by and say hi.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
1.) Skies are blue across the Old North State. The storm chances have diminished and it looks like we may receive a break from flooding rains and severe t'storms until possibly late this week. Most rivers in the mountains are flowing strong due the amount of rain that has recently fell. Unbelievably cool temperatures are forecasted for tomorrow. Boone will be in the mid to upper 50's all day, with upper 30's across the highest of peaks and lower 40's for lows Monday night.
2.) If you are heading to a trout stream, it's a good idea to check in with the local fly shop and ask about water flows. The TN tailwaters (ie the Caney Fork, South Holston, Clinch, etc) are WAY up. If you can, fish higher up on the smaller streams, which tend to resist being flooded out too much. Nymphs have been working best along with streamers such as Slumbusters, Woolly Buggers and Zonkers. If you discover your fishing hole high and cloudy, don't bother using light tippet. Tie on 2x-3x, as the trout can't see as well in cloudy water vs. clear water. San Juan Worms are working great right now. All of the rain has brought the earthworms to the surface and the worms closest to the river are usually flushed into the water. Look for Light Cahill hatches in the evening, with Hendricksons, March Browns, and Brown Caddis periodically throughout the day. If you see a hatch starting, but you don't see any fish rising, chances are the trout are picking off the emerging insects below the surface. When this happens, tie on a wet fly that closely matches the bugs hatching. If you don't see any bugs hatching what-so-ever, nymphs are your best bet.
3.) The next post will either be on Thursday, or on Sunday. I'm leaving on Friday for Troutfest in Townsend, TN. We will probably camp at Elkmont in the park for 2 nights. I will be tying on Saturday from 1 till 5. I'm still debating on showing how to tie my Realistic Black Caddis, the Sheepfly, the Slumpbuster, or one of my most recent patterns, the Split Tail Green Weenie. I'm planning on fishing Little River probably Friday afternoon/evening, and then possibly Saturday evening from 5:30 until dark. Pictures will be taken (I found my camera) and posted on Sunday.
2.) If you are heading to a trout stream, it's a good idea to check in with the local fly shop and ask about water flows. The TN tailwaters (ie the Caney Fork, South Holston, Clinch, etc) are WAY up. If you can, fish higher up on the smaller streams, which tend to resist being flooded out too much. Nymphs have been working best along with streamers such as Slumbusters, Woolly Buggers and Zonkers. If you discover your fishing hole high and cloudy, don't bother using light tippet. Tie on 2x-3x, as the trout can't see as well in cloudy water vs. clear water. San Juan Worms are working great right now. All of the rain has brought the earthworms to the surface and the worms closest to the river are usually flushed into the water. Look for Light Cahill hatches in the evening, with Hendricksons, March Browns, and Brown Caddis periodically throughout the day. If you see a hatch starting, but you don't see any fish rising, chances are the trout are picking off the emerging insects below the surface. When this happens, tie on a wet fly that closely matches the bugs hatching. If you don't see any bugs hatching what-so-ever, nymphs are your best bet.
3.) The next post will either be on Thursday, or on Sunday. I'm leaving on Friday for Troutfest in Townsend, TN. We will probably camp at Elkmont in the park for 2 nights. I will be tying on Saturday from 1 till 5. I'm still debating on showing how to tie my Realistic Black Caddis, the Sheepfly, the Slumpbuster, or one of my most recent patterns, the Split Tail Green Weenie. I'm planning on fishing Little River probably Friday afternoon/evening, and then possibly Saturday evening from 5:30 until dark. Pictures will be taken (I found my camera) and posted on Sunday.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NCC111-161-091915-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0102.090509T1815Z-090509T1915Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
215 PM EDT SAT MAY 9 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN MCDOWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
NORTHERN RUTHERFORD COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
* UNTIL 315 PM EDT
* AT 212 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF THERMAL CITY...OR 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF
RUTHERFORDTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
THERMAL CITY...
SUNSHINE...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SHOULD BE ALERT FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND LOCALLY HEAVY
RAIN CAN OCCUR WITH ANY THUNDERSTORM. SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AWAY FROM
WINDOWS AND DOORS UNTIL THE STORM PASSES.
TO REPORT DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...OR FLOODING...THROUGH OUR
AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM...CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER...
1 8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.
&&
LAT...LON 3559 8169 3539 8170 3542 8214 3553 8214
3559 8183 3557 8181 3558 8177 3560 8175
3560 8172
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 264DEG 15KT 3548 8208
$$
LANE
Thermal heating and sunshine equals big storms....
NCC111-161-091915-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0102.090509T1815Z-090509T1915Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
215 PM EDT SAT MAY 9 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN MCDOWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
NORTHERN RUTHERFORD COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
* UNTIL 315 PM EDT
* AT 212 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF THERMAL CITY...OR 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF
RUTHERFORDTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
THERMAL CITY...
SUNSHINE...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SHOULD BE ALERT FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND LOCALLY HEAVY
RAIN CAN OCCUR WITH ANY THUNDERSTORM. SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AWAY FROM
WINDOWS AND DOORS UNTIL THE STORM PASSES.
TO REPORT DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...OR FLOODING...THROUGH OUR
AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM...CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER...
1 8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.
&&
LAT...LON 3559 8169 3539 8170 3542 8214 3553 8214
3559 8183 3557 8181 3558 8177 3560 8175
3560 8172
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 264DEG 15KT 3548 8208
$$
LANE
Thermal heating and sunshine equals big storms....
Friday, May 8, 2009
1.) For the past few days, we have had numerous thunderstorms (strong, severe, and a few super cells). Sporadic tornadoes (most not even touching the ground) have been imminent. Speaking of tornadoes, Blount County, TN the home of Little River Outfitters in Townsend is under a tornado warning. Townsend is in a valley surrounded by mountains that may or may not break the storm up, hopefully the storm will weaken. Last evening, a pretty hefty storm had it's sights on Kannapolis/Concord. Right when it was on top of my neighborhood, Jeff Crum, the Chief Meteorologist over at News 14 Carolina mentioned that it was starting to show signs of rotation. I was able to get outside before and after the storm hit to take these pictures. The sun started to shine immediately following the storm, which made for a few great pictures. Take a look at the video above. It is a great time lapsed video shot by Jim Travers of News 14 of a wall cloud and a funnel cloud forming and eventually dissipating.
(Above) Possible wall cloud at the bottom center of the picture(This particular storm showed signs of rotation)
2.) Be careful if you plan on heading to a trout stream today/tomorrow. High water may still be an issue in a few rivers. All of the lakes are filled to capacity. Rain and high, cloudy water means big streamers and San Juan Worms.
Friday, May 1, 2009
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.
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.
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