Monday, March 29, 2010
Please Help Feed Our Hungry Fish!
Fishing continues to be great in East TN. Large pre-spawn bows, big browns and the occasional smallie, all are adding up to be a great spring. If you are wanting to book a trip this year now is the time. We never know how long the great pre-spawn fishing will last for these big rainbows. These fish posted below were caught 2 days ago. No sign of it letting up soon, but it can't last forever. Once these fish move out, it will be very hard to find them again. Until next spring anyway. Well, there's the sales pitch, now enjoy the new pics.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Guides Day Out
I gave Skip a call the other night to see if he wanted to go looking for some pre-spawn rainbows. Skip is one of our guides, and if you knew him, you would know that it didn't take alot of convincing to get him to go. We found what we were looking for! Some beautiful bows were brought to hand. These fish were all in the 18-19" range and fat. Very healthy. Caught a few of their bucks too, but didn't get any photos of them. They weren't even close to the same size. These were all healthy, wild fish. NOT off a fish farm somewhere! They were caught in public waters too, not in a private trophy stream.
After we finished with these fish, we moved to another area and found dry fly heaven. We were surrounded by smaller wild rainbows trying to gorge themselves on Quill Gordons and BWO's. We had fish everywhere! And they were all hungry and looking up. Just the way we like it.
It was truly a magical day on the water. Some of the pics didn't turn out as good as I had hoped due to the weather and the lighting conditions, but that's O.K.. It was such a great day that it is etched in my memory anyway. I don't need the pics to remember that day!
After we finished with these fish, we moved to another area and found dry fly heaven. We were surrounded by smaller wild rainbows trying to gorge themselves on Quill Gordons and BWO's. We had fish everywhere! And they were all hungry and looking up. Just the way we like it.
It was truly a magical day on the water. Some of the pics didn't turn out as good as I had hoped due to the weather and the lighting conditions, but that's O.K.. It was such a great day that it is etched in my memory anyway. I don't need the pics to remember that day!
Hiwassee Brown
Posting a few pics of a nice 22" 6 pound Hiwassee River Brown Trout. One of our guides, Skip, had a trip on the Hi the other day and they nailed this beautiful, healthy specimen. The fish was released unharmed to live and fight another day. Great job guys!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tellico River
Spring finally here, Tellico River, nice rainbow trout, streamer fishing. What more do you want?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Fly Fishing Classes
Our FF classes have really taken off so far this year. We are already at 30% of the total number of classes done all last year. This is great news. Not only for the amount of new business that it brings us, but also for the fact that it is a great indicator of the continued growth in our sport.
In 2004, fly fishing was the fastest growing sport in the country. Those of us in this business remember those days well. Then, all of a sudden, things dropped off rather quickly. I don't really remember what the economy was like when we saw the increase or the sudden decrease, so I don't remember if it could have been a big factor or not. I hope the FF trend and the economy bounce back soon. Only time will tell.
In 2004, fly fishing was the fastest growing sport in the country. Those of us in this business remember those days well. Then, all of a sudden, things dropped off rather quickly. I don't really remember what the economy was like when we saw the increase or the sudden decrease, so I don't remember if it could have been a big factor or not. I hope the FF trend and the economy bounce back soon. Only time will tell.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Ordering items from HA website
We have had several customers that have asked us about getting an online catalog. These are mostly customers that live out of state, come up and shop with us while they're in the area and want to continue to buy from us even after they go home. Truth is, last year we were going to put an online catalog up during the winter months. We had a software engineer lined up to help us do that. Unfortunately, that fell through due to some prior commitments that he had.
For those of you wishing to place orders with us, all you have to do is find an item that you want from Orvis and email or call us at the shop. We will get the order # of the item that you want to purchase, take your payment info., get your shipping address and order it for you. The advantage to you is this; if we have it drop shipped to you from Orvis, you don't have to pay for shipping! We eat that expense. It's no different to us than ordering that item for the shop. Same shipping expense to us.
This is a great way to shop for those of you that like to support local fly shops, but enjoy the convenience of online shopping. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
We can also do this with any of our manufacturers, not just Orvis. See our website for a listing of manufacturers that we represent. You can order any of their items through us and save on shipping. If that item happens to be on sale on the manufacturers website or in their catalog, we can pass the same discount on to you. What do you have to lose?
For those of you wishing to place orders with us, all you have to do is find an item that you want from Orvis and email or call us at the shop. We will get the order # of the item that you want to purchase, take your payment info., get your shipping address and order it for you. The advantage to you is this; if we have it drop shipped to you from Orvis, you don't have to pay for shipping! We eat that expense. It's no different to us than ordering that item for the shop. Same shipping expense to us.
This is a great way to shop for those of you that like to support local fly shops, but enjoy the convenience of online shopping. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
We can also do this with any of our manufacturers, not just Orvis. See our website for a listing of manufacturers that we represent. You can order any of their items through us and save on shipping. If that item happens to be on sale on the manufacturers website or in their catalog, we can pass the same discount on to you. What do you have to lose?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
HA Guide Service to be featured on TV....Again!
Received a call from Chris Bailey the other night. He's the host of "Reel Outdoors" TV show on the Sportsman Channel. Chris travels all over the world filming fishing and hunting shows. We guided him for a couple days in 2008 when he was up this way filming. I believe the footage he shot aired last May. We had a real good time and got some good footage of fishing in the area.
He's going to be back in the area the first part of May to do an appearance at the annual Etowah Hunting and Fishing Expo in Etowah, TN. He wants me to take him on a smallmouth trip while he's in. Like me, Chris is a big fan of catching smallmouth on the fly. He said he wants to do some filming for another show while he's in. That sounds good to me. Chris is a great guy and a real class act. He puts in a hard day of fishing while filming. I was actually impressed with how hard he fished during the day. We fished together on back to back days, and I don't think we took a break on either day. We both enjoy fishing hard.
I talked to him about our striper run that we have each year on the Hi. He sounded very interested in coming back around that time for some more filming. And if I know him, he'll be back. He's like me. He just can't resist the temptation of catching a 20-30 pound striper on the fly!
He's going to be back in the area the first part of May to do an appearance at the annual Etowah Hunting and Fishing Expo in Etowah, TN. He wants me to take him on a smallmouth trip while he's in. Like me, Chris is a big fan of catching smallmouth on the fly. He said he wants to do some filming for another show while he's in. That sounds good to me. Chris is a great guy and a real class act. He puts in a hard day of fishing while filming. I was actually impressed with how hard he fished during the day. We fished together on back to back days, and I don't think we took a break on either day. We both enjoy fishing hard.
I talked to him about our striper run that we have each year on the Hi. He sounded very interested in coming back around that time for some more filming. And if I know him, he'll be back. He's like me. He just can't resist the temptation of catching a 20-30 pound striper on the fly!
Hiwassee River Fishing Report
Hiwassee River fly fishing is off the charts right now. With TWRA continuing to stock through the winter and the fishermen staying at home, the river is laying full of hungry, aggressive trout right now. My guides have reported 40-50 fish days recently on guide trips. No real size on the fish yet, but high numbers all the same.
Nymphs and streamers have been the rule lately. Not much dry fly activity noted as of yet, but that could change at any time. The Hiwassee is noted for great insect activity and dry fly action, so we know it will really kick into high gear soon.
Our calendar is filling up quickly. Several trips have already been done and several more on the books to be done. If you are wanting to do a fishing trip this year on either the Hiwassee River or the Tellico River, be sure to call and book it as soon as you have concrete dates set. I have 5 guides on staff and they are all waiting to spend the day on the water with you. We are all excited about the upcoming season and have high hopes for the fishing this year. The drought is behind us now, and with the wettest winter in recent memory over with, we all think that the fishing can be excellent this year. One thing is for sure, we will all be out on the water to find out.
Nymphs and streamers have been the rule lately. Not much dry fly activity noted as of yet, but that could change at any time. The Hiwassee is noted for great insect activity and dry fly action, so we know it will really kick into high gear soon.
Our calendar is filling up quickly. Several trips have already been done and several more on the books to be done. If you are wanting to do a fishing trip this year on either the Hiwassee River or the Tellico River, be sure to call and book it as soon as you have concrete dates set. I have 5 guides on staff and they are all waiting to spend the day on the water with you. We are all excited about the upcoming season and have high hopes for the fishing this year. The drought is behind us now, and with the wettest winter in recent memory over with, we all think that the fishing can be excellent this year. One thing is for sure, we will all be out on the water to find out.
Steve Bryson
Head Guide
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tellico River Report
Had a guide trip yesterday on the Tellico with a long time client of mine from Nashville. We had a great day on the water with many fish brought to hand. We also got to catch up on things that have happened in our lives since the last time we got to fish together. All in all a great day!
All our fish were taken on nymph patterns with the exception of the last fish of the day. A size 16 Killer Kiwi was the real workhorse fly for us, but we also caught a few on a size 16 BHPT.
Water temp. was 45 degrees and we noticed a few BWO's buzzing around. On the last stretch of water we fished, we tied on a size 18 BWO to see if we could entice a fish to rise. It wasn't long before a nice Brookie came up and crushed it. We tried a few more casts with no luck and decided to call it a day since it was getting dark on us.
We had a great day and are actually floating the lower Tellico Saturday to see how it is fishing. I'm posting a few pics from the trip below. Enjoy!
P.S. George was able to accomplish the coveted Appalachian Grand Slam, which is catching a brown, brookie and rainbow on the same fishing trip. He also did it with his first 3 fish. He caught a brown first, then a brookie and then a rainbow. The rest of the fish caught were all brookies. Great job George!
All our fish were taken on nymph patterns with the exception of the last fish of the day. A size 16 Killer Kiwi was the real workhorse fly for us, but we also caught a few on a size 16 BHPT.
Water temp. was 45 degrees and we noticed a few BWO's buzzing around. On the last stretch of water we fished, we tied on a size 18 BWO to see if we could entice a fish to rise. It wasn't long before a nice Brookie came up and crushed it. We tried a few more casts with no luck and decided to call it a day since it was getting dark on us.
We had a great day and are actually floating the lower Tellico Saturday to see how it is fishing. I'm posting a few pics from the trip below. Enjoy!
P.S. George was able to accomplish the coveted Appalachian Grand Slam, which is catching a brown, brookie and rainbow on the same fishing trip. He also did it with his first 3 fish. He caught a brown first, then a brookie and then a rainbow. The rest of the fish caught were all brookies. Great job George!
Steve Bryson
Head Guide
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Certified Outfitter
Hiwassee Angler has become Tennessee's only Outdoor Channel Certified Outfitter for guided fly fishing trips. This is a huge honor for us. The Outdoor Channel is the nation's premiere TV channel for all outdoor enthusiasts. To receive their "seal of approval" really means alot.
Their selection process not only included a review of our services that we offer, it also included them contacting some of our former clients in order to get their opinions about our operation. As you might expect, they don't just hand out their endorsement to anyone. After all, they're putting their reputation on the line when they endorse an outfitter.
Their selection process not only included a review of our services that we offer, it also included them contacting some of our former clients in order to get their opinions about our operation. As you might expect, they don't just hand out their endorsement to anyone. After all, they're putting their reputation on the line when they endorse an outfitter.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A Break in Sight
As I sit here on the computer, it saddens me to say that it is snowing again outside. Really coming down.
On the bright side, according to the weather men, we have a break in sight. Warmer temps are on the way and should be here by the end of the week. This will hopefully signal a return to normal temps for this time of year. This winter has been crazy for us. Hopefully these warming trends will continue and spring will finally get here. I know we haven't had it near as bad as some of the eastern seaboard, but it still tends to drag you down. Especially when we are so close to spring and great fishing. Oh well, back to the coffee and the tying bench.
On the bright side, according to the weather men, we have a break in sight. Warmer temps are on the way and should be here by the end of the week. This will hopefully signal a return to normal temps for this time of year. This winter has been crazy for us. Hopefully these warming trends will continue and spring will finally get here. I know we haven't had it near as bad as some of the eastern seaboard, but it still tends to drag you down. Especially when we are so close to spring and great fishing. Oh well, back to the coffee and the tying bench.
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