Check out this VIDEO produced by Men's Journal featuring Asheville Fly Fishing Company.
Leadership expert and founder of True Wealth Mentorship, Ron Nakamoto talks about his experience combining fly fishing and leadership training.
Winter fly fishing tips by Asheville Fly Fishing Company guide, Tony Lohr.
In this virtual seminar for the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) Pechmann Fishing Education Center, Asheville Fly Fishing Co. musky guide, Ryan Bednar provides a helpful introduction and overview of fly-fishing for musky in Western North Carolina. The presentation contains an overview of the equipment and tactics for the French Broad River that can help new anglers prepare for pursuing “the fish of ten-thousand casts.”
A big fishy thanks to the fine folks at Dun Magazine. We love them and Dun magazine. The magazine is available online and in print for your enjoyment.
It was fun answering their questions and that is what its all about! Thanks for keeping it fun! Check out the feature and this great fishing magazine by clicking the following link.
While your recovering from a food coma in your favorite chair this holiday, take a minute to check out the most recent issue of Southern Culture on the Fly. We had the pleasure of rowing the SCOF crew down the Natahala Gorge on a day off from guiding. We were in aluminum Drift Boats hunting for wild brown trout.
A big thank you to the guys at Southern Culture on the Fly for a great experience. It is always a pleasure with SCOF and we love their magazine.
Thank you to Asheville Fly Fishing Company's guides Zach Bassett and Anthony Esposito for their great work behind the oars and great attitudes.
To read the full article go to www.southerncultureonthefly.com
Here's a few shots from the article...
70 degrees and Fall is in the air! The fish are happy and hungry and flying out of the water. The leaves are already changing here in Asheville. The #Trout and #Smallmouthbass fishing is REALLY good right now and we are loving it. Here's a handful of highlights from the last week of guided trips... #wataugariver #southholstonriver #flyfishingasheville
Make your reservation now for fall season. BOOK A TRIP: (828) 779-9008
July was a good month. It was a hot, busy month on the water. While below average water levels and above average temperatures have made the Smallmouth Bass fishing challenging, the tailwaters in East Tennessee have been fishing great! Since the South Holston River and Watauga River are tailwaters (Rivers fed by a dam where the water comes from the bottom of the lake), they stay cold enough and flow enough for the fish to remain happy. We've been experiencing some extra happy fish this summer with the abundance of Japanese Beetles falling out of the trees. Both brown and rainbow trout are looking for them actively and the Big Brown Trout are on the prowl. The Beetles have been on for two or three weeks and we anticipate they will continue through August. If you want in on the action, give us a call! We still have a little availability in August, so book sooner than later!
Here's a few of July's highlights...
Asheville Fly Fishing Company guide Knox Campbell just got back from fishing Canada. His trip was of a "Guide's day off" nature. A little R&R, R&D, and quality time with friends. Upon his return he had a serious case of perma-grin and a skip in his step. We knew what that meant and being Smallmouth Bass fanatics, we wanted details. So we slid to the edge of our chairs and let the good times roll. Here's what Knox shared with us...
I touched down in Toronto just past mid-night on June 18th. Coincidentally this date has a lot of meaning for me, but for this post the most important fact to keep in mind is that June 18 is the opening day for smallies in Ontario, something we don't appreciate here in the south. The plan was set a year before. Ben, a buddy that I had originally met on a flight to Portugal a few years ago, picked my girlfriend and I up at the airport. Once through customs we walked out the doors and immediately saw Ben waiting. Hugs and back slaps were exchanged and then we were off. After a non-stop 4 hour drive we arrived at our destination- a tiny, glacial lake 20 miles from the St Lawrence Seaway that Ben's family had a cottage on and that had no public access.
It was 4:15 and the sky was just turning grey. Rod, reel, and fly box had been stashed strategically on top of the food rations in the back of the car for easy retrieval, and withing 10 minutes of pulling into the drive we were in the Lund, cutting through the morning air with me standing at the bow, 8 wt in hand, fly line lying at my feet, a freshly tied yellow popping bug on the leader, and the unforgettable feeling you have just before doing something you'd been envisioning and anticipating for a long time. The outboard was silenced and the boat went into a quiet glide. Before Ben even had time to point out a rocky reef I threw my first cast. One pop. Two pops. Pause. Rod tip just over the water. Boom. Big eat and even bigger fish. That first fish of the trip came just as the warm colors of morning bled across the horizon. There were countless fish caught on that trip, but that first fish, and that first morning in Canada, blending with all of the emotions of the past year and a half, was one of the most powerful moments of my life. I said a silent "thank you" to no one in particular, and for a few moments, even with my hands still wet and fishy, forgot about the fishing. I took in the lake and the light, looked at my buddy, and smiled. He knowingly smiled back, and without a word and with eye brows raised, pointed to a rise ring behind me.
Read more about Knox Campbell here
The Smallmouth Bass fishing has been above average this year. Currently we are getting rain and cooler temperatures and the fish are happy. Guided trips have been producing trophy fish on the fly and spin tackle. We target these fish by Drift Boat and Raft and offer all inclusive full day and half day trips. Here's one from last week...
We've been busy guiding and making memories on the rivers of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Spring fishing has been great so far and its just getting started.
Thanks to all our recent guests for making our jobs fun!
Here's a few pictures from this weeks guided trips.
Book a Trip: (828) 779-9008
www.AshevilleFlyFishingCo.com
The South Holston River has gained a reputation for being among the best Wild Brown Trout fisheries in the Southeast United States. With an average of 8,000 trout per mile, 20 miles of fishable water sustaining 85% wild browns, we can attest to its greatness. Being a Tailwater, where the water level is controlled by a dam, it is a year round fishery offering world class fly fishing with various opportunities. It's limestone riverbed and consistent water temperature provide excellent conditions for trout to thrive. The “Soho” is no doubt a “Brown Trout Factory.” We would love the opportunity to guide you to a great experience on the South Holston River!
FISHING REPORT:
Recent fly fishing trips on the South Holston River have been very productive. With the spawning sections opening up as of February 1, 2016, the fish haven’t seen the normal fishing pressure. In turn, fish have been aggressive towards streamers on low pressure, cloudy days. Streamer colors have varied based on sunlight and water clarity. The following formula is a good place to start:
In addition, use streamers in darker colors in the winter and early months of the year and as the water warms graduate to the lighter-colors. Use florescent and bright colors in muddy and dingy water, and lighter colors in clear and warmer waters.
With all the snowmelt, rain and demand for electricity, the Dam generators have been running 24/7. During these periods, the fish acclimate to high water holding spots and the bigger Wild Brown Trout come out to play.
On high pressure days with abundant sun, nymphs, midges and soft hackles are getting the job done. As Spring and warmer temperatures approach, dry fly fishing will get better. Until then, warmer days reaching 60+ degrees will produce some great Blue Winged Olive hatches and rising fish.
Because the South Holston River’s levels fluctuate depending on generation, we recommend two days on this river to get the best conditions and maximize your experience. We offer all inclusive guided fishing trips and various lodging options to accommodate you best.
Tight Lines!
We look forward to getting on the water with you!
Asheville Fly Fishing Company, LLC
BOOK A TRIP: (828) 779-9008
Photography: Copyright 2016 Galen Kipar
