A Sweet Water Gottafly Saga...very picture heavy

[gottaflylee]

There is something about a Maple Tree in the fall, it looks as if it is on fire as the tips start with firery red and turns to yellow gold and then to green as the cooler days and nights of fall start. Our trip reminded some what of a Maple tree.





Planning started back in May with the invitation from Steve to join he and some other fly fishing friends to a trip to the South Holston and the Watauga rivers for 4 days of fishing for Browns and Rainbow trout. There were to be 6 of us doing this trip when the plans were first started, most I knew and were clients or friends. As with many trips, as time got near, for reasons out of others control, 2 had to drop out leaving 4 of us going.

My first last and only trip doing this was not the best time fishing that I have had and had it been not for the other guys that were very good at fishing these waters, I sure that I would have bowed out also. This was too be my first vacation that I have had in 15 years and all I could think of is how many trips that I would lose from this trip and what it was going to cost me.

The guys had gotten together and assured me that it was going to be minimal expense for me and they went out of their way to make it so. when we go there, I was furnished with waders, boots, 2 fly rods and a sack with all the flies and other things that I would need to make this work...wow, all I needed was a Tennessee fishing license which I obtained at the little country store down from the Bee View cabins where we stayed on the Watauga river.



View from the house




By 4 PM, I found myself in knee to waist deep water flinging flies that were so small that I was convinced that no self respecting fish could see them as I needed glasses that were magnifying the flies so I could get the 2 pound thread that we were fishing with through the eye of the fly, If I couldn't see it, how were the fish going to as it drifted down the stream with a speed so fast that I could hardly stand. At this point, catching a fish was low on my priority list compared to not getting my waders filled up with water by either getting my feet swept out from under me or slipping on a rock and falling in was, but as the evening went on, I got tuned in to the scenery around me. The flowers on the bank, side of the mountain with the trees turning, the occasional rise of a head sipping down some bug as it drifted down the stream and the endless supply of Black and Mallard ducks that were eating on the side of the banks.









The guys had given me some instruction on fishing for the little "minnows" before they went scurrying off in their own directions, leaving me in knee deep water to fend for my self and figuring all it out on my own. I secretly think they were getting a good chuckle on seeing a coastal guy who had never had a fly rod less than a 7 wt in his hand, failing the water with flies that were almost microscopic on line that is about as strong as thread that you would sew a button on your shirt with, I am sure that I was quite the sight that first day.





Although I never caught a fish, or for that matter felt one bite my line that afternoon, I did get into my surrounds, the sights and sounds and watched as Jim Coveney pull in a couple and I must admit that is was quite the sight so I knew that it was possible and that the guys had not taken my of some sort of fishing "Snipe" hunt. That night over drinks, I listened to each one regal the stories of their fish, the ones they landed as well as the ones that got away. Plans were made for the next day and once again, I was along or the ride.



As the morning broke, I found my self sipping coffee and watching geese and ducks fly around the mountains in our little valley that we were staying in and soon the cars were filled with waders, boots, fly rods and a marriad of other things for a day of standing in cold water. Soon we were off looking at water where they guys thought the fish would be and after looking at a couple of places, they settled on one near the house where they had seen some big fish.






Soon I found my self standing once again in knee deep water flinging bugs that were so small I needed a magnifying glass to see them. I watch as Jim Cole and Jim Coveney catch a couple and before long, a suicidal fish came along that felt sorry for this coastal salty guy and allowed me to catch him, or was it a her, either way, I had my fish of the trip, even if it was the size of big Red Drum bait.



I did somehow manage to find a couple of more suicidal fish that morning that added to the numbers bag and as the afternoon came, so did the rising water and soon we were off the river and heading to the house and another ride to see the dam and other sights in search of new water to fish. Many ducks and geese were found along the way and of course I had to shoot them...so to speak.









The decision was made to fish the falling water where we fished yesterday and soon we were suited up heading back to that area. This time I was given 2 rods to carry, one with a dry fly that some how managed to stay wet and sink every 3rd cast and another one with a thingamabobber on it that is a glorified cork only much smaller than the ones that I use in the salt. First cast produced another suicidal fish on what they called a "Nymph". After landing that one I preceded to loose a couple more and then later I landed what they called a Brookie or Brook Trout on a dry fly, that was the only one of our trip, so I felt honored to have caught it. Well I guess a 6 fish day wasn't to bad for my first full day on a "Trout" stream.





That night I was also in on the recount of our day of fish and the decision we made to fish the South Holston or the Soho as some call it. One thing that I liked about this Trout fishing was the need NOT to run out the door at the crack of dawn, being able to enjoy the Costa Rican, Guatemalan or El Salvadoran coffee that I had brought for us. Leaving the house around 8ish in the morning...now that is something I could get use to and quickly learned to take advantage of.

Soon we were on our way to the Soho which was about a 45 minute drive and as it turned out, a very fishy river. We passed by some very interesting water in places like Stoney Creek, Shady Valley and Lovers Lane on the way there, little did I know that I would wind up fishing in Lovers Lane or was it Stoney Creek that last day we were there, I'm still wondering what the locals were on when they named this place. Must have been some great Moonshine.



When we got to the Soho, dressed to head to the river, I felt like Jim and Jim were leading me on a "Snipe" hunt as we wound down one path to another and every time I ask how much farther, one of them would pipe up and say, "almost there, just right up ahead", they left off the part that is was another 1/2 mile or so. As we wondered down the river, I could see rising fish and wondered why we didn't stop and just fish there. By the time we got to where they wanted to fish, I needed a break to get my breath and give my legs a rest before getting into that cold water. Soon we had new flies on and were climbing down the bank, I was holding on for dear life, trying not to fall into the water before we started.





Jim Coveney helped me to find a spot to fish and then he went a little down stream from me and started fishing. One of the first things we saw was a group of 12 or so Turkeys flying across the river. "This is going to be a good day for sure" I thought as the Turkeys flew from one bank to another. Soon I noticed little heads popping up to take bugs off the water in good numbers and was I
happily casting to them in my own little part of the stream.It wasn't long before I had 6 fish landed and at least that many or more hooked and lost.



Yep, there is a fish in that picture



Soon I hooked a nice little fish and I had my first 14" Brown of the trip on a dry fly, Jim Coveney came over and netted it for me and took pictures.











This stream fishing was getting more interesting by the minute for me. More fish came to hand that day as well Jim Coveney landing a very nice Rainbow that I photographed.



















Yep the fish is still in this picture



As the day wound down, I hear Jim Cole say something about hearing water and I knew that it was my clue to head back across the river before the water rose to high for me to cross back. As fast as I could, I made my way back and by the time I got to the other side, it was waist deep and I could just get out of the bank.


As we waited for Jim Coveney to get back up with us, another one of my clients, Malcolm, (remember the Large Mouth Bass Thread) came walking down the trail, it is something when you have to travel 6 hours to bump into some one you know. Soon were all walking back up the hill to get to the cars and by the time we got there I was ready to sit down and rest, I'm from the flat lands, the hills are killing me.

The next day, Jim Coveney and Steve were on their own as Jim Coal and I were hiring a guide in a drift boat to take us down the river in the afternoon. Jim and I were going to explore in the morning, looking for new water. For me, it is all new water. We walked down paths, looking for runs or races and some how I found 3 Rainbow Trout that morning, nothing big but I was getting more confident in what I was doing with each outing.







Lunch was at some little spot that I would have never thought that you could get a hot lunch at, but it was great and more than either of us could eat. Roast with potatoes, green beans, Mac and cheese along with potatoes cakes and more for $4.50, gotta love little out of the way places to eat.

At 1 PM we were at the South Holston Fly shop waiting for Matt Champion who will be our guide for the afternoon, he and his dad run the shop and are great people. Anyone looking in that area, give them a shout, you will have a great time fishing with Matt.



We get our gear together and soon we are at the river and the boat in the water, this was a big roll reversal for me, not tying on flies and undoing knots. Matt starts us off with Thingamabobbers and Nymphs and soon we are both hooked up with fish in the raging water, both Browns and Rainbows, at this point we were only about a 100 yards down the river from where we started...to cool.







Soon, Matt spots some rising fish and he drops the anchor and for the next little while, it was on with fish after fish. We slowly bump down the bank finding more and more fish that are willing to take our offerings as Jim and I toss fly after fly to them. Matt's young eyes spot a nice Brown on the bank and zero's me in to where it is, I fire a shot and hook my nicest fish of the trip, a brown about 16 inches or better. Down the river a little way further, Jim finds a nice Rainbow about the same size.
















Gotta love a mountain fall on the river.

[gottaflylee]

We pass another guide boat and in passing the other boat speaks of what a tough afternoon it was. Matt's gracious manner said "yes, the fish were being picky this afternoon". I thought what a great thing to do for the other guideas well as his clients, as we had spanked the all afternoon. I felt for both the guide and his clients as I have been on both sides of thet conversation. I understand that some time you wind up people that can't catch or you just have one of those days but that was not the case with Matt, He could direct me as to what to do so I could do to catch more fish and put it in turns that I could relate to. It was a great trip and the fun ended sooner that I would have liked but at that point it was after 6 and time to go.

Ah nuts, Yes Jim, it is over and it was a great trip...haha















Loved how this anchor workred...all 30 pounds of it.



After a great day on the water, it must come to an end, hope that you will one day see Matt and his dad in my with a Red Drum on the other end of a fly.



Jim and I went back to the shop, said our goodbyes and headed back to the house with big smiles and sore arms. Yes, I will hire Matt again when I go back as I felt I had made another good friend with fishing, I just want he and his dad to come down and let me show them what a big red Drum in the marsh feels like, life will be good!

The next morning, we got up and packed up the cars for the trip back, me wishing that I had another day. Jim Cole and I looked at some new water to fish and I wound up with 9 fish for the morning, nothing big but a combo of Browns and Rainbows before we headed back toward the coast. Will I do this again...I sure hope so, I dig the hunt as much as the pull of the fish.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, hope you enjoyed the story and pictures...just another adventure in the gottafly sagas.

More miscellaneous pictures...

















The 4 friends

[gottaflylee]

Some more pictures with some great friends, had a great time yall...

























Some Jim Cole pictures













Soho river









The white water, loved it...





Had I see the look on Matt's face, I may have been a little more stressed than I was...haha

[Agitated88]

Excellent pictorial Lee...really appreciate you sharing your adventure with us!!!

[scattered_grass]

pretty stuff there Cap'n

[MonoCeba]

"What in God's name is this lunacy that you have gotten me into"?? This was my anticipated response from Capt. Lee, once we set him up with tiny rods, long tiny leaders, and tiny flies (by his standards). He started with 9ft 6X (appx 2.5lb), then moved on to 12ft 6X (and, then, didn't notice that I attached another three feet to his dry fly rod after seeing his focused ease of casting such stuff in light air....and later, in heavy breezes.

He joined in, suspecting few hookups......but quickly adapted his salt water casting stroke to matters at hand with intent......the rest is now history; and, once again no fish is safe from this wily predator. He smoked me on the last morning with same flies, same water.

I'll attempt to attach a couple shots from a previous trip to the South Holston (SoHo) about a month ago........one to show how dangerous those waters can be, and the other to show...........that even brown trout miss "hookups" now and again (note small beadhead nymph just above it's eye).

I suspect we can tempt the Captain to consider another trip at some time in the future. Thanks so much Lee, for joinin' in. Jim Cole

[netman9]

Nothing like a well put together story along with pictures of the place I like to call "HOME"! I just knew in your preview pics that you were somewhere in the mountains of SW VA/East Tenn. Very nice write up. While I grew up on the Virginia side of the streams, I have also enjoyed the very waters of the Holston that you wrote about. Can't wait to get back to Moms and head to the mountain streams. You've done a great justice to that part of the country with your talent through a lens. Thanks, Netman

[Tenacious]

Great stuff Lee, thanks for sharing!

[merry marlin]

Wow, what a Report Lee! Love when you let that camera loose on Fresh water...
MM

[clt_capt]

The NC mountains are a very special place. Thanks for sharing this trip