Guide Talk

Guide Talk, Housatonic River, Video

Fishing the Housy with Bert

By TB

We spent an incredible day on the Housatonic River with Bert Ouellette of Housatonic River Outfitters in Cornwall Bridge, CT.  We’ve been blessed with great guides on our adventure and Bert was no exception.  He put us on some amazing fish (see pics embedded in video), knew the river incredibly well pointing out all the named holes, gave us some good spots to go back and wade fish and kept us high and dry in his “Fear No Rocks” Clakacraft drift boat.  He knew the history of the area and was able to point out various artifacts along the way including a gorgeous covered bridge.  We had an outstanding lunch on the river that kept us going all day and it was a full day of fishing…. and catching!

This is a gorgeous river that reminded us of many of the western streams we’d fished before.  Rather than me trying to describe the river and how its fished, take a listen to Bert’s interview.  We learned so much from him as I know you will.   Enjoy!

Read more
Farmington River, Guide Talk

Fishing with Zach

By TB

The Farmington River in Connecticut is less than a two hour drive from both New York City and Boston.  Its a tailwater filled with riffles and runs and pools along its path.  We were incredibly fortunate to have Zach St. Amand of Fishing with Zach as our guide for the day.

He warned us about difficulties wading the Farmington due to its larger rocks and boulders which are very slippery.  The term we’re familiar with is “greased bowling balls”.  He was right but kept us in spots that were more easily accessible with our wading staffs providing great balance.  Oh… and at times, Zach providing the great balance to both Barb and I.  He kept us both from taking a swim a few times.

The first spot we fished we netted around 30 beautiful rainbows.  Barb actually had TWO “doubles”.  For our non-flyfishing friends, this means that on one cast, with two flies on her line, Barb caught two fish.  Doing this once is extremely rare.  Doing it twice in the same day is ridiculous!   We’ll share the pic when we do our Connecticut highlights video gallery later on.

This area was mostly stocked fish but sizable bows for sure.  At one point, Zach asked if we might want to eat one of our catches since these were stocked.  Barb and I had talked about this during our trip given we are “catch and release” fishers but if the opportunity presented itself and the timing was right, we’d do it.  It was and we did.  More later about dinner.

Next we went up into a section of the river that is a TMA (Trout Management Area) and fished more difficult water for more difficult to catch fish.  We both had success here but not at the rate we had to start the day.  That would have been impossible!  However, the fish we caught were beautiful fish and I was able to snare one during a Hendrickson’s hatch on a dry fly.  SO FUN!!!

As we were walking along the river, Zach pointed out some of the plants we were passing by including Skunk Cabbage (don’t eat) and Fiddlefern (can eat).  But what got us excited was that ramps were in abundance in one area.  We’d heard of ramps back in Richwood, WV which bills itself as the “Ramp Capital” of the world.  So of course, we picked some wild ramps…. which leads to dinner.  We had fresh rainbow trout caught by Barb, fried red potatoes with wild ramps and garlic bread for dinner…. all cooked over an open fire at our campsite.

Barb and I both agreed that this was a very special day we won’t ever forget.  Thanks Zach!!!

Read more
Big Spring Creek, Guide Talk, Le Tort Spring Run

Spring Creek Junkie

By TB

We had an incredible day with Jake Villwock of TCO Fly Fishing in Boiling Springs PA.  We fished two spring creeks, the Le Tort Spring Run and Big Spring.  The Le Tort is on the TU Top 100 Trout Streams list and proved to be challenging to say the least.  Big Spring turned out to be a blast.

Jake is a character and we absolutely enjoyed our time fishing with him.  Barb was laughing so hard, well, she’ll have to tell it.  Jake had us going stealth on fish.  Kneeling on the banks of the creeks casting to wary fish upstream of us.  Walking through muck to get tot he best spots.  He even had me crawling out into the middle of the creek on my hands and knees stalking a large rainbow.  I know, you’re thinking crazy…. but we hooked into fish and even landed a few.

Its fun fishing spring creeks that are such challenges.  We’ve fished a few out in Montana, Nelson’s and Depuy’s to name a couple.  However, these were even greater challenges.  We were lucky to have Jake along as our guide pointing out fish, keeping us low and sharing how best to cast to the fish.  Plus…. saying…. “oooop” at just the right moment.

We know you’ll enjoy his interview.  Its laced with great information about fishing the area, general tips to make your fly fishing experiences even better wherever you are, and most importantly, its pure fun.  A tip of our hats and a “cheers” with a Sly Fox SFT Ale… to Jake!!!

Read more
Guide Talk, Video

J.E.B.

By TB

The Davidson River, like most of the rivers we’ve fished, is really many different rivers.  The various sections hold different fish and take different techniques to catch them.   We went out with J.E.B. Hall of Davidson River Outfitters in Brevard, NC.   We fished both the “trophy” section of the Davidson as well as the main branch of the river in several different spots.  J.E.B put us on fish in each spot.   I would highly recommend grabbing a copy of J.E.B.’s book, The Southern Appalachian Fly Guide.  Its got a wealth of information that we will be putting to good use when we come back to this area to fish.  For now, enjoy this interview with J.E.B on fishing the Davidson River.

Read more
Guide Talk, Video

Tuck Talk with Miller Watson

By TB

Miller Watson, our Tuckasegee guide from Hookers Fly Shop in Sylva, went to Western Carolina University and indicated he might have skipped a few classes to fish.  What makes the Tuck so special is the pristine water that feeds it.  Here you can find rainbows, browns and brook trout.   You will find stocked and wild browns and rainbows.  Also, stocked brookies.   The “grand slam” of the river is to net all three.  Biggest in boat for Miller was a 27” wild brown.

Read more
Guide Talk, Video

Chattooga Challenge

By TB

Trekking through what seemed like a rainforest filled with rhododendron,  we followed Harrison Beckwith, our guide from Brookings Cashiers Village Anglers, to the Chattooga River.  From shop rat to guide, Harrison Beckwith has been fishing in and around these area waters since he was 6.  He takes great pleasure in helping others have a successful day on the water.  His shop (and now Instagram) name, River Wizard, is so perfect!

Read more
Guide Talk, Video

Toccoa with Hunter Morris

By TB

Hunter Morris is a renaissance kind of guy with a background in business, fly fishing and music.  We were lucky enough to spend the day with him recently talking about all three while floating and fishing the Toccoa River.

Read more
Guide Talk, Video

Upper Hooch with Chuck Head

By TB

We spent a great half day with Chuck Head of Unicoi Outfitters fishing the Upper Chattahoochee River.  This portion of the Hooch (as its know to the locals) is much different than the tailwater that runs out of Lake Lanier near Atlanta.  Chuck was able to put us on fish using both nymphs and streamers.  Watching these big, beautiful fish chase streamers was truly a highlight.  Their aggressive pursuit of the streamers is simply amazing to watch.  Almost as much fun as catching them…. almost.

Read more
Guide Talk, Video

A River Through Atlanta

By TB

River Through Atlanta owner and lead guide Chris Scalley took us on an awesome all day float trip down the Chattahoochee River.    We had a blast and caught some beautiful rainbows and brownies.  This is an amazing fishery and having Chris guide us along the way made it extra special.  He’s a native and has been fishing the river for decades.

Read more