Elk River and Caney Fork Fishing report

 

The podcast has some really good guests with informative fly fishing information. It's available anywhere you listen to podcasts.

The Elk River has been fishing good for us. Anglers are getting action on nymphs and midges. Fishing deep has been the ticket. We are booking into September with a few August dates left. Summer is starting toward Fall. Folks are getting their trips booked as quick as they can get the open dates.

The Caney has been hit or miss, but some good fish have been coming to the net. It's been mostly midges. Be ready for some big fish with some long periods of tough fishing. It can be worth the time and slow periods, but it's not easy.

Fly Fishing Nashville

Hey everyone we are real busy with guide trips and the podcast. Here’s a quick report:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theanglersinfluencepodcast/Top_10_Southern_Tailwater_Flies_Podcast.mp3

The Southeastern Fly Podcast is released monthly. We are really working on content that’s usable on a daily basis while you’re on the water. Here is the July 2021 episode.

The Elk is fishing good. Good numbers with an occasional picture fish. Fishing nymphs and some midges, but we are bringing more fish to the net with nymphs. The best tip: find moving water.

The Caney is producing less fish. We are seeing some quality fish. This river is producing more on midges but nymphs are working too. Falls by water is best for us for sure.

You can contact David at 1+615-796-5143 or david@southeasternfly.co to book a trip or for information concerning the Southeastern Fly podcast.

Middle Tennessee Fly Fishing

It's been a crazy-busy summer. We have been doing a lot of trips with folks, who in-turn have been bringing good numbers of fish to the waiting net. It's been an interesting fishing year. Anglers have caught a fair number of fish on terrestrials however most of our better fish have come on nymphs.

As the tailwaters begin the transition from summer to fall and then into winter, we are sticking the fish closer and closer to the bottom. Putting that fly in their face has always been critical, but this year more-so than ever.

We have been doing some Euro-nymphing too. This has been productive and on a lot of days this brings the catch rate up. As for more styles and species of fish, we have also been spending more time on warmwater streams and having some success. We will have a few more options for warmwater species during next year's seasons and we are stoked! 

The Elk River- This river has made it through summer and really been hammered by everyone wanting to get out. We have been very successful on most days. Like I said earlier we are catching the largest majority of our fish on the nymph. Getting them down, in front of the fish, with good drifts, makes for a real nice day on the water.

The Caney Fork- This year started strong and then fell flat as the water in the lake warmed the water in the river. Then the DO levels began to fall. I am looking (hoping) for a comeback in the later months. But as we transition from fall to winter, I am mostly looking toward early 2021 for a better situation all around. We aren't giving up on this river and hoping the repairs to the dam, that happened over the last several years, will bring it back to a respectable fishery.

There it is, a quick fishing report and report on other happenings under the Southeastern Fly umbrella. Don't forget the Southeastern Fly podcast, we've had some good quests who have been engaging and forthcoming with good information. You can subscribe to the podcast anywhere you consume podcast content.

If you are a seasoned angler or have never picked up a fly rod and want to set up a day on the river call/text 615-796-5143 or email david@southeasternfly.co to book a day on the water. For additional booking information see our Homepage. To sign up for the latest edition of Southeastern Fly News Click Here

Trip Anticipation, Tannic Water and Smallmouth

 

This podcast episode with Seth at The Hatch Outfitters in Chattanooga, TN was like going back home. Its's a comfortable and inviting environment and Seth was an outstanding host. You can listen by clicking on the boat below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And to read some of the excerpts from our discussion see parts of the transcription below.

Seth- I still, I still can't sleep the night before a big trip.

David- My pace heading to the water and heading out of the water are totally different. I'm almost at a run. If I'm sitting waiting on people to come and meet, sitting in a parking lot somewhere usually at one ramp or the other. And man, people just fly into the parking lot. I do the same thing. So, I'm not saying anything about anybody because I'm exactly the same. Yeah, but they just find that the parking lot and then they're like, you know, it's gravel screeching, they're almost missing the turn. And I'm like, yep, I was that same way 10 minutes ago. I mean, you want to kind of be mad and that was me. You know, I did the same thing.

Well, welcome into Southeastern Fly. I'm your host, David Perry….Today we're traveling again, we've done the past two or three episodes via telephone, which has really worked out nice for us and the folks that if you haven't listened to those, those are two really, three really good podcasts right in a row, pretty technical, but a couple of those we've done via telephone, because of everything that's going on right now and I'm not even going to mention what going on because I think everybody pretty much knows is 2020. If you haven't figured out what's going on 2020 yet, just keep your head in the sand because that's a great place to be.

But today we're traveling Today we're in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I'm pretty familiar with Chattanooga because we're sitting in a fly shop right now. And that fly shop is just about a mile from where my daughter started preschool just through the tunnels here on Brainard Road in Chattanooga. Our location is on Brainerd road in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it's a new fly shop called The Hatch Outfitters. Our guest on this episode has written articles for American Angler, Fly Tier magazine, Gray's Sporting Journal, he's the digital manager for all those publications. He also owns The Hatch Outfitters, you have a long resume here. Please welcome in to Southeastern Fly… Seth Fields. Seth, thanks for having us down. 

Seth- I don't know that all those magazines will have my name associated.

David- Well, I've read every one of them, at least one or two things out of every one. They're top notch magazines, you must be doing something right. Either you're paying somebody or you know what you're doing.

Seth--It's a good mix of magazines for sure. Definitely happy to contribute to those when I can. It's been a real honor to get published. And Grey's had a recent story in there. And in a second upcoming, and I know you talk to David Cannon, who's been a contributor. Anytime you get a, you know, get an acceptance to be published in there, it's pretty big deal. Something worth calling mom, both of your faces light up whenever you talk about getting published in there, which I'm not a talented enough writer by any means.

David- I can tell that it's a big deal in the writing world whenever I just saw your face and I remember seeing David's face too. Your facial expression changes to like, hey, I might have actually…really accomplished something here. This is really great.

Seth- You buy a lot of copies. Yeah.

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Seth- ...the Mississippi on the west side of the river and then depending on what time you go you might just go down another 30 minutes or so and be able to put in there what you might go over to the east for an hour and put in there, just depends on where the weather when what the water looks like this sort of thing you know, you got to play it by ear. 

David....you have to be willing to do certain things for redfish on the fly. 

David....Yeah, I will drive ridiculous distances for certain fish. Tarpon and especially our first time I came talk about tarpon because I haven't caught one yet and I've just been I've been on boats. But anyway, our first time down to Louisiana we drove an hour and then we got in the boat and went out Chandler islands you know in a skiff. If you can imagine that. When about another hour and 1015 minutes out there. I'll do some pretty ridiculous stuff to get what I'm looking for. And it was super productive day two, so it was well worth it. Now I've always wanted to fish there. But it's it's part of that excitement of just a trip. 

Seth- You know, driving down if it wasn't for gas, I'd never stop for a tarpon trip

The Best Tippet to Fly Knot

David, a friend of mine and I fish several times a week. Each time we fish, he loses flies. I mean a lot of flies. He seems to be getting frustrated and I really need a fishing partner. So, I want to help him. What knot do you think is easiest and best for tying the fly to the tippet?

Thanks, Stevie 

(Stevie is not his real name) 

Stevie, I assume you have a knot that works for you and you tried to help your friend by teaching him the knot you use. I am also going to make a sizable leap here and assume your friend is hard-headed or is so ultra-competitive that he won’t use anything that you use. Thus he is always "looking for a competitive advantage." All of us, at some point, want to catch more fish and bigger fish than our fishing buddy. We want to do it every time and we don't even care if it’s our spouse. Competition is understandable. 

The really cool thing about your email is, you get to fish a several times a week. People everywhere are wishing they were able to fish several times a week. Consider yourself lucky. The down side of the email is, your buddy has to be spending a bunch of money on flies that end up in the river or somewhere behind him after a back cast. Eventually he will run out of money or patience or both. Think about it. Fishes several times a week and cannot tie flies to the tippet? The fly shop or mail order website love this guy. His spouse, if he has one, is wondering how all the kid's lunch money can be suddenly disappearing at $2.50 a pop.

There are several knots that will tie a fly to a piece of tippet. Knots that will tie that fly to the tippet are for the most part basic. There are also a ton of knot tying websites, and YouTube has some great videos, any reputable fly shop has someone who can show your friend a couple knots. Fly shops are required to have someone to help folks learn to tie knots. If yours doesn't, then go find another fly shop to frequent. 

If your friend needs to know; how to tie a knot, how to choose a knot, wants to learn the language of a knot, or just talk about knots in general, the first step is Google. If your friend doesn't know how to use Google, find anyone below the age of 90 and they can probably help. Then find a knot that ties a fly to a piece of tippet. In short, he should pick a knot, any knot. 

I dare say your friend already has a knot or two that he believes is easy to tie and that he might even like. He would like that knot 100 times more if it actually held the fly. I am also going to bet that he practices those knots exactly zero times when he is not on the river. So he's spending more time digging for flies and getting frustrated than he is drowning a nymph, stripping a streamer, or getting that perfect drift for a dry fly to work. 

Most knots will hold the fly tippet if tied properly. Yep, you read it here first. Someone went to all the trouble to invent the knot. People tested that knot, talked about that knot with other people, pulled on it, tugged at it, then tested it some more. Then that knot started to make it's way out to anglers and sailors everywhere. Most knots have stood the test of time and more importantly survived the scrutiny of anglers and sailors. This process should not be underestimated. All of these people really have too much time on their hands and generally live a boring life. Very similar to the rest of us.

If your angling buddy has a knot the he likes and that knot will tie his fly to the tippet, he is ahead in the battle of bringing more fish to the net...while still losing  flies. If he hasn’t picked a knot, again, check The Google and just pick one. 

How to tie a knot- I tell new anglers time and time again..."Decide which knot you like. Then go buy the cheapest 20 lb. test from a big box store or better yet go in the local bait shop and buy some. While you're in the bait shop watch the crickets too, it's calming somehow, it passes the time and eventually someone will strike-up an interesting conversation about fishing. You will learn something I promise. After you get home and while you are watching TV, with your significant other, just tie knots”

 (Disclaimer: if you are watching Yellowstone put the 20lb. away and pay close attention.) 

"That’s right get some cheap fishing line and a big hook and practice your knots. Practice those knots until you are confident you can tie them in the lowest of light. Then, step down several pounds in cheap fishing line and keep practicing. Before you know it, you will be really good at tying a fly to the tippet." 

Oh and as far as which knot I think is the easiest and best for tying the fly to the tippet? Try an Improved Clinch or a Pitzen knot. I like them both and I can tie them in low light...cause, yes I practiced.

But Stevie, here is a word(s) of caution. If your friend learns to tie a knot and gets good at tying that knot, he will keep his fly in the water more. If he puts that together with learning about presentation and proper hook sets, there is a really good chance he will out fish you. Is that what you want?

If you have any fly fishing related questions, feel free to text, call or email David at  david@southeasternfly.co

Landlocked Striper & Carp On The Fly

Listen at the player above or where you listen to podcasts

Landlocked stripers on the fly and carp on the fly. Begin cracking the code for catching these two difficult to catch species, when Southeastern Fly Guide and Host David Perry talks at length with Guide Henry Cowen in this episode. Henry leaves no stone un-turned as he talks about fly choice, the makeup of the species in salt and freshwater. Henry is a master at reading lakes and he goes in-depth about reading bottom contours, how to find the fish and how wildlife can work in your favor when hunting stripers. 

The discussion turns to carp and approaches to the species in different situations. Fly choices and feeding patterns are other topics that will peak your interest.

The guys compare football to steelhead and answer possibly the most compelling hot dog question, one that has been lingering for decades. 

Go listen to this episode, it is sure to make you a better angler.

Why Fish Do - What Fish Do with Guest Joey Monteleone

Click Here To Listen

Host and Southeastern Fly Guide David Perry has an in-depth discussion with Author, TV & radio personality, and all around fishy guy Joey Monteleone. David and Joey go all-out as they talk about everything from where fish choose to stay and why, then they visit on why stealth in fly fishing presentations are so important to an angler's success. They don't stop there and get into the weeds about what fish eat and why plentiful food is so important in choosing the right fly.

This episode is full of useful information for anglers at all levels. It's no just about fishing in the Southeast, Tennessee, or Middle Tennessee, the information is useful just about anywhere people fish for freshwater species.

Sit back and relax as David and Joey have one of the most technical and fishy discussions that has been recorded on Southeastern Fly. You can hear it anywhere you listen to podcasts or at the link below>

Why Fish Do - What Fish Do

Fly Fishing Tennessee

Will the fish be hungry? When we get back to what we consider a "more normal routine", for many of us, it will mean getting back to the water. We will dust off rusty casts and begin working on presentations in the runs, riffles and pools we know well. Perhaps we will venture out a little farther and try some waters we have always wanted to discover. While we recover economically, and we will, instead of leaving the country to fish some far away body of water, we might stay just a little closer to home and discover a body of water that has always been intriguing.  

To the friends and clients who have text, called, and emailed. Thank you! Those who have rescheduled trips and those who had to cancel, I am looking forward to fishing with you in the future. To my guide friends, this hasn't easy for any of us, but there are brighter days ahead and we will soon be talking about this as timestamp in our conversations. Meaning we will be saying "before the virus" and "since the virus" before we know it. 

I have been sneaking away to try new stuff on the fish. While practicing those new methods that are instilled in us now for our health, I still feel the need to stay on top of the tailwaters and freestones that people rely on me to know. The fish have been cooperative and it has been pleasant to catch them. They, the fish. are still there. The fish are holding in the same runs, riffles, and pools that they were holding-in prior to this lock down. Most of the fish haven't seen a fly in some time, so "the usual trickery" is working, maybe a little better on some fish. Maybe that's a little angler optimism, but I believe they were fooled a bit easier.

We are already working to get folks in the casting braces, while doing our best to keep everyone safe. Again, to everybody out there, I hope you have been able to remain safe and I hope your family and friends are as well. 

If you are a seasoned angler or have never picked up a fly rod and want to set up a day on the river call/text 615-796-5143 or email david@southeasternfly.co to book a day on the water. For additional booking information see our Homepage. To sign up for the latest edition of Southeastern Fly News Click Here

Spring 2020 Southeastern Fly News

We have been busy with newsletters, podcasts and some occasional fishing through the downtime. Southeastern Fly News - Spring Edition has been released and can be found at the link below. Hope you enjoy!

 Click Here 

Winter in the South

It’s winter in the south. Winter here means the weather patterns can change as quick as speed limits heading into a small southern town.

Just the other evening I did a presentation about winter fly fishing. As I went through the presentation, I realized that even with the big releases on the tailwaters, there  still a whole-lot of opportunities to go catch a trout and keep your skills sharp. You can’t keep your skills sharp or even learn new skills without fish...right. (That my story and I’m stickin to it)

Some folks let their fly rod and other fly-fishing accouterments sit idle during the colder months. Scary I know! They wish they were fishing or worse yet watch it on TV and sometimes even on YouTube. It’s just better to get out on the water. See, in Tennessee, and several other southern states, there are winter trout stocking programs.

In Tennessee, the TWRA winter stocking program stocks trout less than 10 minutes from my house. I know, I know, there are some pretentious “anglers” reading this and looking down their nose. I’m not talking to those folks and in reality fly fishing next to them on a river makes me look toward TV or even YouTube to get a fishing-fix. I’m talking to anglers who want to get outside and enjoy some fly fishing while sharpening their skills.

If you want to get your wintertime trout fix you can “search The Google” to find map after map and even dates when the streams will be stocked. Stick with me for just another minute... I said it will give you the map and dates, I didn’t say show-up and help unload the fish from the truck and into your net. The location and date are just a starting point. You still have to catch them.

This year I am looking at winter stocking as a way to get out on new water and keep my euronymphing skills sharp. Yep “highsticking” is all the rage right now and I’m getting inquiries about techniques in this style of fishing. While I started highsticking in the Smokys 2 decades ago, I have to admit until last year they have sat dormant. Highsticking takes a different set of skills than my usual winter streamer trips. And don’t tell anyone but I’m using that as a reason to keep my skills sharp. OK really, it’s just another reason to get outside and step into a river.

Working on your skills- When states stock trout for their winter stocking program they will put a fair number of fish in several locations. Once you have done your homework and you are dialed-into what they are eating, the numbers of fish can give you just enough repetition to keep those skills sharp.

Want to work on a new steamer pattern, highsticking, indicator fishing or just about anything else? Winter is a great time to try something new.  Whether you are developing new skills or keeping rust off your old skills, the winter stocking programs around the South might be a good program for you.

So, instead of wishing you are fishing or worse yet watching fishing on TV or even YouTube, layer-up, grab your fly rod and take some new ideas, then head to the rivers and streams and work on those skills. Just watch those speed limits heading into small towns...

If you are a seasoned angler or have never picked up a fly rod and want to set up a day on the river call/text 615-796-5143 or email david@southeasternfly.co to book a day on the water. For additional booking information see our Homepage. To sign up for the latest edition of Southeastern Fly News Click Here