Fly Fishing for Southern Musky

A 2012 Musky...But 2013 is a New Year!

For a couple weeks the water levels on the tailwaters were not the best. Christmas was in the forefront in our house and it was a good one. Then I watched some football, celebrated the New Year and tried to do the things a "normal" person would do. It was tough and eventually I was in Cumberland Transit picking up tying materials and listening to fishing stories. Then it back to the tying desk to tie some chicken feathers on the shank of a hook.

Troll Hunter or Musky Hunter...

I met Anthony early in the morning then we met Josh, who drove over from Maryville. Both were on a quest to catch their first musky on the fly. For me, it felt good to be back on the water! We loaded the boat and talked with Greg who was floating solo for the day. Greg it was nice to finally meet in person. Then we pushed the drifter from the ramp and got that feeling that only comes  when the boat first starts to float. 

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High Water Everywhere- This float was on higher water than any we floated last year. The plan was simple, bomb the banks and try to coax a hot fish out of soft water.  Coax the fish off the bank like a cat going after a string. Big flies on sinking line with erratic retrieves.Did it happen like that? Well sort of...

Optimism- There was optimism in the boat as we shoved off and the guys started casting big flies to toothy critters. We tried several different patterns, different strips while fishing to structure and soft water. It didn't take too long for our first fish to show up. I heard recently that musky will generally be in the same spots at the same times of the year. Last year we boated some fish and had follows from several fish all along the float. We floated into a section where last year David had a hot fish follow but not eat. This time Anthony was in the front of the boat and the fish came off the short rock wall. It was a lazy follow and the fish wasn't as hot as we like. The fish came out but didn't want to play. We hung around and kept trying, but it was over as fast as it started. We had a follow after that and then it got a little quiet. Things were about to heat up.

Josh 1 - Musky zero

Josh was tuned in to his casting and even though the water levels were keeping us from sight casting, everyone kept a positive attitude. Then Josh dropped a cast within inches of the bank and a fish was on the fly before Josh finished his first strip. The fish ate and received a strip-set for its troubles. The hook up was a good one. Josh's questions of how a musky fights were being answered. The fish put up a good fight taking and giving as he moved around the boat. The fish even jumped at the boat, answering another question. Josh did a great job playing the fish to the net and then he was holding his first southern musky on the fly. 

5.5-1700

A Non-Fishing Report

Wow we sure have a lot of water! With that being said, the drifter is in the garage and I have been tying flies. A couple trips to Cumberland Transit for marabou, deer hair, beads, hooks, Puglisi fibers, more hooks, eyes and the list goes on and on. As is the case with most anglers there is always something else I "need".

Staying inside can get boring and if it is raining where you are, Fly Image Magazine is worth a look. And if that isn't enough try the video below.

Riding High: A Season on the Fly from Waterline Media on Vimeo.

This is the final season of Spanish Fly. I think most of us have watched the show and enjoyed the stories of both fly fishing, gear and live bait. The first time I remember watching the show I saw this guy guiding a client in a bay. There was a concrete pier and a hot fish. When the fish went under the pier, then out the other side, Jose jumped in with the rod and swam under the pier to the other side. Just to save the angler's fish. That was one of the coolest things on TV at that time...

Toothy Appetizers

Merry Christmas

Anyone following this report for over a year may have seen this last year. It is hands down the best Christmas fly fishing video out there. Enjoy and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Silver and Gold from Yukon Goes Fishing on Vimeo.

Elk River and Caney Fork River Report

Stopped in the Shallows

Caney Fork River Report: The river is only fishing OK at the moment. The generation schedule keeps water high, in the river, for longer periods of time. The higher water spreads out the fish more and makes us all fish deeper. Fishing nymphs with a beadhead and even a little extra lead is more productive. Fishing streamers with dumbell eyes helps and fishing over the shoals and gravel bars will get some looks and takes.

Brookies in Fast Moving Water

The big story on the Caney is the US Army Corps plan to place buoys across the dam pool at the Caney Fork and other Cumberland River system dams. The Army Corps has apparently decided to comply with a regulation and as a result the access to the majority of the dam pool with be off limits to everyone.   I enjoy fishing the pool certain times of the year, but we don't fish it when the sluice gate is wide open or even likely to run. We don't fish it during the late Summer sluicing periods because it is so dangerous. However, some folks apparently don't understand the danger and get themselves into trouble. So we will see what happens in the coming days.

The President/ Founder of Calvary Outfitters

The Elk River: The generation during the week is running too strong for good fishing right now. But TVA is angler friendly on the weekends. The water is stained but the fish are active. There are fish hitting flies from one ramp to the other. The last few trips down to fish the Elk we have had large numbers. The big fish are illusive but there are plenty of hatchery brats to keep anglers occupied between the holdovers. On the weekends fish nymphs in even the least moving water. A good drift is key, as always, and ticking the bottom isn't a bad idea either. 
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We are heading into Christmas and this is a good time to thank everyone. Those of you who stop by and read this report I sure hope it helps with keeping up on the latest fly fishing news in Middle TN. For those who have booked trips this year, I have to say this has been one of our best years. Some days were challenging and some seemed easy as pie. All the trips have been a blast and I appreciate everything. Hopefully everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Fish Tails

Two Friends on the River

These Were on the Bottom

When Steve sent a text to get back on the boat, I knew it would be hard to live up to the expectations. The last time Steve was on the boat, with his son Adam, we had a great time, caught nice fish and in spite of the wind, the weather was good. As the day Steve booked grew closer, reports from the river were worse and worse. And my trips to the river weren't outstanding. The day before Steve and Rick's trip, several people, reported dismal results from the river. So I tied up some flies that "should" work, bought a new fly rod, reel and line and met the guys at the ramp when the Army Corps turned off the generator.

Fall Colors

Rick had not been around a fly rod much before the trip. We spent a while showing him the roll cast and how to cast with some distance. We discussed mending, how the water comes at different angles and of course how to mend in those conditions. The wind also would play a role during the day and it wouldn't always positive. However, we came to the river and the guys expected a good day...So I pulled up the anchor and we started drifting. Steve remembered the things we worked on during his last trip and he hooked up first with a hatchery brat rainbow that came from some structure. We had Rick fishing down the middle and drifting a nymph along the bottom. He hooked up and soon had his first fish, a dark rainbow, in the net. Alright the skunk was off and we were getting results.

Steve Gets the Skunk Off the Boat...

One of Steve's Brown Trout

We brought several hatchery brats to the net and concentrated on the hi-value areas, and they produced. We kept bouncing nymphs, and bouncing nymphs, and bouncing nymphs... Just when anglers think they have snagged the bottom a fish will flash. The guys were bouncing nymphs and both soon had a hook-up. Rick had a nice brookie, but Steve stuck a real good brown. The day was improving and it was still early.

20" of Brown Trout Goodness (The Brown is the one in the Middle of the Photo)

Then we floated into a spot on the river that has been good for everyone this year, except me. I have taken more anglers into this area this year and we have came away empty handed. So with the guide season coming to a close....what the heck. We drifted in, Steve was fishing right down the gut as Rick started picking his way through the blowdowns. Somewhere between a heavy wind gust and trying to keep the boat under control, Rick's indicator took a dive. He set the hook just as I regained control of the drifter. We pulled the brown out of the wood and into the deep pocket. Rick did everything I asked. We made it through several runs and even a jump, then Rick brought the brown to the net. He did everything just right and the rod, I bought the day before, already had good mojo! Not only that, we had two good slams and it wasn't even lunch. The trip was coming around to our way of thinking.

Completing a Grand Slam

Rick Happily Hooked-up

Steve was happy to see his friend catch a nice fish and make the 20 + Club. We bounced some nymphs and just drifted. The guys picked up fish along the way and we had some stretches where it seemed the fish just didn't want to cooperate. Then, Steve's indicator dove as he fished some structure...(see a theme here). He set the hook and started backing the fish out of the blowdown. Rick wasn't content and a short time later had a fish on too. Another double. Rick waited patiently as  Steve brought his fish to the net, Rick brought his fish around and into the net as well. Steve scored his nice brown just before the lunch bell rang...We really don't have a lunch bell.

Steve With Some Brown Trout Goodness

After lunch the guys said it would be great if they could catch a couple more fish before it was too dark to see. We picked up a few more than a couple as we kept the boat off the banks and battled the wind. We fished a lot of the same spots that were fished on Steve's last trip. Some of those spots produced and some did not produce. The guys kept at it and seemingly never getting tired of casting and mending.

Phisch Tails

The guys were obviously two friends who go way back. These long floats give folks plenty of time to talk about all kinds of stuff, while they catch up. As they talked and I told my same two jokes, we were now three guys having a nice day floating down the river.
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Rick was fishing a ledge when he set the hook. The fish began a run around the front of the boat. "Someone" in the boat commented on the way Rick was fighting such a small fish. Since we hadn't caught a glimpse of the fish it seemed OK to give Rick a hard time. Then the rod tip started bouncing as the fish started head shaking. The fish continued around the boat. Rick kept the leader out of the anchor arm, anchor rope, anchor and Steve's hat. The fish made a lap around the boat as we backed over to a gravel bar. Rick gained control of the feisty rainbow and got the fish's head up. Then the fish came to the net and Rick had another entry into the 20 + Club.  We took a couple photos, then made sure the fish was ready and released the rainbow back to the ledge.

Rainbow Goodness

We kept floating as other boats made their way to the takeout. Then we fell in behind them and continued to fish. Finally the darkness was catching us. By the time we made it to the takeout and got the boat on the trailer, it was dark. We had good discussion on the way back to the top of the ramp. Steve and Rick caught their share of fish and then some The thing about these two is they ask questions until they seemingly completely understand. They weren't afraid to ask a question more than once if I wasn't explaining things clearly. I believe this is one of the keys to their success. Well that and a little fly rod mojo never hurts.

Nashville Area Fly Fishing

It must have been a Caney Fork week. It seemed like every time we took the boat out of the garage we were heading toward Center Hill Dam. So I had opportunities to get some good info on the river. The one thing I forgot to do was get the water temperature. I can tell you the water is cold, but that's "all I got" on the temps. There is more to the story on the river though... 

queues de poisson

Let's talk about the water. The clarity of the water release from Center Hill Dam is crystal clear, or pretty close. The sluice has been turned off and now there are many theories out there about lake turn over and such when discussing the previous couple months. Whatever the change is, since turning off the sluice, it had a definite clearing effect on the water. That brings us back to the reason we go to the river in the first place...

Donnie Hooked Up Again...

 ...the fish. With this clear water the fish have plenty of inspection time to make up their minds concerning what they want to taste and what they do not want to taste. Even when the water is being released through the generators the water is clear. However, when the water is released the fish don't have quite as much inspection time and that is good for fishing streamers. That's right we love deer hair and marabou and right now the fish only like them. The fish will love them later. This year I am going to try some additional streamer techniques and hopefully positive reports will follow. 

Duck Dynasty Material

On low water it makes more sense to fish the high value areas. Lately the sluice has been turned off completely the flow has been slower with no generation. The dirty water that was coming from the sluice, even the 250 CFS release, is not in the river. Again clearer water and even more inspection time. Right now a slight wind in these situations isn't terrible. Whitecaps on the water are a different story. A slight breeze and small ripples on the water have helped us this week for sure. (Never thought I would say that).  

Upriver Views

That's the report this week. So, as this guide season comes to a close and we get ready for next year there are some other things on the horizon. There are some additional rods that need to be purchased, new lines that need to be put on reels as we head into the Winter streamer season. Also, in the near future I hope to do a product review or two. There are musky that need chasing and a trip or two to the the Park to check on those native fish. For now thanks for stopping by and taking a look at the report from Middle Tennessee.

Streamers and Slams

Rainbows are Colored Up Right Now

A text came one evening while I was sitting at home after spending time on the river. David was coming home from Colorado to visit his family. Most of our trips for the year are over and I was/am looking for excuses to get out on the water and wet a line. David would spend some time in the Smoky Mountains National Park and the following day spend time in the drifter on the Caney Fork. A check of the future generation schedule revealed the one generator would turn off at 11:00 A.M.  and turn back on at 5:00 P.M. We set up a time to meet and launch, then I rigged rods and loaded the streamer boxes for the trip. 

Some Brown Trout Goodness

We launched the drifter and went for large fish on streamers. We tried several different colors on the color palette. Eventually we ended on yellow with a little flash on the body. The first fish was an aggressive brookie. The brook trout took the streamer on the edge of a seam in deep water and from the looks of the bottom of the tail, recently it had been busy clearing some gravel. Anyway we were glad to see the fish and removed the skunk.

Aggressive Brook Trout

Late in the morning the Army Corps shut down the generation and the fish began to come to the surface. We threw some different nymphs, midges and dries, but they were keyed into something too small to match. That was OK because it was really a good day just to be out and once the water calmed we could try some additional tricks. 

Puttin the Bend in the Rod

The Water Never Really Fell Out

We floated into a well known spot on the river and with David in the casting brace I was hoping he would get a good fish so I could fish again.  We were fishing the edge of a seam (notice a theme here) and David hooked up. The fish put a bend in the Hydros and we chased the fish momentarily before David got control and brought it to the net. The nice rainbow was a welcome sight and measured in as the best fish of the day...then it was my turn.

Pesque Caudas

David was at the oars we were making good time to the take out. At mid-float we decided to fish deeper since the water wasn't falling out as fast as it usually falls out. The first cast after going deeper we hooked up with a decent rainbow. While David was releasing that fish, I cast again into some soft water that was behind a blowdown. I have put anglers in this spot many times and nothing happened. This time another fish struck almost immediately and David turned briefly to see if any help was needed. At that time everything was under control, then a few seconds later the fish started head shaking and went on a run. This got both our attention and David began spinning the drifter as the fish made a quick lap around (all the way around) the boat. In between head shakes the fish would make a run. Some line would be gained, then lost, then another head shake and run. David saw the tail come up when the fish was still a ways from the boat and he got excited. I didn't see the fish until it was next to the boat and then I got excited too. A nice fish still can really get the heart rate up. The fish came into the net and it was a brown trout that really makes a trip. We snapped some photos and admired the fish while reviving it. The net was lowered in the water column and the brown slowly came out, then with a kick of the tail it was gone. A short time later the sunlight was going too, so we fished from spot to spot until we were sliding the drifter into the takeout. 

Released

Elk River Fishing Report

Waiting for the Next Cast

The Caney Fork- The big sluice gate has been closed. On the November 5th report I posted a photo from the top of Center Hill Dam. The photo shows the dingy green water coming from the sluice and the clear water coming from the generator. With the sluice turned off the water in the river is clear. We all like clear water and we like to think the fish like the clear water too. It is a lot of fun to stand in the casting braces on the drifter and look search the river for fish.  If we can see the fish, the fish can see us. Well sort of...

Lots of Brookies

The clear water demands stealth. When wading take your time and try not to generate too many waves when moving from place to place. If you see a fish take a few minutes from the time you arrive and  the first cast. If you are fishing a nymph or a dry, take additional time between casts and drifts. If the fish doesn't strike on a drift, let the drift get as far below the hole as possible before setting up for the next cast. 

Fishing Blow-Downs

The release at Center Hill is all about falling water right now. Falling water is outstanding for floating. Nymphs drifted close to structure and the bank is a recipe for success. The fish hold close to structure until the water levels out and get used to the new flow. Don't leave out the shoals of course when swinging those soft hackles. The future generation looks like it will be lower starting on Thanksgiving Day and hopefully through the Thanksgiving Weekend.

Full Colors and Full Belly

The Elk River- It appears TVA is drawing down the lake and with the green stained water it appears the algae in the lake is coming through the dam , into the river. But don't fear the fish are hungry. The fish are not taking much off the top, but occasionally there will be a big splash as a fish gets a glimpse of a tasty floating morsel.

Recently Injured But Still Hungry

Nymphs fished in moving water, over shoals and gravel bars, are almost a gimme when fishing the Elk. We try to give the angler in the front of the drifter a shot or two across each shoal. For anyone floating look ahead and get the front angler set up before entering an area with a shoal or gravel bar. The fish are hanging in that faster water and filling their bellies with practically anything moving with the current. There is the report for this week. With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner most of our trips are over. This leaves time for me to get out and fish some with friends and I can't wait!

This Brown Had All Fins and Resembled Browns We've Caught on the Little Red 

"I am Not the Fisherman of the Family"

Adam With A Good Brown Trout

Steve and his son Adam wanted to learn to fly fish and I was fortunate to get a call to work with them. The forecast for the day was sunny and 72 degrees. Everything looked good and then I heard the wind forecast of 20 mph with gusts to 30. The wind wasn't going to be in Middle TN until after lunch, so we had all morning to learn to roll cast, cast and mend. We discussed he conditions and the guys were ready to get on the water. We pushed the drifter off the trailer and backed out into the 250 CFS flow. 

A Different Point of View

Adam hooked up during the instructions, during a mend, and brought a nice brook trout to the net. Steve said "I am not the fisherman of the family." I bought that line but would soon figure out he is indeed a fisherman. We continued to work on his casting and mending. Both of the guys had fished with hardware so they had an idea of how to fish. As we floated along we discussed trout habits and how flow brings the food to the trout. We had good discussion with some of the other folks on the river then moved to a part of the river that has produced pretty well lately. Adam was picking up fish on a fairly regular basis and Steve was getting good drifts. Steve's indicator dove and he pulled up and stuck a nice fish. The fish headed for the boat and then the downfall that had been held this fish earlier in the Summer. Steve brought the nice brown to the net and we had our first really nice fish of the trip. And, we learned that Steve may not have been a fly fisherman for long, but he certainly was a good fisherman.

The First Nice Brown of the Trip

Some browns were paired up and on redds a month and half ago. When they started pairing up we concentrated on rainbows to give the browns time go through their spawning motions. One week later those browns were gone.  They haven't been seen since and I was beginning to think they were gone for good, nope, never coming back.  When Steve caught the brown I was shocked a nice brown made an appearance and more than that, glad!

Adam's First Fish on the Fly

Steve and Adam on a Break

We ate lunch and retied some tippet, then we were on our way as the wind began to blow steady with more frequent gusts. The Weather Channel Girl's wind prediction was going to be true. So why is it one day the weather was near perfect and the fishing was tough and the next day the fish came alive, along with the 30 mph gusts? Could be high pressure vs. low pressure, cows lying down or not, maybe it was fish eating before an incoming storm? Who really knows...at the half way point of the trip it was pondered, discussed, then forgotten because the fishing was heating up. The catching cooled off then heated up and it was that way for the next couple hours. The guys were hanging in there and both were starting to really "fish". The wind? The wind was howling and I could feel it pushing against the oar blades between strokes.

Down Under

A Good Rainbow

Phishtailz

We were beginning to feel the pressure of the setting sun. The temps were cooling, but not at a fast rate. Rain was on the way and hopefully moving toward us at a slow pace. The guys where hitting their spots with regularity as the nymphs bounced along the bottom, pulling the indicator under on occasion. Just when you think the indicator is disappearing because the fly is dragging the bottom...

One of Many Brookies in the River Right Now

We try to bounce nymphs in some sections of the river. The fish seem to key into a nymph that is banging along the bottom. The technique is not easy to learn, but it is effective in some parts of the river. The trouble bouncing nymphs, it is not uncommon to have a false alarm. Anglers cannot get complacent and do a lazy hook set after a few false alarms. Steve spotted a nice slot of deep water and we discussed it momentarily. We decided the slot was worth a try and Steve dropped the fly in a good spot. Soon the indicator dove and Steve hesitated, then pulled the rod up. The fish felt the pressure and bolted for some rocks. Steve brought the line tight and the fish jumped. The guide said "Oh Shi..." "that's a nice fish."  With Adam on the video camera we were chasing the fish around the boat. As the brown tried the different tricks Steve kept up and we eventually had the fish on the reel. It wasn't long before Steve got ahead of the fish and that last blistering run was over. The head of the brown was finally out of the water. The fish came to the net and the net was full brown trout goodness. The fish was in great shape and really made the trip, along with all the others. We took the usual pics, measured the fish and added Steve to the 20 + Club, then it was over. Adam and Steve came a long way from their start at the beginning of the day. It is funny, the Weather Channel Girl's prediction wasn't bothering us at all... 

Steve Makes His Way Into the 20 + Club