Unreel Fly Fishing

Today we did fish through the solar eclipse (which was 87% here in western North Carolina.) We caught this fish during the eclipse and another only one minute from maximum coverage. They didn’t seem to mind all the celestial goings on at all. As a matter of fact, they didn’t even seem to notice. We kept alternating between our fishing glasses and our eclipse glasses to make sure we didn’t miss out on either the action in the water or the action in the cosmos. Great people, real spring-like weather and the eclipse made it a day to remember.

Yesterday we had sleet, last night we had snow and today we had…great fishing! It feels a lot more like early March than early April but I’m not complaining. It was near freezing when we started this morning but we fished our way up into the 40s and didn’t mind a bit. As I always say, you don’t get cold when the fish are biting. Today they were biting and I had the good fortune to be out with two super-fun tenkara aces. If this is spring…I’ll take it!

March is always a guessing game for weather around here. Yesterday we found a gap and got a morning of fishing in before a heavy rain swept in during the afternoon. Fishing was tough and we had to earn every take. Luckily I was with an excellent fisherman who made good on his chances. This was certainly the fish of the day. He took a tiny midge pattern on 6X tippet but patience, touch and good fish fighting allowed us to get this quick picture to top off a super fun morning.

The second Tuesday of March and April I donate a trip in support of our local chapter of Trout Unlimited. Today was one of those days. The weather was cold, but the fishing was hot! These two awesome members of the Asheville based Land O’Sky Chapter of TU were rewarded for their shivering with some amazing fish. Isn’t it funny how you can forget all about the fact that it’s 27 degrees when you’ve got one of these bruisers on the line. I always enjoy helping people catch fish but there’s a particular satisfaction in knowing that the folks you’re fishing with are both active and involved in helping to protect our wonderful trout fisheries here in western North Carolina. Do good…get good!

Take a look at this tenkara ace! We really had to work for that fish. My young companion was patient, focused and ready when opportunity knocked. The result is a great smile and a fish well caught. I normally use 10 as a minimum age for guiding. This is really a practical limit as I don’t stock waders in childrens’ sizes. But this guy brought his own and I’m glad he did. It was a pleasure to spend some high quality stream time with him and his proud dad.

The forecast was rain all day, but what we got was trout all day and that is so much better! My fishing partner was a tenkara (and fly fishing) first-timer but you wouldn’t have known it when he brought this bruiser to the net. Tenkara is not really designed for catching fish this size but with patience and good technique, it can be done. That’s exactly what was used to get this great picture and a make a perfect ending to the week. Thanks for a wonderful day.

It rained all day yesterday, which is a good thing. The river was strong but dropping all this morning and the fish were more than happy to celebrate a little sunshine with us. I had the pleasure of being out with this excellent fly fisher and to introduce him to tenkara. He caught a fish on his first cast and after that…I was pretty much just the net man! We did get a “triple” by catching Rainbow, Brook and Brown trout. What a fun morning!

What a great time last night talking tenkara with about 60 members of the Land O’Sky Chapter of Trout Unlimited. At least half of the people present already fish tenkara as their method of choice…and we may have converted a few more! It’s always a pleasure to be among so many conservation minded anglers. This Chapter is extremely active in a number of cold-water conservation efforts here in western North Carolina. The evening just made me more excited for spring to arrive and getting more time on the water. I hope to see you out there.

The holidays are upon us and we just wanted to wish you all the very best of the season. We hope you will have time to spend with family and friends and are finishing out a wonderful year. Thank you to all the incredible people who gave me the privilege of tenkara fishing with you in 2023. I like fish and fishing but you are the real reason I guide. I am so fortunate and truly grateful to have a job where I start every trip with clients and finish with new friends. May 2024 bring health and happiness to you and yours. I hope to see you on the water!

Never forget that trout always need to be cold and wet. If you always need to be warm and dry…that’s gonna cut down your odds of catching them. Tenkara is a perfect cold weather fishing technique. You can wear gloves, You don’t have to handle wet line. Best of all you can save money by not buying a fancy rod and reel and spend the savings on warm clothes instead! So bundle up and get out there this winter. Be safe, know your limits and of course, fish with a friend like these two intrepid tenkara aces.