A May Day

I’ve been slacking and apologize for not getting a blog out in April. I hope all of you are doing well, and looking forward to hearing from y’all soon. May is officially here!!! Now is the time to break out all the bugs because not only are the fish feeding heavily everyday, but they have a lot to choose from. The Hendrickson hatch is pretty much over, but we may see a few this week before we kick off into the late Spring, and early Summer bugs. We had some great hatches in April, and I was stoked to see a few first timers take advantage of the Hendricksons this year. Watching a first timer hook and land a fish on the surface is pretty bad ass. It takes practice and lots of F-ups, but when it happens its pretty epic. One thing I’m always saying is “F-ups are a good thing.” If you don’t mess up you can't learn. Now we are in the days of the YELLOW BUGS!!! Yellow Bugs and Pisgah go hand in hand. Ask any long-time angler about a yellow bug and see what he/she will say. These bugs are the ones trout absolutely begin to gorge on. So make sure you have something yellow or orange in your box! Also, don’t forget your caddis because they are everywhere, all the time, it seems like. A buddy of mine said a while ago “in a couple years, are rivers will be dominated by Caddis” and he was right. With the warming of water, and the massive amounts of silt it makes sense. Sulphers are here to stay for a while so make sure you take advantage of fishing a hatch with us in the coming weeks. These are a Brown Trout favorite. Every year it produces a few solid ones during this hatch. The wind is beginning to blow good, so start keeping ants and beetles with you at all times. These should get most anglers a few WILD FISH in the net. Also, the stocked trout are probably eating something, but its probably shaped liked Meow Mix. Some type of brown or black bead with a little dubbing should do. Is that enough bugs for you yet? Believe me when I say its just getting cranked up with more bugs on the way. If you knew me years ago and are reading this blog right now, you are probably laughing heavily. I myself never thought I would be excited about BUGS!!! No better time than now to get out there and experience it all. The fish are definitely moving into the riffles. If your fishing deep holes and not having any luck, take yourself a few steps up stream and throw it in that spot. Fish migration is in full effect. As the water and weather get warmer, the fish will begin to look for the most oxygen. Found one today I caught over the winter about 3 miles away from his last known location. It's pretty crazy over the years catching one fish in one spot then in another at s different time of the year. The Sucker Fish have been pushing up stream heavily in big numbers this year also which leads to some fun hook ups!!! As you see these fish come into big holes you will see trout begin to push on. I don’t know why its just my opinion. Suckers are aggressive and don’t really care about trout, but trout aren’t fans of them in my experience. Unless you see a Leroy hanging with them which happens quite a bit. Beginners are in for a treat as far as temps and the overall bite goes. Avid anglers have a chance at fishing the dry fly for most of the day. We aren’t here to catch 100 fish a day just remember that. While it can be fun to catch stockers all day, we find satisfaction in targeting Wild Fish that likely nobody has ever touched before. If that appeals to you, then we’re the outfit you’re looking for. It teaches you to do it the right way. I don’t knock people who do it. Some of my best guide buddies fish stockers. They are also great guides that have mastered the art in any scenario they are put in. If you want to learn how to present a bug and cover water, or just experience a day of adventure. Now is the time to get you on the water. Thanks again for all the support of clients and friends. This year has really been going well do to you all. I can not thank you enough!!!