Happy New Year
Hey Everyone,
I hope you are all doing well, enjoying time with family and friends(and fish as well). 2022 was such an awesome year with y’all. I can’t thank y’all enough for supporting our business this past year. We had another record year, and couldn’t have done it without you guys/gals , or our guides.
Ron, Jeff and Mike have been the foundation of this company, and I don’t credit them enough for the jobs they do. They busted their asses on, and off the water daily. Our goal has always been the same. That’s giving our clients an experience that they won’t forget, and can learn from. Am I exaggerating the past few sentences? Not one bit. Everyone who fishes with us knows this, and I can confidently say we do our best. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to do what we love to do, and provide for our families while we do it. 2023 is here, and we hope to see everyone again.
What’s happening on the water?
The Fall has come, and gone. Winter has made its way into Appalachians, that much we do know. Warm ups will continue randomly through out our season, and I encourage you take advantage of those days. These can be some of the most quiet and best days of fishing. Some days are brutal, but we can definitely make the best of them with some strategic planning like hot Ramen Noodles with Folgers.
Winter fishing at the end of a day is a slow game. A game that if played well, the angler can honesty have a great day. Blue Wing Olives and midges are the bugs that should be in all anglers box this time of year. Caddis as well as Winter Stones are also great bugs to switch to on your warmer days. Follow the Sun throughout the day, you’ll be in your most comfy form as well as the fish.
Fish have to eat throughout the Winter. Whether it’s a musky, small mouth bass, striper or a trout, they will eat! When you approach the situation be aware of conditions, and variables. Wind can be the worst enemy for your Vaseline required lips. Rain can really cool your core temp down, so make sure we aren’t on the water at first light on the cold days. Metabolism is a big deal this time of year for these critters. It slows way down for them with the colder water temps, but if you can capitalize on the feeding windows you’ll be rewarded. Ninja mode must still be activated this time of year as any other time of the year as well. So please, don’t forget to be a ninja!
The fish tend to like deeper water this time of year in our freestones, which will make finding the fish a little easier than any other time of year. The slower you fish, the more you’ll catch. Try not to stomp around covering water unless your streamer fishing the bigger water events we’ll get in between. Avoid any clean gravel in tail outs because they are the future fish of that system.
The tail waters continue to produce great fish and numbers. I know many of you have seen me out there quite a bit this year, but for good reason. It’s just another part of what makes fly fishing in the South East a destination in my book.
The South East is very underrated and has all types of water for us to fish. We want you to enjoy and view it as we do! It’s not a place where passports are needed, but we can show our clients some beautiful scenery as well as fishing. I have a big plan to show everyone once its set in stone for the future of our company, and the surrounding PUBLIC WATER in our region.
Thank y’all again for booking with us, and all of your support. Let’s get you on the calendar for 2023! Don’t wait till it’s too late, get your dates in today! Or book last minute last minute we don’t care. It’s all about getting you out on the water when you can.
Tight Lines from the crew at Hare's Ear Fly Fishing
Whitney working a surface eater