Howdy!

Smallies are too small...I need to catch something big soon.  Chris is chasing large-mouth, I hear tell, and throwing a couch-sized fly at them.  Wilson's water levels are low and temps warm.  The Clarks who live across from the VC have noticed a particular grass they have not seen before.  This is not good.  I plan to ask the biologists whats up.  Will report later.

Hope all are well. 

Change of Address but not Waters!

By now most of you have heard we are closing HAAC's Store (Heather fired me!!!).  The real estate project here has not gained the traction needed to make the store worthwhile.  You know the story...baby needs milk and momma needs shoes.  I do want to thank everyone for their support.  We gave it our best and received more in return.  We will be around still...probably run into you on the stream more, too.  For now, back to Troutman to tie up some loose ends.

my last big fish

5/13/11 Update

Progress!  The Wildlife folks have made an impact.  Folks stopping in are reporting they are frequently checked and even the bait fishermen are regulation-minded.

Hatchery waters were stocked this morning and it took about 1 hour for our bait sales to spike.  Got to be a leak somewhere!

Tippet is missing seeing you, as to Heather, the kids and I!

Trout moving to the head of the pools, I guess in search of cooler water and food.   I have been hammering them every evening with the soft hackle and Yellow Humpy.  26" brought to hand on Wednesday.

5/2/2011

River clean-up went well.  Looking good.  Fish active.  Stocking this week.  Go fishing!  Delayed Harvest waters open in June!!!!

Please, if you get this blog, visit www.wrccomments@ncwildlife.org and propose that "all waters, including tributaries, above Phillips Branch at Wilson Creek, be designated Catch and Release, Artificial Fly Only".

Nice hatch of Mays!

4/21/2011

River now has receded back to normal levels.  The fishing has been exceptional.  Fish have been gorging on worms and bugs dislodged.  Many fish in the 24+ range.  I expect heavy hatch today and steady dry action now.  Post your fishing reports!

4/16/2011

Wow!  River swollen and disgorging lots of debris.  We had a gorge clean-up planned for today but that's been taken care of!  Fishing will resume soon.  Past week action has been good to very good with traditionals working.  Here's a very large brookie taken early in the week from the main river and nicely released to my favorite spot.

4/4/2011

Nice storm passing through.  What's it going to do?  Yesterday fish were active.  I predict fish will be tougher today.  We'll work on wind casting this evening!

Alec Sarwas had a 25 fish day yesterday with lots of browns on Hares Ear and Wooly tandem in DH.  His last fish of the day was a 21" Brown going 3-4 lbs on brown wooly.  His camera failed him ("batteries in the wrong way" was the excuse) but he did have a witness!  Good job Alec.  Hope you get 'em again today.

April 3, 2011

Bait-chunkers and spinners pretty much had their 2 day rape yet left complaining "not enough fish to kill!"  I don't dispise someone who wants to keep and eat, if needed, but most of these fish will be thrown aside or left to freezer burn.  What a waste!  Glad it's over, or just getting started (again) depending on how you look at it, I guess.  Some things are too good to be left alone by man.  I understand the wardens were busy.  If the folks who descend on the river during April are such sports-minded folks, why so many violations? 

Still, here's a picture of a very fine young man who passionately fishes the right way with an awesome catch.  True to form, I had to torture him to get him to tell me the story (yeah, right!), and he was ever so happy to tell me what fly he was using and where the fish was caught (yeah, right, again!).  Nice catch and release, Aaron Moore (20" Brook in DH caught 4/3/2011 estimated 3-4 lbs.).

Regulations

There is a formal "process" for the public's affecting formation of the regulations governing fish and game.  If anyone is interested, give me an email and I'll shoot you a copy of the file.

While it would be nice to have certain changes in the regs, many are "out of our reach".  For instance, it is doubtful we could ever get DH water boundaries extended to include the now Hatchery-Supported section of Wilson Creek.  But, we might be successful in getting the regs changed so that DH waters are "fly-only", and/or do not open in June to "take" status.

I think this is worth pursuing.  I will speak about this in our next meeting.

March 26th, 2011

Next meeting April 4th to feature "CASTING" on the beach.  Bring your gear.  Let's attempt to meet as early as possible.  Come directly to the Dance Hall area and proceed to the beach.

Fishing very good trending to excellent.  The weather fluctuations are making the fish unpredictable (who cares?).  C-Bo, Alan, and John have been see stinging quite a few fish lately!  They look like they know what they are doing so I am leaving them alone (probably couldn't keep up with 'em anyhow).

Wet Woolies in brown or olive #12 followed by #12-14 BH Stone or BH Pheasant-tail working well in tandem rigs.  Some quill gordon hatching with BWO and soon caddis (down here working, anyway). 

I'll have pictures on the next posting.  Send me what you have if you want your mug out there.

Reminder - Gorge Clean Up on April 16th meet at Visitor Center 10am.

Striper Trip to Roanoke Rapids anyone?

I've got a guide friend keeping May 8 (leave in the am and fish pm) and 9 (fish am and leave pm) open for a fly fishing group, if anyone is interested.  The cost is about $200, depending on #.  We can get an additional boat, if needed.  3 max per boat.  I've made this an annual event and it is awesome!  A "must" trip of a lifetime.  Visit www.pamlicoguide.com and click Roanoke Rapids for more info.  We'd be fishing with Capt. Beckwith.

3/16/11

Need some help catching a BUNCH of 16-24" fish this weekend.  Who would like to volunteer?  Call me and I will give you details 828-394-0950.

3/15/11

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/protect-wilson-creek

Hatchery waters being stocked this week.  Closed til 4/2 opening day.  On DH, we had a busy weekend with lots of Yellow Hammer / Tellico combinations hooking up.  Many very big fish and high numbers.  Fish still down in the column more than I'd like.  Nymph fishing getting rather stale for my taste.  Forecast for 70s beginning Thursday so looking for this to start things off.  Light rain today.  Wish I could get off.  Should be a good day.


Please sign this petition if you haven't already and forward.

3/11/2011

Well, after a great stocking on March 2^nd in the DH section followed by several days of steady rain I am happy to report THE FISH ARE HERE, HAPPY, AND HUNGRY!  They are widely distributed throughout the entire DH section of the river.  We were fortunate to receive many extremely large fish in this stocking...some pushing 30”.  The water has now cleared and is reading 47 degrees down here, so the fish will be getting active.  Fishing was exceptional but predictable before the stocking...and it should be awesome now.  Fish are feeding well up in the water column and on top during the now daily stone hatch.  It’s not heavy yet, but a few warm days and it will be “ON” big time!  Flies working well include Yellow Hammer, Crystal Egg, Blue-wing Olive, Early Stones, Woolies, and Soft Hackles (sizes 14-18 seem best).  One other note, be sure to step up leaders and tippets!  These fish have some back and the waters running!

3/8/10

Rain is good, but I'd sorta like to see the sun.  A huge hatch is waiting.  I can feel it!

Fish of any numbers up in the column with wet nymphs and even some dry action.

I do not know the effect of Sat./Sunday weather on the recently stocked fish.  I suspect they were pushed into the holes we are all aware of.  Someone give me a report next time you are out, and consider sharing with other members and guests here.

3/5/11

"WOW!" Does it get much better than this?  I think this should be called "catching" rather than fishing.  Lots of big hungry fish and beautiful weather (a bit cold, even for C-Bo, for wet wading, though!).  Tippet thinks it's just fine.  Get to fishing before the bait chunkers arrive in April, I say.

Going to try some different stuff today.  Think I'll fish on top and see if I can get a rise or ten.  Many areas I scouted yesterday are holding lots of fish where usually thin.  Thanks to Kevin and Adam and the fisheries guys for spreading 'em out.  Suggestion - get hear early!!!!

Fish are either stupid or smart.  Feeding up in the column.  Wet nymphs working well.  Good presentations will score.  If you're not catching now you need to work on your casting.  It's definitely not the fishes fault.

Heather has a bog pot of chicken soup on today so save your appetite.  If I am not here I will be on the water somewhere. 

3/4/11

Folks - sorry so long since last post.  We have been busy.

John, many thanks for the nymph session.  It was great!  Cati had a wonderful time and is ready to go again!  She said "it was the best time in my life and I want to tie flys the rest of my life!"  Such is the simple joys of a child, but not bad, if you ask me.

The stocking on the 2nd was amazing.  Fish are really spread out.  Many, many huge fish in the 24-30 range.  Water temps are up and the fish are active.  Catch rates of 30-50 fish are common.  Daily hatches are slowly becoming a regular thing.  I'd like to see some more rain and hope the weather holds.  It is perfect.

Sale at the store is postponed until May sometime.  I'll keep you posted.  Some good stuff.  New stuf is slowly arriving.

Stream work here and more trout arriving.  Get to work!

Feb. 17, 2011

We had an "event" yesterday that was amazing to watch.  At 10am, the water began to come alive with millions of tiny stoneflies!  It was really cool to watch!  It was synchronized perfectly.  Just one tiny example of God's amazingly perfect creation.  God's feeding program!

There is a meeting Thursday, March 31st in Asheville you might want to attend.  It is at the Biltmore Church of Christ at 7pm.  It will be a presentation of the NCWRC 3 year study on smallmouth bass.  42 different streams were studied.  Some familiar rivers, and some new waters that are teeming with fish.  I plan to go if anyone wants to ride with me.  The study should be available on-line shortly, too.

Trout stocking is scheduled for March 2nd and if you want to volunteer to help give me a shout! 

2/16/11

Countdown begins for me at HAACs.  I am eager to see April 2nd arrive but dread the seemingly inevitable crowds of folks who think Wilson Creek is for pillaging and leave their sign everywhere.  "Leave No Trace" is a good way to live (and hide!), but some just don't get it.  I get very blistered sometimes when the abuse is blatant.  We had a several "situations" this week.  The process of educating and enforcing is never-ending.

Fishing has been outstanding.  The fish are taking on top and dry is happening.  The standards are all effective as the fish are enjoying the abundance of food appearing in the water with the rising temps.  This week the fishing should continue to be hot.  I know of several 24+" fish that are waiting to tug a line!   

Feb. 11, 2011

Beautiful day!  Temps are climbing.  Saw some nice rising fish today.  They are getting active.

Got a bunch of new flies in the store yesterday and eager to try them.  One, a BH Copper John Rainbow Legs in chartreuse!  The fish might not like it but you never know til ya try! 
DH and HS to get stocked 1st of March.  Plenty of fish here now so should be awesome.  Where are the fishermen?  Nobody's on the water!  I'm closing up and goin' fishin'!

Feb. 8, 2011

Reminder-Gorge Clean-Up days are 3rd Saturday of the month.

Also, volunteers needed for next stocking March 1st

Saturday

Water has receded and is clear.  Typical Wilson Creek.  Fish have been active.  Nice catches reported today on a variety of flies.  Fish are hungry and more active.  Temps are up a notch or two.  Forecast is for mild overcast.  Should be a nice day on the water tomorrow.  Fish are moving up and down...where they were yesterday may not be there today.

Report

Rain really brought the water up around 0 yesterday.  Lots of kayakers in the gorge area.  Water murked up a bit... fish less skittish.  Still need 6-7x, though, and excellent presentations.  Weather warm with strong front approaching.  Perfect.  Should be very good for a few days.  Fish very hungry with large catch rates reported.  Flies are still nymphs mostly.  Rainbow Prince Flashback #16 really strong fly in tandem with BWO lead fly.  Fish healthy and fat.  Some 23-24" being reported regularly, but most still 14-16.  Fish have moved south a bit to deeper water in search of warmer water and new food.  Try south end of mill area.

Feb. 1, 2011

"What do you want from the Fishing Club?"
  Learning was unanimous answer.  Here are some suggested topics:
Biologist to talk about the river, fish and wildlife, and programs
Trapping
Entomology of stream
Knots
Fly-tying (John to tackle nymphs at next meeting)

Photography
Casting (on the beach)
Water quality (Friends of Wilson Creek test every month.  Let's get results)
Join Friends of Wilson Creek
John Crockett (April)
New Technology
Taxidermy
Smallmouth fishing (Scott Cunningham)
Catch and release
Poaching (speak to John Crockett)
Trash (3rd Saturday of every month)





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