All Posts

Headed up to Boone after an invite from my buddy Ben to explore some new water. When we arrived, we found water temperatures right on the edge, hovering between 62 and 64 degrees. A sudden downpour during the day quickly turned the stream off-color, forcing us to adapt on the fly. The stream featured classic, fast pocket water, so I turned to high-sticking a Stimulator with a dropper rig. The high-visibility dry fly up top paired with a subsurface nymph was the perfect combin

Water Temp: 58–62°F (Early Morning) Conditions: Low water, rising temperatures across North Carolina With little rain and climbing temperatures across NC, we headed high up the mountain in search of cooler water and wild brook trout. The low-water conditions made for a challenging hunt, but a stealthy approach paid off. Ted managed to trick a few native brookies and even landed a beautiful wild brown trout. The fish were looking up despite the low flows, and the topwater acti

Fishing Report: Midday Nymphing Success Water Temp: 59–61°F Timing: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM We recently hit the water with Max and his crew for a midday trip. While a 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM slot isn't typically considered prime time, the fish didn't get the memo. With the sun high overhead, we focused our efforts on shady banks where the fish were seeking refuge from the bright light. Nymphing tactics proved deadly, keeping our rods bent consistently throughout the heat of the day. A

Spring in the Carolinas is usually an angler’s dream, but this season, Mother Nature has been testing our patience. The glaring lack of rain has led to exceptionally low water levels, turning our usual runs and riffles into highly technical water. Lately, we’ve been spending most of our time navigating the streams of Polk and Avery counties. If you're heading out to these systems, be prepared to bring your A-game. These low-water conditions mean the fish are easily spooked, r

One year after Hurricane Helene, winter fishing in Pisgah National Forest feels different, yet the steady pulse of recovery is undeniable. While the storm fundamentally reshaped many riverbeds, a recent outing to Curtis Creek and the North Toe River proved that wildlife always finds a way. Using a Diamondback Ideal Nymph 1wt, I focused on Euro nymphing with small pheasant tails, occasionally trailing them beneath a Klinkhamer dry fly. Despite the altered landscape, I was enco

My buddy Nick and I hit the South Holston for a multi-day float, chasing the big brown trout that are aggressively feeding ahead of the spawn—and they delivered! We were blessed with a perfect generation schedule, which allowed us to cover water and target high-flow seams. We managed to boat two true trophy browns on streamers in the heavy current: a spectacular 25"river brown and a stunning 20". When the water dropped, we shifted to technical nymphing, fooling numerous wild

Planning for this fishing trip to the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzards Bay involved a lot of preparation and fly tying. We fished with...

One of my absolute favorite spots to fly fish is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is full of countless small creeks and streams, often just a short pull-off from the main roads. Some of the riverside banks and hike-in spots can be a little treacherous, so if you're not confident on your feet, I'd suggest driving over to Cherokee and exploring the more accessible waters along the Raven Fork. Gear and Fly Selection My preferred rods for fishing the park are an