Rise Fishing Company came into town last week to demo their new line of flyfishing rods. Teamed up with guides Walker Parrott and Bill Strickland they set out to fish the famous Davidson River. The day was full of excitement, lots of fish, and sun which is something we have been lacking here lately. For more information about the Rise Fishing Rods check out their website at www.risefishing.com

With periods of warm fronts beginning to move through the area it gives us hope that  Spring is near. If you get a chance to head out to your local lake look for bass moving to their pre spawn staging areas.  Water temps are starting to climb up into the mid 50′s so bass will begin staging on primary lake points as they begin their move to the spawning grounds. These areas are points that are close to the main channel of the lake or the mouth of a large cove.  Points that have added structure are a bonus because fish will tend to migrate to these areas as they offer opportunities to ambush shad and bream that are staging for their spawn as well.  Target the sides of the points that have the deepest drop offs. Theses areas allow for the bass to drop into deeper water if water temps begin to fluctuate due to the ever changing pressure systems that spring can bring.  The most effective patterns are craw-fish jigs and firetiger crank baits that imitate the staging bream. If you are fishing in stained water always keep a spinner bait close by.  As the water temps begin to warm up follow these bass to the secondary points of the lake until they reach the flats in the back of the coves and the mouth of the creeks. Here they will begin their spawn so give them a chance to spawn and then follow them back out to the deeper water where they will stage for the warm Summer months.

The 2011 Southeast Regional Fly Fishing Tournament was held this past weekend in the Nantahala National Forest. DRO Guide Bill Strickland finished 6th over all and will be the #2 seated angler to represtent the Southeast in the National Flyfishing Championships  which will be held in Cherokee, North Carolina.  This tournament is scheduled for  May 19th through May 22nd and will host the top 30 anglers in North America.  Stay tuned for more information.

2011 Southeast Regional Top 10

1. Randy Hanner          Team USA

2. Anthony Naranja          Team USA

3. Kurt Finlayson        Team USA

4. Josh Stephens          Team USA

5. Chris Lee          North Carolina

6. Bill Strickland          North Carolina

7. Cory Roberts          Georgia

8. Brian Katzenmair        North Carolina

9. Paul Bourcq          North Carolina

10. Kevin Lowe         Tennessee

Will Horton lands this nice Davidson River Rainbow with Guide Bill Strickland on New Years Eve. This was Will’s first trout fishing trip and after today he is officially hooked. Even though he is only 13 years old, he has decided he will start mowing lawns in early spring to pay for his next trip guide trip on the mighty Davidson.