Kanuga Conference Center gets local recognition on News 13 for their annual flyfishing trip with Davidson River Outfitters.  Over the past few years Kanuga has coordinated groups of 30 people from aroound the country to enjoy serenity and spirituality.  To see the video see link below.

http://www.wlos.com/shared/newsroom/features/absolute-le/videos/wlos_vid_248.shtml

Join DRO in one of the most popular fly fishing schools in Western NorthCarolina.  In this school, participants will learn everything from casting techniques, knot tying, gear, and basic fly selections.  The second day is spent on the river with guides from DRO learning water safety, mending, and other techniques that can only be demonstrated on the water.  After lunch on day 2. you will break up into groups and enjoy an afternoon of guided fishing practicing what you have learned.   Cost is $325 per person. For more information or to sign up call 1( 888) 861.0111.

Class Dates: April 24th – 25th at 8am

Trout have to eat to survive. While we all stopped fishing because the weather got cold, the fish still have to eat; therefore fishing can be even better in the cold. I enjoy winter fishing probably more than any other time of the year. There are fewer people on the river and the fish I catch are generally larger.

1. This is the clearest water of the year. You will need to approach holes cautiously. Fish will spook easier this time of year than any other time. Watch so that your shadow does not fall over the fish you are fishing for.
2. S L O W down. While most anglers fish just as fast as they do in warm weather, the fish are lethargic and will not run the length of the pool to attack a fly. You may literally have to drift the fly over the fish three times to make him eat it.
3. Know what the fish are feeding on. There are not a lot of insects available to the trout in the cooler water, mainly midges, stoneflies, and a few baitfish or crayfish. There are also some worms available after it rains.
4. Larger flies are the key. Fish either large flies that imitate stoneflies, or fish midge larva and pupa, generally sizes 20 and smaller. I typically fish a size 8 Kevin’s Stonefly, with a #20 chocolate WD 40 trailing the larger stonefly.
5. While it is tempting to fish very small tippet, don’t. There is usually increased water flow, so I typically fish 4x fluorocarbon to my lead fly and 5x to my dropper. This results in fewer lost fish, and fewer lost flies on the bottom.

Scott Bell display’ s his Davidson River Brown Trout full of color 

Beginning Fly Tying  $40 per person   

Dates:  January 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th.  From 6pm- 8pm.  

Join Instructors Bill Strickland & Lou Barlow for our beginners course in fly tying. This class is designed to get you up and started tying basic fly patterns or use this as a refresher course if you have not tied in several years.  The class will cover majority of all the tools used for tying and will teach you the basic flies to tie such as the Elk Hair Caddis, San Juan Worms, Egg Patterns, WoolyBuggers, etc.  We will supply all the tools and materials while in the class and also provide each person with a DRO fly tying manual.  If interested please email Bill Strickland at bstrickland@davidsonflyfishing.com.

Bass Flies   $35 per person

Dates: February 10th, 17th.  From 6pm – 8 pm

Join Instructor Walker Parrott as he shows you how to tie basic and advanced flies for catching big bass this summer.  This class is recommended for those individuals who have some fly tying skills.  Flies will include Clouser Minnows, Poppers, Sliders, and various other flies.  For more information please contact Walker at Walker@davidsonflyfishing.com

Southern Appalachian Trout Flies   $40 per person

Dates: January 23rd

Learn to tie local flies with one of the Masters in the Industry. Kevin Howell will teach you how to tie some of the traditional Southern Appalachian Flies such as the Yallar Hammer, Sheepfly, Secret Weapon, as well as a few other mountain trout flies. Previous tying experience is preferred.  Contact Kevin Howell for further information at info@davidsonflyfishing.com

Rod Building  $ 75 per person

Dates: January 5th, 19th, 26th….. February 2nd

This class will teach individuals how to build their own graphite fly rod.  You will cover all aspects of building a rod from selecting materials and handles to wrapping guides and epoxying the rod.  DRO will supply all glues,epoxy,and rod driers.  Student swill need to provide 1″ roll of masking tape, a 1/4″ chain saw file, and a pair of sharp fine point scissors.  You will also receive a how to manual for rod building and 15% discount for all material ordered through DRO.  For more information email us at info@davidsonflyfishing.com

As we change into a fall fishing pattern there are several things that fishermen can do to increase there catch through out the day. That may be slightly different than the techniques that they were using for summer time fish.

Fishing is good throughout the day, you do not have to fish early or late. Trout will feed all day as they are trying to feed up for the winter, and for spawning in late November in our part of the country.

Terrestrials are a very good fly to use in the fall. However fishing an ant or beetle or hopper in the early morning when it is cool and they are not as active is probably not going to produce as many fish as if you fished the same fly later in the day.

Go big or go home, large trout especially browns like to make a good meal out of eating smaller fish this is especially true in the fall a large trout is capable of eating another trout half his size. So fish large streamers yes even in clear water for larger browns and rainbows.

Fishing dark colored mayfly nymphs and caddis pupas in the morning are a good choice. Then transition to the dries as the day warms up.

Do not be afraid to impair action to your fly until the water gets below 50 degrees. Fall trout tend to more aggressive, so skating flies, stripping flies, or adding some type of movement to your fly may result in more aggressive strikes.

The Surgeons Knot with Kevin Howell

Five Helpful Tips for Winter Fishing

Trout have to eat to survive. While we all stop fishing because the weather gets cold, the fish still have to eat; and besides trout are a coldwater fish.  Winter fishing can be some fo the best fishing of the entire year, I enjoy winter fishing probably more than any other time of the year. There are fewer people on the river and the fish I catch are generally larger.  You do have to make some changes to your tactics for the winter though.

1. This is the clearest water of the year. You will need to approach holes cautiously. Fish will spook easier this time of year than any other time. So be sure not to line fish, and be cautious of your shadow spooking fish ahead of you.
2. S L O W down. While most anglers fish just as fast as they do in warm weather, the fish are lethargic and will not run the length of the pool to attack a fly. You may literally have to drift the fly over the fish three times to make him eat it.
3. Know what the fish are feeding on. There are not a lot of insects available to the trout in the cooler water, mainly midges, stoneflies, and a few baitfish or crayfish. There are also some worms available after it rains.
4. Stay in the strike zone, while you will catch a few fish in the winter on dries.  More often than not you will have to add lots and lots of shot to keep you fly in the strike zone.  Generally if you are not hanging on the bottom on occasion then you are not deep enough.
5. While it is tempting to fish very small tippet in the clearer water don’t. There is usually increased water flow, so I typically fish 4x fluorocarbon to my lead fly and 5x to my dropper. This results in fewer lost fish, and fewer lost flies on the bottom.

Good Fishing

Kevin Howell

Davidson RIver Outfitters<-->

Here is an up to date list of fly tying and rod building classes that we will be teaching.

This year all of our classes are free, we will suppl tools and the instructor all you have to supply is willingness to learn and purchase the materials that you will use to tie with.

Beginning fly tying classes will be 6-9 p.m.

Jan. 7, 14, 18 and 21

Students will learn to tie the San Juan Worm, Woolly Bugger, Brassie, Hare’s Ear Nymph and Elk Hair Caddis. All tools and materials are supplied. Students will also receive Davidson River Outfitters’ fly tying manual.

Rod building classes will be 6-9 p.m.

Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27

The classes will cover selection of materials, wrapping guides and epoxy coating. Students bring a roll of 1-in. masking tape, a quarter-inch round chain saw file, sharp fine-point scissors and rod components (rod blank, handle guides and reel seat, which can be ordered through Davidson River Outfitters).

Advanced fly tying classes

Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24

The advanced classes will cover the Prince Nymph, Kevin’s Stonefly, Bead-Head Pheasant Tail, Cahill, Stimulator and Parachute Adams. All tools and materials are supplied. Students will also receive Davidson River Outfitters’ fly tying manual.

Smallmouth Bass Fly Tying Class

March 3,10,17,24

Learn to tie productive and attractive flies for Bass and Panfish.  Flies will include Clouser Minnow, The Creature, Poppers and many more.

Here is hopping Ms. Claus brings you a new Sage Rod for Christmas.<–>