How to tie a Uni-Knot with Kevin Howell
The Uni-Knot with Kevin Howell
Blog Archives
How to tie a Blood Knot with Kevin Howell
The Blood Knot with Kevin Howell
Tactics for Fly Fishing WNC in the Winter
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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<-->
FLY FISHING SCHOOLS, CLASSES, AND CLINICS
Davidson River Outfitters
2009
Fly Fishing Schools and Clinics
(Two Day Schools, One Day Schools, Clinics-Two Hours)
Clinics-Quick tune-up sessions. Designed to assist improving fly fishing skills. Not intended for the first time caster. Two Hours. On water Instruction.
One Day Schools-Beginner-Why Fly Fish, Aquatic Insects and their imitations, knots, leaders, tippet, rods and equipment, casting instruction, mending and shooting line and line control. Half day classroom and half day casting on land.
One Day Tune-Up Classes-On the water. Each class will focus on a different set of skills.
Two Day School-Beginner through advanced students. Covers all of one day school and the student will fish with an instructor using dry fly, nymphing, and streamer techniques on our trophy water. In stream practice! Intended to improve fly fishing skills. The best choice for someone wanting a good foundation to begin to learn how to fly fish.
CALL THE SHOP TODAY TO REGISTER FOR YOUR CLASS! (888-861-0111)
March 2009
March 14 Spring Tune-Up One Day School 8:00 am-4:30pm
(On water, casting, shooting line, mending line)
March 15 Spring Tune-Up One Day School 8:00 am-4:30 pm
(On water, nymphing, dry fly techniques, streamer techniques)
March 20 Clinic Casting 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
March 21-22 Two Day School 8:00 am-4:30 pm
April 2009
April 3 Clinic Nymphing Techniques 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
April 4-5 Two Day School Women Only 8:00 am-4:30 pm
April 24 Clinic Nymphing Techniques 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
April 25 One Day School 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
May 2009
May 15 Clinic Dry Fly Techniques 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
May 16-17 Two Day School 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
June 2009
June 5 Clinic Casting Techniques 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
June 6 One Day School 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
June 12 Clinic Nymphing Techniques 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
June 13-14 Two Day School 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
July 2009
July 25-26 Two Day School 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
July 31 Clinic Dry Fly Fishing 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
September 2009
September 25 Clinic Casting 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
September 26 Fall Tune-Up One Day School 8:00 am-4:30 pm
(On water, casting, shooting line, mending line)
September 27 Fall Tune-UP One Day School 8:00 am-4:30 pm
(On water, nymphing, dry fly techniques, streamer techniques)
CALL THE SHOP TODAY TO REGISTER (888-861-0111)
Fly Tying and Rod Building Classes
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.<–>
