How to Tie the Near Nuff from Bill Strickland on Vimeo.

DH regulations switch back to Hatchery supported regulation on Saturday June 5th so hit some of your local favorites before the trebble hooks and corn come flying.

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

Early spring brings a lot of life to the streams of WNC, not only fishermen but insects and increased metabolism in the trout. Here are some helpful tips to make the most of your next early spring trip.

1. While the fish are far more active than they have been in the last couple of weeks the water is still really cool (ok almost cold). Fish are still lethargic in the morning and evening hours. So fish slow and do not be in a big hurry.
2. Rising fish (or what we perceive to be rising fish) are often eating emerger’s just under the surface of the water rather than duns. Before casting to the rise with a dry fly look to see if the fishes head is breaking the surface or if it is his back. I was fishing with Dave Hughes last week when we encountered rising fish we switched flies to a dry and no takers about 5 minutes later we switched to a soft hackle pheasant tail with no shot and fished just below the surface and caught a lot of nice fish.
3. Mid day is still more productive than early morning and late evening. For at least the next couple of weeks the fish will still prefer to feed in the middle part of the day when the water is at its warmest. Once the water reaches 52 and stays there overnight then the fishing will be good in the early morning.
4. For at least the next couple of weeks dark colored flies will out produce light colored flies. Typically I fish a lot of Parachutes Adam’s, Pheasant Tail’s, Kevin’s Stoneflies, and dark colored caddis or small black stimulators.
5. Fish larger tippets, and land more fish. In the spring the fish have had the winter off and the water flows are generally higher. SO fish have to make an immediate decision eat the bug or watch it go by. I have always fished higher tippet sizes in the spring because of this, usually 4-5x. With the advances that have been made in fluorocarbon tippets I can even do a larger size. Last year I never fished any tippet smaller than 5x fluorocarbon and have found my self fishing 3-4x fluorocarbon and catching more fish because I am not breaking fish off as much as I did with the lighter tippets.

The Gary Loomis Story Part 1, complete from Sam Root on Vimeo.