| Visit Us Online
Be sure to join us online for lots of great fly fishing information. On our site you'll find information on Fly Fishing Schools, Casting Instruction, Fly Tying Classes, Private Fly Tying Instruction, Guided Fly Fishing Trips, Current News, Hatch Charts, a list of This Month's Effective Flies, lodging information, Leader recipes, Fly Tying Recipes, Fishing reports, current fishing conditions, water release schedules, and more. Simply put, its a great place to find the fly fishing information you need. We have also added a fly fishing blog site, a fly tying site, and more. Our site is updated daily with new information.
We think you'll like what you see! |
Our Friends
|
Premier Private
Water
Check out
Our Channel
Scott Bertrand with A Mammoth
Rainbow
Diane Bertrand with Another Mammoth Rainbow
Brad Ball with a nice
Winter rainbow..
Larry Tomar with a
Large Rainbow
Winter, perhaps
our Favorite Season,
is Now here...let's
Go Fishing!
Bob Manning with
a Trophy Bow
Snow in the VA High
Country...yes we fished
and yes we had a great
Day!
Wally Wallace with
a rainbow on a Frigid
Day!!!
Some of our
Favorite Coldweather
Gear
Its that time of
year again....I love it!
Adam Harman
with a nice VA
Rainbow
Billy Spicer with
a NC Brown.....
a Future Lefty Kreh here!
West Yellowstone,MT
New River
Galax, VA
Wyoming 2010
We have begun filling slots for our 2010 Wyoming Trip and have already booked several slots. Don't miss out on this great trip.....
Aug 21-28, 2010
Beginning Fly
Fishing Class
Our Next Flyfishing Beginner/101 class is scheduled to begin on April 8, 2010. It runs for 3 sessions, April 8, 15,22, and concludes with a half day field trip on April 24. We will cover basic casting skills, reading water, entomology, fly selection, gear and equipment, knot tying and rigging, and more Learn more....
Support NC
Trout In The
Classroom
Learn More....
|
 |
|
| Dear Friends,
I hope you all are having a great new year so far, hope you are coping with this wonderful winter blast we are having. One system right after the other it seems, and many fisherman haven't been out in weeks, and they are saying so...! Simply put they are about to go nuts! I feel your pain.
I am sitting here looking out the window and thinking about how really this is the first "normal" winter we have had in some time. This is like it was when I grew up in the early 70's...when we got those snows that were double digits......but I must say after a few revisits to weather like that over the past few weeks even I am tiring of it....and I love winter and winter fishing.
One plus is that snow is very beneficial to the water table, a slow melt helps a lot. We usually always have a good year after a wet winter. It seems that hatches are always better, the fish get a much needed rest with less fishing pressure on them, and often wet years are followed by outstanding fishing. We'll see if it holds true again this year.
I have been very busy, some with trips and a lot with the "seed planting" for the coming year. This is the time this year's trips here and abroad are set in stone. Schedules and itineraries are planned, reservations made, and marketing is in full swing. And we are getting ready for spring as well. It will be here before we know it.
We have added some new stuff/info so be sure and check it out below. So sit back and browse through this Newsletter and get ready for the remainder of the winter fishing season and a Spring season that will be here before you know it.
Thanks as always and Good Fishing, and Hoping the Weather breaks soon for all our sakes!
Tight Lines....
Jeff |
|
Larry Tomar with a beast of rainbow on our January 28, 2010
Trip, we caught several fish this size .....
Jeff Wilkins photo
February Feature ArticlesHow to Successfully Spook More Trout
by Jeff WilkinsYou won't find articles like this much, but here goes. Here's a funny how to on a very interesting topic- - - - spooking fish. I can think of 10 ways you can become more successful at spooking trout. In the beginning I am sure I made every mistake there is and even invented a few that never existed before.....but these 10 ways are tried and true methods and will do the trick... .......Read More
A Winning Drive
by Jeff Wilkins
Its that time of year again...and the Super Bowl is almost upon us again. There are two teams that are #1 seeds that are going to play for professional football's most coveted prize....... Read MoreTalk About Determination....
by Jeff WilkinsSometimes in my fly fishing I let the little things get to me- - -less than perfect weather, a little too dry, too wet, too sunny, too cloudy, you name it...its very easy when things are slow to find lots of things to get frustrated with......................................... Read More Maybe this is what real determination looks like....maybe we don't have it so rough!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **  Real Time Fishing Reports We have begun doing real time fishing reports, that is reports on fishing and conditions on area waters while we are out in the field on guide trips, lessons, schools, and more. Basically, its really simple. If you'd like to receive this, simply click the link below and it will take you to a Real Time Fishing reports page. On the page you will see in the right margin an Email sign up block. Simply enter your email here, submit, and our real time reports will come straight to your inbox. Its that simple. And since we don't want to fill anyone's email box with unwanted stuff, we are requesting everyone who wants this information, even long time customers, to submit the preferred email address to send the info to. We are able to also send reports as a text message to your phone. If you'd like to receive as a text message contact me here and we'll get you set up with that. Thanks, here's the link: JWFF Real Time Fishing Reports click here
Fishing Report
Be sure and check out our website fishing report for our most recent trips. Its been wet but we have still managed to find some good fishing. You can check it all out here .
A Quill Gordon nymph is a tasty winter morsel not only for small stream fish, but for any fish within eating distance, and they love them.... don't they look delicious?....Jeff Wilkins photo
What the Fishing is Like.....
Wild Waters:
Like last month, wild waters have been fishing very slow, in fact the past week at elevations above 2000ft you would be hard pressed to find fishable water. There's a lot of water, and its hovering right at the freezing mark. The mountains had another 9 inch snow last night (2/4/2010) and are getting more tonight. Give a week or two and a 10 degree warmup! Some places the real challenge right now is actually getting to the water.
Dan Camia caught this nice rainbow on our 1/28/2010
Guided trip...the day finished with several nice fish
.....Jeff Wilkins photo 2010
VA/TN Tailwaters:
In VA, the Smith River has been very slow due to the Flood control generation 24/7 that they have been doing as of late. Right now the Corp is set to continue this generation 24 hours a day through Friday, February 12, 2010. When things settle down, in town in the stocked water Egg patterns, bead heads, Y2K's in pink and orange shades, and streamers will usually produce on the stocker rainbows. In the special regs area, try bead heads w/a small dropper of some sort. Midges and little black stones #18, as well as a few early season BWO's can be had , especially on cloudy, dreary days. Midges are always a good call. Also, occasionally a larger fly like a pheasant tail flashback, Ck Nymph, or Tellico will work nicely. February is usually the month on the Smith where we begin to see some of the larger BWO's in size 18. Remember always double check as the schedule can change at any time..276-629-2432.
Click here for a free printable Tailwaters Hatch Chart
In TN, the TVA has been running 24/7 and the only fishing is on high water, and that is limited. The schedule has been on from midnight to midnight. Tomorrow will be the same. When you can get in the river to wade the low water fishing has been pretty decent with midges, bwos and blackflies, standard winter fare for the SoHo. Several areas, Hickory Tree to Rivers Way, the Webb islands to downstream of the 358bridge, and the islands around the Dead Chicken Hole that were closed for the brown trout spawning season are now open again for fishing.
On the Watauga the TVA has been releasing /spilling until further notice and will continue to do so, Pretty limited opportunity here, except maybe some streamer fishing on the upper river via floating. Once the TVA gets back to a normal schedule look for nymphing and fishing dry /droppers is effective, as well as #18 and 20 bwos in the afternoons, mixed with a few black caddis and #18 Little Black Winter Stoneflies. Afternoon BWOs are pretty reliable on the Wag' once they get cranked up, and this fishing can, quite frankly, be as good as anywhere when the bugs are deciding to come off. This early in the season the better fishing is above the confluence with the Doe River, as the Doe runs pretty cold and the river above is a bit warmer. The Wag' always a good pm sidebar to the South Holston, or an all dayer if they are pumping on the SoHo. One other note: The bwos come off here whether its cloudy or not. One thing is for sure, if its not a gray, damp day you'll want to have some emerger patterns as the fish often totally ignore the duns.
Jackson River- - -- releasing 425cfs and water temperature around 38F, which is a cold temp but the level is great to wade. February is a slow to so/so month on the Jackson, look for Black Caddis #18-20, small BWO's #18,20 and some midges as far as anything on top. Dry /dropper rigs like the Smith will work well here. Also, I'd have a #14 or #16 bead head prince in the box as well as some Gary LaFontaine Caddis Pupa Tan size 14, and some Black Conehead Wooly Buggers, as the river can offer good streamer fishing, at times, particularly for browns. $25 is not a good wading level and is in fact non-negotiable in most places, but floating from Johnson Spring down to Indian Draft is doable and a good streamer float.
Smallmouth Bass: As far as the smallies and fly fishing, no fishing right now in our local rivers. Pray for spring to come!
New River NC Flows
Local Bass /Panfish: local Bass and panfish are very slow right now as far as any reports I have gotten, in fact your biggest challenge right now is finding water that isn't frozen or too cold and muddy. One local option is Belews Creek near the powerplant, and Lake Norman in the hot hole. Feb. is the time we usually catch some great prespawn bass and large crappie too, so that time is coming. Just keep your fingers crossed.
Private Water
We have had some great fishing on this water, and even in the snow and bad weather. We have fished some days where it stayed 17-22F, snow, wind, you name it. We have caught a lot of fish on these waters, including one fish that was almost 9lbs. We had one trip last week where we landed several 20 inch plus fish and one 25 inch fish. One of the waters we have access to is good no matter how cold it gets, and the water temp stays around 50F due to its origin being underground springs. Check out one of our Clips here of Larry Tomar fighting a large rainbow on our trip last week. We have uploaded several new video clips to our YouTube channel, you can view them here . We have more trips here in the coming days and weeks and will have tons of great reports and photos to pass along to you.
Mr. Patrick Williams of Chapel Hill w/one of over 30 fish on one of our recent trips.........January 9, 2010 .....Jeff Wilkins photo
Coming up in the next few months and actually all winter long will be a prime time to sample some of this great water and fishing. These waters offer great fishing all winter long and we are currently into the peak of the winter season when lots of large fish are caught. So far bookings are up over last year and we'd love to get you a great day on one of the 5 private waters we have available. To book a trip click here. We can put you on some water where we'll catch fish no matter how cold it gets....as the creek never freezes...Let's Go Fishing!!!!
 Tying A Great Winter Fly Pattern We catch lots of fish on this fly, check out this short clip on tying one on our YouTube Channel...... Learn moreNewsworthy....UPCOMING LOCAL TROUT UNLIMITED BANQUETSBlue Ridge Chapter Winston Salem,NC Feb 20, 2010 more infoNat Greene Chapter Greensboro, NC March 6, 2010 More info Upcoming Fly Tying Class
Intermediate Fly Tying
February 10, 2010
We currently have several people signed up and we have a few spaces left but they have been going fast. We just finished a beginner class so several spots were filled by folks from that class. If you want to sign up do soon so that you don't miss this opportunity. Class runs 3 sessions 2/10, 2/17, 2/24. Registration can be done by calling 336 334-4822 x4331.
Details Click Here
Insect Photo Gallery
New Wall of Fame II Page
Current Fishing Report Information
Fly Fishing U Some great fly fishing tips
|
|
We have had a great start to the 2010 season so far even despite the the up and down weather and we realize that without you this business couldn't and wouldn't exist. Thanks so much for your continued interest and business. Hopefully we are just around the corner from a great spring. I believe we are.
Until next time, I hope you have some great fishing and catch some nice fish. And by all means, if you catch one worth bragging about, don't keep it to yourself, let me know! Best of fishing to you in the coming months and see you on the river..... I wish you and your family a blessed 2010 Fly Fishing Season.
May your casting loops be tight and all your hatches match...
Tight Lines & Threads......
Jeffrey Wilkins Fly Fishing
3703 Windspray Court
Summerfield NC 27358 :: 336-644-7775
* * * * *
I would say this causes a little casting difficulty......the Solution?
Crack it off and back to fishing...of course!
Jeff Wilkins photo Feb 2, 2010
| |
|
