Hello, everyone! As we sit at the computer this evening, thinking of
the 60
degree temperatures we had this weekend, the Weather Channel is predicting
a
winter ice storm to hit us before the sun comes up tomorrow. What a roller
coaster ride life is when your passions are so closely tied to the whims
of Mother
Nature. At the moment, we are vividly aware of one thing…
Atlanta Fly Fishing Festival is Here!
February 22nd and 23rd, Saturday and Sunday at the Gwinnett Civic and
Cultural
Center is the site of this annual event. We look forward to seeing all our
friends
there over the weekend so make plans to attend. As we mentioned in last
month’s newsletter, Jimmy will be among the group of fly fishing bums
who are
presenting seminars during the Festival. He’ll be hanging out in some
pretty high
cotton this weekend (certainly much higher than he deserves!). Dave Whitlock,
Lefty Kreh, David Murray, Henry Cowen, Kent Edmonds, Nick Curcione, Scott
Swartz, Richard Stuhr and others will be presenting seminars on a wide variety
of
topics you’ll find both interesting and informative. We can’t
think of another
place where you will have access to this much fly fishing experience in
one day;
and it’s all free once you get in the door.
An added bonus for Unicoi Outfitters will be both Lefty Kreh and Dave
Whitlock
in our booth to talk one-on-one with you and to autograph their books and
videos.
We’ll have some of their books and videos for sale at the show, but
you are
welcome to bring any you may already own and ask Dave and Lefty to autograph
them. What a treasure these two guys are to our sport. We’re excited
to have
them join us and are grateful for their generosity.
There has been some discussion on North Georgia Trout Online
( http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ngto/index.html ) concerning any “deals”
that
may be offered at the show. While we can’t speak for all the other
exhibitors, we
will have some items at the show you’ll be interested in. Among other
things, we
expect to have several rods, lines, books and videos that will be discounted
for
the show. Also, we’ll have a big selection of flies on sale at a discount.
For more on the Atlanta Fly Fishing Festival, and a complete schedule
of the
seminars, visit their website at http://www.castlow.com. Click on the “Atlanta”
button for more information, directions, etc.
Fishing Report
Not much has changed since we last reported to you. We’re still
pretty much in
our Winter fishing mode for the next few weeks. Still catching plenty of
fish on
small pheasant tails (18’s & 20’s), zug bugs (16’s),
olive buggers, rubber leg
stone flies, Island Park Specials, and a few midge patterns. Big fish of
the past
week was a 23 ½ inch brown on an olive bugger. Landed, taped, photographed
and released at Nacoochee Bend. Steve Bettis was the guide.
We want to give you an update on Cannon Falls. Access to the stream has
recently been improved considerably and Frogtown Creek is now home to some
beautiful brookies. Now, in addition to spectacular scenery and trophy rainbows
and browns, you now have a shot at a North Georgia grand slam. Pretty cool!
Visit Cannon Falls
Lodge website at http://www.cannonfallslodge.com. We’re
sure you’ll want to fish this water (and stay in their cabins) this
Spring.
Henry's Striper Fishing Report
Overall I would have to rate this week’s striper fishing as poor
for the
flyfisherman. However, Lake Lanier is ready to give up many of its linesides
in
the next couple of weeks. With the warm weather we’re predicted to
have this
week, it may only be a few days. The bait is in all the coves, mostly threadfin
shad, however, there are some blueback herring mixed in with them. The bait
is
mixed sizes from 1 1/2" to almost 5" long. My recommendation would
be either
a 2"-3" gray/white, blue/white or olive/white Clouser or the same
color Coyote.
The fish we have caught this past week have been mixed sizes going from
3-13
pounds, but yours truly hasn't caught one this week over 5 pounds (think
I am
going to have to rub Jimmy Harris' head for luck). We are seeing herons
and
loons moving into the back of the coves this week, which is the last sign
before it
all breaks open. Anyone who has not seen stripers blowing up on bait in
12" of
water needs to come and experience this. The area from Gainesville Marina
all
the way down to the dam will likely be the staging area for these fish.
Check all
coves for signs of life. Gulls will give you a clue as to which coves have
bait in
the back. It only takes 2 or 3 gulls flying in and out of a cove to give
up their
secret. Just a note to all doing this on their own: Shut your engine down
at least
300 feet from the melee; use your trolling motor. If the fish are way in
the back
of a cove make sure your electric motor is on low speed to get to the fish.
These
fish are really spooky. Better yet, pole in on the fish as you would when
bonefishing. If you do not own a pole, drift into the fish and gently anchor
up
near the back. I am getting excited just writing this report!!!!!!!!!!!!
See you on
the pond.
Henry Cowen
Cowen's Quality Flies and Guide Service
678-450-1133 email henryc@evy.com.
What's New
Unicoi Outfitters is proud to announce that we now have two, yes two,
Federation
of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructors on our staff. Of course, Rex
Gudgel
was already certified as one of a handful of “Masters” in the
entire country. This
past weekend at the Fly Fishing Show in Charlotte, NC Dave Humphrey passed
the exams for a Certified FFF Casting Instructor.
We’re proud to have both these guys working with us. This is not
an easy
accomplishment. It requires a level of skill and dedication to practice
and perfecting
technique that not many fly fishing guides attain. Congratulations to Dave
and Rex.
Looking Ahead
Okay, so we’re in for an ice storm tonight. The fact remains that
Spring is right
around the corner. The best advice we can give you is to check your gear
now so
you’ll be ready when you do get to go fishing. Clean your reels (and
grease them
if they require it), clean your fly line and check it for cracks. Those
microscopic
cracks in the end of your fly line allow water to penetrate it and cause
the tip to
sink and buildup of dirt, scum and algae make the line difficult to cast.
Every
year we see numerous anglers who think they need a new fly line and all
they
actually need is a good cleaning of the line on their reel. Replace your
old leader
and tippet with new. The most important connection between you and the fish
of
a lifetime doesn’t need to be a piece of 4 lb. nylon that is nicked
or weakened by
exposure to sunlight. Check the hooks on your flies and sharpen each of
them
before you fish with them. Take your fly rod out of the tube and wipe it
down
with a moist clean cloth. Allow it to dry completely before returning it
to the rod
sack and tube. While you’re wiping it down, check your rod guides and
reel seat
just to make sure everything is in good working condition before our best
season
for fishing arrives.
We want to give a plug to our local TU chapter. The Georgia Foothills
chapter
will hold it’s regular monthly meeting on Thursday, February 27th at
the Cornelia-
Habersham County Library. This month’s guest speaker is Henry Cowen.
Henry
will present his program on fly fishing for stripers on Lake Lanier. The
meeting
will begin at 7:00 PM and everyone is welcome to attend.
Also, the Foothills Chapter will host its annual “Hoot On The Hooch”
on
Saturday, March 8th. This year’s event will be at the Sautee-Nacoochee
Community Center and will get kicked off around 6:30 PM. Barbeque and
bluegrass, featuring Dixieliner, will be on the bill for the evening and
there will
be plenty of raffle items, and silent auction items available. Also, the
chapter is
selling raffle tickets prior to the banquet for a superb fly rod/reel outfit.
The
outfit we’re raffling off this year is a Sage 389-3 VPS-Light with
a Ross
Evolution reel and Sage Quiet Taper line. For each $10.00 donation, your
name
will be placed in the raffle. The winner’s ticket will be drawn at
the banquet
(you do not have to be present to win but we hope you’ll be there).
If you can’t
come up for the banquet, you may mail a check for your tickets to: Georgia
Foothills TU, P. O. Box 8, Cornelia, GA 30531. We will also have tickets
available at Unicoi Outfitters. This is a great outfit and the banquet is
a lot of
fun. All proceeds go to support the coldwater conservation projects of our
chapter. Hope you’ll consider helping. We also hope you’ll be
able to attend the
banquet.
Thank You
As always, we are grateful for your friendship and your patronage. If
you ever
need current fishing information or specifications and recommendations on
gear,
please call us or drop us an email.
Tight lines!
The Liars Club |