9 Amazing Fly Fishing Locales of the South

We all know the North and the West have some amazing fly fishing destinations, but we think the South boasts some equally exciting spots to wet your hook. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but these nine gorgeous freshwater rivers and creeks are well worth a visit for some Southern action on the fly!

9.  Toccoa River in North Georgia

The Tocca is heralded as one of the best trout rivers in Georgia.  With its headwaters running from Union County and into Lake Blue Ridge, it then becomes a tailwater fishery.  In all sections of the river you'll find healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout.  According Georgia Outdoor News, the Toccoa boasts all the necessary attributes of a trophy trout stream.  The section of the river below Blue Ridge Dam is stocked bi-weekly during the months of its trout season; however the river is open year round!  For more info, visit this link at blueridgemountains.com  

8.  Slickrock Creek in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to just about every type of trout stream imaginable, whether you prefer wild or stocked trout streams, free flowing rivers, freestone rivers, tailwaters or the intimacy of smaller creeks. So this was a tough choice.  But you just can't go wrong with Slickrock Creek.  This meandering stream holds a healthy population of brown and rainbow trout, and even brookies depending on the section of the river.  Plus, the fishing pressure is moderate to minimal, and the scenery is unrivaled.  Access can be challenging, but if you're a true angler, you know that the best fishing is the toughest to reach!   For further info, check out the North Carolina Sportsman

7.  Clinch River in Tennessee

This tailwater trout stream brims with trophy-sized browns and rainbows as well as the occasional brookie for miles below Norris Dam.  The Clinch produces monster Browns and rainbows year after year, boasting a Tennessee State Record for Brown Trout.  With anglers often pulling 5-10lb+ trout from this stream, even its average rainbow could dwarf that of many other fisheries.  So if you are looking for a chance to catch monster trout with fairly easy access to the river, the Clinch is well worth a visit!  To learn more, visit Fly Fishing Tennessee

6.  Canyon Tailrace Section of the Guadalupe River, Texas

Yep, you heard right.  The Lone Star State is not usually famed as a trout fishing hotspot, but the Canyon Tailrace section of the Guadalupe River maintains water temperatures amply cool enough to support a healthy population of trout.  Located in the Texas Hill Country and only a short drive from Austin, you'll find glimmering, turquoise-clear waters full of stocked trout.  The beauty here is unique, differing from anything you'll see further East.  So the scenery certainly adds to the Guadalupe's allure, as waters fall into deep blue-green pools and across ancient sheets of rock, periodically adorned by towering cypress trees.  If you have never visited the Texas Hill Country, start planning your trip!  Thanks to excellent stocking programs implemented by the State, this river in Texas has earned the attention of angers nationwide! To learn more about this fishery, visit GRTU

5.  Sipsey Fork Below Smith Lake, Alabama

Flowing from the frigid depths of Lewis Smith Lake, the Sipsey Fork tailwater is Alabama's only year-round trout fishery.  Just an hour's drive northwest of Birmingham and boasting a healthy population of stocked rainbow trout, the crystal clear waters of the the Sipsey offer a great opportunity for trout anglers of the deep south to get their fix.  Sipsey trout move freely for many miles along the river's gentle current, but only the first couple are publicly accessible for wade fishing.  However, boat fishing and kayak fishing are welcome, and, as with all tailwaters, the biggest fish are often caught further below the dam.  The area is quiet, surrounded by pristine woodland and home to a diverse ecosystem of wildlife, making it any angler's dream.  To learn more and hear from the local experts, visit Riverside Fly Shop 

4.  Whitewater River, South Carolina

While mostly consisting of a gentle and wadable current, this mountain trout stream dons two magnificent waterfalls, with the best trout fishing in between the drops.  Its waters are cool year-round, providing an ideal habitat for rainbow and brown trout, both wild and stocked.  However, anglers MUST be careful to avoid fishing close to the top side of the falls, as this can be very dangerous.  Such an adventure!  What angler doesn't love the sound of rushing waters, cascading over massive boulders and spilling down into crystal pools below?  The majestic beauty of this river together with its bountiful population of trout make it no mystery why it made the list.  To learn more about fishing in SC, check out this guide. 

3.  Spring River, Arkansas

The Spring River is Arkansas' only free-flowing trout stream, offering a truly wild experience for anglers.  Its waters begin at Mammoth Springs and provide a constant flow year-round, its headwaters pumping nearly nine-million gallons of sub-sixty degree water per hour!  This massive spring river is home to a high volume of stocked rainbow and brown trout, many of them of trophy size.  According to Arkansas.com the best spots to catch the browns and rainbows on the Spring are where the water tumbles into deeper pools below the falls, offering scenic and exciting opportunities to wet your fly in the Natural State.    

2.  Rapidian River, Virginia

The Commonwealth is dotted with a vast number of rivers and spring creeks, many of which provide ideal conditions for trout to remain prolific.  But the Rapidian is unique in that it holds a robust population of completely native brook trout.  Once a favorite fishing spot of President Herbert Hoover, this intimate stream is covered in a woodland canopy, so anglers should be prepared to cast conservatively and bring their "A" game.  To learn more about fishing this southeastern gem of a fishery, visit this link at Virginia.gov

1.  Little Red River, Arkansas

Touting a pristine river bottom of shimmering sands occasionally giving way to gravel and deep-green moss, this crystal-blue tailwater spills from the dam at Greers Ferry Lake and offers up an angling utopia.  Brandishing an international fame as a blue-ribbon trout water, the Little Red is a mecca for MASSIVE trout, drawing high levels of attention even from Western Anglers.  It has produced multiple world-record brown trout, only recently being dethroned as the king of trophy brown trout fisheries by the new "all-tackle" record caught in the South Island hydro canals of New Zealand.  

Even so, the Little Red River's reputation for being one of the world's greatest trout streams remains set in stone.  This twenty-five mile stretch of premiere trout fishing waters below Greers Ferry Lake offer action for both waders and drifters alike. Deep pools, tumbling shoals, occasional forks, and rock overhangs provide plenty of cover and thus an ideally dynamic environment for trout to thrive all year.  And you will never forget the sweet smell of its frigid 45-55 degree waters, especially in the morning.  If you have not fished the Little Red (yet), you are surely missing out! Click here to learn more.    Who knows, you might be the one to catch that next WR brown!   

Finding the Balance: fly line, leader and tippet

Every wonder why that rod just isn't carrying that fly out as far as you'd like it to, or why your leader or tippet are not getting more distance between the fly line and your fly, or why your tippet is curling up or getting loops in it?  These problems can create ugly issues with your presentation to the fish, but can be solved.  

It is important to note to any new fly fisherman/women out there that the leader is generally not just a straight "fishing line" tied to the end of your brightly colored fly line.  

Solution:  Make sure you have a tapered leader.  A tapered leader, whether welded/continuous or tied by hand will fare much better.  This is due to the gradual change in weight distribution across the line as you cast, transferring the loop smoothly all the way from the fly line at the tip of your rod to the fly at the end of your leader.  You can get a good tapered leader in most fly shops and certainly on amazon or online.  Also, be sure you purchase a leader that is the appropriate size for the type of fly you are fishing and the size rod you are using.  For instance, don't go on trying to cast a mouse pattern on a three weight rod using 7x tippet.  

Generally, if you are fishing a 5wt rod or something of in that range, use the "clinch knot" to tie a tapered leader onto the end of your fly line.  Then if you need anything more than that, use the "double surgeon's knot" to tie on another foot and one half or so of 4X or 5X tippet.  If you are going for trout, use a smaller tippet (or very fine-ended tapered leader).  If you are fishing for bass, go with something a little thicker, probably at least size 4X (and be ready to let him run!).

Also keep in mind that fly or hook size is an important factor here as well, but I will save that for another day.  Refine your skills and master the balance, tailoring everything to the fish species and the presentation you are seeking, and you'll catch more fish.     

Tight lines,

Daniel

Fishing Tip Tuesday

Good afternoon,  

At some point, I want to do a more comprehensive post on fly selection.  However, I in the few short moments I have to post today, I wanted to toss out two quick tips:

#1 You can't go wrong with Olive (or Black) below the surface

Both Olive and Black coloring have proven to be among the most effective in fly fishing.  The reason is that across a variety of water conditions, these colors tend to present the best contrast to the water (in the eyes of the fish).  There are times when red, orange, or flashier colors will certainly perform better, but this usually happens in extremely clear water.  And while black or olive may not perform as better on a sunny day in a crystal stream or be the best every day otherwise, it is a good starting place almost anywhere you go.    

#2 When in doubt use a more adaptive fly scheme

By this, I mean, if you aren't seeing any fish rising to an ongoing hatch on the surface and can't tell what critters they are sampling below the surface, choose a more amorphous, universal pattern, like a wooly bugger.  In fact, many anglers I know have caught PR (Personal Record) fish on wooly bugger patterns.  The good thing is that a wooly bugger can look like a lot of different foods that fish love to eat, including: crayfish, leaches, minnows, darters, sculpins and much more.  

Hope this helped you out today!

Thanks for reading,

DT 

Rod Sizes Rundown

Good afternoon!

When I began fly fishing, one of the most confusing things to me was the jargon associated with the sport.  Many novice and even intermediate fly anglers are not familiar with the various sizes and uses of rods, line, leader, tippet, hooks, etc.  This may seem like a rather dry subject, but the knowledge pays off when you know what kind of equipment to use, which should be tailored to the fish species you are seeking and the environment you will be fishing in.  For instance, if you are fishing a small creek with low-hanging trees, choose a shorter rod of lower weight size.  If you are fishing a large river like the Madison (in most spots) you might want to stick with at least a 5 wt.    

To begin, the jist of rod sizes is that they run from a 0 weight (often abbreviated as "wt") all the way up to a 12 weight and beyond.  The largest sizes are usually for saltwater species (EVEN MARLIN!).  The general rule is that, the bigger the fish, the higher the rod wt.  However, this is not always the case.  Often larger brown trout (a particularly finicky and sought-after species) may be caught on a rod size of about 3-5, but could weigh 15+ lbs.  This goes for trout in general, as they are the best at spotting a thick, glossy line below the surface and behind your fly, which can cause them to get spooked, brown trout all the more so.  

Now, if you are fishing for brook trout in a small Appalachian stream, you certainly do not want to be using a 10 weight rod.  Trust me, i fished a tiny stream out West for brookies once with a 9 ft 5wt rod and it was a circus - a miserably tangled, tree-hung, and high-hooked debacle, not to mention there was grizzly poo all around me and no phone service for miles!   Even still, I have caught many rainbow trout with an 8 wt rod, but a 4-5 wt is more than capable of handling the  lot and the occasional trophy swirling about the other end of your leader at any given time.  It is often said that a 5 wt. rod is the most versatile size, so it is a great starting point.    

If you are just starting out as a fly angler for trout, you should lean toward a rod in the 3-5wt range.  Anything above a 5 wt may in most circumstances be more suited for steelhead, bass, or something of larger size.  On the other hand, if you are tossing a tarpon pattern in the salt water flats, you will probably want at least a ten weight.  

Next time, I will discuss the fly line, leader, rod balance.  This is important if you plan on being an effective fly caster and want to catch as many fish as possible.  So not only do you need to have the right size rod, but you also need to have it rigged with the corresponding line size AND the appropriate leader for the method of fishing you are undertaking, i.e., fishing dries, nymphs, streamers and so forth.  

Use coupon code STREAMTEAM for streamers in the shop and/or DEEPSOUTHTEAM for shirts and see what happens! ;)

Thanks for reading,

-Daniel

We're On the Mend

Dear Fellow Anglers,

To begin, please accept my most sincere apology for the ongoing delay in setup of our new online store, the release of our promised new line of products (specifically hats and an expanded selection of flies).  Further, had you enjoyed my previous posts, you would have been rather disappointed for about a month now, as I have not posted since April 24.  I apologize for that as well. 

Fly fishing is such a beautiful sport - not only does it teach us profound diligence, patience, and many other lessons both on and off the water, but, in its glorious intricacy, it is also illustrious of life's many phases, whether delightful or tempestuous.  It becomes a part of us: its depth and detail forge parallels to every mountain, every valley, and every canyon or crevice found within life.  And, of course, we know that at the source of fly fishing we find the precious and clear-flowing waters, carrying us along for the ride whether we are ready or not.  Sometimes we are not ready for the boulders or barriers we face on the stream, finding ourselves far-flung, washed out, or deeply hung on the undersides of the rocks.   As of late, such has been the case in my life.  

There could scarcely be a more appropriate metaphor: we are on the mend after being set back.  Just as one mends his line against the drag of the current, I am ready to move forward once again in life and with DSA.  I hope and pray that great things are in store, not just for me, but for all of us as anglers and lovers of creation.  I will begin posting weekly at minimum and more often as I am able.  I would also invite any fellow angler-writers out there to contribute a guest post on my blog if you would be interested in doing so.  Contact me anytime.    

I hope you find the time this Memorial Day to remember the fallen heroes of our military - those who gave their lives for us all, protecting the things and the people we hold most dear.  Certainly, we would have hardly been able to live as freely or go fishing as often without such brave sacrifice.  This is a very sacred thing, and I hope you take the time to ponder it as you cast a line in the sunshine this weekend.    

May the waters leave you feeling refreshed this Memorial Day weekend.  

Safe and happy angling to all,

Daniel     

Always Trying to Get Back

My Papaw taught me to fish and instilled within me a love for it.  I got a little older, and he taught me how to cast a fly rod.  Over time, I got busy with life and didn't go fishing as much, as many of us do.  My Papaw also gave me a knife that he'd had for many years. and I used that knife fishing and hunting for many years.  I cherished that little brown knife and it's tan holster. It was very special to me.  It always reminded me of my Papaw, all the things he taught me, and how we both loved fishing so much.  He loved us all more than he could ever put in words.  My Papaw passed away in 2015.  He was a Woodsman of the World and a true outdoorsman.  When he was sick, I reminisced with him about his "numbered worms," trick (supposedly why he would always catch way more fish than everyone else) and about the time he caught the biggest bass of his life fishing with me.  Before he died, I promised him I would find the time once again to do all the things we used to do, like hunting and fishing, because I loved those things just like him and missed them.  I wanted to carry on the outdoor tradition for our family as I once did as a child and as a teenager.  I have fished more in the last two years than I had in the previous six combined.  Fishing just seems to bring me a little closer to him.  One rainy afternoon last summer, two friends and I were fishing this creek south of Bozeman, Montana while on a trip.  I had my Papaw's knife with me at the very creek pictured above.  I had the holster strapped to my waders and used the knife to sever some tippet in rigging up.  It was rainy and muddy, but we fished anyway.  Rain soaked the trees an intense green hue and the water ran crystal gray.  No phone serviced for miles, the gentle patter of rain atop our hats and the canopy of trees crisscrossing the creek were like a lullaby from the wild.  I lost my knife by the creek that day.  I was very upset, but later I realized that if there was any place to lose it, it was there.  Now the creek has it, but I'm always trying to get back to the Creek now, so I guess it's ok. I know my papaw wouldn't be too disappointed in that. ~Daniel

This Is Just The Beginning

(from our latest Instagram post)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSNYKSRgvwf/

Dear Fellow Anglers,

You've seen this one before, but this is me - the regular guy behind the name. I'm not the only Deep South Angler, we are all Deep South Anglers. I started this company with the vision of spreading joy through fly fishing and its wonderful tradition. I cannot express the breadth of happiness that fishing has brought me over the years of my life, even in the toughest and saddest times. In the same way, close to my heart is the South, where I know the sport has the extraordinary potential to flourish as more and more anglers of both cool and warm water fish species are introduced to this amazing sport. I truly believe the entire fly fishing community will be benefitted by such a movement in my home region. I also wanted the company to symbolize a tremendous respect for nature. It is Deep South Angler's promise to give 5% of every single sale back to conservation so that our precious waterways will be protected for generations of fly fisherman to come. Thanks to everyone for the support so far, I cannot express what it has meant. Also, I would not have made it far without the advice and input of my good friend and creative partner @lpritch3, a great fisherman and trusted friend. I decided to post this to allow some transparency with the company. We would love to hear any feedback from any of you anglers and friends out there. What would you like to see most from Deep South Angler? Currently, we are working on more flies, shirt designs and even rods for the coming weeks and months. We are also developing plans for a video series. Please know that you mean so much to Deep South Angler, since you have been there with @deepsouthangler from the ground level. We are just getting started, so the only direction from here is up!

Tight lines y'all,

 

Daniel