Fly Fishing Small Streams Tactics, Strategies & Where to Go Jan Hackett Duke University

Experience  Instructor Duke University since 1999  NC Anglers  Professional Guide & Fly Tier  Orvis endorsed casting instructor  First documented fly fishing trip 1959 Fisherman’s Paradise

Small Stream Quiz  Do you know how many scratches are on your fishing vehicle?  Do you want to catch large trout?  Do you need lots of “room”?  Do you like “playing” with the drag on your reel?  Are you mesmerized by false casting?

“Quotes” on Small Stream Fishing  “It’s like trying to cast in an 18 inch pipe” Ralph Daugherty on small stream fishing  “Stop casting, No I’m serious Stop Casting” Jan Hackett on keeping your fly out of the trees

Locating the fish  As always it starts with the stream & the fishes behavior  CFS factor (Dave Whitlock) Comfort Food Safety  Pecking orders exists Changes occur based on certain variables  Seasonally  Daily

Casts - General  Concentrate on the front cast Establish distance & direction first  Drag is still important  Pin point accuracy  Cover water from one spot  “Missed” target or fish Fish the fly out & recast Don’t waste time

Casts – Specific  Pick-up and lay down Up-stream Side-stream  Roll cast  Circle cast  Bow & Arrow  “Mend” cast

Flies - general  Some hatches occur  Hook sizes Dry flies Nymphs/Wet 8-14 Stoneflies 8-12 Streamers 6-10

Flies - Specific  Caddis Elk hair caddis Royal trude  Mayfly – Dry flies Royal Wulff Adams Light Cahill  Mayfly – nymphs Hare’s ear Pheasant tail Tellico  Stonefly Ted’s stone fly Montana  Minnows & crayfish Wooly bugger Muddler minnow  Terrestrials Ants Beetles Grasshoppers Crickets

Equipment  Rods 6’6” to 9’ Bamboo, graphite or fiberglass Two piece or multi-piece  Reels Spring & pawl, in-expensive  Line Weight forward or double taper Overloading rod is common

Tactics  Study & plan  Do what the stream dictates  Keys to catching fish “Read” the water “Stealth” “Accurate” casting “Match” the hatch

Leaders  Build your own leaders  Short 5’6” to 7’4”  Develop your own formula or borrow one  Customize for Stream conditions Casting style Fly types  Buy your own leaders  Short 6’ to 7’6”  knotted leaders turn “over” better then knotless  Customize by Lengthening tippet Adding a dropper knot

Other Considerations  Essential items First aid kit Flash light Map & compass Rain gear Sense of adventure Rod tip repair Insect repellant Fishing partner  Safety concerns Snakes Rotten logs Stinging nettles Hiking in wading shoes

Where NC  Widows Creek  Garden Creek  Basin Creek  Pike Creek

Widows Creek  Location Wilkes county Whitehead “Quad” NC Delorme pg. 14 Latitude N Longitude 81131W  Regulations & such Wild trout “regs” Tight casting Access from SP

Garden Creek  Location Wilkes county Glade Valler “Quad” NC Delorme pg. 14 Latitude N Longitude W  Regulations Wild trout “regs” Tight Casting Access from SP

Basin Creek  Location Wilkes county Whitehead “Quad” NC Delorme pg. 14 Latitude N Longitude W  Regulations Single hook Fly fish only Catch & release

Pike Creek  Location Wilkes county McGrady “Quad” NC Delorme pg. 14 Latitude N Longitude W  Regulations & such Hatchery supported March through July Very tight casting Pike Creek Pond

Where VA  Little Dry Run  Little Stony Creek  Rockcastle Creek  White Top Laurel

Little Dry Run  Location - VA Wythe county Speedwell “Quad” VA Delorme pg. Latitude N Longitude W  Regulations Wild Trout “regs” Wilderness area

Little Stony Creek  Location - VA Giles county Pearisburg “Quad” VA Delorme pg. Latitude N Longitude W  Regulations Single hook Artificial only 4 fish over 9”

Rockcastle Creek  Location - VA Patrick county Charity “Quad” VA Delorme pg. Latitude N Longitude W  Regulations Single hook Fly fish only Catch & release

Whitetop Laurel  Location - VA Washington county Laurel Bloomey “Quad” VA Delorme pg. Latitude N Longitude W  Regulations Single hook Fly fish only Catch & release

Questions & Answers? Thank you!