Fly Fishing Small Streams Tactics, Strategies & Where to Go Jan Hackett Duke University Experience Instructor Duke University since 1999 NC Anglers 1995-2002 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 12-14 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 36.376N 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 36.389N Longitude 81.069W Regulations Wild trout regs Tight Casting Access from SP
Basin Creek Location Wilkes county Whitehead Quad NC Delorme pg. 14 Latitude 36.376N Longitude 81.131W Regulations Single hook Fly fish only Catch & release Pike Creek Location Wilkes county McGrady Quad NC Delorme pg. 14 Latitude 36.356N Longitude 81.186W 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 36.901N Longitude 81.187W Regulations Wild Trout regs Wilderness area
Little Stony Creek Location - VA Giles county Pearisburg Quad VA Delorme pg. Latitude 37.316N Longitude 80.644W Regulations Single hook Artificial only 4 fish over 9 Rockcastle Creek Location - VA Patrick county Charity Quad VA Delorme pg. Latitude 36.784N Longitude 80.235W Regulations Single hook Fly fish only Catch & release
Whitetop Laurel Location - VA Washington county Laurel Bloomey Quad VA Delorme pg. Latitude 36.624N Longitude 81.765W Regulations Single hook Fly fish only Catch & release Questions & Answers? Thank you!