Why are there no other fly fishers in my area?

[Gigmaster]

I was just thinking, while making a reply on another topic, how weird my situation is.

I live on Grassy Mountain in N. Ga. in the heart of the Cohutta Wilderness, and the Cherokee National Forest. Due to the DNRs iron-fisted control over the entire state and all matters therein, we have the most beautiful and remote streams, forests and pristine lakes in the Southeast. It is about 90% walk-in/hiking only access. We have both native and stocked rainbow and brown trout in large numbers. I have a Designated Trophy Trout Stream right behind my house. And in all the years I've been stumbling through the forests and streams here, I have yet to meet another fly-fisher. Everyone I see uses spinning gear or (cringe) various Zebco products. The bait of choice (almost unanimously) is (AAAAUUUUGGGHHH) Berkely Power Bait Trout Nuggets or Paste in yellow or pink color. I can spot a non-local who is here for their first day because they will have a can of corn or salmon eggs with them, which are quickly abandoned in favor of the previously mentioned concoction, as soon as a local informs them of their error.

The locals still regard me with caution and I believe are somewhat apprehensive of my tactics and fishing gear.

I realize that this is a remote area, but it seems that in 8 years, I should've met at least one other fly-fisher. This may be an undiscovered treasure here. If anyone on this board ever comes through here, you should probably check us out.

[This message has been edited by Gigmaster (edited 03 April 2005).]

[bbrothe1]

Gigmaster,

Enjoy the solitude. While others fish crowded streams, you've got peace. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

[Gigmaster]

There's not a lot of solitude. There are lots of other fishermen, fisherwomen, fisherchildren, etc....They just all use spinning and spincasting gear. And it's mostly cheap gear at that.

It's weird, sort of like a cult or something! Maybe they all belong to the Mystic Order of Zebco.

"There's a signpost up ahead. 'Next Stop....the Twightlight Zone......'

[This message has been edited by Gigmaster (edited 03 April 2005).]

Gigmaster,
It appears as though you have your own flyfishing area and an audience to go with it. I know the feeling...Its as if you landed in the middle of a jungle amongst a tribe of natives in a suit of midieval armor or something. Everyone gawking at ya. Sorta reminds me of a few days vacation I had in Ocean City, Md and Indian River, Delaware in about 1971. I brought out Old Blunderbus, a 9 foot fiberglass flyrod and began my only saltwater flyfishing experience. Although its Lefty's and Joe Brooks' home waters, no one seemed to have ever seen one except on TV. I caught some bluefish at Indian River but nothing in Ocean City, Md. A bluefish bit about 20'feet of brand new fly line off as I worked a streamer at Indian River. Next time I'm down there I'll catch him and fry his gizzard! Keep waving that switch and sooner or later another fly fisher will turn up.

Ol Bill

I fly fish in your area...unless the Conasauga isn't your area.

...although not nearly as often as I'd like.

Wal-Mart rods
Zebco reels
Bait

How horrible those people must be. Absolutely no quality of life.
The thought of it makes me swoon.

Sheesh, get a life.

[Jim Hatch]

Heh heh,

Tomorrow afternoon I have an appointment
with a bunch of channel and blue cats. I do
it every spring. I take my 5 wt and my 6 wt
and rig them with 10# mono leaders 6 feet
long. I rig a bobber, split shot and hook
and bait it with live crickets. I can on a
good afternoon catch 50 pounds of fillets. By the end of the week, I hope
to have a minimum of 100 pounds of fillets
in the freezer. Maybe even 200 pounds. Am
I a purist? Nah, but in a week or 10 days,
it's back to nymphs and drys for the gills
and red ears until the "hopper hatch" in the
fall.*G* It's all good fun and my family
and friends sure seem to enjoy the cat fish
fries.*G*

Gig, if you'd like to come up and spend
some time fishing the Santee Cooper Lakes,
we could boast a total of Two (2) fly
flingers on some of the best warmwater
fishing you'll find anywhere.*G* Warm
regards, Jim

[backbeach]

Be grateful that they aren't using dynamite and electric shocks...

[This message has been edited by backbeach (edited 03 April 2005).]

[Gigmaster]

backbeach Be grateful that they aren't using dynamite and electric shocks...
[This message has been edited by backbeach (edited 03 April 2005).]

They do sometimes....until they get caught.