I did get up to Helen after Christmas for a combo 23rd wedding anniversy and a day of fishing. Had planed on fishing the hooch through town Sunday afternoon after arriving, picked a hotel close to the river
, and Tuesday before leaving but the wind was just a bit strong for that.
Sunday I got to spend a good amount of time and money at the Unicoi Fly Shop as well as talking with co-owner Jimmy Harris. They had a great sale going on and I got money for Christmas
. Jimmy said that they do travel and would be glad to come and speak to the chapter and do their program. Be a great chance for some pre FFF conclave meeting fishing tips
.
I fished Smith Creek Monday from 7:30am-2:30pm, only caught 1 fish but had a great time. The water was running about normal from what I got from some of the guys fishing, most not real talkative. Still it was alot different than what I have fished before (Sipsey, Elk, Caney Fork and the Upper Chattahoochee Rivers) shallow, between ankles and knees, and fast in most places. There wasbplenty of streamside cover so very little casting and mostly sidearm slinging and high sticking it. Most all recaommendations from NGTO, Unicoi guides and fellow fishermen was lead, lead, lead. Most rigged an indicator (thingamabobbers out numbered the other options) then lead then a heavy streamer (mostly beaded woolies) then a tiny (18-22) midge, egg pattern or Y2K.
I tied up some small beaded nymphs for the trip, wrapped lead from bead to bend then covered with either olive or tan dubbing. After going through (trying, only lost 1) all the ones from the shop I switched to an olive Squirrel fly that ended up landing my one and only bow of the trip.
Here are a few pic's and a video from my cell phone.
