DRO announces our 2012 EURO Nymphing Class with Bill Strickland on Saturday June 9th 2012.

This one day class is designed to give you a better understanding of various nymphing techniques such as Czech/Polish Nymphing, French/Spanish Nymphing. In this class, you will learn how to select the proper rod, building leaders for each nymphing technique, knot tying, casting principals, fly selections for each technique, and how to read water so that you know when to use the appropriate techniques to maximize your fish counts. On the water demonstrations will be on the Davidson River Private Water so bring your waders!

Class will begin at 9 AM and end at 4 PM. Cost is $125 per person.

Mike McGee holding up a couple of his 30 fish day with Bill Strickland on an early summer float trip. Starting June 4th we will be floating the Tennessee Tailwaters and taking advantage of cold water and lots of dry flies. If interested in learning more about floating the S. Holston or Watauga Rivers give us a call in the shop.  1 – 888- 861 – 0111

The stage is set for the 2011 US Flyfishing National Championships hosted in Cherokee, North Carolina May 19 – 22 2011. Check the link below for more information.

www.usnffc.com

Rise Fishing Company came into town last week to demo their new line of flyfishing rods. Teamed up with guides Walker Parrott and Bill Strickland they set out to fish the famous Davidson River. The day was full of excitement, lots of fish, and sun which is something we have been lacking here lately. For more information about the Rise Fishing Rods check out their website at www.risefishing.com

With periods of warm fronts beginning to move through the area it gives us hope that  Spring is near. If you get a chance to head out to your local lake look for bass moving to their pre spawn staging areas.  Water temps are starting to climb up into the mid 50?s so bass will begin staging on primary lake points as they begin their move to the spawning grounds. These areas are points that are close to the main channel of the lake or the mouth of a large cove.  Points that have added structure are a bonus because fish will tend to migrate to these areas as they offer opportunities to ambush shad and bream that are staging for their spawn as well.  Target the sides of the points that have the deepest drop offs. These areas allow for the bass to drop into deeper water if water temps begin to fluctuate due to the ever changing pressure systems that spring can bring.  The most effective patterns are craw-fish jigs and firetiger crank baits that imitate the staging bream. If you are fishing in stained water always keep a spinner bait close by.  As the water temps begin to warm up follow these bass to the secondary points of the lake until they reach the flats in the back of the coves and the mouth of the creeks. Here they will begin their spawn so give them a chance to spawn and then follow them back out to the deeper water where they will stage for the warm Summer months.

The 2011 Southeast Regional Fly Fishing Tournament was held this past weekend in the Nantahala National Forest. DRO Guide Bill Strickland finished 6th over all and will be the #2 seated angler to represtent the Southeast in the National Flyfishing Championships  which will be held in Cherokee, North Carolina.  This tournament is scheduled for  May 19th through May 22nd and will host the top 30 anglers in North America.  Stay tuned for more information.

2011 Southeast Regional Top 10

1. Randy Hanner          Team USA

2. Anthony Naranja          Team USA

3. Kurt Finlayson        Team USA

4. Josh Stephens          Team USA

5. Chris Lee          North Carolina

6. Bill Strickland          North Carolina

7. Cory Roberts          Georgia

8. Brian Katzenmair        North Carolina

9. Paul Bourcq          North Carolina

10. Kevin Lowe         Tennessee