Dirty Bird from Bill Strickland on Vimeo.

Join DRO for one of the most popular fly fishing schools in Western North Carolina.  In this school, participants will learn everything from casting techniques, knot tying, gear, and basic fly selections.  The second day is spent on the river with guides from DRO learning water safety, mending, and other techniques that can only be demonstrated on the water.  After lunch on day 2. you will break up into groups and enjoy an afternoon of guided fishing practicing what you have learned.   Cost is $325 per person. For more information or to sign up call 1( 888) 861.0111.

Class Dates: April 24th – 25th at 8am

Early spring brings a lot of life to the streams of WNC, not only fishermen but insects and increased metabolism in the trout. Here are some helpful tips to make the most of your next early spring trip.

1. While the fish are far more active than they have been in the last couple of weeks the water is still really cool (ok almost cold). Fish are still lethargic in the morning and evening hours. So fish slow and do not be in a big hurry.
2. Rising fish (or what we perceive to be rising fish) are often eating emerger’s just under the surface of the water rather than duns. Before casting to the rise with a dry fly look to see if the fishes head is breaking the surface or if it is his back. I was fishing with Dave Hughes last week when we encountered rising fish we switched flies to a dry and no takers about 5 minutes later we switched to a soft hackle pheasant tail with no shot and fished just below the surface and caught a lot of nice fish.
3. Mid day is still more productive than early morning and late evening. For at least the next couple of weeks the fish will still prefer to feed in the middle part of the day when the water is at its warmest. Once the water reaches 52 and stays there overnight then the fishing will be good in the early morning.
4. For at least the next couple of weeks dark colored flies will out produce light colored flies. Typically I fish a lot of Parachutes Adam’s, Pheasant Tail’s, Kevin’s Stoneflies, and dark colored caddis or small black stimulators.
5. Fish larger tippets, and land more fish. In the spring the fish have had the winter off and the water flows are generally higher. SO fish have to make an immediate decision eat the bug or watch it go by. I have always fished higher tippet sizes in the spring because of this, usually 4-5x. With the advances that have been made in fluorocarbon tippets I can even do a larger size. Last year I never fished any tippet smaller than 5x fluorocarbon and have found my self fishing 3-4x fluorocarbon and catching more fish because I am not breaking fish off as much as I did with the lighter tippets

Fly Fishing for Steelhead from Jeff Layton on Vimeo.

flyfishing in catalonia from néstor palou hidalgo on Vimeo.

Below are five tips for you to use when you arrive to your favorite spot and can not seem to figure out what to use or what the fish are feeding on.

1. If fish feed under or around the trees only after the wind blows then the fish are feeding on ants or inchworms that are being blown out of the trees. If they are feeding under the trees and there is no wind or when the wind is not blowing they are feeding on flying insects, i.e. beetles or bees.
2. While approaching the stream check the bushes and spider webs for any insects. Are there any mayflies trapped in the spider webs? Are there any caddis flies flying out of the bushes when you shack or bump into them. Are there any stonefly cases on the rocks or logs? 
3. What are the weather and water conditions, as a general rule you should fish bright colored flies on bright days and dark colors on gray overcast days. Example: blue wing olives are more active on gray overcast days and hoppers are more active on warm sunny days.
4. Never under estimate the power of the STONEFLY. Stoneflies have a three year life span in the stream and are available to trout everyday of the year. They are also very poor swimmers and are very vulnerable to trout in times of high water. When nothing else works a stonefly will usually catch a few fish. Remember that stoneflies live in clear fast water on the bottom under rocks, so your fly should be fished near or on the bottom.
5. Keep adding weight to your fly. A lot of times in warm weather or when fish are inactive they lay on or near the bottom of the river. Keep adding weight to your fly until you start catching fish or you are continually hanging on the bottom. Inactive fish are as lazy as some humans and will only move a couple of inches to take advantage of a free meal.
6. *Bonus Tip* Remember when the fish will not cooperate you can always go have an ice cold beer.