This past Saturday I had finally been issued a day off from all fly shop and guide duties. Like any other guide, I found myself replacing worn leaders, cleaning the truck, and of course dropping the boat in the water for another day of fishing. This time no clients just my wife and her little brother. Scattered thunderstorm have been the norm most every day here in Asheville and of course the French Broad was riding dirty as usual. The water had began to clear just enough to visualize where the bigger rocks were so i figured what the heck………………………lets go for it! 

 After 3 hours of stripping flies and only landing a few small fish I decided to break out the hardware. Within minutes we had landed our two biggest fish of the day. Full of excitement I turned the oars over to my lovely wife so that I could particiapte in the action………(It was my day off of course!)  I was able to make a few cast and land 3 fish just in time to begin banging  off the largest rocks in the river and coming to a dead stop on the only sand bar in the river. Being the good husband that I am, I took over the oars with a smile so that she could catch all the fish. The bite continued pretty consistantly until we ran out of a special soft plastic jig which seamed to be the only thing they could see.  Once we made it back to the truck the clouds started to darken and soon after the thunder began once again. If you are looking to get on the water for the smallmouth bite your are going to have to learn where to find the fish on dirty water. If you need help give us a call or check out Kevin Howell’s fishing report on our website www.davidsonflyfishing.com . Good luck on the water and take your wife fishing.