Orvis Warehouse Sale in Charlotte.

Today, I went to the Orvis sale at the Metrolina Fair Grounds in Good ol' Charlotte. I was the first one in the warehouse as soon as they opened the doors at 9:00 AM. I scurried to the waders and picked up two pairs of Tailwaters XT waders for $39 each. They are $329 each when purchased from Orvis and not on sale. Wow, I saved about $600!

Trout Fishing Ethics.

It is our responsibility to leave the resources and the pristine outdoors no worse off for our being there, and to respect the rights of others as well. Here are a few rules to follow.

First, the Law:

Always purchase a valid trout fishing license as these fees help to maintain the trout population.
Take time to understand and adhere to the regulations as they are there to enhance the fishery.

If you keep the fish, pay close attention to catch limits.

Next, the Fish:

Practice catch & release with single barbless hooks.

Do not play the fish longer than necessary as it may exhaust the fish beyond recovery.

Wet your hands prior to holding the fish, the slime on the fish is needed by the fish to survive.

As you release the fish, slide the fish back and forth in the water to pass water thru his gills.

Next, about property:

Pack it in -pack it out: Do not leave trash behind, especially plastics, cans or dirty diapers.
Do not trespass on private land; always ask permission and obey the answer.
Respect the owner's property and do not break any fences or leave any gates open.

If in a public park, obey the rules and respect the rights of other.

Picturea are the courtesy of

Troutu web site.

Cold Weather Trout Fishing in NC

With the snow on the ground here in Charlotte NC as well as most areas of the South, We bundle up, gear up, and head out to fish! Fishing in the cold months is a great time to fish for larger, warier, brown trout. (As long as you're dressed for the weather.) Besides, it's a great way to beat the crowds. Check out the snow!

Giant Trout Caught by103 Year Old Man

One day while on the internet, I found a story about a 103 year old man who immigrated from England to New Zealand , where he caught the 4 pound trout. I am certain that I will not live to be 103, but if I do, I would most probably be curled up in a fetal position. Erik-King-Turner said this about trout fishing "I like the scenery and thinking about how to persuade the fish to take a fly." He also said "I eat everything you are not supposed to have." Imagine, living to 103, eating everything you are not supposed to have, and catching trout that weigh in at 4 pounds.

Trout Fishing Requires Stealth

I recently attended the Fly Fishing Show at Charlotte NC and heard some tips from the master fishermen. Here are some of the best tips:

1. Stay low and close to the water level. -remember a low profile is alwasy best.
2. Take advantage of big boulders, fallen trees, etc. to conceal your location.
3. If you are on the bank, blend in with the trees and rhodendrons as much as possible.
4. Be patient and move slowly.
5. Make your first cast your best cast.
NOTE: If you have a favorite tip that you would like to share, email me at jmaslar@troutu.com

Grandpa Joe was as full of tricks as a pet ‘coon.

As regular readers of this newsletter know, my paternal grandfather was in many senses a boy trapped inside an old man’s body. He only had two or three short years (six months or so each year) of formal schooling, and although literate, he barely merited the description.
Yet Grandpa Joe was as full of tricks as a pet ‘coon, so fiercely independent he would never work for another man (or listen to much advice from anyone), and an abiding source of intriguing information which an adoring grandson absorbed in sponge-like fashion.
Although I don’t know for certain, I doubt if Grandpa ever ventured as far as 200 miles from the place he was born. I do know for a fact that he figured the high country of the Smokies was about as close to an earthly heaven as anyone could imagine. On that score I happen to think he was exactly right.
Grandpa didn’t particularly care for February. He always maintained that it was the shortest month of the year because it invariably featured nasty, depressing weather. Also, it was a time of the year when Grandpa Joe was likely to be seized by what he described as “the miseries.” This was a catch-all term to describe his suffering from arthritis, general aches and pains associated with old age, and the sort of depression normally characterized as cabin fever. Mind you, Grandpa was too much of an optimist to let some pain leave him down in the dumps for long. Read more about Grandpa at Troutu.com.

Linville Gorge Not for Me!

This is the time of year that I fondly recall my trip down the Linville Gorge to do some winter trout fishing. We arrived at the trail head early in the morning with the frost still on the grass. As we started down the trail, I soon discovered that I was in "over my head" so to speak. There were ledges that were about five feet high, with no way around them, but straight down. I scraped my middle section (tummy) as I shimmied down the largest ledges. Then, I realized that, as I descended, it was so steep that my toes were constantly jammed against my boots. As a result, my toes were in great pain by the time I began to fish. At that point, I forgot about fishing, and began to concentrate on survival; and I promised the Lord that I would never return if he would graciously allow me to somehow survive.

After I reached the top, I surveyed the damage to my large toes and they were pitch black, darker that a hundred midnights in a cypress swamp. Needless to say, my toe nails did not survive, but later came off as I grew new ones. Now, to this day, whenever I go wear those trout fishing boots my toe nails turn black. What a reason to remember my trip to Linville Gorge! Later, I learned that there is a trail somewhat less severe, however, I do remember my covenant with the Lord as I sit by the fireplace.

Rhododendron are great for Trout

We took a little trip to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. this last weekend. primarily for the ladies to do some shopping, and we took our poles along as well. We fished the Little River on the Tennessee side of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. (I don't know why there is so much duplication in the spelling of Tennessee; I could eliminate 3 letters)

Winter fishing is not my best talent, however, we were not blanked. Of course, I could not help but notice the rhododendrons. God made rhododendrons and placed them near mountain streams to preserve the trout population. I discovered that the branches are just the right size to entrap the hooks, and the leaves are just strong enough to hold the hook from tearing out!