Foscoe Fishing Company Blog - Fishing Tales
Disclaimer: All fishing tales related herein may be whoppers. Telling the classic “tall tale” when it comes to fishing is an art and we are proud of being good story tellers. We reserve the right to add an inch or two to measurements of caught fish using advanced, hard to catch photo software enhancements. All customers who attend classes or guided trips will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement stating they will not make truthful statements about the 12″ fish we caught when it was really only 6″. Thank you for your cooperation, and come back to see us again soon!
Korkers-Guide-Wading-Boots
These days making a wading boot purchase can be a difficult decision. There are tons of options out there. Many of them offer a felt soul bottom but most new models are only offering a rubber sole due to the possibility of outlawing felt on some waters.
After searching for my next boot i finally decided on the Guide Boot from Korkers. This boot offers several nice features that I have found to be beneficial. First, they are very lightweight. Second, they have a very unique Boa lacing system that integrates a very strong, thin reel and cable system. This allows the boot to be laced in seconds by turning the crank on the tongue of the boot clockwise. More importantly, taking them off at the end of a long day is even easier! Just pull up on the crank and you’re out!
Thirdly, these boots offer an interchangeable sole system offering the possibility of up to six different soles. These come in felt and rubber, studded and non studded. Changing them is easy and this allows the angler to change the boot based on the river or stream conditions! For more information contact Foscoe Fishing at 828-963-6556.
The cure for Cabin Fever
Winter can be a good time to trout fish. The key to winter fishing is to put the fly on the trout’s nose. The trout are not going to expend much energy going after food in cold water.
They will eat but the food must be right in front of them. Read the water to determine where a trout might be holding and then present a nymph fished deep so that it drifts to the fish’s level.
There can also be some good dry fly fishing on certain days. Use a small dark midge pattern again presented so that it drifts directly over the trout. Another good thing about winter fishing is that there are fewer anglers on the water so the fish are under less pressure.
Bluelining (Using maps to find trout streams)
I see trout!
When looking for new places to fish one of the best ways is scouting (also called bluelining because of the little blue lines on the map). Scouting is simply getting some good maps that show streams and then checking out the creeks. A good map will show you the elevation where the stream starts.
If you are wanting to catch wild brook trout, look for where the streams start and fish the headwaters. If you are looking for larger water, look for a stretch downstream and give it a try.
One important thing to remember is that the Wildlife Resources Commission does not designate every stream. Even if a stream is not designated, give it a try. Most of the area streams hold some trout.
Winter Equipment Check
Don't let this happen to you!
When the winter weather keeps you indoors, it is a good time to get your equipment ready for spring. One really important item to check is your fly line.
Dirty line does not cast or float as well as clean line. Your can clean it the hard way by washing it in some water with a mild detergent and then rinse it in clean water or you can use a commercial line cleaner.
If you use line cleaner you reduce the process to one step and the product adds a slick finish for better casting. If you inspect your line and it is frayed or cracked, it is time to replace it. Take care of it now before it becomes a problem in the spring.
Fishporn, the answer to winter blues!
Fly Fishing Videos are the key to making it through the days when you just can’t get outside and wet a line. In recent years fly fishing videos have gotten better and better. Both the quality of the video and the material is amazing. The popularity of fly fishing film festivals is definitely helping as well.
Here are a few of our favorite DVD’s: Rise, Drift, Nervous Water, Trout Bum (part 1 and 2) and Fish Bum to name a few. Don’t forget about the great educational videos, there are several fly tying instructional videos as well as videos targeting specific species and techniques.
So when you have the winter blues grab the latest fly fishing dvd or call the shop order one and we’ll ship it to your door. Also, don’t forget about the many free videos available on our site. Thanks and Tight Lines!
Winter Delayed Harvest Tips
Finally we have a break in the arctic weather, the rivers are thawing and the fish are hungry. After a month of the coldest weather I have ever seen in the mountains the Watauga Delayed Harvest has finally thawed enough to make a cast into the water, not on to the ice.
One good thing about all this cold weather and ice is the pressure on the fish has been non-existent which means the fish will not be quite as selective. Try bigger patterns, something that will catch their attention. Imagine yourself sitting in 30 degree water your not going to want to move for something unless its worth it! Behind that big fly you can put your killer, a small bluewing nymph or a midge larva or whatever deadly fly you have found to work in the past.
The fish sit deep this time of year so don’t be afraid to drag bottom. Adjust your indicator constantly so you have your flies at the right depth. Find depressions in the river bottom where they can get out of the heavy current and congregate.
I hope these suggestions help out and if they don’t make sure and go by the shop and complain to the management.
Good luck and happy hunting, Matt
Winter fly tying
Winter offers many opportunities for some of the years best fishing but some days I would honestly rather be inside. Its on these days that I like to prepare for the next fishing trip by tying flies! Finish reading this fishing tale >>
Winter Fishing
Its cold, none of us can feel our hands, the guides on our rods keep freezing, and none of us would change a thing. Winter is one of our favorite times to hit the water. Finish reading this fishing tale >>
Fishing on the Watauga River
Yesterday I fished the Delayed Harvest section of the Watauga river on the Hwy 105 section. The fishing was good and we caught a couple of 16+ inch fish. We caught most of the fish on nymphs like pheasant tails in size 14-16 and hares ears in the same size.
We were dropping small zebra midges size 18-22 and micro mayflies in 18-20 and they were producing fish as well. We found a couple of rising fish that were eating small BWOs size 16-20. It was a good day on the river.
Favorite Brook Trout Streams
Last night we left the shop early to get some fishing in on one of our favorite brook trout streams. Being wild fish, these little fellas were not very picky.
After tying on a size 16 caddis pattern with some CDC wings I didn’t change flies till I caught a nice rhododendron bush. The fish were eager to rise as long as they didn’t see me.
The brookies are starting to get their spawning colors, and in some of the pools it was like looking into a tropical aquarium. All in all it was a great afternoon on one of my favorite streams.
