Went trout fishing at Citico today

[10-Ring]

I grew up fishing in middle Tennessee and never had much experience with trout.  I've spent a good amount of time off and on the past few years trying to learn how to catch trout.  Seems there is a learning curve for me, I'm still having fun with it though.  Only brought home 1 today but had 3 get off the hook just before I reeled them to me.  Also caught a couple of small mouth, a red eye, and about a dozen suckers, oh and 2 turtles. 

 

Funny thing is I've noticed a pattern over the past few years.  I'll go fishing one day when I haven't been in months and all of th sudden I'm hooked.  I peel off anytime I have a little extra time and get some fishing in.  I think about fishing all the time, it's like a disease, and then it just goes away for a year or two, then I'll be at it again.  I'm just discovering Citico and it's about 40 minutes from the house but it has bit me hard this time.

[RED333]

Man I aint wet a hook in years, no time when I think about fishing, used to carry a pole all the time.

I have to get to fishing, I miss it.

Glad you are having fun, that what it is all about.

[Joe357]

When I lived in Maryville, I would flyfish on the citico creek a few times a week. It was a blast. If I am not mistaken it is stocked weekly with trout. I still miss fishing there even after 11 years. Good thing I found some good spots on the caney or I would be making weekly road trips. Edited June 18, 2014 by joe45

[10-Ring]

They stock it on Thursdays and/or Fridays.  I really want to learn how to fly fish.  I've been fly fishing for bream and bass since I was about 7 years old but I don't understand the techniquies used for trout, plus fly selection and all that.  

[peejman]

A coworker fishes up there regularly.  There are some really big trout in there.  He hooked one about 14" long but dropped it trying to land it in the rocks. He said it was so big he thought the line was hung on a tree underwater... until the tree started moving.  I'd like to learn to fly fish as well.

[JPS]

I really want to learn how to fly fish.  I've been fly fishing for bream and bass since I was about 7 years old but I don't understand the techniquies used for trout, plus fly selection and all that.  

 

I decided many years ago that I wanted to learn how to fly fish, so I picked up a copy of this: 'Curtis Creek Manifesto: A Fully Illustrated Guide to the Stategy, Finesse, Tactics, and Paraphernalia of Fly Fishing'.  It's a large format soft cover book, illustrated with cartoon-type drawings. It has all the information you need to teach yourself the basics. (Currently it's $8.42 from Amazon.)

 

I am completely self-taught, and yet I've stood shoulder-to-shoulder on blue ribbon trout streams with fishermen who have paid big money for to attend fly-fishing 'schools' who have asked me for advice.  (I recommended they get a copy of this book.)  

 

I still keep a copy in the back pocket of my fishing vest, and presented a copy to my sons along with their first fly rods.  

[10-Ring]

Thank you very much, I'll check that out for sure.

[Krull]

Things to remember about fly fishing

 

-80% of what you hear is BS and usually somoene trying to get you to buy something.

-You dont need a 1000 dollar rig (trout dont care if you are casting a Orvis Helios 2 or a Pflueger from walmart)

-you dont have to understand the 450 million different fly patterns to catch trout (you need to know about 5 drys and 3 nymphs and ONE midge)

-you do need to understand at least what is hatching the time of the year you are fishing and to a certain extent and what size that bug is (a little entomology)

-follow the  Curtis Creek Manifesto as JPS has stated (its so easy a 5 year old could do it)

-Watch the movie Low and Clear and be like Xenie 

-you dont have to be able to cast a perfect loop at 60 feet to catch fish

-dont let your fly drag in the current

-if you arent catching fish -- throw something SMALLER

-Dont fish the same drift if your not catching fish .... you will continue not to catch fish (think of the definition of insane)

-you need to learn 3 knots....

-ignore liberals who tell you to keep it low impact -- they dont catch many fish

 

 

buy

Waders - stocking foot <-if you want to fish tailwaters or early and late in the year for creeks, if not wet wading will be fine mostly

Boots - Felt (these are like driving 4x4s while wading, unless you are a commie, they will bitch about cross contamination, introducing invasive species of bugs and plants..if your a commie then wear vibram sole.. bust you a$$ and end your fly fishing career early...but hey, you didn't introduce any new bugs or plants to the area so its ok)

Fly box

Wading socks for wet wading

Quick dry clothing

rod and reel 5wt good all around for here (tfo has some good rods for cheap and they have lifetime unconditional warranties so when you break one swatting at a hornets nest they will replace no questions asked)

 

tippet and leaders 4x to 5x or 6x strength good all around for here

 

Terminology you need to know 

Square Tails or Specs (often called brook trout or brookies by yankees ... but these are not trout at all...they are Char and are the only NATIVE species of so called Trout to the area)

Brownies -- Brown Trout

Bows -- Rainbow Trout

F&&& me SOB MF...-- what comes out of your mouth when you wear Vibram and not Felt

 

 

Up to you but.......

at least a 454 casull  (ruger alaskan will do) to carry as a sidearm for bears and banjos. <-- this is optional but highly recommended

 

 

 

 

 

 

that will about do it

 

:)

 

 I fly fish all over east tn, southwest va and western nc about every weekend between feb and the end of october (anytime that isn't Duck Whacking time) and would be more than happy to help anyone who really WANTS to learn

Edited January 3, 2015 by Krull

[runco]

Posting to remember.