Gear: The Mayfly Kayak - Optimized for Fly Fishing.

Jackson Kayak Designs recently announced production of the Mayfly.  The Mayfly is a kayak optimized for the fly fisher.

From their press release:

This kayak will feature some great new fly fishing specific accessories and features like fly patches, fly rod and hidden fly box sized storage.

Kayak anglers will appreciate these MayFly features:

• Thoughtful design to aid in fly line management
• Longer length – 12’6” for increased speed and tracking
• Versatile hull design for flat and calm moving water fishing environments

• Increased width – 34” for enhanced stability while seated and standing, beginner-friendly
• New Elite Seat System with Hi-Low and Fore-Aft trimming for better comfort
• Rod tip tubes to protect gear
• New hinging hatches and footrest designed to be fly line friendly
• YakAttack track systems to add accessories and customize placement within reach
• Standing pad for comfort when sight fishing
• Standard accessories like RAM Mounts® fishing rod
• Designed to easily add on Power-Pole® accessories for customization

“Kayak fishing had matured to a point where there’s a kayak made specifically for nearly every fishing style and body of water – except fly fishing,” explained Jackson Kayak Brand Manager Damon Bungard. “There’s always something that got in the way. That time is over. As the specialty leader, we felt it was time to make a no-compromise fly fishing kayak with the features and performance demanded by both beginner and dedicated fly anglers. We’ve come up with a hull optimized to perform in still-water and in-shore conditions, prioritized stability for standing and casting and developed features focused on fly line management – like a snag-free footrest and hidden fly box compartments. The MayFly represents years of real-world experience kayak fly fishing all over the world, and says that yes, you too, may fly fish from a kayak.”

Jackson Kayak is located in Sparta, TN (near newly returned home, FlyfishMagazine contributor, Jay Moore) and the Caney Fork River where we all enjoy wetting a line.  

The Mayfly will be available in 2017 with a MSRP of $1,799

Obitufishuaries

Obitufishuaries

I regret to inform the loyal readers of Jay Moore, the now dearly departed and former Tennessee Editor of Flyfishmagazine.com, of his passing from the Caney Fork watershed. You may have noticed that his regular posting has been absent for some time and you may have attributed the absence to the erratic generation schedule at the Center Hill Reservoir Dam. That schedule has been affected by the repair of the dam and acerbated by the torrential rains occurring in the watershed over the last several weeks. It would take more than that to keep Jay out of his waders under normal circumstances.

I am sad to report that Jay left us at 8:00 AM sharp on Sunday, September 6. Jay was always very punctual, leaving behind Tammy his loving wife, two sets of waders and shoes, several fly rods and reels, and too numerous and lovingly tied flies to list here. The service commemorating his sad absence was private. The trout of the Caney Fork though invited were absent from the ceremony but in favor of his demise.

Even though we all knew the end was near, Jay had the courage to enter the river a week earlier on what we all knew would be his last trip. I had the privilege to accompany Jay on that bittersweet occasion. We fished the river near the settlement of Lancaster about a mile downstream from the dam. We reminisced over our many trips on our way to the river and chose a spot that would be easy to approach to make it more comfortable for Jay.

When we arrived about 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 6 there were two fisherman in the water who were preparing to leave and shared that they had been there for at least a couple of hours and the fish had been uncooperative. That news did not bother me as I was with Jay and Jay caught fish especially when no one else was catching fish. Even the power bait boys typically marveled at his ability.

At 6: OO PM we had not only failed to net a fish but had not even had a strike. Now Jay knows how to fish. He doesn’t go fishing as much as he goes catching. I’ve been with him when he loses count of his captures when the total is in the forties and we have been there only two hours. This afternoon was different. Jay kept changing flies; Wooly buggers, emergers, and nymphs. He would use each for a few minutes then change. He would try all of one color then repeat the order changing color. As always Jay was focused on the moment and not distracted by anything else, but after two hours the mink I saw working the shore threatened to turn into a skunk. I had never fished with Jay when he didn’t catch fish. I have, however, fished with Jay when I didn’t catch fish.

Then it happened, fish on. Jay’s rotation had just included a #18 gold Zebra midge. And a 10” brown was in his net. Jay said it was a 12” brown, but under the circumstances I agreed with him and tried not to sound patronizing. Nine more were to follow in close succession. Jay continued the rotation and landed rainbows, browns and brooks with the largest being a 15” rainbow. I personally think it was closer to 13”, but I withheld comment for the reason already stated. I on the other hand retrieved only five and finished with what Jay determined was a 19” brown which he actually had to net for me. I let him assist so that he could share the thrill of a large catch that I actually believe was at least 22”, but I accepted his measurement for the reason already stated.

So we bid Jay a fond farewell. He has been as excellent a friend as he has been a fisherman. I have been the recipient of not only several JayMoore flies (patent pending), but of many hours of enjoyment that could not have been duplicated in anyone else’s company. I shall miss him.
Jay, however, has gone to a better place, Columbia, South Carolina. At least that is what his boss told him. He accepted a transfer to the ProBuild facility in Columbia as operations manager. They needed someone with special talents and Jay has them in spades. I regret he is gone, but Tammy is looking forward to being there and Jay will do great in his new position. I particularly feel for the catfish, carp, and gar, how fun, who will soon feel the sting of a JayMoore fly (patent pending).

In his absence, I will try to keep you updated on the Caney as well as an occasion article on the Harpeth River. I will also try to get to the Buffalo River before winter.

Phil Duke, cub reporter

Franklin, Tn.

Editor's note: Jay Moore is not (as far as we know) Dead. He simply moved to S.C. If moving to S.C. evokes an Obiufisuary then we can't help but wonder what our recent move to the Garden State should evoke. Great work Phil - We look forward to hearing more from you about our favorite TN trout waters.

News: Fishkill on the Holston

Hold your breath and cross your fingers folks. Bad news from the Volunteer state. A according to an article on Timesnews.net, a spill of 7,100 pounds of diethyl ether int the river causing an "undetermined" number of fish to be killed

Valentine said diethyl ether dissolves in water, and except for the fish kill, the company doesn’t expect any additional environmental impact from the discharge

Tip of the breaking news hat to our friends from Hatch Hunters Fly Fishing Guide Service.

Get the Potato Pancakes Ready

Photo Courtesy TNSturgeon.org

We just found a whole new "brownline" opportunity for our Tennessee Editor, Jay Moore, Cumberland River Lake Sturgeon.

Watchable Wildlife
Tuesday April 14, 2009

Lake sturgeon scheduled for release into cumberland river near downtown Nashville
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will have its second release of lake sturgeon in the Cumberland River which will be held Friday, April 17 at Shelby Park near downtown Nashville. The event is open to the public and is set to begin at 11 a.m. at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center with a welcome, introductions, a brief history of lake sturgeon and comments from members of the organizations that are helping with the project. At 11:30, those in attendance will move to the Shelby Park Boat Ramp and the release will begin at 11:35 and is expected to take about 25 minutes to complete. The second major release follows the inaugural release of almost 1,100 lake sturgeon that were reintroduced to the Cumberland River in 2006 as part of a plan to duplicate the successful reintroduction of lake sturgeon into the upper Tennessee River near Knoxville.

Just be careful if you hook one. They are considered endangered and have some special guidelines:

Lake sturgeon are endangered in Tennessee and must be released. If you catch a lake sturgeon:
- Be as careful as possible not to harm the fish.
- Avoid holding lake sturgeon by their tails
- Remember that fish cannot breathe while they are out of the water.
- After release, please contact TWRA (your regional office or the Fish Management Division at 615-781-6575) to report your catch.

You will be asked to provide your name, address, and phone number and the following information about your catch:
-When and where you caught the lake sturgeon.
- The approximate length of the fish.
- What you were using for bait.

If you can take a picture without harming the fish, these are helpful also. In appreciation of your report, TWRA will issue a numbered Lake Sturgeon Certificate that features a color reproduction of a lake sturgeon drawn by renowned wildlife artist Joseph R. Tomelleri.
---TWRA---

New Video Fishing Report from Hatch Hunters

Josh McFadden and Kevin Lowe are a couple of hardcore fly fishermen and friends of FlyfishMagazine.com who run Hatch Hunter's Guide Service. Be sure to check them out if your fishing takes you looking for big browns on the South Holston. These guys are the real thing.

2.1.09 South Holston River
Kevin and I decided to hit the water on Sunday afternoon to try out some of the sections that had been closed for the spawn. The weather was absolutely perfect. They had been generating for a few hours in the morning so watch the schedule if you plan on coming up this week. We got there on falling water at the water was still colored. So the fishing was slow until the water finished dropping out then it was like someone flicked a switch on and the fishing was hot. The fly of the day was a small olive hare's ear. Good old stand by nymph for sure. These fish are ready to eat. I suspect we'll be back several times in the next couple of days. We just can't leave water this good alone. Here's a short video we made of the day. The fish are very colored up now as the rainbows get ready for their spawn.

Josh McFadden-Guide
http://www.hatchhunters.com/
guide@hatchhunters.com
(423)-367-8618

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

New East Tennessee Fishing Report

Randy Ratliff of the Troutfisher's Guide Service sends us this week's fishing report from East Tennessee.

Hello everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday season. I was able to spend time with family and friends celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year. We had a great year last in 2008 and I want to thank all those who took trips with me. I am looking forward to another good year for 2009 as well.

I am back to guiding and booking trips as Troutfishers Guide Service once again. There will be no changes in where we will be able to take you on your trips, local wades trips in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee or float trips on the Tennessee Tailwaters.

I am also pleased to announce that I am affiliated with Eddie Wyatt’s Fly Shop of Tennessee. Eddie and his crew, Major Mike, Hutch, and Mike J. are a great bunch of guys. Make sure to give them a call or stop by for all you’re fishing and tying needs. I will be doing various casting and tying class/demonstrations at the fly shop throughout the year so be sure to check the fishing report on my website for details.

We are already booking trips for the 2009 season, especially during the Watauga Tailwater caddis hatch. The caddis have started their emergence around April 9th for the last several years, running through Mothers Day on into the first of June. Be sure to give me a call and get your caddis hatch trip on the calendar before the dates disappear. The smallmouth guys are booking up their trips as well. Pound for pound a smallmouth is the best fighting freshwater fish out there. Of course one of my clients, Mark Murphy might disagree. He caught a nice 9-½ pound blue channel cat while on a smallie trip. Don’t forget about our overnight river camping smallmouth trips. I will be putting more info about this on my website.

The South Holston browns are through spawning. It was a sight to see all those big beautiful browns doing their spawning dance. Many nice fish ranging from mid twenties to just over forty inches were caught and released this year.

We are now seeing the BWO’s as the predominant hatch on both the Watauga and South Holston tailwaters. We have been throwing a size 18 to 22 BWO emerger we call the “Down & Dirty”.

Have you wanted learn how to fish those small size 22 to 30 blackfly and midge dries, come book a trip and let me unlock the secrets of this type of fishing. We have been having good days with plenty of average trout and a few good ones thrown in. The best so far on a size 26 dry with 7x tippet has been a 19 ½ inch brown. It is not as intimidating as you would think.

We will be attending two fly fishing shows this year. I will be in the Temple Fork Rods booth at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Festival being held January 24th & 25th in the Gwinnett Center. Be sure to stop and say hello. Our second show will be the Kentuckianna Fly Show being put on by the Derby City Fly Fishers in Louisville, Kentucky on January 31st. I will be giving one of the many seminars available at the event. I will be speaking about smallmouth fishing tips and techniques. We will have the Brookie Skiff boat on display in the booth. I am proud to say that I helped my guide partner Nes help build this beautiful boat last winter. Check out Derby City Fly Fishers website for more details and directions to the convention center www.derbycityflyfishers.com

Well until next month, tight lines and bent rods.

TWRA Advisory Issued in Tennessee Ash Spill

Via a press release from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the TWRA:

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) advises until further notice that fishing should be avoided in the lower section of the Emory River, and that existing advisories for Watts Bar should be followed. In the Clinch River arm of Watts Bar, which would include the lower Emory River, there is a fish consumption advisory against eating striped bass and a precautionary advisory for catfish and sauger. A precautionary advisory means that children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should not consume the fish species named. All other persons should limit consumption of the named species to one meal per month.

Beginning the week of January 5, TWRA will be collecting bass and catfish and comparing fish tissue results to existing data for those species. TWRA expects to resample on a semiannual basis, probably January and October, and will evaluate findings with the other resource agencies. TDEC will issue advisories if fish tissue contaminant levels exceed protection criteria.

Alert: Ashey Arsenic Abounds...

The EPA Sampling results from sediment surrounding the Clinch River coal ash spill are starting to trickle in and the news is not good. Arsenic levels came in at well over 100 times the allowed limit.

If their latest update is any indication, this might come as a surprise to the TVA who operates the plant where the spill occurred. According to their website previous third party testing had indicated that arsenic was not a major issue in the ash.

"Total Arsenic results were slightly above the average naturally - occurring background soil concentration for Tennessee; however, total arsenic levels are below levels found in soils that are well fertilized. Also, the TCLP results for arsenic were significantly below the TCLP limits to be classified as a hazardous waste"

More information is available via the EPA website.

Clean Coal Calamity Clouds Clinch

Business trip

Tuesday afternoon I took a break from my day job to get in a little fishing with my friend Phil , Randy and Jackie from Honest Abe Log homes. Since we both had customers with us, this was strictly a business deal. Randy had some experience with a fly rod but this was Jackie's first experience. I intended to take a lot of pictures but we had some tangle issues that occupied my time. While we didn't catch any fish that required a photo, we did all manage to land some fish. The newcomers did a great job and we hauled in about 50 fish as a group. We caught rainbows, browns and brookies and some fish went 13-14 inches, but most were on the small side. Most of the fish were caught on midges and thin mints and we had a great time. All were returned to the river so we can try to catch them again next time. Thanks to Phil for setting up the trip and I think we all look foward to the next "business trip".

Jay Moore: Tenn. Tailwater Slam

While we were out carping FlyFishMagazine.com Middle Tennessee Editor, Jay Moore was busy catching.

Saturday Aug. 16th I had the opportunity to fish the Caney Fork river in Middle Tn. The Caney has become even more popular since the introduction of brook trout to the river this year. People are coming from all over for the chance to catch a brown, a rainbow, and a brookie all in the same day. Saturday was the first time since February that I could fish my favorite spot before generation.
When I got to the river it was still dark, so I tied on a size twelve thin mint by the light of the cargo lamp on my truck and carefully made my way out to a fallen tree that has always produced fish. Before it was light enough to change flies, I had hooked and landed 15 fish. The first three were a brown, brook, and a rainbow in that order. I would like to think I planned it that way, but it was just dumb luck. The brook trout are growing rapidly and are a blast to catch. If you have never caught a brookie, you can expect a lot of jumps and tail walking and in general, a good fight despite their size.
I ended up with 43 fish landed in a little over three hours of fishing. All were caught on a thin mint or a size 16 zebra midge in black or blue. That's the most I have ever hauled in in one day. By 9:30 the water was coming up and it was time for me to go. In middle Tn. we are truly fortunate to have access to some beautiful rivers and some great fishing. If you ever come this way, look me up and we'll give it a try.

J. H. Moore

South Holston River Float

Lazy / Busy Friday

I am still catching up from this week's trip to Bristol, VA so I haven't been able to post a lot in the last few days. One of the reasons I have been so busy is that my day job "required" that I take a team building float trip down the South Holston River (with free beer no less). Now that's my idea of a way to maximize corporate team spirit!

I'll have photos of the 40+ fish afternoon high water float in the very near future along with the result of a field test of Thingamabobber strike indicators. We caught lots of smallish rainbows and some bigger brown trout on nymphs and (after a big rainstorm came through) a hideous pink San Juan worm.

I also got a ringside seat as a brown trout that was at least 30 inches did the 40 yard dash an inch below the surface while trying to chase down an 8 inch rainbow for his supper. Awesome day on the river.

Jay Moore's Concise Tennessee Fishing Report

Many of you may know that our Middle Tennessee Editor, Jay Moore, is a Texican and thus not one to be long on words. He sends a fishing report in his usual fashion:

Jay-25
Phil-5

Brookies on the Caney

FlyFishMagazine.com's Tennessee troutmeister, Jay Moore will have a few thousand new opportunities on his favorite tailwater, the Caney Fork. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission recently stocked Brook trout in Jay's home waters. From an article in the Tennessean.com

An estimated 4,800 brook trout were released Thursday with 25,000 more expected in the weeks to come, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

The stocking of the third trout species isn't an effort to restore an ecosystem, but rather a recreational and economic plum for the angling world that's taking advantage of a situation unlikely to change any time soon.

"We'll actually have bigger brook trout here than you can catch anywhere in the mountain streams," he said, adding food is limited in the high reaches of East Tennessee where some are found.

Dude, Looks like you have a leak...

We sighted this awesome sculpture by David Phelps in downtown Knoxville, Tn. We were battered and bleary eyed after seven hours of a deposition so we failed to snap a camera phone pic. We found this one via http://www.alpar.com/knoxville/.

Proposed Interstate brings opposition

The Stop I3 Coalition opposes a proposed interstate highway that would connect Chattanooga, TN with Asheville, NC by going right through the middle of several southern Appalachian mountain trout streams.

The road would cross many high quality streams including trout streams and streams feeding into Fontana Lake, Lake Santeelah, and the Valley River.

Several area chapters of Trout Unlmited have joined with the Stop I3 Coalition to voice their concerns.

Jay Moore catches fish, decries editorial fishing advice

Saturday Jan. 5th I got the opportunity to try the Caney Fork river in Middle Tn. I was fishing by myself this trip and got to the river about 20 minutes before sunrise. It was cold, overcast and rain was in the forecast, in other words, perfect conditions to have the river mostly to myself.

I tied a size 20 zebra midge on with the help of my headlights and headed to my favorite spot. I tied the small midges the night before because my editor refers to the flies (midges) I typically use as freakishly large. I hooked up with two nice trout very quickly and had a few strikes then the activity stopped. I switched to a woolly bugger and landed two more fish, but the action could not be described as hot and heavy. After two hours and four fish I switched back to my trusty size 16 (editor's note: they look more like 12's to me) zebra midge that I tie with a copper wrap. I was drifting the midge beneath a grasshopper dry fly and things changed quickly. With this set up I was able to reach the fish holding in the shallow waters near the banks and to make a long story short; an hour and a half and twenty four more fish, I loaded up my gear including my freakish flies and headed to the recliner.

I’ll take a 30 fish day anytime even if I am fishing with all the wrong flies.

Fly Fishing Smokies Style - Jim Shepherd

Yesterday's article about fly fishing the Smokies by Jim Shepherd appears to be your standard fishing article fare but dig into it and you will find some great one liners.

"Once, when I flicked an effortless cast out and then realized I'd hung my line in the tree, Tony smilingly looked at me and said "they don't usually roost until closer to dark."

and...

"So I put my attention on the task of landing my first fish of the day and cranked away. My reward? A small trout. Really small. So small that his parents probably have reported me to the trout police as a child molester."

Drought worse on big trout in the Smokies

This article on Knoxville, TN television station WVLT's website says that big fish are taking the brunt of the drought in the Great Smoky Mountians National Park.

"What we found actually is the numbers of fish per mile were actually a little better than average this year. What we didn't see is bigger fish," said Bob Miller, spokesman for the National Park."

It might be a while before things get back to normal.

"If we saw natural or normal water conditions again this fall, we'd be back at a normal size distribution in about two years," said Miller

On another note, the same article has a quote from a visitor to the GSMNP that caught our eye:

"We got bites and I caught two trout that size, honest to God. And one that was eating the worm. I didn't even get him on my hook," said Busick.

We can only hope that if he was fishing in the park he was using an artificial worm.