Been along dry spell for me, last time I wet a line was May 9th, (that's a long time for someone who fishes couple times or more weekly) only then because a young lad from nights offered to give us day shifters a break. Way to many days at work, Yoda has forgotten what I look like.
I'm on vacation or would have had to worked some this week, maybe the 20 days on, one day off stuff is behind me, money was great but I like a little balance in my life.
Took the wife and young lad, zip lining, rafting the Nantahala, Dixie Stampede (food was good and the cowgirls were HOT)
I took my new Smokies "if you fall on it so what rod" TFO Finesse 7'9" #3 with a TFO Prism reel, loaded it with the awesome RIO Gold WF3 line. Really like the rod.
First time since 1985 that I didn't have a camera with me, hard to believe for a guy that would strap on a Nikon F3 before I strung up the rod.
Water was great for this time of year, minimal insects in the air, plenty of nymphs on the smooth surfaces of the rocks.
Started out with a Garcia's Mini Hot, just like in photo, though it should work, didn't get a good look, just bumps form stuff that had the desire but not the mouth size.
http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/uploads/DSCN0225.jpgHad to work for the ones I got, lots has changed since 1985 when I first fished the Smokies, could walk onto a rock, see a fish and cast to it, watch it take, not these days. Funny thing, the ole timers would tell you where to go and what to use, but said the fishing ain't like it use to be, I thought it was great, which it was, nothing back then to have a 50 fish day on a slow day. I'd hate to have experienced their good ole days
Same fly worked for me that saved the trip to Yellowstone for Tom and I in 2009, black beetle.
Was good to get the funk off the rod hand.
