Detours

[gaspergou]

I had to run some errands yesterday, which involved a lot of driving, a quick stop by 3 Rivers (have I mentioned how lucky we are to have so many good fly shops within a couple hour drive?), and a wee bit of fishing up in the hills.

What seemed like "a bit out of the way" turned into a long, slow and winding detour, involving a Blount County deputy who took the time to find out exactly how fast I wasn't getting anywhere. Thanks, that was most helpful.

I was mighty glad to get feet in water, and things started looking up.


particularly the trout. The stimi that was too big last weekend was just the right size...


I moved upstream into a tornado-hit area, and the average size bumped up. Seems like the debris field has been keeping the rif raf out


…or maybe it was these guys? Hopped over a log and this cutie was ambushing mice on the other side. She crawled under the rock before I could get a decent photo.


All in all better than my last couple stops by the big river at home, which have been uniformly crappie... but still better than being at my desk.

[Fred Mertz]

Looks like a tough go around all those downed trees.
But, it paid off for you.
Nice crappie, too.

[MikeA]

Careful Dave this place will suck you in, take all your money, beat you half to death, then spit you out back in your office on monday, dreaming of a way to come back.

Nice Copperhead BTW.

[Steve H]

Looks like some good times Dave. Watch out for those snakes. 

[bee]

I suspect you do know that the area where l reckon you were fishing is about the copperhead capital of the southern mountains. Especially this month. Not trying to dissuade you from going in there at all but just saying be very very mindful of everywhere you put your hands and feet. Beautiful streams back in the hinterlands of these mountains.