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September 2008

Newsletter of the Cohutta Chapter of

Lines from the Leader "RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED". Next time you see Jeff please thank Well October will be the ending of our fiscal year, him for his efforts to make this event special for so time seems to fly by faster these days than it used many people. to. It’s like when you are having great day fishing and before you turn around its time to go home. Ron Minick Well we all need to be thankful that we have been given the opportunity for those times that give us pleasure. It kind of makes you think back on how much you would have missed if you had never been introduced to and this chapter. A lot of us had someone that took the time to show us the different skills that it takes to catch the fish and enjoy the sport. I imagine a lot of you have filled that role. Think of the young people that our members touched during trout camp. In my business you are trained to think about the term “RETURN ON INVESTMENT", its amazing the enjoyment someone will receive due to your What’s Inside effort to help them. Tony gave me a report a couple of days ago on the service hours that our Lines from the Leader P. 1 chapter has put in this year. The total hours as of Calendar of Events P. 2 August 31 was 901, so by the time we record our Stream of the Month Reports P. 2 hours for Georgia Outdoor Days at the end of The Corner Chair P. 3 September we could easily reach 950 hours total September Guest Speaker P. 3 that you all have given to support our conservation GWFF October Meeting Announcement P. 3 efforts and trout fishing. Let me encourage you to Fly Tips P. 4 volunteer at Georgia Outdoor Days, the smiles that Fly Fishing Knots P. 7 you bring that the kids face as you play a part in Fly Line Design VS Fly Rod P. 8 helping them catch their first trout is invaluable. Jeff also has other positions that he needs help with so email him at [email protected] and see how you can help. When you look back at how many people this event has touched over the time that it has taken place, it certainly has brought a great

1 Stream of the Month Reports Calendar of Events August SOTM: Cumberland River th September 25 Cohutta Chapter Meeting Speaker Ken Griffin Fly Fishing for VETS We had a great turnout for the Cumberland River SOTM September 26th thru 28th SOTM Snowbird in August. We had about 13 people participate and the Camp Trip water levels were perfect for wading and floating. I think September 27th Unicoi SP Outdoor everyone caught fish and there were some 19” to 21” fish caught as well. The campground was very nice Adventure Day October 4th Gold Rush TU Family Cookout located right on the river; however, we did seem to have October 11th Coosa Valley TU Chili Cook- a bit of a skunk problem. But is hind-sight it made it all off the more enjoyable. I would like to thank everyone who October 23rd Cohutta Chapter Meeting participated and hopefully we can do it again next year. th October 25 SOTM Nantahala River DH November 8th NGTO Fall Fling September SOTM: Rattler Ford

Cohutta Chapter meets the 4th Thursday of the Join us September 26-28 for traditionally one of the best month at the Delkwood Grill 1 mile east of Hwy campout trips of the year. We have the same 75 on Delk Road in Marietta Georgia. Hope to streamside site reserved next to Santeetlah Creek in the Rattler Ford Campground of the Joyce Kilmer National Forest. It is only a 2-1/2 hour driving past Robbinsville, NC into one the largest stands of old growth trees in the Appalachian Mountains. Friday night’s dinner will be Cohutta Chapter #242 Officers cooked in the campsite by and still-to-be-determined President cook and will be after dark to allow for late arrivals. Ron Minick Phone 678-493-9574 There are plenty of tent sites and limited camper E-mail [email protected] spaces. Shower and indoor plumbing is nearby. Vice President Renee Williams Phone 770-942-1024 Saturday fishing will be a mixed bag depending on E-mail [email protected] water levels and temps. If too low and warm for the Treasure Santeetlah or lower Snowbird Creeks, there are other Ken Dye Phone 770-973-0751 E-mail [email protected] options that will be discussed at the meeting. Plan to Secretary bring typical nymphs, dries, streamers and terrestrials. Tony Rackie Phone 770-712-7231 But also bring bass bugs if you have them…you never Email [email protected] know. For those that want a full day hike past the lower First Cast Committee and TIC falls of the Snowbird, wild Brookie action can be Jeff Wilson E-mail [email protected] excellent. A small rod and dry flies is all you need. Stream of the Month Brian Shinall Phone 678-313-7593 Again, we will have a late dinner for the hikers. Don E-mail [email protected] Thomson will be hosting a cookout at his new house on Fisheries Development Committee the Snowbird River Saturday night. The menu includes Carl and Gavin Carson Phone 678-795-0270 steak and baked potatoes but bring your own cold E-mail [email protected] beverage. Don’s fire pit will be the site of Saturday’s Special Projects and Conservation Diane Minick Phone 770-855-6128 night activities. His house is about 15 minutes from the E-mail [email protected] campsite. Membership Committee Tony Rackie Phone 770-712-7231 Please e-mail Don Thomson if you plan to come for the Email [email protected] weekend: [email protected] or call with questions Web site Dan Mangrum Email [email protected] 678-296-5656 cell. Newsletter Publisher and Editor Thom Underwood Phone 404-414-1012 E-mail [email protected] Back the Brookie Program Bob Anderson E-mail [email protected]

Don’t forget to visit our Web Site at 2 www.tucohutta.org The Corner Chair equipment. It could be anything related to fly fishing, books, material & equipment, rods, reels, Membership Committee: (Tony Rackie) , vest, etc. I will be using the collected material for the guys & gals in the VA hospital in Atlanta. Membership: So if any of us have anything laying around, Sonny, this This month's chapter meeting will be the last one of would be a very good reason to get it out and bring it the 2008 fiscal year for our chapter. So far this year with you. I know I will be cleaning out the closets. I we have averaged about 25 at each meeting, out of would like to challenge our chapter to bring in a the 526 that are listed as members of our chapter. minimum of one thing to donate…..

If you have not attended for a while we hope that Orvis Atlanta is Moving! your schedule will permit you to join us so that you can meet and network with other chapter members. We will be moving to our 8,400 square foot location You will also get the latest info about the fall events towards the end of September. The new location is such as the Smoker, the chapter "Shrimp Boil” located 1 block north of our current location on fundraiser, and the plans for upcoming Steam of the Peachtree Rd., towards Lenox Mall on the old Joe Month fishing trips. Muggs property.

If you can not attend the September meeting please be sure to e-mail me with your service hours. Ga Women Fly Fishers October Program: [email protected] (Please indicate what category your time was spent in.) Guest Speaker

Year to date we have recorded the following service O’Neill Williams, Radio and TV host. hours: WSB AM 750 radio Conservation (restoration, protection or advocacy www.wsbradio.com projects) - 260 Topic: His favorite places to fish in Georgia! Fund raising - 66 Youth Education - 236 Meeting Date: October 13, 2008, Monday evening at General Education - 108 Delkwood Grill Travel - 63 Time: 6:30 PM for dinner and meeting starts at 7:00 with General Ops (Newsletter, Web, meetings) - 168 program to follow! Total - 901

This program should be a real honor to have him speak Thanks, Tony to our group. A note of thanks: Please remember, he was so kind to us with the Trout in I want to say thanks to Brian, Thom, Reg, and RT for the Classroom event and gave Don Thomson radio air the trip to the Cumberland River and for taking us with time to talk about our event.! you guys on the river. To those who have not been there before, it sure is a lot different than the Hooch and Please feel free to come to our meeting and enjoy the rivers around here... but there are some nice fish in that speaker. river.. Just ask these guys.. or Rob and Carl who are in the 20" club.

Thanks, Tony & Mike

September Guest Speaker

Our Guest Speaker for September will be Ken Griffin, Fly Fishing for Vets. Ken has asked that post the following message: What I ask all the chapters that I visit is that they query their members for any old, but still usable 3 Tips The best and most consistent way to prevent "tailing" Here are 28 simple tips to help you cast more loops and the resultant "wind knots" is to concentrate on accurately, farther, and with better results once your casting as smoothly as possible and don't cast fly hits the water. A collection of MidCurrent's harder/faster than you need to. obvious and not-so-obvious bits of casting advice that have stood the tests of time and weather. Changing Direction To change the trajectory of your cast merely change the trajectory of your casting hand on your forward or backcast. Line trajectory and hand trajectory are usually the same.

Wind-Resistant Casting To throw tighter, less-wind- resistant loops, concentrate on stopping the rod abruptly at the end of each casting stroke.

Preventing Tailing Loops The best and most consistent way to prevent "tailing" loops and the resultant "wind knots" is to concentrate on casting as smoothly as possible and don't cast harder/faster than you need to.

Learning to Mend When learning to mend a fly line — throwing the line upstream or downstream after the fly hits the water to eliminate drag — start with your rod tip low and mend with authority, lifting your rod high. You want to move as much line as necessary to reach the point at which the current is pulling your line in the wrong direction.

Simon Gawesworth photo | www.speyborn.com Reach Before You Mend End any cast that you know you will have to mend with an upstream reach cast, The Basics presenting the fly downstream of the line. Perform a reach cast by sweeping the rod either right or left just Rod Assembly Always check to be sure that your after delivering the forward cast and before the fly hits guides are properly aligned when putting a rod the water. Even if the situation doesn't require a mend, together, that your line has not missed a guide, and the reach cast gives your fly a "head start" on the fly line that the ferrules are well-snugged-together. and delays the onset of drag. Misaligned or missed guides are common when you are rushing to reach the water. Wrong Wind Direction Wind blowing from the wrong direction? Try presenting your fly by dropping your Gripping Fly Rods Grip a fly rod with a slightly backcast, or better yet learn to cast over your opposite extended index finger and with your thumb directly on shoulder. top, opposite the fly reel. The amount of pressure you need to properly grip the rod will vary from very light Dealing with Strong Winds When casting in heavy with small trout rods to something equal to a strong winds, line speed is the key. Casting with more line than handshake with 11-weight and larger rods, but usual out of the rod tip, double hauling, and using water always keep your grip as relaxed as possible. tension to help you load the rod faster and make fewer false casts ("water hauling") are all helpful. Help Your Fly Line "Forget" All fly lines have "memory" — something most often seen in the form Saltwater Casting Distance Most saltwater fly fishing of coils when line is first stripped from a reel, requires casts of no more than 50 or 60 feet and many especially stiffer lines made for warmer weather and fish are hooked when they are 30 feet away. Equally, if distance casting. Taking the time to stretch your line not more, important than the distance you can cast: the in your hands after pulling it off of the reel will speed at which you can deliver the fly, your "situational improve your casting distance and make it less likely awareness" about the fly line at your feet, and your that the loops of your fly line will tangle in the water or the bottom of the boat. 4 ability to pick up and make additional casts to the fish direction of the circle made by the rod tip (e.g. overhead if your first cast is off the mark. backcast and sidearm forward cast).

Eliminate Lost Motion Try to eliminate all those Preparing to Shoot Line When shooting line — either creators of "lost motion" in your fly fishing: extra false in saltwater or when using shooting tapers for salmon casts, not keeping enough line out of the rod tip, and and steelhead — line management is everything. forgetting to position yourself where you have the Develop a sixth sense for where your uncast line is. best opportunity to make a good presentation. De-Bugging Your Casts Over-Lining a Rod You can make a rod's action "slower" by overlining the rod with a fly line rated one Watch Your Backcast Having trouble casting? Turn size higher. Overlining rods often helps beginners get a and watch your back cast — it's often the culprit. better feel for when a rod loads. Common problems are throwing the backcast too low and not waiting for the loop to fully extend before Casting Accuracy Most casters naturally cant their beginning your forward cast. casting stroke to the side to help prevent tailing loops, but you will almost always cast more accurately by De-Bugging Roll Casts Roll casts often suffer keeping your rod as perpendicular as possible and by because the line is not cast in the same plane as the casting with the rod hand more in front of the body to line is lifted. Be sure to align your lifting action and align it with your eyes. the forward casting stroke. Casting Instructors Good casting instructors are worth far more than they charge. Consider professional golfers, who are constantly coached by private instructors, most of them players with lesser ability but with valuable skills in analyzing and correcting mistakes. If you can't find or afford an instructor, try video-taping your casts.

Cool Techniques

Clearing Debris from a Fly Use the "stutter pickup" to rid the fly of hitch-hiking algae, grass or surface scum. On the pickup raise the tip, drop it, and immediately resume the pickup. Use the 'stutter pickup' to rid the fly of hitch-hiking algae, grass or surface scum. On the pickup raise the tip, drop it, and immediately resume the pickup.

Casting Large Flies When casting flies that are heavier or larger than what your line and rod were designed for, try putting a side-arm motion in your back cast and making a straight overhead forward cast. This is You will almost always cast more accurately by keeping your rod as sometimes referred to as a "Belgian" cast and can also perpendicular as possible and by casting with the rod hand more in front help when the wind is blowing over the wrong shoulder. of the body to align it with your eyes. photo by Zach and Lauren Matthews | www.itinerantangler.com Be aware, though, that this style of casting will also put twist in your fly line. (See "The Belgian Cast.") Line Twist Many casters unknowingly put twist in their fly lines because their backcasts are canted to Short- vs. Long-Distance Casting Weight-forward one side, making a fly rod tip travel in a circle as they (WF), shooting taper (ST) and double-taper (DT) lines complete their forward cast. Bulky flies can also spin all cast about the same at close range, but WF and ST and add twist. There are two effective ways to lines will cast farther for most casters. Once their heavy remove fly line twist. One is simply to spin the fly line "head" is out of the rod the small diameter running or between thumb and forefinger in the opposite shooting line shoots farther, and being able to feel when direction of the twist. The other is to false-cast a the head is out of the rod tip is a fundamental skill in number of times while consciously reversing the distance casting.

5 Best Lines for Roll Casting Double-taper lines are the fly tends to kick (curve) to the side in the direction in easier to roll cast at longer distances, since the which you are accelerating the rod. larger-diameter line "belly" is still in the rod tip. However, weight-forward lines will cast just as well as August SOTM Pics double-taper lines at short distances, or until you get the head out of the rod tip.

The Slide Pickup If you find yourself with not enough line out of the rod tip as you begin a new cast, trying letting a small amount of line slide from your fingers as you start your next backcast, then quickly stop the line from going out so that you can load the rod.

The Roll-Cast Pickup One of the most useful techniques in fly casting. Roll cast to lift your line off of the water, then begin your backcast as the line straightens out in front of you. This technique has multiple uses, including speeding up fly delivery, "aerializing" a long section of fly line to reduce surface tension, and lifting your fly away from debris or obstacles.

Learning to Double Haul The easiest way to learn to double haul — which requires hauling on both the forward and backward casts in succession — is to practice a single haul in both directions, letting fly line fall to the water or grass before you start forward or back again. As long as you remember to bring your line-holding hand back to the rod after it "bounces" below your waist, and as long as your fly line lands straight, you should have no problem picking up your line again.

Using a Single Haul A haul is a pull or tug on the line that is normally done during the backcast or the forward cast. It increases the speed of the line, enabling you to make longer casts with less strain on your casting arm. You can also use it during the pickup to ease the line off the water with a shorter stroke than you'd normally need.

High-Sticking The more fly line that touches the water, the greater the chance of drag affecting your fly. That's why longer rods with longer leaders and "high-sticking" — keeping the rod tip high and extended while fishing close to the target — is a deadly nymphing technique.

Using a Sidearm Cast Most fly fishers only think of the sidearm cast as allowing them to cast under overhanging trees and bushes. But it is also a potent slack-line cast because it lets you put curves and slack in the line. If you overpower the sidearm cast, You can see who has the better Camera

6 A Knot Tip for Fly-Fisherman

Two knots, the Uni-knot and the Duncan loop, are often confused and referred to in many knot books as the same knot. However, they are NOT the same knot.

The Duncan loop is a fixed loop often used on wet flies or nymphs. The Uni-knot is also a loop knot use for the same purpose but this knot slips shut when a fish is hooked and can be opened back up to whatever size loop you desire.

Want to see how to tie them both: Duncan Loop

Uni-Knot

Mack Martin Manager – FFF Certified Master Casting Instructor

Fly Line Design vs Rod Size

Starting in 1961 fly line weights were established by the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA) and all fly line weights are based on the weight of the first 30 feet of the composite fly line. Moreover, 90% of all fly lines purchased are weight forward lines. A weight forward fly line is designed with a front taper, a belly, a rear taper and finally the running line. The front taper, belly and rear taper make up what is called the head of the fly line and technology in the manufacturing of these lines provides many different head lengths based on the type of casting and fishing that is desired. Selecting just a 5 weight line, the head lengths vary between 30 and 68 feet for the most popular (SA) lines. So now …how does that affect your casting?

When you cast a weight forward line that has a head greater than 30 feet; for every 5 to 6 feet that you extend the head beyond the tip of the fly rod you load your rod one line size up. As an example, if you had one of SA fly lines with a head that was 50 feet long or longer and you aerialized 45 feet of line to make a cast to perhaps 50 to 55 feet, you have loaded your 5 weight rod with the equivalent of an 8 weight line. However, there is another consideration: Table 1 shows the lines by manufacturer and line types that are 1.5 times heavier than the AFTMA standard. So recalling that for every 5 feet beyond 30 feet that your fly line is aerialized, you are casting one additional line weight. For line that is made with 1.5 x line weight specifications, you would be casting 150% of the rated line weight. Therefore the example here is: if you aerialized 40 feet of a GPX 6 wt. line, you would be casting the equivalent of a 9.5 weight line on your 6 wt. fly rod.

TABLE 1 Manufacturer SA/3M RIO Orvis Cortland Line types GPX RIO Grand Wonderline- Precision Bass Power taper Trout** 7 wt. and up >-----> Headstart Nymph 3 to 7.5 wt. >-----> Air-Cel Clouser* >-----> Nymph * Minimum size is 4 wt. ** Made and marked in half sizes

These lines are made to load your rod faster which they will do, however you should be aware of the potential problems that might be created by aerializing 30 or more feet of these lines with some fly- rods. This accounts for why many rods do not cast that well with some lines. Furthermore, this is a good reason to know what you are buying when it comes to fly-rods and fly-lines.

One final consideration, if you aerialized enough line to place the head of any fly line outside the tip top of the fly rod (typical of short heads like XPS or Trout and others) then casting would become very difficult due to the small mass of the running line attempting to control the large mass of the head. (Like trying to crack a bull whip while holding a string attached to the butt end of the whip) Just another reason why your casting might also be suffering a bit!

M. A. (Mack) Martin Jr. Manager - FFF Certified Master Fly Casting Instructor Atlanta Fly Fishing School http://www.atlantaflyfishingschool.com/