By Karl Ekberg
Summertime fishing on the rivers around us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop is great. Whether you are fishing for Trout, Red Eye Bass or Pan fish, you can have an enjoyable day catching plenty of fish. River conditions are in wonderful shape, as we have received plenty of rain over the past month. Along with the rains, we have had average June summer temperature conditions, which have kept the river temperatures down a bit. After the rainstorms have passed us, we have had low temperatures overnight and daytime temperatures from the low to mid 80’s. Wondering if you should bring the waders? Leave them home and just bring the wading boots, we have been wet wading now for over a month, which has made for enjoyable days on the rivers. Let’s hope Mother Nature keeps us on this trend with plenty of rain and lower summertime temperatures.
For the trout fishing, early mornings until noon have been good, along with late afternoons until dark, as daytime temperatures fall off, late in the day. Pick your “cup of tea”, as we have had tremendous successful days with dry flies, streamers, nymphs, and terrestrials. During the sunny days, target the overhanging foliage of the riverbanks, and the shaded areas of the rivers. Also look for deeper runs, as the fish will seek thermal refuge during the heat of the day.
As for the Red Eye Bass and pan fish, top water and streamers are working great! Fishing the back eddies and slower moving water has proven to be the key to successful days. Mid-morning throughout the day has been better fishing than very early mornings or late evenings.
This is a great time of year to take the kids fishing! School is out for the summer break, water temperatures are great, and there are plenty of fish to be caught. We had the pleasure of participating, as a volunteer, with the Kid’s Fishing Rodeo, at Burrell’s Ford Campground this past month, with the U.S. Forestry Department. Introducing kids to the greater outdoors and nature is a wonderful time, and catching a few fish will add to the experience for all. Remember to bring your camera along for your trip and share your photo, you might see your photo in the next edition on the “Brag Board”.
As we are all guests of the forest, let’s remember to “leave no trace”, and pack out what we bring in on our trips to the rivers. Keeping the forests clean, will add to the enjoyable experience for all. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers!
Karl and Karen Ekberg are Co-Owners of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832A Highlands Hwy, in Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 or look them up on the web at chattoogariverflyshop.com.