Every now and then my clientele includes a guide or two and such was the case this past Tuesday/Wednesday. I felt honored to have had the opportunity to entertain respected Florida Keys Guide Captain Dave Denkert, his lovely bride Linda and their daughter Brooke for two days at Blackhawk. They had bid on ond won this trip generating funds for Chron’s Disease research through a fund raiser in South Florida.

Capt. Dave is a backcountry and Flats specialist from Tavernier Florida whose pursuit include Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Redfish Snook and Trout. He will put his clients on fish using Spinning, Fly or Casting equipment. For this trip they were equipped with 7wt fly rods, light in their hands, heavy by North Georgia standards.

On day one rain was expected which is a blessing for the drought stricken Southeast and we layered accordingly. In the back of my mind I knew there was potential for a blowout from the forecast, but we gave her a go anyway. Arriving at the river I quickly set everyone up on a couple of spots anticipating that we would have to move quickly and watch the rising water. Hook-ups came quickly, however so did the increased water volume.

The rain was now relentless and it was necessary to move my guests to safer water, and to finally call it a morning after only 90 minutes! The plan was to make a go of it the following day.

The following day revealed that the water had risen to as much as 5 feet in some areas, but was down to fishable levels by 10:00am. With great anticipation my clients were eager to go as I assured them they could expect a good day today. Big bugs were the game with Zonkers, Sculpins, Chuck and Ducks, and my own Frosty the Conehead with supplemental weight. A somewhat slow start in the upper section gave way to a spectacular afternoon, including a “Stream Slam”, by each family member as Dave described it. A Stream Slam equals both Brown and Rainbow trout in the net!

It became so busy that most of us didn’t care about the numbers, but more importantly how much we were laughing and cutting up during all this action. I can tell you that Brown’s up to 21″ and Rainbows up to 22″ were caught and were a blast in the heavy high water! Maybe those 7wts were the right choice after all.

Hope my guests had fun, I know I did and would love any opportunity to entertain them again!

Popularity: 54% [?]

I have had the good fortune to have been involved with Fly Fishing Schools for many years now and never seem to tire of it.  When I see the smiling faces at the end of my sessions it brings a great sense of joy to my life.  Such was the case this last Saturday in North Georgia at one of the Great Georgia destinations near Clarkesville known as Blackhawk.  Blackhawk has been in the business of tropy trout management on their private stretch of the Soque River for some time now and is my favorite place to spend time as a part time guide.  We have done a few group sessions and a few informal schools there but had not really refined the program.  As the customer base became more interested a decision was made to sort of re-invent what a school should look like or consist of at Blackhawk.  Simple is best so I develpoed a day long program with a half day indoor classroom study and a half day on the water with the potential of actually hooking up.

Last Saturday’s students consisted of a Father and his two son’s who were extremely excited, and had received this opportunity as a Christmas gift.  We followed the agenda I had prepared, and what I loved about the classroom study was the amazing amout of questios coming from the youngest at 11.  You can’t help but become inspired about this kind of enthusiasm which seemingly makes the day much shorter. 

After lunch we prepared ouselves for our afternoon on the water with great anticipation.  If there is any down side to the time on the water is that most students, especially young, prefer to fish as opposed to learning technique.  With recent rains, a real blessing for Georgia, the fish were eager and we hooked up within minutes!  As the afternoon progressed I chose to act as a coach and on occaision offered instruction while my students enjoyed their day.

Numerous Rainbows and Browns were captured on film and the highlight was a Brown of 23 inches taken by the 11 year old youngster! 

Can’t think of a better way to end the day with a great fish and to pass along a gift for life!  

Popularity: 57% [?]