A Middle, Tennessee Fishing Report

We received that rain that we thought would come sooner or later. The lake levels are still up a bit over winter pool. But, that will not stop the fishing. 

We are tossing streamers and with good results. 

Our streamer trips have been a concoction of different retrieves. We aren't just "pulling the rope" as some people like to say. We have some places where anglers are swinging, some require short wrist strips, a few "jerk-strips" and some longer strips. The retrieve is very dependent on the conditions and what mood the fish are in that day. 6 hour floats have been really productive but we can go longer if the anglers are up to a longer day.

See below for some of the open dates for early March streamer trips. Book one. You'll be glad you did.

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The Southeastern Fly Podcast

Thanks to everyone who is listening to the podcast. As we get closer to Spring and then Summer fishing will pick up even more. Frankly we are heading into the best fishing of the year. So listen to some of the older episodes of the podcast. One thing about those episodes is the content is still relevant to your success.

"Everyone's a good angler in May and June" Author Unknown.

E99- The Unalakleet River Lodge

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we venture far from the Southeast to the breathtaking wilderness of Alaska, where Mitch Wisniewski, a North Carolina guide and summer manager of the Unalakleet River Lodge, shares the magic of this extraordinary destination. Mitch takes us on a journey through his personal connection to the lodge, the vibrant fishing opportunities, and the unique experiences that make the Unalakleet River Lodge a bucket-list destination for anglers and adventurers alike.

Episode Highlights:

• A Dream Realized: Mitch recounts his serendipitous journey to the lodge, from a chance encounter at an Ole Miss football tailgate to falling in love with the wild beauty of Alaska.
• A Fisherman’s Paradise: The Unalakleet River is home to all five species of Pacific salmon, world-class grayling, and big dollies. Mitch explains the unique, remote setting that allows for exceptional fishing without the crowds.
• The Lodge Experience: Hear about the lodge’s cozy ambiance, complete with warm fireplaces, stunning views, and a supportive, community-oriented atmosphere that turns visitors into family.
• Grayling Magic: Mitch and his brother Evan dive deep into the thrill of fishing for grayling, a species both challenging and rewarding to catch, known for their beauty and spirited fight.
• Behind the Scenes of Lodge Life: Managing the lodge is an adventure in itself. Mitch shares insights into the logistics, challenges, and joys of running a remote Alaskan operation, including some unforgettable moments (like crawling into an 800-gallon wastewater tank).

Whether you're an avid angler or simply love tales of adventure and wild places, this episode offers a rich glimpse into the life, community, and unparalleled beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.

Visit unalakleet.com to learn more about the lodge and plan your own adventure.

Pro Tip: Let's Talk Shoals

Some tailwaters, especially those closer to mountainous areas, have an abundance of shoals. A shoal – also referred to as a riffle – is typically a shallow area of a river, usually accompanied by faster moving water and featuring a mix of gravel or broken rock. Shoals are a great place to pick up fish on low water and high-water trips. Scouting a shoal is very important when the water is low. Scouting gives you a good idea of the different elevations of the river bottom and potential holding patterns of fish on low water. Scouting a shoal also gives an angler information for future use when the water level is higher.

Water moves faster across the shoals, cooling the water slightly and supplying additional dissolved oxygen as currents sweep food into feeding lanes. Trout will hold on shoals and eat food as it is brought along in the flow of the water. The faster moving water also provides additional cover for trout. The additional cover can protect trout from the airborne predators such as herons, eagles and other birds of prey.

Shoals are a great place to find feeding fish. Swinging a soft hackle across a shoal will usually pick up fish. Start by standing away from the bank and cast to the bank (obviously you know I am going to "say fish there before you stand there") while stripping the soft hackle back toward the middle of the river. Make small strips as you work your way downstream to where the water falls off, usually into a large hole. Another technique is to simply cast to the center of the river and let the soft hackle swing as it moves downstream. Keep the rod tip low and lift it slightly to give the fly additional action. 

Shoals are also an outstanding place to fish a dry fly. Bugs will hatch at the shoals and trout can key in on the emerging and/or adult flies. A common rule of thumb is the rougher the shoal, the higher the fly needs to float on the water. The bushier the fly, the easier it is for me to see while it floats along and over the different currents a shoal can produce. Dry flies are a real pleasure to fish when a river has an abundance of shoals.

The Southeastern Fly March 2025 Schedule

Friday, March 7, open date for a guided trip on Middle TN waters

Saturday, March 8, open date for a guided trip on Middle TN waters

Saturday, March 15, open date for a guided trip on Middle TN waters

Monday March 17, - E100 - What is Fly Fishing? with the Liars and Tyers

March 29, 2025 - David is gone fishing.

Just a quick reminder...

If you have a Gmail account and you are finding these emails in your Promotion folder, add this email address david@southeasternfly.co to your contacts . If you do this you will signal to your email provider that you want these emails to come to your INBOX and they will take care of the rest. That was easy.