Online Fly Shop Grand Opening

It finally here, THE FLY & SHOT ONLINE STORE. It's been alot of work but certainly worth it. Thanks to the folks who placed orders on the first day we went online, that was great to see. Remember to sign up on the mailing list to receive special discounts, sales and promotions on fly fishing eguipment. For a limited time click the link above to great deals on all your fly fishing equipment. This is only for a limited time so act now while you can save some bucks and gear up for the Summer. More products will be added weekly so keep checking back.

Carp On The Fly

Did a little recon on the carp over in Indiana on Memorial Day. Figured I'd be fishing for smallies with a crayfish pattern or largemouth with a streamer and I was wrong. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were a large number of cruising carp in the main bodies of the lake inlets. There were a lot in the shallows as well (still spawning) but also a surprising number cruising around.

Water was pretty clear to about 3' of depth. Skies were blue with a little breeze to keep it comfortable but not enough of one to affect the casting. The weather and conditions were perfect.

I wasn't expecting to see many fish when I put the boat in the water but I was wrong. Unfortunately I figured I would rig my rod up in the boat and because of that saw about a dozen cruisers I couldn't make a cast to. The first fish I cast to was about 30' or so. I led him about 18" waited a second or two and and gave a couple 2-3" strips. That was all it took, the fight was on. Boated and released and went to next victim. Caught a few more before the wind really picked up which makes it real difficult to pick up cruising fish before they're on top of you.

The fish weren't as aggressive as mid to late summer, made some dead on casts with no response but that will change over the next few or so. All in all had a great day.

Check out the Fly Tying Bench for the "Gray White", if you not a tyer we stock them in the shop.


The next few weeks are going will be increasingly better.

Cumberland River, Kentucky

Ran a guide trip Sunday. Mike and Ryan Faulhaber. Weather was perfect. Sarted out at about 7:00am, 50-55 degrees, no fog, blue skies. Put the boat in at the house and ran upstream about 5 miles. Not another sole around. Started the drift down stream, wacked a few fish early on with a Black uni-midge. Sun peaked over the hills about 10:00am the water warmed a bit and the Caddis started emerging. Fished a caddis a bit, little luck, that's the thing about the Cumberland, midges, midges, and more midges. The generation was just right, a few pulses from time to time kept the fish active. Both Mike and Ryan caught a bunch of fish, more rainbows than browns. Mike said he held back a little so his son Ryan could land a few fish, Ryan said he did the same, we'll never know. The one thing I do know is that they caught a ton of fish. This an incredible river, if you haven't fished it, you need to, you won't be dissapointed.

Nantahala River, North Carolina

The Spring North Carolina trip was a success once again. We spent 3 days on the Nantahala River Southwest of Bryson City, NC.

The weather couln't have been any better, the best we've ever had. Mid to high 60's during the day and lows in the mid 40's. Had a little rain but most was in the late evening or at night. Not enough to effect the fishing.

We shacked up in the same cabin as in the past. It's a great place for a small or large group. If you stay there tell them Fly and Shot sent you. Like usual the Nantahala has an incredible number of fish and everyone on the trip had daily trifectas of Brookies, Rainbows and Browns.
There were plenty of insects coming off the water throughout the day with the most prolific being during the evening hours until dark. Stones, Sulfurs, Caddis, BWO's were some of the flyers.

Midges were the mainstay for the biggest fish, size 18 tan and gray. Look at the fly tying bench section on the website for step by step instructons on tying these midges. These are also great flies for a few of our local rivers; the Cumberland River and the Dix River, Kentucky and Brookville Tailwater, Indiana.

Streamers were also effective in hooking some nice fish. Olive and White were the colors of choice.

Anyone who hasn't made it to the Nantahala is missing out. If you need directions or suggestions on flies and gear come in or call the shop. The Nantahala Outdoor Center is a great place to stay or visit while fishing the Nantahala. They offer numerous accomodations from camping to full amenity mountain cabins. There is a really cool atmosphere to the NOC area that makes it a great place to be. It kind of feels like a small ski village but with summer sports. You can do a float trip or ride mountain bikes and horses around the local mountain trails.

If you do go there are also many other fishing opportunities in the immediate surrounding area. Check out Bryson City

Whatever you do you'll have a great time visiting this area.

Cumberland River, Kentucky

Johnny Cole of the famous Comet Bluegrass All Stars lands a nice brown.