Scubafish called me two weeks ago and said he had a guest coming from Colorado to visit and said he would like to take her fishing. She belongs to a ladies only FF club and has fished all the big name rivers in CO. Dick said where can we take her?
Well, you take her to the best the south has to offer. After driving up through NC, I was worried about the weather as it was cold and rainy, 47 degrees in Boone.
As soon as we cleared the mountain, into Elizebethton the skies cleared up and the weather was perfect. Started out at Rockhold by the Islands. Gayle and I fished hard all around both sides and nada. Not a rise or a flash, and not a single bug coming off.
After lunch, we gave her a little tour, and ended up at the grates. Having never fished here before, I was not sure of what to expect. We waded in from the bottom side, tied on a sulpher with a BWO dropper and cast torward the grates, then magic.
For about 2 hours the bite was on, my skills are rusty as I missed dozens of strikes. Finally managed to bring to hand about 20. Handshaw fished a few hundred yards below and caught several nice browns, again on Sulphers and midges.
Gayle missed a ton of fish, but thouroughly enjoyed the day and fell in love with the Soho commenting on how beautiful it was. The kicker was stopping in Newland on the way home at Shady Lawn Restraunt. The smell caused us to turn around on Main street and go back. We had the Prime Rib special ($13.95) and it was the second best Prime rib meal I have ever had. Owned by a man and his wife and mother, it is a hole in the wall, and a simple set up, but the food is killer and the service is great, and the place was packed. The owner even came out and talked to us when when she found out we were from out of town. And she thanked us for stopping. I will definetly be back. Can't wait till PFF, the fishin's gonna be good ( fingers crossed)
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