Report: The Galax/New River trip was a bit of a bust in terms of fishing. Next year we may try a new location for Smallmouth Bass.
A Word About Our Guides for Bristol, TN and Galax, VA
As in the past, we will be using Elk Creek Outfitters for our trips to Bristol, TN, and Galax, VA.
We have used Elk Creek Outfitters for a number of years and they know us well. There are several benefits to having this good relationship that we don’t have with other guide services:
They cook a hot meal for lunch for full-day trips. Ordinarily, they serve crab cakes, salmon and tuna during the course of the week. If you have an allergy, please let us know.
They do not charge us a deposit fee so we don’t have to get you to pay in advance either. With other guide services, a 50% deposit is required to make a booking. We don’t have to do that. The reason is that we treat them fairly and honestly. We tip well and our checks don’t bounce. We don’t get drunk on the boats. We tend to be reasonably good anglers who don’t blame the guide if we don’t catch a trophy. They want us to catch a trophy more than we do, anyway.
They know that we do everything within our power to cancel boats we don’t need in time for them to book trips with other anglers. They also know we have used them before and will use them again.
This is a relationship of trust that we strive to maintain. So, please let us know if your plans have to change. Sometimes we have had to ask for a volunteer or two from our group to go solo to keep a guide from having an off day with no income at all that day. That is a small price to pay on our behalf for the benefits we receive from Elk Creek. We treat them the way we would like to be treated and they do the same for us. This is rare in this day and time so let’s keep it going! They and we are grateful for the members of Cape Fear Flyfishers who have stepped up now and then to go solo for a day or two to keep our word that we need X-number of boats. Besides, going solo rocks- you have the whole boat and guide to yourself!
BRISTOL, TN- JUNE 13-17- FLOAT AND/OR WADE FOR TROUT SIGN UP SOON
In less than 3 weeks, some of us will be having a nice drink talking about what a good day we had fishing on the South Holston River or the Watauga River- or both- or how many we caught wading in some of the great creeks. We would like you there to enjoy the fun. If you are new to the club, there is nothing like going on a trip to let you know you made the right decision to learn about fly fishing!
If interested in this trip to Bristol, TN, you need to act very QUICKLY. We need to let our good friends at Elk Creek Outfitters know how many boats we need. We have reserved a good number but so far need only two of them. Here are the details: We drive to Bristol on Sunday, June 13 (I told you it was less than 3 weeks away); we fish Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (float or wade-Elk Creek does not guide wade fishing but there are guides in the area who do, if you want a guide). Then we drive home on Thursday, June 17. It is likely we will stay at the Hampton Inn in Bristol. There are many good restaurants in Bristol, by the way. And did I mention that 100 fish days happen now and then on the waters we will fish! The float guides provide the flies and can provide rods if you don’t have one yet- or you let me know and you can borrow one of mine. 5- and 6-wt rods work well.
IF YOU WANT TO GO- PLEASE CALL, TEXT OR EMAIL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE- TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
ABSOLUTE DEADLINE- MONDAY, MAY 31- MEMORIAL DAY
You will need a Tennessee fishing license that includes trout! If you plan to go on the Spousal Trip to Bristol in October, consider getting an annual TN license- it may save you a few bucks.
GALAX, VA- JULY 18-22- FLOAT FISHING FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS
Galax, VA, is just over the border a few miles from I-77. Galax is a quaint mill town if you take liberties with the word “quaint.” But the smallmouth bass fishing is the draw- Lefty Kreh said it was the best “in the world!” It is float only. We are limited to three boats from Elk Creek because of the distance involved. If we fill up three boats soon, we may be able to schedule a second week like we did several years ago.
The New River is a wonderful river and the smallmouth make it even more special. Again, the guides provide the flies and will let you use their rods by pre-arrangement. 6-, 7- and even 8-wt rods are perfect. They also have some muskies in the New River, too. We will stay in the Hampton Inn in Galax.
More Info:
June 13-17- Bristol, TN- Trout- Floating and/or Wading
Bristol, TN/VA (6-7 hour drive) for trout fishing on the South Holston and Watauga rivers or self-guided wade fishing in any of the numerous streams and rivers in SW VA, E Tenn or W NC.
-Gear: for drift fishing 4-,5- and 6-wt. rods. Guides provide the flies and tie them on for you. Much of the fishing will be by nymphing. For wade fishing, the same rods but bring your own flies, net, waders, etc
-Guides: As noted above, Elk Creek Outfitters will provide the drift boats and guides. They cook lunch for us (crab cakes, salmon and tuna- let us know if you have allergies). The drift boats can accommodate 2 anglers plus the guide. Elk Creek does not guide waders but there are numerous local guides should you desire having a guide for wading.
It is important that we have a good idea of how many want to float on each day so we know how many boats we will need. Each boat carries two anglers plus the guide.
-Ordinarily, the two anglers switch seats (front-to-back and back-to-front) at lunch.
-Cost per boat is $500 per day ($400 per day for a solo). Count on at least $60 tip per angler per day (cash is always appreciated by the guides). We can pay for the boats with a check.
-Accommodations: We are going to stay at the Hampton Inn or the Hotel Bristol. There are some very nice restaurants in Bristol and we will have a 20-30 minute drive each morning to meet the guides at a boat ramp.
-You will need a Tennessee fresh water all species fishing license.
July 18-22- Galax, VA – Smallmouth Bass
Galax, VA for smallmouth bass on the New River
-Lefty Kreh said this is the best place in the world for smallmouth bass. Sunday, July 18 is travel day. Galax is just off I-77 a few miles from the NC border. A mill town, we stay in the Hampton Inn in Galax. Our guides are from Elk Creek Outfitters (the same guides we use on the South Holston and Watauga rivers). Elk Creek cooks a hot shore lunch (crab cakes, salmon and tuna- let us know if you have any allergies).
-Gear: 7- or 8-wt. rods (6- is acceptable) with floating line. The guides will supply the flies but bring your favorites if you have some you like. If you need rods, either borrow some of mine or use the guides’ rods – give prior notice that you need to do that.
-Galax has a number of decent restaurants we have tried over the years. It’s not fine dining but it is good grub.
– Drift boats. Because of the distance, Elk Creek Outfitters can provide 2-3 boats per week (meaning if we have a large crowd, we may need to book a second week). Rates are $500 per day per boat for 2 anglers ($400 per day for a solo). A tip of $60 per day per angler is reasonable- more for exceptional service. Cash is always appreciated by the guides. We can use a check to pay for the boats.
– If you have never caught a smallmouth bass, you are in for a treat. Those who have caught them know they are ferocious fighters who jump and tug and make you work for the pleasure of catching them. Being river smallmouth, they aren’t huge but they a lean and strong. Many casts will be in the 40’-60’ range. Accuracy helps a lot but the guides are good and will maneuver the boat so even the novice will catch fish. But practice will help a lot.
– You will need a Virginia fresh water fishing license (no trout stamp needed).
To Sign Up for Any of These Trips, contact: Jim White jwwhite115 @gmail.com 910-477-0441 or Jim Larson jwlarson2@hotmail.com 847-309-0596 First Come, First Serve