Result:
Dan’s comment:
We went, we fished, and had a great time in beautiful weather. The Wautauga had no people, but lots of fish on 10/11, and on 10/12 the South Holston was a boat traffic jam with almost all empty handed. See my best fish from Monday, 18 in.
The annual Spouses’ trip will be Sunday, October 10- Friday, October 15. We will return to Bristol (6-7 hour drive) and stay at the wonderful Hotel Bristol on the Virginia side of State Street.
BRISTOL, TN/VA again- OCTOBER 10-15 GREAT TROUT FISHING AND WONDERFUL AREA FOR SPOUSES TO SHOP AND SIGHTSEE
Bristol is a neat town. It straddles the TN/VA line, is a college town (King University) and a regional center. Bristol is part of the Trip-Cities area of Bristol/Johnson City/Kingsport. It is within a couple of hours from Knoxville, Asheville and Roanoke and Abingdon,VA, is a charming town just up the road. We will be staying at The Bristol Hotel. Those who braved COVID-19 and went last year found it a delightful hotel. It has a bar with food service on the roof and a good restaurant downstairs. Bristol has some wonderful restaurants though many were closed when our crew was there during COVID.
Update:
It looks like conditions this year will be much the same as they were last year with the pandemic causing concern and havoc around and about. Because of this and other issues, we are changing our arrangements with Elk Creek Outfitters. The new procedure is for you to contact Elk Creek Outfitters (Connor Honea is now in charge) and make arrangements for a 50% deposit for your boat. Since we are so close to the trip (well within their 90-day and 60-day deadlines for getting a reasonable refund, with us being less than 40 days out), your deposit will not be refunded if you decide not to go. It has become unmanageable to have it any other way
To know how much you will need to pay, here are their rates:
Full day float- $400 for a single and $500 for two anglers in the same boat
1/2 day float- $375 for a single and $375 for a double. No lunch for 1/2 day.
Tips are ordinarily 20-25% of the boat fee. You can pay for the boat/guide with check or credit card but try to have cash to give the guide.
This puts Elk Creek Outfitters in line with the procedures and rules of other guide services. Again, this is a major change from the past but it was becoming unmanageable for us and for Elk Creek.
Contact Connor Honea at (706) 957-5864.
The mailing address for checks is 553 Cherokee Mountain Road, Jonesborough, TN 37659. The deadline for making a reservation for boats is October 1.
Please remember to get a fishing license that includes trout for the state where you will be fishing. Many spouses like to fish a half day with their spouse or a female friend. We recommend half-day excursions in these cases since there aren’t a whole batch of ladies’ rooms on the rivers.
Mid-October is getting to be leaf season in that part of the world so we need to know how many boats we will need and how many rooms we need well in advance, So, let us know at your earliest convenience if you want to go. It is always a special trips and new members should make a special effort to attend for the fishing but also for the dinners and companionship. The Club has been going to Bristol for several years in large part because it is so close to good fishing. All of those who have gone there have commented on how much the spouses will enjoy being there, too. The deadline is Wednesday, September 1.
Don’t forget to get a fishing license for the state(s) in which you intend to fish. Make sure it covers fishing for trout.
COSTS:
Motel costs vary but we usually are in the $100-$150 per night range (The Bristol Hotel is higher, but we get a discount through Elk Creek Outfitters). Most of us get singles so we can snore to our heart’s content and have private conversations when we call home. Guide costs do not vary: Full day float for 1 person: $400; 2 people: $500 (or $250 per angler) Plus a 25% tip (roughly $60 per angler per day). You can pay for the boat/guide with a check but please bring cash for tips for the guides. We fish 3 days on the June trip to Bristol and the July trip to Galax. We have 4 days for fishing for the spousal trip in October. Many members will fish 3 days and go shopping/sightseeing the 4th day. Have to come late or leave early- no problem. Just let us know so we can get the boats we need when we need them.
Wade fishing is free, unless you hire a guide. The guide will let you know their rate. Don’t forget to tip extra for exceptional service.
To Sign Up contact: Jim White jwwhite115 @gmail.com 910-477-0441 or Jim Larson jwlarson2@hotmail.com 847-309-0596 First Come, First Serve