Southeastern Fly

On this episode of Southeastern Fly - The Angler's Influence we travel back to Helen, GA. and we have a conversation with Jimmy Harris, the owner of Unicoi Outfitters, about the people who have influenced his fly fishing.

Jimmy talks at length about growing up in Middle GA and how his mother was his first fishing influence. Then we talk about his move to Arkansas where he began fly fishing. After another move this time to Helen, Jimmy was offered the opportunity of a lifetime. We talk at length about the anglers of the Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited and how they influenced Jimmy's fly fishing beginnings. 

Finally, we talk about a book, the only book, in a back room of a bookstore influenced him in ways only literature can move a person. We discuss the ways that book broadened his horizons and how it has taken him to as far as Montana to pursue his fly fishing lifestyle.

Jimmy brings his story to life and takes us on enjoyable and laid-back journey through his fly fishing career and we are better off for it. 

On this episode of Southeastern Fly - The Angler's Influence we travel to Unicoi Outfitters in Helen GA to talk with fly angler, photographer and writer David Cannon of www.davidcannonphotography.com .   

David is a full-time commercial- and editorial photographer based near Atlanta and he specializes in two totally unrelated genres of photography: architectural and lifestyle. On the lifestyle side he works with some names you’ll be familiar with: Gray’s Sporting Journal, The Flyfish Journal, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, and Winston Fly Rods. He’s also the author of the book Fly Fishing Georgia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters, which has been out since 2009, and the second edition will be released later this year.  On the architectural side he works with groups like Southern Living, STAINMASTER flooring, as well as architects, designers, and builders, and Since 2006 he’s been married to Stephanie, who is a designer in North Georgia, and who also was named one of America’s 100 Most Creative people by Country Living Magazine last year, and they have two young daughters, Shiloh and Afton.  

Come along as we talk with David, upstairs at his favorite fly shop, about his fly fishing adventures from fishing a family farm pond, through Georgia, then  all the way to Brazil to fish in the Amazon.

Owner of R and R Fly Fishing and Rise Fly Fishing Advice , Charity Rutter joins us on this episode of Southeastern Fly, The Angler's Influence. Charity walks us through her fly fishing story, which begins in rural Oklahoma and winds its way through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Right away Charity provides insight about some of the projects she is currently working on such as an all ladies "Glamping" trip. We walk along with Charity as tells us of growing up in Oklahoma and then about moving to Tennessee where she met her husband Ian and how they began their guiding business. 

As usual, if there is a bear story to be told you will hear it here on influence. Charity tells of a peanut butter bar seeking bear that made itself right at home in the backseat of the family auto. Finally we talk about Casting for Recovery and the fantastic job that organization does for lady anglers.

Drummer for the band Safetysuit and Moonshine Rod Company Partner, Tate Cunningham talks with us about his first time fly fishing in Deckers, to befriending the guys at the fly shop. He leads us on the path as he fly fished with local Nashville musicians who took Tate through fly fishing 101. We also talk about reading John Gierach books even though neither of us can pronounce John's last name the same way twice.

His laid back and easy going style, along with a couple techniques to help with your fly fishing game, makes for enjoyable conversation. Come along as we meet Tate Cunningham.

 Come along as Wanda takes us on a life long journey that starts with her Grandmothers in North GA and onto her fishing partner Capt. Gary Taylor, then she meets up with Lefty at a critical time in her career, before she chases a Blue Marlin world record with Capt. Jake Jordan.

Wanda has been a professional guide and fly casting instructor since the 80”s. She’s been a feature angler or host in magazines, on radio, television, video, computer fly fishing games and podcasts from  coast to coast. Her passion is teaching independent fly casting/fishing  to women and girls, as well as, pursuing fins with a fly around the  world.

On this episode we spend time speaking with Daniel Munger who is the owner of Fly Fishing Made Easy. Dan talks about growing up in North Alabama and fishing Smith Lake then he talks about his transition into fly fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

He brings us along as he talks about purchasing Instinctive Fly Fishing, a book that erased some of the myths of fly fishing.

From there Dan takes us along his path which eventually winds into the Rocky Mountain National Park where he talks about living on a classic Rocky Mt. trout stream. He gives real life experiences such as fishing for "The Shark" and finally we wrap-up the episode with Dan explaining how the wildlife in the Park kept him entertained and always aware of his surroundings.

Dan Sharley has been an angler most of his life and a watercolor artist of all things fish (and more). His passion for fishing and painting often collide and result in much of the work that goes into Dan's paintings. Dan is also a musician, a former college quarterback and just a real fishy guy. 

We had some fun with this episode as we explored the influences in Dan's fishing career. Also, we had a chance to introduce Dan's cat, Festus and as Dan says "it's Festus' world were just trying to live in it". You can find Dan's website here. Hope you enjoy this episode.

Susan Thrasher is a casting instructor and fly fishing guide on the Caney Fork River and she brings us along as she share stories of the anglers who shaped her fly fishing adventures. She talks about fishing with her Dad at an early age, Jim Smith who was a real trout bum, and a legend in fly fishing, Joan Wulff who took Susan under her care and taught her the finer points of the fly cast, then later Joan selected Susan as a staff instructor for the Wulff School of Fly Fishing. You can visit Susan at Southern Brookies.