Southeastern Fly

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we take a practical and lighthearted look at fly fishing etiquette, not just around other anglers, but with fishing partners, guides, and everyone sharing time on the water. From saltwater skiffs to drift boats, this episode is full of reminders that good etiquette often comes down to awareness, respect, and being a decent fishing companion.

At the heart of this episode is a simple reminder: be mindful. Whether you’re fishing the river, the lake, or the salt, your actions affect the people around you. Good etiquette keeps the day safer, smoother, and a whole lot more fun.

Key Highlights:

• Skiff Etiquette: We cover a few rules that should go without saying, including where not to stand, where not to cast, and why the push pole deserves a little respect.
• Understanding Boat Directions: When a guide calls out a fish at 12 o’clock, 8 o’clock, or anywhere else, knowing the “pointy end” of the boat matters. Clear communication can make or break a shot at a fish.
• Sharing the Casting Platform: Whether the fishing is fast or slow, we talk about why it’s important to trade time fairly with your fishing partner and keep the experience enjoyable for everyone.
• Helping From the Back of the Boat: If you’re not on the platform, you still have a job. Keep fly line clear, watch for snags, take pictures, and help your buddy get the best shot possible.
• Drift Boat Awareness: From hook sets to casting angles, we discuss how close quarters in a drift boat require anglers to stay aware of guides, partners, and flying flies.
• Music, Drinks, and River Manners: A little music or a cold beverage can be part of a great day, but only when everyone is on board. We talk about volume, moderation, and remembering that guides are working.

Resources:

• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down with David Knapp and Pat Tully from Trout Zone Anglers for a Wisdom From the Guides conversation all about fly fishing the Clinch River in Tennessee. This episode has been a long time coming, and we dive into the river’s unique structure, food sources, flows, fish behavior, and the small details that make the Clinch such a special tailwater.

The Clinch is a river that rewards time, observation, and patience. From low water midge fishing to high water nymph rigs, from deep ledges and weed beds to sneaky frog water along the edges, David and Pat share the kind of on-the-water knowledge that only comes from spending a lot of days rowing, wading, guiding, and learning.

Key Highlights:

• Two Confidence Flies: David and Pat both lean heavily on pheasant tails and midges, especially sulfur-style nymphs and micro tubing midges.
• Reading the River Bottom: The Clinch is full of shoals, ledges, weed beds, troughs, and midstream wood that can hold fish but also steal flies.
• Flows and Fishing Strategy: Low water, one generator, and two generators all fish differently, and each flow has its own challenges and advantages.
• Clinch River Food Sources: Midges, sulfurs, scuds, sow bugs, worms, snails, caddis, sculpins, and even small rainbow trout all play a role in the fishery.
• Overlooked Water: Frog water, shallow edges, and slow flats often hold fish that many anglers walk past or spook before noticing.
• Big Fish Stories: David and Pat share memorable stories about large brown trout, hard-fighting rainbows, and the ones that still keep them coming back.
• Local Stops: Pat shares a couple of favorite food stops near the river, including Valley Quick Pack and the restaurant near the weir area.

Resources:

• Trout Zone Anglers
• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we share the story behind the upcoming Murfreesboro Fly Fishing Meetup at Tailgate Brewery. What started as a simple idea to give local anglers a place to gather has turned into a joint effort with Music City TU, Southeastern Fly, and Tailgate Brewery.

The goal is simple: bring fly anglers together. No formal program, no big presentation, and no pressure. Just a chance to talk fishing, reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and welcome anyone interested in fly fishing.

Key Highlights:

• The Idea Behind the Meetup: We talk about why having a simple place and time to gather can help strengthen the local fly fishing community.
• Inspired by Others: Conversations with Knox Girls Who Fly Fish helped shape the idea and showed how small groups can grow when people feel welcome.
• Music City TU’s Involvement: John and Tom from Music City TU helped move the idea forward and are bringing pizza for the group.

Event Details: The meetup will be held Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Tailgate Brewery in Murfreesboro, located at 210 Stones River Mall.

Everyone Is Welcome: You do not have to be a TU member, a longtime listener, or an experienced angler. Just show up if you enjoy fly fishing or want to learn more.

Come by for a few minutes or stay awhile. We hope this becomes a relaxed way for people in the area to connect, share stories, and spend time with good people who love fly fishing.

Resources:

• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down with Zach Kaufman, one of the owners of Sawyer Paddles and Oars, for a conversation about fly fishing, river life, and the craft behind building oars. Zach brings decades of experience as a rafting guide, fishing guide, oarsman, and business owner, with much of his time spent on the Rogue, Klamath, and Umpqua rivers.

We talk through the history of Sawyer, how wooden and composite oars are built, and why the feel of a one-piece wood oar still matters to so many rowers. Zach also shares stories from Southern Oregon steelhead fishing, half-pounder runs, dam removals, river access, and the value of local knowledge when fishing unfamiliar water.

Key Highlights:

• The Sawyer Story: How Sawyer moved from paddles into oars.
• Wooden Oars: A look at the wood, shaping, and handwork behind each oar.
• The Feel of Water: Why one-piece wood oars create a strong connection to the river.
• Composite Options: How shafts, blades, and swing weight affect rowing.
• Southern Oregon Fisheries: Steelhead, salmon, half-pounders, and changing rivers.
• Local Intel: Why fly shops, guides, and time on the water matter.
• Fish That Got Away: Zach’s memorable stories of big fish lost.

Resources:

• Sawyer Paddles and Oars: paddlesandoars.com
• Sawyer Station: sawyerstation.com
• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we talk through one of the most overlooked parts of fly fishing success on the river: leaders and tippet. What seems like a small detail can have a major effect on turnover, presentation, drift, and ultimately whether or not fish eat.

We walk through practical tips for matching leader length to water clarity, choosing stronger tippet than most anglers think they can get away with, and avoiding common mistakes that hurt presentation. From dry flies and nymph rigs to streamers, this conversation is all about building a better leader system and understanding how each section works together.

Key Highlights:

• Matching leader length to conditions: In clear, slow water, longer leaders help keep fly line farther from the fish. In stained or faster water, shorter leaders are often all you need.
• Why heavier tippet often helps: We talk about how anglers often fish too light, which can create poor turnover, extra tangles, and longer fights that stress fish.
• Leader maintenance matters: Straightening your leader before fishing and replacing worn tippet can immediately improve presentation and drift.
• Micro swivels and tippet rings: We discuss a practical way to preserve your leader system, save money, and make changing tippet easier.
• Building better leader systems: From butt section stiffness to taper design, we explain how the right setup transfers energy and helps flies turn over more cleanly.

Resources:

• Episode 123, “Fishing Near Salida, Colorado”
• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down with Captain Mark Richardson of Ark Anglers to talk about fishing the Arkansas River around Salida, Colorado. Mark guides this water day in and day out, and in this conversation we cover the different sections of the river, seasonal conditions, floating productive water, and what makes the Arkansas River such a special fishery.

We also revisit a day we spent on the water together and talk through streamer fishing in slightly stained conditions. From river structure to fly choice and presentation, this episode offers practical insight for anglers planning a trip out West or simply wanting to learn how a guide breaks down a river.

A big takeaway from this conversation is that success on the Arkansas often comes down to reading conditions, adjusting your approach, and understanding how each section of river fishes differently.

Key Highlights:

• The Three Basins: Mark breaks down the upper, middle, and lower sections of the Arkansas River.
• Why the Lower Basin: We talk about why this stretch is one of Mark’s favorites to fish and float.
• Streamers in Colored Water: Slight stains can make streamer fishing much more effective.
• Retrieve Matters: Cadence, movement, and angle all play a role in getting eats.
• Confidence Flies: Mark shares a few of his go-to streamer patterns and colors.
• Adjusting Setups: We discuss when to change lines and presentations based on conditions.
• Watching Fish React: Observation and small changes can lead to better results.
• Beyond the River: Mark also talks about nearby high-country lake opportunities.

Resources:

• ArkAnglers in Salida, Colorado
• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down on the banks of the Elk River in Tennessee and talk about something every fly angler eventually spends time doing during the winter months: tying flies. After spending time recently tying at Little River Outfitters and working through a few patterns at the vise, we decided to walk through some practical fly tying thoughts that can help both beginners and experienced tiers improve their flies.

Rather than focusing on a single pattern, we discuss general principles that apply across the board. From thread control and material selection to building better dry flies, nymphs, and streamers, the conversation centers around small adjustments that can make a big difference in how your flies look, hold up, and ultimately fish.

A big takeaway from this discussion is that nothing in fly tying is absolute. There are many different ways to approach tying, and improvement usually comes from experimenting, refining your technique, and learning what works best for you at the vise and on the water.

Key Highlights:

1. Thread Control Matters: Consistent tension and flat thread wraps help prevent materials from spinning and create a clean foundation for the fly.
2. Less Material Is Often Better: Sparse flies tend to look more natural in the water and often fish better than overdressed patterns.
3. Building a Clean Thread Base: A smooth underbody allows materials like chenille, ribbing, and wire to lay evenly and improve the overall appearance of the fly.
4. Dry Fly Balance and Proportion: Proper tail length, correct hackle size, and avoiding crowding the hook eye all help a dry fly float and fish the way it should.
5. Strategic Weighting for Nymphs: Adjusting where and how much weight is added can change how a fly sinks and fishes in different water conditions.
6. Reinforcing with Ribbing: Counter-wrapping wire over delicate materials improves durability and helps flies last through more fish.
7. Movement Over Bulk in Streamers: Choosing materials that breathe and pulse in the water can create more realistic action than simply adding more material.
8. Using Flash Carefully: A few strands can suggest the flash of baitfish without overpowering the pattern.

Resources:

1. Visit southeasternfly.com
2. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we’re posted up on the banks of the Elk River, just over the hill from the Jack Daniel Distillery, swapping stories with our longtime friend Howard Brooks. Howard’s a Tennessee native, a former client turned guide, and one of those guys who somehow makes every day on the water feel richer than the last. We get into where his fishing life started, how guiding happened “purely by accident,” and why at 83 years old he’s still pulling on oars and loving every minute of it.

Key Highlights:

1. Howard’s first fish: hand-lining bluegills during a willow fly hatch on Chickamauga Lake.
2. Early fly gear memories: South Bend rods and old automatic reels.
3. Big trips that reignited it: Bahamas bonefish and Alaska trout.
4. How guiding started: a career change, a boat, and one two-boat trip that turned into a calling.
5. Why guiding isn’t “not fishing”: Howard feels like he’s fishing every minute.
6. The Elk before and after Tim’s Ford Dam: canoe trips, changing water, changing river.
7. What makes a great river lunch: know your anglers, keep it simple, or go all-out when it fits.
8. The fish that changed everything: a 738-pound blue marlin and a lifetime shift toward catch-and-release.
9. Advice to younger folks: get outside, learn nature, cut the screen time.
10. The three stages of an angler: numbers, size, then contentment.

Resources:

1. At The Rivers Edge
2. Visit southeasternfly.com
3. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode, we settle in for a true wintertime river recap. Instead of a rigid outline, we walk through a couple of cold, windy days on the water and talk honestly about what worked, what didn’t, and why winter fishing can feel both slower and more rewarding at the same time. From experimenting with new streamer ideas to battling wind, current, and changing water conditions, this one is about time on the water, tinkering at the vise, and enjoying good company when the river is quieter.

Highlights of the Episode:

1. Winter days on the river and how cold, wind, and higher water shape fishing decisions
2. The role of confidence in fly selection, techniques, and presentation
3. Swinging streamers on floating lines during shad season and why fly action matters
4. Experimenting with and refining a Clouser-style minnow pattern over time
5. Reading water, structure, and current seams in changing winter conditions
6. Adapting on the fly while keeping a reliable baseline approach
7. Why winter fishing is often about patience, fewer crowds, and quality opportunities

Resources:

1. Visit southeasternfly.com
2. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down with Bryson Storie to talk about fly fishing the Texas coast, focusing on the waters around Port O'Connor. A lot of anglers assume Texas saltwater is muddy and unfishable. Bryson explains why that couldn’t be further from the truth and breaks down the clear-water flats, diverse habitats, and fish behavior that make this area so special. We also drift into flies, food sources, guiding in Alaska, and the people who shape us along the way.

Highlights of the Episode:

1. How the Texas coast is structured and why Port O’Connor sits in a uniquely diverse stretch of water
2. The three main zones Bryson fishes: backcountry marshes, island systems, and outside bay shorelines
3. Why wind and bottom type affect water clarity more than rivers on the Texas coast
4. Sight fishing for redfish and other flats species, including black drum, sheepshead, trout, and jack crevalle
5. Simplifying fly selection by prioritizing presentation and weight over exact imitation
6. When sizing down flies makes a difference and why confidence in your fly matters
7. Lessons from guiding in Alaska and how those experiences carry over to saltwater fishing
8. Where to eat in and around Port O’Connor after a long day on the flats

Resources:

1. Visit brysonstorieflyfishing.com
2. Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers Club
3. Visit southeasternfly.com
4. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA