This past week end , there were mixed reports. Many siad the Sulphurs came off good enough for the fish to take dries. The BWO activity wasn’t as big as during the week , many said. One thing for sure: there were Midges.  And midges can humble you.  As Malcholm R. said about Sunday.

Sunday, I got the pleasure to fish with Blake[ Big Fish]Boyd. He actually has a last name. Blake is an avid fly guy. By avid, I mean he fishes everyday. Seems Blake  was a successful member of the  business world and at the old age of 51 decided he had enough. The South Holston river took his heart . He now is a ” Trout Bum” in the true sense of the word. Blake says he loves the simple life and all the many friends he has made.  It seems East Tennesse takes to him as well.

Blake truly enjoys the river and the browns that are so dominant. You have heard of his Big Fish Beetle catches. But there is more to Blake than terrestrials. He is a very creative fly tyer who has put a new twist to an old midge pattern. And it flat works. Matt whacked them on it Saturday and Blake busted them all week on it. I was lucky enough to catch some on it Sunday as well. And fishing was much tougher Sunday, but his midge worked very well for tough conditons.

Blake has put a good twist to an older dry fly pattern as well.  He calls it a PDV. Watching him fish it was a true joy.  He skates, twithes and lets the mini seams of the river move this dynamic dry fly. Fish were doing sumersalts after it. I can’t wait to fish it during a hatch. Skating dries is an old passion of mine. And Blake’s PDV is as light on the water as can be.

So now you know how CEO’s become Trout Bums.  They come to the South Holston river and get hooked along with many, many brown trout.

Thanks for the day Blake. May the winter bring you plenty of BWO hatches.

tight Lines,

Rod C