The real story

[buzzmcmanus]

Yesterday, 3/22/11, I met up with ChemEAngler and jross for an afternoon excursion into the park. ChemE followed me from LRO and since jross was here on springbreak and staying in Sevierville, he met us at the trailhead. When I pulled up to the parking area, there was 1 parking spot. Since ChemE's car is just a little nicer than mine, I let him have it while I drove around. I eventually found a spot down the road. I got ready to go and walked down to the trailhead to meet them. I really wasn't expecting such wimps. They both had waders on. Jross is from Indiana and I figured he had ice in his viens and could stand the cold. I was wrong.

We headed up the trailhead. I told them that I wanted to stop and take some pictures of some flowers, and jross imediately says "there's one".
First Trillium of the year.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/buzzmcmanus/Little%20River%203-22-11/P1000117.jpg

We walked upstream about 25 minutes and found a place to hop in. It was a lousy choice. It was cramped quarters and hard for three of us to fish. We bushwhacked our way back out to the trail and headed upstream about another 100 yards to a nice side trail that led to the stream.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/buzzmcmanus/Little%20River%203-22-11/P1000119.jpg

With plenty of room to spread out we started to fish.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/buzzmcmanus/Little%20River%203-22-11/P1000128.jpg
I think jross saw me with the camera and was doing his best Captain Morgan's impression.

I hung to the back and proceeded to impress these guys with the quality of fish I was catching.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/buzzmcmanus/Little%20River%203-22-11/P1000118.jpg

I hung into another monster.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/buzzmcmanus/Little%20River%203-22-11/P1000126.jpg
In the end, I caught around 6 fish. Not a great day, but it was alot of fun fishing with these guys. I know jross probably outfished both ChemE and I put together. Not bad for somebody that lives in a state with no trout.

The fishermen in action.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/buzzmcmanus/Little%20River%203-22-11/P1000130.jpg

I did see what was probably a tree full of Oyster mushrooms, but I was on the wrong side of the river to pick them. Man, they would have been good to eat.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/buzzmcmanus/Little%20River%203-22-11/P1000132.jpg

[jeffnles1]

Great report. Glad to see you guys catching fish!

I caught my first 2 bluegill on a fly rod last night, and now it's supposed to snow flurry over the weekend. March!

Jeff

[spotlight]

Buzz...this was a comical fishing report thanks for the laugh!

[ChemEAngler]

Buzz,

I can't believe you would come on here and tell such tales about our fishing adventure yesterday. You didn't let me have that parking spot, I saw you circling around for it and surged ahead and took it. Also, you forgot to mention why I was wearing my waders. It isn't because I am a wuss, but I was trying to drop weight for my swimsuit this spring..... :biggrin: Also, you mention that the first spot was a little crowded, that was no joke. However, I think we could have made it work. Anybody who saw us probably thought we had just came from the circus and possibly spend our nights climbing out of a clown car.

Honestly though, it was a pleasure to meet up and fish with you guys. It seems like it has been forever since I fished with somebody, and I was in it just as much for the photography possibilities as the fishing. Unfortunately, I think JRoss must be in the witness protection program because he would disappear or turn around every time a camera came out. ;)

I can't really add much to your report other than to say that when we first arrived at the river we were swarmed with little brown stoneflies of about a size #16 or so. The Quill Gordons didn't start hatching good until probably around 3:30.

Buzz scouting a run for JRoss to go in and pluck one out of
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v25/p275429701-4.jpg

JRoss about to snag a fish out of said run....
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v26/p297724052-3.jpg

Buzz showing some good high stickin' form
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v26/p72526779-4.jpg

Once a good fish was spotted, it was every man for himself...
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s1/v21/p483756786-3.jpg
Those fish probably had never seen an aerial assault like this before :biggrin:
My rig for the entire day. Have used the same fly the past two weeks. L-U-C-K-Y
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v26/p270676163-4.jpg

Hey, what do you know, another trillium. What are the odds?
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v15/p461888093-3.jpg

Oh yeah, and we caught some of these too
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v23/p72634046-3.jpg
http://knxtravis80.zenfolio.com/img/s1/v19/p340600798-3.jpg

Buzz too bad your big one got away without a picture. It sure was a beauty. I mean it would have made those other you posted look to be about 4" or so..... :biggrin: In all seriousness though, that was a very nice rainbow. You fellas are alright in my book, and I would enjoy sharing the water with you anytime.

[GrouseMan77]

Nice report guys! I will not be wearing waders while fishing in the park until December.

[Crockett]

Buzz I like your style, small daypack and lanyard. That's how I roll too... :)

[Barbara]

Beautiful pictures and a very entertaining report. Thanks!

[David Knapp]

Awesome report and pictures! Sounds like you guys had a great time...I'm jealous. It must be nice to get away in the middle of the week to fish...:cool:

[Corbo]

Nice reports and pictures guys!

Up in Maine they call them flowers "Stinkin Benjamins". Others call them "weirdy cats"

Pick one and you'll know why.

[jross]

I had a great time fishing with you guys! Back home I hear of Hoosier hospitality, but Southern hospitality is hard to beat. Imagine, two local TN guys letting a IN boy fish with them.... Not only that, ya'll let me have at some good runs and catch fish!

As for the whip comment....I fished today without waders. I didn't need 'em Tuesday either. I just wanted to get my money's worth out of 'em.:p

I'm just not as photogenic as you two that's why I was dodging the camera!:biggrin: ... I wish I'd have gotten the "wear your fishing shirt" memo.

What's really neat about your big fish was that it came out of a run we both had fished and caught fish from. Wish you'd got a pic of it also.

[rivergal]

You guys fish like the Navy Seals or a SWAT team.