A few hours near Tremont (2/3)

[Grannyknot]

I normally don't post trip reports unless it involves a long hike and sleeping in a tent, but I wanted to make this an excercise and see if I could pass Buzz's trip report test . I think I'm missing several of the required photos, including a road shot & insect shot.

Anyway, took me a little while to get up to the mountains on friday, which could have been to my benefit, as all the guys I talked to said the fishing was very slow in the morning. Took a little auto tour of Tremont rd up to the turn around to scope the crowds, and parked my car around 12:30. I guess the water had warmed a little, because by the time I got on the stream, fish were jumping out of the water after caddis. Had about 90% of my hits come on a thunderhead dry. I had thought about trying a small dark caddis, but the t-head seemed to be working, so why change? Another fly that seemed to work well was a #14 "double standard" nymph, which is basically a cross between a hares ear and a PT. Also caught a good sized rainbow on a big blackburn tellico like Walter Babb ties, except on a tmc 200r hook. Got a raging headache around 3:00 so I called it quits shortly thereafter and went to shoot the bull with byron & daniel. Stopped by the market in Maryville on the way home and grabbed a grass-fed ny strip for dinner & a 6 pack of New Belgium "Dig".

Here's some photos of interest or disinterest.










Cheers,
Cody

[buzzmcmanus]

Nice... You got extra credit for the old man in overalls (is that who I think it is?), and the optimism by posting a picture of a "Spring Seasonal". Spring is just around the corner. Your fish are also much larger than the ones I've caught. Or, you've got really tiny hands.

[Grannyknot]

Originally Posted by buzzmcmanus

Nice... You got extra credit for the old man in overalls (is that who I think it is?)

Yes, it is. But I didn't see him up there, that was just a random photo I threw in. Byron did say he'd be at Tfest.

Not sure about the fish/hand size. The larger rainbow was 11-12", but I didn't measure.

[ChemEAngler]

Originally Posted by buzzmcmanus

Nice... You got extra credit for the old man in overalls (is that who I think it is?), and the optimism by posting a picture of a "Spring Seasonal". Spring is just around the corner. Your fish are also much larger than the ones I've caught. Or, you've got really tiny hands.

Agreed! Only things better than a picture of an old man in overalls is a pic of a tuber with a mullet or a camaro/mustang with a lift kit.

Also, I think there should be a bonus point for the frosty beverage shot and mention of dinner. Of course a picture of the steak would have been worth double bonus points....

Glad somebody got out and got into some fish.

[Crockett]

Nice cave man type dinner if you had sorghum beer Grannyknot. Great pics thanks for the report looks like you were having a Ball.

[Knothead]

Thanks for the story and pix. One of these days I'll get up into the park. Sooner the better.

[No Hackle]

That old-man in the overhauls is Ray Ball. He's probley caught more trout than all of us put together. Ray despite missing some digits ties great flies. He is a greater person than he is a fisherman also.
Lynn

[Grannyknot]

Originally Posted by No Hackle

That old-man in the overhauls is Ray Ball. He's probley caught more trout than all of us put together. Ray despite missing some digits ties great flies. He is a greater person than he is a fisherman also.
Lynn

I'm in full agreement on everything you said Lynn.

[spotlight]

Hey that old man in overalls looks a lot like a guy that gave me a fishin lesson once.....dude I so forgot the driving to the spot photo as well....nice report and fish man!

[JoeFred]

Originally Posted by No Hackle

That old-man in the overhauls is Ray Ball. He's probley caught more trout than all of us put together. Ray despite missing some digits ties great flies. He is a greater person than he is a fisherman also.
Lynn

Thanks, Lynn. For more on Mr. Ball, I recommend all check out Grannyknot's Post #14, on the thread, "Roll Call" by Wilson10 following Troutfest 2011. Ray was the subject of one of my most favorite installments of WBIR 10's Heatland Series hosted by Bill Landry. Bill, a fine angler in his own right, was treated to a quick Tremont fishing lesson and fresh fried trout lunch right on the banks of Middle Prong. I have tried in vain to find a video of the episode. Guess I gotta buy the DVD.