Our weekend kicked off with a welcome reception on the deck of a luxury tent! We sat by the river on a covered deck, sipping our favorite drinks and met like-minded women who like to travel and fish.
Most people think of camping as roughing it in the woods. Glamping takes it up a few notches! Nice cushy beds, fancy showers, fluffy robes and great food prepared by our own personal chef made the weekend more than just your average fish camp!
Our fall WOMEN on the WATER in the WOODS brought together anglers from Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Washington D.C, Georgia, and Tennessee! The group included women from varied skill levels. Some wanted to learn more about fishing small streams for wild trout. Others wanted improve their cast, but we had them all covered. Charity invited pro casting instructor Wanda Taylor as her co-host to help teach some of the more technical casting elements required for fishing mountain streams. Think side arm casts and roll casts from every angle!
Wanda Taylor and Charity
Casting on Little River near camp
Our focus was to help women become more confident anglers by teaching the techniques we use fly fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mornings were spent on the river near camp going over tips to improve the cast and hook set. There was also more basic information about gear & knots. Afternoons began with lunch on the river followed by lessons in reading the water. It was time to put those lessons to the test and fish on their own to get it all figured out.
Putting it all together on the stream
Mission accomplished! A wild, stream born rainbow trout brought to hand.
The weather started out warm enough for shorts and wet wading but slowly turned to light jackets. Waders were a necessity by Saturday. The cool weather was perfect for an evening campfire. Little River Yoga led us in some evening stretches by the campfire as well as morning relaxation by the water. Charity did a seminar one evening on techniques we use when guiding anglers on wild trout streams. The next night Wanda Taylor shared her “Zero to Hero” ride through fly fishing over the years.
Amanda shows off new skills! Casting under wood and over boulders to put the fly in the water.
Everyone had the opportunity to fish on their own on the wild trout streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Participants landed brown trout, rainbow trout and our native Southern Appalachian brook trout! Fishing conditions were difficult with our extremely low water due to drought conditions. The extra challenge made the reward of fooling these wiley trout all the sweeter!
A beautiful wild brown trout for Nancy