Summary: This week I welcome Simons Welter to the show. She is one of the top fly fishing guides for Western North Carolina and the upstate of South Carolina. Simons started fly fishing 8 years ago after attending a Becoming an Outdoors Woman retreat. Since that 3 hour introductory seminar she has fished in 12 states here in America, and in 5 other countries internationally, including Argentina, Spain, and Germany. Simons has appeared on television and been featured in magazines including Eastern Fly Fishing, South Carolina Wildlife, and made the cover of the SC Trout Guide. She has served on an advisory panel to DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) regarding freshwater fishery laws and testified before State Senate subcommittees. Simons spends all of her spare time on the rivers of North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. She has a special love of fishing small streams for native brook trout on dry flies. Some of the things we talk about are freestone and tailwater fly fishing, where to fish the wild trout and the stocked ones, too. Simons gives an explanation about what the delayed harvest is a when it is in effect. With her being a guide, I asked her to describe what a day-long float trip would be like and what to expect along the way. She points out that no matter where you, a guide cannot guarantee that you will catch fish, only the opportunity to catch fish. Flies: All year, midges in a variety of colors Winter - Black stonefly nymph, BWO, Black Pat's Rubber Leg, white streamer, Spring - yellow/orange Stimulator, Parachute Adams, Copper Johns, March Brown, Birds Nest Summer - Inchworm, beetle, ant, PA, Stimulator Fall - Egg, Elk Hair Caddis, Copper Johns, Wooly Buggers Simons talks about roll casting, back casting, flip casting, and pick up & put down casting. The first two I knew about. The second two I knew how to do, but didn’t they had a name. I just thought I was just lazy and unskillful. Using a dropper rig, the difference between a leader and a tippet, a great tip about using slip shot, and a guide story about bringing the fish to the net (finally) rounds out the interview. If you are every in the Carolinas, don’t miss the chance for a day out on the water with Simons. It will be time well spent. I guarantee it. Tight lines, David Darling Book A Trip at Brookings Anglers in Cashiers, NC ("Cash-ers," not "Cash-eeers!") Join Simons and Volunteer for Casting For Recovery Music Provided by JewelBeat.com
