The adventure begins. At 5:30AM on Thursday March 13th Keith Cloud, Mac Brown, Reuben Chandler, Johnny Butler, Malcolm Leaphart and yours truly departed Columbia. The weather was clear. Blue skies and a very modest temperature heralded an early spring adventure to the mountains of western North Carolina.
And so the group of fishing companions set out to enjoy the possibilities and the opportunities found in the ”fast moving” Tuckaseegee or some of the many surrounding waters. The arrival at Balsam Lake (renamed to Balsam “Dry” Lake Lodge) began with an adventure, but not the fishing hunting type. The ‘hunt” was actually a hunt for the combination that would get us in the lock box containing the keys to the palace. To cut to the chase, after acquiring cell phone coverage and several dead end calls to the reservation office, Keith was able to reach a real person who supplied the actual combo to the treasure box that provided the needed keys. It was actually Reuben’s cool head that provided the idea of who to call (it must have been his former military experience shining through).
So, a few hours after the arrival, and with coolers safely unpacked in the beautiful lodge, we set out to wet a line. Johnny, Mac and Malcolm used their expertise on the East Fork of the French Broad, while Keith, Ruben and fished the beautiful West Branch of the Pigeon. Both locations are designated “delayed harvest” waters, so finding ample trout was anticipated. We were not disappointed. Whenever your first drift yields your first fish; it’s going to be a good day. The numbers of fish stories exchanged that evening solidify the productive day that was had by all. Reuben found a particular deep run on the Pigeon that yielded not only numbers of fish but some 17+ inch browns that tested his tippet (and knots). If you asked Reuben what his favorite fly was that weekend …. The answer would be a bead head egg pattern that the fish just couldn’t pass up …. I think he called it the “Y2K”.
With a good afternoon of fishing behind us we all enjoyed a fine meal, prepared by the host of hosts, Keith Cloud. Once again he goes well beyond our expectations and we all called it a night on a full tummy. We did encounter one uninvited guest, the resident “house mouse” which picked some selected times to stroll through the cabin. It was obvious by his casual approach that it was quite familiar with the accommodations.
With one day of fishing behind us, we arose to a change in the elements. The absence of sun and the increasing cloud cover as well as a higher than expected “TUCK “presented new challenges. Instead of the planned “no generating”, the powers (no pun intended) to be selected to generate power from their upstream reservoirs. Recall the title of this story; “A trip is an adventure, and on an adventure things should be allowed to happen as they will”. So it was that a change of plan emerged: Keith, Mac, Johnny and Reuben stuck it out on the Tuck. Malcolm and Kevin decided to play it safe and head north and westward to the Nantahala.
When we all found our way back to the lodge later on Friday, the reports (or fish stories) confirmed some good catches. Keith found himself on a shelf in some fast moving waters using a “Crindle bug … Bitch Creek, rubber legged streamer” fished down-river tight lined. Somewhat of an unorthodox technique but it worked … rumor has it he netted well over twenty fish not moving within five feet from that spot. Matter of fact, there now is a permanent sign marking the very spot, “Keith’s Spot” . As with Keith having a very good day, so it was with Malcolm who used a special pattern tied by this writer to catch large quantities of Brookies. Again, the Nantahala proved to be a very productive fishery, even in the rain that was steady throughout the afternoon. The day concluded with another wonderful meal that all enjoyed.
Saturday we arose again to threatening skies with hopes that the flow and rain runoff from the previous day would allow a fishable day on the Tuck. We all arrived at our destination, anxious to wet our lines. The river was fishable, yet one had to exercise caution as the level was still quite high. Keith proceeded to his “spot” , Reuben and Mac found spots nearby, while Malcolm and I headed down river. Hook ups were fewer and father between compared to Friday. The thunder in the distance was a sure sign that our fishing would be cut short. Four hours later we exited the river when the rain became a downpour. Keith, being the ever-optimistic fisherman, stuck it out and managed to hook up a few more. It’s funny how the rain doesn’t affect the fish. My guess is, unlike humans, they just don’t mind staying wet. The warm, dry lodge was a welcome haven for us all and presented the opportunity to make the best of it by tying some new creations as well as some old reliable friends. The evening meal included another invited guest (no, not the “house mouse”, he is the real resident) . Our guest was a college student from Western Carolina University that Keith had met on the river. Somehow Keith convinced him to join TU, a small price to pay to be able to fish “Keith’s spot” on the Tuck. Good conversation and sharing of stories were had by all.
With the storms now behind us and the air chilled, we focused on getting the lodge ready for the next lucky temporary residents. Before heading homeward we posed for some photo’s and left a snack for our friend the house mouse. Keith, Mac and Reuben headed back to the West Fork of the Pigeon one more time and I found my way to Courthouse Creek, a small,l wild, western NC stream. This stream is typical of small, wild waters with plenty of giant 5 inchers that fight like their bigger brothers and sisters. If you want to beat the crowds that you will find on bigger waters, fish this small stream. Just move from pool to pool floating some of your favorite dry fly patterns and be prepared to step back in time when the fishing was best with a “simple approach”.
Please consider joining us the next time we head back to Balsam Lake and you may just find yourself engaged in an adventure that you will surely enjoy. Also …….. don’t forget to leave something for the resident “house mouse”.
“Tight Lines”
Kevin