In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down on the banks of the Elk River in Tennessee and talk about something every fly angler eventually spends time doing during the winter months: tying flies. After spending time recently tying at Little River Outfitters and working through a few patterns at the vise, we decided to walk through some practical fly tying thoughts that can help both beginners and experienced tiers improve their flies.

Rather than focusing on a single pattern, we discuss general principles that apply across the board. From thread control and material selection to building better dry flies, nymphs, and streamers, the conversation centers around small adjustments that can make a big difference in how your flies look, hold up, and ultimately fish.

A big takeaway from this discussion is that nothing in fly tying is absolute. There are many different ways to approach tying, and improvement usually comes from experimenting, refining your technique, and learning what works best for you at the vise and on the water.

Key Highlights:

1. Thread Control Matters: Consistent tension and flat thread wraps help prevent materials from spinning and create a clean foundation for the fly.
2. Less Material Is Often Better: Sparse flies tend to look more natural in the water and often fish better than overdressed patterns.
3. Building a Clean Thread Base: A smooth underbody allows materials like chenille, ribbing, and wire to lay evenly and improve the overall appearance of the fly.
4. Dry Fly Balance and Proportion: Proper tail length, correct hackle size, and avoiding crowding the hook eye all help a dry fly float and fish the way it should.
5. Strategic Weighting for Nymphs: Adjusting where and how much weight is added can change how a fly sinks and fishes in different water conditions.
6. Reinforcing with Ribbing: Counter-wrapping wire over delicate materials improves durability and helps flies last through more fish.
7. Movement Over Bulk in Streamers: Choosing materials that breathe and pulse in the water can create more realistic action than simply adding more material.
8. Using Flash Carefully: A few strands can suggest the flash of baitfish without overpowering the pattern.

Resources:

1. Visit southeasternfly.com
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Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we’re posted up on the banks of the Elk River, just over the hill from the Jack Daniel Distillery, swapping stories with our longtime friend Howard Brooks. Howard’s a Tennessee native, a former client turned guide, and one of those guys who somehow makes every day on the water feel richer than the last. We get into where his fishing life started, how guiding happened “purely by accident,” and why at 83 years old he’s still pulling on oars and loving every minute of it.

Key Highlights:

1. Howard’s first fish: hand-lining bluegills during a willow fly hatch on Chickamauga Lake.
2. Early fly gear memories: South Bend rods and old automatic reels.
3. Big trips that reignited it: Bahamas bonefish and Alaska trout.
4. How guiding started: a career change, a boat, and one two-boat trip that turned into a calling.
5. Why guiding isn’t “not fishing”: Howard feels like he’s fishing every minute.
6. The Elk before and after Tim’s Ford Dam: canoe trips, changing water, changing river.
7. What makes a great river lunch: know your anglers, keep it simple, or go all-out when it fits.
8. The fish that changed everything: a 738-pound blue marlin and a lifetime shift toward catch-and-release.
9. Advice to younger folks: get outside, learn nature, cut the screen time.
10. The three stages of an angler: numbers, size, then contentment.

Resources:

1. At The Rivers Edge
2. Visit southeasternfly.com
3. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode, we settle in for a true wintertime river recap. Instead of a rigid outline, we walk through a couple of cold, windy days on the water and talk honestly about what worked, what didn’t, and why winter fishing can feel both slower and more rewarding at the same time. From experimenting with new streamer ideas to battling wind, current, and changing water conditions, this one is about time on the water, tinkering at the vise, and enjoying good company when the river is quieter.

Highlights of the Episode:

1. Winter days on the river and how cold, wind, and higher water shape fishing decisions
2. The role of confidence in fly selection, techniques, and presentation
3. Swinging streamers on floating lines during shad season and why fly action matters
4. Experimenting with and refining a Clouser-style minnow pattern over time
5. Reading water, structure, and current seams in changing winter conditions
6. Adapting on the fly while keeping a reliable baseline approach
7. Why winter fishing is often about patience, fewer crowds, and quality opportunities

Resources:

1. Visit southeasternfly.com
2. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA