In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with John Leraas, the owner of Tailwaters Fly Company, the newest fly shop in East Tennessee. Tailwaters caters to the serious fly angler and fly tier, and John shares his fly fishing journey, the allure of East Tennessee as a fishing destination and his vision for the shop. John recounts his earliest fishing memories from the Pacific Northwest and his eventual transition to fly fishing, influenced by mentors from the Puget Sound Fly Fishers and Triangle Fly Fishers.

John discusses the challenges and rewards of opening a fly shop, emphasizing the importance of community and the unique offerings of Tailwaters, including a vast selection of fly tying materials and niche products. He highlights the rich ecosystem of guides and fly fishing enthusiasts in the region, as well as the diverse fishing opportunities available in East Tennessee, from wading for big brown trout to striper fishing in Boone Lake.

The episode also touches on the impact of Hurricane Helene on the local fishing community and encourages listeners to support the region by visiting and booking guide trips. Marvin and John discuss the future plans for Tailwaters, including the development of an online store and potential events and instructional content.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

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Helpful Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction

09:50 Moving to East Tennessee

14:18 Opening the Fly Shop

16:50 Navigating Challenges After Helene

22:48 Creating the Shop's Atmosphere

31:09 Overview of Local Fisheries

36:46 Shop Location and Hours