The outdoors can be unpredictable, and even experienced anglers can find themselves in situations they never saw coming. In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we welcome back Captain Tony Welch and Cody Fisher, along with longtime outdoorsman Bo Holly, for another installment of Wisdom From the Guides. We're sharing real-life experiences that remind us why preparation, awareness, and good judgment matter every time we head out on the water.

From unexpected encounters with hornets to dangerous boating accidents and severe weather, our guests share stories that have changed how they approach the outdoors. We also discuss the importance of knowing when to call it a day, preparing for emergencies in remote areas, and learning from situations that don't go according to plan.

Whether we're fishing mountain streams, coastal waters, or big rivers, there's always something new to learn. These stories remind us that experience is valuable, but staying alert and being prepared can make all the difference.

Key Highlights:

• Hornets and yellow jackets can be some of the most unexpected dangers while fishing in the mountains.
• Captain Tony Welch shares a dramatic cold-water rescue involving a runaway boat.
• Bo Holly recounts a tragic hunting accident on the Mississippi River and the lessons learned.
• Lightning, strong winds, and falling trees can quickly turn a fishing trip into a dangerous situation.
• Being prepared for emergencies is especially important when fishing in areas without cell service.
• Cody shares what happened when he found himself locked out of his truck in a remote area.
• Sometimes knowing when to leave the water is the most important decision an angler can make.

Resources:

• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down with Daniel Roberts, a fly fishing and light tackle guide on Beaver Lake, Arkansas, to talk about freshwater striper fishing, fly design, and what fly anglers can learn from conventional fishing.

Daniel shares how understanding conventional techniques can make us better fly anglers, especially when it comes to movement, retrieves, and triggering reaction bites. We also dig into the seasonal food sources of landlocked stripers, choosing the right fly profile, and why slowing down or speeding up your retrieve can make such a difference.

We also hear about Daniel’s favorite places to eat around Beaver Lake and the story of a redfish tournament where plenty of fish were hooked, but the flooded grass made landing them another matter.

Daniel’s approach is a good reminder that some of our best fishing lessons can come from looking beyond the techniques we already know. Listen to the episode, share it with your fishing partners, and go fish!

Key Highlights:

• Staying open-minded about both fly and conventional fishing can make us more well-rounded anglers.
• Shad size and species change throughout the year, influencing fly size and profile.
• Daniel discusses Clousers, Lefty’s Deceivers, Pop Shads, Good Fridays, and other productive patterns.
• Changing retrieve speed, adding long pauses, and creating erratic movement can trigger fish.
• Intermediate lines and weightless patterns can keep a fly in the strike zone longer.
• Bigger stripers may hang outside or below actively feeding schools.
• Daniel shares ideas for using Ice Dub, translucent materials, and lessons from conventional lure design.
• Sharing information and learning from other anglers is an important part of the Beaver Lake fishing community.

Resources:

• Beaver Lake Fly Fishing
• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

As colder weather approaches, we’re getting ready for winter fly tying season. This time, we walk through the system we use to stock fly boxes, organize materials, and tie enough proven patterns to carry us through the year without constantly returning to the vise.

We also share details on the upcoming Borough Fly Fishing Meetup 2 in Murfreesboro, including guest tier Andrew Smalling from Fly South, who will be tying fall streamers.

Winter tying doesn’t have to mean producing every fly you’ll need for the entire year. The goal is to build a solid supply of the patterns you trust most, stay organized, and spend less time scrambling to tie flies between fishing trips.

And if you’re near Murfreesboro, join us for Borough Fly Fishing Meetup 2 at TailGate Brewery on Thursday, October 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. Come hang out, watch Andrew Smalling tie fall streamers, enjoy some pizza courtesy of Music City Trout Unlimited, and spend an evening with the local fly fishing community.

Key Highlights:

• Preparing for Winter: Plan the patterns and sizes you’ll need most.
• Tie 13 at a Time: A baker’s dozen gives you one extra fly.
• Buy Quality Materials: Better hooks and materials make a difference.
• Stick With Proven Patterns: Stock up first, experiment later.
• Keep Extra Thread: A backup spool can save a tying session.
• Tie in Batches: Prepping materials makes the process more efficient.
• Track Your Progress: Lining flies up shows how your tying improves.
• Stay Organized: Sort flies by pattern and size for easy restocking.

Resources:

• Visit southeasternfly.com
• Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA