Author: Mike Watts
Fly Rod Review – Davidson River Outfitters NEW Scout Series Fly Rod
By Mike Watts Imagine walking through a fly shop, and you see it, maybe it’s the overhead lights reflecting in the Fuji guides or the varnished wraps. It catches your eye, and you pick it up, and the grip fits perfectly, and you immediately notice its light weight in your hand. Could this possibly become …...
Thank You, Dad
By Mike Watts Sleet hammered against the tin roof, creating a low, humming echo throughout the house. With only one den light on, the fireplace cast a magical aura in the dark room. Orange nuggets of embers glowed as yellow flames flickered around the oak logs as high as the wood could burn. The room …...
Another Visit to Steelhead Alley
By Mike Watts Combining big fish and great friends in a beautiful setting is the perfect recipe for a memorable steelhead fishing adventure. This story is about the area, the people, and how they made the trip down “Steelhead Alley” unforgettable. The Fall fishing trip to northeast Pennsylvania was going to be a daunting task...
Steelhead, Friends, and Southern Flies
By Mike Watts Nature’s fall colors lit up the drive along the county roads in northeast Pennsylvania near Lake Erie. The vibrant fall leaves on the trees were a welcome sight, with their colorful display marking the changing seasons and a time to chase steelhead. Driving these rural backroads gave me a sense of belonging. …...
Fall on the Chattooga River
by Mike Watts The mountains were dressed in their fall colors, showing bright shades of yellow, orange, brown, and red. Walking the trail down to the river, it was easy to see how vivid the woods looked with leaves in their splendor. Their beauty made me want to pinch myself and wonder why I had …...
An Evening with Bugs
By Mike Watts It was dark when I left the river and began the journey back up the mountain. Finding the path was challenging with no light. I’ve been on it many times, but at night, things look entirely different. I had decided to fly fish this one particular section until dusk and then walk …...
Dock Lights Under the Moonlight
By Mike Watts The last remnants of a clear, sky-blue, late-winter day were fading. As the sun dropped, so did the temperature. It was completing its’ daily duty in solemn grandeur as darkness took over. Winter nights on the lake can be cold, but peaceful. We would be alone out here tonight. Not many fools …...
Free Fly Apparel-Men’s South Fork Guide Pants
Product Review By Mike Watts Outdoor pants have to meet my many stringent requirements if I am going to be bragging on them. They need to be rugged, loose, and stretchable, yet lightweight, allowing for easy movement. Since I’ll be hiking to a river, bending, squatting, climbing, and occasionally wet wading, they must dry...
Flyrods, Farm Ponds, and Fire Ants
By Mike Watts If you are reading this fly fishing story and expecting a big fish to be caught near the end, you should find another story. But if you would like to read a story about a lowly fly fisherman facing one of Mother Nature’s fiercest creatures, during extremely high temperatures, then finally being …...
Planning Fishing Trips
Every fishing trip is an adventure filled with memories to be fondly recalled at a later time. Exploring new locations or even revisiting old ones that haven’t been explored in years brings excitement. Our fly fishing group has fished together since the late 1970’s and the many trips taken have created unforgettable memories, lots of...
