This Is Just The Beginning

(from our latest Instagram post)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSNYKSRgvwf/

Dear Fellow Anglers,

You've seen this one before, but this is me - the regular guy behind the name. I'm not the only Deep South Angler, we are all Deep South Anglers. I started this company with the vision of spreading joy through fly fishing and its wonderful tradition. I cannot express the breadth of happiness that fishing has brought me over the years of my life, even in the toughest and saddest times. In the same way, close to my heart is the South, where I know the sport has the extraordinary potential to flourish as more and more anglers of both cool and warm water fish species are introduced to this amazing sport. I truly believe the entire fly fishing community will be benefitted by such a movement in my home region. I also wanted the company to symbolize a tremendous respect for nature. It is Deep South Angler's promise to give 5% of every single sale back to conservation so that our precious waterways will be protected for generations of fly fisherman to come. Thanks to everyone for the support so far, I cannot express what it has meant. Also, I would not have made it far without the advice and input of my good friend and creative partner @lpritch3, a great fisherman and trusted friend. I decided to post this to allow some transparency with the company. We would love to hear any feedback from any of you anglers and friends out there. What would you like to see most from Deep South Angler? Currently, we are working on more flies, shirt designs and even rods for the coming weeks and months. We are also developing plans for a video series. Please know that you mean so much to Deep South Angler, since you have been there with @deepsouthangler from the ground level. We are just getting started, so the only direction from here is up!

Tight lines y'all,

 

Daniel

Where Did the Fish Go?

Spring has begun here in the Deep South and the fish are starting to move faster and more aggressively.  Even so, during this time of year there is often another wintry blast or two left in mother nature's repertoire.  

Cool weather strikes back, and we wonder where the fish have gone.  They're practically jumping in your net one day, but then the very next day it seems they've packed their bags and high-tailed it some warmer, far away waters.  

Good news: the fish are still there, they're just down deeper and more sluggish.  It's exactly times like this when you just might hook a personal record.  So when the fish have slowed down and seem to have stopped biting, fish the water all the more thoroughly.  While they may not be actively feeding, you can bet they will stand their ground in the instance of a threat, which leads us to the point of this post. 

It's little known that larger bass will often strike close to home as a territorial move rather than in pursuit of a meal. They're hunkered down under that boulder or log lying deep in the pool, keeping a low profile and conserving their energy until the warmth of spring returns.  

This is the time to fish most thoroughly.  Work that streamer as close as you can get it to home - a place where even the oldest and wisest bass ought to be relaxed and feel safe.  If you take him off guard with a large, deep-diving fly pattern, he may very well move into attack mode, seeking to crush any threat to his safe little secret spot.  

In a sense, there's a line the bass has drawn around its post, and, if you cross it, you may get a powerful take - one you won't forget.  Often the best fish are caught in the worst circumstances.  

Thanks for reading.

Tight lines,

Daniel