Debbie Griffith hefting a real hog of a smallmouth bass, July 19, 2010 (click to enlarge)

Debbie Griffith discovered Altamont Anglers when she moved to Asheville for a position at UNCA, carrying in her pocket a gift certificate for some fly fishing with us, courtesy of the co-workers she left behind at NC State. Since her first float trip with AA guide Teo Whitlock, she's become a regular occupant of the front of the boat.

She treated her friend, Denise Bruner--a constant threat to the redfish near her home in Tampa, FL--to a day of chasing their Appalachian cousins, the smallmouth bass, on Monday, July 19.

Debbie, Denise and their guide, Teo, endured a morning of drenching rain, bravely fishing through the downpour and being rewarded with some monster smallies!

You can see by clicking the pictures that follow how Debbie and Denise reaped the reward for toughing out the morning rain--afternoon sun and a beautiful day in East Tennesse.

The next day Debbie, Denise and Teo tackled the Sulphur hatch on the South Holston River, for some excellent dry fly fishing...more here.

 

 

 

Denise Bruner braves the rain for a nice smallmouth bass

Debbie Griffith in epic battle with a smallmouth bass

Teo and Debbie enjoy the moment (bass, not so much)

Denise and a smallie enjoy the emerging sunshine

After the rain, the day is pretty as a postcard

Guide in the mist: morning on the South Holston River

Waiting for the water to arrive...

With the water came the Sulphurs: A South Holston River brown trout, 7/20/10