Update: Who knew? Turns out Rana Cash is  on the staff at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and had her own version of the trip described below published in the AJC's Sunday Travel edition on April 9, 2009. She has a way with words and told a better tale than that described below--here's a link to Rana's article .

Altamont Anglers guide Teo Whitlock provided a fly-fishing tutorial on the Davidson River "campus" for Vanetra Means and her friend, Rana Cash, on Saturday, February 7, 2009.

AA guide Teo Whitlock holds a hefty rainbow trout caught by Vanetra Means on the Davidson River, 2/7/09 (click image for larger view).

The Davidson River is well-known for its population of PhD trout, fish that have become highly educated regarding the difference between real insects and the flies we use to imitate them. Experienced anglers love the challenge of fooling these wary trout, even if it often means hours of frustrating refusals by fish actively feeding on everything but the anglers' offerings.

So, it's a real challenge to introduce a novice angler to the sport of fly fishing under these conditions. However, the skills and knowledge of professional guides usually prevail in these situations--providing the students are willing to pay attention to their "perfesser".

Judging by the photo to the left, Vanetra Means was an attentive student! Not bad for the first time with a fly rod in hand...

Rana Cash and Teo Whitlock and a great Davidson River rainbow come together for a photo opportunity (click the image for larger view).

 

 

February 7 broke a spell of single-digit temperatures with Spring-like weather pushing the high 60°s . But it takes a few more days of warm weather for the water to warm, as you can see by the ice in the background. Cold water temps just add to the complexity of catching these difficult trout, so it adds a measure of satisfaction when you do succeed. That would explain the smiles on the faces of both guide and student in the photo to the right!

 

 

 

 

Rana appears to have been as fast a learner as Vanetra in the rudiments of fly fishing--interestingly, the folks in the background never seem to have a fish on...

Teo and Rana stalking a pod of Davidson River trout (click image for larger view)

The photo to the left is interesting more for what you might not see than for what you do see. What you do see is Teo and Rana studying the water, but if you enlarge the image by clicking it and study the water yourself, can you find all the fish? Hint: look up against the far riverbank, under the tree.

Helps if you have your polarized sunglasses on...

(Altamont Anglers operates on Pisgah National Forest Rivers under USDA Forest Service Permit #PIS6560)