In this episode, we slow things down and reflect on a question that feels simple at first but carries a lot of weight once you sit with it: what really is the best seat on the river? We take a thoughtful ride through seasons, boats, friendships, and family, looking at how our perspective changes over time and how fly fishing has a way of marking those changes if we pay attention.

This one is less about tactics and more about people. It’s about watching anglers grow, roles shift, and moments pass that don’t always announce themselves while they’re happening. The river keeps moving, and so do we.

Highlights of the Episode:

1. Exploring the question of what truly makes the best seat on the river, from drift boats to gravel bars to warming up in the truck on a cold day.
2. A guide’s perspective on why the front seat of a drift boat offers such a unique view of the water and the fishing unfolding ahead.
3. A long-running story of a father and son who fished together for years, gradually improving their skills and deepening their relationship on the river.
4. The subtle but meaningful moment when the son insists his dad take the front seat, signaling a shift in roles shaped by time and experience.
5. Reflections on aging, gratitude, and recognizing special moments before they quietly pass.
6. The transition to a third generation, with a grandson now riding in the front seat and carrying family memories forward.
7. A reminder that the best seat on the river isn’t fixed. Sometimes it’s the front, sometimes the back, and sometimes it’s simply being there at all.

Resources:

1. Visit southeasternfly.com
2. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down with Neil Norman, a writer, lifelong angler, and Smokies regular, to talk about far more than fish. Neil’s upcoming book, Tight Lines and Tall Tale Stories of Southern Appalachian Fly Fishing, serves as a backdrop for a wide-ranging conversation about mountain history, old fishing methods, unforgettable characters, and the deep sense of place that defines fly fishing in Appalachia.

We spend time exploring how fishing in the southern Appalachians is inseparable from its stories. From rough-looking hollers that turned out to be filled with kindness, to warning shots fired near suburban creeks, Neil shares experiences that highlight the contrast between perceived danger and genuine mountain hospitality.

1. Backcountry Myths and Realities: Neil shares stories from fishing rough-looking Appalachian hollers, where perceived danger often gave way to generosity, kindness, and deep-rooted mountain etiquette.
2. From Pasture Water to Plunge Pools: A look at how fishing long, sandy New River runs shaped Neil’s approach, and how that foundation translated into Smokies-style pocket water and steep plunge pools.
3. Old-School Tactics That Still Work: We dig into monofilament fishing, homemade split shot, and techniques born from necessity that remain deadly effective in Appalachian trout water.
4. Flies with a History: Neil breaks down classic Southern Appalachian patterns, including the Sheep Fly, and explains why fishing historic flies in historic places adds another layer to the experience.
5. Preachers, Faith, and Fishing Days: Stories of mountain preachers who treated time on the water as sacred, blending faith, routine, and fly fishing into Appalachian life.
6. The One That Got Away: A winter encounter with a massive spawning rainbow on a tiny tributary near Watauga Lake, complete with a flashing dorsal fin and a lesson in humility.
7. Post-Fishing Eats in Townsend: Neil shares his go-to food stops after a day in the Smokies, from casual bites at Peaceful Side Social to a full sit-down experience at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro.

Resources:

1. Visit southeasternfly.com
2. Sign up for our newsletter

Produced by NOVA

What does it really mean to care for the waters we fish? In this mid-month episode of the Southeastern Fly Podcast, we tackle that question head-on—because the answer starts with each of us.

Today we welcome back Jason McReynolds, guide and owner of Flying Soho and board member of the Blue Ridge Guides Association, to explore what it means to take ownership of our rivers and give back to the places that give us so much.

Jason returns after his last appearance on Episode 89 (“Fishing Streamers”) to share updates from Upper East Tennessee and to discuss the impact of recent storms, river debris, and community efforts to clean and preserve the waters we all depend on.

Together, we dive into the shared responsibility anglers, guides, and outdoor enthusiasts have to maintain clean, healthy rivers—and how organized cleanups make a real difference.

Highlights of the Episode:

• Whose River Is It? Reflecting on how we each experience and value rivers in our own way—and what that means for stewardship.
• From Talk to Action: David shares his “one-piece rule,” while Jason explains how his team turns small actions into large-scale cleanups.
• Organizing a Cleanup: Jason outlines what it takes to plan a successful river cleanup, from picking dates to partnering with local organizations.
• Incentives and Impact: How community support, great prizes, and volunteer spirit combine to make each event a success.
• After the Storm: The crew discusses recovery efforts and massive debris fields left behind by Hurricane Helene—and why continued cleanup is vital.
• Fishing Report: Streamer season is heating up, with rainbows and browns feeding aggressively on shad through the lower stretches of the Watauga and South Holston.

Remember, keeping our rivers clean isn’t someone else’s job—it’s everyone’s. Join the conversation, mark your calendar for March, and help make a difference wherever you fish.

Resources:

• Visit FlyingSoho.com
• Instagram: @flyingsoho
• Learn more about the Blue Ridge Guides Association cleanup and events
• Sign up for the Southeastern Fly Newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes and events.

Listen, share, and go fish—and leave the river better than you found it. 🎣

Produced by NOVA