For many years I dreamed of catching a Smoky Mountain trophy brown trout. A dream that started when I first fly fished Hazel Creek many years ago. There, an old man told me that he’d caught a 5-pound brown trout on a spinner earlier in the day. Which planted the seed–my own dream–of catching a … Read more
During my last trip to Grayson Highlands, I camped at one of the highest elevation campsites around the entire park. Better still, this campsite provided me with some stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Glorious. But if those panoramic views were a serious sight to behold. Well then, you should’ve seen the breathtaking sunset … Read more
I’m very familiar with backpacking Grayson Highlands in Southwest Virginia. More so than most people. That’s a fact. Simply because I usually backpack Grayson Highlands about two to five times per year. Moreover, I’ve been backpacking Grayson Highlands, like this, for several years now. So I know the trails, campsites, locations of most of the … Read more
Recently, I embarked on a backcountry fly fishing trip to Deep Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See, I’d hiked there, once, many years ago. Back when I was a whitewater raft guide, residing near Bryson City, North Carolina. But, about a year, or so, ago, I’d reluctantly come to the undeniable conclusion that … Read more
The Grayson Highlands Backpacking Dream? Yeah, well, what’s that? I can explain. Easy. First, when you backpack Grayson Highlands, you’re living the dream. Right from the very moment when you step out of your car and breathe in that fresh pine scented mountain air. Already, it’s restoring your soul. Teaching you things, if you’ll listen. … Read more
Fly Fishing Bradley Fork in GSMNP. This was my most recent Fall fly fishing camping destination. I had good reasons for going there, too. For starters, the weather forecast was looking warm and sunny for at least one week. Moreover, the Smokies had just received a good amount of rain at the start of Fall, … Read more
Backcountry Fly Fishing On The Other Side is based on true events… My confession. If the truth be told. See. I had the most earth-shattering backcountry fly fishing trip, ever. Years ago. One that will never be topped. Not in this life. And it was just as the trip was starting. That’s when it hit … Read more
So what are the top 3 backpacking backpacks of 2023? And beyond.. The answer is easy. The 3 I recently purchased over the last 3 years since moving to NE TN. That said, I’m going to cover a few more backpacks in this article than just those 3. Why? Cause I’ve researched MANY brands and … Read more
So what are the very best fly fishing retirement towns and cities in this country? I was just pondering this very question, recently. Why? Just cause I’m always looking for some new fly fishing areas to visit. Moreover, the last time I explored this question, I literally went on a few road trips around the … Read more
So section hiking Sam’s Gap to 19E on the Appalachian Trail. I bet you want to know what it’s like… Well, I suppose that I could tell you exactly what you’d discover on this scenic and isolated part of the A.T. However, my 75-mile section hike through this remote region was rather strange, scary, and … Read more
This article explores the 10 greatest books of all time. That said, I have to confess that I don’t read as much these days as I’d like to. Why? Cause I’m too busy creating articles, like this one. And when I’m not, I’m usually outside hiking and fly fishing, enjoying the great outdoors. But my … Read more
This article is all about what you should do if you ever have a close encounter with a bear in the great outdoors. And more specifically, what you can do to stay alive in that situation. That said, I’m no bear expert. But I’ve had LOTS of close encounters with black bears in my life. … Read more