Still a bit cold to jump in but plenty of fishy activity available.
Predicting the exact date has always been a challenge but my snorkel boss Jim is getting pretty good at it. Syncing that to my girl's Spring Break, Easter and a cabin rental is another challenge. Nonetheless Monday the 14th we found ourselves peering over the first bridge along with trout fisherman dangling corn, salmon eggs and shiny trinkets. A few dying buffalo lay on their sides gasping as the water flowed clear and inviting in the sunshine. We headed up stream to the Broken Arrow Lodge, actually a cabin, unloaded our assorted goods and took a streamside walk among the Spring flowers.
Crested Dwarf Iris, Tennessee's state flower.
After a good bit of walking upstream and downstream we found this lone fungi by the parked van. Dry Land Fish, AKA the Yellow Morel, Esculenta Morchella, Wood Fish ( if your from West Virginia ) or Merkel, North Georgia dialect for Miracle in Foxfire country. Simmer in butter to best appreciate.
Rain began to fall that night and altered our Tuesday plans so we visited the Sequoyah Museum where a student graphic design and typography project had produced posters illustrating Sequoyah's alphabet for the Cherokee. I had hoped to find a Hogsucker poster, Da Lo Ge as the Cherokee pronounce it, or another fishy specie but only found this dang old Bass, eater of the fish we NANFans love. Hogsuckers are not appreciated by the unschooled.
Broken Arrow Icon of yesteryear.
At the cabin were several issues of Blue Ridge Magazine which offered interesting stories on the Melungeons, Trilliums and the Brown Mountain Lights. These mysterious lights are seen only 5 miles from our 2014 convention at Linville Falls. For those interested i suggest that on one clear evening we divide into 2 groups. Group one will be comprised of the enthusiastic gullible and will go to one of the two public observation vantages. The second group will hike to the top of Brown Mountain and launch a flurry of Sky Lanterns. Group 1 will be responsible for recording reactions.
Looking downstream, several hundred Redhorse drifted between here and the old bridge structure. Another run is expected.
Caddisfly? Ed seemed to think so.
Flutterflys gathered at the pee spot.
Mighty Tulip Poplar, Tennessee's state tree. Below are Black, Yellow and Tulip Morels.
Dryad's Saddles, taste like cucumber seeds raw.
Ed readying the Buffalo for the dredging, i pulled it from the chilled water, dead and glassy eyed but the gills had gone white testing our nerves and palettes.
Today's find, old Black Morels along the top, Tulip Morels along the left and a couple nice Yellows on the right and 2 newbies in the center. Not enough, just a taste.
The dinner before us, Ron from Dodge City, Greyscale Visionary Bob, My daughters Cyan and Cerulean, Riverslick and my sweetheart. On the evening's menu were tasty battered Buffalo Chips, butter simmered Morels of 3 species, Salad with fresh Ramps and Redbuds, Dryad's Saddle sautaeed with onions and peanut oil, Ed Caught grilled Alaskan Salmon, and Jalapeno Ramped Hushpuppies. Served with NC's Cheerwine, Muscadine Wine, Shocktop Lemon Brew and Sassyfrass Tea. All finished with Russell Stover's Bloopers. A wonderful day.
Fresh finds on the picnic drive home.
The way home we followed Citico Creek upstream, a long, scenic and winding drive that peaks and descends into the Tellico River watershed. Lots of wonderful fish reside in these 2 systems, Tangerines, Greenfins, Longnose Dace in the higher portions, too many to name. I lead snorkeling trips for the Cherokee National Forest a few miles upstream of the Broken Arrow. Bryce and Michael had considered joining us for the Buffalo Run 2014, the cabin would make a wonderful NANFA site to explore the waters from anytime. Both rivers run clear and offer many unique opportunities. 4 or 6 Fishy NANFans could be accommodated if elbows and gear were minimized. This is snorkel water and summer is a fine time to be in the cool mountain water! A trip could be organized if enough interest was expressed.
Here is a short Knoxville news video on the Buffalo Run which is narrated by my snorkel boss. The UW video was shot by JR of CFI.
http://www.knoxnews....il/buffalo-run/
For something silly and shamefully fat, but determined to forage for Buffalo...
NANFA Youtube Channel 
