Backcountry Trout Fishing some Incredible Water!! (SAB Part 1)

NORTH CAROLINA BROOK TROUT!!
A few months ago my friend Dillon and I planned out a trip to Western North Carolina in hopes of having a good weekend of camping and fly fishing. Our target species was the southern strain of the native Appalachian Brook Trout. These fish have lived in the southern Appalachian mountain range for since the last ice age and are easily one of the most beautiful fish on earth.
In part one of the mini series titled "SAB" we arrive at our destination and hike 5 miles back into the backcountry and set up our little base camp for the weekend. After setting up camp we get some rest before spending our morning catching as many brook trout as we possibly can and enjoying the incredible water that WNC has to offer. I hope you enjoy the video and return to watch part 2!!
Trippin on Trout's latest video:
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

[@catsoutofthebag24]

Caretaker in Ca. Previously private guide. Schedules and caregiven is so demanding. Now I stay "alive" through " fish tanks" and videos' like this! Thank you for fishing! Fairwinds!

[@jeffrey9055]

More of your awesome native fishing. Beautiful brookies! I'll NEVER understand how anybody could leave their trash in such a beautiful, unspoiled wilderness setting!

[@hardmanfishing]

Me neither... but thank you so much for watching!

[@soloflyfishing]

Great stuff.

[@Prirodairibolov]

Beautiful place

[@scotthurley4967]

Now you're in my neck of the woods lol. Some awesome places here!!

[@stringtwister7654]

I live here in Western NC, me and a few friends do a lot of clean up, especially in the winter. If you will just tell me the general area we will do our best to clean those nasty campsites up this winter. It's our way of giving back to the land

[@zumalot]

Outstanding. I just wish you didn't have to perform that task. It is beyond me how there are some who take advantage of such beauty and then leave their trash.

[@clanrobertson7200]

I live in NE Atlanta and I am 73 and I have told Mr Hardaman what a wonderful fisherman I think he is and what a wonderful job he does with his video editing, filming and production. But I was going to give him some grief for not saying that they were picking up the trash after supper the first night. I have always carried out everything that I could and pilled up everything else. Plus, I had to laugh at two other things: 1. Being sore shouldered after a two hour hike. You either carried everything that you owned, or you could not be in worse shape than me working at a drafting table all of the time and taking a 3 day hike from Dillard, Georgia straight up the side of a mountain at 3:00 pm and walking to Carter’s Gap on the AT Lugging 70 lbs with an Army surplus Mountain Division Back Pack and wearing a pair of Walmart 1976 $12 Chinese sneakers on a 3 day 50 mile hike. 2. And my Boy Scout Troupe was taught to carry an old margarine tube with melted scrape candles to use to scrape off with your twigs and scrap paper towels to start a fire in a Florida downpour. Works every time. You might need someone to hold their poncho over you while you light the match. You only get one to get your badge with. The old professor Live free or die! Death ☠️ to ALL TYRANTS! The truth will stand when the world falls! No Shit.

[@hardmanfishing]

Shoot me a message on Instagram!

[@hardmanfishing]

@@clanrobertson7200 We picked up the trash at that campsite and carried it out! As far as the sore shoulders I'm just not used to carrying weight, the hiking was easy! Tight lines

[@KevinWhite13]

“If you will just tell me the general area…” yeah yeah yeah, if you want to know where that fishing spot is just ask.

[@shayler1219]

Thanks for sharing

[@flyfishingchannel]

Nice!

[@cooltuber1404]

Quote "I hope you enjoyed this video". Absolutely 👍 ! Tough to decide what I enjoyed the most 🤔? The music (especially the travel music), your dedication to many different matters (even commentary about trash), the natural beauty of the terrain, the clear, clear water, the colors of the Native Brookies. Okay, since this video is about flyfishing I will go with the beauty of the Native Brookies as my favorite part of your superbly made video. Thank you, what a joy to watch on a peaceful beautiful morning as Canadian Geese are squawking and flying overhead in my neck of the woods.🙂

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!! Thanks for the kind words

[@jimgollach6202]

I definitely enjoyed this video,gorgeous country,water,and of course the brookies. You guys found another special place. I also don't understand the trash thing, I see stuff like that all the time, and have packed out someone else's mess. It's really sad. Thanks for sharing. I also enjoyed the background music. Looking forward to watching more. Stay safe. 👍👍👍

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!! Thank you so much for watching!

[@dannybreau463]

Nice place

[@martinpicker53]

Beautiful fish beautiful stream! Don't understand how people can just leave trash. Thankyou for picking it up. Looking forward to part 2!

[@hardmanfishing]

I don't understand either. Just pure laziness. But thank you!

[@TheXeniaman]

It is great to see such good water flow and brookies doing so well there. Incredible water you are fishing.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you so much!!

[@HolyFire333]

Beautiful back country and brookies 🤠

[@hiddenoutdooradventures5260]

Awesome video these small creeks and streams are so fun to fish, every trip out is exciting!

[@hardmanfishing]

Can’t argue with that!! Thanks for watching!

[@rolandeggers7764]

I really enjoy so many of your videos. So much of it reminds me of my trips 35 years ago. Rock on, dude!

[@zumalot]

Another winner. The look and sound of the water triggered so many great memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm glad you enjoyed!!

[@vagacat69]

Opening shot of that Fish was incredible What colors on that fish!!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Doesn't get much better than that!

[@The-OutdoorDad]

That is some incredible water!! Great video. Makes me want to drop what I’m doing and get out there. Thanks for posting

[@coltonwike2643]

Beautiful country once you get back in a couple miles, it only gets better the further you go. Keep up the WNC content, as a guide in the area this is my favorite! Shoot me a message if you ever want some real prime spots 😎

[@hardmanfishing]

I believe it! I could've spent a week up there.

[@vagacat69]

Well done. Great colors regardless of size

[@bryannelson3116]

I miss them wnc mnts!

[@leehjones]

So beautiful, so enjoyable. Thank you.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@michaelsmith7193]

Thanks for sharing another outstanding adventure! Those fish were amazing - and what a beautiful stream!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you for watching!!

[@teamcoff]

Outstanding video man! You slay it all over the nation💪🏽💪🏽🎣🎣

[@ericblair1011]

Great stuff!

[@kozakmw88]

Amazing as always. Thank you for sharing this epic journey 🙏🏻 😎😊

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you for watching!

[@danielfutato9090]

Great video! That is one of my favorite creeks anywhere, though I haven’t been there in years. I’m glad to see it still fishes well.

[@BryceK60]

Just love your videos so well put together. Just laid back. Beautiful river beautiful fish just love it

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@bengiacchino8810]

I was just there this past weekend... Saw that table, I guess the yellow jackets nest under the log around that fire ring had not formed yet.

[@hectorsantiago8221]

Amazing! Great fish and great shots!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@BIGTROUTAXR]

Very good

[@sunfishassassin5963]

You make some amazing videos..keep up the great work..fish on🤟❤

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@oldhunterdan]

What an incredible fishing video. WOW! Reminds me of a time in Co. fishing above 8k feet. I started to keep a log of the fish I caught but gave up after a few hours as I was catching so many Trout. An old Boy Scout trick on finding dry wood after a rain is "look up, not down". Find dead limbs in trees, they will be the driest... can't wait for part ll...

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah we tried to keep count but lost track at around 25 a piece. Our issue with dry wood was that it was just damp down that deep in that hollow. I mean I'd break off a dead tree limb and it felt wet. But that's a good saying no doubt! Thanks for watching!

[@Saunderss]

Great looking place! Your videos are making me want to move east.

[@hardmanfishing]

It's not so bad out east! Although the west is pretty incredible

[@larryhudson4511]

Outstanding video!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks Larry!

[@vagacat69]

Great filming. Wow. Love the colors regardless of size. Well done

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@thomassammons1369]

Right in my backyard! Looks like WNC was good to you, great video!

[@hardmanfishing]

It was indeed!! Thanks for watching!

[@adventuretimefishinghunting]

Great Video Man! So many brookies! and what a spot.

[@hardmanfishing]

Doesn’t get too much better!!

[@badsnapebadsnapebadsnape9506]

Absolutely stunning fish, I once caught a 13 incher that had just a beautiful crimson red color. Keep up the great work man!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you so much!!

[@fla0741]

It must be the only video on KZbin with no dislikes 👍

[@hardmanfishing]

You spoke too soon... HAHAHA

[@clanrobertson7200]

I live in NE Atlanta and I am 73 and I have told Mr Hardaman what a wonderful fisherman I think he is and what a wonderful job he does with his video editing, filming and production. But I was going to give him some grief for not saying that they were picking up the trash after supper the first night. I have always carried out everything that I could and pilled up everything else. Plus, I had to laugh at two other things: 1. Being sore shouldered after a two hour hike. You either carried everything that you owned, or you could not be in worse shape than me working at a drafting table all of the time and taking a 3 day hike from Dillard, Georgia straight up the side of a mountain at 3:00 pm and walking to Carter’s Gap on the AT Lugging 70 lbs with an Army surplus Mountain Division Back Pack and wearing a pair of Walmart 1976 $12 Chinese sneakers on a 3 day 50 mile hike. 2. And my Boy Scout Troupe was taught to carry an old margarine tube with melted scrape candles to use to scrape off with your twigs and scrap paper towels to start a fire in a Florida downpour. Works every time. You might need someone to hold their poncho over you while you light the match. You only get one to get your badge with. The old professor Live free or die! Death ☠️ to ALL TYRANTS! The truth will stand when the world falls! No Shit.

[@hardmanfishing]

First of all I would like to say that we did take as much trash as we could! We weren't really prepared to bring anything out that we didn't pack in unfortunately. Second of all 3 days and 50 miles?? That is incredible to say the least. I can hike all day but when I start adding weight I slow down just because I'm not used to it. Lastly I'll have to remember the margarine tube thing. We just honestly weren't prepared. Thanks for watching!

[@tarcisodutrapescadorestilo9692]

Simply amazing!!! Very beautiful place, nature is really amazing...not to mention the style of fishing!!! Congratulations everyone!!!💪🏻🎣🇧🇷 Hug, Gpel-Group Freestyle Fishermen

[@dennismoss3918]

Love the video! I am from the other side in North Georgia.. The key is get off the road and walk like you all did. Great catches...

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@yukon_jack4517]

Ive been waiting for this one for a while.. love the vids!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@coltongrace4479]

In some of my experience in the WNC brook waters, throw on a small wooly bugger, throw it downstream, and work it back up to you. These guys will absolutely tear it up. They are more aggressive than a lot of folks give them credit for.

[@skipsamples2647]

You are doing a great job. Love the brookies and have a special place for them in that area. As always, it is best to pick up after others (pigs). :)

[@hardmanfishing]

Wouldn't it be awesome if we didn't have too? hahaha (wishful thinking) thanks for watching!

[@michaelramsey8024]

I recognize where you are fishing, the foot bridge gave it away. Beautiful area! As for clean up, that is nothing new. WNC is full of slob campers. My son and I fished where you are, we had to clean up the camp site also.

[@hardmanfishing]

I figured those of you who had fished it would recognize the area! But yeah just about every camp site we past that wasn't occupied had trash laying around. I just can't understand the thought process behind it.

[@paulbmurphy]

Love this, a real sense of adventure and beautiful fish. What sort of tackle are you using John? I am guessing 7ft rod with a 3 weight line? It looks like a challenging casting environment but you seem to have it mastered.

[@hardmanfishing]

You are correct! I go over my setup in Part 2. But yeah I've fished these small streams so much at this point I've gotten used to the awkward casting. I still spend a lot of time in the trees though

[@isaacwilkins8861]

I'm glad you put them on blast for leaving garbage...I've been putting stuff on Facebook even about leaders and people cutting their line and leaving it..I bought a mono master eats all the old stuff awesome investment

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah I saw some line in the trees in a few places, and a worm container even though this is a catch and release artificial lure only stream.

[@appleseeD552]

GORGEOUS fish man!🙂👍 Totally diggin on the whole camp and fishin thing...especially when you're RIGHT NEXT to the water...VERY COOL. In fact I'm kinda surprised the water was so clear after Ida n'all, like no stain er nuthin 😳. Please keep these vidz comin bro. Peace ✌😎

[@hardmanfishing]

The water is clear because there is no industry (Mining, logging, houses, etc.) up in that drainage! When people don't mess with things nature has an awesome way of dealing with sediment/stained water. Thanks for watching!!

[@chasehartranft7414]

My man deserves more subs

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@gojoe36]

OK now your in my neck of the woods 😉 Been there done that. That is an oldy but a goody. The mini series titled "SAB" should be SBC 👍

[@hardmanfishing]

SBC?

[@dustyburner]

We've been pretty fortunate this year to have a decent amount of rain in the NC mountains. Usually it seems the water is low this time of the year.

[@hardmanfishing]

I know you guys have been lucky, we've been struggling in WV.

[@dustyburner]

@@hardmanfishing Some of your streams did look low. Maybe this winter you'll get some snow to recharge the ground water.

[@jarodmore2836]

John you need to do a video about your casting technique. It’s really interesting you don’t do a traditional cast it’s like a sideways windshield wiper motion. It totally makes sense in those tight spaces with only the creek bed being free of tree limbs.

[@hardmanfishing]

That is what happens when you're never taught how to cast and just make it up as you go hahahaha I'll maybe do it one day. I honestly just cast however the stream allows me to cast.

[@jarodmore2836]

@@hardmanfishing some would call that ingenuity or being creative a d getting the job done. 😉 I dig it.

[@desiredfishing8698]

Where are you in NC I am in the Charlotte area and would love to catch my first trout! Love your channel keep up the great work

[@stevenschoppmann4946]

Great content. Good video on the takes. What size and length was the rod you were using? Looking forward to part 2.

[@hardmanfishing]

I go over it in part 2! But I was using a 6'6" 3 wt

[@hunters1372]

I live in NC and I’ve been working my tail off trying to find where the farther east decent trout stream is and it’s been a huge struggle, lots of fishless days

[@PHARRAOH]

listening to a book on disc I got from the library that is about a missing backpacker in your neck of the woods, Seems a huge something, attacked him. Its fiction but as they describe the woods, trees and brooks, I see you guys fishing. Now, could it be....... :-)

[@hardmanfishing]

It must be Bigfoot. No other explanation

[@marksmith9194]

Great video. What rod, reel, line and flies are you using?

[@hardmanfishing]

I go over it in Part 2!

[@michealjohnson5700]

Welcome to my neck of the woods guys. Hope you keep the secret well!

[@hardmanfishing]

No doubt!! My lips are sealed

[@livefree2342]

Come see if you can find Brookies in ky

[@skippindocs5793]

If only I knew where this was

[@vomitingwithungodlyaccurac3218]

What state are y’all in? I need to move to where you’re at haha looks like so much fun.

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm from WV but this video was NC lol

[@rockymountaintrout2689]

Are those barbless hooks your using?

[@steveclark8799]

My perspective, of course, is my own, and I love backcountry fishing videos as I rarely get into backcountry, but as a viewer, I see many fisherman make the same mistake spending too much time showing themselves talking about what they’re going to do. We want to see you fish! Great color on those beauties though. Just a suggestion.

[@matthewheskett1845]

What rod do you fish?

[@scottnock5241]

Jon great job!! I had 5 days of that last week!! I’d love to take you and do some filming!! North central PA.. Hit me up!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!! I need to fish Pa badly. I'll probably start exploring it around December

[@jeffrussell4031]

Where did you get this hat?? So sick! I live in WV

[@MrFunkyko]

What rod are you using here?

[@troutabout664]

That spider crawling all over your hat though...

[@hardmanfishing]

Probably spiders crawling on more places than my hat after sleeping out there

[@milanbogdanovic6120]

What is the name of the song playing during the beginning of the video?

[@aimanaurf6040]

Ok

[@bubbasnitrorc2632]

This North Carolina or Tennessee?

[@leep1819]

Where in the world is Andrew?

[@hardmanfishing]

He's in Florida working!

[@rustyboston8995]

Why do you have to keep the place so secretive? I have fly fish the Southern Appalachian for 30 years.

[@hardmanfishing]

I just don't mention the places I fish as to not make anyone mad. I'm sure there are quite a few guys who fish that stream somewhat often and don't want everyone going and checking it out all of the sudden. Some places are just better off that way.

[@ernsthorn2788]

Okay... nice music. Beautiful surroundings. Too much talking.

[@KD16288]

Love your videos but for the love of god when you’re talking turn down or get rid of the music. Sometimes you do but I’ve noticed many times you don’t. Just lower the volume of the music. It is overpowering your voice.

[@everafterdnc1]

Nice video!!! Please don't use Jesus name like you do unless it's in prayer.

[@rickbrooke1165]

Jesus cut the grass until 2008 then he moved back to Mexico. Fake gods false prophets. Drop the cult