S8E5 - Frosty Mornings and Musky Pursuits: January Fishing Insights with Ellis Ward

Episode Overview

East Tennessee guide Ellis Ward delivers his first fishing report of 2026 on The Articulate Fly podcast, covering winter tactics for both post-spawn trout and low-water musky fishing. Ward breaks down strategic adaptations required for fishing extremely low and clear water conditions that have dominated the region through early January, affecting both tailwater trout fisheries and musky rivers like the French Broad. The episode emphasizes post-spawn trout streamer fishing opportunities in late January and February, when trophy fish are feeding aggressively to recover after the fall spawn. Ward also discusses current musky conditions under challenging low...