The Blue Ridge mountains are starting to awaken with spring. Dave Beerbower took the opportunity to spend a Friday morning chasing the Appalachian Slam. My usual spot in the Watauga River was jammed with like minded flyfishermen, so I had to go to plan B. I went to a part of the river that I had not been to in a while, and I am glad I did. I had the whole place to myself! Fish were rising to midges in the film and it was game on. Caught two rainbows on a BWO, sight fishing around a boulder and then caught a beautiful Brookie swinging a soft hackle. Try as I may, there was no brown trout to be found. I’ll have to wait on the slam for another day. I don’t mind