Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and while most folks are thinking turkey, we’re thinking tails. This time of year always reminds us how fortunate we are to explore the waters of the Southeast on foot and the fish that make every wade session worth it. Sure, there are bucket-list species we dream about chasing someday...Golden Dorado in Bolivia, Giant Trevally in the Seychelles, and Steelhead in the Pacific Northwest to name a few. But today we’re giving thanks for the ones a little closer to home.
Below are the fish we’re especially grateful for this season, along with the flies, tactics, and gear (including some Atollas favorites) we reach for when targeting each species.
Redfish
Our hometown hero
If there’s one fish that defines Charleston, S.C. it’s the redfish. From summer flood tide tailers waving at you across the marsh grass to winter low tide schools sliding across pluff mud bottom, these fish offer every flavor of challenge. They’re strong, stubborn, and endlessly addictive—and we’re lucky enough to chase them right in our backyard.
Go-to flies & tactics:
- Crab patterns, shrimp patterns, and simple baitfish imitations
- Quiet, deliberate wading; long, accurate presentations
- Look for tails on the flood and clean "V" wake pushes during low tide
Gear we reach for:
- 8wt–9wt rod
- Simple Sling or waist pack
- Atollas 2GO Box to accommodate larger redfish flies
Native Brook Trout
Jewels of the Appalachians
These fish are as beautiful as the places they live. Hunting wild brookies means slipping into tiny mountain streams, crawling over boulders, and making bow-and-arrow casts into pockets the size of a shoebox. It’s equal parts hiking and fishing—and always an adventure.
Go-to flies & tactics:
- Small dries like elk hair caddis and parachute adams
- Mini nymphs and micro buggers for deeper pockets
- Stealthy approaches and natural drifts
Gear we reach for:
- 2wt–4wt rod
- Strong, stout wading boots
- Atollas Micro Box to keep a days-worth of trout flies at hand
Largemouth Bass
The Topwater King
Bass are the ultimate opportunists, and that’s exactly why we love them. Whether you’re walking the banks of a farm pond or exploring backwater creeks, largemouth demand a different rhythm—more searching, more spot casting, more anticipation. Then comes the best part: the explosion when a popper disappears in a toilet-flush eat.
Go-to flies & tactics:
- Poppers, divers, and articulated streamers
- Work structure, shade lines, and ambush points
- Loud and deliberate retrieves for topwater days
Gear we reach for:
- 6wt–8wt rod
- Floating line with heavy leader to turnover larger flies
- Atollas Fly Caddy paired with a 2GO Box to keep big bass bugs protected and the first-string flies ready
Bonefish
Ghosts of the Flats
There’s nothing like stalking bonefish on foot. They’re powerful, spooky, and demand the kind of accuracy that turns your knees to jelly. But when one tips its nose down on your fly…every ounce of effort is worth it. The tropical flats they call home don’t hurt either.
Go-to flies & tactics:
- Shrimp and small crab patterns
- Long leaders and soft, precise presentations
- Keep your shadow off the fish and your nerves in check
Gear we reach for:
- 8wt rod
- Floating tropical line and long leader
- Atollas Fly Caddy XL clipped to your hat or shirt so as not to get weighed down
Rainbow Trout
Elegant, Selective, and Endlessly Rewarding
Rainbows are a study in finesse. On clear Appalachian and Smoky Mountain waters, they’ll humble you one moment and reward you the next. Their colors, their attitude, and their love of clean drifts make them one of our year-round favorites.
Go-to flies & tactics:
- Dry-dropper rigs, tiny midges, and small streamers
- Look for riffles and deep pools near flowing currents
- A quick, deliberate trout set
Gear we reach for:
- 3wt–5wt rod
- Small hip or chest pack
- Atollas Micro Box to accommodate fly size variations needed
From hometown reds to mountain trout, we’re grateful for every fish that keeps us pulling on the wading boots. If you’re gearing up for a holiday session (hopefully with family and friends), we hope our suggestions help you travel light and fish hard. Happy Thanksgiving from the Atollas crew.