It’s been an odd week around here. One that started with sunshine and flowers, regressed to freezing weather and light snow, then bounced back to warm rain. The freezing nights dropped water tempertures down to the high 30’s in some spots and the fish were locked down for most of the morning. We adjust our schedule as a result to get folks on the water during the most productive times.
Mornings were exceptionally slow this week. Fish would start to move around noon and were rising well by 2:00. They typically stayed up for the remainder of the afternoon.
Most of the time the fish will take nymphs well in advance of any hatch but the water so cold they just wouldn’t budge not matter what we had on or if there was split shot involved. Even when they did start to move the time between “dead” and “on fire” may have only been 30 minutes.
Jerry Eyler releases a nice rainbow trout on LIttle River
We always see some of the best fish of the entire year during this time frame and this season has been no different. John Lindley caught this beautiful brown trout on a Haystack . It ran him all over the creek before coming in.
The tailwater scene has been good and we’ll be on the big rivers more next week. Flows have been great on all the big rivers though.
Jerry Eyler says
Thanks for the good time. My first Smoky Mountain trout. Jim is still talking about how much fun he had. Can’t wait to fish with you again.. Jerry
Ian says
Great to show you guys around, Jerry! Hope we can do it again soon.
Chris Biggerstaff says
Hey Guys, Headed your way for a 4 day trip Apr.2-6. Staying in G-burg. Hope to see you on the creek!
Ian says
Might see you on the river. Looks like a great week ahead!