Here we are coming into August and the conditions are exactly what you would expect. Hot, humid, and passing thunderstorms in the Smokies. Generation schedules on our local tailwaters are somewhat unpredictable now as TVA is managing lake levels plus generating power during prime power usage hours when we’re all running the air conditioner. It’s days like these when I really appreciate the high country in the Smokies.
The height of summer in the Smoky Mountain backcountry
Temperatures always seem to hover around 80 and the water temperatures are often down in the low 60’s. Wet wading is comfortable if not downright enjoyable and dry fly fishing is a given. This type of fishing isn’t necessarily for everyone, but it’s really what I enjoy most. A short hike in the morning all but assures we have more water to ourselves than we can possibly fish in a day. Some consider this “full contact” fly fishing with rocky stream bottom and scrambling up and down massive boulders. No one who does this should expect to catch a monster, but the trout are typically pretty eager and super colorful.
A brilliant Smoky Mountain brook trout in its element
The days are already noticeably shorter and cooler weather is really just a few weeks away. We’re so ready for fall and all the comes with it, but for now we’ll enjoy all the best of summer fly fishing in the Smokies.
