After several months of alternating wet, dreary weather or bitterly cold weather we’ve finally hit on a streak of warm, sunny weather here in the Smokies. We’ve started to see decent hatches of mayflies in the afternoons and catching some fish on dry flies.
A spectacularly colored brown trout from Little River this week
Expect most of the activity to occur in the afternoon, but that doesn’t mean mornings aren’t worth the effort. We recommend fishing nymphs until about 12:30 or until you start to see mayflies fluttering about. Many of the bugs you’ll see are a pretty large #12 Quill Gordon. There are also smaller Blue Quills and Blue Wing Olives. You’ll probably also see some medium sized Early Brown Stoneflies buzzing about. A variety of fly patterns will work due to the variety of insects out and about.
Our son Boone lands a rainbow at Tremont on a warm, sunny day after school
We’ve continued to see frost overnight here in Townsend and it’s colder yet high in the mountains, so water temperatures have remained down in the 40’s for now. Even as we’ve had a great streak of nice weather, it’s also prudent to remember it’s still early and we’ll almost certainly get another cold snap in the coming weeks. Long range forecasts are hinting at precipitation as well as cooler temperatures so snow is a distinct possibility in the Smokies.
We’ll enjoy the nice weather for now, though. Even so, spring fishing is definitely underway. Even if things slow down for a few days due to cooler weather you can be sure it will snap back soon.
Ramsey Lillard says
Great info!