2021 has flown by and another busy guide season is drawing to a close. We’ve finally arrived at the time of year when we cease guiding full day trips. We guide afternoon half day trips as long as conditions are favorable, but don’t get out in the morning while trout are sluggish.
Most of the world has been reeling from the coronavirus epidemic, but the fly fishing world has been swamped as more people head outside. We’re small and there aren’t any more days in the season, so we can’t necessarily say we guided more than any other year. However, we had more phone calls and emails to return than most years while guiding every day possible. We’re very sorry if we missed you, but we were constantly on the run all year long.
Fall colors were spectacular on the stream this year
We had an exceptionally colorful fall season. Every year we marvel at the scenes all around us in the Smokies. Autumn is our favorite season with brilliant wild trout and abundant wildlife surrounded by intense palette of yellows, oranges, and reds.
Fishing has slowed down dramatically from where it was before Thanksgiving. Spring and fall have the most dramatic changes in trout between aggressive feeding and more sluggish behavior. We’re currently in the middle of a nice warm up so the fish are probably responding accordingly. Water levels are pretty low, though, so significant rain accompanied by a cool down is welcome news.
Kevin Caiaccio hooked up to a nice rainbow trout in Abrams Creek
Winter Fishing is Here
The best fishing strategy for this time of year is to take it slow and easy. No need to get to the stream early. Hang back and have another cup of coffee while the sun slowly creeps up over the ridge to shine on the stream. Even during winter “thaws” you should expect conditions to be dramatically cooler on the stream in the Smokies. The sun may not even get high enough to shine on the stream. The perennial shade never allows the ground to warm. You’ll need to dress warm no matter how warm it was on your front porch.
Nymphs are always part of the fishing in the winter months, but there’s often hope for dry fly enthusiasts during the warm periods. A dry / dropper rig will produce in shallower water around 2′ deep or less. Even trout glued to the bottom may rise to the surface. Rising trout aren’t something you should expect in the Smokies in December, but there’s always a chance.
Fishing is often best after rain that brings a rise not only to water levels, but temperatures as well. Watch for 45 degrees or warmer for the best fishing in the winter, but you’re still in the game with water down in the low 40’s. Once water is down in the 30’s you’ll find it much more difficult to entice the fish since they’re getting close to becoming an ice cube!
An extra solid wild brown trout caught by Bill Kittrell this fall