Looking Forward to the New Year

We’ve just emerged from what will likely be the coldest weather of the season and landed in some remarkably mild conditions. Rivers and streams in the Smokies were frozen over for the better part of a week during Christmas.

Middle Prong of Little River in the Smokies during the arctic blast

Lynn Camp Prong frozen over on a snowy day

Fortunately our weather has warmed up quite a bit and we’ve been able to get out on the water. We’re seeing some small dun caddis and a few winter stoneflies on the stream. Depending on the day and the particular stream we’re also seeing a few blue wing olives, but dry fly fishing isn’t at all reliable.

Basic nymphing is the way to go. Either fish under an indicator or tight line, whichever you’re most comfortable with. You may need to experiment with a small split shot on some days, but as long as your nymphs are weighted you might be in good shape.

Our favorite winter nymphs are a Beadhead Pheasant Tail Nymph and a Pat’s Nymph. Those are usually tied on our leaders, but there are many flies that will certainly work just as well. Prince Nymphs and Tellico Nymphs are just two more but almost any pattern #12 – #16 should work pretty well.

Charity tight lines a pair of nymphs through a deep pocket on a mild winter day.

We’ve been getting a lot of messages asking when we expect spring fishing to turn on. This usually happens in early to mid-March, but can swing a week earlier or later depending on the particular year. Dry fly fishing during mayfly hatches might start in late February but you can’t depend on that as reliable. However, fishing should be well underway by the third week of March.