We’re on the backside of summer, at least as far as vacation schedules go. We’re still experiencing summer weather but that will all change soon. A few buckeyes and acorns have started dropping, but those aren’t the only signs of autumn. Bull elk on the North Carolina side of the Smokies have moved down from the high ridges down into the valleys with the cows. Bugling will be heard regularly wherever they’re found.
Smoky Mountain Bull Elk recently seen on the Carolina side of the park
Wet wading is still the way to go, but we’re usually looking at waders by the second week of October if not earlier. Warm sunny days make wet wading comfortable, but longer cooler nights drive cooler water temperatures. By October the nights are longer than the days and overnight temperatures start dipping into the 40’s along the tops of the Smokies. We’ve already experience one “false fall” with a couple of mornings in the high 50’s in Townsend, but that was followed by the hottest week of the year.
Charity fishes a small stream during a recent “false fall”. Summer isn’t over yet but fall is coming soon!
Water conditions are nothing short of spectacular for the end of summer. We’re rapidly moving from a relatively dry time to the driest time of the year. However, August was especially wet this year. In fact, we had historic flooding a few weeks ago. If you haven’t heard, roads in the Tellico District of the Cherokee National Forest were washed out in spots and there were rock slides on the Cherohala Skyway. Check with the Forest Service before making any trips that way. Tellico Outfitters is also a great resource if you head that way. You will be able to access the streams from the Skyway by going down from the NC side way up on North River Road. It will be a massive detour, but the best way in for most people.
Water levels have remained great as we move out of summer into the fall fishing season.
Our guide calendar isn’t completely full, but our availability has become quite limited through October. If you want to get out and experience some great dry fly fishing during the incredible fall season you shouldn’t wait any longer. The best fall color is typically during the last half of October and perhaps the first week of November. Fly fishing in November typically remains very good, but starts to become a bit of a gamble by Thanksgiving. That’s not to say it’s bad that late, but cold weather does become a real possibility.
Let us know if you have any questions and maybe we’ll see you on the water!
A Smoky Mountain brook showing off brilliant colors
