It’s been a while since we’ve posted a fishing report, primarily because we’ve been so busy guiding. As always, summer fly fishing can be more difficult than spring or fall but that’s largely a function of where you go. Most of the easiest access waters will be crowded with picnickers and might have marginal water […]
Spring Fishing Has Arrived in The Smokies
We’ve had the usual March weather roller coaster in the Smokies but are happy to report that spring fishing is well underway. There have been regular hatches, the first black bears have been sighted out from hibernation, and turkeys are starting to gobble. All are definite signs of spring! Fishing will continue to be solid […]
Wrapping Up a Busy Fall Season of Fly Fishing in the Smokies
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 […]
We’re In the Hottest Weeks of the Summer
The dog days of summer have arrived and it is hot here in East Tennessee! Fortunately it’s not so hot in the Smokies as it is in the surrounding valleys, but that’s little consolation with the thermometer readings over 90. This doesn’t mean you need to stop fly fishing, but it does mean you need […]
Typically Warm and Wet Summer Weather in the Smokies
We’re in the middle of a busy guide season here in the Smokies and the fly fishing is generally what we expect in summer. The trout aren’t necessarily easy to catch, but if you’re in the right place they are pretty cooperative. Temperatures have been just about spot on average for summer and we’ve had […]
Smokies Fisheries Population Counts Show Effects of Floods
We’ve been on the water volunteering with the national park fisheries biologists this summer. As always we try to pass on anything we’ve learned. One thing that is quite clear from looking at the fish populations is that winter floods of the past few years have had a noticeable impact. We participated in a population […]
Typical May Weather Producing Some Great Fishing
We’re at the point in the season where we’ve already seen a few hatches come and go, but we’re in the peak of insect emergences on our streams. We’ve had to cancel or postpone a few trips due to some stormy weather or high and muddy water, but that’s a fact of spring fishing in […]
Work In the Smokies to Be Aware of Before Heading to the Stream
There are a few infrastructure projects going on in the Smokies right now that could affect your fishing plans. Hopefully you can make plans accordingly. The most important will effect anyone heading to Abrams Creek in Cades Cove. The Abrams Falls Trail is undergoing restoration to repair severe erosion and will be close each week […]
Hatches and High Water in the Smokies
It’s been one of two very distinct stories when we consider how the fishing in the Smokies has been lately. The fishing is either on fire with incredible dry fly fishing or we’re blown out with high water. This is often the case with spring fishing, but has become increasingly common in recent years. Every […]
Heart of Winter in the Smokies
Every year is different from every other, but this winter has certainly been a cold snowy one in the Smoky Mountains. There has been snow on the ground most of the time with very few days without. This winter has been dryer than the previous two when we had multiple high water events. However, water […]