Late winter hung on well past its typical departure date here in East Tennessee, but the sun and warm temperatures have finally arrived. We’ve been guiding in a number of locations over the past week and it’s good to say that spring is here. As always, we notice much more around us than just the […]
Stoneflies Beginning to Show Up in Force in the Smokies
There are still plenty of mayflies and caddis flitting about in the Smokies but we’re starting to notice more stoneflies everyday. The early brown stones are still out in force laying eggs on the water throughout the afternoons, but we’re beginning to see far more variety. There have been large, medium, and small stoneflies buzzing […]
The Best Week of the Year So Far
We hate to put a jinx on the whole thing (it’s not like fly fishers are superstitious or anything) but it sure looks like the best week of the fishing season so far is coming up. We’re looking at sunshine at temperatures flirting with 70 degrees. Add in some good river flows and you can’t […]
Another Tough Week on the Rivers & Streams Around East Tennessee
Another week into spring, another week of cold and wet weather for us to negotiate…. It’s really been an odd spring. We typically experience a few tough weather days in March, April, and May as strong fronts may bring heavy rain or a short resurgence of winter. However, this year it’s almost been the opposite. […]
It’s Been An Up And Down Kind Of Week
Last week started like this… Then this happened at the end of the week… And there was a little of this in between… It was just a very strange March when winter just wouldn’t let go but there were constant teases of good weather and fishing along the way. In fact, this short video sums […]
It’s All In Your Perspective
Take a good look at this. These photos were taken yesterday, on March 27. It’s probably the last look you’ll have at snow in East Tennessee for a while. The Smokies might see a little more along the ridgetops, but as far as we’re concerned it’s done. Back in November or early December this would […]
Quick Pic: Hatching Stoneflies
Quill Gordon and Blue Quill mayflies get all the attention from fly fishers in the Smokies this time of year. Here’s a gentle reminder: Don’t forget about stoneflies. This scene is happening on boulders along rivers and streams in the Smokies right now.
Quick Pic: Brown Trout Up Close
We’re out on a camping trip with the kids for spring break, but we’ve scheduled a few posts to hit the blog in our absence. This brown trout came over the weekend on a dry fly in the Smokies.
Quick Pic: Feeding Brown Trout
Hatches are still struggling to gain momentum in the Smokies. This week the weather has been pretty chilly and the water has been relatively high but getting more “fisher friendly” every day. Expect to use nymphs early and watch for mayflies as the afternoon progresses. The tailwater situation around Knoxville has been relatively grim, but […]
River Flows Bounce Back Up… Again
This cycle is starting to get a little bit old. Weather warms up, gets nice, a few bugs start to hatch, a few fish start to get active, then BAM! More rain and the rivers get high again. This has affected the mountain streams more than the tailwaters, but we can’t help but notice flows […]