Spring weather is certainly here, but there is still a good deal of snow on the ground in shaded areas of the Smokies. Regardless, the sun was shining, the weather was warm, and the tailwaters even had favorable generation schedules. We’re still waiting for the hatches to get started in the Smokies, but the rainbow […]
Spring Hatches: Watch for These Important Trout Stream Insects in Tennessee and North Carolina
Spring is arguably the best time of year for fly fishing. The reason is that there are more insects hatching on the rivers and streams than any other time. The smart fly fisher knows this and comes to the water prepared. Here are the insects we watch for on the tailwaters and streams in the […]
Spring Fly Fishing Forecast the Smoky Mountains and East Tennessee
It’s still winter but many of us are already planning our fishing in the months ahead. We get numerous emails and phone calls over the winter from people planning trips. Many of those folks are trying to hit a particular hatch, good flows on the tailwaters, or the best conditions for an extended backcountry fishing […]
The Water is High So We Stay In
After several long days of rain, the rivers and streams are blown out once again. We don’t have much in the way to report about fishing. This latest burst of water will probably make it a little longer before we can fish our local tailwaters, the Clinch and Holston. But in the absence of fishing, […]
A Look Back at Our Favorite Pictures from 2009
We’ve covered a lot of water in 2009! Here are some of our favorite moments from the mountains and rivers captured with a camera. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed being there! View from the fly tying desk on a cold day last January, Townsend, TN Little River rainbow trout, Great […]
Best Smokies Trout of the Year
Last week I took John Coley out for a day of fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains. John was about as enthusiastic as fly fishers get and I was eager to get him on the water since fish have been rising like crazy. Seriously, this fall has fished like spring as far as fish rising […]
Heading Out the River? Pack Your Rain Gear
It’s been pretty damp the past few days and the weather forecast is calling for more rain for about another week. While we’re getting some rain here in East Tennessee, we’re not seeing the flooding that Middle Tennessee has dealt with. Streams in the Smokies are at a typical level for early autumn or late […]
Break Out the Waders, It’s Cooling Down in the Smokies
The hardiest anglers out there will be able to keep on wading wet for a little while longer, but it’s probably about time to dig the waders out of the closet. Nights are cooler and longer while the days are also cooler but shorter. Water temperatures have fallen well into the 50’s in the trout […]
Our Recommendation: Get on the Water Now!
Water levels and water temperatures continue to only get better! Even our tailwaters have cut back on generation this week, allowing for plenty of chances for waders to hit the river. There was a huge band of thunderstorms that blew through yesterday, but none of the streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park seem to […]
Fly Fishing Forecast for the Labor Day Weekend
The rivers have been all but devoid of fishermen this week. Even though one of the major recreation weekends of the year is upon us, you should be able to find some good fishing. You can even escape the crowds if you’re willing to fish during a football game. Mountain streams in the Smokies are […]