After another round of rain last Friday we’re in a nice period of mild and sunny weather here in East Tennessee and across the Smoky Mountain region. We’re way ahead in the rainfall department so every time we another front passes through we see a jump in stream flows. Stream levels are fishable but were […]
Busy Days Guiding the Smokies & Tailwaters
Yup, the guide season is in full swing and we’re covering some water now. Water levels in the Smokies are still a touch on the high side, but compared to the truly high levels we’ve become accustomed to they seem pretty good. We just got our first look at the Carolina side of the Smokies […]
Spring Fishing Finally in Full Swing
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.