We had some high water last weekend, but water levels are very good right now. Water temperatures have been in the low to mid 40’s and the trout have been surprisingly active. We haven’t been out on the water in the morning, but fishing has been excellent from about noon to 4 PM. We’ll see […]
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 […]
Nice Brown Trout on Little River
I’m going to take this opportunity to brag on Andy Harman of Johnson City, Tennessee. He emailed me a little while back asking for a good place to fly fish close to Knoxville over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Clinch was blown out and he was looking for an alternative. I recommended Little River because of […]
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 […]
Great fishing conditions but not many fishermen on the water
Water and weather conditions are absolutely perfect, but there aren’t many anglers out on the water. That’s probably typical considering most people are getting back into the swing of getting the kids to school and it’s the week before Labor Day weekend. The water will surely be more crowded once the weekend arrives. Charity and […]
Excellent Water Conditions in the Smokies; Spotty Fly Fishing for Smallmouths in Other Locations
Water conditions remain excellent for fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains. Recent rains are keeping streams at spring time levels. While dry fly fishing has been good in the medium to smaller streams, nymphing has accounted for more fish in the large to medium size streams. Smallmouth fishing has been a bit erratic lately. Some […]
Winter Days in the Smokies
We’re just getting over a bout with the cold here in the Rutter household. Our daughter Willow picked it up at a birthday party a couple of weeks ago, Charity succumbed a few days later, and I held on until the bitter end when I got it. We all seem to have turned the corner […]



