September is well on its way and there has been a chill in the air in the mornings. Wake up temperatures have been just a touch more than 50 degrees here in Townsend and you know it much cooler in the higher elevations of the Smokies. It’s even been way down in the 30’s on […]
Warm Weather and Hot Fishing
We’re well into September and it looks like we’re wrapping up what’s been the hottest week of the year. It came a little late but we’re not complaining. In just a few days we’re looking at temperatures in the 70’s and low 80’s and it’s only a few weeks until October with its cool mornings […]
End of the Summer
Labor Day weekend is upon us and with it comes the symbolic end of summer even though fall is about a month away. We’ve had some decent tailwater flows lately but his typically changes after Labor Day when TVA moves to drain reservoirs for the winter season. This generally means higher flows although we know […]
Waders in August
It’s not something you’d expect in the Southeast in August, but we’re digging out our waders for the cool, wet weather that’s headed our way. The forecast for Saturday in Townsend is a rainy high of 72 degrees. We can tell you from experience that if you head on up to Elkmont it will be […]
The Best All Round Week of Fishing We’ve Seen This Year
It’s been a tough season. Anyone who follows fly fishing around the Southeast knows that, but we’re glad to say that we just had what may have been the best few days we’ve seen all year long. Tailwater flows are great, smallmouth bass are looking to the surface for poppers, and trout in the Smokies […]
Thunderstorm Season in the Smokies
It’s been a wet season across the Southeast and even wet by the rainforest standard of the Great Smoky Mountains. Fortunately we’ve seen an end to the stationery fronts pulling tropical moisture to us the way metal shavings are drawn to a magnet. Even though things have dried out substantially we’re in the middle of […]
Guiding a Guide
It’s often the case that Charity and I are on the water for days at a time from the spring thru the autumn, but we’ll look up and notice we haven’t fished together in months. So much of our free time is spent doing things with our kids. Even as we take the kids fishing […]
Keeping Our Fingers Crossed
Take a look at stream flows across East Tennessee and another look at TVA releases on the tailwaters and there’s good reason for optimism. After another week of rainy weather and blown out rivers and streams we’re off to a good start. But to be completely honest, we have a sense of deja vu because […]
Fish When You Can
You’ve probably heard the old saying “When is the best time to fish? Any time you can!” We’ve always agreed with that sentiment but with the current water situation it’s taken on a deeper meaning. Our creeks have been blown out for more than half of the past week and our tailwaters… Well, at least […]
Clinch River Flows Remain Good
Anyone who has spent much time fly fishing for trout around East Tennessee has probably heard about the Clinch River’s reputation. Just exactly what that reputation is depends on who you talk to. Depending on the day it can be the best river you’ve ever fished or the toughest damn river you’ve ever cast a […]
