It looks like another early spring will soon be upon us here in the Smokies. There was snow falling on the rivers and streams in the Smokies only a few days ago but a relatively mild winter seems to have the insects ready to get started hatching and the fish seem to sense it. Up […]
Good Fishing Continues Well Into December
Right now it feels like the Mayan Apocalypse. Here in Townsend we’re seeing sustained winds over 20 mph with gusts over 40. If you’re reading this in Kansas you might be chuckling at out concern, but when you live in a heavy forest it disconcerting to see some many trees bent half way over! Yes, […]
Tailwaters Getting in Shape
There’s a steady rain falling here in East Tennessee as I write this and cooler weather is on the way. That’s OK, though. If it’s going to rain, it might as well do it while you have to be at work, right? Plus it was a beautiful, warm weekend. The weather was unseasonably warm, the […]
Rising Trout
As it always is, the dry fly fishing was fantastic this fall. We spent an afternoon up on the river just enjoying the nice weather and watching the fish rise. Here are some of the highlights. [youtube]http://youtu.be/NtCceXOoWVI[/youtube] Be sure to view this in full screen. After clicking play, click on the sprocket icon at the […]
Another Awesome Weekend at Hazel Creek
While it’s cold and snowy right now in the Smokies, it was much warmer during our fall Hazel Creek fish camp. We experienced rain on Sunday morning before our departure, but other than that the weather was absolutely perfect; warm during the day and cool at night. While some fish were caught on nymphs, I […]
Does It Get Any Better?
When the weather is this nice, the stream flows this good, and the fish are rising I can’t help but ask myself, “Can it get any better than this?” Of course, it probably can. The fish could be bigger, but how realistic is that anyway? And it that a piggish attitude when so much is […]
A Beautiful Week of Fall Fishing in the Smokies
All of the best things about fall are happening right now and they include great weather, beautiful surroundings, and dry fly fishing. Charity and I were both guiding in the Smokies this weekend and covered a good bit of water between us. The fish were very active and were certainly looking up, although it’s not […]
Rainy Monday in the Smokies
It’s a rainy Monday in the Smokies and I’ll be honest. We could use a little extra water in the streams about now. The creeks aren’t at crisis levels, but considering October is typically the dryest month of the year there are probably limited opportunities for more water. Here’s a firsthand look at water at […]
Fall Fishing Has Arrived
I’m writing this at my home in Townsend where it was 40 degrees on my porch this morning. Yesterday I did a float on the Clinch and I don’t think it was over 70 with clear, blue bird skies. The Smoky Mountain skyline seems to soften as the lower angle of the sun creates a […]
Wrap Up of Our Trip to the Henry’s Fork & Yellowstone Park
We’ve been back home in the Smokies a few days but I’ve been recovering from an illness that started before our trip and only seemed to get worse with every day on the water. After a few days of intense recovery aided by a shot at the doctor’s office and prescription antibiotics, I think I […]