We hear it all the time. “How does (insert weather condition) affect the fishing?” At the moment we’re pushing a 14″ surplus for rainfall and the year isn’t even half way through yet. So, as you might imagine, we’re getting tons of questions about how all this water influences fishing and fish populations. In the […]
Another Round of High Water in the Smokies
This has been one helluva season… More high water than we can ever remember even though we get plenty of fishing in between rounds. You might say that we’ve been furloughed once again. Notice how under the best of days we running no less than twice the typical volume of water. And by the way, […]
Watching River Flows and the Weather Forecast
I won’t lie. It’s been a pretty frustrating couple of weeks for us and likely other fly fishing guides across East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountain region. Depending on the day, sometimes even the hour, we have flows that are blown out or fishable. That’s forced us and our anglers to be as flexible as […]
Rain Keeping the Rivers Full and Us On Our Toes
I’ve been on the water doing some smallmouth trips lately, but the current rain situation is keeping those rivers muddy. We’re waiting on them to clear and hope next week turns out better than this one. With the record drought years of 2007 – 08 still fresh in our mind it seems strange to complain […]
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 […]
What a Difference One Day Makes
I remember it like it was only yesterday. In fact, it was yesterday. A good float with two fun anglers who have been fishing with me for years now. Overall the day was a little bit streaky. They’d have a slow stretch of water with only a few strikes, then hit a run where the […]
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 […]
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: Feeding Brown Trout
Hatches are still struggling to gain momentum in the Smokies. This week the weather has been pretty chilly and the water has been relatively high but getting more “fisher friendly” every day. Expect to use nymphs early and watch for mayflies as the afternoon progresses. The tailwater situation around Knoxville has been relatively grim, but […]
Happy Fishing New Year!
It’s March 1 and the month is roaring in like a lion here in the Smokies as a light snow is falling. Snow is not a newsmaker in late winter, but the fact that your Tennessee fishing license just expired is. I always thought it was a […]