We’re far enough along in the season now that we’re able to start looking into the crystal ball for how fishing will progress into the summer. There’s always a degree of uncertainty more than a few weeks into the future, but our tailwater rivers are a little easier to predict in terms of how flows […]
Hatching Yellow Sally
Little Yellow Stoneflies, often referred to as Yellow Sallies, are hatching throughout the Smoky Mountain region right now. These bright yellow insects start life as a dull brown nymph in the stream. They migrate across the stream bottom and crawl up on boulders in the middle of the stream or on dry areas along the […]
A Warm Week Ahead With Endless Possibilities
If you’re looking for a place to go fishing this week you likely won’t need to look far. Water levels on mountain streams are excellent, tailwater flows are about as good as you can hope for. You can’t float the Hiwassee or South Holston right now, but other than that you can wade on any […]
All Kinds of Bugs
It’s May and you’ll find all kinds of bugs hatching wherever you go around East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. There are some Hendricksons still hatching plus some huge March Browns on the bigger streams. In the evenings the yellow mayflies are showing up in several species. All you really need to know is they […]
Most Area Streams Fishable After Heavy Rains
Last night was certainly an interesting one here in East Tennessee as we had strong winds, heavy rain, and even some hail in a few locations. The “on the scene” report from the Smokies is that most of the streams are in good shape. The bulk of rain fell west of the mountains in Tennessee. […]
Video Clip: Southern Salvelinus – Brook Trout Below the Mason Dixon
We’re in the thick of some of the best tailwater fly fishing of the year right now so we’re spending a good bit of time on the big rivers. Even so we can’t help but look up at the Smokies and notice those crevices in the landscape up high where streams drain the high peaks. […]
Camera Voodoo
Fishermen are a superstitious lot and we’re no exception. Anyone who’s followed us over the years knows about our devotion to Rain Jacket Voodoo. (Yes, capitalized.) Rain Jacket Voodoo is where you can carry rain gear for months and never use it, but the first time you venture out without it you’ll get soaked. We […]
First High Country Expedition for Native Broook Trout in the Smokies This Season
It’s about that time. Spring is in full effect, wildflowers are blooming in the Smokies and shades of bright green are ascending the mountains slowly one day at a time. It’s time to start hiking in for native brook trout known as specks in the southern mountains. While the fishing featured more nymphing than is […]
We’re guiding all around East Tennessee and the Smokies
The season is in full swing and every day finds us in a different place. One day rowing the drift boat, wading a stream in the Smokies the next day. This week we’ve had a true blend of fly fishing for trout in our home waters. We saw a little more snow this week and […]
Dogwood Winter
They call it Dogwood Winter and for good reason. Every year about the time the dogwoods bloom we get a cold snap. This one is a real one too with a hard freeze tonight. It’s been a wet and cold day today with temperatures falling through the 30’s. Looks like we made the right call […]