October 31, 2016

Will it be trick or treat today on the stream?  If you use 6x or 7x tippet and a natural nymph it should be treat.  The Tuckasegee River is flowing at 37cfs and the trout are spooky.  I describe it as a small stream fishery trapped with the body of a tail water based on our current conditions.  The warm weather is playing tricks with all of us so be ready to think outside the box. 

Look at using some dry dropper rigs or even a double dry fly rig.  Focus on ripples and runs versus deep pools.  Search for cooler water and you will find the trout.  As of now it does not look like these conditions will change so stick with these techniques and your success rate should go up.

The Ravens Fork Trophy Section was on fire this weekend for the competitors fishing the Rumble in the Rhododendron.  Our own Eli Buchanan (SMHS, Blackrock Outdoors Fly Shop) and his teammate Alex Boyer (SMHS) took first place!  Other local anglers such as Ryder Sutton (SMHS, Tuck Fly Shop), Jack Tamborski (Tuck Fly Shop), and Tyler Cornett (WCU) did exceptionally well. Congratulations to these guys and to everyone who came to WNC to fish in the event.  We can guide you on these same waters or you can hit the water on your own.

Eli Buchanan Rumble in the Rhododendron



 

October 29, 2016

We have been on the water about all week guiding some wonderful people!  I can tell you that the conditions have been changing do to the pressure and weather.  The trout in the Tuckasegee have wised up a bit and you should start using traditional nymphs.  I am seeing the Euro and Czech Nymphing techniques work also but these guys are dredging bottom. 

The water temperature read 56 degrees yesterday morning.  You can expect some leaves on the surface and on the stream bed.  Duke is scheduled to release water from the West Fork from 4pm until 8pm today.  We are currently running at 45cfs and you can expect that to drop throughout the day.  Expect sunny conditions and mild weather which should make for some good dry fly opportunities with a caddis or a small midge pattern.  We are guiding with 6x and 7x fluorocarbon during the tougher conditions and that does seem to be helping.  These trout seem very spooky but not as spooky as wild trout.

Tight Lines!

October 24, 2016

Last week was a transition week for our weather.  A cold front made its way thru Western North Carolina and it even produced a dusting of snow at Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  A lot of leaves came off the trees making drifting flies a but difficult at times but who doesn't want a challenge every once in awhile.

The water temperature on the Tuckasegee had came down to 58 degrees yesterday.  That is a 4 degrees drop compared to last Monday's reading of 62 degrees.  The trout have certainly gotten educated since being stocked into the Tuckasegee River but you can still take trout with persistence.  At the end of the day all we can ever ask for is an opportunity to land fish and as I was reminded last week by Tom, you are only one cast away from a trophy!

We was able to take some good fish last week and talking with other guides in the area they had success too.  Techniques such as streamers and nymhing seemed to produce the best results but dries still worked as late as yesterday.  A good guide friend landed some killer Sicklefin Redhorse last week.  You can expect to take Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout as well as the Sicklefin Redhorse if you are lucky.

We are using mop flies, squirmy wormies, woolly buggers, midges, and soft hackles good results.  Don't be afraid to try something out of the ordinary especially if the fishing is low.

Tight Lines!

October 22, 2016

Fall arrived yesterday as a cold front made its way in the mountains bringing much cooler weather with some wind.  It is in the lower 40's this morning with a steady breeze.  The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory from 12AM EDT until 9AM EDT Sunday.  We are expecting lows to plummet into the lower 30's overnight with a daytime high of 69 degrees forecast for Sunday.  Today we are forecast to reach 55 degrees but expect windy conditions.

The Tuckasegee in Jackson County is running at 217cfs which is higher than we have seen in awhile.  The water temperature was still reading around that 62 degrees mark yesterday but I do expect the water temperature to begin falling soon. 

Many leaves had made their way into the river bed and also on the surface which made working the edges a bit more difficult but it was still producing good trout on dry flies yesterday.  I fished yesterday on various sections on the Delayed Harvest water with success.  It was a bit slow but I did catch the Tuck Slam and some Redhorse .  All action early on was on nymphs but in ripples and runs.  The trout seemed to be more active in those areas versus typical deep holding pools.  In the afternoon the trout started breaking surface feeding on emergers and midges.  I focused my afternoon efforts sight fishing and drifting #20 Griffiths Gnat trailed behind a Comparadun Adams. 

I expect the trout to start adjusting to the colder weather and I also expect a lot of fishing pressure this weekend.  Don't be afraid of thinking outside the box with fly and nymph selections.  These trout have seen a bit of everything since making their arrival early October.  You are going to have to entice them with some tiny midge patterns trailed behind a traditional nymph pattern.

Tight Lines!

Cherokee Trophy Section

October 16, 2016

Tuckasegee Brown Trout

We have been very busy guiding wonderful people on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail the past five days.  The fishing is pretty good right now especially in the Jackson County Delayed Harvest Section and the Trophy Section in Cherokee, N.C..  You can expect to see many anglers but we have enough hungry trout for everyone.  We have been catching all three species; Rainbows, Browns, and Brook Trout on various techniques and flies.

Many of us have been using a double nymph rig on 6x florocarbon with success but Thursday and this morning I ws able to get clients on trout with a dry dropper setup.  I have been using a Barr's Emerger and a Soft Hackle as my underwater presentation and a Stimulator or Fatal Attractor as Dry Fly.  We have been taking good numbers of trout top and subsurface.  I recommend working the bank edges to increase your chances for this setup to work.

Tuckasegee Brook Tout

I recommend fishing the deeper water with a double nymph rig with a Mop Fly and a Woolly Buggger.  Naturals such as a Hares Ear Nymph, Pheasant Tail Nymph, and Prince Nymph are also good choices and you should have a variety of sizes and colors at all times.  Other things such as Squirmy Wormies, Eggs,Copper Johns, and Stoneflies will produce trout.  Don't be afraid of throwing streamers when the water dictates it.

Water levels are low and the air temperatures are higher than normal.  We don't have any rain in our forecast so low water equals warmer water than normal.  I took a water temperature reading on the Tuckasegee this morning and it read 64 degrees.

Be sure to call or stop by the store if you have any questions.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Tight Lines!

October 13, 2016

Get out and enjoy the weather!  The trout on the Tuckasegee River are eating right now and you can even see trout rising in the afternoons.  A good BWO hatch took place yesterday but I continued to nymph with great success.  The stream flows are still low but you will find the trout holding n certain areas along the stream bed.

I recommend using Woolly Buggers, Worm Patterns, Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, Copper Johns, Emergers, and Soft Hackles.  Some people are also taking fish on some pretty large streamers.

Tight Lines!

October 11, 2016

We are experiencing fall weather for sure with lows in the upper 30's and highs making it to the upper 70's and lower 80's depending on location.  Higher elevations are not warming up as much during the day.  These cooler nighttime temps are bring the water temps down and that is good for the fishing.  Many anglers are coming into the shop talking about some pretty impressive outings with many giving some astronomical numbers of fish caught and released.  Remember fishermen never lie!

If you are fishing on the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County expect to see many anglers and the occasional boat on the water.  The river is producing some great catches and it is really a wonderful place for everyone regardless of skill sets to drift a fly.  Depending on who you talk to you will hear a variety of recommendations on what to use.  The most common item is the Woolly Bugger and Squirmy Wormie.  Other items such as Hares Ears and Pheasant Tails will also catch fish but if you are not getting any takes don't be afraid of changing things up. 

The leaves are coming down in higher elevations which is making drifting a dry fly a bit more challenging compounding the already low water levels and gin-clear water conditions.  At times you feel like the trout are sticking out their tongue and laughing at you during these tough conditions.  I told someone the other day that the trout have to win or we would not have any or any challenge. 

I still like throwing dry flies right now especially with the October Caddis hatch that we are seeing in some places.  I like using an October Caddis Pattern and an Orange Parachute Pattern.

Feel free to contact me here at the shop or even better stop in and chat for awhile.

Tight Lines!

October 10, 2016

We have been greeted with cooler temperatures the past few mornings.  Some places got a trace of rain this weekend but for the most part we are still in need of rain. Duke Energy is running the West Fork until 8am which actually puts the Tuck at 219cfs in Cullowhee. 

Several anglers have been landing some really nice sizes and numbers since the stockings last week but the pressure has been pretty high and will continue to be that way for awhile.  The Tuckasegee can handle all the eager anglers du to its size and the amount of trout stocked but do expect the trout to become more selective and start taking traditional patterns such as Prince Nymphs, Hare Ears, Girdle Bugs, Woolly Buggers and Pheasant Tails Nymphs.

Tight Lines!

October 6, 2016

The Tuckasegee River is fishing great right now!  The NC Wildlife did a great job stocking several thousand trout for all the anglers to catch and release from now until the first Saturday in June.  Eli and myself have had opportunities to fish the DH section at different times.  I hit it before opening the shop yesterday and Eli hit it after school.  Eli crushed it using Woolly Buggers and more traditional stuff.  I had my early success on Woolly Buggers and Mop Flies. 

Eli recommends using natural color Woolly Buggers and Rubber Legs Stones such as Girdle Bugs, Pats Rubber Legs, and Rosetta Stones.  We have a great selection of all these for you to choose from.  Other anglers have been catching them on Eggs and Worm patterns.  Streamers can also be effective using 3x Fluorocarbon. 

Duke is scheduled to run the West Fork 10/7 at 11PM until 7:30AM.  Other than that flow rates are very low.  We have a 60% chance of rain on Friday but we will have to see what happens with Hurricane Matthew.  Our Thoughts go out to all those impacted by this giant storm.

Fell free to contact the store via phone or better yet stop and visit.

Tight Lines!

October 5, 2016

I was able to fish the DH section of the Tuckasegee River this morning in Jackson County with great success.  I received text and calls yesterday asking if they had stocked and they most certainly did.  What most people don't understand is the complexity of stocking the rivers.  The technicians actually load all the trout by net after weighing each net full.  It takes time and then they have to drive over to begin stocking efforts.  When they schedule stocking it does not mean at 8am lets be patient and let the masters work.

The flow rate on the Tuckasegee is low and Duke Energy has no plans of releasing water today.  Just be aware of temperatures and get the trout back into the water as soon as possible.  I had success on a Olive Woolly Bugger and Mop Flies.  Others are doing well with Egg Patterns and Streamers. 

Tight lines!

October 4, 2016

Stocking today on the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County will make for excellent opportunities for Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout on our Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail!  The state will stock today and Wednesday on this 4 mile stretch of water providing excellent opportunities for even the novice angler.  With wide open room for casting and bountiful runs full of trout, it is easy to see why the Tuckasegee River is a premier trout fishing destination. 

Remember that all the Delayed Harvest areas are catch and release only, single hook artificial lure!  With the low water conditions release the fish as quick as you can to ensure a higher survivability rate.  Expect to see many anglers fishing all along the river so be courteous.  Don't walk thru someone's area to reach the other side of the river.  Don't cross posted property and as always leave the water cleaner than when you found it.

I suggest using Woolly Buggers, Squirmy Wormies, Eggs, Mops, Prince Nymphs, Hares Ears, Copper Johns for nymphs and a selection of Caddis Flies and Stimulators should work top water.
Using two nymphs is a very popular technique with or without a strike indicator.  Also streamer can be productive and will sometimes get the larger fish to strike.

The Delayed Harvest section of the Tuckasegee is designated as Heritage Trout Water and may be fished using the Heritage three day Fishing License.  This license is only good in the Heritage Waters.  All other areas will need a valid Trout Stamp.  Stop by the shop for all you license needs.

Tight Lines!

10/03/2016

The NC Wildlife is scheduled to stock the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County 10/4 and 10/5.  It looks like Duke is Scheduled to release water on the West Fork from 1am until 10am 10/4.  This will certainly help the water flow. 

The wild fish are super spooky right now.  Take caution as you approach the holes.  Light tippets will help.  They seemed to still like dry flies and size seemed to be more on the smaller size.

I will update you 10/4 on the happenings. 

Tight Lines!

October 1, 2016

Today marks the start of the Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Season in many North Carolina streams and rivers.  Jackson County is home to the Tuckasegee River which has a section designated as Delayed Harvest.  These areas are marked with a white diamond-black stripe sign explain the rules of the stream.  In a nutshell, it is an artificial lure catch and release fishery only thru the first Friday in June 2017.  The state defines artificial lure as a lure that has not been treated with nor has the ability to attract fish by taste or smell.  All streamers, spinners, spoons, crank baits, etc. must be single hook only!  If you are in doubt if it is legal to use just leave it at home.

NC Wildlife has scheduled stocking for the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County October 4 and October 5.  Thousands of Brown, Rainbow, and Brook Trout will be released into the river at various locations on those two days.  The state has done a good job in the past stocking great numbers and also great size variations which means that the big one will be in the river waiting for you!

The overnight temperatures are cooling off which means that the water will begin to cool off.  Cooler water equals more oxygen which relates to healthier conditions for the trout.  You will be able to fish all day as we get more seasonal fall conditions. 

I was guiding in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the leaves were coming down like an early season snow storm.  It was still fishable but at the current rate of falling leaves the water will be covered with leaves making drifting flies and nymphs a bit difficult.  The water is gin clear and low so a very stealthy approach with a perfect drift will be required to land these wild trout.

Moses Creek fished well the other day.  The Southern Appalachian Brook Trout were eager to take a well placed Purple Dry Fly!  The colors were vibrant to say the least.   Once again a low profile and stealthy approaches will increase your chances of landing one of the gems on our Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.

If you are looking to fish the Tuckasegee River a box stocked with Woolly Bugger, Worm Patterns, Egg Patters, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Mop Flies, Hares Ears, and Walt's Worms will get you some fish.  Streamers and Dry Flies can still be good choices but this is a small sample of what to carry.

Tight Lines!