November 30, 2016
We got a total of 1.5" of rain since this system made its way thru the area but we are expecting more today. Higher elevations received higher amounts of rainfall to the point that the Oconaluftee River was running over 800cfs yesterday but it down to 191cfs today.
Most streams and rivers are running clear so the fishing should be decent if you wanted to get out before the rains hit. The Tuckasegee in Jackson County Cullowhee/Webster area is flowing at 45cfs this morning. The East Fork is scheduled to flow from 6pm - 9pm this evening but that should not affect anyone fishing today. It looks like the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory until 7pm EST Wednesday. Expect winds south 25 to 35 MPH with gust up to 50 MPH. Just keep a look on the weather before you do any outdoor activities. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday looks like decent days to hit the water based on the forecast. Looks like highs in the 50's those days.
Continue using those nymphs with light leaders and tippets. We are still flowing at low water levels and the trout have been educated so do the best you can to stay one step ahead of the next angler on the river. Small nymphs such as a #22 Disco Midge, and #24 Ginny Midges have been producing tout for me. Other guides have been doing well with a Stripper Midge sizes #18 and #20. Woolly Buggers, small Stone Fly Nymphs are also producing trout. Your typical junk flies will also excite some takes.
I checked in our buddies at Smoky Mountain Anglers in Gatlinburg Tennessee and I got some sad news. They are not sure what the shop looks like but a couple of the guys have lost their homes. Lets pray that the worst is over and we owe a great deal of gratitude to all the emergency service workers, volunteers, National Guard and anyone who is and has donated to not only the Tennessee victims but the victims here at home in North Carolina and the surrounding area.
Tight Lines!
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
11/29/2016
What a bitter sweet morning, we have been blessed with at least an inch of rain but of friends to the west are face a major disaster due to the fires that now have invaded Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding areas. Our region has been under such a devastating drought and the careless acts of humans have created an explosive powder keg and it ignited yesterday destroying acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, businesses, and peoples homes overnight. Now lets factor in the acres already lost in North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina and we are witnessing one of the most devastating regional events in my lifetime. We can only pray that more rain will suppress any more fire opportunities.
The local fishing has been good and we are getting rain as I type. I did get an inch of rain since 11pm yesterday with more rain in the forecast I am hoping that total will climb. I fished the Tuckasegee yesterday and I landed a fat Brook on a Clown Egg. I took several more on the Egg and a #12 Black Stone Nymph.
I recommend using Eggs, Stone Flies, Midge Patterns, Squirmy Wormies, Woolly Buggers and small streamers. I am still sticking with light leaders and tippets since these trout are still spooky.
Tight Lines!
What a bitter sweet morning, we have been blessed with at least an inch of rain but of friends to the west are face a major disaster due to the fires that now have invaded Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding areas. Our region has been under such a devastating drought and the careless acts of humans have created an explosive powder keg and it ignited yesterday destroying acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, businesses, and peoples homes overnight. Now lets factor in the acres already lost in North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina and we are witnessing one of the most devastating regional events in my lifetime. We can only pray that more rain will suppress any more fire opportunities.
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| Tuck Brook Trout taken on a Clown Egg 11/28/2016 |
The local fishing has been good and we are getting rain as I type. I did get an inch of rain since 11pm yesterday with more rain in the forecast I am hoping that total will climb. I fished the Tuckasegee yesterday and I landed a fat Brook on a Clown Egg. I took several more on the Egg and a #12 Black Stone Nymph.
I recommend using Eggs, Stone Flies, Midge Patterns, Squirmy Wormies, Woolly Buggers and small streamers. I am still sticking with light leaders and tippets since these trout are still spooky.
Tight Lines!
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
November 22, 2016
Expect normal November temperatures early morning but we are still warming up in the afternoon with forecast highs in the upper 50's and lower 60's for the rest of the week. We still have no rain in sight which is creating some uneasiness for a lot of people. The water temperature of the Tuck has been holding around the 46 degree mark but Duke is not releasing much water right now due to lower water restrictions.
We have been having success on Eggs, Emergers, Stone flies, Streamers, Girdle Bugs, and Woolly Buggers. If you talk with three different anglers they will all tell you three different things but the most important thing is to fish where the fish are. Fish with your eyes first and you will increase your hook up opportunities. I still recommend light leaders and tippets unless you are using streamers.
Be sure to dress properly and have a spare change of clothes with you in case you take a swim. Hand warmers and toe warmers can make for a more comfortable day. Something to cover your ears will keep the wind from sending you home early.
Tight Lines!
Expect normal November temperatures early morning but we are still warming up in the afternoon with forecast highs in the upper 50's and lower 60's for the rest of the week. We still have no rain in sight which is creating some uneasiness for a lot of people. The water temperature of the Tuck has been holding around the 46 degree mark but Duke is not releasing much water right now due to lower water restrictions.
We have been having success on Eggs, Emergers, Stone flies, Streamers, Girdle Bugs, and Woolly Buggers. If you talk with three different anglers they will all tell you three different things but the most important thing is to fish where the fish are. Fish with your eyes first and you will increase your hook up opportunities. I still recommend light leaders and tippets unless you are using streamers.
Be sure to dress properly and have a spare change of clothes with you in case you take a swim. Hand warmers and toe warmers can make for a more comfortable day. Something to cover your ears will keep the wind from sending you home early.
Tight Lines!
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
November 16, 2016
The water levels are still low but it looks like we have a 70% chance of rain Saturday which would be wonderful if it happens. The firefighters are doing a wonderful job battling the numerous wildfires in the WNC Mountains that seem to have been the work of arsonist.
The good news is that the Tuck is fishing great and the NC Wildlife did another stocking of over 7000 fish Monday. This stocking included numbers and brute size! We have never seen the size that the Tuck has in it right now. People are having success on Eggs, Wormies, Girdle Bugs, Hares Ears, Mop Fly's, and Woolly Buggers. Don't rule out the possibility of top water action with a Black Caddis or some midge patters.
Continue using small leaders and tippets and wade carefully. The trout are a bit spooky due to the low water levels. Dress properly and bring an extra set clothes just incase you get wet. With these cooler temperatures you don't need to risk getting hypothermia.
The weekend forecast is for some much cooler weather and some rain but that could change over the next couple of days. As always feel free to stop by the shop or call.
Tight Lines!
The water levels are still low but it looks like we have a 70% chance of rain Saturday which would be wonderful if it happens. The firefighters are doing a wonderful job battling the numerous wildfires in the WNC Mountains that seem to have been the work of arsonist.
The good news is that the Tuck is fishing great and the NC Wildlife did another stocking of over 7000 fish Monday. This stocking included numbers and brute size! We have never seen the size that the Tuck has in it right now. People are having success on Eggs, Wormies, Girdle Bugs, Hares Ears, Mop Fly's, and Woolly Buggers. Don't rule out the possibility of top water action with a Black Caddis or some midge patters.
Continue using small leaders and tippets and wade carefully. The trout are a bit spooky due to the low water levels. Dress properly and bring an extra set clothes just incase you get wet. With these cooler temperatures you don't need to risk getting hypothermia.
The weekend forecast is for some much cooler weather and some rain but that could change over the next couple of days. As always feel free to stop by the shop or call.
Tight Lines!
Friday, November 11, 2016
11/11/2016,
We salute all of our veterans past, present, and future! We are the land of the free because we are the home of the brave. Remember that your freedoms were not free and some voluntarily paid that price for you!
The river temperatures continue to fall which is good for all the trout that they stocked in the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County! Some people are catching some absolute hogs right now. The state stocked the past couple of days and they are scheduled to stock again on Monday.
I certainly suggest dressing in layers and be prepared for poor air quality due to the wild fires in Western North Carolina right now. We need rain and I am hearing that we are 24" below on rain year to date. Watch where you park your hot vehicle since the leaves are so dry it would be easy for an exhaust system to start a fire.
The number one question will be what do I use. Right now any nymph will probably work but I would start with some eggs, San Juan Worms, Mop Flies, and some emergers. Handle the trout with care and get them back into the water as quickly as possible. You can directly affect fish mortality.
Tight Lines!
We salute all of our veterans past, present, and future! We are the land of the free because we are the home of the brave. Remember that your freedoms were not free and some voluntarily paid that price for you!
The river temperatures continue to fall which is good for all the trout that they stocked in the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County! Some people are catching some absolute hogs right now. The state stocked the past couple of days and they are scheduled to stock again on Monday.
I certainly suggest dressing in layers and be prepared for poor air quality due to the wild fires in Western North Carolina right now. We need rain and I am hearing that we are 24" below on rain year to date. Watch where you park your hot vehicle since the leaves are so dry it would be easy for an exhaust system to start a fire.
The number one question will be what do I use. Right now any nymph will probably work but I would start with some eggs, San Juan Worms, Mop Flies, and some emergers. Handle the trout with care and get them back into the water as quickly as possible. You can directly affect fish mortality.
Tight Lines!
Sunday, November 6, 2016
November 6, 2016
Everyone we certainly need rain. We are experiencing more wildfires in Jackson County and other counties are dealing with the same problem. Choppers and planes are dropping water from the local rivers and lakes in hopes that the extra water will help the ground efforts. I was on the Tuckasegee today and it was smoky all day and I do not see it getting better soon.
The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is flowing low and slow right now and it looks to remain that way for awhile. We are seeing lows in the 30's but warming up to the 60's during the days. Right now no rain in the forecast for this week so leave the rain gear at home. I got a late start but dry flies and midges did well for me today. With quality optics you can spot the trout and cast to them. The Tuck is being real technical but that should change after they stock on the 9th. I worked double nymph rigs, drop shot rigs, dry droppers and double dries today. Others were throwing streamers but I will continue to work these tiny midges and dries as long as I can.
Fish the Tuck like a small technical stream. These trout have seen just about everything at this point in time. I recommend finding moving water and look for tailing fish and feeding fish and cast to them. This is the funnest way to fish if you ask me. I recommend Black Caddis, BWO, Midges, and tiny nymphs.
Many people hit Ravens Fork in Cherokee last week with good success. Remember this is a catch and release fly fish only fishery. You will have the tribal permit for this water but it is something that you should consider trying.
Small Streams can also be an option but be super stealthy with your approach. I would focus on dry fly fishing based on our weather. I have had success with Caddis and Parachute Adam style flies.
Tight Lines!
Everyone we certainly need rain. We are experiencing more wildfires in Jackson County and other counties are dealing with the same problem. Choppers and planes are dropping water from the local rivers and lakes in hopes that the extra water will help the ground efforts. I was on the Tuckasegee today and it was smoky all day and I do not see it getting better soon.
The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is flowing low and slow right now and it looks to remain that way for awhile. We are seeing lows in the 30's but warming up to the 60's during the days. Right now no rain in the forecast for this week so leave the rain gear at home. I got a late start but dry flies and midges did well for me today. With quality optics you can spot the trout and cast to them. The Tuck is being real technical but that should change after they stock on the 9th. I worked double nymph rigs, drop shot rigs, dry droppers and double dries today. Others were throwing streamers but I will continue to work these tiny midges and dries as long as I can.
Fish the Tuck like a small technical stream. These trout have seen just about everything at this point in time. I recommend finding moving water and look for tailing fish and feeding fish and cast to them. This is the funnest way to fish if you ask me. I recommend Black Caddis, BWO, Midges, and tiny nymphs.
Many people hit Ravens Fork in Cherokee last week with good success. Remember this is a catch and release fly fish only fishery. You will have the tribal permit for this water but it is something that you should consider trying.
Small Streams can also be an option but be super stealthy with your approach. I would focus on dry fly fishing based on our weather. I have had success with Caddis and Parachute Adam style flies.
Tight Lines!
Thursday, November 3, 2016
November 3, 2016
We are still in a warm weather pattern and long term forecast looks like a bit of a cooling trend with very little chances of rain. We certainly could use the rain and that would make a big difference in the fishing.
The Tuckasegee in Jackson County is flowing between 37 - 39 cubic feet per second which is extremely low. Expect trout that spook easily and trout that will test your mental will. I am hearing many different stories on success rates from regular customers. I have not been able to get to the river due to meetings and work at the shop this week so all I am telling you is information from good anglers and past notes.
The Trophy section in Cherokee is a good option right now and it will give you a chance to experience another fishery on our WNC Fly Fishing Trail. They had stocked that section of the river with some very large trout for last weekends tournament. This is a prime time to hit the Trophy Section.
Tight Lines!
We are still in a warm weather pattern and long term forecast looks like a bit of a cooling trend with very little chances of rain. We certainly could use the rain and that would make a big difference in the fishing.
The Tuckasegee in Jackson County is flowing between 37 - 39 cubic feet per second which is extremely low. Expect trout that spook easily and trout that will test your mental will. I am hearing many different stories on success rates from regular customers. I have not been able to get to the river due to meetings and work at the shop this week so all I am telling you is information from good anglers and past notes.
The Trophy section in Cherokee is a good option right now and it will give you a chance to experience another fishery on our WNC Fly Fishing Trail. They had stocked that section of the river with some very large trout for last weekends tournament. This is a prime time to hit the Trophy Section.
Tight Lines!
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