March 30, 2017
As we closeout March we are looking at a pretty good chance of rain the final two days of the month, actually a 75% chance each day with a high of 61 degrees forecast for Friday. Saturday and Sunday are looking like good days with highs in the upper 60's and lower 70's.
Keep in mind that Hatchery Supported Waters open Saturday morning! These streams are marked with a white diamond shaped sign with a green stripe across the midsection of the sign. No lure restriction and no minimum size limit apply to these waters. Daily limit is 7 fish. Please remember to leave no trace and take a kid fishing!
I did hit the Tuckasegee yesterday evening around 7pm for an hour and had zero luck! I was only throwing tiny Puff Daddy dries trying to coax a good top water strike. Now everyone that came into the shop yesterday said they had done well on nymphs more specifically mop flies and stoneflies.
They will be stocking the Tuckasegee in Jackson County April 4th and I expect an influx of anglers over the past two weeks. Many of us have several trips booked but remember the Tuckasegee is a big water that holds plenty of fish so explore the water a bit more.
Tight Lines!
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
March 29, 2016
The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is still a bit stained this morning but it is much better than yesterday. I would expect it to fish pretty good and that the Brown's should be active and ready to eat during these conditions.
We are expecting a high of 81 degrees today but Thursday and Friday we are forecast for highs in the 60's with a pretty good chance of rain. Saturday and Sunday are shaping up to be spectacular with highs in the 70's.
I recommend using both dries and nymphs. I like using a small black stonefly with a tan mop fly or a woolly bugger. For dries I like using a BWO with a small midge trailed off the back. Do be afraid to try different setups or even colors. Remember that the color spectrum changes as the fly gets wet. For instance a red nymph will actually look grey after it gets about 10 feet under the water. Point is we see differently than trout so keep that in mind.
Tight Lines!
The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is still a bit stained this morning but it is much better than yesterday. I would expect it to fish pretty good and that the Brown's should be active and ready to eat during these conditions.
We are expecting a high of 81 degrees today but Thursday and Friday we are forecast for highs in the 60's with a pretty good chance of rain. Saturday and Sunday are shaping up to be spectacular with highs in the 70's.
I recommend using both dries and nymphs. I like using a small black stonefly with a tan mop fly or a woolly bugger. For dries I like using a BWO with a small midge trailed off the back. Do be afraid to try different setups or even colors. Remember that the color spectrum changes as the fly gets wet. For instance a red nymph will actually look grey after it gets about 10 feet under the water. Point is we see differently than trout so keep that in mind.
Tight Lines!
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
March 28, 2017
We have been getting some rain over the past few days and last night we got some thunderstorms. The Tuckasegee River is stained as I type and other local streams are stained but I expect that the wild streams to be pretty clear.
Hatchery Supported Waters open this coming Saturday and they carry a no bait or lure restriction, 7 fish limit per day, and no minimum size restriction. The Cherokee Tribal waters opened last Saturday with reports of slow fishing. I can vouch that it was pretty slow most of the weekend regardless of location.
Expect much warmer temperatures this week so it will be a great time to get out and explore a new trail or even better wet a line. I expect the fishing to pick up as we go thru the week and the weekend is shaping up to be epic.
Tight Lines!
We have been getting some rain over the past few days and last night we got some thunderstorms. The Tuckasegee River is stained as I type and other local streams are stained but I expect that the wild streams to be pretty clear.
Hatchery Supported Waters open this coming Saturday and they carry a no bait or lure restriction, 7 fish limit per day, and no minimum size restriction. The Cherokee Tribal waters opened last Saturday with reports of slow fishing. I can vouch that it was pretty slow most of the weekend regardless of location.
Expect much warmer temperatures this week so it will be a great time to get out and explore a new trail or even better wet a line. I expect the fishing to pick up as we go thru the week and the weekend is shaping up to be epic.
Tight Lines!
Thursday, March 23, 2017
March 23, 2017
USA, USA, USA the USA wins the 2017 World Baseball Classic for the first time in great fashion putting up 8 runs on the Puerto Rico team. Sorry I am a baseball fan but you know it is time to fish when baseball starts so we have a relationship here.
Looks like we are in for another great day of weather as we continue this trek thru March. The storms did produce some local damage and power outages but the water levels are looking good. Sunday we look to have an 80% chance of rain but that may change before then.
People are having success on white and black streamers, olive buggers, brown buggers, and some other nymphs and dry flies. I would make sure to have some BWO and some caddis flies and some midge patterns to test the top water bite.
Be sure to stop by or call before heading out on your adventure. Come checkout our new fly tying arrivals and the Hydros SL Reels.
Tight Lines!
USA, USA, USA the USA wins the 2017 World Baseball Classic for the first time in great fashion putting up 8 runs on the Puerto Rico team. Sorry I am a baseball fan but you know it is time to fish when baseball starts so we have a relationship here.
Looks like we are in for another great day of weather as we continue this trek thru March. The storms did produce some local damage and power outages but the water levels are looking good. Sunday we look to have an 80% chance of rain but that may change before then.
People are having success on white and black streamers, olive buggers, brown buggers, and some other nymphs and dry flies. I would make sure to have some BWO and some caddis flies and some midge patterns to test the top water bite.
Be sure to stop by or call before heading out on your adventure. Come checkout our new fly tying arrivals and the Hydros SL Reels.
Tight Lines!
Monday, March 20, 2017
March 20, 2017
Spring has sprung! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, the sap is rising, and the trout are biting. Looks like we are in for a good week of weather with Thursday looking like the coolest day with a high in the mid 50's.
The Tuckasegee River trout are eating nicely. Seen numbers and good sizes of trout landed and released the past few days and that seems to be the norm with most others that I have talked with. The next stocking takes place April 4th and then the last one is May 2nd.
With the warmer weather I would have some dries such as BWO, Quill Gordons, Parachute Adams, and some Caddis. Nymphs are still working well and I expect that to continue.
Tight Lines!
Spring has sprung! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, the sap is rising, and the trout are biting. Looks like we are in for a good week of weather with Thursday looking like the coolest day with a high in the mid 50's.
The Tuckasegee River trout are eating nicely. Seen numbers and good sizes of trout landed and released the past few days and that seems to be the norm with most others that I have talked with. The next stocking takes place April 4th and then the last one is May 2nd.
With the warmer weather I would have some dries such as BWO, Quill Gordons, Parachute Adams, and some Caddis. Nymphs are still working well and I expect that to continue.
Tight Lines!
Saturday, March 18, 2017
March 18, 2017
March Madness is well underway and the weather thinks it is a 16 seed trying to knock off a 1 seed this week when it comes to the weather. The fishing is matching the excitement of the NCAA Men's Tournament right now with clients and local anglers landing some great fish!
It started raining about 10 PM Friday evening and it is still raining this morning but it looks like it should subside in the early afternoon. What a welcome site the rain is and it will go along way in helping stream levels in our beautiful mountains. A friend of mine fished some smaller headwaters last week and he was expressing grave concerns about how low water levels are compared to years past.
The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is running at 48 cfs at 7 AM but Duke is scheduled to release flow from the East Fork starting at 8 AM. That flow increase should not reach South River Road until lunch time. If the water is a bit off colored the browns should be active and I would strip some larger streamers. Many other nymphs should work as the trout seem to have been feeding nicely all week.
Remember that Hatchery Supported Waters are closed until the first Saturday in April and those streams are marked with a white diamond shaped sign with a green stripe in the center. You can find a complete stream listing at www.ncwildlife.org under the fishing links. Remember to report violations.
Always feel free to call the shop or stop by. We have received lots of nice new tying materials and threads to aid in tying that special pattern.
Tight Lines!
****The following is a statement from Duke Energy concerning a repair at Bear Lake****
01-MAR-17 To facilitate an unplanned outage at the Bear Creek Hydro Station, Duke Energy plans to lower Bear Creek Lake to 75 ft., beginning Friday, March 3, 2017. It will take approximately one week to lower the lake and another week to complete the maintenance work. Duke Energy should begin re-filling the lake on Monday, March 27, 2017. The time necessary to refill the lake is based on the weather and precipitation. Updated lake levels are available any time at http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp and at 800-829-5253.
March Madness is well underway and the weather thinks it is a 16 seed trying to knock off a 1 seed this week when it comes to the weather. The fishing is matching the excitement of the NCAA Men's Tournament right now with clients and local anglers landing some great fish!
It started raining about 10 PM Friday evening and it is still raining this morning but it looks like it should subside in the early afternoon. What a welcome site the rain is and it will go along way in helping stream levels in our beautiful mountains. A friend of mine fished some smaller headwaters last week and he was expressing grave concerns about how low water levels are compared to years past.
The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is running at 48 cfs at 7 AM but Duke is scheduled to release flow from the East Fork starting at 8 AM. That flow increase should not reach South River Road until lunch time. If the water is a bit off colored the browns should be active and I would strip some larger streamers. Many other nymphs should work as the trout seem to have been feeding nicely all week.
Remember that Hatchery Supported Waters are closed until the first Saturday in April and those streams are marked with a white diamond shaped sign with a green stripe in the center. You can find a complete stream listing at www.ncwildlife.org under the fishing links. Remember to report violations.
Always feel free to call the shop or stop by. We have received lots of nice new tying materials and threads to aid in tying that special pattern.
Tight Lines!
****The following is a statement from Duke Energy concerning a repair at Bear Lake****
01-MAR-17 To facilitate an unplanned outage at the Bear Creek Hydro Station, Duke Energy plans to lower Bear Creek Lake to 75 ft., beginning Friday, March 3, 2017. It will take approximately one week to lower the lake and another week to complete the maintenance work. Duke Energy should begin re-filling the lake on Monday, March 27, 2017. The time necessary to refill the lake is based on the weather and precipitation. Updated lake levels are available any time at http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp and at 800-829-5253.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
March 16, 2017
Winter showed everyone who is boss starting this past weekend. I rode thru town this morning to breakfast with a local thermometer show 17 degrees. The great news is that Monday is the official start of spring!
The fishing has absolutely been fantastic! Lots of fish have been landed and released on the Tuckasegee River on many different flies and streamers. They seem to be keying in on movement more than anything else. Black, olive, and white streamers have the go to colors for me. After we warm back up I would then start throwing dries and emerging patterns.
Be sure to keep an eye on stream flow releases before hitting the tail waters. Call or stop by before you hit he water.
Tight Lines!
Winter showed everyone who is boss starting this past weekend. I rode thru town this morning to breakfast with a local thermometer show 17 degrees. The great news is that Monday is the official start of spring!
The fishing has absolutely been fantastic! Lots of fish have been landed and released on the Tuckasegee River on many different flies and streamers. They seem to be keying in on movement more than anything else. Black, olive, and white streamers have the go to colors for me. After we warm back up I would then start throwing dries and emerging patterns.
Be sure to keep an eye on stream flow releases before hitting the tail waters. Call or stop by before you hit he water.
Tight Lines!
Friday, March 10, 2017
Friday March 10, 2017
Step right up and hop on the weather roller coaster! We are currently under a winter storm warning! A high of 74 degrees yesterday and a winter storm warning just announced, go figure. We are expecting much cooler weather ahead thru the start of next week so be prepared if you are planning on fishing in the local area.
Another nugget of information concerning the flow rate of the Tuckasegee River, Duke Energy is currently lowering Bear Lake to 75' for generator repair. This is making the flow rate in Cullowhee around the 700 cfs rage. If the East Fork flow starts you can expect higher water flows.
With all this being said the fishing has been good. We had a good trip on the Tuckasegee today and I was in the Smoky Mountain National Park fishing. I am a bit concerned with the low water levels that I am seeing in some places.
Be safe and as always call or stop by for free info.
Tight Lines!
Step right up and hop on the weather roller coaster! We are currently under a winter storm warning! A high of 74 degrees yesterday and a winter storm warning just announced, go figure. We are expecting much cooler weather ahead thru the start of next week so be prepared if you are planning on fishing in the local area.
Another nugget of information concerning the flow rate of the Tuckasegee River, Duke Energy is currently lowering Bear Lake to 75' for generator repair. This is making the flow rate in Cullowhee around the 700 cfs rage. If the East Fork flow starts you can expect higher water flows.
With all this being said the fishing has been good. We had a good trip on the Tuckasegee today and I was in the Smoky Mountain National Park fishing. I am a bit concerned with the low water levels that I am seeing in some places.
Be safe and as always call or stop by for free info.
Tight Lines!
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
March 8, 2016
Duke Energy is scheduled to flow the East Fork non stop at least thru Friday. Expect flow rates in the 600 plus cfs range. Although a bit more difficult, wading can still be done and the fishing is good. Our guides have been doing well.
We recommend swing some buggers in the current water conditions. Also some streamers will produce some good trout. You may have to go a bit heavier if you like pounding the bottom 1/3 of the water column. Don't be surprised if you see some top water activity in the middle of the afternoon. BE ready with some tiny dries in grey, black,or olive bodies if you are willing to drift a few dries.
Tight Lines!
Duke Energy is scheduled to flow the East Fork non stop at least thru Friday. Expect flow rates in the 600 plus cfs range. Although a bit more difficult, wading can still be done and the fishing is good. Our guides have been doing well.
We recommend swing some buggers in the current water conditions. Also some streamers will produce some good trout. You may have to go a bit heavier if you like pounding the bottom 1/3 of the water column. Don't be surprised if you see some top water activity in the middle of the afternoon. BE ready with some tiny dries in grey, black,or olive bodies if you are willing to drift a few dries.
Tight Lines!
Monday, March 6, 2017
March 6, 2017
We are getting some light rain showers this morning but the river still looks pretty good. The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is flowing at 434 cfs. Expect much of the same flow rate over the next three days according to Duke Release Schedule.
The river is fishing well right now with the latest stocking taking place last Thursday. I still recommend having a good selection of Buggers and Girdle Bugs. The trout seemed to key in on movement but keep an eye on the water clarity and cloud cover as this will dictate colors you use. Also expect some BWO action today.
Tight Lines!
We are getting some light rain showers this morning but the river still looks pretty good. The Tuckasegee River in Jackson County is flowing at 434 cfs. Expect much of the same flow rate over the next three days according to Duke Release Schedule.
The river is fishing well right now with the latest stocking taking place last Thursday. I still recommend having a good selection of Buggers and Girdle Bugs. The trout seemed to key in on movement but keep an eye on the water clarity and cloud cover as this will dictate colors you use. Also expect some BWO action today.
Tight Lines!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
March 4, 2017
The new fish in the Tuck are hungry and they need you to feed them! We received some nice numbers and sizes in the latest stocking. The trout were very interested in moving bugs yesterday afternoon. Despite the windy conditions it was a great afternoon for me.
I had great success on a tiny egg pattern that I have been experimenting with and I think it is bin worthy. The killer was Woolly Buggers in White and also Olive/Brown jigged thru the water column. They did not like it just dead drifted it had to have some movement. I stood in one place and caught the slam multiple times and at one point I pulled out four brown trout in a row. Since only 20% of stocking was browns that was pretty good.
I expect some of the same behavior today so don't be afraid to give some life to what your are drifting. Duke shows they are flowing East Fork at 12 AM but based on stream gauge that does not look to accurate. West Fork is flowing at 7 AM till 9 AM so expect the river to rise around noon today.
Tight Lines!
The new fish in the Tuck are hungry and they need you to feed them! We received some nice numbers and sizes in the latest stocking. The trout were very interested in moving bugs yesterday afternoon. Despite the windy conditions it was a great afternoon for me.
I had great success on a tiny egg pattern that I have been experimenting with and I think it is bin worthy. The killer was Woolly Buggers in White and also Olive/Brown jigged thru the water column. They did not like it just dead drifted it had to have some movement. I stood in one place and caught the slam multiple times and at one point I pulled out four brown trout in a row. Since only 20% of stocking was browns that was pretty good.
I expect some of the same behavior today so don't be afraid to give some life to what your are drifting. Duke shows they are flowing East Fork at 12 AM but based on stream gauge that does not look to accurate. West Fork is flowing at 7 AM till 9 AM so expect the river to rise around noon today.
Tight Lines!
Thursday, March 2, 2017
March 2, 2017
It is stocking day! The great folks from the Setzer Hatchery are scheduled to stock the Delayed Harvest Waters in Jackson County with several thousand Rainbow, Brown, and Non-native Brook Trout. This will consist of a ratio of 20% Browns, 40% Rainbows, and 40% Brook Trout. The stocking will take place over a 4 plus mile stretch of the Tuckasegee River.
We received a good rainfall amount yesterday. Some of the streams and rivers are still a bit stained but they should clear up soon. Water levels did rise in some of the smaller streams but they seem to be receding. Duke Energy shows no generation scheduled for the next three days. This is always subject to change at a moments notice.
The newly stocked trout will not be to picky at first but have a good assortment of bugs on hand. A good mix of mop flies, girdle bugs, woolly buggers, eggs, and squirmy wormies will adorn many boxes and they will work. Don't be afraid of a Hare's Ear or Pheasant Tail as they will produce trout.
We are expected to cool off a bit and this will probably affect fishing a bit. Be sure to call or stop in and see us at 570 West Main Street Sylva NC. We will be open at 8 AM Saturday to serve you!
Tight Lines!
It is stocking day! The great folks from the Setzer Hatchery are scheduled to stock the Delayed Harvest Waters in Jackson County with several thousand Rainbow, Brown, and Non-native Brook Trout. This will consist of a ratio of 20% Browns, 40% Rainbows, and 40% Brook Trout. The stocking will take place over a 4 plus mile stretch of the Tuckasegee River.
We received a good rainfall amount yesterday. Some of the streams and rivers are still a bit stained but they should clear up soon. Water levels did rise in some of the smaller streams but they seem to be receding. Duke Energy shows no generation scheduled for the next three days. This is always subject to change at a moments notice.
The newly stocked trout will not be to picky at first but have a good assortment of bugs on hand. A good mix of mop flies, girdle bugs, woolly buggers, eggs, and squirmy wormies will adorn many boxes and they will work. Don't be afraid of a Hare's Ear or Pheasant Tail as they will produce trout.
We are expected to cool off a bit and this will probably affect fishing a bit. Be sure to call or stop in and see us at 570 West Main Street Sylva NC. We will be open at 8 AM Saturday to serve you!
Tight Lines!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)