June 26, 2017

Blackrock Outdoors very own Eli Buchanan made Team USA Youth Team this past weekend!  We are so proud of Eli and we know that he will do a great job representing Team USA and Jackson County.  Eli as well as others fished the Youth Nationals that was held right here on our Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail!  The conditions were tough with high water but that is fishing.  Eli is a key part of what we do here at Blackrock Outdoors Orvis Fly Shop and we wish him the best.  Eli is always willing to share information on how to catch local trout and streams that he likes to fish so stop in and see Eli.

The weather has been good and we have been getting some rain.  Temperatures are comfortable right now.  It looks like we will continue a good pattern this week.  I always keep a light rain jacket with me and you should consider doing the same.

Water flows are great, not to high or not to low, just right.  Terrestrials are making their way into the streams and trout are starting to key in on them.  Yellow body dry flies are still a great choice for top water and it is hard to beat a pheasant tail or hares ear nymph.  Fish the cooler water, keep a low profile, wade lightly, and you should get some strikes.

Smallmouth fishing has been good on the Little Tennessee River!  Some anglers are doing really well wading and floating this time of the year.  Some anglers are taking smallies in the Tuckasegee River in the Barkers Creek area.

Stop by or drop us a line before you head out on your fishing adventure.

Tight Lines!

June 21, 2017

We are in a very wet weather pattern as the first tropical storm affects the southeastern United States.  The rain is a welcome site for us especially after last years drought.  Fortunately this year we have been getting regular afternoon showers in numerous areas.  Water levels are good which makes fishing a bit better.

Blackrock Outdoors Eli Buchanan

Youth Nationals are taking place this weekend in Cherokee with our own Eli Buchanan participating.  We will have a lot of good young talented nymph fishermen in the area this weekend.  Feel free to drive over and watch them work their magic in beats up Big Cove Road on the Raven Fork Water.  Beats will be assigned Friday evening with the contest starting Saturday morning lasting thru Sunday.

I have had a chance to spend some time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and you can take some good trout.  I really enjoy dry fly fishing but feel free to use a dropper rig with a Pheasants Tail.  The Pheasant Tail is probably the most versatile nymph to use no matter where you are.  You will see Yellow Sallies and some inch worms hanging. 

Now we have not been in the Tuckasegee but I can tell you that some very large Golden Stones have been hatching around the 9 PM time frame.  You can expect some smallmouth bass and trout action if they are cooperating. 

Tight Lines!

June 12, 2017

Everyone we are looking at high's in the 80's with chances of rain most afternoons this week.  Water levels are pretty good right now even at higher elevations.  If you are looking at doing some blue lining this would be a good time.

We are seeing Yellow Sallies and I seen some large stoneflies on the upper Oconaluftee this weekend.  I observed Yellow Drakes in Mingus Creek inside the GSMNP above the mill as you make your way up the trail to Deeplow Gap.

I suggest fishing all day right now while you can and throw dries.  Adams, Purple Parachutes, Yellow Parachutes, Stimulators, Yellow Palmers, Adams Variant, and Caddis would be my choices.  Have a few terrestrials on hand just incase the trout get a bit picky.  Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, Prince, and Tellico Nymphs should be included in your box.

I suggest fishing at least a 5x leader and as we get warmer and the trout get spookier you will need to downsize.  Watch your approach and take your time.  Avoid bright clothing and be on the lookout for bees and snakes.

Tight Lines!

June 8, 2017

Hope everyone is well and that you are starting to enjoy this nice weather that we are having.  I had a chance to guide in the GSMNP yesterday and it was great!  Clients landed and released several trout, mostly Rainbows with some Brook and Browns mixed in, on Purple Parachute #12.  We successfully released three very large Rainbows and we rolled one big Leroy Brown but that story is for another day.

We used 3 and 4 weight Orvis Helios 2 rods and Recon Rods matched with Orvis Braided Leader with 5x tippet.  I am a huge fan of braided leaders and I believe it helps on these spooky trout.  We also wet waded and the water felt good.

Some special events are scheduled in the near future for the Trophy Water and the Nantahala so be on the lookout for those.

Tight Lines! 

06/06/2017

Water levels are good after the rain we have gotten over the past few days.  We are starting to see some inch worms hanging from trees but I had no success on green palmers drifted under bushes.  I found that yellow body flies and grey body flies worked best.  I actually had my best success on a #12 Charlie Whopper.

Keep a good mix of nymphs in your box.  These should include: Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Girdle Bug, Tellico Nymph, Inch Worm, Stone Nymph,and few soft hackles.

Keep an eye out for bees nest as we are starting to see a few of these hanging over the river.  Snakes have been crawling for a bit.  I actually had a coyote come down by the stream the other day.  We are guest in the outdoors so give wildlife ample space.

Tight Lines!

June, 3, 2017

Hatchery Supported regulation went into effect this morning at 6 AM for our Delayed Harvest waters.  From 6 AM until 11:59 AM kids 15 and younger get to fish in the DH waters and keep up to 7 fish with no size restrictions.  Also this fishery now becomes hatchery supported regulations which means that you can take trout with no size limit and also no bait or lure restriction.  This regulation change is only until October 1 when DH regulations go back into affect.

DH waters only make up a very small percentage of trout waters in North Carolina which means that you still great opportunities to fly fish year round.  Our State has many different types of waters for you to explore and should do that.  In Jackson County start with our Fly Fishing Trail and explore some new water.

Tight Lines!