July 31, 2017

It sure seems like July has just raced on bye.  July presented some good fishing with mother nature blessing us with rain on a pretty consistent basis.  Float trips for Small Mouth Bass were very productive and wade and walk trout fishing was very good.  Mountain stream flows are still good and the water temp is keeping the trout active.  I still suggest being on the water at first light and that means 6AM or a bit later and you can usually be done fishing around 9:30 or 10AM and take the middle part of the day off.

I did fish yesterday morning and it was real good before another guide from a local guide service felt it was necessary to enter the water one pool up from me, literally, I could have cast and caught the guide and clients with my dry fly.  I hope the clients had a good day!

BOC Guide Leland Shockley with a Charlie Whopper eating trout

Now then with that being said the bite was real good.  I landed some really nice Wild Brook Trout!  They were eager to take my #14 Hoppilator.  I was fishing 6x tippet off my Appalachian Furled Leader while using my Orvis Recon 3wt.  I really like my Recon or the Orvis H2 8'6" 4wt mid flex, which is 35% off, for a lot of the streams in the GSMNP. 

I did move to another part of the streams and I worked a dropper rig.  I continued using the Hoppilator as my top fly but I added my Messer's Nymph in a size 12.  This rigged produced some good trout as I was working some deeper runs and pools.  I did not land a Brown but the Rainbows were good size. 

I suggest using Ants and Beetles as well as Inchworms for your terrestrials.  Messer's Smoky Mountain Caddis, Charlie Whopper, Hoppilator, Orange Stimulator, Adams, and Purple body dries should complete your box for trout.  Also a couple Griffith's Gnats should be in their too.

Poppers, Stealth Bombers, Diver Shad, and Claw Daddy's should be in your streamer box. 

Call or stop in if you have any questions. 

Tight Lines!

July 28, 2017

Hope that this finds everyone well.  It has been a tough couple days around here with our internet down.  We certainly rely on technology and it hurts when it lets us down.  One thing for sure is that the trout here in North Carolina never let us down, they may be picky and difficult at times, but when we get them it is worth the heartache.

It has rained on and off all day today and it is much cooler.  I am digging this weather as it should lead to some pretty good fishing.  I am still a fan of hitting the water at first light and others that I have talked with have had great success from 6 AM till 9 AM most days.

Dry flies are working well and a dropper will get some strikes.  Watch your approach and try your best not to spook out the hole. 

Tight Lines!

 July 26, 2017

I got to spend the last 5 days or so with this little guy fishing the Smokies and exploring the Setzer Fish Hatchery.  We had a great time and the fishing is pretty descent right now.  Water levels seem to be maintaining a good flow rate for this time of the year and you will still see a few Yellow Sallies flying around but not the numbers that we experienced earlier.

We did well on dry flies:  Charlie Whopper, Orange Stimulator, and Yellow Stimulator did the trick for Breyden.  The hard body ant and an old family stone nymph also got some trout but we liked the top water action best

The Talking Trees Trout Derby is next weekend so if you have a young person like Breyden or know of someone the Trout Derby can be a wonderful thing for them.  Breyden has participated the last three years and he looks forward to it.  You can find information at the Cherokee Website.  The point is that we should be exposing our youth to these opportunities and the Trout Derby is a great place to start.

The weather is forecast to cool off a bit but if you get back into some canopy covered areas you will feel an immediate decline in temperatures.  We fished early and was done by one or two most times and then we hit the Eno Hammocks.

Get out and have a great time!

July 17, 2017

Wow July is halfway over and before you know it the Solar Eclipse will be on us.  Sylva is directly in the path of the Solar Eclipse and our town has several things going on that weekend and of course the day of the eclipse.  Mark your calendars and join us!

Despite some hotter weather the fishing as been pretty good in our mountain streams.  My oldest son and I hiked into Bradley Fork yesterday morning and fished a bit and we did well.  Dry flies did great and the water flow is really good right now, in fact it is higher than when I guided that same stretch awhile ago.  The water is cool and everything is green!  Springs are flowing and the flowers are blooming and the only thing missing is you.

Collins Creek also produced trout.  If you like smaller streams give this one a try.  It is only about 4 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and you can park in the Collins Creek Picnic area.  We observed Yellow Mayflies dominating the air around the creek and the water was cold. 

I recommend sticking with basic mountain colors: Yellow, Grey, Green, Orange, Black, and Tan.  Most of these body colors will attract trout and I will leave it up to you on what type of hook you would like to fish. 

I will be gone guiding the next 2 days and on vacation after that so give Eli a call or stop in and see him.  He will take good care of everyone. 

Tight Lines!

July 10, 2017

I got to spend three days in the GSMNP last week fishing and guiding at it was pretty productive.  I got rained on Thursday, and boy it rained.  Rain jacket helped but it flat came down and the river rose.  Fishing prior to that was pretty good but all good things come to an end, or at least that is what they say.  We are in better shape compared to this same time last year when it comes to water flows and the fishing is even better.

Purple and Tan Caddis worked very well for me and my good friend Eric was using one of my Nantahala Specials and it worked very well.  I tie the Purple Caddis with Purple dyed peacock herl and it worked very well in Palmer Creek.  It also did well in Straight Fork.   We are starting to see some Little Green Stones come off so a good Green Palmer should work. 

Tight Lines!

July 8, 2017

Fishing has been good in the Smokies the past couple of days.  Straight Fork and Palmer Creek have produced trout on dries and nymphs.  I suggest Yellow Stimulators, Yellow Palmers, Nantahala Special, and Orange Palmers.

Ants and beetles are working subsurface and you will find several inch worms hanging off tress.  Work your productive runs and channels and keep a low profile.  Stay concealed and don't be the human highlighter.  Camo is the way to go.

Tight Lines!

July 5th, 2017

We hope everyone enjoyed the 4th of July but it is time to get back at it for many people.  If you are lucky enough to still have some time off, get out and fish. 

We are looking at a chance of rain the next couple of days but this is very typical for us.  Just carry a light rain jacket and you will always be ready.  A nice walk and wade fishing trip can be productive right now.  Early mornings and late evenings are best but often you can still take good fish midday if you have enough shaded water. 

I suggest yellow flies such as Jim Charley, Yellow Stimulator, Yellow Palmer, Yellow Parachutes, and Yellow Caddis.  Purple is also another good choice as well as Adams.  Don't forget terrestrials, ants and beetles should be on the menu.

Your approach will be the most important part and thas is something that you can control.  Fish with your eyes first then with the rod.  Wade easily and conceal yourself with dark colors.  Don't be the human highlighter.

Tight Lines!

July 4th, 2017

We will be closing at 2pm today!  We wish everyone a wonderful and safe July 4th!  We live in the best country because 241 years ago we stood up for ourselves and claimed our independence.  Thank you to everyone who has fought to preserve our way of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness in the best country in the world.

July 3, 2017

Happy July everyone!  Blackrock will be open Tuesday July 4th for all your needs and remember it is free fish day in North Carolina waters.  You will not need a license for North Carolina Waters but this does not include Cherokee Tribal Waters or Federal Waters. 

We have a pretty good chance of rain today and I am ok with that.  Water levels are still good and these showers are doing a good job of maintaining a good water table for us.  Just keep a light rain jacket with you and you should be ok.

Inchworms are in fashion now for the trout.  We are seeing lots of them hanging so trout are beginning to key in on them.  Ants and beetles are other good options for terrestrials this time of year. 

Male Adams, Jim Charlie's, and Yellow Palmers are excellent choices for mountain trout but you can mix in a yellow stimulator or caddis if are looking to run a dry dropper.  Remember that Griffith's Gnat will produce trout.  If you tie flies try some in 12's and 14's, you may be surprised at how well they work.

Tight Lines!