January 31, 2018
A cold start to the day will eventually give way to warmer weather this afternoon. The Tuckasegee in Jackson County is currently flowing at 735 cfs and the east and west forks are scheduled to flow till 11:59 pm. The Nantahala is flowing at 719 cfs but I look for this flow rate to decrease if Duke shuts down the flow at 9 am as published.
Still the same fare will produce trout: Woolly Buggers, Eggs, Prince Nymph, Frenchies/Pheasant Tails Nymphs, and some Blue Winged Olives. Be cautious of the flow rates on tail waters.
Tight Lines
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Monday, January 29, 2018
January 29, 2018
Winter is coming again this evening with a chance of snow at higher elevations and wind will increase as we go deeper into today. You can expect an East Fork flow starting at 9 am running until 11:59 pm and a West Fork Flow starting at 3 pm until 11 pm. The Nanatahla is not scheduled to flow today.
I was able to get out Sunday and fish the Tuckasegee and to be honest I was hoping for a big Brown based on the conditions we had. I caught everything but a Brown but the bonus was a good Sickle Fin Red Horse that was an important fish to the native Cherokee people. These guys fight hard and they are fun to catch.
Most of my fish came on a heavy Y2K. All the other nymphs I tried were not productive even at varied depths. The water was a bit off color so I tried my trusty black first and only got one trout. I then started with drastic changes until I got it right.
Also I want to thank all the volunteers that came out and helped our local TU Chapter 373 Saturday at the roadside cleanup along Scotts Creek. We removed over 3.4 tons on material! I will do a blog post about this with photos but many of you know that Scotts Creek is an important part of our WNC Fly Fishing Trail and we have an obligation to educate so this does not happen again in the future.
Winter is coming again this evening with a chance of snow at higher elevations and wind will increase as we go deeper into today. You can expect an East Fork flow starting at 9 am running until 11:59 pm and a West Fork Flow starting at 3 pm until 11 pm. The Nanatahla is not scheduled to flow today.
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| Red Horse |
Most of my fish came on a heavy Y2K. All the other nymphs I tried were not productive even at varied depths. The water was a bit off color so I tried my trusty black first and only got one trout. I then started with drastic changes until I got it right.
Also I want to thank all the volunteers that came out and helped our local TU Chapter 373 Saturday at the roadside cleanup along Scotts Creek. We removed over 3.4 tons on material! I will do a blog post about this with photos but many of you know that Scotts Creek is an important part of our WNC Fly Fishing Trail and we have an obligation to educate so this does not happen again in the future.
Friday, January 26, 2018
January 26, 2018
AS we head into the last weekend of January the weather has defiantly been wintry and frigid but I am hoping for warmer days ahead as we hit February next week. We do have some rain coming in this weekend but today, Friday, looks good so far other than I am working.
The Tuckasegee in Jackson County is currently running at 658 CFS at the Cullowhee metering station and it is scheduled to shut off at 2 PM. We did observe some trout sipping some little black stones last evening while looking at a new raft. I talked with a couple of fishermen yesterday and they had the most success on Woolly Buggers.
The Lower Nantahala is flowing at 92.4 CFS and Duke is showing no flow release for the next three days here. If it remains this way wade fishing in an otherwise tough wading location will be great. This could be the time to take advantage of this flow rate and target some really nice browns.
Tight Line!
AS we head into the last weekend of January the weather has defiantly been wintry and frigid but I am hoping for warmer days ahead as we hit February next week. We do have some rain coming in this weekend but today, Friday, looks good so far other than I am working.
The Tuckasegee in Jackson County is currently running at 658 CFS at the Cullowhee metering station and it is scheduled to shut off at 2 PM. We did observe some trout sipping some little black stones last evening while looking at a new raft. I talked with a couple of fishermen yesterday and they had the most success on Woolly Buggers.
The Lower Nantahala is flowing at 92.4 CFS and Duke is showing no flow release for the next three days here. If it remains this way wade fishing in an otherwise tough wading location will be great. This could be the time to take advantage of this flow rate and target some really nice browns.
Tight Line!
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
January 23, 2018
The rain has moved out and we have sunny skies along with some pretty comfortable temperatures. The Tuckasegee River should be rising as they were scheduled to release water at 9 am and 2 pm today. AS of right now the gage is showing a flow rate 99.2 cfs.
Duke is also flowing water on the Lower Nantahala the next couple of days. We also are looking at decent weather most of the week. You can expect temps 40 degrees to 60 degrees in most cases.
I recommend the typical DH flies: Woolly Buggers, Mop Flies, Pheasant Tails Nymphs, Eggs, Zebra Midges, and some soft Hackles. I like fishing the warmest part of the day however fish can be taken first thing in the morning.
Tight Lines!
The rain has moved out and we have sunny skies along with some pretty comfortable temperatures. The Tuckasegee River should be rising as they were scheduled to release water at 9 am and 2 pm today. AS of right now the gage is showing a flow rate 99.2 cfs.
Duke is also flowing water on the Lower Nantahala the next couple of days. We also are looking at decent weather most of the week. You can expect temps 40 degrees to 60 degrees in most cases.
I recommend the typical DH flies: Woolly Buggers, Mop Flies, Pheasant Tails Nymphs, Eggs, Zebra Midges, and some soft Hackles. I like fishing the warmest part of the day however fish can be taken first thing in the morning.
Tight Lines!
Monday, January 22, 2018
January 22, 2018
Currently in Sylva the temperature is 41 degrees and rising with a forecast high of 56 degrees with a chance of light rain later this evening. Skies are cloudy with low winds at the present time. It certainly looks like we are getting a bit of above average temperatures for January which should go along ways in thawing out some frozen streams. The three ponds up Big Cove Road were still frozen Saturday as well as some stream edges in the GSMNP and the Nantahala River areas.
We fished the last two days with varied success. The park was a bit slow but it did produce some trout. Nymphs such as the Killer Bug produced trout. Rainbows and Brook trout were sitting in the lunchroom waiting for a perfectly drifted snack as they were the one caught Saturday.
The Upper Nantahala was all Rainbows for us. Once again the Killer Bug and Walt's Worm were the most productive patterns. We did see some adult Grey Caddis on the rocks on the Upper Nantahala and a few Blue Winged Olives started hatching in the afternoon.
It looks like Duke is not generating on the Nantahala so the Lower Nantahala should be safe to wade the next few days unless they change the release schedule. Always check the flow before getting into the water as this water can rise rapidly.
Tight Lines!
Currently in Sylva the temperature is 41 degrees and rising with a forecast high of 56 degrees with a chance of light rain later this evening. Skies are cloudy with low winds at the present time. It certainly looks like we are getting a bit of above average temperatures for January which should go along ways in thawing out some frozen streams. The three ponds up Big Cove Road were still frozen Saturday as well as some stream edges in the GSMNP and the Nantahala River areas.
We fished the last two days with varied success. The park was a bit slow but it did produce some trout. Nymphs such as the Killer Bug produced trout. Rainbows and Brook trout were sitting in the lunchroom waiting for a perfectly drifted snack as they were the one caught Saturday.
The Upper Nantahala was all Rainbows for us. Once again the Killer Bug and Walt's Worm were the most productive patterns. We did see some adult Grey Caddis on the rocks on the Upper Nantahala and a few Blue Winged Olives started hatching in the afternoon.
It looks like Duke is not generating on the Nantahala so the Lower Nantahala should be safe to wade the next few days unless they change the release schedule. Always check the flow before getting into the water as this water can rise rapidly.
Tight Lines!
Friday, January 19, 2018
January 19, 2018
this weekend is looking like spring preview unlike the weather we have experienced this year. Sunny with highs in the 50's and lower 60's will certainly make many people happy. Looks like Duke will flow the East Fork and West Fork at staggered times on the Tuckasegee this weekend.
I would use my standard Delayed Harvest box with Woolly Buggers, Eggs, Girdle Bugs, and Streamers for the Tuck. Some smaller streams could be good this weekend but still keep in mind that the water is pretty cold and fishing at the warmest part of the day could make your day more productive.
Keep safe and keep a spare change of clothes. The water is cold and a polar plunge could leave you wishing you was better prepared.
Tight Lines!
this weekend is looking like spring preview unlike the weather we have experienced this year. Sunny with highs in the 50's and lower 60's will certainly make many people happy. Looks like Duke will flow the East Fork and West Fork at staggered times on the Tuckasegee this weekend.
I would use my standard Delayed Harvest box with Woolly Buggers, Eggs, Girdle Bugs, and Streamers for the Tuck. Some smaller streams could be good this weekend but still keep in mind that the water is pretty cold and fishing at the warmest part of the day could make your day more productive.
Keep safe and keep a spare change of clothes. The water is cold and a polar plunge could leave you wishing you was better prepared.
Tight Lines!
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
January 16, 2018
Snow is apparently on its way with much colder temps for Wednesday. The weekend is looking promising with maybe a high of 60 on Sunday! They let school out early here today so maybe it will snow.
The Tuckasegee River East Fork is flowing most days non-stop the next three days making wading opportunities marginal but still manageable. We are looking forward to the milder temps and good fishing opportunities.
Fishing small streams should be done in the warmest part of the day. Nymphs are still the best but some midge patterns can take fish. Water clarity is like a class of gin and the fish can see you coming making for some difficult conditions. The fish are gorgeous though making the efforts well worth it.
Tight Lines!
Snow is apparently on its way with much colder temps for Wednesday. The weekend is looking promising with maybe a high of 60 on Sunday! They let school out early here today so maybe it will snow.
The Tuckasegee River East Fork is flowing most days non-stop the next three days making wading opportunities marginal but still manageable. We are looking forward to the milder temps and good fishing opportunities.
Fishing small streams should be done in the warmest part of the day. Nymphs are still the best but some midge patterns can take fish. Water clarity is like a class of gin and the fish can see you coming making for some difficult conditions. The fish are gorgeous though making the efforts well worth it.
Tight Lines!
Thursday, January 11, 2018
January 11, 2018
Most of the ice has left many on the streams and rivers in our local area allowing for some fishing before the cold front moves In this weekend. Most of the area is experiencing showers now with many more on the way making most of Friday a washout. The rain is light at this point making this morning a pretty good day for fishing with the right gear.
I recommend darker nymphs with current conditions. These will cast a better silhouette and should ignite a strike. Play around with depths to locate the holding zones for the trout and they should be eager to eat.
Cherokee is hosting a pretty big Fly Fishing Tournament this weekend so expect some pretty large crowds in the Ravens Fork area.
Tight Lines!
Most of the ice has left many on the streams and rivers in our local area allowing for some fishing before the cold front moves In this weekend. Most of the area is experiencing showers now with many more on the way making most of Friday a washout. The rain is light at this point making this morning a pretty good day for fishing with the right gear.
I recommend darker nymphs with current conditions. These will cast a better silhouette and should ignite a strike. Play around with depths to locate the holding zones for the trout and they should be eager to eat.
Cherokee is hosting a pretty big Fly Fishing Tournament this weekend so expect some pretty large crowds in the Ravens Fork area.
Tight Lines!
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
January 9, 2018
We are a balmy 40 degrees to start this wonderful day and it looks like a warming trend until Saturday and Sunday. Ice is dominating the streams and rivers making for some great photos but the fishing is dangerous. One of our TU Members seen an angler fall thru the ice while he was out doing some photography.
I recommend giving the ice time to melt before heading out to fish. Safety should be paramount regardless of the itch to fish.
Tight Lines!
We are a balmy 40 degrees to start this wonderful day and it looks like a warming trend until Saturday and Sunday. Ice is dominating the streams and rivers making for some great photos but the fishing is dangerous. One of our TU Members seen an angler fall thru the ice while he was out doing some photography.
I recommend giving the ice time to melt before heading out to fish. Safety should be paramount regardless of the itch to fish.
Tight Lines!
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
January 2, 2018
We are waking up to some very low temperatures this morning and to be frank it is going to be this way for the next 10 to 15 days. This morning I had a reading of 1.6 degrees and the thermometer in town showed 7 degrees. Nonetheless it is cold and we are going to stay this way for sometime. Scotts Creek here in town has ice on the surface this morning so it is cold.
You may ask how is the fishing and what should we use. Well I am not going today or the next couple of days even though I have the proper gear for these conditions. I am not risking hypothermia and neither should you. The flow schedule for the Tuckasegee River is all over the place so the flow rate will look like a roller coaster ride, up and down and we don't know whats around the next curve.
We did fish last week and we did good. Girdle Bugs worked well for me. I found that is was important to slowdown and work the water where trout are holding in these temperatures. I used tungsten putty to adjust the weight until I found the sweet spot and then it was game on. These trout aren't moving much so you will have to put the presentation in the dining room if you want them to eat.
Be safe if you get out. My advice is to stay in and tie some bugs.
Tight Lines!
We are waking up to some very low temperatures this morning and to be frank it is going to be this way for the next 10 to 15 days. This morning I had a reading of 1.6 degrees and the thermometer in town showed 7 degrees. Nonetheless it is cold and we are going to stay this way for sometime. Scotts Creek here in town has ice on the surface this morning so it is cold.
You may ask how is the fishing and what should we use. Well I am not going today or the next couple of days even though I have the proper gear for these conditions. I am not risking hypothermia and neither should you. The flow schedule for the Tuckasegee River is all over the place so the flow rate will look like a roller coaster ride, up and down and we don't know whats around the next curve.
We did fish last week and we did good. Girdle Bugs worked well for me. I found that is was important to slowdown and work the water where trout are holding in these temperatures. I used tungsten putty to adjust the weight until I found the sweet spot and then it was game on. These trout aren't moving much so you will have to put the presentation in the dining room if you want them to eat.
Be safe if you get out. My advice is to stay in and tie some bugs.
Tight Lines!
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