You can expect low water levels through much of this coming week. There is a chance of Friday but it is is doubtful that it will raise the levels back to a normal level. Saturday brings about a better chance to get the stream levels near normal. Sunday will be a cold day. To purchase flies, write sales@perfectflystore.com providing the dates you will be fishing. or you can select a custom selection of one of three different sizes for specific time frames. Today’s high should be 66 with partly cloudy skies, Friday’s high should be 65 with a good chance of rain. Saturday’s high should be 65 will a good chance of rain.
Check out our sister websites: www.flyfishingyellowstonenationalpark.com & www.perfectflystore.com
Smoky Mountain Stream Conditions:
The streams with links that have nearby USGS Station Real-time stream data: Click the links to see updates:
Little River: Rate 97.5 cfs at 1.61 ft. (Good Wading up to 125 cfs with extra caution up to 250 cfs.
West Prong Little Pigeon River Gatlinburg): Rate 22.4 cfs at 2.77 ft (Good Wading up to 125 cfs with extra caution up to 250 cfs.
Oconaluftee River: Rate 204 cfs at 1.32 ft (Good wading up to 700 cfs with extra caution up to 750 cfs.
Cataloochee Creek: Rate 41.1 cfs at 2.17 ft. (Good wading up to 200 cfs extra caution up to 225 cfs.
Hazel Creek and the other larger NC streams flowing into Fontana Lake:
The streams are flowing below a normal level and clear.
Weather Forecast: (click the boxes below for more detailed weather information)
https://forecast7.com/en/35d71n83d51/gatlinburg/?unit=us
https://forecast7.com/en/35d48n83d32/cherokee/?unit=us
Trout Flies Currently Needed or needed very soon;
Streamers:
Brown Sculpin: 6
White Belly Sculpin: 6
Articulated Sculpin: 4
Blue-winged Olives: 18 Nymphs, emergers, duns and spinners
Winter stoneflies, size 6/18 Nymphs and Adults
Recommended Fishing Strategy:
Keep in mind, the strategies I am recommending is for the maximum odds of catching numbers of fish. Many prefer or favor a dry fly and by all means there isn’t anything wrong with that. It’s just a fact that if nothing is hatching at the time, it reduces your odds of success. You can still probably hook some trout, just not as many as if you fish subsurface. Of course, this is also based on using good techniques and the right flies. Some guys don’t know how to fish below the surface.
Strategy:
Not all of the insects you see above will be hatching in the same location. It is usually only one or two. It varies with the elevation. Some are just starting in the low elevations and some about finished in the higher elevations. If you fished the day or two before and know where something is hatching, fish the nymph or larva stage of it. If you haven’t fished the day or two before, until I spotted something hatching, I would fish the BWO nymph. If you spot something hatching (coming off the water), change to the appropriate emerger, dun or adult imitations of the insect.
Tips for Beginners:
Don’t let anyone intimidate you by contending that fly fishing is more difficult to learn and master than other types of fishing. It isn’t.
Thank you for visiting our website
James Marsh