I had the privilege of fishing with two youngsters from northern Tennessee on Friday. Both Tarren Vauehn and Wyatt Montooth were well experienced at fly fishing but both had little to no experience at fishing in the park. They had planned a four day trip to fish Tellico Creek but drove up to Pigeon Forge to fish in the park and carry me along. I am still not able to wade due to my back and hip injury. so I was as much of a handicap to them as helpful. One had caught very few brook trout and the the other one had not ever caught one. That being the case and the fact we were not able to start fishing until a little past noon in heat and clear skies, I had them start at Walker’s Camp Prong. I was disappointed to discover there were more rainbows in the lower part of the stream than brook trout. That seems to be changing some with the rainbows winning the food and habitat battle. After both had caught a rainbow or two, we moved to the upper part of the stream where both were able to catch brook trout. Wyatt caught a very nice size one. I thought it may be good for them to try to get the Smoky Mountain grand slam in their half day of fishing, so we headed back down to Little River where I hoped they could get a brown trout. Wyatt did get the grand slam and Tarren, who actually caught more trout than the grand slam master, failed to get a brown. The low water levels made it tough on them as well as everyone else fishing in the park. They obviously enjoyed fishing in the park, even though they caught about 40 trout at Tellico yesterday. They must have thought I was some help because they are already planning another trip to fish in the park.
As just mentioned, low water levels still exist. There is a 40 percent chance of rain in the forecast for today, so hopefully, it will help the low water situation.
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 71 cfs at 1.53 ft
(Good wading up to 239 cfs and with extra caution up to 300 cfs)
West Prong Little Pigeon River (Gatlinburg): Rate 21.2 cfs at 2.75 ft (Good wading up
to 65 cfs and with extra caution up to 125 cfs)
Oconaluftee River: Rate 230 cfs at 1.35 ft, (Good wading up to 550 cfs and with extra
caution up to 850 cfs)
Cataloochee Creek: Rate 5.1 cfs at 2.31 ft. (Good wading up to 250 cfs with extra caution up to 300 cfs.
Hazel Creek and the other larger NC streams flowing into Fontana Lake:
The streams are all below a normal level.
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 and Leeches: 4
Blue-winged olives: 14
nymphs
emergers
duns
spinners
Light Cahills: 14/16
nymphs
emergers
duns
spinners
Little Yellow stoneflies: 14/16
nymphs
adults
American March Browns: 12/14
nymphs
emergers
duns
spinners
Green Sedge Caddis: 14/16
larva
pupa
adults
Sandwich hoppers: 12/10/08
Japanese Beetles: 14/16
Black Carpenter Ants: 16/18
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