Conditions have been lousy for the past three days. Cold nights made it tough for the water temperature in the low elevation streams to reach 50 degrees during the day and when it did, it was only for a short time that was not long enough for the fish to adjust to it. Yesterday’s strong winds made it unsafe to be outside underneath trees. That written, I hope the next few days will bring about some good opportunities for those fishing the park. We should have good hatches resuming for the coming days.
We do recommend fishing the lower elevations where the water is warmer and more hatches are taking place. All the streams in the park are still flowing at good levels that are safe to wade. It will be warm and sunny today with a high temperature in the low sixties. Tomorrow will be sunny and warm with a high near seventy degrees.
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 264 cfs at 2.25 ft
(Good wading up to 239 cfs and with extra caution up to 300 cfs)
West Prong Little Pigeon River (Gatlinburg): Rate 76.6 cfs at 3.32ft (Good wading up
to 65 cfs and with extra caution up to 125 cfs)
Oconaluftee River: Rate 601 cfs at 2.05 ft, (Good wading up to 550 cfs and with extra
caution up to 850 cfs)
Cataloochee Creek: Rate 121 cfs at 2.67 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 near 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: 16/18
nymphs
emergers
duns
spinners
Blue Quills: 18
nymphs
emergers
duns
spinners
Quill Gordons: 12/14
nymphs
emerging duns
duns
spinners
larva
pupa
adults
LIttle Brown Stoneflies: 16/18
nymphs
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