Spring is almost here in East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains along with the great fly fishing that goes with it. We're within two weeks of seeing Quill Gordons in the mountain streams and the tailwaters are already fishing.
Daffodils are a sure sign that spring is almost here.
We're officially on "Quill Gordon Watch 2009"! This is one of the best hatches in the Smoky Mountains and we've seen it happen as early as February 25. Last year was a tad late, closer to March 10, but superb. We also see an excellent hatch of Blue Quills that coincides with the Quill Gordons. The Gordons are much larger, about #12, but the Blue Quills are far more plentiful. We usually keep some #18 parachutes on hand for the Blue Quills and #12 Haystacks or Parachute Adams for the Quill Gordons.
Excellent mayfly hatches are just around the corner
Trout have been sipping midges throughout the winter when water levels have been manageable on the tailwaters. March, April, and May often have the most consistent flows along with the best dry fly fishing. Caddis hatches pick up steam in April on the Holston and that's also the time when Sulphurs appear on the Clinch.
Click here for our latest fishing report
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Make Any Fly More Effective
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The fly is important to catch fish but fly fishers can take several steps to improve the fly's effectiveness.
"What are you catchin' 'em on?"
We've all asked this question at one time or other. It's easy to question your fly selection when the fish aren't being cooperative.
As fly fishing guides we usually know what the proper fly is. It's common for us to run into anglers who aren't catching many fish even though they are using the right fly. The fly is important, but several other factors are more important. Master these principles and you will catch more fish.Learn the Basic Principles that Will Help Any Fly Catch More Trout |
Women's Fly Fishing School at Beautiful Lake Logan, North Carolina May 22 - 24
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Charity has joined with Starr Nolan of Brookside Guides in Asheville, North Carolina to teach a women's fly fishing school the weekend of May 22-24.
They taught this school last spring and it was a great success! Lake Logan is a beautiful location in the Smokies. It is near Canton, NC and the West Prong of the Pigeon River.
One of last year's participants with her first trout on fly
Students may enroll in a Beginner School or Intermediate/Advanced School.
The weekend includes:
- - Wine and cheese reception both evenings
- - All instructional materials
- - Waders, boots, rod and reel
- - Delicious meals for the entire weekend - Friday evening through lunch Sunday
Learn More About the Women's Fly Fishing School at Lake Logan
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Guides' Fly Choice for Spring Fly Fishing in the Smokies:
The Pat's Nymph
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The Pat's Nymph is a favorite fly pattern among fly fishers in Sevier, Blount, and Cocke counties here in East Tennessee. It's a pretty basic fly that is similar to many old time patterns, but it is still quite effective.
We usually keep a good number of them in our fly boxes since they sink like a rock and fool fish all year long. They probably work so well because they do a good job of imitating several aquatic insects in the turbulent streams of the Smokies, but they also work in other regions. We've caught cutthroat trout from Wyoming's Snake River on Pat's Nymph.
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Volunteer for Smoky Mountain Trout
Have a Great Time and Learn While Giving Back to the Resource
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Fisheries biologists at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are looking for some help this season. Most of these projects require less than a day and provide fishermen with incredible insight about the trout they pursue. We try to make it a point to help with at least one project every year. It's incredible to see all the trout in a stream when the biologists shock it with the "truth machine". All fish are weighed and measured before returning them to the water.
It's not unusual for 200 meters of stream to yield several hundred trout. Depending on the stream it's common to see some monsters. The first time I ever volunteered we shocked up a 7 1/2 pound brown trout!
Some of these projects provide a population count for particular streams. All trout are measured and weighed and you'll see several non-game fish species that you rarely see up close. Other projects involve native brook trout restorations in the park.
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Hazel Creek Fish Camp April 23-26
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This trip has become an annual favorite and we only have a few spots left!Great fishing, excellent food, and the beautiful surroundings on Hazel Creek provide the perfect long weekend.We provide the tents, padded cots, all the food, and the shuttle across Fontana Lake. You bring your sleeping bag, clothes and fishing gear. We even have carts to carry your gear to camp.Come fish with one of R&R Fly Fishing's guides or just come along for the amenities of camp and fish on your own.Learn MoreBook Yourself NowThis trip is always extremely popular so be sure to book early to reserve your spot. Space is limited.
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Our New Books Are Now Available
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We have started a new series of pocket size books that we have titled "Advice from the Guides". The first covers brook trout in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most of the streams were recently opened and not included in Angler's Companion, Ian's previous guide to the Smokies.
Fly Fishing with Streamers is a great book to understand streamer strategies. Streamers will often catch larger trout that nymph of dry flies, but the methods are often misunderstood. This book explains streamer methods in clear with easy to understand language and illustrations contributed by Atlanta artist Paul Puckett.
Order Now!
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Book Your Spring Fishing Trip Now!
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Many of the best dates are already booked solid but there is still some good availability for both tailwater floats and wade trips in the Smokies.
Give us a call or book your trip online. Don't miss the best dry fly fishing of the year.
Give us a call toll free
866-SMOKY-FLY
Book Your Trip Online
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TroutFest Townsend, TN
May 16 - 17
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TroutFest 2009 is bigger than ever. This year Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, and Joe Humphreys will be appearing. All proceed go to the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and trout conservation projects inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Learn More About TroutFest 2009
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Read Past Newsletters In Our Archive
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Maybe you're a new subscriber or you want to go back and find an article from a past newsletter. Now that's easy to do!
Visit Our Newsletter Archive
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