Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report February 20th
Fishing in the Smoky Mountain region has been fantastic this month. Unusually warm and often record breaking highs have kept the region feeling more like mid April. February is typically the coldest most bitter month of the year in the Smokies. However that’s not the case in 2017, as extended forecasts models show we will be finishing up the month with nary a snow in sight!
The fishing action has been nothing short of the best we have ever seen for February. Dry fly action has reached legendary status and no doubt one we will be talking about for years to come. We’ve had more days of incredible dry fly action than any we recall. Certainly the warm weather has been the biggest factor in this phenomenon. Many days on the Tuckasegee River and Raven Fork have we seen blankets of Caddis and Blue Winged Olives hatching for hours.
Cherokee Fly Fishing
The fly fishing action has been very hot in Cherokee this month. Warmer air tempratures have meant active trout. Monster trout are the norm on the Cherokee Trophy waters and our guides have put clients on some of the biggest trout of their lives this month. Pretty scenery, big trout and even a few Elk roaming the river banks make this destination hard to pass up!
Tuckasegee River
The Tuckasegee River currently has 17,000 trout per mile. That number will start exploding as the state resumes Spring stocking efforts on March 3rd this year. We should see trout count per mile totals hitting around 24,000 in the next few weeks. Action here has been ridiculous most days! Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout are taking flies aggressively all day with periods of increased activity on the sunny days. Heavy Caddis and Blue Winged Olive hatches have kept fish very active. Most days we are seeing good hatches mid morning that have us throwing dry flies to rising trout! February has never been a dry fly kind of month until this year! We’ll gladly take it.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fishing good for February. Warm air tempratures have kept the fish active inside the park on the lower elevation streams. It’s still chilly at night in the high elevation streams, however we have managed a few nice Brook trout when up high. The fishing here has been decent enough that guiding inside the park has been possible
Reservations are filling up quickly as March approaches. Booking well in advance is highly recommended to get peak days. Far and above the best fly fishing action possible will be the Tuckasegee River. With as many trout per mile as this river has, you don’t want to miss it!
Hope y’all have a great week and we’ll see you on the water!