Light rain fell sporadically overnight across the Smoky Mountain region. Stream levels remain largely unchanged as todays forecast calls for about a 40% chance of scattered light showers. Honestly thats even enough for the locals to want a rain jacket.
Great Smoky Mountains Fishing
The Smokies will fish good today. Lower elevation streams is where you want to focus. Little River and Green Briar in Tennessee will be the hot tickets. In North Carolina the best fishing will of course be Deep Creek, Oconaluftee River, and Forney Creek. no need to tart too early this morning, heavy fog will keep them trout tucked in bed until around 9:00am when hatches start happening and tings get to moving. Mid morning to mid afternoon should see BWO’s, Blue Quills, and Black Caddis moving about. If the sun comes out enough expect to see some movement from brown Stoneflies.
Tuckasegee River Fishing Report
This time of year of course the Deleayed Harvest sections on the Tuckasegee River are the hot topic. Water levels remain great with generation slowing last night with a big drop in water levels at Cullowhee this morning running at 258cfs from over 700cfs last night. The lower Tuckasegee in Bryson City is running 2550cfs and is expected to drop later in the day by 500cfs. Water clarity is excellent and the Fishign has been very strong. We’re seeing good hatches of BWO’s, black Caddis, march Browns, Blue Quills and Brown Stoneflies from mid morning until late afternoon. Wading should be easy peasy today on the upper section. Expect to see several people out there if you go. The lower section will not have near the pressure as water levels are perfect for floating but may be a challenge for many to wade.
Cherokee Trophy Section Report
The Cherokee Tropy Section is of course located on the Raven Fork and consists of the Oconaluftee river and the Raven Fork both. Currently the only stream gage on the Luftee is near the mouth, but gives a great perspective as to how things are unfolding upstream. Water levels are running at 827cfs which is very nice. Wading the Trophy Section today will be very easy. Expect the water clarity to be gin clear and the fish spooky. The overcast skies this morning will play into your advantage as the ig fish love an overcast sky. As the skies clear and hatches get underway, be increasingly deliberate with your presentation and stream approaches. These fish will have their gaurd up and wont tolerate much in the way of sloppy casts and splashy wading. Hatches of Black Caddis, and BWO’s combined with sporadic March Browns will keep them interested and you may spot some risers.