
Fly Fishing Report October 8, 2021
Rain continues to dominate the theme across the Smoky Mountains. Friday’s forecast is a 60% chance until around 8:00pm Friday night. Highs are expected to reach the low 70’s across the mountains in lower elevations and mid 60’s in the back country. This slight cool down cycle will last a couple days and temps will steadily climb back into the high 70’s by Sunday and Monday. Most creeks inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are fishable currently. A few of the lower elevation creeks are running quick and full so use caution when around these. Of course these streams will be awesome once the rain stops. Its no secret, the best time to catch a big Brown trout in the park is after a heavy rain. Higher elevation creeks are running full but are clear and fishable.
Tuckasegee River
The Tuckasegee River is blown out today. Heavy rains to the south near the headwaters of the Tuck caused water levels to jump rapidly. Run off from farms and construction projects in Jackson County have the river muddy and completely unfishable currently. Hopefully by the end of the weekend river levels will have dropped considerably and water clarity will improve.
Cherokee Fly Fishing
The Oconaluftee and Raven Fork in Cherokee are both currently running high and murky. Fishing the lower section of the Oconaluftee will be a waste of time. Water levels near Birdtown are 1200cfs. Its possible the Raven Fork will fish by Saturday. Honestly your best bet this weekend for a large trout will be in Cherokee. The Trophy Section will see fish pushed towards the banks and working a streamer should reward those willing to get out.
Nantahala River Fly Fishing
The Nantahala river is running high and muddy currently. The lower river below the powerhouse is likely a bust until Sunday. The only hope for a Friday bite on the Nanty will be on the Delayed Harvest section on Wayah Road. Water is running high and muddy but we are starting to see things clear up a bit. Fishing junk food and flashy streamers should put you into them. Definitely expect to see a lot of company on the Delayed Harvest section this weekend. We are aware of three different fly fishing clubs here this weekend set to fish the Nanty. Just be friendly to each other and try to make a new friend out there. Some of the best folks you will meet are on a trout stream.
Bryson City Fly Shop
Today we received a new shipment of some killer waterproof packs from a new company called Yankee Fork. Based in Idaho, these guys have created some great lumbar parks, sling packs and backpacks that are completely waterproof. Construction is bomber and everything has been thoughtfully laid out for the fly fisherman. I’ll get some pictures posted up in the next few days. We also got a new shipment of Brodin landing nets, both carbon fiber and their classic wooden nets. Brodin quality is on point and I especially love the handles on their wooden nets.
Have a great weekend and we’ll see you on the water!