Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing Report

Posted by on October 7, 2021
Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing Report, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Gatlinburg Fly Fishing Guides, Bryson City Fly Fishing Guides,

Fly Fishing Report October 7, 2021

Today is going to be another rainy day in the Great Smoky Mountains. The forecast has 70% chance once again with temperatures reaching 72 for the high. Currently this morning is a comfortable 64 degrees here in Bryson City and the same for Gatlinburg. Streams all across the national park are running full. Most remain fishable and conditions are about perfect to toss streamers and catch some bigger Brown trout. Lower elevation streams such as the Little River and the Oconaluftee are good bets for catching some of the elusive pigs in the park. Higher elevation streams are fishable as stream levels have held good and the bite for Brookies is strong.

Hatches of October Caddis and a somelingering yellow sallies have been consistent. Brown Caddis in sizes #12- 14 and been bringing fish to the surface to feed as well. Rainey’s Crowdsurfer Stonefly dries are also killer patterns right now in brown, these make great bugs for dry dropper set ups. Blue Winged Olives are of course a great bet on these rainy overcast days. The best bugs by far right now are terrestrials with black ants topping the chart. RIO’s Glo Ant is our guides favorite choice at the fly shop. We just got another shipment this week and the bins have been restocked. Inch worms still surprisingly are putting big numbers of fish in the net too. Lots of hoppers are still found all across the park in grassy areas and along leaf litter around the creek banks. For those of you Euro Nymphing the park streams, Rio’s Pearl Jam and Duracell patterns and producing all day long along with Perdigons in brown. Frenchies of course are killing it to as always.

Tuckasegee River Fishing Report

North Carolina Delayed Harvest kicked off officially October 1st. The Tuckasegee River will be stocked in Dillsboro on October 8th and 12th, and in Bryson City on the 11th. Thousands of Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout will be stocked and under strictly enforced catch and release regulations until the first Saturday of June. Currently the Tuckasegee River in Bryson City is flowing at 2490cf and is pretty murky. The Tuckasegee River in Cullowhee near WCU is flowing 809cfs and much clearer. We expect river flows to remain about the same for the week and into the weekend with water clearing up as the rains subside. We expect Saturday and Sunday to be incredibly crowded in Dillsboro especially up near the island. Might want to bring your own rock from home so you will have one to stand on.

Nantahala River Fishing Report

Currently the Nantahala River is fishing well. The Delayed Harvest section along Wayah Road was just stocked and its about as full of fisherman as you would expect. Anglers from clubs as far away as Ohio have descended on the Nantahala to enjoy in the fun of opening DH season. The action is great and the bite is coming easy. Of course great access and plenty of good size fish is what makes this area highly popular. Its definitely one to “bring yer own rock” if you plan to fish there this weekend. The lower Nantahala is my favorite section to hit. Fishing is more technical and the water can be intimidating especially when water is being released. Hatches are plentiful and the fish eager and always willing to put up a great fight. These waters are home to some of the biggest Browns in the region. With the current rains and overcast days, you can expect to run some big articulated streamers along the deeper calm pockets and talk something big into making a mistake!

Bryson City Fly Shop

Our Fly Shop in downtown Bryson City has a great selection of flies and gear to help with any of your trips in the Smoky Mountains and surrounding region. This week we received another large shipment of Ross reels. We have the Animas and Colorado in both platinum and black in sizes from 2wt to 6wt. We also received another shipment of rods this week from Moonshine Rod company and RL Winston. Obviously Moonshine offers the most incredible deal in fly fishing with their Drifter series of rods. Beautifully crafted rods that come with an extra tip section and lifetime warranty all for a sub $200 price. You just cant beat a Moonshine. They fish great and are very forgiving casting wise allowing anglers of all skills levels to enjoy these fine rods. RL Winston sent us over a full line of Pure series rods and several of the chart topping new Air 2 rods.

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