Fishing Report

Targeting Trophy Trout near Asheville, NC

Targeting Trophy Trout

It’s late winter in Western North Carolina. Although the days are getting longer, the spring sun has not fully rounded out the edges of winter nor brought with it its day-long warmth igniting early spring hatches. Those awaited emergences will reach fruition a few weeks in the future, but for now conditions leave the current’s quarry clinging in their nymphal states to the submerged rocks and riverbed, patiently awaiting the gentle chide of warming water. For most trout enthusiasts, there is nothing quite as satisfying as watching a well-placed dry fly being eagerly swallowed by the cresting beak of an engaged trout. This spectacle coupled with the authoritative bend in the rod, the twisted intermingling of line and chattering reel, prompts anglers to get up pre-dawn on the weekends after enduring a five-day laborious stretch of work-week sunrises. To satiate my desire for aggressive springtime slurps out of season, and pass the time before their likelihood, I regularly find myself engaging in the cold weather, high-risk, frequently unrewarded gamble of targeting trophy trout.

 

The Whens

I firmly subscribe to the old angling adage that, “The best time to fish is when you have time to fish.” That being said, when the odds are slanted against you, you may want to stack as much in your favor as possible. A lot of big fish are caught during the cold weather seasons, since they are more easily goaded into aggressively engulfing a streamer when they’re hoping to fill their bellies with a calorie-rich winter meal. During pre-spawn periods when larger trout become aggressive, their temperament may also encourage them to strike a large fly that resembles a smaller trout or any other egg-eating baitfish inhabiting the river. During those times of the year, it’s important to be mindful of reds and to leave any actively spawning fish alone. When I’m chasing a big bite from trout, you can assume I’m bundled up and expecting to deal with less than favorable weather. I also tend to get more streamer-happy during or following a rainstorm when the rivers are high and a bit off color. All that sediment and silt discoloring the water may help to hide heavy leaders and cover up any casting or presentation errors that are made, in turn fooling otherwise weary trout . Also, the increased flows may force a fish to decide without hesitation whether or not to attack a bait before the water carries it out of reach. Large trout also tend to be a bit more snappy during low light periods, so I prefer to target them in the mornings and evenings.

 

The Wheres

Another angling adage, regularly recited by my father during the fishing follies and disappointments of my youth was, “He didn't get that big by being stupid.” This comment usually followed some angling chagrin, which I, even at an adult age, take very poorly. I was most commonly exposed to this quip following the loss of a large fish, after witnessing the ejection of my hook from its mouth, or after watching a fish reject my offering subsequent to a scrutinous inspection. I definitely didn’t and don’t appreciate any comment after a major fish-fail, but nevertheless, the air of the statement rings true: Big trout are smart. You’re most likely to find them stealthily stowed in the tightest crisscrosses of a gnarly log-jam, dwelling in the deepest recesses of pools, tucked underneath root riddled undercut banks, or in inconspicuous crevices and cracks beneath and between large rocks. In these environments big trout stay safe from predators, including you, and use the cover to ambush prey. At any given moment a fish can be anywhere in the river and I often deploy casts to cover lesser holding water but I focus the bulk of my time targeting the aforementioned habitats and plying those areas with extra regard.

 

The Arsenal

If I’m investing my time in big trout, I’m likely going to wager on a big bait to fool it, and I'm going to need stout gear to land it. Leave the delicate rods at home. I usually throw 6 through 8 weight rods, coupled with reliable reels, and sinking line or sink tips connected to 4- 9 foot lengths of 10 to 20 lb fluorocarbon. These vary depending on river conditions and sizes, as well as the size of the trout I expect to find in a particular river system. Leaders should be substantial enough to bully that trout away from cover and withstand an aggressive strip-set. The majority of streamer-eaters aren’t leader shy. I most often want my fly swimming deep near the river bottom. For situations in which I worry about the trout seeing the sinking line or sink tip, I generally employ a long leader with a heavy fly and maybe a couple nodes of well-placed spit shot to keep my offering at its desired depth. As far as flies go, there are no shortages of colorfully named streamers gracing fly shop displays or on sale online. I generally recommend finding some that match the forage fish in the river you are targeting and then grabbing a few that stand out and look a little less natural. Some streamers look nothing like baitfish but move and flash in a way that peaks the curiosity of apex trout. I also favor a slow, erratically cadenced retrieve incorporating pauses, but I regularly experiment with it and speed it up to see what presentation elicits the most aggressive response. It’s never a bad idea to head to a local fly shop for advice or to hire a guide and pick his brain for the morning.

 

The Outcome

Another adage that my father lovingly tortured me with after failed fishing endeavors during my childhood was, “Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you.” Getting skunked is something that then and even now, in my forties, I’ve seldom taken gracefully. I’ve heard that the tolerance for it comes with age, but I’d be a liar if I claimed that I expected that to change in my 50’s or 60’s. In that aspect, I shamefully admit that I’ll be forever 12. Sadly, if you’re playing the big trout game, you're going to have to accept a stern skunking, even if you don’t like it, and afterwards somehow summon the fortitude to attempt it again and again. I think one way to endure this is to trick yourself into enjoying the process, and even if it includes a mouthful of sour failure, never give up. Rivers have been the settings for the bulk of my fondest memories. I’ve rarely fished a day in my life where I didn’t learn something new and that knowledge has usually been bestowed on me with or without fish and often unsolicited. It could be a subtle nuance in your favorite river, where a trout might hold, but somehow you’ve never noticed it. Or the way the abdomen of a specific river nymph in one river is slightly lighter in hue than in the river you fished in last week. Two lessons that I've learned in the past few decades on the water are that well-iced beer is still cold no matter how many fish you do or don't catch and that failure is made more tolerable with company. So, if you decide to bundle-up and go galumphing into a river to hunt for your trophy, it probably isn’t a poor idea to take along a friend and having a six-pack waiting at home. Besides, you’re going to need someone to snap a grip and grin when you net that 25 incher, right? Good luck out there.

 


BY: Anthony Lohr

Asheville Fly Fishing Company

Full Time Fly Fishing Guide

Asheville, NC

BOOK A GUIDED TRIP with Tony by clicking the button and requesting him on the reservation form or CONTACT US button.





 
 

Fly Fishing for Trout During Winter - Asheville, NC

Fly Fishing for Trout During Winter - Asheville, NC

Winter fly fishing tips by Asheville Fly Fishing Company guide, Tony Lohr.

Musky Fishing | French Broad River | Tactics and Tips

Musky Fishing | French Broad River | Tactics and Tips

In this virtual seminar for the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) Pechmann Fishing Education Center, Asheville Fly Fishing Co. musky guide, Ryan Bednar provides a helpful introduction and overview of fly-fishing for musky in Western North Carolina. The presentation contains an overview of the equipment and tactics for the French Broad River that can help new anglers prepare for pursuing “the fish of ten-thousand casts.”

The Angling Report: Watauga River

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Long-time subscriber W. Kirkland filed this report on a trout trip to the Watauga River in Tennessee with lots of ancillary comments about smallmouth opportunities and other nearby trout opportunities in the Asheville area. Enjoy!

My brother, usually three other friends, and I make at least two trips a year to Western North Carolina to fish. We have been doing this regularly for the past 10 years, and we usually headquarter in Waynesville, which gives us a pick of several rivers within an hour or so driving distance. Having cut my teeth on cold water fly fishing in the Delaware River system in the Catskill region of New York, and now living on the Gulf Coast in Fairhope, AL, I look forward to these outings with great excitement.

This past spring, due to the pandemic, we initially had to call off our trip entirely. But everything worked out when my Fairhope buddy, Rick Wallace, decided to buy a house in Barnardsville, NC, which is only about a half an hour north of Asheville.  Having not fished in that region of the state in the last 20 years, I was eager to try out some new water.

For years I had heard about the Watauga, South Holston, and Nolichucky fisheries in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. The Watauga and South Holston are noted for their trophy wild browns and rainbows, which are stream-raised and wild as hell. The Nolichucky, a beautiful freestone river, is renowned for its summertime smallmouth bass fishing. Most of our fishing around Waynesville had been in rivers that were designated Delayed Harvest – Catch and Release only.  Fishing those waters was productive, relatively easy and fun. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission does an excellent job of stocking browns, rainbows and brookies, some of which are over 16 inches.  But the difference between these hatchery raised trout and the stream-born wild ones is like the difference between Pop Warner and NFL football. The wild ones are older, stronger, faster, and smarter. Give me a 14-inch wild brown over an 18-inch stocker any day.   

Asheville Fly Fishing Company, (www.ashevilleflyfishingco.com) headquartered in Asheville of course, is a fly fishing guiding company. They do not have a fly shop.  AFFC offers professional guided fishing trips for trout, smallmouth bass and musky in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. They offer lessons for beginners, float trips via drift boats and rafts, backcountry trips, wade trips and multi-day trips based out of a safari camp or a cabin. I called AFFC and spoke to proprietor, Galen Kipar.  I had heard about the incredible smallmouth fishery on the Nolichucky, and queried Galen about a smallie trip in November.  He advised me that summertime was the primo season for smallie fishing on the Noli, but that trout fishing on the Watauga or the South Holston should be productive. I booked a day of floating on the either the Watauga or South Holston, whichever the guide preferred on the day of fishing. 

Shortly after booking my trip, I received via email a questionnaire from AFFC. The questionnaire was designed to provide information to the outfitter that would help him make our outing more enjoyable. I have booked many trips with professional guides, but this was the first time a guide asked anything about his prospective client. After answering several questions about height, weight, age, lunch requests, etc., there was a comment section. I commented that we were experienced fly fishers and just wanted a chance at some nice fish, knowing that there was a difference between fishing and catching. My major ask was that we be assigned an affable, knowledgeable guide. We would not tolerate an old fashioned, critical hard ass.  The guide he assigned us, I wrote, had to know that he was first and foremost in the customer service business. 

We arrived in Barnardsville on November 8 and had the float trip scheduled for November 11. The first couple of days we fished the Shelton Laurel Creek, a Delayed Harvest stream near Marshall, NC.  As expected, it was very productive. This was wade fishing in a stream that was at most 20 yards across. Our group averaged about 15 trout a day, some of which were up to 16 inches. I fished a two weight, 6X flouro tippet, double dropper rig (usually an egg pattern on the bottom and a small 18-20 size midge pattern above) with a strike indicator.

On November 9, I got a call from AFFC telling me that there was a strong chance of a rain blowout on the 11th and they asked if we could go on the 10th.  We agreed to going a day early.  We were told to meet our guide at 8:00 am in Elizabethton, TN at the Ingles Grocery Store on US 321. Rick and I arrived right on time and had no trouble finding our guide, as there was only one truck with a drift boat attached in the parking lot. 

We would be fishing the Trophy Section of the Watauga, which is just downstream from Wilber Dam. This section of the river holds anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 fish per mile, 85 percent of them wild brown trout. There is a variety of river habitat and structure that makes it ideal for ambushing trout, he told us. 
 
It did not take long for us to realize there were plenty of fish in the river. Standing in the bow, I could see hundreds of them scampering away from us as we floated downstream. The guide rigged us up with a double dropper rig, both flies being very small, size 18 – 20 midges. We were past the prime hatch seasons.  The Watauga is mostly a caddis hatch river with the first black caddis rising in March, followed by tan caddis in May and some sulphurs that emerge in June.  Surface bug activity in the winter is usually limited to blue winged olives, so it’s mostly nymphing and streamer fishing in the cooler months.

We spotted some really big fish from time to time and made valiant attempts to get them to eat, but never connected on a true trophy. That being said, in the morning we each managed to haul in about 10 nice trout , all in the 14- to 16- inch range. We were fishing with 5 weights, and the trout we hooked gave an admirable fight. If we had latched onto a true trophy, I’m not sure a 5 weight would have been adequate. 

We broke for a shore lunch, which turned out to be my idea of a dream meal – North Carolina style barbecue! Don’t get me started on any other kind of barbecue. I went to UNC Chapel Hill and have been intolerant ever since of any barbcue other than hickory smoked pulled pork with vinegar sauce.  In fact, my love for North Carolina barbecue could be the reason I landed my wife, who spent her childhood in Jacksonville, NC, and who has an even greater passion for the pulled pig. After out meal, we fished until about 4:30, and landed another 5 or 6 fish per person.  Again we had some shots at some really big hogs, but no takers.

The Watauga is not a remote, wild and scenic river, at least not the section where we fished. It is pretty, though, and the water is pristine. There are camps, parks, and access areas all along the route we drifted. We saw a few wade fishermen, but for the most part this section of the river is best fished while drifting. It is productive year-round, and as mentioned earlier, the water temps are maintained, by appropriate releases from the Wilbur reservoir, at favorable, healthy levels, even in the middle of summer.

Our cost for the day’s outing was $475, not including gratuity or Tennessee fishing license, which was around $40. Upon completing our trip and leaving the guide, I complimented him on being the experienced, affable and customer-oriented guide that we were hoping for. I also told him to watch out for us in the summer when we would get with him for a smallmouth bass trip.

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Fly Fishing Tips | Nymphing | How To Tie a Pogo Leader

Fly Fishing Tips | Nymphing | How To Tie a Pogo Leader

How To Set Up A Pogo Style Fly Fishing Leader for nymphing.

Fly Tying: Brown Trout Streamer Pattern | Watauga River and South Holston River

Fly Tying: Brown Trout Streamer Pattern | Watauga River and South Holston River

Here is a pattern that imitates a small brown trout. It is quick to tie, easy to throw and catches fish.

Watauga River Fly Fishing - Beetle mania

Watauga River Fly Fishing - Beetle mania

Sometimes we get an opportunity to catch “the fish that got away. Sometimes we get our flies back from the fish that get away on guide trips.

Fly Tying: How to tie "Hot Randy's Spring Peeper" for Smallmouth Bass

Fly Tying:  How to tie "Hot Randy's Spring Peeper" for Smallmouth Bass

This is a great pattern to use when fly fishing for Smallmouth Bass. When the little frogs known as spring peepers come out to play, so do the smallies. Here in Asheville, NC this pattern has produced for us time and time again on our freestone rivers the Nolichucky River & French Broad River.

Tailwater Roundup - Watauga River Clean up

Tailwater Roundup - Watauga River Clean up

We had a great day cleaning up the Watauga River in Elizabethton, TN this past weekend as part of the Tailwater Roundup.

Fly Fishing the Watauga River for wild Trophy Brown Trout

Fly Fishing the Watauga River for wild Trophy Brown Trout

Fly Fishing the Watauga River for wild Trophy Brown Trout during Black Caddis Hatch. 

Smallmouth Bass Fishing - Asheville, NC

GUIDED SMALLMOUTH BASS FISHING TRIPS

NOW BOOKING 2018 SPRING SEASON

Smallmouth Bass fishing in the Southern Appalachian Mountains is renowned as some of the best on the continent.  We target these fish on our float trips on the fly and with tackle.  If you enjoy a tenacious pull from the surface and seeing acrobatic fish dance, then this is for you.  We target several rivers located in Western North Carolina and East TennesseeClick here for more information.

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GUIDED SMALLMOUTH BASS - WHITEWATER FLOAT FISHING TRIPS

For the adventurous angler looking for a remote experience, Asheville Fly Fishing Company is the only guide service in the Asheville area offering a smallmouth bass fishing trip on Class III-IV whitewater.  While it is becoming rare to find a true remote wilderness experience in the east, we are fortunate to have access to the French Broad River section 9 and the Nolichucky Gorge.  These trips offer excellent Smallmouth Bass fishing and flow through two of the most remote, beautiful sections of river found in the eastern US.  All guides are ACA Level IV Swift Water Rescue and CPR/First Aid certified and fully insured.  Click here for more info.

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GUIDED OVERNIGHT SMALLMOUTH BASS FISHING TRIPS

So much water, so little time.  If you need more than one day of fishing, we understand all too well.  We offer multi-day trips with Safari style camping.  Click here for more info and watch the video below.

REVIEWS

At Asheville Fly Fishing Company, we value long-lasting relationships with our guests and enjoy sharing memorable days on the water.  Click here to read what people are saying about their experience with us. 

ABOUT US

Guiding is our passion.  Sure we love catching fish on our days off, but sharing the experience is far more rewarding.  We are problem solvers who enjoy the connections and process just as much as the pull.  We push each other to be innovative, aware of the fine details and to always anticipate the next move gracefully and with respect.  Our goal is to give you the best service you have ever experienced, and to always enjoy as much river experience as possible while putting fish in the net.  Our first time out with you, we are taking notes on the details that make a difference to you.  From the moment we meet you onward, we go the extra miles so you are right where you want to be, fishing better and laughing louder.   Click here to read more about the guides.

 

FISHING REPORT:  SPRING FORECAST

With several good snows under our belt the ground water table is up as we move into the rainy season.  We anticipate good water levels for spring fishing on our freestone rivers.  This week we are getting our first taste of warmer temperatures and perhaps the beginning of the warming trends that will take us into spring.  As this trend progresses, we recommend your fishing efforts be spent during the end of each warm spell.  Don't go the first day it warms up.  If you've got five days of warmer temps in the forecast, hit the water on day 3, 4 or 5.  This will give the water temperature a chance to increase resulting in more active fish and more fish in the net. 

 

Asheville Fly Fishing Report

Asheville Fly Fishing Company

Summertime is officially here in Asheville, NC!  Water levels are above average and conditions are great for fishing and enjoying the outdoors.  We've noticed the fishing has been better than the previous two years and we anticipate the trend will continue.  Here's a few highlights of what you can find on the water in the Asheville area.  

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Asheville Smallmouth Bass

Water temps are just now getting above 70 degrees with average to above average water levels compared to the 100yr. average.  While spring has been hit or miss due to rainfall and blown out rivers, the fishing has been very good this year.  Those windows of time when the river clears just enough before the next rain are gold.  The fish know the rain is coming and they must feed while the livin' is easy.  As summer continues and temperatures rise, fishing will start to slow down mid-day.  Please consider practicing catch and release and keeping the fish wet.  An 18" Smallmouth Bass takes 8-10yrs. to get that big.  The top water bite is hot and fish are exploding on frog patterns and boogle bugs.  Enjoy!

 

TROUT

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Sulfurs are hatching on the both the South Holston River & Watauga River, offering great dry fly fishing.  Any time now the Japanese Beetles will start falling out of the trees.  The Brown Trout will be there waiting and so will we.  This event is a blast and offers both beginners and experts the opportunity to sight fish.  These rivers fish well year round and boast a dense population of wild Brown Trout.  Both rivers are most effectively fished from a driftboat as water levels change daily.  Please use caution if you plan on wading and make sure you know the generation schedule. 

WNC Delayed Harvest waters have opened as of June 3rd, so wade fishing just got a whole lot tougher.   During summer months we recommend floating but if you prefer wading, we recommend going for wild trout in the higher elevation streams.  This will take you away from the crowds and into to the wilderness where native Brook Trout aggressively rise to dry flies. 

 

A few shots from recent trips... 

Smallmouth Bass Asheville

Featured on Field and Stream

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Asheville Fly Fishing Company

Fall Fishing Season is here: Smallmouth Bass & Trout

70 degrees and Fall is in the air! The fish are happy and hungry and flying out of the water.  The leaves are already changing here in Asheville. The #Trout and #Smallmouthbass fishing is REALLY good right now and we are loving it.  Here's a handful of highlights from the last week of guided trips...  #wataugariver #southholstonriver #flyfishingasheville

Make your reservation now for fall season.     BOOK A TRIP: (828) 779-9008  

 

 
 

JULY Fishing Report: South Holston River & Watauga River

July was a good month.  It was a hot, busy month on the water.  While below average water levels and above average temperatures have made the Smallmouth Bass fishing challenging, the tailwaters in East Tennessee have been fishing great!  Since the South Holston River and Watauga River are tailwaters (Rivers fed by a dam where the water comes from the bottom of the lake), they stay cold enough and flow enough for the fish to remain happy.  We've been experiencing some extra happy fish this summer with the abundance of Japanese Beetles falling out of the trees.  Both brown and rainbow trout are looking for them actively and the Big Brown Trout are on the prowl.   The Beetles have been on for two or three weeks and we anticipate they will continue through August.  If you want in on the action, give us a call!  We still have a little availability in August, so book sooner than later!

Here's a few of July's highlights...  

   

Canada: Bad bacon. Decent beer. Unforgettable smallmouth fishing

Asheville Fly Fishing Company guide Knox Campbell just got back from fishing Canada.  His trip was of a "Guide's day off" nature.  A little R&R, R&D, and quality time with friends.  Upon his return he had a serious case of perma-grin and a skip in his step.  We knew what that meant and being Smallmouth Bass fanatics, we wanted details.  So we slid to the edge of our chairs and let the good times roll.  Here's what Knox shared with us... 

Asheville Fly Fishing Company - Smallmouth Bass

I touched down in Toronto just past mid-night on June 18th. Coincidentally this date has a lot of meaning for me, but for this post the most important fact to keep in mind is that June 18 is the opening day for smallies in Ontario, something we don't appreciate here in the south. The plan was set a year before. Ben, a buddy that I had originally met on a flight to Portugal a few years ago, picked my girlfriend and I up at the airport. Once through customs we walked out the doors and immediately saw Ben waiting. Hugs and back slaps were exchanged and then we were off. After a non-stop 4 hour drive we arrived at our destination- a tiny, glacial lake 20 miles from the St Lawrence Seaway that Ben's family had a cottage on and that had no public access.

Asheville Fly Fishing Company - Smallmouth Bass
Asheville Fly Fishing Company

It was 4:15 and the sky was just turning grey. Rod, reel, and fly box had been stashed strategically on top of the food rations in the back of the car for easy retrieval, and withing 10 minutes of pulling into the drive we were in the Lund, cutting through the morning air with me standing at the bow, 8 wt in hand, fly line lying at my feet, a freshly tied yellow popping bug on the leader, and the unforgettable feeling you have just before doing something you'd been envisioning and anticipating for a long time. The outboard was silenced and the boat went into a quiet glide. Before Ben even had time to point out a rocky reef I threw my first cast. One pop. Two pops. Pause. Rod tip just over the water. Boom. Big eat and even bigger fish. That first fish of the trip came just as the warm colors of morning bled across the horizon. There were countless fish caught on that trip, but that first fish, and that first morning in Canada, blending with all of the emotions of the past year and a half, was one of the most powerful moments of my life. I said a silent "thank you" to no one in particular, and for a few moments, even with my hands still wet and fishy, forgot about the fishing. I took in the lake and the light, looked at my buddy, and smiled. He knowingly smiled back, and without a word and with eye brows raised, pointed to a rise ring behind me.  

Read more about Knox Campbell here

 

FISHING REPORT:   Smallmouth Bass in Asheville

The Smallmouth Bass fishing has been above average this year.  Currently we are getting rain and cooler temperatures and the fish are happy.  Guided trips have been producing trophy fish on the fly and spin tackle.   We target these fish by Drift Boat and Raft and offer all inclusive full day and half day trips.  Here's one from last week...

Asheville Fly Fishing Company - Smallmouth Bass

BOOK A TRIP BY MAKING A RESERVATION IN ADVANCE:  (828) 779-9008 

Smallmouth Bass Season is here

Smallmouth Bass Season is here

Guided Smallmouth Bass trips near Asheville, NC.  BOOK A TRIP:  (828) 779-9008

Spring Fishing is on!

We've been busy guiding and making memories on the rivers of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.  Spring fishing has been great so far and its just getting started.

Thanks to all our recent guests for making our jobs fun!

Here's a few pictures from this weeks guided trips. 


Book a Trip: (828) 779-9008
www.AshevilleFlyFishingCo.com

Fishing Report: South Holston River

The South Holston River has gained a reputation for being among the best Wild Brown Trout fisheries in the Southeast United States.   With an average of 8,000 trout per mile, 20 miles of fishable water sustaining 85% wild browns, we can attest to its greatness.  Being a Tailwater, where the water level is controlled by a dam, it is a year round fishery offering world class fly fishing with various opportunities.  It's limestone riverbed and consistent water temperature provide excellent conditions for trout to thrive.  The “Soho” is no doubt a “Brown Trout Factory.”   We would love the opportunity to guide you to a great experience on the South Holston River!   

FISHING REPORT:

Recent fly fishing trips on the South Holston River have been very productive.  With the spawning sections opening up as of February 1, 2016, the fish haven’t seen the normal fishing pressure.  In turn, fish have been aggressive towards streamers on low pressure, cloudy days.  Streamer colors have varied based on sunlight and water clarity.  The following formula is a good place to start:

  • Cloudy Skies / Clear Water = Natural Colors
  • Cloudy Skies / Dingy Water = Black, Grey, Purple
  • Sunny Skies / Clear Water = Natural Colors, Bright Colors
  • Sunny Skies / Dingy Water = Florescent and Bright Colors

In addition, use streamers in darker colors in the winter and early months of the year and as the water warms graduate to the lighter-colors.  Use florescent and bright colors in muddy and dingy water, and lighter colors in clear and warmer waters.

With all the snowmelt, rain and demand for electricity, the Dam generators have been running 24/7.  During these periods, the fish acclimate to high water holding spots and the bigger Wild Brown Trout come out to play.

On high pressure days with abundant sun, nymphs, midges and soft hackles are getting the job done.  As Spring and warmer temperatures approach, dry fly fishing will get better.  Until then, warmer days reaching 60+ degrees will produce some great Blue Winged Olive hatches and rising fish.

Because the South Holston River’s levels fluctuate depending on generation, we recommend two days on this river to get the best conditions and maximize your experience.  We offer all inclusive guided fishing trips and various lodging options to accommodate you best.    

Tight Lines!

We look forward to getting on the water with you!

 

Asheville Fly Fishing Company, LLC

BOOK A TRIP:  (828) 779-9008

Photography: Copyright 2016 Galen Kipar