By Rand Harcz

With days getting shorter and guide season winding down a little that means one thing, streamer season!!! Fall and winter is my absolute favorite time to go fly fishing for trophy brown trout, especially winter. The crowds are down, the leaves are gone, the views are epic and the big fish are hungry. On both the Watauga River and South Holston River, the TVA will typically generate more frequently in winter months. These consistent, high flows create the perfect opportunity to bust out the 8wt and sling some streamers. Aquatic insects in winter consist mostly of small midges and baetis nymphs such as BWO's, which do not provide a substantial meal as a single serving. A trout may have to eat hundreds or more to get the nourishment it needs in a day.  To a two foot brown trout, a larger meal such as a 3-5 inch baby brown trout offers much more bang for the buck. One might even venture to say a larger river fish is a smarter river fish and it eats larger meals less frequently, but we’ll leave that topic alone for now. Here is a pattern that imitates a small brown trout. It is quick to tie, easy to throw and catches fish.

Materials

• Size 2 60 Degree Jig Hook

• Size medium Pseudo Eyes red with yellow pupil

• Extra Select Craft Fur color Sand and Tan

• 1.5" Polar Fiber Streamer Brush color orange

• Yellow Laser Dub

• Pearl Krystal Flash

• 210 UTC Thread color red

steps

Quick to tie, easy to throw and catches fish.

Classroom pictures…

While high water and cold temperatures can create great fishing opportunities, it can also result in dangerous fishing conditions. Dress warm, stay safe and have fun!