Fall Fly Fishing

Fall fly fishing action continues to get even better! Temperatures across the region remained unseasonably warm across the Smokies until last week when we saw them finally take a dive. Air and water temperatures are right where they should be for this time of year and the fishing is absolutely on fire!

Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing

Fall is when the Smoky Mountain region sees the second peak of the year in terms of fishing. Water temperatures get down to the low 50’s, and high 40’s in the back country which triggers Brown and Brook trout to start spawning. It also puts all trout into an increased feeding frenzy in preparation for winter and the action is nothing short of phenomenal. Cool crisp days inside the Smoky Mountains are special, not only do you have most streams to yourself, you have some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. Great hatches of October Caddis, Blue Winged Olive and Stoneflies are abundant. You also have loads of hoppers, ants, and beetles hitting the water up until we get several heavy frosts. Action inside the park is at peak from mid morning until late afternoons.

Tuckasegee River Fly Fishing

The biggest hitter this time of year is of course going to be the Tuckasegee River. Currently the Tuck has 26,000 trout per mile in the lower delayed harvest section near our fly shop in Bryson City. This stretch of river is very wide and full of great holding water for large trout The lower section of the Tuckasegee River is a rich with 72 species of fish. We target Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout along with Smallmouth Bass. This time of year we start seeing very large brown trout run up the river from Fontana Lake. Some of these big Browns are pushing the 30 inch mark. Incredible jaw dropping Browns that will smash streamers one day and take small nymphs the next. We are scheduled for another stocking on the Delayed Harvest section November 14th which will bring the trout count to a whopping 39,000 trout per mile! Combine that with the already good population of wild and holdover fish along with the big Browns from Fontana Lake and you’ve got yourself a fantastic river for late Fall and Winter fishing.

Cherokee Trophy Trout

The Cherokee Trophy water is incredible starting November and will continue to fish amazing all winter long. This is the time of year we see the biggest fish landed in Cherokee! The incredible fishing action is coupled with sightings of Elk which are in their rutting season this time of year. Many days the elk cross the river while we are fly fishing. Its an incredible experience to be casting to monster trout and look up to see you have an audience of a cow elk and her calf, or half the herd silently crossing the stream behind you. The trophy section has excellent access and is 2.2 miles long.  Bordered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park on one side, and the Blue Ridge Parkway on the other, the Trophy Section offers great scenery and even better fishing.

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