Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report 9/16/16

It’s 64 degrees here this morning in Bryson City and we’re expected to get somewhere near 80 today for the high. I wish I could say it’s pouring rain out of buckets, but that’s not the case. We did receive some rain in the area last evening around dark. Some parts of the Smokies got slight amounts around Raven Fork and Straight Fork. The Tuckasegee River watershed got a little rain also.

Streams in the Smokies are still low and clear. The fishing has really taken off on higher elevation streams above 2,500ft. Even though it’s hot like it’s Summer, the trout know fall spawning season and winter is closing in on them and they better start fattening up. We are happy to report dry fly action is really top notch right now in the park. Trout are crushing dries and terrestrials fished near fast oxygenated riffles and runs. Grab a double handful of black ants and beetles before heading into the park this weekend to fish.

Due to the low water and hotter than normal temperatures we have suspended our Hazel Creek Back Country camp for next weekend. Recent scouting runs to Hazel earlier this week made us think twice about bringing anglers here at this time. Hazel Creek is low and in need of some rain. The water was warm of course on the first several miles below Bone Valley camp and in our effort to protect this valuable resource we have decided to suspended this trip. It’s our fear that hook mortality could be high and that releasing fish was going to be way too much stress on the trout. If you’re headed to Hazel this weekend, please keep this in mind. If you do fish there, hike up above Bone Valley and land your fish quickly and don’t take them out of the water. This same rule should apply to Eagle Creek, Twenty Mile Creek, lower Forney Creek, and lower portions of Abrams Creek.

Often times we will be reporting on other rivers and streams in the Smoky Mountain region. We do guide on more than just the Smokies.

The Tuckasegee River is flowing very low this morning, 299cfs near Bryson City. That’s about as low as I’ve seen Bryson City in a long time. Of course water temperatures are fairly warm, hovering around 71- 72 degrees yesterday with no generation. When generation hits that temp comes down around 63 to 64. Smallmouth Bass action on the Tuckasegee River has been good. We’re catching good numbers of Smallmouth and Spotted bass with a few Walleye in the mix. Big fish love a slow easy meal. So work your offerings really slow and get them in the bottom of the deep oxygenated runs. We still have sections on the Tuckasegee River that we are running float trips on for bass. We are not fishing for trout on the Tuckasegee River at this time, only for bass.

Traffic is going to be a bear in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this weekend. The Fall Rod Run comes to town and with it hoards of traffic. Expect heavy congestion and long delays late afternoon and evenings. Use back roads or take the long way around, it’s going to be much quicker this weekend. Or you can do what I do, grab a lawn chair and sit on the sidewalks of Pigeon Forge and enjoy the hot rods!

We’ll see you on the water!