Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report 9/26/16

The sun is shining in Bryson City this morning and tempratures are in the low 60’s all across the Smoky Mountains. We’re forecasted for 80% chance of rain today starting around 3pm. It’s already starting to to get cloudy across many parts of the Smokies. Rainfall totals are expected to be decent which should make a positive impact on the low water levels inside the park. We have a cold front that is settling in this week which thankfully will bring air temperatures to something near more Fall like.

This week is going to be some great fishing inside the park. The drop in air and stream temps will trigger the trout into feeding more aggressively. Dry fly action has been incredible the past several weeks. Trout are crushing Caddis and terrestrials on the surface near the heaviest oxygenated sections of water. We expect this week to see increased trout feeding activity. There will also be an excellent subsurface bite as the rains will stir things up slightly on the bottom and knock lots of ants, beetles, and inch worms off vegetation and into the water. Should be an epic bite!

Anglers should continue to wade as stealthy as possible and wear drab colored clothing to avoid spooking fish. Long leaders with light tippet is best this time of year too. Dead drifts are paramount, so be sure to watch for micro drag on your flies. It makes all the difference in the world. Most of the time it’s not the fly pattern, it’s the way you are presenting your flies that catches more fish.

Gatlinburg traffic will increase this weekend. We are already seeing a push of Fall visitors to the park. Leaves are starting to change colors in high elevations slightly. We are expected to have a long Fall foliage season this year. Local experts at Western Carolina University have predicted that color will be good, and the season could be up to six weeks long!

Have fun this week, and stay dry!

Faith, Family, and Fishing

Fly Fishing the Smokies