Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report January 22nd

This past week has been adventurous for us at Fly Fishing the Smokies. Late January is when we start gearing up for our 2017 guiding season. There are many tasks to be done such as training new staff, doing inventory of equipment, replacing old gear, purchasing new. One of my favorites is training the new guides. We put many days on the river together as a team teaching new guides the waters we fish; how to row drift boats, fishing all the streams we guide on, covering as much area as possible etc. It’s always fun to bond with your teammates getting to know each one. This is when I finally get to ride up front of the boats casting to a few trout. I almost feel out of place, as I’m used to being the one rowing the boats and pointing out places to cast for our guests, instead of being the caster.

Warm weather this past week and intermittent showers have kept the fishing excellent and our guides busy on the water. The bite has been consistent and hatches plentiful on many of our area streams and rivers.

The Raven Fork in Cherokee

Our new client Matt had a stellar day this past Friday on the Trophy Section in Cherokee. Waters were stained and little high because of heavy rains the night before. Water clarity was near perfect for keeping us hid from sight of these experienced trout. Tea stained color makes fish less spooky and more eager to eat as food items are dislodged from the bottom. The trout on the Trophy Section see some of the best flies and anglers making them notoriously challenging. Matt saw the Raven Fork with near perfect conditions and the fishing didn’t disappoint!

Heavy rains Sunday will have water levels elevated for the first of the week across the Smokies region. We expect water levels to drop quickly as the area is still classified as being in an extreme drought. The mountains are soaking up as much water as possible. However it has rained more days than not since the first week of December it seems. We need it, so nobody is complaining! Temperatures will drop slightly towards the end of the week as we dry out. It’s still going to be plenty nice to be outside. Solunar charts have the fishing as excellent towards the end of the week too. Should be a great weekend to be in the Smokies.

We’ll see you on the water!

Faith, Family, and Fishing

Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report January 22nd