March Fishing Report

What a start to March fishing it has been. Not even a week into the season and we’re seeing the hottest action ever!

The Tuckasegee River is flat out incredible right now and will continue that way all the way into June. Float trips on the Tuckasegee River out of our drift boats and rafts have been the way to go for both numbers of fish as well as big fish! We’re seeing big Brown trout crush our flies this time of year, more so than normal! Big ol’ heavy Brook trout are coming out of seemingly nowhere to grab a slow worked streamer in the tails of big pools and runs, some are over 20 inches! Rainbow trout have been plentiful and fighting hard. It seems everyone, even the trout are sick of Winters long cold grip and are ready to get the warm weather going.

We are offering a Float Trip Special that is 3/4 day Float Trip that includes all the gear and flies plus lunch for only $225 per boat! No kidding, you read that right a Float Trip for $225.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park streams are off to a good start. We have seen plenty of trout rising to eat dry flies by mid morning and carrying over to late evening. The stream flows have been great, and the fish are hungry, and ready for Spring. The Smokies offer all wild trout that are rich with vibrant colors. Nowhere in the east will you find trout more beautiful. Speaking of beauty, have you seen the Smokies from a trout stream? The streams here offer unparalleled scenery, crystal clear water and lush green forests. Some of the wildflowers are already starting to poke through the ground and much of the park’s wildlife are becoming increasingly active. It wont be long before this magnificent landscape here really starts to change. The fishing inside the park will just keep getting better and better as the days get longer. We can’t wait!

The Raven Fork in Cherokee is also really taking off . The fishing gets better each week as temperatures get warmer and the insect hatches really start popping. Spring brings the big trout out of the deeper pools and into the faster runs to feed. They are aggressive and quick to take a well presented fly. Hold on to your rod firmly as these fish come to fight!

March fishing is on fire and it’s only getting better from here!

Hot fly patterns this month are;

Blue Duns #14-18, Little Black Caddis in #16-18, Black Caddis Pupae in #16-18, Little Winter Stonefly nymphs in #16-20, Little Winter Stonefly dries in #14-18, Blue Winged Olives in #18-22, Quill Gordons in #12-14, egg patterns in #10-12, Rainbow Warriors in #14-20, and black midges in #22-26. For Streamer patterns try black and olive Woolly Buggers in sizes #6-8, dark brown Sculpins in #6-8, and black Rabbit Strip Zonkers in #6-10.

See you on the water!

For Reservations call (828)-488-7665  or book securely from our website! 

email [email protected]

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

All content and photos copyrighted to Fly Fishing the Smokies

Gatlinburg, TN and Bryson City, NC