What a week for anglers! So lovely that some of us took a day off to wade the Nantahala River where we landed over 20 trout—brookies, browns and rainbows—in less than two hours! One brown measured 19 inches! We stuck with Euro nymphing and relied on egg patterns, Squirmy Worms and Girdle Bugs. One of our crew tied Zirdle Bugs—Girdle Bugs with tails—and this fly proved irresistible to the fish!
We saw lots of top-water action on the Carolina side of the Smokies. At Deep Creek, beaucoup browns and bows struck our Elk Hair Caddis which, along with our Thunderheads, excited the trout over in the Oconaluftee River (the Luftee) as well.
Critically low water in the Tuckasegee River (the Tuck) had us drifting a mere 580 cubic feet per second when normally, we’d be cruising at a steady 1500 (cfs). Fortunately, there’s an upcoming flow release scheduled for the Tuck just in time for Delayed Harvest.
The initial Delayed-Harvest stocking is scheduled for Friday, October 7 when the Tuck will receive its first round of brookies, browns and bows. The colder water temperatures will ensure that these fish survive and thrive. During Delayed Harvest, anglers fishing the Tuck must use single-hook artificial lures and abide by catch-and-release rules.
Squirrel hunting season begins on October 17, but you can start booking guided trips with us now. Also, since trout are happiest when the water is cold, now’s the time to book fall and winter fishing trips with us, too.
Have wonderful weekends!
