Pisgah National Forest, The Great Smokies National Park and waters along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Updated Every Thursday
Water Conditions:
Temp – 55-60
CFS – just below normal water levels
http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real&w=map&r=nc
Hatches:
Mayflies:
March Browns, Sulphurs/PMD’s, Yellow Drakes, Light Cahills, some Green Drakes in the evenings on certain streams.
Caddis:
Tan , Black, Olive
Stoneflies:
Little Yellow Sallies, Little Green Sallies, Golden Stones
Midges:
Assorted
Fly Suggestions:
Dry Flies:
Parachute March Brown, Flick’s March Brown, CDC Compardun Sulphur, Yellow Palmer, Yellow Mayfly Drake, Light Cahill, Green Drake Dun, Coffin Fly (Green Drake Spinner) Tan Headlight Caddis, Black Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow Sally, Tennessee Wulff, Yellow Para Madam X, Yellow Stimulator, Ants, Beetles, Crickets, Hoppers, Inchworms
Nymphs and Pupa:
March Brown Nymph, Olive Hare’s Ear, Tellico Nymph, Yallarhammer, Crow fly, Tan Braid Pupa, Olive Grand Poopah, Boss Hog Light, Yellow Tungsten Copper Stone
Streamers:
Spruce Fly, Hornberg, Muddler Minnow, various wooly buggers in medium size range.
General Information:
Hatches are about a month early this year due to the mild winter and early spring.
Water temps have been fluctuating with the last cold spell but seem to be stabilizing a bit.
The fish are quite active and a short walk from the road can be very productive on certain days.
Brook trout, Browns and Rainbows are all very active. The dry fly fishing has been spectacular and casting the Blue Sky furled leaders with their soft turnover makes it a joy. Time to get out the wading sandals as water and air temps are allowing us to wet wade! Ahhhh.
Projected Conditions:
Look for more of the same conditions next week with the help of a bit of rain mid-week to keep the streams cool and full. Don’t’ forget to stock up on those Big ole Green Drake Dry Flies, head out after work some night and be lucky enough to catch this giant Mayfly Spinner fall!