By Chad Fouts
National Park
The fishing in the National Park right now is slower in the morning due to the drop in temperatures at night. You will not be disappointed in the water levels! We’re catching most of our fish between 10am and 5pm. We are throwing dry dropper rigs in the higher elevations and double nymph rigs. With that being said, higher elevation rivers such as Road Prong and Upper Little River are fishing really well past 10am. If you want to hit the lower elevation rivers, it would still be best to hit them in the morning despite the cold. We’re using Orange dry flies with natural nymphs underneath, and of course, a squirmy in the mix won’t hurt. Remember to keep as much fly line and leader off of the water as possible!
South Holston
There have been high flows on and off due to the rain we have been receiving. But, in between the flows has been some red-hot fishing! The water temp at mid-day is averaging about 47 degrees F so make sure to bring your waders! Best time of day to fish the river is about the same time we are fishing the park right now, 10am – 4pm. BWO’s and Black Flies are catching most of the fish right now. When you are floating the river throw MEAT, MEAT, MEAT on a full sink line.
Clinch River
About the same on the Clinch River as the South Holston- flows are high due to weather and small windows of really good fishing! Midges, Sulphurs, and Beetles. Try to throw a 12 foot leader, it will work wonders. When you are floating, try and throw a double streamer rig. Hint: olive and white with a depth charge full sink line.
Gatlinburg Stocked Waters
The City of Gatlinburg is still stocking every Thursday and water temperatures have lowered, which has made the fishing amazing. There are several very large fish hiding in those waters. Any bigger, flashier fly will catch these freshly stocked fish, while more natural stonefly imitations and worm flies work well for fish that have been in the river for a while.
Feel free to give us a ring at the shop with any questions about the fishing.
Chad Fouts is the Fly Shop Manager at Smoky Mountain Anglers in Gatlinburg. He is a self described Fly Fishing Junkie.