By Karl Ekberg
The warmer days of spring have finally blessed us, and “Old Man Winter” has finally gone to sleep. The Chattooga, Chauga, and Eastatoe rivers around us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop are fishing extremely well as the waters have warmed with spring rains and the temperatures reaching into the mid 70’s. Water temperatures have been in the upper 40’s to the mid 50’s on occasion. The water temperature will keep rising as the air temperatures rise with the warmer weather increasing.
Fishing on the delayed harvest sections has been outstanding with large fish being caught with dry flies. The Hendrickson hatch has been the best in many years, along with caddis as well. We have been fishing the riffles to the heads of the pools with the most success. Dry fly fishing the slower water areas when the hatch is happening has also produced great numbers of fish as well. Early morning, prior to the hatch, and after the hatch subsides,using emerged sand flashback nymphs have worked as well.
Fishing streamers has also been very productive. The UV2 “Cereal Killer” series streamers, Carolina Peach, Wounded Sculpin, and Belly Ache Minnows have all been working very well. Drifting and stripping all of these streamers have still been producing large fish.
As the hatches progress with the warmer weather, we look forward to seeing the Light Cahills, PMD’s (Pale Morning Duns), Slate Drakes, and Mother’s Day Caddis. Another large emergence is of the Oak Worms. These fine little creatures are a tasty treat that even the largest of trout cannot pass up as they fall from the trees into the rivers. Casting imitations of these, into over-hanging bushes, and dead drifting them with a twitching technique will be very beneficial to a large day on the river. Anywhere you may find these worms dangling from their silk lines from the trees, do not hesitate to stop and watch the worm finally hit the water, and see what happens! The next process is to work your way into a good vantage point to make your cast to the fish which just ate the natural. Do not worry about a delicate cast, even splatting the worm on the water will be just as effective, as they also fall out of the trees from far above.
We have a great variety of UV2 flies and UV2 tying products available here at Chattooga River Fly Shop.
We hope to see everyone out on the rivers
Karl Ekberg
Chattooga River Fly Shop
Chattoogariverflyshop.com
(864) 638-2806