By Karl Ekberg
The delayed harvest rivers here in South Carolina are fishing well and have started to warm, with warmer spring temperatures and rains. We have seen the emergence of the Quill Gordon’s, Tan Caddis, Little Mahoganies, and March Browns. We are now looking forward to the first of the Hendrickson’s and Cahill’s, to start hatching as the weather warms further into spring. The American Grannom, or Olive Caddis will be hatching as well.
Prior to these bugs hatching and seeing surface activity, success will be had by “swinging” the nymphs and emergers in the riffles, and into the heads of the pools. The fish have moved from the depths of the large pools into the shallower water, with the temperatures of the rivers warming from the high 30’s of winter, now into the mid to high 40’s. With these bugs emerging from the riffles, great fishing will be had, even casting dry flies and “dead drifting” the flies to rising fish in the pools. The soft hackles of Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tails will be very effective for the Hendrickson’s and Cahill’s. Using a Sparkle Pupa in Olive, or a CDC and Peacock emerger will work very well for the Caddis.
Let us not forget about using streamers as well. We have also had many large fish caught using them, especially in the early morning hours and late in the evening. Using Sculpin patterns, in Olive and Olive & Tan have been working well, as have the new UV2 “Cereal Killer” series streamers.
Please remember to check the water levels. With the spring rains and downpours from thunder storms, river levels will change quickly. You may find a link to the water level on our web site www.chattoogariverflyshop. com on the link page. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers Let us all practice “catch and release” and have a great day on the river.
Karl Ekberg
Chattooga River Fly Shop
Chattoogariverflyshop.com
(864) 638-2806