By Chad Fouts
National Park – The fishing in the National Park right now is on and off, do to the water conditions. The absence of water or excess of water has been giving us smaller windows of really good fishing. But, even on high or low water we are catching them. Just have to change up the style of fishing. With that being said Higher elevation rivers such as Road Prong and Upper Little River are fishing really well through out the day do to cooler temps. The lower elevation rivers are best fished in the morning before it gets hot. We’re still catching lots of these fish on green inchworm imitations, ants, beetles, and other terrestrials. Standard nymphs are still very effective also. Dry dropper with a Stimulator and one of the nymphs listed above will produce fish for you.
Obey River/ Below Dale Hollow Dam – New addition to this months report is the Obey River. Very, Very overlooked tailwater. This river is only 7 miles long, so our shortest tailwater. There is no lack of fish though. This river is loaded with all three main species Brook, Brown, and Rainbows. When I say loaded Imean it, averaged about 30 fish per hour and a half. Try using a dry dropper rig. I caught them on small caddis patterns and purple parachutes. The nymphs I used were red, black and purple zebra midges. Hint: They love a little purple
Clinch/Watauga/SouthHolston – The sulfurs on our local tailwaters are still coming around pretty great right now. A dry dropper with a sulfur dry and a split case nymph below it is still the preferred and most successful choice. Terrestrials can still be thrown under overhanging tree branches and close to the banks. When running one generator, I absolutely recommend throwing streamers.
Gatlinburg Stocked Waters – The City of Gatlinburg is still stocking every Thursday and water temperatures have increased which has made the fishing tougher in the afternoon. 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. 865-436-8746
Chad Fouts is the Fly Shop Manager at Smoky Mountain Anglers in Gatlinburg. He is a self described Fly Fishing Junkie.