Current Streamflow- 462cfs
Water temps- low to mid 60s at Green Cove
PROLOGUE:
With nearly every stream in the Tellico area above fishable levels on Monday due to recent rains and with a rare full day off to fish, I found myself headed north to the Smokies to fish the park for the first time in what was likely 6-7 years. According to the gauge, flows looked to be far more fishable in the park than they were in Tellico. I was on a mission to catch a good brown trout, and the day resulted in one of the prettiest wild browns that I've caught in Tennessee in quite some time. With a couple of browns and a handful of bows secured, I thought this would be the perfect chance to complete the Smoky Mountain Grand Slam and found a high elevation creek and some beautiful and eager brookies to complete not one, but two slams that day. Thanks to Little River Outfitters for creating a fun challenge that gives good incentive to explore the park's diverse streams and landscapes. If you haven't yet, I highly recommend taking on the challenge of the Great Smoky Mountain Grand Slam. Be sure to stop by and see our friends at Little River Outfitters to submit your catches and receive a very cool sticker for bragging rights.
REPORT:
As for Tellico, the entire watershed is either fishing great, or really tough depending on how you look at it. Stocking has ended for the put and take season. If you are after stockers, there are still a few holding over, but you won't find the numbers you're used to during weekly stockings. If wild trout are more your jam, this is a great time to fish Tellico and tributaries. We are enjoying 'spring-time' conditions with flows well above normal for mid summer, and water temps still comfortably cool around 1,800' and higher in elevation. With high streamflows, nymphing will be most productive but the dry fly bite will improve as water clears.
Brook trout streams will be in excellent shape this coming week so now is a great time to hike up some blue lines in pursuit of native trout.
7.22.2026
Current streamflow- 126cfs
Water temps- mid 60s at midday at Green Cove, upper 60s to low 70s in lower elevations
Hatches:
Tan caddis
White mayflies
Yellow Sallies
Golden stones
Salmonflies
Ants, Beetles, etc.
Hot flies:
Blowtorch- 18-14
Hot bead PT- 18-14
Perdigons 18-16
Micro leeches- 14-10
Rainbow warrior- 20-16
Purple haze 18-12
Elk hair caddis 18-12
Stimulator 16-12
After an unusually dry June, we're now over half-way through an unusually wet July. Since we're fast approaching the hottest and driest time of year, we will gladly take all of the rain we can get. We've received some amount of rain nearly every afternoon as scattered showers move across the valley and bring rain to the mountains. With daytime air temps in the 80s and overnight in the 60s, these showers have offered much needed relief from the heat and the extra streamflows help prevent temps from getting into the danger zone for trout (68°+). Regardless, water temps in the lower sections of Tellico River are reaching the point where catching and releasing trout increases the risk of stress and mortality.
-Any section downstream of Bald River is a no-go as water temps here routinely reach the low 70s every year.
-North River confluence to Green Cove and up will have acceptable temps only in the morning hours, rising to risky levels by midday.
- Water temps remain in the safe zone from Green Cove to State Line, although we would still recommend limiting your fishing time to early or late in the day to avoid the midday heat and reduce any risk of stressing trout you choose to release.
We continue to find some decent stocked fish in the very upper section of river, though the focus will shift to wild trout as the stocking season comes to a close and stocked numbers dwindle. Reminder that the permit season runs until August 15th and the Tellico River from Turkey Creek to State Line is still closed to fishing Thursdays and Fridays during this time.
Tributaries of the Tellico and Citico are in great shape thanks to recent rains and dry fly action remains solid. Please keep an eye on temps in the lower sections of tribs and avoid if temps are higher than 68°
7.09.2026
Current streamflow- 77cfs
Water temps- low to mid 60s at Green Cove
Hatches:
White mayflies
Tan caddis
Yellow Sallies
Golden Stones
Salmonflies
Hot flies:
Cdc caddis-16-12
Parachute mayflies- asstd colors 16-12
Chubby Chernobyl- 14-10
Yellow stimulator- 16-12
Asstd perdigons- 18-14
Walt's worms olive/natural- 18-12
We've had quite the heat wave in East Tennessee this past week. With water levels already below normal and air temps in Tellico Plains hitting mid-90s, the heat puts trout at a higher risk of mortality in lower elevation sections of the Tellico, specifically from Bald River Falls downstream. This is a normal seasonal occurrence, as much of the lower river does not naturally hold cool enough water to sustain trout year-round and relies solely on stocking to support a temporary trout fishery. As a rule of thumb, the Tellico River from North River confluence upstream to the state line will have cool enough temps to support trout through the summer. However, the lowest portion of this section, from North River confluence upstream to Green Cove can experience water temp spikes up to 68° on hot days, putting trout at risk if you plan to catch and release, if not handled properly.
Best practice guidelines put 68°F as the maximum temp where trout can safely be caught and returned without increasing the chance of mortality. When temps hit this upper limit, fight fish quickly, leave them in the water as much as possible, and handle them as little as possible. Better yet, keep moving upstream until you find colder water temps. 65° and cooler is preferable. A thermometer comes in handy.
Now is a great time to go to the highest elevation streams where temps remain cold all year. These would include upper North River, upper Bald River and Sycamore creek. Now is also one of the best times to fish low elevation streams and lakes in the mornings and evenings to catch that bass popper bite. There's nothing better than wading a river and watching bass blow up on poppers to beat the summer heat.
We've got a chance of rain over the next few days and slight drops in temps that will hopefully bring some relief.
6.18.2026
Current streamflow- 80cfs
Water temps- low to mid 60s
Hatches:
Yellow Sallies
Golden Stoneflies
Salmonflies
Blue winged olives
Tan caddis
Hot flies:
Foam Stone yellow, olive- 14-12
Stimulator yellow, purple- 16-12
Purple Haze- 16-12
Klinhammer- 18-12
Chubby Chernoby tan, purple- 14-10
Blowtorch- 16-14
Walt's worm- 18-14
Perdigons- 18-16
From brookies to smallmouth, we've had some fantastic days on the water despite dry conditions, thanks to cooler than normal air temps. Water temps remain in the low to mid 60s on the tributaries and most of the main river upstream of Bald River Falls.
Dry fly action remains very consistent with some of the best hatches that we have seen in years. Match the hatch when targeting wild fish, with stoneflies and mayflies being the best choices as well as terrestrial patterns such as foam beetles and ants. To get a rise out of stocked fish on the Tellico or Citico, give big foam bugs like chubby chernobyls and hoppers a try. Drop a nymph off of your dry fly to pick up more fish.
Many people think of spring and fall as the best time to seek out native brook trout, but late spring and summer can bring some of the best brookie fishing all year. High elevation streams stay cool all summer despite warmer temps at lower elevations.
Smallmouth are hitting their prime on lower elevation creeks and rivers in the area as water temps warm. For smallmouth, the hotter the better, as hot days will entice smallmouth to feed early in the morning or late in the evening. We're entering peak topwater season.
The Tellico River and tribs are currently sitting at below normal streamflows. We have a decent chance of rain this evening with more on the way early next week. Hopefully we can get those streamflows up before the heat of summer begins.
5.27.2026
Current Streamflow- 245cfs
Water temps- mid 50s to low 60s
Hatches:
Sulphurs
Yellow Sallies
Salmonflies
Eastern green drakes
Tan caddis
Terrestrials (beetles, ants, etc.)
Hot Flies:
Parachute sulphur 16
Reversing caddis 16-14
Yellow stimulator 12-16
Klinkhammer 16-12
Pat's rubber legs 12-10
Blowtorches 16-12
Batman nymph 16-14
Walt's worms 18-12
Leeches & buggers 10-6
With local streams moving at a trickle and air temps creeping into the 90s, late Spring fishing conditions on the Tellico were looking bleak until last week's storms and showers brought the comeback story we'd been waiting for. The Tellico area, like much of the drought-stricken Southeast has received several inches of rain over the past week, saturating bone dry soil, recharging mountains springs and seeps, and bringing a brighter shade of green back to the mountainsides. After months of below average flows, the Tellico River is now back to normal streamflow. With the rain came cooler temps, with most days being in the mid 70s to low 80s and overnight temps in the 60s at low elevations, 50s in the mountains. Cool water temps and good streamflow now have trout feeding aggressively.
We are seeing some of the best sulphur hatches we have seen in years on the Tellico and tributaries leading to some fantastic dry fly fishing. You can find sulphurs hatching all day long with the peak hatch happening late in the evening. A variety of dry flies will produce all day long on tributaries and the sections of Tellico where wild trout are present. You may find a few stocked fish willing to take dries during the day on the Tellico, but nymphs and streamers will produce the best numbers until the evening sulphur hatch persuades stocked trout to look up.
Now is also a great time to target a variety of warmwater species from bass to panfish to gar in both rivers and streams.
5.07.2026
Current streamflow- 595cfs
Water temps- mid to upper 50s
Hatches:
Sulphurs
Cahills
Bwos
Yellow sallies
Eastern green drakes
Salmonflies
Tan caddis
Hot flies:
Neversink caddis
Yellow stimulator
Parachute sulphur
Quill jig nymph
Blowtorch
Duracell
Pat's rubber legs
After a very dry start to Spring, we finally got the rain we've been waiting for. Total rainfall in town since yesterday was about 2 inches. Some parts of the mountains received nearly 3 inches. All photos are of the Tellico River are from earlier today.
Streamflows peaked at 750cfs early this morning and is currently just under 600cfs and dropping. Stream flow should be near perfect this weekend. Nymphs will produce the most fish on the Tellico River but it's a good time to throw streamers as well with the higher flows.
Expect some great hatches this weekend with just about every springtime mayfly, stonefly and caddis making an appearance. We have even seen green drakes and salmonflies this week. Dry fly action should be great on the tributaries and upper end of Tellico River throughout the day with the best hatches in the evenings.
Looks like it's going to be a fine weekend, with high temps in the 70s and a slight chance of more rain on Sunday.
4.16.2026
Current streamflow- 117cfs
Water temps- upper 50s, low 60s
Hatches:
Yellow Sallies
Cahill mayflies
Hendrickson mayflies
Early brown stoneflies
Tan caddis
Midges
Hot flies:
Neversink caddis 16-14
Olive Klinkhammer 16-12
Purple haze 16-12
Blowtorch 16-14
Walt's worm 18-12
Pat's rubber legs 12-10
Batman nymph 16-14
Hot head PT 16
Egg patterns 18-12
Leeches & buggers 8-4
Spring time in the Southern Appalachians brings something new every day. Early season wild flowers are showing off their best colors, with many varieties of trillium, laurel and rhododendron preparing to bloom. Shades of green creep up the mountainside, putting the chill of winter behind for another year. With the new season comes a wide variety of hatches and terrestrial insects which gather the attention of hungry trout. While it has been a dry start to Spring, the lower than normal streamflow has not made trout too skittish or selective. With so much insect activity, they are more than happy to make the most of the opportunity and pounce on just about any well-presented fly. The dry fly action has been incredible on both the wild trout streams and upper reaches of the Tellico River, although nymphs will still find better numbers of fish on the Tellico. Water temps are cool and trout can be found throughout the entire length of the Tellico River.
The bass bite is really starting to pick up in the lower elevations streams. Streamers or popper/droppers slowly drifted through deeper pools and runs will produce smallmouth and rock bass. It won't be long until the evening popper bite picks up. Smallmouth and largemouth both are a great species to target as the days warm up.
It's been a dry start to Spring, but rain is hopefully on the way soon. There's a chance for rain this evening and over the weekend, as well as a better chance late next week.
3.27.2026
Current streamflow- 165cfs
Water temps- low to mid 50s
Hathces:
Quill gordons
March browns
Blue winged olives
Winter black stoneflies
Early brown stonefiles
Black caddis
Tan caddis
Hot flies:
Quill gordon 16-14
March brown 14-12
Elk hair caddis, tan or black 16-14
Purple haze 16-14
Klinkhammer, tan or olive 16-14
Prince nymph 16-12
Bloody Mary 16-14
Hot bead pheasant tail 16-12
Blowtorch 16-12
Walt's worm 16-12
Pat's rubber legs 12-10
Every day feels a little more like Spring. Redbuds have bloomed, dogwoods are starting to bloom and early varieties of trillium are beginning to unfurl. We are in that sweet spot at the end of the winter hatches and beginning of the spring hatches, and on a warm afternoon you are likely to see a myriad of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies on the water at the same time. When the insect activity is this heavy, trout are sure to be paying attention. On wild trout streams and the areas of Tellico River that have good numbers of wild trout, you will often see noses dimpling the water's surface as these opportunistic trout make the most of an easy meal. This is just the beginning of peak dry fly season. You will find the same great conditions for dry flies on every tributary stream so take your pick.
While not as likely to be rising to dry flies as their wild counterparts, high insect activity usually means the stocked fish will be feeding heavily as well as many nymphs and emerging insects are available to them while these insects begin their transformation. A wide variety of nymphs and wet flies will catch the stockers now, as well as the usual 'junk' flies (eggs, mops, squirmies). Spring is also a great time to target trout on streamers, olive being our favorite streamer color.