CURRENT STREAMFLOW- 202cfs, 1.6ft
We have had a lot of people contacting the shop to make sure that we are OK in Tellico Plains. We appreciate each and every one of our friends who have taken the time to check in. Everything is fine here, thankfully. We received 8-10" of rain in the Tellico area and flooding was minimal.
The Tellico is currently running at 202cfs and dropping. The river was stocked for Delayed Harvest earlier this week and we are finding a good mix of wild and stocked trout. There's not much chance of rain in the next week, so conditions should be pretty steady through the weekend and into next week.
We are continuing to get more and more info from friends and neighbors in northeast Tennessee and North Carolina. The amount of devastation is something that this area has never seen before. We are doing what we can to help those affected, and we encourage people looking to help to donate to relief organizations such as @samaritanspurse and @unitedway. There are a lot of local supply and donation drives all over the southeast to help get supplies to flood victims. @chattanooga has made posts recently with information on where you can give blood or donate items. @southerncultureonthefly is doing a great job of posting updates and ways that we can help guides and shops in the fly fishing community that have been deeply impacted. These people are going to need a lot of support, so please help however you can.
STREAM REPORT 9.26.24
Current streamflow- 261 cfs
Water temps- mid to low 60s
As most of you are aware by now, East Tennessee is on the front end of a tropical storm, moving up from the gulf. With it comes the potential to bring very heavy rains and flooding, with 2.5" expected today and this evening, with the possibility of 7"+ in some areas. Much of the area has already received heavy rains yesterday, saturating the ground and increasing the likelihood for landslides and flash flooding as more rain moves in.
This storm extends well beyond the Tellico area, so we're hoping that the adverse impact of this tropical storm remains at a minimum across the region and that everyone stays safe. In our local area, we're hoping that we don't see a repeat of last summer, which brought flooding downtown and washed out several roads.
Delayed Harvest will be starting October 1st, and fall and winter stocking will begin. Once we're on the back side of this storm and flows have settled, the river should have good flows for the foreseeable future, and the start of Delayed Harvest should provide some excellent fishing. Keep in mind that lower Tellico River Road is still closed while the construction of Bald River Bridge continues and will likely remain closed through the fall and winter. North River Road and Bald River Road will provide the detour routes to reach upper Tellico River Road and the Delayed Harvest section.
The shop has been closed during the week through the month of September, but normal shop hours, open Tuesday-Sunday, will resume in October.
We will keep our eyes on the weather and post updates as things progress.
STREAM REPORT 8.16.24
Current streamflow- 54cfs
Water temps- mid to upper 60s
Hatches:
Yellow sallies
Golden stoneflies
Sulphurs
Midges
Hot flies:
Trout:
Neversink caddis
Purple haze
Klinkhammer
Griffith's gnat
Rainbow warrior
Walt's worms
Frenchies
Bass:
Poppers
Zonkers
Olive Wooly buggers
Sparkle Minnows
Crayfish patterns
The low water conditions of late summer have continued on through out this past week, but there is a good chance of up to an inch of rain over the weekend. Every little bit helps, but we'll need more than a storm or two to fully recharge the river system and get streamflows back up to normal flows for this time of year (median 115cfs).
Focus on higher elevations of trout streams, from 2,000'+ elev., where water temps remain cool throughout the day. Trout will be spooky and increasingly picky in low flow, so dress in drab colored clothing, keep a low profile working slowly upstream, and keep false casts to a minimum to keep from spooking wary trout. Focus your efforts early or late in the day. Light tippet and smaller dry flies will help you make the delicate presentation needed not to send trout running for cover. While challenging, these conditions can be rewarding for any angler willing to get technical and hone their skills.
The bass bite continues to be consistent, although just like their coldwater counterparts, low water makes them spooky. In low clear water, bass will often spook from any shadow or flick of motion overhead, so keep false casts to a minimum, use light flies, and move slowly. Bass aren't as eager to go great lengths to chase flies right now, so work flies slowly. The bite is best early or late in the day when shade and cooler temps put bass on the prowl.
STREAM REPORT 8.10.24
Current streamflow- 75cfs
Water temps- mid to upper 60s
Hatches:
Yellow Sallies
Golden stoneflies
Blue-winged olives
Midges
Hot flies:
Trout:
Griffith's gnat
Parachute Adam's
Purple haze parachute
Neversink caddis
Prince nymph
Walt's worm
Frenchies
Rainbow warrior
Bass:
Jigged buggers
Sparkle Minnows
Stonefly nymphs
Poppers
Despite a decent amount of recent rain, the Tellico River and its tributaries have dropped back down to their current levels, just below the median for this time of year. This weekend and next week look to be mostly dry, cooler than this past week with highs in the 80s, and there is a better chance of rain later next week that will hopefully recharge streamflows a bit.
While many of the early summer hatches have dropped off, you can expect to see a few yellow sallies on the water still, plus plenty of midges and the occasional blue winged olive hatch. There are lots of terrestrial insects about and many of them make their way into the water, so beetles, ants and other terrestrial dry fly patterns will also be good choices.
Stocking has ended on the Tellico and Citico for the summer. The Tellico will receive stocking again for Delayed Harvest starting in October, but there are plenty of wild trout to catch on the main river and the tributaries until then.
There is still plenty of action to be had for bass and panfish on the lower elevation stretches of local creeks and rivers and recent rains have smallies out and looking to feed. This is a great time of year to walk and wade, or float the lower elevations in pursuit of bass as we wait for cooler temps on many of our bigger trout streams.
STREAM REPORT 7.18.14
Current streamflow- 80cfs
Water temps- mid 60s at Green Cove
Hatches:
Yellow sallies
Tan caddis
Golden stones
Black midges
Blue-winged olives
Hot flies:
Trout:
Chubby chernobyls- 14-12
Griffiths Gnat- 16
Purple Haze- 16-12
Neversink Caddis- 16-12
Rainbow warrior- 18-14
Frenchie- 18-12
Walt's worm- 16-12
Prince nymph- 16-12
Pat's rubber legs- 14-10
Bass:
Bett's Poppers
Whitlock's Near Nuff Craw
Barr's Meat Whistle
Sparkle Minnows
The Tellico River got a much needed shot in the arm with overnight rainshowers the past couple of nights bringing flows up from 50 to 80cfs. Streams are still below normal flow for this time of year, with the median streamflow for the Tellico River gauge being 124cfs for this date. There's a good chance of rain for the rest of this week and on into next week, so with a little luck we'll get enough accumulation to bring water levels back up to normal.
This coming week will be cooler than the previous few weeks, with highs in the 80s and lows dropping down into the 60s in Tellico Plains. Overnight lows in the mountains will be even cooler than in town, providing relief from the heat to trout who were undoubtedly feeling the strain of low water levels and warming temps.
The hatchery is continuing to stock the Tellico River from Green Cove, upstream to the NC state line, so concentrate on this area if you hope to find stocked fish. The wild trout are still taking dry flies with gusto in the upper reaches of the Tellico River as well as the tributaries. A dry/dropper rigs should cover most situations in the trout water.
Lower elevation streams are still fishing exceptionally well for smallmouth, panfish and other warmwater species, provided you can present a fly without spooking them during low summer flows. The forecasted rain this week should help your chances of success in warmwater streams as well. We found this brute of a drum on a recent smallmouth bass trip.
STREAM REPORT 7.12.24
Current streamflow- 55cfs
Water temps- upper 60s
With low water, warming temps, and no rain in the forecast until late next week, now is a good time to consider giving the trout streams a break and targets bass and panfish in lower elevation streams and lakes. Sunfish and smallmouth are beautiful, tolerant of warmer temps, readily take a fly and are great fun on light fly rods. Summertime conditions offer great sight fishing for these species, with the chance at exciting topwater action. A variety of streamer and dry fly patterns will work for bass and sunfish. Go early in the morning or later in the evening when fish are most active. Bass and sunfish will hold tight to cover and shaded areas that provide security and a place to ambush prey.
If you prefer to target trout, there are still plenty of options, but please avoid lower elevations of trout streams where water is warmest. Take a thermometer and measure temps before you fish. If temps read above 68°, move to higher elevations and cooler water temps. You should find cool temps in elevations 2,000' and higher. Fight fish quickly and keep them in the water as much as possible if you plan to catch and release. Fish early in the day to avoid the warmest water temps.
Trout will be spooky in low, clear water, so use stealth and natural cover to your advantage. Wear neutral colored clothing, nothing bright. Make your casts count and limit false casts which increase the odds of spooking weary trout.
We have several days of rain in the forecast for next week so with some luck we will see better streamflows and cooler water temps soon.
STREAM REPORT 7.04.24
Current streamflow- 70cfs
Water temps- mid to upper 60s, low 70s in lower elevations
Hatches:
Yellow sally stoneflies
Golden stones
Tan caddis
Midges
Water conditions remain low and clear on East Tennessee streams with water temps pushing into the low 70s in in streams in lower elevations. This is a reminder to measure water temps and look for temperatures that are 68°F or lower. Fish early or late and avoid the heat of the day. Even at 68°, trout can become stressed while fighting them, increasing their risk of mortality. If you choose to fish in warmer temps and plan to catch and release, play trout as quickly as possible and avoid air exposure as much as possible. A quick pic is fine, but minimize time out of the water to a few seconds. Keeping the fish in the water is even better.
If you fish the Tellico or Citico Creek this weekend, we recommend fishing from Green Cove and upstream on the Tellico (roughly 2000' elev.) and from Doublecamp upstream on Citico, where elevation is higher and water temps are cooler. Stick to the upper elevations of tributary streams as well. Smaller tributaries at higher elevations will generally run cooler than larger streams.
Dry/dropper rigs with smaller flies and lighter tippet will produce the most fish in low water conditions. Use stealth when approaching water that you'd like to fish and wear neutral colors to blend into your surroundings and avoid spooking fish in low water.
With a little forward planning, proper handling of trout and an eye on stream temps, you can still have a great day on mountain streams in the heat of summer, just remember to keep the health of our trout populations in mind.
STREAM REPORT 6.21.24
Current streamflow- 102 cfs
Water Temps- low to mid 60s from North River upstream
Hatches:
Yellow sallies
Golden stoneflies
Salmonflies
Tan caddis
Flies:
Olive walt's worm 18-14
Frenchies- purple or orange 16-14
Rainbow warrior 20-16
Neversink caddis 16-12
Klinkhammer 16-12
Parachute Adams 16-12
It's been a warm and dry week in East Tennessee. Air temps in the mountains remain in the upper 70s despite the heat in the valley thanks to higher elevations.The Tellico river and tributaries are running fairly low and clear, although stream temps from North River upstream on the Tellico River and on the tributaries have all been in the range for safe catch and release with proper handling. If you plan on fishing lower elevations of Tellico River and Citico Creek or lower sections of Bald and North River, be sure to check stream temps if you plan to catch and release. If water temps are 68° or lower, you're fine to fish, just play fish quickly and leave them in the water as much as possible. Anything above 68° and we recommend moving to higher elevations to find cooler water.
Lower streamflows usually mean better dry fly fishing, and that has been our experience this past week. A dry and dropper rig will catch fish on both the stocked sections and wild trout streams. Focus on the pocket water and faster runs where current offers overhead cover for fish, providing security, and the turbulent water provides extra oxygen and prime feeding lanes.
The forecast for the week remains dry and sunny with highs in the low 90s at lower elevations, meaning temps in the 70s and low 80s at higher elevations. There is rain in the forecast for next week, so hopefully, that'll bring some extra flow to our streams.