Current streamflow- 209cfs, 1.35ft
Water temp- mid to upper 40s
Hatches:
Winter Black stoneflies
Midges
Hot Flies:
Walt's worms (various colors)
Pat's rubber legs
Blowtorches
Perdigons (various colors)
Peach eggs
Streamflow on the Tellico is currently just above normal and the river is beautiful. The water has a habit of running crystal clear in the winter and at this time is very reminiscent of the gin clear glacial fed rivers that you might see out West. The river is currently as cold as glacier melt too, so don't fall in.
With higher flows and cold water temps, trout are sluggish and have moved out of the current as much as possible. This means that most fish will be settled into the deeper, slower, middle and tailouts of pools. There will be fewer fish in the fast pocketwater sections. The trout are still plenty hungry though, and will eat a variety of nymphs provided you can get your flies down to them. In these conditions, when tightlining, I often like to throw a heavily weighted nymph, such as a large Pat's rubber legs along with a small nymph like a Perdigon or Walt's worm. The heavier nymph will help you get the smaller fly down and in front of the fish. If indicator fishing, you may need to add extra shot to get your flies down.
This time of year, work water slower than you would in the warmer months. Feeding trout will not move far to take a fly, so you may have to make a few extra casts and get that fly right in front of their nose before they commit to eating it.
Best time to fish will be around mid day. Especially look for pools where the sun is hitting the water. Midges and winter stoneflies are most active in the midday sun, and trout will key in on this and begin feeding.
It looks like most of this week will be cold. Wednesday is the warmest day with a high in the 50s. Rain/snow mix is expected Thursday and Friday night. Should be a chilly but sunny weekend with great river conditions.
Give us a call, shoot us a message, or stop by yhe shop for the latest conditions. Tight lines.