Current streamflow- 144cfs
Water temps- 60-65° in higher elevations
East Tennessee streams continue to be blessed with better than normal water temps and streamflows thanks to frequent summer rains. Water temps are still below the 68° threshold for safe catch and release from Green Cove up to the NC state line on the Tellico, and throughout the entire length of Bald River, North River and other tributaries. Dry fly fishing continues to be great with plenty of fish being caught on nymphs as well. As summer progresses and hatches start to dwindle, trout tend to favor smaller dry flies and smaller, flashier nymphs, likely since midges and smaller caddis and mayflies tend to make up the bulk of available late summer hatches, and lower, slower streamflows give trout the advantage in scrutinizing our presentations.
Lowland rivers and lakes continue to fish great for bass, panfish and other warmwater targets. Poppers, baitfish and crayfish imitations are all producing action.
Last week was the final week of stocking on the Tellico River until DH starts on October 1st. The Tellico/Citico Daily Permit is still required until Aug 15th to fish the stocked areas of Tellico River and Citico Creek and both streams are closed on Thursdays and Fridays until after August 15th. There should be plenty of stocked trout in the Tellico for the next couple of weeks to provide some action, and of course, the wild trout are always there.