Current Streamflow- 178cfs
Water Temps- mid to upper 40s
Hatches:
Black Caddis
Blue-winged olives
Winter black stoneflies
Hot flies:
Blowtorch 16-12
Walt's worm 16-12
Pat's rubber legs 12-10
Jigged leeches 12-8
It's been a while since we've posted a stream report. We haven't had much of a chance to get up river ourselves in this busy time among holidays, but we finally found some time earlier this week. I'm happy to report that the Tellico is in fine shape thanks to recent rains and is fishing very well. The day we spent on the Tellico this week brought some of the most consistent fishing that we've seen yet this winter. While we didn't land any giants, we caught multiple healthy rainbows in the 16-18" range, a couple of browns, and a ton of wild rainbows. Warmer water temps had the trout eating nearly every offering we threw at them and many of the trout had moved back into faster runs and pocket water after spending the last week being largely dormant in deep pools due to a bitter cold front and sudden drop in water temps.
Fish nymphs in runs and pools, but focus on the swifter water at the head off pools where trout will stack up and feed in warmer temps. If water temps drop back into the low 40s, focus on deeper, slower parts of the same runs and pools.
BONUS REPORT- GATLINBURG DH:
I spent yesterday fishing the Gatlinburg Delayed Harvest with Mark Brown from Chota Outdoor Gear . We found similar conditions on the West Prong as we did on the Tellico River the day before. The sight fishing was excellent, and there were plenty of fish to target, although they were more selective and harder to fool due to more pressure than what we've had on the Tellico River. Take a variety of nymphs, streamers, and small egg patterns and be prepared to change flies often to stay on top of what the trout are looking for. Gatlinburg is definitely a fun option if you don't mind the crowds, and some very large and hard fighting fish are your potential reward.