Current streamflow: 234cfs, 1.34ft
Water temps- upper 40s
Hatches:
March browns
Quill Gordons
Blue-winged olives
Winter black stoneflies
Tan caddis
Hot Flies:
Parachute March brown 14-12
Parachute Adams 16-12
Griffith's gnat 18-16
Klinkhammer 16-12
Walt's worm 16-14
Blowtorch 16-14
Rainbow warrior 18-16
Pink eggs 14-12
Jigged leeches 12-10
After weeks of snow and then rain and then snow again, we finally had a beautiful week and some warm temps in the mountains. Both flora and fauna are as ready for Spring as we are, and the river and mountains were alive with activity this week. Multiple hatches are kicking off throughout the day, with fish mostly keying in on Quill Gordon duns. A simple parachute Adams coaxed many trout to the surface, both wild and stocked.
Besides the hatches, plenty of fish were eager to take a variety of nymphs and streamers this week. The usual pink eggs, squirmies, and mops will produce fish, but you may find more fish on slightly more natural presentations such as Walt's worms and perdigons.
It may be a good weekend to start exploring the wild streams as well. Rainbow trout spawn in March and early April in our southeastern streams and are starting to put on their brightest colors in preparation. Hit these smaller streams in the middle of the day for the best shot at catching an mayfly hatch and finding trout looking up for dry flies.
Just a reminder that catch and keep season and weekly stocking starts March 1st, which is this coming Saturday. You will need to purchase your Tellico/ Citico daily permit for each day you wish to fish in the stocked sections of Tellico River and Citico Creek. A 'Sportsman's' type license also covers the daily permit. Don't forget that stocked sections are closed on Thursdays and Fridays for stocking.
BRIDGE UPDATE: From all available information, it sounds like the Bald River Bridge project will be completed by late March/early April and River Road will be reopened at that time. We will keep you up to date as we receive more detailed information.
The shop will be back to regular hours starting this weekend.