Current streamflow- 110cfs, 1.02ft
Water temps- low 60s
Hatches:
Midges
Tan caddis
Hot flies:
Elk hair caddis- 16-12
Parachute Adams- 16-12
Patriot parachute- 16-12
Griffiths gnat- 18-14
Rainbow warrior- 18-16
Walt's worm- 18-12
Jigged CDC quill- 16-12
Buggers- 12-8
Mini leeches- 12-8
We've experienced some great temps for late September, with high temps currently in the 70s. Overnight temps are dropping into the 50s at lower elevations and are undoubtedly much cooler at higher elevations. Water temps are lower than average, and streamflows are higher than averagel for this time of year, so conditions are excellent.
There are still some late season hatches to be found, and the dry fly action is still great. Midges and tan caddis are the dominant hatches right now. The big October caddis are likely to start hatching at any time now. Ants, beetles, and other terrestrial are also great dry fly options right now.
Delayed Harvest stocking will go on as normal this fall, even with the Bald River Bridge closure. I have it on good authority that this will be a fantastic DH with some very nice browns being stocked this fall.
Road Updates:
The Cherohala Skyway is still scheduled to reopen this Friday (22nd). River Road will remain closed from the Ranger Station to North River Road until the Bald River bridge project is completed. Once the Skyway is open, the detour routes will be pretty straight forward, with access to Green Cove and the upper Tellico River via Wildcat Rd/FS 126 or North River Rd, accessed from the Skyway. Access to the upper Tellico from either route will take roughly 1hr of drive time compared to the usual 35-40mins of drive time via River Rd, so plan a little extra time for travel. We will keep you as up to date as possible as we learn more about the road situations.
Stream Report 9.01.23
Current streamflow- 345cfs, 1.69ft
Water temps- low to mid 60s
Refer to our previous post regarding current road conditions before making your plans to visit the Tellico area. Access to the Tellico River and tributaries is still possible, but please be aware of the road closures and alternate routes.
These past two weeks, the Tellico River and its tributaries have seen rain events unlike anything experience in quite some time. Torrential rains pushed streams beyond their banks, moving huge amounts of debris and reshaping streambeds. While many people reached out to us with concerns of how this might impact the fishery, we're happy to report that the trout are still there and as healthy as ever.
Most fish you will find in the Tellico this time of year will be wild. A dry fly and dropper is essentially all you will need to catch trout in the main river and the tributaries until the start of Delayed Harvest. Carry a variety of attractor dry flies such as neversinks, stimulators, elk hairs, and parachutes to cover your bases. Rainbow warriors, pheasant tails, and prince nymphs all make good droppers.
With the current road closures and Bald River Bridge project still scheduled to start later this year, many folks have been asking us what the stocking schedule will look like for this year's Delayed Harvest. After consulting with the Tellico Hatchery manager, we're happy yo report that they plan on stocking all through Delayed Harvest, and some very fine brown trout at that. So, while the drive up river might take longer than normal for, don't let that discourage you from making a trip for some DH action starting in October.
We'll keep you posted on updates as we get closer to Delayed Harvest season.
ROAD UPDATE 9.01.23
First, sorry for the lack of updates and stream reports these last couple of weeks. It has been strange times in Tellico with not one, but two rain events that caused flooding and road damage in our area. We decided not to encourage folks to make the drive until we had solid information on alternate routes and a timeline for road repairs. So, here is the current state of things in the Tellico area:
1) The Cherohala Skyway (165) is still closed approx 1 mile east of town. Road crews are making repairs as of this week and tell us that the Skyway will be open to travel within the next two weeks.
2) River Rd (FS210) is closed from the Ranger Station east to North River Rd. Multiple rock slides and undercutting of the road has made River Rd unsafe for travel. The Forest Service has decided to keep this section closed until the Bald River Bridge project is complete, which should be sometime late next year.
3) North River Rd is open but pretty rough in a couple of places (pictured above). Ample clearance and 4WD is recommended. Once the Skyway reopens, this will be one of the main routes to the upper Tellico River and Green Cove
4) Wildcat Rd/Bald River Rd (FS126). Both Wildcat Rd and Bald River Rd weathered the storms pretty well. Again, ample clearance is recommended as both are unpaved forest service roads. Once the Skyway is reopened, access to upper Tellico via Wildcat Rd to FS 126 will be a viable route. Currently, you can access FS 126 by way of Smithfield Rd off of Hwy 68, south of Tellico Plains.
5) Hanging Dog Rd/Davis Creek Rd (NC). This is another route of unpaved forest roads from Murphy, NC that can get you to the upper Tellico. It is worth mentioning as we have heard that it is a decent route for anyone coming in from the south, including Chattanooga.
If you do decide to visit the Tellico River even with the increased travel time, please use extra caution on these backroads as they are receiving more traffic than usual.
Fishing report and Fall stocking information to follow in the next post.
Stream Report 8.03.23
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.
Stream Report 7.28.23
Current streamflow- 188cfs
Water temps- mid 60s to 70s depending on location.
The summer heat has finally caught up with us this week. Better than average streamflows for late July have thankfully kept things cooler than normal for mid-summer. You will be able to find temps at or below 65° from Green Cove upstream to the NC state line and on any tributary over 2,000' in elevation. You may be able to find good water temps below Green Cove but I would encourage anyone practicing catch and release to take a thermometer and measure water temps before fishing that low. If water temps read 68° or higher, move to higher elevations until you find temps below 68° to ensure that any trout released are not stressed to the point of morbidity.
Dry flies and small nymphs are the best choice to fish both upper Tellico and the tributaries. Select dries and nymphs in the 12-16 range. Slender bodied nymphs such as perdigons, rainbow warriors and frenchies have been top producers.
The heat of summer is also an excellent time to chase large and smallmouth bass in lower elevation streams and lakes, both of which tolerate being caught and released in the heat much better than trout. Mornings and evenings are prime feeding times for bass in both lakes and streams. A variety of streamers, crayfish patterns and poppers will produce fish. Give smallies on the fly a try. If you haven't caught one on a fly rod yet your missing out on an amazing fight.
Stream Report 7.20.23
Current streamflow- 195cfs
Water temps- 60-68 depending on elevation
It's been a wet summer so far, and that trend is going to continue for the next couple of days, with 1.5" of rain expected this afternoon and another .5" forecasted for Friday. The good news is that the rain departs Friday night and Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be sunny and clear. We may see high or off color water at the start of the weekend, not necessarily unfishable, and the river should be clear by Sunday and going into next week.
Despite a lack of noticeable hatches lately, dry fly fishing has been phenomenal, especially for anglers who are venturing into the tributaries and targeting wild and native trout. A Parachute adams, yellow stimulator or Griffith's gnat is about all you need. We have been fishing nymphs below our dries and 90% of the fish choose to pounce on the dry fly. Temps are still in the 60-65° range in tributaries over 2,500', which is perfectly fine for sagely catching and releasing trout.
Big dry flies (hoppers, chernobyls) and nymph droppers are still the way to go on the Tellico. Most stocked trout will eat the nymph, but don't be surprised if they pounce on a big foam dry fly. Pat's rubber legs, Frenchies and perdigons are still top producing nymphs. If the water is high and off color this weekend, it will be the perfect time to throw streamers as well.
There's not much rain in the forecast for early next week, and temps will be pushing into the low 90s, so keep on eye on temps next week if you want to catch and release. Any water temps above 68° presents too much risk of trout going belly up after a hard fight, so move upstream to higher elevations until you find water temps below 68°. As of this week, temps are still fine from North River confluence upstream to the NC state line. A thermometer is an invaluable tool this time of year for finding ideal water temps.
Stream Report 7.14.23
Current streamflows- 195cfs
Water temps- 60-68
Thanks to frequent rains and cool overnight temps, Tellico couldn't be in better shape going into mid-summer. Water temps are likely pushing into the danger zone for catch and release on the Tellico below Bald River, but water temps are in the mid 60s from North River upstream, with temps getting cooler the higher you go in elevation. Water temps are fine on Bald, North, and the other tributaries.
While hatches have slowed down recently, dry fly action remains stellar on the upper Tellico and the tribs. Parachutes, Neversink caddis, yellow stimulators, and more traditional dry flies will all gain attention from wild and native trout alike. Nymphing is still the best tactic for the Tellico River and Citico Creek, though a large foam dry with a tungsten nymph dropped a couple feet below will draw strikes to both dry and nymph.
Now is a great time to chase native brookies too, if you don't mind the snakes, gnats, hornets, nettle, and other stinging and biting things that come with the summer months.
Local lakes and bass streams have also been producing well with good topwater action in the evenings.
Give us a call, shoot us a message, or stop by the shop for the latest conditions.
Stream Report 6.22.23
Current streamflow- 238cfs, 1.43ft
Water temps- Low 60s
Current hatches:
Yellow Sallies- 14-12
Golden stoneflies- 12-8
Salmonflies- 8-4
Sulphur mayflies- 14-16
Blue-winged olives- 18-16
Tan caddis- 16-14
Tan midges- 18-20
Hot flies:
Pat's rubber legs
Weiss's possum jig
Perdigons
Hot bead pheasant tail
Prince nymph
Egg flies
Wooly buggers and other streamers
Yellow stimulator
Neversink caddis
Chubby chernobyl
We are in our 4th straight day of rain this week and we couldn't be happier! 🙌 So far we've received an accumulated rainfall of over 2.5" and the local streams and rivers are finally getting a much needed recharge. Water temps have thankfully held cool up until this point, but it's been extremely dry the last few weeks, and this amount of rain is a blessing.
We are expected to receive another .50" of rain in the next 24hrs. Streamflow for Tellico is currently sitting in the 200cfs range but expect flows to rise to 1k+ over the course of the day. We should see levels drop back to fishable flows by Saturday and Sunday. Tributaries such as North and Bald will be the first to drop and clear if your weekend plan is focusing on wild trout.
Everything should be fishing well this weekend. With the additional streamflows, I would focus on heavier attractor nymphs for the main river to get down through the current, but trout should be feeding heavily as long as you can get the flies to them. Look for pools with moderate current and pocketwater that isn't too swift (if you can't stand up in it, it's too swift for trout).
This weekend will also be a good time to throw your favorite streamers.
Give us a call, shoot us a message, or stop by the shop for the latest conditions.