With the summer ending and cooler temperatures around the corner, fall offers great fishing opportunities on the rivers of Western North Carolina. The rivers in our area are in the healthiest condition for Fly Fishing that I have seen for many years due to the additional rain we have had this summer. The Streams in the Smoky Mountains produced good trout fishing opportunities all season and I look for that to continue. Try matching the hatch with Dry Flies. Copper John, Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails are still working well.
The Main Stem of Nantahala River is releasing water daily and October will be a great time to take advantage of a float trip in the drift boat or raft if you want to try to find one of those big Nantahala River Brown Trout. Delayed Harvest on the Upper Nantahala River and Tuckaseegee River begins today October 1. Also, a new section of Snowbird Creek will be added to the Delayed Harvest options. Be aware that it usually takes a few days before the Wildlife Commission can get all the rivers stocked for the month.
We have been floating and wading the Little Tennessee River this past month for Small Mouth Bass. When September rolls around it is hard to catch me in the office. The Little Tennessee, Tuckaseegee and French Broad Rivers are my favorite places to fish for Small Mouth Bass and the occasional Musky. While trout are fun to catch, give me a Small Mouth Bass on a fly rod any day and hooking into one of the Muskies that haunt the French Broad can be an explosive event. Poppers, Streamers and Wiggle Minnows will keep the fishing action interesting. Did I just let the cat out of the bag? Hope not! Come do a day of fishing and I might show you the secret Small Mouth Fly of the Little T.
Flies for this time of year: Blue Wing Olives, Midges, Wolf Patterns, Orange Palmers Caddis Flies, Stimulators and Hoppers in a variety of sizes will work. Match your size and color and you should do well. Put a Copper John, Flashback Pheasant Tail or Pheasant Tail as a dropper and double your chances to score. With the Nantahala River and Tuckaseege River releasing extra water, another good stand by that always has the potential to surprise you with a big trout is any Streamer imitating a Small Rainbow or Sculpin, like a Black Nosed Dace, Muddler Minnows or the, ever popular, Wooly Bugger in Black or Olive. Inch Worms, Girdle Bugs with rubber legs, Dark Stone Flies and Rubber Legged Nymph Patterns will pleasantly surprise you on both the main stem and the delayed harvest sections.