As our local temps start rising fish are pushing up into smaller water. The fishing in local small streams has been producing solid wild browns and rainbows. Targeting the right water and approaching the fish properly has been the key to success. If you're interested in learning better ways to appr and fish in our local streams Call or text 828 719-1543 to book your trip.
Small Streams
Stream Reports
Saturday, April 3, 2021 - 8:11pm
All water is now open in the high country as April and spring are officially here. Local small streams are some of the best places to fish in early spring. The fish are eager to feed as water temperatures warm. Fishing the most comfortable time of the day typically yields the best results. Fly choice isn't as critical as the rivers have a variety of food items available. April and May are two of my favorite months to fish. Book your trip now by calling or texting 828 719-1543
Saturday, May 16, 2020 - 3:49pm
Our local small streams have been on fire. The dry fly bite has been incredibly productive. Yellow parachutes and attractors have been the ticket. Don't let covid keep you off the water. Give me a call to get on the water. 828 719-1543
Wednesday, April 4, 2018 - 2:09pm
It's time to get on the water. The spring fishing has been good on all rivers as is only going to get better as we enter April. Mother's day caddis is on the Watauga is right around the corner. The South Holston is about to fire up with spring bwo's and the lower river sulphurs. Local rivers are also warming up and fish are eager to feed. Give me a call to get on the calendar 828 719-1543
Friday, June 16, 2017 - 4:11pm
Local rivers have benefitted greatly from our late spring rains. The slightly elevated water levels have the fish happy and feeding well. Even in high water, as long as there is some clarity. Fish are feeding well on nymphs but are starting to eat dries as well. The Delayed Harvest rivers are now under hatchery supported regulations now. As a result they have been beat up pretty bad and aren't really worth fishing. We have moved on to smaller rivers and creeks, staying with the colder...
Friday, May 12, 2017 - 1:04pm
Now is the time to be fishing the areas small streams. With good water levels and active fish it's about as good as it gets. We have been getting alot of rain so some of the lower elevation rivers might be high and off color. To avoid this in all but the biggest rains go up to the headwaters and you can usually find clean water. The bite is still subsurface for the most part but that should be transitioning to a surface bite as we head into May.
Thursday, September 1, 2016 - 7:40pm
Local small streams are fishing suprisingly well for this time of the year. Afternoon showers are keeping water levels reasonably good. Morning is the best time to be on the water before temps peak around 2pm. Dry flies are producing well and trailing an ant or beatle pattern behind a more visable dry is a good tactic, especially near the bank and in the shallow water. Fish are starting to move around a little but headwater streams are still the place to be. Be mindful of water temps...
Sunday, March 27, 2016 - 2:00pm
The nice weather we've been having in the high country has the fish fired up. The Watauga delayed harvest has been fishing well, with fish starting to push up into faster water. They've been eating a variety of flies, but a hare's ear soft hackle has been my goto. There is a evening caddis hatch as well a bunch of bug activity throughout the day. Get out and take advantage of the last few good months to be on the DH. The local Wild rivers have also been on fire as fish are on the feed...
Monday, September 15, 2014 - 4:22pm
With lots of rain in Boone of late the rivers have been running high and muddy. As they begin to drop and clear, the fishing should be very good. We need the water, as fishing pre rain was tough. The fish were ultra spooky, and long casts were required. The good news is they are very surface minded, so fishing just a dry fly can be very productive. Expect slower fishing mid day, but morning and evening bites have been good. Attractor patterns like stimulators and pmx have been...
Monday, August 18, 2014 - 5:47pm
With a little much needed rain, the local rivers are fishing well. We are targeting head water streams at higher elevations, as the browns are starting to move up. As we move into fall attractor patterns and terrestrials are the go to surface patterns. Sub-surface is actually the opposite, not that they wont eat big, but smaller(16-18) is whats on the menu. As the season progresses the amount available nymphs and larva decreases, as well as their size. The trout tend to be looking up...
