The fly fishing here in WNC this fall has been absolutely fantastic. This is by far one of our favorite times of year to guide our new and repeat clients to our scenic rivers and beautiful fish. Our guides have been out on many our local rivers and streams guiding clients to huge stocked trophy fish as well as small wild trout including the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout.
Fly Fishing in Cheorkee, NC
The Cherokee Fly Fishing Only section has been producing some of the healthiest fish we have seen all year. Our clients have put numerous 20″+ fish in the net. You may not put up huge numbers like you normally find on the Tuckasegee or Nantahala but you will often be rewarded with several trophy trout. Nymphing is the preferred method to hook and land one of these monsters but don’t overlook the dry fly fishing here as it can offer some of the most exciting fly fishing you will see. Many of our big fish here this season have taken various sizes and colors of one of our favorite dry flies the Parachute Madam X (PMX). Fish this fly with any number of nymph, egg or worm droppers for greater success. We suggest an Orange PMX #12-16 this time of year with a #16-18 Soft Hackle for a dropper.
Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River
Most of our trips this fall have been on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail. We have been guiding numerous wade and float trips on the Tuckasegee Delayed Harvest as well as the smaller streams such as Scotts Creek, Caney Fork, Rough Butt, Mull Creek and more. If you are after that monster brown now is the time to fish the these small tributaries of the Tuckasegee as the browns have made their way to these areas to spawn.
Fly Fishing the West Fork of the Pigeon
The Delayed Harvest streams such as the Nantahala River, West Fork of the Pigeon and the Tuckasegee have been producing some good numbers and healthy fish. These streams will also receive another big stocking the first week in November and will fish even better then. You can fish anything from Junk Food Patterns such as Squirmy Worms, San Juan Worms, Eggs, etc. to more natural patterns like Stoneflies, Tiny Blue Olives, October and Tan Caddis, Midges, Soft Hackles etc. Stripping or dead drifting streams such as Wooly Buggers will also produce some nice fish. During low water periods our trips have been having great success with dry dropper rigs.
Guided Fly Fishing on the Tuckasegee River
A PMX, Para Adams or Para BWO with a small soft hackle is extremely effective. In fact, on yesterday’s float trip our clients landed most of their fish on #14 Royal PMX dry fly. One of our clients even hooked in to a 20″ rainbow on the dry! Stick to nymphing (indicator and/or high sticking) or streamer fishing in higher water periods unless you see a major hatch with rising fish.
Guided Fly Fishing Trips in Cherokee, NC
Upcoming hatch for November and December:
Blue Wing Olive #18 Late Morning-Early Evening
Dark Midges #18-20 All Day
Dun Caddis #18 Mid Morning-Mid Evening
Many other patterns outside of these will also produce especially on the stocked streams. Stop in or call for streams reports or hot fly updates.
To our fly shop customers as well as our new and repeat clients, Thank you for making 2013 one of our most memorable and busiest seasons yet.
Book a wade or float trip now. 828-587-HOOK hookersflyshop@yahoo.com
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