Guided Fly Fishing in Cherokee, NC

Posted on December 5, 2013 by jasoncole

I spent the last two days on the water with Doug H. from Zebulon, NC.  We started out on the Tuckasegee Delayed Harvest on the first day and fished until the water came up from the East Fork release.  He put a lot of fish in the net including the one pictured below.  Hot flies were #12 Yellow Sucker Spawn and #14 and #16 Rainbow Warriors.

Guided Fly Fishing on the Tuckasegee River

After lunch we hit a small stretch of Scotts Creek just outside of Sylva and boy did Doug put on a show.  We were fishing a dry dropper rig with a big Royal PMX and a rainbow warrior dropper.  Occasionally we will go with bigger dry flies this time of year mainly to use as an indicator.  The fish didn’t seem to mind the bigger dry flies as Doug hooked into and landed several nice trout on the dry including two beautiful brookies.

Guided Fly Fishing in Cherokee, NC

On the Cherokee Trophy Section Doug put some very nice rainbows in the net including the one pictured above.  Several big fish were taken on a #8 Coles Peachy Gummy Bugger and several big fish were taken on our famous Hot Head Marvin Stonefly in size 8.  The two biggest fish of the day never made it to the net and snapped off just after being hooked.  Overall it was two wonderful days on the water with some fantastic company.  Tight Lines Everyone!

 

Guided Fly Fishing on the Cherokee Trophy Section

 

 

Categories: Fly Fishing in Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing Raven Fork, Fly Fishing the Cherokee Trophy Waters, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, The Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Guided Fly Fishing in Cherokee, NC

Fall Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina

Posted on October 28, 2013 by jasoncole

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

Also, look for us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

 

 

Categories: Float the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing Bryson City, Fly Fishing Cherokee, Fly Fishing Float Trips on the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing in Cherokee, Fly Fishing in North Carolina, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing the Nantahala River, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fall Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina

Guided Fishing Trips in Western North Carolina

Posted on September 4, 2013 by jasoncole

Wow!  What a summer it has been here beautiful Western North Carolina.  We have had one of our busiest summers yet.  Our water levels have been great all spring and summer producing some of the best fishing we’ve seen in years.  Our guides have been guiding trips all over the  Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cheorkee and more, from high elevation native brook trout streams to larger stocked streams and even smallmouth bass streams.

Guided Fly Fishing in Cheorkee, NC

Many of the smaller streams on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail have produced some of our best days on the water all year.  Mull Creek, Rough Butt Creek, Beech Flats Creek, Caney Fork and Scotts Creek have provided some excellent angling opportunities and some very memorable trips.  The Trail provides areas to catch Brown, Rainbow,  and native Brook Trout for both the beginner and the experienced angler.  Pictured below is a young angler with her first trout on the fly.

Fly Fishing with Kids on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has also been one of our best go to areas this summer as water levels have been higher and cooler than normal.  We have had some high number days as well as some very healthy fish brought to the net like the brown pictured below.  The Oconaluftee, Deep Creek, Hazel Creek, Straight Fork, Bradley Fork, Little River, and Kephart Prong are some of our favorite streams to guide and fish on.

Beautiful Smoky Mountain Brown Trout

Many anglers come to these mountains in search of trout but our area also offers some fantastic smallmouth and spotted bass fishing as well.  Take a float down the beautiful Tuckasegee River or a wade or float on the Little Tennessee.  Both rivers offer some of the best smallmouth action in the south.  Many of our smallie trips this season have been on lower sections of the Tuckasegee from Dillsboro to Bryson City.  While we do specialize in fly fishing for these hard fighting fish we do also offer spinning rod trips or you can do a little of both.  Below is a nice catch from one of our float trips this summer.

Smallmouth Float Trip on the Tuckasegee River

Book your next fly fishing adventure with us and you won’t be disappointed.  We offer wade and float trips all year and back country camping trips between April and late October.  Tight Lines!

828-587-HOOK  hookersflyshop@yahoo.com   Also, check us on on Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook.

Categories: Float the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing in North Carolina, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing, Guided Smallmouth Trips in Western North Carolina, The Fly Fishing Trail, Uncategorized, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Comments Off on Guided Fishing Trips in Western North Carolina

Guided Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Posted on July 24, 2013 by jasoncole

It has been a busier than normal summer season for all of us guides here at Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service.  The Great Smoky Mountains are providing our anglers some of the best fishing opportunities around.  We have been guiding plenty of half, 3/4 and full day trips on the Oconaluftee River, Straight Fork, Deep Creek, Little River, Hazel Creek and many more.

Nice Smoky Mountain Brown Trout

The fishing in the park is definitely at its peak right now mainly due to higher than normal water levels for the summer months, which means that the trout are not nearly as selective as normal.  Areas that are higher than normal will also come up higher and quicker than normal with an afternoon shower so wade with caution and don’t forget to bring along rain gear.

Fish of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This month and into August look for Little Yellow Stones, Little Green Stones, Tricos, Creme Midge just to name a few.  Hot patterns include:  Female Adams #12-18, Tenn. or Royal Wulff #12-16, Humpies #10-16, Light Cahills #12-16, Stimulators (Yellow, Royal, Olive) #10-16, PMD #14-18, Hoppers #10-14, Ants (Black or Cinnamon) #12-18, Inchworms/Green Weenie #10-14, Pheasant Tail Nymph #12-18, Just Add Water Nymph #16-18, Frenchie (Orange or UV Pearl) #12-18, Wired Yellow Stones #12-16 and more.  During the summer months focus on throwing dries or dry dropper rigs in the morning and late afternoon and evening hours and switch to nymphs during the mid day.  Some days you will see good top water action all day long.  Terrestrials will work throughout most of the day as well.

 

Fly Fishing is fun for the entire family.

Everyone here would like to say thank you and we appreciate every one of you that has helped make our 2013 season one of the best seasons yet.  Tight Lines!

 

 

Categories: Backcountry Trips in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing | Comments Off on Guided Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Guided Smallmouth Trips in Western North Carolina

Posted on June 20, 2013 by jasoncole

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of guiding Steve and his son-in-law Dave on a full day smallmouth bass float trip on the Tuckasegee River.  We floated a 5 mile section #15 on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail from Barkers Creek to Whitter.  The water was still high and off-color from the last heavy rain and the East Fork releases.

Smallmouth Bass Float Trip on the Tuckasegee River

Dave and Steve put rainbow and brown trout in the net as well as several smallmouth bass, spotted bass and red-eye bass.  Flies and tackle used on the trip included: Various #4-6 Clouser Minnows(Black/Chartreuse, Perch, Dark Olive/Yellow), #6 Black Lead-Eye Buggers and Black and Dark Olive Tube Jigs.

Guided Smallmouth Float Trip on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail

Now is the time to book your Smallmouth wade or float trip here in beautiful Western North Carolina.  We offer both wade and float trips on the Tuckasegee River and wade and float trips on the Little Tennessee River.  You can choose to fly fish or use spinning tackle or both.  Let us take you on your next Smallmouth Bass fishing adventure.  Email or call hookersflyshop@yahoo.com 828-587-HOOK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

float trips on the Tuckasegee River, float trips on the Little Tennessee River, smallmouth trips on the Tuckasegee River, smallmouth trips near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, guided smallmouth trips near Asheville, NC,

 

 

Categories: Float the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing Float Trips on the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, Guided Smallmouth Trips in Western North Carolina, Guided Smallmouth Trips near Asheville, Guided Smallmouth Trips near Franklin, Guided Smallmouth Trips on the Little Tennessee River, Smallmouth Trips, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Comments Off on Guided Smallmouth Trips in Western North Carolina

Guided fly fishing trips in Waynesville, NC

Posted on May 23, 2013 by jasoncole

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of guiding two of my repeat clients from the Atlanta, Ga. area.  Bruce O. and Chuck P. had never fished the West Fork of the Pigeon so we decided to head out there for a full day wade trip.  The fishing was absolutely fantastic.  Bruce started the day out with a very beautiful wild brown that took a #14 tan caddis off the surface.  He quickly got into several more nice fish including a 16-17″ bow.  Chuck had a little slower start with a decent brook  and rainbow.

Guided fly fishing on the West Fork of the Pigeon

After getting a quick bite to eat and waiting out a thundershower the fishing really headed up in the afternoon.  Bruce landed a beautiful wild brookie and several other decent fish.  Chuck made up for a slower morning by landing around a dozen more fish including a 17″ bow.  Chuck had another 17-19″ bow on that got him so excited he tried to swim after it. Chuck wasn’t about to be slowed down by a quick dunk in the stream and ended up landing several more nice bows before we called it quits.  Dry fly dropper rigs with Elk Hair Caddis and Just Add Water and Rainbow Warrior droppers were effective as well as Euro nymph rigs with various #12-14 jig style flies as point flies and a #14 Orange UV Frenchie as the dropper.

Nice underwater shot on a guided fly fishing trip near Waynesville, NC

If you are interested in booking a fly fishing or spin fishing trip on this river or any other river or stream that we cover please email or call.  hookersflyshop@yahoo.com   828-587-HOOK

Happy Client on the West Fork of the Pigeon

 

West Fork of the Pigeon River

 

 

Categories: Fly Fishing in North Carolina, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Blue Ridge Parkway, West Fork of the Pigeon | Comments Off on Guided fly fishing trips in Waynesville, NC

Guided Fly Fishing on Ravens Fork in Cherokee, NC

Posted on May 20, 2013 by jasoncole

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of guiding repeat client Chris B. and his friend Jim from Orlando, Fl.  The day started off with overcast skies and light rain.  The water was higher than normal and stained from the rain the night before.  We started off fishing with heavy nymph rigs and heavy lead-eye buggers.  Chris hooked and lost two decent fish and Jim hooked a nice rainbow that nearly jumped into his waders.

Guided Fly Fishing on Raven Fork, Cherokee, North Carolina

After moving to a different area of the catch and release waters, Chris quickly got into several nice fish including the 19″-20″ bow pictured below.  Jim also landed several fish in the 13-15″ range.  By early to mid afternoon the water had cleared up a lot and fish were even rising to Little Yellow Stoneflies.   Most fish were taken on #8 Brown Hot Head Marvins and #8 Peach Wooly Buggers and one or two on a #12 Orange Squirmy Worm.

Streamside Lunch for clients on Ravens Fork, Cherokee, NC

If you are interested in guided fly fishing on this river please contact us.  Lead guide, Jason Cole, grew up fishing these waters and has been guiding on them for the past 10 seasons.  To book a trip just email hookersflyshop@yahoo.com or call 828-587-HOOK.  Let Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service take you on your next fly fishing adventure.

Categories: Fly Fishing in Cherokee, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing Raven Fork, Fly Fishing the Cherokee Trophy Waters, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Comments Off on Guided Fly Fishing on Ravens Fork in Cherokee, NC

Spring Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains

Posted on May 20, 2013 by jasoncole

It has been an up and down few weeks here in the Smokies.  With all the rain the region has seen over the last few months it has been tough to frequently get out on the streams.   The Tuck is just now beginning to be at a level that is easy to wade as long as they are not generating too heavily.   Most of the smaller streams in the area are still running higher than normal, which will be good for the summer months when the levels begin to really drop.

 

Streamside Lunch for Clients

Over the past couple of weeks we have had float trips on the  Tuckasegee and wade trips on the Nantahala, West Fork of the Pigeon and many of the small streams in the Smokies and Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.  The float trips have been decent with some very nice fish being brought to the net.  Heavy streamers and various nymphs, egg and worm patterns have been extremely successful.  The Nantahala has been producing some good numbers and nice fish as well.  Fish have come on a wide range of flies including Yellow Stoneflies, Wooly Buggers, Eggs, Squirmy Worms, Midges and various BH nymphs.

Catching wild Brookies

We have also spent time on several streams in the Smokies including Hazel Creek, Oconaluftee, Little River and more.  The small streams on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail have also been fishing well.  Scotts Creek and Caney Fork/Rough Butt Creek/Mull Creek are higher than normal but dry dropper rigs and double nymph rigs have been the ticket here.  Yellow Stoneflies, Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs, Just Add Water and Hot Head Marvins have all been producing some nice fish on these small streams.

Guided Fly Fishing on Hazel Creek

 

Categories: Backcountry Trips in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Float the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing Float Trips on the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Nantahala River, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Comments Off on Spring Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains

Guided Fishing Float and Wade Trips on the Tuckasegee River

Posted on April 5, 2013 by jasoncole

The past week at Hookers Fly Shop has been pretty busy.  We have had several wade and float trips on the delayed harvest section of the Tuckasegee River.  Not to mention plenty of anglers coming through the fly shop to gear up and pick up some of our Hot Flies.  Hot flies for the last few weeks have been #8 Hot Head Marvins (all colors), #14-18 Rainbow Warriors, #10 Y2K, #10 San Juan Worms (pink, orange, red, flesh), #12-16 Natural Hares Ear, #12-16 Pheasant Tail Nymphs, #6-12 BH or CH Wooly Buggers (olive, black, brown, white) #16-20 Blue Wing Olives, #12-14 Quill Gordons, #12-16 Hendricksons and more.

Fly Fishing with kids on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail

With the recent April stocking of the North Carolina Delayed Harvest streams the fishing has been extremely productive.  Close to 10,000 trout are stocked every stocking month.  Many trips walk away with high catch rates as well as the Tuckasegee Grand Slam- Rainbow, Brook and Brown trout and some great memories that will last a lifetime.

Guided Fly Fishing on the Tuckasegee River

If you are interested in booking a wade or float on this beautiful river please contact us.  We still have spring dates available for both wade and float trips on the Tuckasegee River as well as all of the other rivers we guide in our area.  828-587-HOOK   hookersflyshop@yahoo.com   Mention this post and receive 10% off any trip you book with us.  Let Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service take you on your next fly fishing adventure.

 

Nice Brook Trout on the Tuckasegee River

Another nice catch and release on the Tuckasegee River

 

Categories: Float the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing Float Trips on the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, The Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Comments Off on Guided Fishing Float and Wade Trips on the Tuckasegee River

Guided Fly Fishing on the Nantahala River

Posted on March 24, 2013 by jasoncole

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of guiding Gary and Emily on a full day trip on the Nantahala River Delayed Harvest section.  The morning was overcast and cold and the fishing was fairly slow with only a handful of fish hooked and a couple of fish brought to the net.

Fly Fishing the Nantahala River

The afternoon was a completely different story.  The bug activity in the afternoon increased tremendously as well as the number of fish rising to the surface.  Gary and Emily both netted some very nice Brook, Rainbow and Brown trout, including several beautiful wild rainbows.  Emily landed the big fish of the day, a 16″ brown.  Gary caught fish nymphing, streamer fishing and dry/dropper.  Emily stuck to nymphing most of the day but did have several fish rise to a #16 Blue Wing Olive.  Both anglers also ended the day with a Nantahala River Grand Slam.  What a fantastic day on the water here in beautiful Western North Carolina.  Book your  next fly fishing with us.  hookersflyshop@yahoo.com  828-587-HOOK

Happy Client!

Hot flies for the day were:  #8 Olive/Black Hot Head Marvins, #16 Orange Thread Frencies, #16 Rainbow Warriors, #16 Para Blue Wing Olive, #10 UV Olive/Black Bugger and #16 Just Add Water.

The Nantahala River is just a short drive from Bryson City, Cherokee, Andrews and our fly shop located in Sylva, NC.  We guided the Delayed Harvest section from Oct.-June and the lower section all year except for the month of March.

Categories: Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing the Nantahala River | Comments Off on Guided Fly Fishing on the Nantahala River