Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service. Your Smokies Fly Fishing Experience.

Fly Fishing the Nantahala River

Posted on October 17, 2012 by jasoncole

Nice Nantahala Rainbow

The Nantahala Delayed Harvest has been fishing really well over the past few days and the fall colors are at their peak. Yesterday, I guided repeat client Manny T. from Greenville, SC. Manny put some nice rainbows and brook trout in the net. Most fish were taken on a #12 Quasimodo Pheasant Tails, #14 Catamount Nymphs and #8 Olive/Black Conehead Buggers.

Today, I guided repeat client Ed F. from Fayettville, NC. He started off the morning by putting several small rainbows in the net that were taken on a #8 Brown Conehead Bugger. Ed also landed some nice brook trout nymphing with #12 Quasimodo Pheasant Tails with a #16 Chartreuse Brassie. During the afternoon we switched over to a dry fly dropper with a #14 Yellow PMX with a #16 Red Just Add Water. Most fish were taken on the PMX. Toward the end of the day Ed landed a brown trout for the Nantahala Grand Slam.

If you are interested in a guided trip on this stream please email or call us. We offer 1/2, 3/4 and full day wade trips on the Upper and Lower Nantahala. 828-587-HOOK hookersflyshop@yahoo.com

Fall Fly Fishing on the Nantahala River

Nantahala Brook Trout

Categories: Fly Fishing near Asheville, Fly Fishing near Bryson City, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Dillsboro, Fly Fishing near Sylva, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Nantahala River, Hookers Fly Shop | Comments Off

Tuckasegee River Guided Float Trips

Posted on October 9, 2012 by jasoncole

It has been a busy week here at Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service. Our fly fishing guides have been out guiding wade and float trips on the Tuckasegee since the October stocking early last week. We have had some very successful days with good numbers and several 19-23″ fish brought to the net. Hot flies for the week have been #8 Hot Head Marvins, #6-8 Polar Flash Buggers, #12-14 BH Prince Nymphs, #10 and #14 Y2K, #14-16 Tungsten Rainbow Warriors, #12 Tungsten Quasimodo Pheasant Tails, #14 Hot Spot Pheasant Tails and #14-16 Tungsten BH Catamount Nymphs.

Monster Tuckasegee Rainbow

If you are interested in booking a wade or float trip on this fantastic river please give us a call or email. Our guides spend hundreds of days guiding and fishing this river and are some of the best in the business. 828-587-HOOK hookersflyshop@yahoo.com

Nice Tuckasegee Rainbow

Tuckasegee River Guided Trips

Posted on October 5, 2012 by jasoncole

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting and guiding Bob F. from Atlanta, Ga. This was his first time fishing the Tuckasegee Delayed Harvest. Bob quickly got into the fish not long after we stepped into the water. He hooked and landed around 15 rainbows in the first hour. The big fish of the morning was a 19-20″ rainbow that gave him a really good fight before taking one last strong run and ended up breaking him off. After an hour or so Bob hooks into what he thought was another monster

Nice Tuckasegee Brook Trout

fish but we quickly found out that he had gotten a “Tuckasegee Double”, two fish at one time! The bigger of the two fish was a beautiful 15″ Brook Trout and the smaller fish was a nice 13-14″ rainbow. Bob ended up with two doubles for the day. With the recent stocking it can be fairly easy to get a double if one fishes a dropper rig. Bob was fishing a heavy Tungsten #12 Quasimodo Pheasant Tail with a #14 Y2K dropper. Bob hooked into well over 50 fish with about half hooked on the P. Tail and half on the Y2K. Overall a pretty good day on the water.

As far as the conditions for the day it was overcast in the early morning with some heavy fog and sunny and clear for the rest of the day. The West Fork was running so the water was a little higher than natural flow and it was fairly clear. Water temp was right around 60. There were a few small mayflies and some decent sized caddis flies hatching.

If you are interested in booking a guide for this section of river Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service would love to help. We are the closest outfitter to the Tuckasegee and our guides spends hundreds of days a year fishing and guiding these waters. You can book a 1/2, 3/4 or full day float or wade trip on this river. Smallie fishing will be really good through the end of the month and we are still fishing many of the smaller streams in the area including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We also cover the delayed harvest sections of the Nantahala and the West Fork of the Pigeon. Call or email us for your next fly fishing adventure.

Fly Fishing Trips in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Posted on September 23, 2012 by jasoncole

Yesterday, I guided Jim M. and his son Brad to a couple of my favorite streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We started the day on the Oconaluftee just outside of Cherokee, NC. Brad quickly got into some fish including a 12″ brown and a 14″ brown that ate a #16 Rainbow Warrior fished under a #14 Yellow PMX.

Big Brown on the Upper Oconaluftee

Jim had a slower start with a few small fish landed including an 8-9″ rainbow. Both anglers finished out the morning with a few more small fish and a few misses. Around lunch time we drove up to Straight Fork to finish out our day on the water. Jim and Brad both had some nice fish rise to the dry fly. Jim landed a decent 10-11″ brown that took a #14 Tan Caddis. It was another wonderful day on the water with some great company.

Categories: Fly Fishing Bryson City, Fly Fishing Cherokee, Fly Fishing in Cherokee, Fly Fishing in North Carolina, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near Asheville, Fly Fishing near Bryson City, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Dillsboro, Fly Fishing near Sylva, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing, Uncategorized | Comments Off

WNC Fly Fishing Trail Guided Trips

Posted on September 13, 2012 by jasoncole

It has been a busy week here at Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service. We have had trips to various streams along the WNC Fly Fishing Trail as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala River. Yesterday morning, I had the pleasure of guiding friend and repeat client Rick C. and son from Ocala, FL. Rick and his family visit our area every year and we have guided several trips for them over the last five or six years. Rick landed some nice wild browns and wild rainbows and his son Jacob landed a few small rainbows and hooked into a 10-11 inch brown and a 12-13 inch rainbow. Hot flies of the morning were #16 Green Palmers, #16 Yellow Sally, #12 Yellow Stimulators, #14 Quasimodo Pheasant Tail for dropper and a #16 Catamount Nymph dropper. Water temp. started out at 60 degrees. The hatch during the early to late morning was small midges and a few small caddis.

Yesterday afternoon, I guided beginner Tom C. from Lancaster, OH. After an hour of casting instruction we hit the stream and had immediate success. Tom put several decent wild rainbows in the net and also had several quick releases. Tom was fishing a dry fly dropper with a #14 Royal Humpy with a #16 Catamount Nymph. Every fish was taken on the Catamount Nymph. By the afternoon hours the water had only warmed up to 63 degrees. The late evening hatch included a few #10-12 Isonychia and some smaller yellow caddis.

If you are interested in booking a trip with us please email or call. We are currently booking wade trips for trout and wade or float trips for smallmouth bass. We are also booking up fast for October so secure your trip now. The delayed harvest streams will be stocked again the first week of October so if you want to enjoy some of the best fishing opportunities of the year book now. We guide the delayed harvest sections of the Tuckasegee (wade or float), the West Fork of the Pigeon (wade only) and the Upper Nantahala River (wade only).

Catamount Nymph Recipe:

Hook – #14-18 TMC 2499

Tread – Red 8/0

Tail – Pheasant Tail Fibers

Body – Purple Holo Tinsel

Thorax – Wapsi Rainbow Scud Dub or Hareline UV Ice Dub Brown

Head – Tungsten or Brass Nickel Bead

If you are interested in ordering this or any other flies we provide free shipping to all US address if you buy 12 or more.

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 near Asheville, Fly Fishing near Bryson City, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Dillsboro, Fly Fishing near Sylva, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Nantahala River, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing, Hookers Fly Shop, Pigeon River Area, Smallmouth Trips, The Fly Fishing Trail, West Fork of the Pigeon, WNC Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail - Caney Fork, WNC Fly Fishing Trail - Scott Creek | Comments Off

Smallmouth Trip on the Tuckasegee River

Posted on September 10, 2012 by jasoncole

Today, I guided Clarence and John from Pensacola, FL on a half day float trip. We floated a section of the Tuckasegee River between Barkers Creek and Whittier. The day started out overcast and in the mid 50s which was really nice. Clarence started off the day landing several red eye bass in the first five minutes of the trip. He also landed a couple of bluegill and several nice smallmouth. John had a slower start with a few bluegill and red eye bass and one decent spotted bass. Towards the end of the trip John almost had his fly rod ripped from his hands by a huge smallie that inhaled a #4 Perch Clouser Minnow. After a 3-4 minute fight we had the fish in the net. We snapped a few pictures and the smallie was released to fight another day.

If you are interested in taking a smallmouth trip or a wade trip for wild or stocked trout contact us. hookersflyshop@yahoo.com or 828-587-HOOK

Our trout floats will be beginning towards the end of the first week in October and small is very limited. If you are interested in floating the Tuckasegee Delayed Harvest book now to secure your date. Mention this post when you book and receive a 10% discount on any wade or float trip in October 2012.

Tuckasegee Smallmouth Bass

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 near Asheville, Fly Fishing near Bryson City, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Dillsboro, Fly Fishing near Sylva, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, 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, Hookers Fly Shop, Smallmouth Trips, The Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail | Comments Off

WNC Fly Fishing Trail Fly Fishing Trips

Posted on September 2, 2012 by jasoncole

We have been guiding on the WNC Fly Fishing Trail a lot in the last few weeks. The small streams on the trail have been producing some nice fish and healthy numbers all summer. We have guided our clients to Scotts Creek, Caney Fork, Mull Creek, Beech Flat and Rough Butt Creek. Scotts Creek with its summer stocking through August has been producing some nice stockers as well as plenty of decent wild rainbows and wild browns. We have seen some wild browns in the 16-18″ on several occasions.

Herb with a decent Scotts Creek Brown

Mull Creek and Rough Butt have been producing some really big brookies and some decent wild rainbows. Hot flies over the past few weeks have been #10-14 BH Inchworms, #16-18 Just Add Water, #14-16 Rainbow Warriors, #12-16 Yellow Stimulators and Yellow PMX, #12-16 Royal and Yellow Humpies.

Nice Scotts Creek Brown

In just over a month one of the best streams in the Southeast will be stocked again. The Tuckasegee Delayed Harvest section in Webster will receive its first fall stocking the first week of Oct. The five mile stretch of DH waters will receive almost 10,000 fish over two days of stocking during this time. This is one of the best times of year to fish the Tuckasegee River but look for this section of river to have plenty of wading anglers and a several drift boats and rafts. The section between the Hwy 107 bridge and the webster bridge is usually the busiest so head down river to North River Road to get away from the crowds.

If you are interested in booking a trip with some of the best guides in the business just email or call Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service. Our guides love what they do and are patient, knowledgeable and friendly. You can book a day on one of these fine streams or maybe one of the more remote streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We also have float trips available for Smallmouth Bass through the end of October. hookersflyshop@yahoo.com 828-587-HOOK

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 near Asheville, Fly Fishing near Bryson City, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Dillsboro, Fly Fishing near Sylva, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, 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, Hookers Fly Shop, The Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail - Caney Fork, WNC Fly Fishing Trail - Scott Creek | Comments Off

Guided Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Posted on August 11, 2012 by jasoncole

Jackson with a nice brown on Deep Creek

Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service offers half day, 3/4 and full day trips to many of the streams located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We also offer overnight backcountry trips to some of the more remote areas of the park. If you are looking for the ultimate fly fishing adventure in the Smokies book your trip with us. Our lead guide Jason Cole has been fishing many of these waters for the past 30 years. Some of his favorite areas include Beech Flats, Straight Fork, Hazel Creek, Forney Creek, Eagle Creek, Mingus Creek and more. He has also been leading guided trips into the Smokies for the past 9 seasons.

Backcountry Trip on Hazel Creek May 2012

If you are interested in a guided trip to the Smokies please email or call. hookersflyshop@yahoo.com 828-587-HOOK

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Categories: Backcountry Trips in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fly Fishing in North Carolina, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing | Comments Off

Guided Fly Fishing Trips in Western North Carolina

Posted on July 23, 2012 by jasoncole

Deep Creek Brown Trout

It has been an busy summer guiding the waters here in Western North Carolina. The area streams levels have been great keeping the water cool and productive. We have had clients out on some of the smaller wild trout streams as well as some of the bigger streams like the Tuckasegee, Little Tennessee, Cherokee Reservation and more. We have had the pleasure of meeting and guiding new clients and guiding a few of our repeat clients.

Paige with a nice brown trout on the WNC Fly Fishing Trail

The smaller streams of the WNC Fly Fishing Trail have been producing some high numbers and some very nice wild trout. Caney Fork, Rough Butt, Mull Creek, Beech Flat Creek and Scotts Creek have been on fire throughout the summer. Many of these streams usually don’t get much pressure due to their remote locations. Most days you won’t even see another fisherman. The Smokies have also been producing some nice fish. To catch some of the best hatches fish the early morning hours and the late afternoon and early evening hours. Hot flies have been Little Yellow Stoneflies, Yellow Caddis, Light Cahills, Yellow or Red PMX, Royal or Yellow Stimulators. Dry fly droppers with BH Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, Hares Ear, Prince Nymphs, Rainbow Warriors has been the best setup .

Big Tuckasegee Smallie

So far, the Smallmouth action has been on fire this summer. We’ve had plenty of smallmouth float trips on various sections of the Tuckasegee River and wade trips on the Little Tennessee. Our clients have been putting some big smallmouth in the net including some 4-5 pounders. Many fish have been taken on various Clouser Minnows including Olive/White, Yellow Perch, Fire Tiger, Blue/White as well as Fire Tiger and White Wiggle Minnows. Olive Leadeye Buggers and Tungsten Hot Head Marvins have also produced some nice fish.

Joe with a big Tuckasegee Smallie

Tuckasegee Smallmouth

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 near Asheville, Fly Fishing near Bryson City, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Dillsboro, Fly Fishing near Sylva, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Cherokee Trophy Waters, Fly Fishing the Little T, Fly Fishing the Nantahala River, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing, 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, Hookers Fly Shop, Smallmouth Trips, The Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail, WNC Fly Fishing Trail - Caney Fork, WNC Fly Fishing Trail - Scott Creek, WNC Fly Fishing Trail - Tanasee Creek | Comments Off

Guided Smallmouth Trips in Western North Carolina

Posted on July 5, 2012 by jasoncole

Frank with a nice Tuckasegee Smallmouth

The past few days on the waters of Western North Carolina have been fantastic. Earlier in the week Clint and I guided a group of six beginners on the Little Tennessee. Most of the group was successful in landing several smallies. Most fish were taken on a #4 Yellow Perch Clouser Minnow.

Yesterday, I guided Frank and his son Jackson on a half day float on the upper Tuckasegee River. They put several decent smallies and some rainbow and brown trout in the net.

Clint had a beginner trout trip on one of the smaller streams on the WNC Fly Fishing Trail. I also had a small stream trip with repeat client James M. on Tuesday. The day was a fairly slow with only a few strikes on #16 Red Just Add Water Nymphs.

Jeff with a nice smallmouth on a Tuckasegee Float Trip

Today, I guided Robert and Jeff on a full day float trip for smallies on the Dillsboro section of the Tuckasegee. Jeff and Robert put plenty of smallies in the net including several 2+ pound fish. There were also several bigger fish hooked including a 3-3.5 pound smallie taken on a white #4 Wiggle Minnow. Despite the heat and clear sunny skies the bite was fairly consistent all day. Hot flies of the day were #4 Yellow Perch Clouser Minnows and #4 White Wiggle Minnows. Looking forward to a busy day tomorrow. Clint is booked for half day trips in the morning and afternoon and I will be floating again for smallies and trout on a 3/4 day trip on the Upper Tuckasegee.

If you are interested in booking a smallie wade or float trip with us please email or call. We still have days available in July, August and September. We are also targeting trout on the smaller streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the WNC Fly Fishing Trail.

828-587-HOOK hookersflyshop@yahoo.com

Robert with a nice smallmouth taken on a #4 White Wiggle Minnow

Guide Clint Holcomb and Trip landing a smallmouth on the Little Tennessee

Categories: Float the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing Bryson City, Fly Fishing Cherokee, Fly Fishing Float Trips on the Tuckasegee River, Fly Fishing in North Carolina, Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina, Fly Fishing near Asheville, Fly Fishing near Bryson City, Fly Fishing near Cherokee, Fly Fishing near Dillsboro, Fly Fishing near Sylva, Fly Fishing near Sylva North Carolina, Fly Fishing near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Fly Fishing near the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Little T, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee, Fly Fishing the Tuckasegee River, Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing, 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, Hookers Fly Shop, Smallmouth Trips, The Fly Fishing Trail | Comments Off