Foscoe Fishing Company Blog - Fishing Reports
Foscoe Fishing Company offers the most complete report of fly fishing conditions in western North carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Our professional reports are updated regularly with water flows, recommended flies and equipment, and special fishing tips for the most important fly-fishing destinations in Blue Ridge Mountains. Plan your next fishing trip knowing you’ll arrive without any surprises and discover some new fishing destinations in the area.
Watauga tailwater still on fire
The past weeks on the Watauga have been amazing. Floats with clients last week produced multiple 50 fish days, and fun-fishing floats Sunday and Monday boated two fish of nearly 18″. The caddis and blue wing hatches in the evening are bringing some of the larger fish to the surface, while the nymphing action is hot for the better part of the afternoon. The cooler weather, and the end of recreational releases from the TVA allow for longer and more comfortable floats. Call the shop and book a float trip to enjoy this phenomenal fishing before Old Man Winter decides to settle in.
Caddis on the Watauga
The past week has seen a return of caddis on the Watauga tailwater. I spent yesterday evening fishing dries to rising fish and was rewarded with a 17″ wild rainbow and several smaller fish for my efforts. The afternoon bite has seemed to be better, but the recreational release tends to hamper angler’s abilities to fish late into the evening. Most of the best dry fly opportunities and nymphing runs are not accessible to wade fishermen, so anglers should check with the shop for float trip availability.
Wednesday 25 2010
Fished some small streams last Wednesday and had great conditions on a half day trip. Water levels have been good due to recent rainfall and cool nights have also helped cool the water. We started fishing a good looking run in the morning catching some small but beautiful wild trout and then spotted a nice fish holding on the bottom of the run.
We fished to this fish for a while with no luck and changed flies three or four times. Finally, I decided to go small and put on a size 22 midge and boom, fish on! This fish was a nice rainbow around 18″. We continued to catch wild fish the rest half of the day. Its a great time to take advantage of some good fishing so call us to book a trip today!
August 23 2010 Fishing Report
After such a hot, dry spell, the high country has received a noticeable amount of rainfall and much cooler temperatures. This combination has made for some productive fishing! Good numbers of fish have been caught locally on various small streams. The preferred method of fishing when water levels are high and off colored is to nymph with the standard two fly dropper nymph rig. Its not a bad idea to go a few sizes larger during these conditions. Also, a smaller “dead drifted” woolly bugger can trigger some awesome strikes! Come take advantage of some great fishing opportunities in the high country today!
Muddy Waters
I have had a lot of people coming into the shop the last few days worried the rivers are too muddy to fish. One thing to remember is that trout are mostly visual feeders, even if the water is muddy they will still feed as long as they can see. The way I judge water color is by how deep you can see the river bottom. If you can see about a foot down chances are you will have good fishing. Fish similar water to what you normally do but size your flies a little bigger. It might even be a good idea to try some streamers. So don’t be afraid of a little mud, get out there and see what you can find you might be surprised.
Good luck!
matt
3rd Annual Foscoe Fly Fishing Festival – August 14, 2010
We are extremely excited about our Fly Fishing Festival Saturday, August 14th from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. We will be offer casting clinics all day, free seminars, fly tying demonstrations, raffles and food. There will also be a kids corner for the children. The seminar titles are, Smallmouth fishing in the region, tailwater trout techniques and small stream fishing. Please come by the shop for all the festivities! E-mail or call us with any questions at 828-963-6556. Hope to see you there.
Schedule of Events Finish reading this fishing report >>
8/4/10 Fishing Report
Local fishing has been pretty good despite the heat. Recent rainfall and cooler weather has improved stream conditions on both the wild and stocked waters. Dry and dropper rigs have been producing fish along with standard indicator nymph rigs. Also, terrestrial patterns are consistently catching fish. Look for sporadic yellow stonefly, caddis, and dun variant hatches.
On the Holston, look for a steady sulphur hatch. This hatch has been bringing some large browns to the surface. If the surface action slows down, try nymphing with emerger and midge patterns.
The Watauga tailrace has also been producing consistent catches. Nymphing has been the best way to bring fish to the net. Small mayfly nymph patterns along with midges have been the go to rigs. Also, some large fish have been caught on beetles and other various terrestrials. Call us to book a trip today! 828-963-6556
South Holston Sulfurs
The South Holston sulfur hatch has been extraordinary during high water generation. The prolific hatch typically appears around three and lasts a few hours, during which the dry fly action is hot. Sulfur patterns in sizes 14-18 matching the color of the naturals as closley as possible have been fooling plenty of fat, 12-14 inch browns. The bugs have also brought some of the bigger fish to the surface, so a 20 incher is a very feasible goal every time on the river. Call the shop and ask for Jay for a shot at some late afternoon dry fly action.
July Fishing Report
Despite lower local water levels, the fishing has been great! Browns and Rainbows have been caught on dry and dropper rigs using a vareity of diferent drys and smaller buggy nymphs. Terrestrial patterns such as beetles and ants work great for a top fly as they are always abundant this time of year. Dropper nymph rigs have also been productive when fishing fast deeper water.
On the Tennesse tailwaters, fishing has also been great. On the South Holston, the sulphur hatch has been excellent! The dry fly fishing during generation has been amazing and large fish have been caught! Also, beetles and other terrestrials have been bringing up large fish here and on the Watauga. As always midges, small caddis, and craneflies are always present.
Local & Tenn. Hatch Report June 23, 2010
Fishing continues to be good on the S. Holston and Watauga rivers. With the generators finally kicked on, the Holston the high water sulfur mayfly hatch is wide open. Fish emerger, dun, cripple and spinner patterns in sizes 16, 18 during the hatch. Before the hatch fish a variety of mayfly nymphs in the same size as well as midge larva, scud, and sow bug patterns. Low water nymphing is much the same. The low water terrestrial fishing has been very good so make sure to bring plenty of beetle, hopper, ant and inch worm patterns.
On the Watauga river expect to use the same variety of terrestrials as the Holston. There have also been sporadic sulfur, tan caddis,small crane fly and midge hatches throughout the day. Both rivers are fishing good, this is a good time to find a big fish on a dry fly!
Small stream fishing locally has also been good lately, especially first thing in the morning or late in the evening . A variety of bugs will work on local streams so bring several mayfly,caddis, stone-fly and midge patterns to try on top and bellow the surface . Don’t forget terrestrials!
This is a good time to come up and fish because the crowds are usually a little smaller the fish are hungry and its not 100 degrees here.
Have Fun,
matt
