Blue Ridge Trout Fishing Report May 6th, 2007

Spring is finally in full swing here in the High Country. We have finally got some rain this weekend and the water levels are looking good around here. May is the last month of catch-and-release on the Delayed Harvest waters, so all you who want to enjoy the D.H. waters should get out as much as possible this month. May seems to be the month that these streams really start to switch gears from a strong nymph bite to a strong dry fly bite. Nymphing under a strike indicator with a few split shot is still the rule until mid-morning on these streams. Once mid-morning roles around, it is time to switch to the dry-and-dropper rig. Stop by the fly shop and our prostaff will be happy to assist you with setting up for this kind of fishing.

May is also the month that the small streams turn on fire in the High Country. All the small streams in the area have decent water levels, and the bugs are really starting to turn on. All the Wilderness streams such as Wilson, Cragg Prong, N. and S. Harpers Creek, China Creek, and most all the others are fishing strong right now. Dry-and-dropper rigs are the way to be fishing on these streams right now.

This month is also an excellent time to fish lower down on the bigger rivers in the area. The Elk, Watauga, and New Rivers are a few examples of rivers that hold both Smallmouth Bass and lunker Trout when you are in the right area. Come by the fly shop and we can point out a couple of spots for some mixed bag fishing.

Later in the month will be when the bigger smallmouth rivers like the New and Nolichucky Rivers really come into their own. Usually the third week of May seems to be the magic week for the excellent topwater bite for the smallies. We are offering float and wade trips for smallmouth with both spinning and fly gear if you are interested in trying something new here in the mountains.

The Tennessee tailrace rivers begin to fish better and better this month. Our Caddis hatch is really almost over now, but the mayfly hatches are just starting to crank up. Both the Watauga and the S. Holston are fishing incredible right now. Make the time to get over to Tennessee if at all possible, you will not regret the drive.