Finally after years of drought the Blue Ridge Mountains experienced a very wet spring with some areas receiving almost 10 inches during the month of May. The rain of the spring has provided excellent stream water levels for the beginning of the summer.

High water contains more oxygen and maintains a cooler temperature which keeps trout active throughout the day. June provides a very diverse offering of insects and forage for trout so it is important to keep a fly box full of various patterns and imitations. Aquatic insects are still going to be the most important food source for trout until they are over taken by terrestrials later in the summer.

Yellow Sally stoneflies are prolific on small streams and are usually between sizes 14-18. Yellow mayflies are also very common this time of year with the vast majority being around a 14 or 16 hook size. Sulpher Parachutes, Yellow Humpies, and PMD patterns can all fool trout feeding on these bright mayflies.

Caddis flies are also around during the month of June and can be many colors. Gray, tan, and olive elk hair caddis patterns in size 12-16 are very productive patterns. As for the nymphs of the species mentioned, patterns include copper john (all sizes), pheasant tails (12-20), micro stone (16-18), prince nymph (14-18), and micro mayflies (18-20). There have also been some large stone flies around sometimes over three inches long. If the water is muddy or you are hunting big fish black and golden stone patterns 8-10 will be a good option.

Terrestrials begin to play an important role in a trout's diet this month. We have been seeing a very large amount of large black ants on the rocks. Ants can be incredible patterns for finicky trout unwilling to take larger patterns. Both flying and standard ants in size 12 to 16 are available in red and black.

Japanese Beetles usually begin to show up the middle of this month and can provide very good dry fly fishing with large flies. Beetle patterns from size 10 to size 14 work well to imitate the Japanese and other species of beetles in the area. Also inch worms will begin falling out of the trees starting around this time so a few green meanies in sz 12 or 14 should be in your box. We have already started catching fish on this pattern so some of the fish remember them from last year.

For those only worried about large fish, high water provides the best streamer fishing. Large fish feed heavily on smaller fish and flies that imitate them draw the biggest strikes. Wooly Buggers in sz 8, 10, 12 and in olive, black, and brown all work very well. Most streamer patterns will work on our streams but the wooly bugger is the most popular pattern.

The fishing has been very productive this year and will continue with our high water levels. Please stop by our new shop for anything you may need on the water or for some good advice.

Fishing & Hatch Report, May 6, 2009

The prime time fishing season has arrived!  May is arguably one of the best times of the year for fishing the High Country.  May traditionally has the greatest diversity of aquatic insects for the year making dry fly fishing an excellent option. 

As far as hatches go let’s start with the March Brown – this large grey colored Mayfly is found on most of the streams and rivers in our area and the fish are keyed in on them.  A size 12 Parachute Adams is an excellent imitation for the adult stage and a size 12 Pheasant Tail Nymph has a good subsurface pattern.

Though not found in every stream, but worth mentioning, the Green Drake Hatch occurs this month.  These Mayflies are between size 8-12 and bring up very large trout.

Other important hatches on the small streams and rivers include small Yellow Sally Stone flies, Giant Black Stones, Yellow Mayflies, and a variety of Caddis. Our local streams have been fishing very well with larger than average wild fish reportedly being caught throughout the area.

The delayed harvest section of the Watauga River was stocked last week and we placed several fish over twenty inches in some accessible holes.  Those who enjoy throwing streamers and chasing big trout will be happy to know that the local rivers will be high and colored for the next week or two as we have seen significant rain fall. Adding some extra split shot to your leader may be needed to provide perfect streamer presentation.

There is only more good news when it comes to fishing the tail water rivers of east Tennessee.  Our guides have reported  excellent fishing on the Watauga with averages exceeding 40 fish per float trip.  And if you’re wondering about quality not quantity then we should mention the 18, 19, 20, and 21 inch Brown Trout caught at the and end of last week.

The hatches on the Watauga are the usual suspects. All colors of Midges size 18-26, Crane Flies, Blue Winged Olives size 18-22, and Pale Morning Duns in the 16s.

The South Holston River has not been running enough water to float but the wade fishing has been excellent the past week with the beginning of the Sulpher Hatches.  Size 16 Comparaduns are a good go-to dry fly pattern and several Emerger and Dark Nymph patterns are a must in your fly box.  If the Sulphers are not coming off, keep an eye out for pods of fish feeding on Blue Wing Olives or Midges as they can also offer some nice fish.

Fishing & Hatch Report, January 13, 2009

Local - Even though winter temperatures are getting cold, trout still have to eat, and we are catching some nice fish! Delayed Harvest waters are catch and release only till the first Sat. in June, so the waters are teeming with trout. Size 14-20 Bead head Nymphs (pheasant tails, copper johns, hare’s ears in natural or black, princes, etc.) Micro mayflies in brown or green Size 18-22 and Soft Hackles Size 14-18 are doing well on the smaller streams and rivers in the Boone area. Dropper rigs (large lead fly followed by a smaller nymph or midge) are productive on Delayed Harvest waters and Hatchery Supported streams. Look for BWO’s sz.18-22 and little black stoneflies sz.20-24 to start coming off soon on sunny days.

Tailwaters - On the tailwaters in TN BWO’s are starting to produce fish. Size 18-22 Comparaduns, parachute BWO’s, and Hatchmaster Baetis in the same size are doing well. Don’t forget to fish some nymphs (juju baetis size 18-22) on the bottom or drop an emerger in the surface film off of a dry fly. Midges are always a good choice, and remember these insects have multiple stages in their life cycle (pupas, emergers, adults) so try some patterns like the Lowe’s crystal c.d.c midge in 20-22, or a para midge in the same size in black or cream. Rohmer’s ultra c.d.c midge makes a great emerger in 20-24 so don’t be afraid to change up that old larvae routine. Cranefly adults in tan or olive in size 14-16 work well, especially on Watauga tailwater. Black flies are around as well and a zebra midge size 24-26 is a good imitation of the larvae.

Fishing & Hatch Report, November 3, 2008

Mid fall has arrived in the High Country bringing colder temperatures and the gradual end of the floating leaf annoyance. The trout will be heavily feeding on the local streams preparing for the winter and the older fish will be moving to their spawning areas. Brown and brook trout will be in their finest colors as they spawn and will provide anglers with some of the best opportunities of the year to target the largest of these species. When it comes to fly selection its hard to go wrong with a variety of nymphs. Smaller nymphs such as 18-22 copper johns, pheasant tails, and olive micro mayflies will be some of your most successful options due to the blue wing olive hatches. The abundant Blue wing olive hatches will also provide good dry fly situations around mid-day and the mid afternoon. Various BWO patterns will work during these hatches but a good suggestion is to have several patterns in your box because the trout can be very selective when it comes to this small may fly. Another hatch to watch for will be gray and tan caddis that occur in the late afternoon. Caddis dry fly patterns in 14-18 sz should work for these hatches. Also do not over look midge hatches this month and the next because they can provide some excellent action for the observant angler. Both dry and subsurface midge patterns in 18-26 will catch fish. Streamer patterns such as the wooly bugger and bunny leaches will produce some large fish as well, especially after heavy precipitation.

The tail races of Tennessee continue to fish very well whether it be from a drift boat or just wading a nice flat. The importance of the sulpher hatches of the warmer months gives way to the Blue wing olive. However there will be infrequent hatches of the bright yellow mayfly. The BWO dry fly patterns that work on the local streams will also work on the tailraces however these trout can be extremely selective. CDC flies are very productive in both emerger and dun styles. Emerger patterns and floating nymphs should be used when the fish are not taking duns. Midges continue to be a staple of tail water trout through the rest of the season. Midge patterns mentioned for the local streams work in TN however you may have to go through more patterns before you find the one that is the most effective. Other trout bugs to look for are the October Caddis which have been fairly thick the last few weeks and also the occasional crane fly. If the fishing seems tough make sure to cover every section of the water column to find the least fickle trout. The spawn will also be starting on the tailraces this month so please be careful around obvious reids and be aware that there are large sections of the South Holston that can not be fished from the First of November to the first of February. We hope everyone gets to take part in some of the best fishing of the year and remember to be careful in the colder temperatures. If you have any questions about patterns or techniques please stop by the shop.

Friday September 5, 2008

Our local streams are maintaining good water temperatures because of our mild summer. Insect activity is excellent with continued emphasis on terrestrial patterns. Beetles, fur ants, flying ants and grasshoppers are the go-to flies. A great pattern to use this time of year is a bright green inch worm. Any stream with over hanging trees will have fish that are keyed into this food source. Yellow sally stone flies early and late in the day are also good choices. An effective technique for catching fish in warm temperatures is working deep holes with a nymph rig. Copper johns, PTs , and Micro mayflies will work for this method. Slow down with this method and make sure to explore every corner of a deep pool before moving to the next. It is easier to take your time in the summer because you won’t be distracted by mid-day risers in the next pool.

The tailwaters in Tennessee continue to be challenging, offering excellent chances for good numbers of large trout. The Trophy section of the Watauga River is providing good numbers of crane flies, caddis emergers and a few blue-winged olives. Our guides are doing well with small nymph patterns in neutral colors, tied with little or no flash. Beetles fished close to the bank are an excellent choice but don’t forget small flying ants, small red fur ants and a black fur beadhead ant. Remember, if you fish the adult crane fly pattern, grease your leader for several feet up to about 8 inches before the fly. Try a cast down and across, raise your rodtip and skate the fly across the surface. At time, larger fish will respond to this technique.

The South Holston continues to be the South Holston. We are still seeing “sulfurs” in good amounts. On a trip this week from 10AM until 2PM when the water came up, there were good numbers of these yellow mayflies hatching in sizes 16 & 18 with orange-tinted bodies. Comparadun and emerger patterns are good choices. On this same trip this week, the larger fish were taking very,very small midge emergers. In several more weeks, increasing numbers of blue-winged olives will be found. The yellow mayflies will continue to hatch but in decreasing numbers. When floating on high water, stripping a streamer of olive-brown barred bunny strip off the bank can often pull old “Moss Jaws” off the bottom.

We have an excellent smallmouth fishery available to us that is producing great catches of good sized fish. Our rivers will continue to fish well through November. Remember that small mouth also live in many of our streams and rivers in the high country and the summer is a prime time to target this species with a fly rod. Top water patterns such as sliders and poppers can draw exciting strikes in the early morning and late evening. As the sun and temperatures rise a sub-surface pattern will be more effective than top water. Crawfish imitations, wiggle minnows, and the faithful ole wooly bugger will keep you catching smallies through out the day. The lower water levels also make for some great sight casting opportunities that are often overlooked. Also smallmouth will move into traditional trout waters in the warmer months so if you put a drift through your favorite trout run and almost get the rod pulled out of your hand, you better hold on because a smallmouth has shoulders. Hope you enjoy catching these fish as much as we do and feel free to come by the shop to pick up some smallmouth advice or book one of our premiere smallmouth trips.

Call our shop for any specifics 828-963-6556

Thursday May 8, 2008

May provides anglers with some of the most beautiful days of the year and some of the best fishing opportunities. May is the last month until October that Delayed Harvest streams are catch and release and they are loaded with fish. Two great DH options are the Watauga River outside of Boone and Helton Creek on the Virginia North Carolina border in Ashe County. Both of these rivers have been having good hatches with a grey caddis dominating the bug mix. For anglers intent on catching trout on dry flies now is the time. Both tent wing and elk hair patterns in #14 and #16 are effective. Other insects include an assortment of mayflies and stone flies in various colors. Yellow and green stone flies in sizes #16 and #18 have begun to hatch and will continue to be a good fly to use through June. We have a great CDC Yellow sally pattern at the shop that matches these little stoneflies perfectly. The parachute adams in all sizes imitate all of the darker color mayflies including the large March Browns and is a must have in your fly box. Yellow mayflies have also started to come off through out the day and can be imitated with sulpher and PMD patterns size 16 and smaller. If you are not in the mood for fishing dries there are several good nymph patterns that have been working. March Brown nymphs can be a bright green color and are all over our streams this time of year. A size 12 olive haresear is a great pattern for this type nymph. Other important patterns include copper johns, pheasant tails, micro mays, and tellicos in all sizes. The flies mentioned above will also work very well on the Hatchery supported streams which have been on fire the last few weeks. Even though bait fishing is allowed on these there are still plenty of fish to be caught with a fly rod. Next on the list is the small wild streams which have been fishing just as well if not better than the larger rivers in our area. Remember that large bushy dry flies will be your best bet. Important patterns include elk hair caddis, Royal Trude Coachman, Tennessee Wulff, and orange and yellow stimulators. Both wild rainbow and brook trout streams have fished incredibly well this past week and are sure to please all the way through the dog days of summer.

The Tennessee tail races are living up to their reputation this month providing plenty of action to those with the proper fly selection. The fish on the South Holston have been taking various nymphs in the morning and feeding on dry flies in the afternoon as the bugs begin to come off. Sulpher nymphs, blue wing nymphs, micro mays, and midge larva flies will work great from size 16 to 24. Sulpher hatches have been sporadic in the morning but have been heavy before dark. CDC sulpher dries and emergers should be used during this time of day. If you get some cloud cover during the day get ready because the blue wing olives are going to start hatching. BWO parachute and CDC patterns will work as well as emerger patterns such as RS2 sizes 18 and 20. Also there are still some midge and black fly patterns hatching at the top. The Watauga river is also fishing very well with Sulphers hatching and a strong focus on midges. Late in the day a sulpher spinner fall is possible. 30+ fish days are the norm not the exception right now.

May is also a fantastic time to smallmouth fish. Our smallmouth trips have been producing some solid fish and some very high numbers. Streamers have been working well in several colors and they are beginning to pay attention to poppers. However next month will provide better top water action. On one of our recent trips over 40 fish were landed. If you are looking for a hard fighting fish on a fly rod look no further than the river smallmouth.

The fishing is truly incredible this month so stop by the shop if you need any pointers or need that certain fly. Enjoy the Spring!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

The High Country is giving us a hint of things to come - temperatures in the high 50’s the next few days and our wild songbirds are much more active. Several of our fishermen have even reported catch a few trout on top with elkwing caddis tied with CDC.

The fishing continues to be good and promises to steadily improve as we go through the month of March.

Remember that all hatchery supported streams (green diamond sign) are closed this month to all fishing so that stocking can get under way. Drop by the store and I’ll tell you the story of a young guide who took a client out for a half day of local fishing. When they returned to the shop the client was extremely excited about the 40 trout he had caught, and the fact they saw no other fisherman. The guide got a great tip. Guess when & where they were fishing. Whoops!!! Easy to forget about this rather archaic NCWRC rule – so be aware!

Mother Nature is a great tease. We often get our most snow the month of March. If you are planning a fishing trip, give us a call for local weather info.

Of course, March also brings increasing amounts of insect activity. Our local streams are still quite cold with temps in the low to mid forties. Nymph fishing is still the best choice. The delayed harvest waters are producing great catches, sometimes in the worst of weather. Be sure to watch for the beginning of top water activity. Two of our favorite nymphs are a black bead head hare’s ear with a drop of epoxy on top of the thorax and a soft-hackled bead head pheasant tail. Size 16 for both works well.

On the Watauga River tail water, blue wing olives are providing nice hatches, although the fish are often taking the emerging nymph. Several of our guides have been floating the Watauga regularly and are having nice catches – good numbers and sizes. The South Holston is doing its usual thing – good days using midge emerges, midge pupas and blue wing olive patterns followed by really tough days. Even these tough days offer a good chance of catching one of those great big browns! If you are going to the Holston, stop by the shop for some of our unique flies. Remember – the South Holston rewards patience. Often, the best time spent on a Holston trip is the first 20 minutes after you gear up at riverside – sit down, let your pulse get back to normal, look at the water, look at the first several above the water, look up higher in the air for insects and for birds feeding on insects. Last but not least, look on the streamside bushes, rocks and your wader legs for insects.

We had a great time at the Charlotte show and enjoyed seeing many of you there. Call us and book a guided trip with one of our professional, Orvis certified guides. Also call for any stream info you may need. We are a full service outfitter and can satisfy all your fly fishing needs. 828-963-6556.

Sunday, January 13, 2008 10:30AM

26 degrees, cloudy, snow flurries - A great day to go fishing!! Honest - just think about it a minute.

Our local streams now have good water levels, average water temps from 37 degrees to 42 degrees. A recent artic blast drove temperatures to the low single digits for several days, essentially putting a halt to all fishing (rumor has it that our guide Matt was dredging a streamer under the ice on Elk River these coldest of days). Now, however, the temperature has moderated and fishing our local Delayed Harvest & wild streams has been excellent. #10 & #12 streamers & flash buggers are doing well - be sure to get your nymphs right on the bottom. A rig using a bugger with a #16 beadhead zugbug dropped about 6-8 inches off the bend of the bugger hook works well. Our local weatherman has predicted a mild winter and we are still booking guided trips through February into March. One tidbit to remember: on calm, sunny days (even in freezing weather) you will often find our trout easing to the surface and sipping small midges - a #18-#20 griffiths gnat or #16 soft-hackled fly works well. Our local insect population seems to have flown south. We see a few afternoon midges and blue winged olives in the air. Of course, if you lift up a rock in the streams you will see a great number of nymphs(especially stoneflys) and caddis larvae.

A world away (weatherwise and hatchwise) are our fabulous tailwater fisheries - the Watauga and South Holston Rivers. Recent float trips on the Trophy section of the Watauga River have been very productive. Bluewing olives and midges with a scattering of cranefly adults are most commonly seen. Large nymphs and streamers are producing nice sized trout. Matt, one of our guides, has been floating this section of the river quite often recently. Call us (Foscoe Fishing Co.) at 828-963-6556 for Matt's up-to-date report. The famous South Holston is once again acting like the fabulous and notorious fishery it is well known for. There have been few chances to float the river because the TVA hasn't been releasing water that would allow for a float trip. But, WOW, the fishing has been very good. Various soft-hackled patterns, bluewing olive adults and emergers, and midge patterns are working well. Here is an example of a recent, typical South Holston week: Sunday through Wednesday provide good catches of nice sized browns (14 - 18 inches) both on the surface and just above the bottom. Thursday and Friday have the fish sipping on the surface throughout the day and very few insects are seen. The fish are showing no interest whatsoever in the old standby flies you have in your box. You finally remember that you are fishing the South Holston - "midges, midges, midges" - "small, small, small". You finally are able to catch these rising fish on a very small (#28, #30, #32)(honest!) midge emerger pattern. Ed Engle has an excellent book on this type of fishing.On Saturday there are almost as many fishermen on the water as there are rising fish but a few fish are caught on bluewing olive patterns. Black flies are seen on the river this time of year. Black fly pupae are seen in abundance on rock bottoms below Emmett Bridge. Look for increasing numbers of bluewing olives on the water. Remember, the worst weather days can bring the best hatches.

All of us wish you and your family a Happy New Year. The Guys and Gals of Foscoe Fishing Co. 828-963-6556

May 6, 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.

March 13, 2007
The weather has been warming up dramatically here in the mountains and so has the fishing. The past few weeks, aside from a few cold days we have had unseasonably warm weather and the trout have really responded. The temps have been in the high 60's and low 70's which have made for some great spring time weather. The fishing in the local area around Boone and Banner Elk is really turning on.

The local Delayed Harvest streams, the Watauga, Helton Creek, Cane Creek, have all been restocked and are fishing very well. Fishing on these creeks is still primarily nymphing with a possibility of good dry fly fishing in the afternoon. Stop by our fly shop to check out the new flies for this year, we have lots of new patterns that have the guides and the fish excited. Blue wing olives and some small black caddis are hatching. However nymph fishing is still going to be the most productive.

All Hatchery Supported waters are closed the month of March; so be careful out there and keep a look out for the Green and White Hatchery Supported Placards.

Our small streams in the area are also starting to turn on. The wild trout are still not as easy as they are later in the spring, but due to total lack of fishing pressure and the first opportunity to feed hard, there are some big wild fish on the feed right now. Fishing on these creeks will be similar to the Delayed Harvest streams, start by nymph fishing the deep holes early in the day and as it warms up switch to a Dry and Dropper Rig.

In Tennessee, on the tailrace rivers of the South Holston and Watauga, the fishing has really turned on. Our guides are reporting big numbers of fish and well above average size fish. The Holston has been the better Dry Fly opportunity lately with the Watauga being better for nymphing. One of our guides, Tim Holcomb, had a client catch a 28" brown trout on the Watauga on Tuesday. Congrats Tom Prestwood on such a great catch. Although the fishing has been excellent in Tennessee lately, the fish are still being very selective. Stop by our shop and we will show you the patterns our guides have been having success with, also make sure you have flurocarbon tippets with you as the water is abnormally clear and low for this time in the spring.

March is a great time to get out and go fishing, the fish are biting and there is no one on the water.

January 29, 2007
Recent trips to the South Holston have been producing excellent dry fly opportunities this week. Cold temperatures and occasional snow showers yesterday did not seem to hold the fish back. Though fishing started out slow in the morning the afternoon produced a decent hatch of blue wings as well as midges and small black flies. A heavy feeding occurred for about a two hour time span in which we found it hard to float blue wing imitation without drawing a rise or hooking into a fish. Three of us ended up catching over thirty five fish even though we called it an early day. Matt Maness, one of our Orvis Endorsed Guides, reports that the fishing was just as hot on Thursday when he caught two 18 inch, a 17 inch, and a 16 inch trout out of one hole in less than thirty minutes. Fishing is good if you are willing to brave the cold. Nymph fishing has been the number one producer on our local rivers, such as the Watauga and the Elk River. Working your nymphs slow and deep will be your best bet. Small streams have been doing well on warmer days especially those in the Wilson Creek area. Small stream winter fishing will almost always be better after mid-day when the sun has warmed the surface temperature. Check out our hatch report if you plan on going and make sure to dress in layers.