High Country Fishing & Hatch Report January 13th, 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.
