S. Holston TN. & Watauga Delayed Harvest NC fishing report March 15, 2010

Well, after a recent stocking of the Watauga Delayed Harvest the fish are responding well to the high water and the nymph fishing should continue to be good through June.  We are still using an assortment of searching patterns, san juan worms, prince nymphs, hares ears,…. along with a small midge or mayfly pattern.   A good blue wing olive hatch has been occurring through the middle part of the day.  Fish are rising to a variety of olive patterns in sizes 12-18.  Droppers have also been effective during the hatch. 

After fishing through the weekend low water on the S. Holston the two major hatches observed were Blue Wing Olives, and Black Flies.  The blue wing hatch happened around lunch time on both Saturday and Sunday.  The fish responded well to nymphs, emergers, and dry flies in the 16-18 range.  The major black fly hatch happened the two or three hours right before dark on both days.  Although black flies were seen sporadically throughout the day the majority came off late in the afternoon.  The fish were taking black fly and midge patterns in the 20-24 range.

Be paitent fishing tiny flies, dry them off frequently and make many passes by your target fish.

good luck,

matt