September 20th, 2012
Here we are. Late September and fall will show up on our doorstep this weekend. It's been a great summer here in the southeast, but I'm ready for fall. Fall is my favorite season for many reasons, including great southern trout fishing. The changing season brings cooler nights and comfortable daytime weather and the trout love it. Some of the best fly fishing in the southeast will be happening in the next three months, and the fall colors will provide a gorgeous backdrop. All of our regional tailwaters should provide great opportunities for anglers looking to bend a rod. Now's the time to book your fall guided fly fishing trip. October and November will be busy.
Our weather has been fairly nice this summer. We've had some heat like always but late August and September were very comfortable. The entire Tennessee valley experienced a large rain event earlier this week, as a very fall like cold front pushed east. Some areas saw over 5" inches of rain. Hopefully we won't see too many more of these type rain makers for the rest of the year. Anyway, for the next few weeks expect cool or even cold mornings and comfortable days. Make sure you dress in two layers.
Clinch River The Clinch has been seeing fishable flows on most days. The river muddied up some from the interstate down earlier this week. I canceled my Tuesday trip but the river has cleared well enough to fish Wednesday and was perfect for today. It had just a slight stain and the normally, crazy spooky fish lost a lot of their inhibitions. I expect it will be gin clear again by the weekend. Norris lake is currently sitting around 1010' feet and is about where it needs to be on TVA's operating guide. The tailwater should continue to see workable flows as long as we can dodge future 5" rain events.
The fishing has been very good over the past month. We spent a lot of time pulling streamers in the stained water yesterday, but the bite was solid. Today, like many of our other days on the Clinch, was spent nymphing. The fish were dialed in on a little #24 emergent midge that I tie and they were crushing it. We fished it about 12" deep under a tiny piece of poly fuzz, and almost every eat came complete with a lighting flash under our indicator. Truly one of the most fish filled days that I've ever spent on a river. Dave....if you read this, you were the man today! It didn't matter if you were looking at your indicator or not, 15mph wind gust or sunny calm, chewed to shreds fly or fresh from the fly box. I honestly think you could have caught them without a fly. Great day man!
Hiwassee River The large rain event earlier this week was perfect for the Wass' and our fall lineup. As you may or may not know, the Hiwassee tailwater and supporting watershed love the rain. We should be shaping up for a great season on the Hiwassee River, as TVA will be running the water and we'll be floating the drift boats.
The Hiwassee Delayed Harvest regulations will go into effect on October 1st. I was pleasantly surprised with TWRA's venture into a tailwater DH last year and am eagerly looking forward to it this year. The river will become 100% catch and release, and artificial flies and lures only from October through February. October is going to be a lot of fun this year. I can't wait for the large orange October Caddis and dry fly fishing.
Cumberland River The flows have been very fishable on the Cumberland for the past couple months. The USCOE have bumped up the flows this week in response to the heavy precipitation, but the schedule still leaves a good low water window. We're really hoping to avoid any more large rain events in the Cumberland watershed. So far so good, lets just keep our fingers crossed.
The fishing on the Cumberland has been very consistent. Stick to the gravel bars and shallows to find the active fish. I've really not been seeing too much in the deeper water. The late summer terrestrials weren't quite as good this season as the majority of the active fish seem quite content in the faster water. We've been doing well with a variety of nymphs. Just remember tungsten and dark colors. Over the next month we should see the big browns making their way towards the shallows.
South Holston I've spent several days on the South Holston over the past month. We've been splitting time wading in the mornings and floating in the afternoon. I'm expecting to see a little more flows over the next few weeks but that's not a bad thing as the water flow makes the river perfect for the drift boat.
The fishing has been very technical at times. I watched several large brown trout rise up and refuse natural sulfurs. Now that's picky fish. They demand a great presentation, on a long and light leader. Not necessarily the easiest thing to do in slick, glassy water. Everything changes once the water comes on and we enter the drifter. The fish are much less picky when the rivers pushing some water. Fooling a trout with a dry fly is one of life's little pleasures. Fooling these mayfly PhD toting trout is very rewarding.
Please note that a significant portion of the river will close to fishing in November for the brown trout spawn.
Now's the time to get on the books for October and November. We look forward to seeing all the fall regulars again and welcome everyone looking to see what guided fly fishing in the south is all about. See you on the water.
Captain Rocky Cox
865-388-9802
Rocky Top Anglers is a professional fly fishing outfitter in the heart of east Tennessee. We specialize in guided drift boat excursions for trout. We offer float trips on the south's best tailwaters, including the Cumberland, the Clinch, the Holston, and Hiwassee Rivers.
