Rocky Top Anglers

We made it! We survived! Winter is over. Winter might have something to say about that though. East Tennessee received a dusting to several inches last night. Spring is fighting back though as this weekend will see highs in the 60's. It's time to get out and wet those lines.

With springs arrival we have a few other important dates and reminders to share.

Your Tennessee fishing license and trout stamp expired last Friday. Click here to visit TWRA's website to renew your fishing license and trout stamp. Also, as some of you may already know, TWRA now has a one day all species non resident license available as well as the classic three day model. All of my out of state anglers have applauded these options.

March 10th, This Sunday we spring forward an hour as daylight savings time begins. I know this is welcomed news to everyone that enjoys being outside.

Thursday March 14th. We'll be speaking at the Clinch River Trout Unlimited monthly meeting. My presentation is titled "Drift Fishing Tailwaters for Trophy Trout" and will last about an hour. It's free and open to everyone. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the parish hall of St. Francis Episcopal Church, 158 W. Norris Road, Norris, Tenn. Come out and say hello, enjoy the show and hear some of the good things the Clinch River Chapter is doing to help the river.

Now onto the fishing. The Hiwassee is flat out on fire. Fish counts of 75 - 100 fish are not uncommon on our recent floats. We're still seeing a few shad and white patterns are still turning up above average fish. We're also seeing the spring bugs starting to move. Best setup is a heavy white streamer of your choosing with dark nymphs (#14 - #16 princes nymphs) trailed as a dropper. The recently ending Delayed Harvest season was a huge success and the river is chock full of healthy fish.

The Clinch River and Holston Rivers are both coming into form. Scattered flow schedules have kept us scrambling but things are starting to settle out. We're expecting steady, fishable flows in the next few days. We will be out there pulling streamers until the steady flows start up.

Let's go fishing!