| Winter 2023-2024 Hiwassee River Watershed, TN We were out there last week some buddies. There are a ton of hatches coming off right now! Black stoneflies in sizes 16-12 were coming off all afternoon in pretty thick numbers. Blue winged olives and Light tan caddis are steady and continue to come off, but the BWOs are tiny right now. Fish were rising most of the day, even though the water was high and off-color. Delayed harvest is in full swing still until March and the river is stocked heavily at this point. Don’t be afraid to throw attractor patterns but we always suggest a balanced rig. If you’re throwing an attractor, drop a natural pattern off the bottom. The fish have redistributed pretty well and can be found all over, especially from the Powerhouse to Big Bend. With the high water, be sure you’re getting down deep, but there’s no need to use a leader smaller than 5x. The Hiwassee is fishing really well right now! Leader suggested: 9ft 5x Flies that are working: Black Stoneflies #16-12 BWOs #20-12 Caddis #18-10 Baetis nymphs #20-12 Hares ear #16-12 Beadhead pheasant tail #16-12 Squirmy worms Eggs patterns (orange, yellow and pink) Coffee and black stonefly nymphs Olive and black wooly buggers ———————————————————————- South Holston River Watershed, TN *The browns have moved out of their spawning beds and are in full on feeding mode! The portions of the river that were previously closed for spawning are now open. With all of the rain we have had lately, the reservoirs are full and the flows are incredibly consistent. The Soho is fishing really well right now. All of our big dry fly hatches are gone until the spring but always keep some Blue Winged Olives in the boat with you. Tiny midges and scuds are the go-to flies right now. Nymphs start around size 16 and go smaller from there. Egg patterns and attractors are a great go to nymphs right now, but be sure to follow small nymph or midge. Adams and Griffiths Gnats are getting it done on low water in the afternoons. Leader suggested: 9ft with 6x — 7x/8x when throwing dries Flies that are working: Adams #20-24 Griffiths Gnats #20-22 Egg patterns Puff Daddy BWOs #18-24 Scooter Scuds #20-24 Midges #20-28 Pheasant Tails #16-24 Streamers #8-2 (especially in dirty water) ———————————————————————- Toccoa River Watershed, GA Upper — Delayed harvest is here! Starting November 1 – May 1 the upper section of the Toccoa River from Sandy Bottom Canoe access to two miles down river is catch and release only. With monthly stockings and easy wading, this section is a beginner fisherman’s dream. But be careful right now. With the amount of rain lately, the upper can be tricky for wade fishing. Leader suggested: 9ft 4x Flies that are working: Black and Purple Chubbies #8-14 Black Caddis #12-16 Squirmy worms Eggs patters (orange, yellow and pink) Coffee and black stonefly nymphs #8-14 Olive and black wooly buggers #8-12 Olive sculpins #8-14 Lower Tailwater — The black caddis hatch is here! — Right now the tailwater is fishing really well. The dry fly action is amazing and this is the beginning of all of our spring hatches. From now through September, the dry fly action is great. Also, if you’re looking for a place to throw streamers and catch big fish, after a big rain, the lower is the place for you! Streamers can produce big rainbows and huge browns looking to eat. Leader suggested: 9ft 5x Flies that are working: Black and Purple Chubbies #8-12 Black Caddis #12-16 Elk Hair Caddis #12-16 Squimy worms Bead head pheasant tails #14-18 Coffee and black stonefly nymphs #8-14 Olive or Black wooly buggers #8-12 |
Southeast River Report
