SOUTH HOLSTON TAIL WATER- TENNESSEE
Please dont walk across the cleared gravel redds (light colored cirles and ovals amidst gravel flats). Baetis and midges will be fluttering about throughout the warmest part of the day. Midge larva (tan or red zebra midges, disco midges, fat brassies, bionic brassies, stripper midges, krystal midges, and rainbow warriors in sz.20-26), small dark nymphs (olive, black, or natural pheasant tails sz.16-22), and egg patterns are some great patterns to have in your fly box. EGGS, EGGS, and more EGGS! Some good Baetis include, Mercer's micro mayflies, Barr's emerger, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs (copper or orange), Rosenbauer's rabbit foots, Travis' para-emergers, English pheasant tails (olive, black), hi-vis parachutes, sparkle duns, BWO dun cripples, CDC mayflies, and extreme emergers. Also, don't hesitate to try RS2's, WD40's, WD50's, epoxy buzzers, and bead head scuds. STREAMERS! Big browns preparing for the spawn eat streamers. Be sure to check the Tennessee Valley Authority generation schedule (click red link) before heading out.

WATAUGA TAIL WATER- TENNESSEE
Please dont walk across the cleared gravel redds (light colored cirles and ovals amidst gravel flats). The system has been fishing well with a variety of bead head patterns and soft hackles fished under an indicator. Baetis, caddis, and midges will be the primary insects fluttering about. Utilize similar patterns to those that are productive on the South Holston Tail Race just add more caddis patterns. Soft hackles (Le Bug (orange)), partridge and orange, partridge and green, and partridge and yellow) swung through the riffles can be particularly productive, as well. EGGS, EGGS, and more EGGS! Be sure to check the Tennessee Valley Authority generation schedule (click red link) before heading out.

WATAUGA- NC
Watauga County: Delayed Harvest Section of Watauga River (intersection of S.R. 1557 and S.R. 1558 to N.C. 105 bridge and S.R. 1114 bridge to N.C. 194 bridge at Valle Crucis). Call 1-800-POACHER or 919-707-0030 to report illegal activity on the rivers and streams, or in the woods. The Watauga River is a beautiful North Carolina mountain stream located in the vicinity of Boone, Blowing Rock, and Foscoe. It is within easy access to anglers traveling from Charlotte, Morganton, Lenoir, and Statesville. Be sure to check it out. Water levels are great and water temps are in the low 40's. Fish a variety of nymph patterns under an indicator for the best results; copper John's, Mercer's micro mayflies, pheasant tails, Y2K's, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, squirmy wormies, Hise's gooey caddis larvae, sili skin caddis, bead head flashback hares ears, shaky worms, Czech nymphs, depth charge Czech nymphs, San Juan worms, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, various midge larvae, Hise's ooey gooey grubs, Holy Grails, Duke's Prince John, and lightning bugs, to name a few. Also, dont forget black or white woolly buggers and look for the above mentioned aquatic insects (in the General Synopsis) to be fluttering about throughout the day. Good Luck!

BOONE FORK CREEK- NC
Boone Fork Creek is a catch and release stream that starts at Price Lake dam off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This stream flows into the Watauga River near Foscoe, NC. Julian Price Park, which is located just outside of Boone, NC, offers the best access. Be aware of the POSTED signs because there are various private stretches on this stream. Use the usual suspects for the wily brown trout, brook char, and rainbow trout in this stream; black woolly buggers, prince nymphs, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, copper John's, squirmy wormies, woolly squirm, San Juan Worms, y2k's, and rainbow warriors have been the most productive patterns.

CURTIS CREEK- NC
McDowell County: Delayed Harvest Section of Curtis Creek (the game land portion downstream of the U.S. Forest Service boundary at Deep Branch). Try fly patterns that produce on any trout stream in North America; bead head flashback hare's ears, pheasant tails, San Juan worms, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, Holy Grails, rainbow warriors, Hise's ooey gooey grubs, muddler minnows, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, disco midges, copper John's, glo bugs, and other egg patterns. Don't hesitate to run a double rig with a standard nymph and an emerger or pupa as your lead fly. Keep your eye out for poachers.

NORTH TOE RIVER- NC
Mitchell County: Delayed Harvest Section of North Toe River (U.S. 19E bridge to N.C. 226 bridge). The North Toe is within close proximity to Marion and Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Spruce Pine was recently deemed a Mountain Heritage Trout City for NC Fly Fishing. Your best bet will be to fish under the surface with woolly buggers and nymphs. Try Y2K's, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, glo bugs, sucker spawn, copper John's, pheasant tails, bead head flashback hare's ears, sili skin caddis, rainbow warriors, lightning bugs, gooey caddis larva, Barr's emergers, stimulators, elk hair caddis, etc.. The Project Healing Waters Tournament is this weekend so dont plan on being alone in this area.

CANE CREEK- NC
Mitchell County: Delayed Harvest Section of Cane Creek (N.C. 226 bridge to N.C. 80 bridge). Cane Creek is also classified as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, please refer to the NC Wildlife Commission's Regulations Digest for additional information. Your best bet will be to fish under the surface with woolly buggers and nymphs. Try Y2K's, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, glo bugs, sucker spawn, copper John's, pheasant tails, bead head flashback hare's ears, sili skin caddis, rainbow warriors, lightning bugs, gooey caddis larva, Barr's emergers, stimulators, elk hair caddis, etc.. The Project Healing Waters Tournament is this weekend so dont plan on being alone in this area.

HELTON CREEK- NC
Ashe County: Delayed Harvest Section of Helton Creek (Virginia state line to the New River confluence). Helton Creek is in great shape and the angling has been decent. Fish a variety of nymph patterns under an indicator for the best results; copper John's, Mercer's micro mayflies, pheasant tails, Y2K's, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, squirmy wormies, Hise's gooey caddis larvae, sili skin caddis, bead head flashback hares ears, Czech nymphs, depth charge Czech nymphs, San Juan worms, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, various midge larvae, Hise's ooey gooey grubs, Holy Grails, Duke's Prince John, and lightning bugs, to name a few. Also, dont forget black or white woolly buggers.

DAVIDSON RIVER- NC
The catch and release regulated section of the Davidson River is known, to many anglers, as one of the top fly fishing rivers on the east coast. This is due, in part, to its excellent population of large trout and regularly occurring hatches (look for terrestrials, crane flies, midges, tiny BWO's, and caddis this time of year). Fish (from the tubes upstream of the hatchery to just below the parking lot) with mostly TINY BUGS and fine tippet. Try miniscule BWO nymphs, midge larvae patterns (size 22-30), and small worm patterns. Specific patterns include zebra midges, red hot midges, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, pheasant tails, rainbow warriors, epoxy buzzers, disco midges, stripper midges, flash midges, RS2's, WD40's, WD50's, Mercer's micro mayflies, bionic brassies, and brassies. The water has been up so don't hesitate to toss some streamers around (Gartside minnows, grey ghosts, golden retriever's, woolly buggers); you may be surprised.

MITCHELL RIVER- NC
Surry County: Delayed Harvest Section of Mitchell River (0.6 mile upstream of the end of S.R. 1333 to the S.R. 1330 bridge below Kapps Mill Dam). Mitchell River is within close proximity to Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Elkin, and Greensboro. Fish a variety of nymph patterns under an indicator for the best results; copper John's, Mercer's micro mayflies, pheasant tails, Y2K's, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, squirmy wormies, Hise's gooey caddis larvae, sili skin caddis, bead head flashback hares ears, shaky worms, Czech nymphs, depth charge Czech nymphs, San Juan worms, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, various midge larvae, Hise's ooey gooey grubs, Holy Grails, Duke's Prince John, and lightning bugs, to name a few. Also, dont forget black or white woolly buggers.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN STATE PARK- NC
Burke County: Delayed Harvest Section of Jacob Fork Creek (from Shinny Creek to lower South Mountains State Park boundary). The Delayed Harvest section of Jacob Fork Creek in South Mountain State Park is in close proximity to Charlotte, Hickory, Morganton, Valdese, and Statesville. Call 1-800-POACHER or 919-707-0030 to report illegal activity on the rivers and streams, or in the woods. It will be re-stocked next week. Use the usual suspects; pheasant tails, rainbow warriors, glo bugs, Y2K's, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, Holy Grails, Mercer's micro mayflies, copper John's, zebra midges, disco midges, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, lightning bugs, squirmy wormies, etc.. The fish are spread out so your best bet is to fish the dark water until you find fish, then change your flies frequently to catch them.

STONE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK- NC
Wilkes County: Delayed Harvest Sections of East Prong of the Roaring River (the mouth of Bullhead Creek downstream to Stone Mountain State Park boundary line), and Stone Mountain Creek (from falls at Alleghany County line to confluence with East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek). There are more than 17 miles of trout streams in Stone Mountain State Park which is located near Elkin, North Carolina. There are numerous classifications of streams to fish, including a "trophy" section on Bullhead Creek. On Bullhead Creek, anglers pay $15 to fish one of eight beats (or sections) for the entire day. There are also some beautiful Wild Trout streams that can be hiked into and fished. Use the usual suspects; prince nymphs, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, pheasant tails, lightning bugs, Holy Grails, rainbow warriors, hare's ear nymphs, Y2K's, and stimulators, elk hair caddis, quick site beetles, flying ants if you choose to fish on the surface.

RAVEN FORK OF THE OCUNALUFTEE RIVER- NC
Roughly 2 miles of the Raven Fork within the Cherokee Indian Reservation (in Western North Carolina) is now open to FLY FISHING ONLY, CATCH AND RELEASE angling. This is an absolutely beautiful, crystal clear river which flows out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Anglers must possess a valid Cherokee Indian Reservation Enterprise Waters Fishing Permit ($7.00) and the additional Special Use Permit ($20.00 annually) associated with Cherokee Trophy Trout, Catch and Release Waters. Fishing has been fairly tough due to pressure but some hot patterns include zebra midges, copper John's, pheasant tails, Barr's emergers, Mercer's micro mayflies, squirmy wormies, white or black woolly buggers, prince nymphs, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs (orange or copper), Ian's brass asses, bionic brassies, and egg patterns, to name a few. When in doubt, go small.

LINVILLE RIVER- NC
The Linville River originates near the Blue Ridge Parkway and a few miles later plunges 85 feet over Linville Falls into the extremely rugged Linville Gorge. The river flows through the Linville Gorge Wilderness for 17 miles, during which it drops 1,880 feet and offers one of the most difficult stretches of whitewater in the eastern United States. Recent reports from the gorge were good. Be careful if you decide to go in; boulder hopping can be dangerous. Use the usual suspects; Hise's Eggi Juan Kenobis, San Juan worms, pheasant tails, Holy Grails, hare's ear nymphs, copper John's, heavyweight stones, Kaufmann's stones, woolly buggers, stimulators, elk hair caddis, and terrestrial patterns.

WILSON CREEK- NC
Caldwell County: Delayed Harvest Section of Wilson Creek (the game lands boundary downstream of Lost Cove Creek to Phillips Branch). The Wilson Creek area is part of the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest. The area is just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain (just north of Morganton). Wilson Creek was added to the National Wild and Scenic River System in 2000. The headwaters are below Calloway Peak and the creek stretches over 23 miles before emptying into the John's River. Andrews Creek, Lost Cove Creek, and Wilson Creek (upper) are all managed under the NCWRC's Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only regulations. Other notable streams in the area include North Harper and South Harper Creeks which are managed under the NCWRC's Wild Trout regulations. The Delayed Harvest section (roughly 3 miles) is open and the reports have been great but angling pressure is high. Use the usual suspects; copper John's, Mercer's micro mayflies, pheasant tails, Y2K's, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's, squirmy wormies, Hise's gooey caddis larvae, sili skin caddis, bead head flashback hares ears, Czech nymphs, depth charge Czech nymphs, San Juan worms, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, various midge larvae, Hise's ooey gooey grubs, Holy Grails, Duke's Prince John, and lightning bugs, to name a few. Also, dont forget black or white woolly buggers

NANTAHALA RIVER- NC
Macon County: Delayed Harvest Section of Nantahala River (Whiteoak Creek to Nantahala hydropower discharge canal). The river is running high due to problems with the dam. Utilize dark or bright, heavily weighted patterns to get down to the trout. Go with black stone nymphs, dark mayfly nymphs, and patterns such as woolly buggers (white or black), Hise's big fly big fish, eggi juan kenobis, butt ugly boogers, medusas, and egg patterns.

TUCKASEEGEE RIVER- NC
Jackson County: Delayed Harvest Section of Tuckasegee River (N.C. 107 bridge at Love Field to the Dillsboro dam). NCWRC put close to 20,000 new fish in the system this fall. The Tuckaseegee River flows through the towns of Sylva, Webster, and Dillsboro North Carolina. It is a large river that fishes well throughout the year. Fish with similar patterns to those used on other Delayed Harvest streams and Tail Water rivers. Don't forget egg patterns. Be sure to check the generation schedules before you make the trek.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK- HAZEL CREEK, FORNEY CREEK, EAGLE CREEK, etc. NC
We have had a numerous reports of decent fishing; this a great time of the year to fly fish in Smoky Mountain National Park. Be sure to have some big and meaty patterns (bead head black stones, heavyweight stones, wooly buggers, etc.) to help get you down deep if the water is up. Otherwise, have the usuals in your fly box (prince nymphs, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, copper John's, hare's ears, parachute adams, Hazel Creeks, orange or yellow palmers, royal Wulff's, yellow humpy's, lt. cahills, yellow hammers, quick sight ants and beetles, etc.).

NEW RIVER- NC & VA
Will report back next spring.

FRENCH BROAD RIVER- NC
Will report back next spring.

MOUNTAIN WILD TROUT STREAMS- NC, VA, & TN
Just like last year, I wont divulge any particular streams or I will be strung up and skinned. Stealth on the approach and a good presentation are the keys to success while fishing these small streams. Always remember, wild trout (and brook char) are very opportunistic and will eat just about anything when it is presented properly (and if not spooked). Try pheasant tails, Hise's heterogenius nymphs, tellico nymphs, Mercer's micro mayflies, hare's ears, lightning bugs, Ian's brass asses, Hise's sili skin caddis, and copper John's. Also, muddler minnows, Mickey Finn's, wooly buggers, and black nosed dace swung and stripped around can be quite productive.

PRIVATE STREAM ACCESS- VIRGINIA
The streams and creeks in southwestern Virginia are in great shape and the trout fishing has been great. Black, olive, or white wooly buggers, white little rascals, prince nymphs, Hise's hetero-genius nymphs, Kaufmann's stonefly nymphs, Hise's eggi juan kenobi's (pink), butt ugly boogers, wooly squirm, Hise's sumpin ugly series leech, sculpin, crayfish, and minnow patterns, Thornton scuds, red serendipities, and bead head black stones have been the ticket. Be sure to check out the Local Guided section of this site for more information. There are plenty of photos and fly fishing videos that feature some of the fish from the "trophy" waters. Reserve your trip today! The forecast for the next few weeks is showing daytime highs in the 40's and nightime lows in the 30's.

Get out and enjoy the outdoors--- fly fish for trout in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee ; )

Useful links:

Link to the Tennessee Valley Authority generation schedule----Tennessee Valley Authority Generation Schedule

Link to the Duke Energy generation schedule----Duke Energy Generation Schedule

Link to the NCWRC stocking reports and other information----North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Link to the NCWRC weekly stocking reports and other information----North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Link to the USGS stream and river levels for North Carolina and beyond----United States Geological Survey

Link to weather conditions from the Weather Channel----The Weather Channel