The fishing has been great in western North Carolina!! All of the Delayed Harvest waters Tuckasegee river, Snowbird Creek, Nantahala River, and Fires Creek are putting up healthy numbers on guided trips!! The bugs have been everywhere the last month or two! Here are the bugs I'm seeing out there! Black Caddis, Tan Caddis, Small Dark Stone, Yellow Sallies, Small midges, Blue Quill, Red Quill, Craneflies (looks similar to a mosquito), Quill Gordon's (some but tapering off), Golden Stones (some), Blue Winged Olive (Nantahala tailwater)!! Small dark Mayfly imitations in sizes 12-18 will be perfect! If you see a lot of fish feeding, fish in the upper water column, and fish everywhere (even the bony water) If no activity, focus on the pools and runs until the fish get moving!! Now is the time, get out there and enjoy it!! If you want to be guided, call 724-986-2652 today!!
Tight lines,
Gordon
Location: Nantahala, Tuckasegee, and Ravens Fork, fly fishing only section!!
We're slipping more into that summer weather pattern every day with temperatures in the mid-'80s on most days, with afternoon thunderstorms a possibility! The fishing has been solid most days with good water flow! The backcountry locations have been really good lately with the fish really looking to the surface for a meal. Nothing special needed, small Stimulators, Adams Parachutes, and terrestrial patterns will get it done! Just make sure to go with different color variations depending on what you're seeing where you're fishing. For the subsurface angler, the normal stuff will work...Stoneflies, Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, Copper Johns, and Zebra Midges (in different color and size variations) I preach proper drift and presentation over fly selection any day :) Get out there and get some fish!!
FOR GUIDING CALL 724-986-2652
Tight lines, Gordon
Well, The summer weather is slowly slipping past us. As it happens the fishing is starting to improve with the cooler temperatures! We are about to have some of the best fly fishing of the year in our grasps. October 1st means the start of North Carolina's Delayed Harvest season! What does that mean??? Well, let's just say trout fishing is about to go through a big change for the better. Starting the first week of October, North Carolina will start stocking the Tuckasegee river, Nantahala River, West Fork Of The Pigeon River, Snowbird Creek, and Fires Creek!! All of which are in western North Carolina and on our radar for guide trips!! We will also have float trips on the Tuckasegee River for trout!! This time of year is an absolutely perfect time for a new fly angler to have a go at fly fishing!! The fish will be waiting, and are quite friendly to the new fly fisher! We here at Turning Stones Fly Fishing hope we can be a part of your first fly fishing adventure!
CALL NOW FOR GUIDE TRIPS!! 724-986-2652
Tight lines,
Gordon Vanderpool
The fishing has been good here lately with some bugs moving! The Winter Stoneflies have been out in good numbers, and also starting to see some Caddis on certain rivers! For the dry fly guy, find a sunny patch of the river in the afternoon and you'll most likely see some rising fish. Dry flies: Size 14 Dark Caddis, Adams Parachutes 14-18. Nymphs in sizes 14-18 have been a good bet. Eggs, Hares Ears, Pheasant tails, Midges, San Juan Worms will all get it done if fished properly. For you hatch hunters, The major bugs are right around the corner so be ready! I know I am!
Tight Lines to you all!
Gordon
With 90 degree days common this summer, you have to get creative here in the Smoky Mountains if you want to catch trout!
The first thing is to temp the water on your lower elevation watersheds. If it's near the upper 60's to 70 degrees let them rest.
That's when it's time to go higher in elevation, and yes this might mean a little hiking. These fish also have less pressure and are more likely to be friendly. If you are still having a hard time finding fish keep in mind how warm it is, the trout will be favoring the more oxygenated water types (Riffles, pocket water). They will also hunker down in the bottoms of deeper pools to relax. There are numerous streams like this in western North Carolina to play on! If you are still struggling give us a call and one of my guides will be more than happy to help you.
Tight lines!
Gordon Vanderpool
We're still experiencing warm temps here in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina!! We are fishing for small wild fish in backcountry locations at this time, and will continue to do so until the 2016 North Carolina fall delayed harvest stockings start at the beginning of October! As of now, the bite is still pretty good depending on which stream we go to. Adams Parachutes, yellow Stimulators, and Caddis in sizes 12-18 will get it done if presented properly. poor drifts will result in a long day for the angler!
As far as the 2016 fall North Carolina delayed harvest stockings go that will change everything. the fishing will be red hot here in just a few short weeks. You won't find a prettier place to be in trout water than here in the Smokies at that time of year!! Trips are booking every day for this now, don't miss out on the action!!
**BOOK NOW** 724-986-2652
Gordon
There are more great reasons why you should than why you shouldn’t.
Hiring a guide is one of the best ways to learn more about fly-fishing. Guides are out on the rivers more in one year than most folks will get in a lifetime. Guides have seen, tried and heard it all. They are patient teachers who are passionate about sharing the art of fly-fishing with others, whether it is a beginner or expert.
It is hard to believe it has been less than a year since we first became familiar with the term social distancing. A lot has changed since that term first entered society. In the relatively short time since then, we have experts in several terms and activities, including:
Even in a typical year, we all need to take a break once in a while. With the additional stress a pandemic brings, you need to find a way to relax and unwind while maintaining social distancing. Are you searching for a new hobby you can do outdoors? Are you struggling to think of how you can give yourself a break from the stress of work and school? Trout fishing is the ultimate social distancing activity. Here are seven reasons why you should take a break in the water and go fly fishing:
The new year has already proved to be challenging for many families throughout the Southeast. Parents are still juggling working from home and helping children with remote learning. We are still spending endless hours video conferencing inside our houses with little opportunity to get out and about. Add in the cold of winter, and it can feel like the walls are closing in every day. You need an escape. As spring brings warmer temperatures, you need the clean air and rolling waters of western North Carolina and the Great Smokey Mountains.
For some, the perfect mountain getaway is a hotel room with a view of a ridgeline. It involves shopping and exploring high-elevation cities. For others, it is an opportunity to get away from the concrete jungle and reconnect with nature. Fly Fishing in the Cullasaja River is an experienced angler’s dream trip. You will find few places as untouched and remote while still convenient to charming towns like Franklin and Highlands. Here is why we want you to choose the picturesque Cullasaja River for your next fly fishing getaway.