Well, folks, The rain is on, and the rivers are all up and really moving as of this evening.  The rain is supposed to slow down overnight and then we have a beautiful stretch of weather coming!  As far as the fishing goes, it has been really good on the Tuckasegee, Nantahala, and Ravens Fork for some time now!  With all of this rain, our flows should remain up for a while (but fishable)!

These three rivers are all loaded up and fishing great!!  San Juans in various colors, Hares Ears, Pheasant Tails, Price Nymphs, Rainbow warriors, Zebra Midges are all taking fish with regularity!  When tying these patterns don't be afraid to incorporate some flash and hot spots on them, stocked trout can't say no to it!  :)  For the streamer guy, olive, black, and white are my favorites!  Once again, make them stand out and you'll be glad you did! 

Location:  Western North Carolina!   Nantahala River, Tuckasegee River, and Raven Fork of the Oconaluftee River!

The fly fishing only section has been fishing stellar for a couple of months now, and will only get better in the coming days!  The first major hatch here in the Smoky Mountains is coming upon us very soon, the Quill Gordon's!!  The smaller Blue Quill's are on the water now, along with Midges, and Dark Winter Stoneflies in really good numbers.  The fish are looking up at times to take these small meals, and you will see the increasing surface activity as the water continues to drop!!  But believe me, folks, that's the calm before the storm!!!  When the Gordon's show up, it's on!!  That is of course if landing a 20 plus inch Rainbow Trout on the surface sounds good to you!!  So now is the time to be on the water!!  If you don't know how to approach this, give us a call and we'll guide you to them!  Tight Lines!!

Location: Raven Fork/ fly fishing only water, Oconaluftee River!

All Delayed Harvest streams will be getting a heavy stocking of trout the first week of March!!  This is a perfect time and place for someone new to the sport of fly fishing to give it a try!  Let's just say these trout are user-friendly so to speak!  So, if you've been wanting to try fly fishing, now is a great time to give it a go!!  Let us at Turning Stones Fly Fishing, LLC guide you to your first trout on the fly!  It's a sight that me as a guide of many years never get's tired of seeing!  I love it when someone catches their first trout on the fly on my watch, it's priceless!  Call now to book your trip! 724-986-2652

Location: Tuckasegee River, Nantahala River, Snowbird Creek, and Fires Creek!

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