Hatches

Hey Everyone,

I hope y’all are doing well this week, and enjoying this awesome weather we are experiencing. I was able to get out a few days myself this week, and it felt just like Spring. I think I’ve claimed that every season is my favorite in the past, but Spring truly has all the goods for everyone.

What makes Spring so good? You have great weather, great fishing, great morning coffee, great light, and lots of bugs in the water moving. A lot of people are stoked to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Guys like us are excited to find the “hatches.”

The hatches in Pisgah are one of those things, that when it starts, it starts! You have to be on the water to find these things, and when you do, you will know.

The Blue quills have arrived along with the blue wings and stone flies. If you aren’t on the water, you are missing out right now. It’s literally Spring!(yes I believe it will get cold again, but kinda hard to believe with all the warm weather) The Gordon’s are close, and can be here any day now. The Gordon is the bug we all want to see for sure, but every hatch has its own special little thing about them.

These hatches are definitely temperature related as they always are, and once the bugs start crawling and hatching they won’t stop. We’ve definitely seen the fish move to a bigger bug in the last couple weeks. Positioning in the fast water mid day seems to be the theme. Casting to rising fish hands down is some of the most fun and visual fishing you can do. These bugs are skating across the surface, so dead drifting isn’t always necessary. Change up the drift before you change your bug. The fish are slowly letting their guards down to get out of Winter mode, and put on the weight these bigger bugs bring. Remember , these fish are Wild. They truly depend on these bugs every year. A stocked trout will eat them, but be honest, it’ll eat a mop floating on the surface like the food they were raised on.#purinatroutchow

There is nothing like showing up to a river in the morning. Then seeing those sail boat wings coming down a riffle getting smashed by hungry Wild Trout. When fishing these patterns it’s important to know that the wing profile is key. Colors and body profile matter no doubt, but make sure they can see that wing.

It’s almost like the forest comes to life. The birds are chirping,(my favorite part) as well as wild flowers beginning to bloom. The vibe is real when you feel the sun on your back, and you have a few moments through your day like “man this is awesome out here.” I hear this a from lot from people, and I know why. Because it is! Why not get out there looking for willing fish to eat your fly on a bright Spring Day?

East Tennessee has been fishing well the past few months with some great blue wing olive hatches. Streamer fishing, as well as nymphing still remains king. Caddis have entered the realm as well, providing us with some new bug fishing opportunities. Before you know it we’ll be fishing Small Mouth along with all the warm weather. Just remember it is still February and everything I’ve just wrote can be taken away by Mother Nature. If there is one thing to know about Spring is that it’s going to be great regardless.

We are excited to have y’all, and look forward to fishing with everyone this year! If you haven’t got on our calendar go ahead and hit the book now page! Thank you for dealing with my poor grammar and opinions on fly fishing.

Just Missing The Native Brook Trout