Fishing Improves Along With Weather

Sorry it's been so long since we've posted a fishing report. Believe it or not, we've been fishing a lot! February was pretty tough, primarily due to ultra-clear and low water, but recent rains have improved matters considerably and March is shaping up to be a great month to be on the water. For one, our daytime highs have been about 10 to 15 degrees above normal for the last few weeks, which has bumped up insect activity significantly.

Delayed Harvest streams will all get stocked this week, including the East Fork, the Little River, the Tuck, and the North Mills. The state hatchery finally changed their trout chow (they were feeding an inferior pellet last season that wasn't getting eaten, hence lower growth rates) and the fish they're stocking this spring look very nice - average size is probably 12-13", with some brood stock pushing 20". They won't start eating real bugs for a couple of days, so stick to Woolly Boogers, Y2Ks, and SJWs until they get acclimated. The wild and holdover fish are loving a #14-#16 green Deep Sparkle Pupa. Brachycentrus larva are all over the streambed - we've been dredging them off the bottom while nymphing. If things continue to warm, we'll see some good caddis hatches in the coming weeks. Mac saw a few Quill Gordon spinners while guiding on the E. Fork yesterday, along with a couple winter caddis and a TON of miniscule cream midges (#30, he estimates.)

On the Davidson, we're starting to see Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, #18-#20 black caddis and lots of micro-stones, especially little brown "needleflies," which are easily confused with tiny hemlock needles. The fish aren't looking up that much, but we're getting many more strikes than we did a month ago. Most of the fish we're catching are smaller than 12", perhaps a sign that the water is still too chilly to get the bigger size-class fish moving. Or more likely, they're spooking before the flies hit the water. We're talking non-hatchery stretch here. The 'D' is surprisingly low compared to its sister tribs, despite some good snow this winter. We're officially 3 inches behind for the year in precipitation, but the 'D' is running about half of where it should be. Fortunately, more rain is forecast for this week.

We've seen a bunch of Quill Gordons on the North Fork, too, along with a few healthy BWO hatches mid-day. A #18 flashback Barr's BWO emerger dropped off an olive parachute has fooled any fish that are showing themselves on the surface. The Quill Gordons are coming off around 1-2 p.m. in the faster, cobblestoney areas, so the heavily hackled traditional ties are superior to a parachute Hare's Ear, which tend to get drowned. Leave it under if your fly does get sunk, though, and if you can still see it - we caught several fish that way this week, either because they took it for a drowned dun or an emerger. Please remember that all hatchery-supported streams are closed the month of March, so the mainstem of the French Broad and the West Fork are off-limits until April 2.

Come by the shop and check out some of our new spring gear arrivals from Simms and Redington, including the re-designed, featherweight Paclite rainjacket and some cool hoodies. All Simms and Redington fleece is marked down 25%, all rod/reel combos are slashed by half, and all fly rods in stock are 25% off, as well.

Tight lines,
Than