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Tyler Legg
Charlotte, NC, United States
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Welcome to THFF.com! Kick your wading boots off and stick around for a while. You'll find content ranging from NC fishing reports, videos, pictures, fly fishing news from around the state/country/world, humor, and even some irrelevant, yet interesting posts.
Have a question, comment, fishing report, or a few suggestions regarding THFF or fly fishing in NC? Feel free to e-mail me at wncflyfishing@gmail.com
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Friday, May 29, 2009
1.) It has been pretty hot across the Carolinas or from a larger view, the southern US. Storms are starting to roll out of the mountains and move closer to the Charlotte Metro area, as of now, they don't look to bad, but they could gain some steam as they rumble across I-77 and the Catawba River.

2.) Fishing is turning out to be outstanding in most places. Delayed Harvest streams are winding to close next Saturday. Us catch and release fisherman call it "Bloody Saturday". The catch and keep fisherman grab their share..."Kill and Grill"...The Roaring Fork in Stone Mountain SP, South Mountain DH streams, the Mitchell River, Tuckaseegee, and all other DH rivers will soon be devoid of trout. Catch and Release portions like the Hatchery Section on the Davidson are an angler's best bet for the rest of the year. I may try to get in one last fishing trip to the Mitchell River DH this Sunday afternoon to fish it for the last time until next Winter. If you want to know what flies are working for the month/next month, check out the updated WNC/Smokies hatch chart over on the left hand column.

3.) I don't now why, but I have seen a lot of snakes around lately. A 3 ft Kingsnake was taking refuge out of the sun and heat in some shade adjacent to the Agricultural Dept. at my school earlier today. We were out working around the barn a few weeks ago and a small brown snake (don't know what kind) slithered through the grass. I'm not the biggest fan of snakes...I don't mind them being there, but I would rather not come into contact with them. They're beneficial in the ecosystem, as they eat all of the mice and rats though.

4.) I'm finally able to start updating more. I just completed the finishing touches on my Business Plan for my fly shop which will be established in West Yellowstone, MT. The name of the shop is Tyler Legg's West Yellowstone Angler...It'll probably be a while until it opens (decade or two!!...)

5.) Thanks for stopping by and reading. Everyone have a great evening and weekend.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
1.) It's 80 degrees and pretty muggy outside. Isn't it always this time of year until mid-late Fall? The low pressure that has created a moisture transport for the Carolinas has finally started to move on out of the Midwest. The 10 day for Asheville shows that the weather looks to be perfect for trout fishing. Upper 70's and low 80's for the next week in Asheville means slightly cooler temps up higher. After all of the continuous rain stopped (there is still scattered showers and storms, but not all day) the rivers up in the high country should start to recede once sunny skies prevail.

Here is the latest USGS Real Time water levels:

Davidson River @ Brevard: 594 cfs (average is 135)
South Toe River @ Celo: 1,750 cfs (average is 156)...S. Toe is extremely high currently.
Nantahala River @ Rainbow Springs: 424 cfs (average is 207)
Watauga River @ Sugar Grove: 496 cfs (average is 166 cfs)
Tuckasegee River @ Bryson City: 2, 580 cfs (average is 1,570)
Oconaluftee River @ Birdtown: 488 cfs (Average is 464 cfs)
Cataloochee Creek @ Cataloochee: 111 cfs (average is 100 cfs)
Roaring River @ Roaring River, NC: 943 cfs (average is 595 cfs)
Mitchell River @ State Road: 983 cfs (average is 412 cfs)
French Broad River @ Blantyre: 3, 430 cfs (average is 2,940 cfs) (The French Broad is on the verge of flooding according to the USGS and the NWS Floodstage levels. Gauge height is approximately 15.4 ft. Floodstage is 16 ft. Don't know if the river's gauge is broken or in working order...

2.) With all of the high water, big nymphs and streamers will work best, but Green Weenies, San Juan Worms, and attractor dries may also work in most places. You may get away with 3x-4x tippet.
Monday, May 25, 2009

1.) It is humid as all get out across the area. Judging by the current radar returns, the rain has pretty much covered all of the state. The bulk of the precip has occurred basically from Raleigh/Durham, east through the mountains. According to the drought monitor's update from last Tuesday, extreme eastern parts of Lincoln and Gaston counties are under an "abnormally dry" state, along with virtually all of Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk, Henderson, Transylvania, and the southern half of Jackson and Macon falling under the abnormally dry state. Again this was the drought status from May 19th. I think the drought is over for most of these areas, which means the trout streams are where they should be. The rain over the past few days has not been heavy enough to cause widespread flooding across the mountains, but localized areas that did/do see heavier rain showers may see a short spike in streamflows.
Here's the latest streamflow data from the USGS....
Davidson River @ Brevard...154 cfs (average to date is 121 cfs)
Watauga River @ Sugar Grove...180 cfs (average is 139 cfs)
Nantahala River @ Rainbow Springs...275 cfs (average is 190 cfs)
South Toe River @ Celo...236 cfs (average is 116 cfs)
Tuckasegee River @ Cullowhee...100 cfs (average is 215)
Oconoluftee River @ Birdtown...447 cfs (average is 483 cfs)
Cataloochee Creek @ Cataloochee...98 cfs (average is 102 cfs)
South Fork New River @ Jefferson...496 cfs (average is 397 cfs)
New River @ Galax, VA...1,680 cfs (average is 1,820 cfs
2.) To sum it all up, most rivers are either slightly above or slightly below average flows. Albeit the flows are generally where they should be, this doesn't mean that the flows aren't strong and flowing fast. Also, there may be a little color to the water, so you may get away with 4x. Sporadic hatches of Dark Hendricksons and Light Hendrickons are causing the trout to look up. In the evenings look for Light Cahills, a few March Browns, and the much anticipated Green Drakes. Patterns in the dry fly department to try include Attractors (Royal Wulff, Trudes, etc) when there isn't a noticeable hatch, along with Light Cahills, Green Drakes, and Dk/Lt Hendricksons in the evenings. If you are heading up to the Smokies, have a lot of yellow flies such as Yellow Palmers, Yellow Stimulators, Yellow Sally or any other fly that incorporates a lot of yellow. As for nymphs, BH Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Hare's Ears, BH Princes, Lightning Bugs, San Juan Worms, Green Weenies, Copper Johns, Zug Bugs and Tellico Nymphs (just to mention a few) have all produced fish. Small streamers such as a tan or olive Slumpbuster have been producing fish as well.
Friday, May 22, 2009
1.) It's currently in the upper 70's to low 80's across the Piedmont, with lower to mid 70's up in the mountains. The high and swift streams in the mountains are finally receding, and fishing should become increasingly better. Earlier in the week, low temperatures took a nose dive to the mid 30's. The mountains saw a light freeze and to my knowledge a light frost. Frost equals no grasshoppers, so if a frost did occur in some places, the majority of the hoppers are dead now. Early-mid June will probably mark the beginning of hopper season for us fly fisherman. Nymphs have been very consistent, but evening hatches of Light Cahills are making the trout look up. Green Drakes should be hatching out most evenings on many trout streams up in the high country. You may see a few March Browns (especially on higher streams), Hendricksons, Black Caddis and/or tiny Cream Midges. Giant Stonefly Nymphs (Pteronarcys) are also moving around on the stream bottom, so have a few Kaufmann's Stones in sizes of 4-8. As for dries, ants, beetles, and most attractor flies will work. Small streamers may also be effective right now. Yellow Stones/Sallies are just around the corner. The Summer fishing season is just a few weeks away.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
1.) Finally back home in Kannapolis. The Troutfest pictures are all below.





( Above two) Bob Clouser tying his famous Clouser Minnow

(Above) Talking with some folks about fishing in the Smokies


Tying a Slumpbuster...



I did get the opportunity to fish Little River in the park for a few hours, but thanks to high and very fast water, the fish were very tough to catch. I did get a lot of very short strikes from definite fish.


Friday, May 15, 2009
1.) Safe and sound in Vols country. Last minute change of plans though. The weather just didn't cooperate for an enjoyable camping trip, so I am just staying with family here in Etowah, TN until Sunday. Getting up at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning to head on over to the Little River/GSMNP to fish from sunrise to about 11:45 or so. Then it's off to Little River Outfitters for a few last minute fly tying stuff and then the event we've all been anticipating for the last 12 months since last May....Troutfest! I feel like it's Christmas. Bobbins will be a spinnin' and scissors will be a snippin' away. 40 tyers, 20 tomorrow and 20 Sunday will be present. Judging by the 10 day (Accurate? Not from 10 days out it ain't!!) we are going to be dodging some storms and showers for Troutfest 2009. I'm glad there are tents (HUGE to be exact) set up at the Townsend Visitors Center. One of the tents is 120' x 80'.
Thursday, May 14, 2009

1.) I'm in the long and strenuous process of packing and organizing all of my tying materials, tools, flies, fishing gear and camping gear. I'm leaving Kannapolis around lunchtime and heading west on I 40 for Troutfest in Townsend, TN. The last time I was in the Smokies was last August. I'm over due for a GSMNP trip. I'm glad I get to see Joe Humphreys, Lefty Kreh, and Bob Clouser. Joe flew in yesterday evening and Bob and Lefty are flying down here tomorrow morning. I saw Mr. Humphreys on Fly Fishing America and Fly Fishing the World not to long ago. He's a great guy...He is one HECK of an angler. Joe is in his 80's, and he can still run around on a trout river chasing fish just like the rest of us. Troutfest will be spectacular to say the least. Byron Begley, the owner of Little River Outfitters/chairman of Troutfest along with tons of volunteers have worked their butts off to make Troutfest 2009 happen. Hats off to all of them... If anyone is milling around the Smokies, make it a priority to head over to Troutfest. Trust me, you won't regret it.
2.) I will definately take plenty of pictures and I will post them Sunday evening.
3.) Tomorrow better come fast and then the weekend needs to slooowww down. There's no such thing as Monday, there's no such thing as Monday....
4.) If you are going to attend Troutfest, I will be tying from 1-5 Saturday afternoon. Be sure to stop by and say hi.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
1.) Skies are blue across the Old North State. The storm chances have diminished and it looks like we may receive a break from flooding rains and severe t'storms until possibly late this week. Most rivers in the mountains are flowing strong due the amount of rain that has recently fell. Unbelievably cool temperatures are forecasted for tomorrow. Boone will be in the mid to upper 50's all day, with upper 30's across the highest of peaks and lower 40's for lows Monday night.

2.) If you are heading to a trout stream, it's a good idea to check in with the local fly shop and ask about water flows. The TN tailwaters (ie the Caney Fork, South Holston, Clinch, etc) are WAY up. If you can, fish higher up on the smaller streams, which tend to resist being flooded out too much. Nymphs have been working best along with streamers such as Slumbusters, Woolly Buggers and Zonkers. If you discover your fishing hole high and cloudy, don't bother using light tippet. Tie on 2x-3x, as the trout can't see as well in cloudy water vs. clear water. San Juan Worms are working great right now. All of the rain has brought the earthworms to the surface and the worms closest to the river are usually flushed into the water. Look for Light Cahill hatches in the evening, with Hendricksons, March Browns, and Brown Caddis periodically throughout the day. If you see a hatch starting, but you don't see any fish rising, chances are the trout are picking off the emerging insects below the surface. When this happens, tie on a wet fly that closely matches the bugs hatching. If you don't see any bugs hatching what-so-ever, nymphs are your best bet.

3.) The next post will either be on Thursday, or on Sunday. I'm leaving on Friday for Troutfest in Townsend, TN. We will probably camp at Elkmont in the park for 2 nights. I will be tying on Saturday from 1 till 5. I'm still debating on showing how to tie my Realistic Black Caddis, the Sheepfly, the Slumpbuster, or one of my most recent patterns, the Split Tail Green Weenie. I'm planning on fishing Little River probably Friday afternoon/evening, and then possibly Saturday evening from 5:30 until dark. Pictures will be taken (I found my camera) and posted on Sunday.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

NCC111-161-091915-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0102.090509T1815Z-090509T1915Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
215 PM EDT SAT MAY 9 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN MCDOWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
NORTHERN RUTHERFORD COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...

* UNTIL 315 PM EDT

* AT 212 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF THERMAL CITY...OR 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF
RUTHERFORDTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...

THERMAL CITY...
SUNSHINE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SHOULD BE ALERT FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND LOCALLY HEAVY
RAIN CAN OCCUR WITH ANY THUNDERSTORM. SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AWAY FROM
WINDOWS AND DOORS UNTIL THE STORM PASSES.
TO REPORT DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...OR FLOODING...THROUGH OUR
AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM...CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER...
1 8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.
&&
LAT...LON 3559 8169 3539 8170 3542 8214 3553 8214
3559 8183 3557 8181 3558 8177 3560 8175
3560 8172
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 264DEG 15KT 3548 8208
$$
LANE



Thermal heating and sunshine equals big storms....
Friday, May 8, 2009
1.) For the past few days, we have had numerous thunderstorms (strong, severe, and a few super cells). Sporadic tornadoes (most not even touching the ground) have been imminent. Speaking of tornadoes, Blount County, TN the home of Little River Outfitters in Townsend is under a tornado warning. Townsend is in a valley surrounded by mountains that may or may not break the storm up, hopefully the storm will weaken. Last evening, a pretty hefty storm had it's sights on Kannapolis/Concord. Right when it was on top of my neighborhood, Jeff Crum, the Chief Meteorologist over at News 14 Carolina mentioned that it was starting to show signs of rotation. I was able to get outside before and after the storm hit to take these pictures. The sun started to shine immediately following the storm, which made for a few great pictures. Take a look at the video above. It is a great time lapsed video shot by Jim Travers of News 14 of a wall cloud and a funnel cloud forming and eventually dissipating.


(Above) Possible wall cloud at the bottom center of the picture(This particular storm showed signs of rotation)



2.) Be careful if you plan on heading to a trout stream today/tomorrow. High water may still be an issue in a few rivers. All of the lakes are filled to capacity. Rain and high, cloudy water means big streamers and San Juan Worms.

Friday, May 1, 2009
1.) It's been in the lower 80's all day here in the southern Piedmont. Sporadic showers have moved through the area. I myself have been dodging a few showers.....I just got back from the Southwest Regional FFA Convention at the Agricultural Department located in Monroe, NC. It was a lot of fun, though a little overwhelming having to memorize 187 tools and their complete definitions and uses. It was without a doubt worth it.

2.) Fishing in the mountains of the Tar Heel State has been excellent. Low water (Not as bad as summer...) is basically the only obstacle that may or may not affect fishing. Warm temps (Not hot) even across the higher streams are really making fishing great. Most fish will take a dry on the surface (Adams, Wulffs, Trudes, Lt. Cahills, March Browns) will work just fine. I was out mowing the lawn the other day, and I did not see a single grasshopper jump out of the grass. If there aren't any hoppers here in the lowland, the mountains aren't going to have many either. I would say another 2 weeks (give or take a few days) before hoppers will really start working on the area rivers. Once they do start becoming more active, the trout will start to key on to them and the famed pop on the top of the water after casting a hopper will drive the fish crazy. Beetle, inchworm and ant patterns should be a good idea to try right now. Copper Johns, PT nymphs, Green Weenies, BH midge patterns, attractor nymphs, Lightning Bugs and San Juan Worms will catch fish this time of year.

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