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Tuesday, October 7, 2008
1.) Here in the Charlotte area, it is in the low 70's and the sun is hidden by sporadic cloud cover. Rain is forecasted to move into the area around noon, and up in the mountains, by as early as mid morning. This is excellent news for the trout and fly fisherman, because it there hasn't been a decent, soaking rain here in NC for a few weeks.
2.) Tomorrow will bring the chance for you to tie on that streamer, and use possibly 3x and 4x tippet, and catch that big guy that is to smart for us fisherman. If you are lucky, you may see a few olives hatching, depending on when the clouds and damp weather moves in. People have mentioned that Green Weenies have been working very well right know. Copper Johns and PT nymphs will produce a few strikes. As for dries, I would use #14-22 Adams, with a small beadhead as a dropper. This will show you which fly the trout would rather take. When the rain starts, and the river starts it's ascent, use streamers and big back stoneflies. Sculpins may also be a good fly to use. Experiment with different flies, and narrow your selection down to the most likely insect the fish are feeding on at that time. Water may rise very quickly if there is a downpour upstream tomorrow through Friday. I remember fishing the Nantahala River over in Robbinsville, NC one morning, and while I was putting my waders on, and exchanging an old leader with a new leader, I noticed the water levels where low, and not intimidating at all. I walked over to the bank, and watched for any rising fish, or any fish for that matter. I noticed that the rocks I was planning to stand on were gradually disappearing under about a foot of water in as little as a minute. The calm, shallow riffle on the far side of the river went from a shallow riffle, to a class III rapid. Shortly after rafts started floating down the river, and we decided to head upstream, and fish above the put ins, where the rafts originated from. I new the trout were refusing those big, yellow things, and if they were not, I didn't have any yellow raft flies on hand. Anywho, I fished in the extreme headwaters of the Nantahala, and found that there were no rafts, and a lot of 9-13 inch trout under the rhododendrons. I immediately observed a small, but truculent little brown trout eating small light cahills, (which looked to be about a size 16). So, I tied a light cahill on and dropped it about 4 feet in front of the him. He ignored it at first, but eventually he couldn't take it any more, and he grabbed my fly once it was about a foot past him. Little things like this, are like adding wood to a fire. It isn't going to fade away until you stop learning and enjoying the sport.
3.) More later....make it a good day.
Monday, October 6, 2008
1.) Today is Monday, which for me means, "how long until the weekend"? Fridays are my favorite, because you know you have 2 more days until the start of the work week. Also weekends mean fishing. With that being said after watching the Carolina Panthers shut out KC 34-0, today is better than most days.
2.) There is good news and bad news for us fly fisherman. The good news is that rain is looking promising for Wednesday-Saturday. There is a 40% chance on Wednesday, with a 60% chance on Thursday, as well as a 30% chance for both Friday and Saturday. This is for the Asheville area, so not everybody will have equal chances for rain. The bad news is that the water flows are very low. Until we get more rain, fishing will be tough. Using 6x tippet, and small flies will be to your advantage. Don't be afraid to crawl on your knees prior to fishing. This will greatly reduce the number of fish spooked. Since the temperatures are warm (76-80), give a small light cahill (#16-18) a try. Copper Johns (any color) will work in sizes of 14-20. Isonchia patterns (Adams)(dry/nymph) are good choices to fish with. If we do get rain, and the rivers start to come up, try big streamers like a Bunny or a Matuka. If you fish today or even tomorrow, with the warmth that has settled into the Carolinas, a grasshopper pattern may still get a few trout to chase after it. Even though the frost that the mountains experienced last week, probably killed most of the hoppers, a few spots that managed to stay just above freezing helped to keep the grasshoppers around. On your way to the stream, walk around the banks and if you see a few of them jump, then tie on a Dave's or a Jacklin's, or even a Double Decker and have at it. Just keep in consideration, every valley, mountain side and stream will frost in the coming weeks. If you fish today or tomorrow, you may not see another angler. The Davidson will probably have a few locals fishing, but you should have a whole beat or two to yourself, and the worry of fly casting elbow to elbow is not a problem right now until the weekend.
3.) I have been tying a lot of Copper Johns lately. For some reason I don't tie a whole fly box full of John Barr's famous pattern. I've used the Copper John a few times, and frankly, after watching the trout look at the fly, refuse it, and then chase back after it and nail it, I am now going to fill my box with these things. I think the chartreuse and red ones work the best, but this is my personal opinion. I'm also coming up with some new nymph and dry fly patterns that I will do a demonstration on at Troutfest.4.) More later. Make it a good day.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
1.) Currently here in the Charlotte area, it is in the mid 70's, with partly cloudy skies. The warm weather will be hanging around until next Tuesday, when temperatures come down a few degrees to the low 70's. Rain may be on it's way on October 13th. That Monday, which is about a week and a half away, shows a 60% chance for rain for both the Piedmont and the mountains of NC. This is great news, because the mountains are still under an extreme drought, and any rain we can get would be excellent. This Thursday and Friday, we may get a little rain also, with a 40% chance on both days. The water temps are ideal for the trout this time of year. I checked out the USGS real-time streamflow data, and what caught my attention was the water flow of the Jacob Fork River in South Mountains State Park. Currently the Jacob Fork is at only 9.1 cfs, with the average being at 56. This is a 46.9 deficit from average flows; the river is relying on groundwater levels, which isn't much better either. I like to fish the Jacob Fork in the Winter, and early Spring, because it seems as if this is the only time the water is up, and during that time 15 fish days where the norm for us fisherman. The Henry Fork is better, but not overly impressive. The Davidson River is way down, with a flow of 25 cfs and an average level of 121 cfs. All of the fly shops will say the water is low, but if you can fish low water comfortably, then by all means go for it. When the water is this low and this clear, the big brown trout sitting in their feeding lane, half out of water, will see you first. You just have to do what you can to make the trout feel less threatened. Small tippets, small flies, and careful wading techniques will make the possibility of hooking a fish a definite maybe. Sticking to the tailwaters in Tennessee may be your best bet. Try the Watauga, Clinch, Holston, or even the Nolichucky for smallmouths.
2.) When you fish this time of year, and then again in the Spring when the rainbows start spawning, please watch where your feet land on the riverbed. The trout have established redds and stepping on them will almost instantly kill the young trout, in return not helping with the fish populations. The trout will be in and out of small tributaries of the river, so be careful here to. If you can, try and stay on the banks, and out of the water. This will help protect the redds, and also will cross out spooking the fish with wakes and stirred up water.
3.) More later.
2.) When you fish this time of year, and then again in the Spring when the rainbows start spawning, please watch where your feet land on the riverbed. The trout have established redds and stepping on them will almost instantly kill the young trout, in return not helping with the fish populations. The trout will be in and out of small tributaries of the river, so be careful here to. If you can, try and stay on the banks, and out of the water. This will help protect the redds, and also will cross out spooking the fish with wakes and stirred up water.
3.) More later.
Friday, October 3, 2008
1.) It was once again, a very chilly start to a Friday here in the Tar Heel State. The official high was 45 here in the Concord/Kannapolis areas, but I'm not convinced that we hit just 45. I checked the temperature at 7 AM and it was 42. Up in the mountains, a good formula to find their temps, is to take away 7-10 degrees from Charlotte's temp and that is a good general way to get say, Boone's or Asheville's temperatures. From what I heard, the protected valleys up in the mountains briefly reached the freezing mark, and in other spots, some reached a degree or two below freezing! If we are hitting the 32 degree mark this early, Winter might be a good year for us snow and cold lovers. The saying "cold weather will turn to warm weather" will happen this weekend, as we will be up in the upper 70's and low 80's.
2.) Fishing is not the best right now because of the low water levels. If you find a spot, where the water levels are giving the trout a break, by all means have at it. Fish along the seams, in the riffles, and runs, and you should catch a couple. The trout will take a # 16-20 BWO nymph, # 16-20 Copper John, as well as small green caddis patterns. Any small nymph in sizes 14-24 should make the fish at least turn around and look at it. Stay low and use light tippets and you should be fine. The 10 day forecast isn't calling for much if any rain over those 10 days.
3.) Panthers play on Sunday at 1:00 against the Kansas City Chiefs. I really don't have any idea as to who will win. The Panthers can be very unpredictable, but they should leave with a win. Jordan Gross is not going to play on Sunday, which is a tremendous loss.
From Panthers.com
Tackle Jordan Gross will not play versus Kansas City after suffering a concussion last week, ending his streak of 84 consecutive games started, the second-longest in team history. "It's (injuries) part of the league; it's part of the game," head coach John Fox said. "We've dealt with it before; we'll deal with it again." The Panthers options to start at left tackle include Frank Omiyale, who would be making his first NFL start, or Travelle Wharton, who replaced Gross following his injury against Atlanta.
4.) More Later.
2.) Fishing is not the best right now because of the low water levels. If you find a spot, where the water levels are giving the trout a break, by all means have at it. Fish along the seams, in the riffles, and runs, and you should catch a couple. The trout will take a # 16-20 BWO nymph, # 16-20 Copper John, as well as small green caddis patterns. Any small nymph in sizes 14-24 should make the fish at least turn around and look at it. Stay low and use light tippets and you should be fine. The 10 day forecast isn't calling for much if any rain over those 10 days.
3.) Panthers play on Sunday at 1:00 against the Kansas City Chiefs. I really don't have any idea as to who will win. The Panthers can be very unpredictable, but they should leave with a win. Jordan Gross is not going to play on Sunday, which is a tremendous loss.
From Panthers.com
Tackle Jordan Gross will not play versus Kansas City after suffering a concussion last week, ending his streak of 84 consecutive games started, the second-longest in team history. "It's (injuries) part of the league; it's part of the game," head coach John Fox said. "We've dealt with it before; we'll deal with it again." The Panthers options to start at left tackle include Frank Omiyale, who would be making his first NFL start, or Travelle Wharton, who replaced Gross following his injury against Atlanta.
4.) More Later.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
1.) Cold temperatures this morning greeted all of us here in the Piedmont. The official temperature for Charlotte early this morning was 42. It looks as if we may hit at least 45 tonight, if not lower than that (42-44). It is time to take out those jackets, and dust off those waders, because temps are changing rapidly. The mountains are expected to make it to the lower 30's tonight. Frost, I know, frost-(the first of the season, by the way) is supposed to settle into the mountains tonight. The worst frost will of course hit the highest of elevations, so not everyone will have to defrost their windows. This will definately wipe out the grasshoppers, and terrestrials up in the high country, so it is about time to put those terrestrial patterns up until next Summer. Below is a weather message from the NWS in Greenville-Spartanburg.
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
134 PM EDT THU OCT 2 2008
NCZ033-048>052-058-059-062-063-030145-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FR.Y.0005.081003T0400Z-081003T1300Z/
AVERY-MADISON-YANCEY-MITCHELL-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-GRAHAM-
NORTHERN JACKSON-MACON-SOUTHERN JACKSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NEWLAND...SPRUCE PINE...CHEROKEE...
WAYNESVILLE...SYLVA...FRANKLIN
134 PM EDT THU OCT 2 2008
...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM EDT
FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED
A FROST ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
9 AM EDT FRIDAY.
LOW TEMPERATURES WILL DIP INTO THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 30S ACROSS MUCH
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS FRIDAY MORNING...RESULTING IN
AREAS OF FROST. THE MAIN THREAT FOR FROST WILL EXIST IN VALLEY
LOCATIONS NORTH AND WEST OF ASHEVILLE. ISOLATED SHELTERED
LOCATIONS COULD BRIEFLY REACH FREEZING AROUND SUNRISE.
A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS POSSIBLE. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR
PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.
2.) The trout are loving this cold weather, but they aren't to pleased with the low water flows, which are still WAY down. WE NEED RAIN!!! Maybe we need to try a different rain dance, because this one doesn't seem to be doing anything. Anyway, like I said above in section 1, the frost up in the mountains will probably kill most of the grasshoppers, so really us fly fisherman will have to stick with small nymphs and maybe, a BWO hatch on a cloudy dreary day, (which judging by the 10 day forecast, this doesn't seem logical.) When fishing, think PT nymphs and BWO nymphs, and you should get into some fair fishing.
3.) More later.
Frost Advisory
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
134 PM EDT THU OCT 2 2008
NCZ033-048>052-058-059-062-063-030145-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FR.Y.0005.081003T0400Z-081003T1300Z/
AVERY-MADISON-YANCEY-MITCHELL-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-GRAHAM-
NORTHERN JACKSON-MACON-SOUTHERN JACKSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NEWLAND...SPRUCE PINE...CHEROKEE...
WAYNESVILLE...SYLVA...FRANKLIN
134 PM EDT THU OCT 2 2008
...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM EDT
FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED
A FROST ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
9 AM EDT FRIDAY.
LOW TEMPERATURES WILL DIP INTO THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 30S ACROSS MUCH
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS FRIDAY MORNING...RESULTING IN
AREAS OF FROST. THE MAIN THREAT FOR FROST WILL EXIST IN VALLEY
LOCATIONS NORTH AND WEST OF ASHEVILLE. ISOLATED SHELTERED
LOCATIONS COULD BRIEFLY REACH FREEZING AROUND SUNRISE.
A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS POSSIBLE. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR
PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.
2.) The trout are loving this cold weather, but they aren't to pleased with the low water flows, which are still WAY down. WE NEED RAIN!!! Maybe we need to try a different rain dance, because this one doesn't seem to be doing anything. Anyway, like I said above in section 1, the frost up in the mountains will probably kill most of the grasshoppers, so really us fly fisherman will have to stick with small nymphs and maybe, a BWO hatch on a cloudy dreary day, (which judging by the 10 day forecast, this doesn't seem logical.) When fishing, think PT nymphs and BWO nymphs, and you should get into some fair fishing.
3.) More later.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
1.) It is going to be a chilly one here in the Piedmont of NC. 47 looks like a low for tonight, and 44 tomorrow night. I know the people out west are rolling their eyes at us... "(44? That's a normal high this time of year here in Colorado.)" I guess after a long, dry, hot Summer, the thought of 44 replacing 95 takes some time to get use to. Speaking of the cold, I have reviewed many sources on the climate outlook for the US. Most forecasters are saying we may have a good year for snow and cold here in the western Carolinas. Even though it's just an outlook based on previous years, it still usually turns out to be surprisingly correct. It's amazing what meteorologists can predict.
2.) Still, there is not really a change in trout fishing right, other than a loss of a few cubic feet of water in most rivers here in the state from yesterday's flows. We are currently in dire need of rain here in NC. The rivers are dropping like a rock, and the fish are just building up their skittish nature, one cubic foot at a time. Fishing the faster pocket water, and riffles will most likely bring some fish to your net. All you need to do is stay low wear drab colored clothing, and use extreme caution when walking in and along the river. Mend your line, and use the smallest strike indicator your fly will will allow. Check out the list of recommended flies for October, over in the right hand column, for fly selection. Most streams will be free of a crowd of anglers, (especially on the weekdays) although, the "D" may have a few fisherman. This will change in approximately 2 weeks when everybody flocks to the streams due to the Fall colors. Anywho, more tomorrow.....Stay warm these next couple of nights.
2.) Still, there is not really a change in trout fishing right, other than a loss of a few cubic feet of water in most rivers here in the state from yesterday's flows. We are currently in dire need of rain here in NC. The rivers are dropping like a rock, and the fish are just building up their skittish nature, one cubic foot at a time. Fishing the faster pocket water, and riffles will most likely bring some fish to your net. All you need to do is stay low wear drab colored clothing, and use extreme caution when walking in and along the river. Mend your line, and use the smallest strike indicator your fly will will allow. Check out the list of recommended flies for October, over in the right hand column, for fly selection. Most streams will be free of a crowd of anglers, (especially on the weekdays) although, the "D" may have a few fisherman. This will change in approximately 2 weeks when everybody flocks to the streams due to the Fall colors. Anywho, more tomorrow.....Stay warm these next couple of nights.
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