Tellico River Fishing Report

We have gotten some much needed rain over the last couple weeks and the river is in perfect shape right now. Water temps remain in the high 40's to low 50's depending on your location and the fish are certainly hungry, especially in the Delayed Harvest section.

Nymphing remains the most productive technique. The 2 fly drop shot method has worked the best for me. The best combination has been a large, black stonefly as my point fly and a size 16 hares ear as my dropper fly. Adjust the amount of split shot as needed to get your flies down. The water has been crystal clear, so stealth has also been very important.

I've caught a couple of the larger brood fish that they stocked, but most have been in the 12-14 inch range. The best fish caught so far has been a 3 inch wild rainbow trout. I say the best fish yet because it certainly proves that we have good reproduction of wild fish continuing in the river. That is always a good thing to see.

I fished Sycamore Creek last week also. The brook trout that they re-introduced this year appear to be faring well. They remain aggressive feeders and a size 10 yellow stimulator dry fly was the only fly needed to land a dozen or so brookies. The key was to keep the fly riding high. They do not like a partially sunk dry fly imitation. They never have in my experience. Strange when you consider how aggressively they attack the dry flies that are presented properly.

North River also produced some very nice wild rainbows last week. I didn't spend too much time up there, maybe an hour, but the fishing was good over all. I was on my way home from fishing the DH and decided to fish it on my way out. I began losing light, so I packed it up after bringing 4 or 5 fish to hand. The size 18 pheasant tail was the choice fly on the North River, as is often the case. They love the classics up there.

I did not fish Bald River last week. This time of year I generally stay clear of that area and leave it for the hunters. After all, there's plenty of other water to concentrate on, that's for sure.
 
Speaking of hunters, here's a little Public Service Announcement:
If you happen to see dogs running along the Tellico River corridor this time of year, please leave them alone. They are not lost and they have not been dropped off and abandoned. They are hunting dogs. You'll notice that they will have a collar on with an antennae sticking out. That is a tracking collar. The owners of these dogs generally know the exact area that they are in and pick them up after the days hunt. I'm a HUGE dog lover also, so I know it may look like the dog is lost and needs help, but trust me, he's fine. He's doing what he loves to do in the mountains, just like you are. So please, just let him go about his business.