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(Posted 5-6-2010) Fly Fishing Report for Early MayBy Eugene ShulerMay is one the top months for fly fishing, and it's certainly one of the best months for fishing dry flies. Aquatic insect hatches are abundant and trout are rising everywhere. Over the past week we've had some heavy rains that have swollen rivers and streams in the area. Water levels in most mountain streams are full and will be fishing very good this week. In Cherokee, the Raven Fork is getting lots of attention and for good reason. Were else can you catch fish after fish measuring 20-plus inches on a fly rod? The Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only section is wildly popular with visiting anglers, so please take note that you will see other people. Best advice is to explore the entire 2.2 mile section and find less pressured waters. The Job Corps Bridge is a common hangout for anglers watching the action underneath. The Tuckasegee River Delayed Harvest section above Dillsboro is fishing fantastic. Catch the water generation off and you will have a stellar day. Tan Caddis have been hatching in droves. A small white Woolly Bugger will make your day here, too. The riffles above the island are popular among local anglers, so know that you won't be alone here, but who cares - it's the fish you're after and there are plenty! Look for broken water, current seams and bubble lines and you'll be into fish. Suggested Dry Fly Patterns: Sulphers #12-16; Little Yellow Sallies, Tan Caddis #14-16; Quill Gordon #12-16; March Brown #10-16; Blue Quill #12-18; Mahogany Dun #14-18; Blue Winged Olive #16-22; Light Hendrickson #14-18; Dark Hendrickson #14-18; Red Quill #14-16; Light Cahill #16-18; Ginger Quill #14-16; Grey Fox #12-16; Adams #12-20; Royal Wulff #12-18; Thunderhead #12-16; Female Adams #12-16; Adams Variant #12-16; Black Caddis #14-16; Black Midge #16-20; Peeking Caddis #14-18; Stimulator (tan or light yellow) #12-16. Suggested Nymph Patterns: Hares Ear #12-18; Pheasant Tail #12-20; Rubber Leg Prince Nymph #12-20; Orange Sow Scud #14-16; Orange and Pink Egg patterns #12-16; Pink, Orange and Red San Juan Worms #12-14; Lightning Bug #12-18; Rainbow Warrior #12-18; Black and Red Zebra Midges #16-22; Tan Caddis Pupae #12-16; Quill Gordon wet fly #12-16; March Brown wet fly #10-16; Adams Soft Hackle #12-18. Suggested Streamers Patterns: Woolly Buggers in olive black brown and white #6-12; Olive Slump buster #6-10; White & Olive Zonkers #6-10; Olive Mohair Leech #6-10; Clouser minnows, red/white chart/white #8-10 Eugene Shuler is director of guide operations at Rivers Edge Outfitters in Cherokee and captain of the NC Fly Fishing Team. He can be reached at 828-497-9300. # # #
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Trail Now Includes Trophy Water Option SYLVA, N.C. – The WNC Fly Fishing Trail has added an exciting new destination for anglers - the Raven Fork trophy water on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Raven Fork is a 2.2-mile stretch of water northward from the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge outside Cherokee. The water is regularly stocked with large rainbow, brown and golden trout. It's common to catch fish 20 inches or longer, and there are a number of trout that exceed 30 inches. The scenic Raven Fork replaces the Horsepasture River as spot No. 6 on the WNC Fly Fishing Trail. Public access to the Horsepasture River is becoming increasingly limited. Anglers wishing to fish Raven Fork need to purchase a $20 special use permit and a $7 daily permit from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Raven Fork is designated by the Cherokee as catch & release fly fishing only. "The Raven Fork trophy water enhances the trail's overall experience because it provides a type of fishing not found anywhere else," said Julie Spiro of the Jackson Country Tourism Authority, which created the WNC Fly Fishing Trail. "It's thrilling to catch fish on that stream. There are a lot of large trout in there." Local guide Alex Bell, who helped create the trail, has worked with several anglers who have eagerly requested a trip to Raven Fork. # # #
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(Posted 2-11-2010)
Trail Exhibits at Fly Fishing Show CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The WNC Fly Fishing Trail was one of more than 80 exhibitors at The Fly Fishing Show, held Jan. 29-30 at The Park, a merchandise mart in Charlotte. A steady stream of visitors braved a winter blast to stop by the booth. Trail representatives distributed 250 maps, and several dozen anglers attended two presentations about the trail in the Destination Theater. "We were surprised at the number of fly fisherman who already knew about the trail and wanted more info," said Alex Bell, a trail co-creator. "People like the concept. That was obvious." The trail also drew attention from fellow exhibitors. "The trail is a great idea. I think Jackson County and Graham County have the best trout waters in Western North Carolina," said noted outdoors writer Jim Casada of Rock Hill, S.C.
For trail info or convenient lodging, call (800) 962-1911.
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(Posted 9-23-2009)
DH Waters of Tuck Receive Fall Stocking SYLVA, N.C. – The delayed harvest section of the Tuckasegee River, one of 15 spots on the WNC Fly Fishing Trail, receives an infusion of 19,600 trout this fall. The stocking will be conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and takes place in two segments – 9,800 trout the first full week of October, and another 9,800 trout the first full week of November.
Brook and rainbow trout account for 80 percent of the fish, with brown trout making up the remaining 20 percent.
Anglers may fish the delayed harvest section of the Tuckasegee River year round. However, all fish caught between Oct. 1 and the first Saturday in June must be released immediately.
The delayed harvest section of the Tuck runs from the N.C. Hwy 107 Bridge in the Lovesfield community to the Dillsboro Dam. “Your catch percentage goes up greatly when they stock the delayed harvest waters of the Tuck in October and November,” said fly fishing guide Alex Bell of Sylva.
A good many anglers choose to fish the Tuck in October as opposed to November, but Bell says November conditions are often better. The elevation of this stretch of the river is around 2,000 feet, so mild temperatures are the norm through Thanksgiving.
“The number of fish goes up in November,” he said, “and the number of fishermen goes down.”
Other good autumn places to fish the WNC Fly Fishing Trail are: Scott Creek, Panthertown Creek, Savannah Creek and the Chattooga River.
For info on the trail or convenient lodging, call (800) 962-1911.
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