Mid-Late March Fishing Report
Western North Carolina fly fishing conditions for trout keep improving daily! This past weekend proved to be one of the best for conditions we have seen since maybe November. Thursday started off a little shakey with Rain/Snow showers from a passing front causing anglers to experience 3 seasons in one day! Saturday and Sunday warmed back up and turned on for Delayed Harvest
Listen Below to the latest fishing report done in collaboration with The Articulate Fly
Native Brook Trout and wild rainbows have come alive along many of blue lines within the Western North Carolina Fly Trail eating #16 Olive Parachutes. Other hatches were kicking but this seemed to be what they really liked.
The Webster-Dillsboro Tuckaseegee Delayed Harvest has been fishing fairly consistent. Float trips have been picking up fish all throughout but you want to make sure you capitalize your opportunities. Trips were able to take fish on dry flies as well, which is very exciting given the timing. Between 2 and 3pm with sunshine, one can count on the hatch. Size 10-12 Blue Quils were the ticket when this happens. Saturday I observed many folks venturing back into the waters for wading opportunities.
The Bryson City section of the Delayed Harvest has not fished as consistent with most of the fish being found in the deep long pools above and below Nabers Drive-In. As the water levels continue to come back to normal the fish will spread out better but with flows in Bryson City 3 to 5,ooo cfs for so long the fish had to get smart about where they could hold. We have since seen levels return to below 3,ooo CFS.
Upper Nantahala Fires Creek and Snowbird have been fishing fantastic, even through the early March rains. Euro-Nymphing and Dry Dropper Tactics are working great.
This coming weekend (end of the month) we are looking forward to highs in the low 70s with over night lows in the 40s. This weather pattern is very favorable. We have a Thunderstruck Lodge Trip with some folks - The forecast should make for a very memorable trip and comfortable campfire evenings.
