June Report From Nicolay

Summer is officially here and it sure feels like it.  Like the rest of the country, we have been seeing unseasonably high temperatures for the last week or so.  It’s been hovering around 90 for the high here in Sylva but fortunately it looks like we’re breaking that trend and should be getting back to a normal weather pattern for the next week or two.  For much of Western North Carolina you should expect temps to be in the low 80’s with the possibility of some afternoon thunderstorms.  And boy we can use some storms!  All of this sun and heat are beginning to lower water levels and raise water temperatures.  It’s been making the fishing a little more difficult.  But by picking the right places to fish, the right time of day, and being a little more thoughtful in your fly selection and approach you can still have good success on the water through these warmer months.  So lets dive into these topics.

Planning the next move

A question I have been asked a lot in the shop recently is, “why am I having a tough time catching trout right now?”  After some digging on my part, most of the time I find out that a

lot of people are simply fishing the wrong waters or at the wrong time of day.  For example this is not the time of year to hit the Tuck DH in the middle of the afternoon.  You can get a few to the net first thing in morning and maybe stick a couple bass but its not your most productive option.  That water gets far too hot for trout this time of year.  Trout need cold water.  Specifically, their ideal feeding range is between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.  To check this a great tool to have in your pack is a stream-side thermometer.  We have a couple options in our shops but I’m a big fan of the Fishpond digital thermometer.  It’s easy and quick to read and like all Fishpond products it’ll hold up to use.  So find that colder water and you’re likely to find trout that are willing to eat.  But where is good cold trout water in WNC when the temperatures spike you might ask.  Well, just go up in elevation and fish those shady headwater streams for one.  Summertime is a great time to chase our native brookies!  If you’re not up for doing a little bushwhacking or hiking simply get out at daybreak and focus on water that originates from higher elevation.  Areas I would emphasize would be places like the Smokies, The Nantahala, and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Streams in these areas have a lot of shade and originate from high elevation leading to naturally cooler water.  The lower Nantahala also benefits from consistent cool water coming off the dam.  Just be aware of the release schedule and get out before the water reaches you!  When on the water focus on the more turbulent areas of those streams that have higher dissolved oxygen such as obstructions in the current or rapids will be good holding spots for trout.  Time of day is also going to be a big factor in your success.  I have done best over the past couple weeks in the first couple hours of sunlight and ending my day of fishing around 10 or 11 in the morning.  Late in the evening can be productive as well as less direct sunlight hits the water.  

Summertime Brook Trout

Now that we have an idea of when and where to fish lets talk a little about fly selection and your approach in lower water conditions.  Summer is the time of year we can start focusing on terrestrials.  Terrestrials are defined as insects that live primarily on land.  Think ants, beetles, inchworms etc.  Many of these imitations are tied with foam bodies and make a great indicator in a dry dropper setup.  In addition to terrestrials, there are still a few aquatic insects hatching that trout will be willing to eat an imitation of.  Having an assortment of Sulphurs, Yellow Sallies, Tan Caddis, and Midges should bring you some success.  If the fish are feeding towards the bottom a fast sinking fly like a Perdigon is a great choice for a dropper.  

More important than your fly, especially in low water conditions, is your approach.  This holds especially true for wild fish.  Trout are not apex predators.  They are just trying to survive and have a lot of natural predators in the form of birds, otters, and you as the angler!  This means we need to be extra aware wading in low water conditions with what we wear, how we move, and how we present a fly to a wary trout.  For clothing, leave that bright yellow LA Lakers jersey at home and wear neutral tones.  This will help you blend in to the natural environment and keep you from sticking out like a sore thumb.  You also want to watch your movements.  Slow down and be mindful about where and how you’re walking through the creek.  Make sure to be aware of your shadows.  This is especially true when casting a fly rod with the sun at your back.  A great way to not catch fish is to continuously false cast your rods shadow over the section of water that you’ve identified as a good lie for trout.  Another aspect of your presentation to be aware of is your fly line.  Using a reach cast or adjusting your casting angle can help keep you from casting over the top of and lining the fish.  

Hopefully some of this information will be helpful and give you some more success on the water during the summer months.  But most importantly have fun out there!