Fly Fishing Advice, western NC local advice for fly fishing, tips from Ken Kastorff

SUMMER FLY LINE NEWS

Summer options for the Nantahala include joining us for a day long float fishing trip in the drift boat or raft.  With the release schedule pretty much set for the season, wade fishing is a good option in the early morning or late afternoon hours.  During the mid part of the day Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Copper John Nymphs, San Juan Worms and Streamers do well.  Early and late with the water off usually are great times to check out your dry fly fishing skills. Sulfurs, Blue Wing Olives and Adams are always good flies to try.  Depending on the hatch, Yellow Stones and Spinner patterns as well as Mosquito and Black Gnat patterns will work well.

Enjoy Dave Lambert's article about nymphing for big nanny brown trout!

The delayed harvest sections of the Nantahala and Tuckaseege Rivers has come to a close, meaning these sections will continue to be stocked with fish through out the summer, but not with the numbers of fish that you see during the delayed harvest season.

This is the time of year where water levels have dropped and clear water is normal on the Little Tennessee and French Broad Rivers for Small Mouth Bass.  Fishing is good anytime of the day.  Just like the Nantahala wet flies and streamers work well during mid day and Poppers and big Dry Flies work well late.  Streamers like Woolly Buggers in black or Poppers in yellow as well as any kind of Worm pattern seem to work well.

The Cherokee Indian Reservation has several options for good fishing as well.  Fish the Oconoluftee River is stocked each week during the summer and is catch and keep if you desire.  The Ravens Fork is stocked with trophy sized fish and is a catch and release stream only.

Wondering about where fly fishing might take you?  Enjoy the photos of our international fishing expeditions in search of peacock bass and other amazonia monsters.