Tellico stream report provided by Cody Fischer of Tellico Outfitters.

STREAM REPORT 9/03: Current streamflow- 253cfs. Recorded water temp at Green Cove- 67°F (6p). 

Last weekend brought a lot of rain to the Tellico area. Median streamflow for early September is about 100cfs. Last week's rainfall spiked that to 3,000cfs, but the Tellico drops quickly and we're back down to a wadeable levels and water is clear. In fact, current streamflows are now more reminiscent of late Spring than early September. 

With the extra water, the trout are on the feed. While there are very few stocked fish left in the Tellico, North River, Bald River and the other tributary streams are fishing as good as they have all year. Wild rainbows and brook trout are really putting some size on thanks to the additional streamflow we've seen this summer.

Hatches have slowed down, there were very few bugs on the water yesterday evening, but the fish are still looking up. Yellow or purple stimulators, paracuhute adams, purple haze and neversink caddis in smaller sizes are all good bets for solid dry fly action. A prince nymph, hot bead pheasant or hare's ear, green weenie or frenchie dropped 1-1.5' below the dry will help find those fish that aren't looking up. 

Take advantage of the exceptional flows this weekend and enjoy some time on our wild trout streams. 

For the latest conditons, stop by the shop, give us a call or shoot us a message. Tight lines.

STREAM REPORT 8/21: Current streamflow- 128cfs. Measured water temp- 65° at Green Cove at 6pm. 

Stocking may be over for the summer, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught. A quick trip up river yesterday evening produced double digit numbers with 1/3 of those being stocked fish up to 14" and the rest being wild fish. Water levels are at average levels for the Tellico area, but being summer, that means water is relatively low. With the lower water and wild rainbows making up majority of the catch, now is the best time to throw a dry and dropper on the Tellico. This time of year, it is worthwhile to fish the big river with the same tactics that would be used on the smaller streams. 

5-6X tippet, a Parachute Adams or Neversink Caddis with a Hot Bead Hare's Ear or Frenchie dropped 1.5-2' below the dry will produce great dry fly action with the occasional larger fish taking the dropper. This same tactic continues to produce well on the smaller streams. Don't forget to keep a stealthy approach during low water conditions. Focus most of your time on fishing the pocket water and covering a lot of ground. Fish the higher elevations. 

Yellow sallies, tan caddis and blue winged olives are still hatching in good numbers, primarily in the evenings. 

Stop by the shop or shoot us a message for the latest conditions.  Tight Lines. @ Tellico River

STREAM REPORT 7/29: Current Streamflow- 106cfs. Recorded Peak Water Temp- 68°F @ Green Cove

Current streamflow is just below the median for this time of year. That will most likely change due to some welcome rain this week. Over two inches is possible in the next few days. If you plan on fishing this week, expect high off color water. Black Pat's rubber legs, squirmy worms and pink eggs and black woolly buggers are all good high water flies. The dry fly bite has still been great on the small streams. Yellow foam bugs like neversink caddis, foam humpy and one of our new favorites, the 409 Yeager, have been very productive. Add a green weenie, hot bead pheasant tail, Tellico Nymph or rubber legged hare's ear for a few more fish that aren't in a hurry to rise to a dry. Fish high to find the best water temps and if the water is high, the upper sections of streams will be the first to clear. If you plan to catch and release, keep a close eye on water temps, especially during the peak of the day. If temps climb above 68°, seek cooler water.

Give us a call or shoot us a message for the latest stream conditions. Tight lines.

STREAM REPORT 7/15: Current streamflow- 139cfs Peak recorded water temp (7/14)- North River confluence- 67°F, Green Cove- 65°F 

Expect lower water levels and warming water temps with highs in the 90s and little rain in sight until next week. Fortunately, we are at normal streamflows for this time of year and water temps are still fine, at least from North River and upatstream, with water staying cooler as you approach the NC state line. If you plan to catch and release, keep an eye on temps, especially by midday and into early afternoon. Water temps will be cooler in the mornings and begin to drop in the evenings.

Fishing remains great on the Tellico River as well as the tributaries. We are in summer mode so now is the time to switch to low water tactics. Focus on pocket water and faster pools and runs. You might be surprised at how shallow of water you can pull fish out of this time of year. The combination of overhead cover, increased oxygen and abundance of aquatic insects in the fast water and riffles draws hungry fish into skinny water. This is the perfect place to fish a light euro nymph setup or dry/dropper rig. 

Hot bead hare's ears and pheasant tails, frenchies, Walt's worms, green weenies and Pat's rubber legs in smaller sizes are great nymph choices for the summer months. Yellow sally and golden stones continue to hatch in droves, especially in the evenings. A neversink caddis, tan elk hair caddis or yellow stimulator will effectively match the hatch. Try throwing a beetle or ant pattern if nothing is hatching. 

Be sure to call or message the shop for the latest conditions. Tight lines.

STREAM REPORT 7/10: Current Streamflow- 224cfs. Peak recorded water temp- 72°F at Bald River Falls, 68°F at North River confluence.

Afternoon showers over the past week have kept streamflows above normal for this time of year. Due to scattered showers, some streams may be off color and high while others may be at normal levels and clarity. Keep this in mind as you fish this weekend...if you find your favorite stream high and muddy, you may find clearer water at a higher elevation or on a different stream.

The tried and true fly patterns are still working well this year. Neversink caddis, green weenie, purple haze, parachute adams, tan elk hair caddis, frenchies, prince nymphs, squirmies and Pat's rubber legs. Golden stonefly and yelllow sally hatches are still going strong, especially in the last light of the evening.

Concentrate efforts from North River confluence and upstream on the Tellico River. There are still trout below the confluence down to Bald River, but temps are beginning to rise to stressful levels for trout and the bite may be slow, especially during the heat of the day.

Remember that the best tool you can carry with you this time of year is a stream thermometer, for both the health of the fish and the quality of fishing. Anything above 68° and it's best to move higher and find cooler temps.

Feel free to call or message us for the latest conditions. Tight lines. @ Tellico River

STREAM REPORT 7/2: Current streamflow- 266cfs. Peak water temp- 64°F at Green Cove, 67°F at Bald River Falls.

Water levels and temps are in very good shape to start off July. A late-
night storm brought streamflows up last night, although they are dropping. The Tellico is currently off color but clearing out fast and should be clear by the weekend. There are still plenty of trout to be found from Walnut Grove to the NC state line, with the best numbers from North River confluence and up. Blowtorches, frenchies, Pat's, prince nymphs and hare's ears are all producing fish. If water is still off color by the weekend, a San Juan or squirmie would be a good choice.

Dry fly action is still great on the wild trout waters. A neversink caddis, parachute adams or purple haze are all great choices. Drop a prince nymph, hot bead pheasant tail or green weenie to pick up a few more fish. Water on the small streams is now at summer levels meaning they are lower and clearer than they were during the spring. Use stealth and make your casts count during lower water conditions to find success.

Tight lines and Happy 4th.

STREAM REPORT 6/19: Current streamflow- 154cfs. Water temp- 64°F at Bald River confluence, 61°F at Green Cove.

With some very pleasant daytime temps and overnight lows this past week, we've seen water temps stay cooler than usual for mid-June. Water temps were still in the 60s as far down as the town of Tellico Plains, which is roughly 900' in elevation. This means that water temps are in a comfortable range for trout throughout the river right now. This will begin to change as we get back into the mid and upper 80s next week, but for now, the river should be fishing well from below Bald River up to the state line.

Streamflows are right at the median for this time of year. The water is clear and very wadeable right now. Larger nymphs such as Pat's Rubber legs and squirmies are still working very well, but with the lower water, if larger nymphs aren't producing fish, try scaling down in size and profile and throw something like a size 14 or smaller frenchie, hare's ear or copper John. Many fish will be sitting in faster runs and pockets so don't overlook the skinny water.

The dry fly bite is still great on the wild streams. It is hard to beat a neversink caddis or parachute adams. The green weenie bite is on. This inchworm imitation is irresistible in the summer months. It may not look like much, but if you haven't tried one, give it a shot. It is one of the best summertime nymphs for wild fish both in the Tellico area and in the Smokies.

As always, stop by the shop or give us a call for the most current conditions.