Western North Carolina & East Tennessee Fly Fishing Report | February

Winter Fly Fishing: Is It Worth Braving the Cold?

Winter fly fishing in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee can be challenging, but there are still opportunities to catch trout and beat cabin fever. While winter is not the best time of year to catch trout in the High Country, warming trends can create windows of good fishing.

We are finally seeing a much-needed warm-up after nearly a month of bitter cold. As temperatures rise, expect elevated water levels as snow and ice melt. Once flows settle, creeks and rivers across WNC and East Tennessee will be low and clear. Fish may be spooky in these conditions, but a few simple rigging adjustments can make a big difference.

Fishing light tippet is critical. We are currently running mainly 6X fluorocarbon to our droppers when dry-dropper fishing and nymph fishing (we wouldn’t run much heavier than 5.5X). Another important adjustment in low, clear winter water is your indicator. Switching from large Oros or Airlocks to a small yarn indicator helps reduce surface disturbance and keeps fish from spooking.

When dry-dropper fishing, use the smallest dry fly that will still hold up your droppers. Stealth is the name of the game this winter. If you’re planning a day on the water, target a warmer, sunny day. Cold water temperatures make trout lethargic, but a little sunshine can be enough to get fish feeding.

Delayed Harvest Fishing (Western North Carolina)

Delayed Harvest waters provide some of the best fly fishing opportunities in Western North Carolina during the winter months. Fish populations stay consistent in these sections due to harvest restrictions.

When fishing delayed harvest water in winter, it helps to think outside the box. If you focus only on easy-access holes, you’ll likely be fishing to trout that have seen every fly in the box. Walking and fishing between access points often puts you in front of less-pressured fish that are more willing to eat. Winter is a great time to explore new water and learn more about these rivers.

Delayed Harvest Recommendations

• Leader: 7.5 ft 4X or 5X

• Indicator/Dry: Yarn indicator or size 12–14 Chernobyl

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  Tippet: 5.5X or preferably 6X

• Flies:

  • Tungsten bead egg patterns (12–14)

  • Tungsten Pat’s Rubber Legs (12)

  • Midges (18–22): black, olive, brown, purple

  • Blue Winged Olive nymphs (18–22)

  • Black Copper John (18–20)

  • Frenchie (18)

Wild Water & Headwater Stream Fishing (Western North Carolina)

Wild trout water and headwater streams in Western North Carolina have been a bit tough lately. That said, the fish being caught have been a better-than-average size. Don’t be surprised if you have to work for them, but the reward is often worth it.

On warmer days, we’ve seen small black caddis hatches, with fish occasionally feeding on the surface. If you're a streamer junkie, twitching small jigged streamers has also been producing quality fish.

Wild Stream Recommendations

• Leader: 7.5 ft 5X or 6X

• Dry-Dropper Setup:

  • Size 12–14 Chernobyl

  • Elk Hair Caddis

  • Stimulator (adjust size to stream width)

• Dry Fly: Black Caddis (18)

• Tippet: 6X

• Droppers:

  • Midges (18–22)

  • Blue Winged Olive nymphs (18–22)

  • Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail (16–18)

  • Black Copper John (18–20)

Bonus tip: Keep flies natural and accurate in size for what’s present this time of year, usually in the 18–22 range.

Watauga & South Holston Tailwater Fishing (East Tennessee)

Tailwater fishing on the Watauga River and South Holston River is hit or miss this time of year. There are days when the fishing is excellent and others when It can be tougher. If you have a day to spare, it’s still worth fishing these tailwaters.

Both rivers have seen near-daily TVA generation, often in short 1–2 hour spurts. Be sure to check the TVA generation schedule before fishing the Watauga or South Holston. Because these are dam-fed tailwaters, water temperatures remain consistent throughout winter.

BWO and midge hatches are common this time of year, and it’s not unusual to see trout feeding heavily on these insects.

Tailwater Recommendations

• Leader: 9 ft 5X or 6X

• Indicator/Dry: Yarn indicator or size 12 Chernobyl (keep yarn small)

• Tippet: 6X

Dry Flies

• Blue Winged Olive dries (18–22)

• Midge dries (20–22)

Droppers

• Tungsten egg patterns (12–14)

• Midges (20–22)

• BWO nymphs (20–22)

• Mayhem Midge (20–22)

• Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail (18)

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to ditch heavy tungsten bead flies. Tailwater trout can get bead-shy, and fishing two small midges or a midge/BWO combo with split shot can produce more consistent eats.

If you have any questions about current conditions, fly selection, etc, stop by the shop or give us a call. We’re always happy to help!