Summer Fly Fishing Starts On a High Note
We have had a lot going on here at Trout Zone Anglers Headquarters, not the least of which is excitement about the big cicada hatch going on. The Brood X cicadas have been a big hit, both with fish and anglers. However, we haven't been spending as much time chasing that hatch as we probably would normally.
I've been on a bit of a holiday, so to speak. I'll share that big news just a little later in this newsletter. Meanwhile, guides Travis Williams and Pat Tully have been busy taking people fishing all over, from the Clinch, to warm water smallmouth streams, to the Great Smoky Mountains. In fact, we've been doing more trips in the Smokies than anywhere. I have managed to sneak in three guide trip floats in the last couple of weeks with more to come this week. One of those was on the Clinch, and two were on the Caney. I'll share a report on those rivers below and also share a little more about the big cicada hatch.
We are booking up rapidly for the rest of the summer. I have a couple of days that opened up for prime fishing dates this month, otherwise we're booked into July. We still have decent availability for both float and wade trips in July and August. With the heat of summer finally here, it is time to start thinking about those fall fishing trips as well. We are now booking through December for all three guides. More on specific availability can be found later in the newsletter.
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Deals, Deals, Deals
If you haven't checked out the sale page over on the Trout Zone blog, there are still some good deals to be had. Several items have either sold or have a sale pending, but there are still some steals available. I dropped the prices on a couple of the rods just because they are taking up space and need a new home. I've got way too many rods and hate to see them sitting in the corner not being used. Check out the sale at the link below. New items will be added from time to time so check back often.
Trout Zone Deals
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Tailwater Fishing Report
The tailwaters have been fishing anywhere from decent to great depending on the day. We have been floating both the Caney Fork River and the Clinch River as of late. Reports from tailwaters in northeast Tennessee have been excellent as well.
The Caney Fork is finally settling into a routine, at least for now. The only downside to this routine is that the Corps of Engineers is choosing to not move much water on the weekends. This means that we are dealing with more water than we prefer on weekdays, but are still seeing good enough windows to get out and float some on low or falling water which is our preferred time to be on the water. The good news about flows as of late is that the Corps seems to be making an effort to keep cold water in the river this year. Of course, only time will tell if they stick to that, but for the time being, we are cautiously optimistic that good things are happening (finally!) on this amazing tailwater fishery.
Fish are eating the usual suspects including nymphs, midges, and sow bugs. Streamers have been the surprise choice, even on low or falling water. The big brown trout below came to a streamer on a float last week. Keep an eye out for more active/aggressive fish and present a streamer if they won't look at your nymphs. Soft hackles can be very good as well when fishing start rising.
The Clinch River has been fishing very well this spring. We are fishing all sections of the river, and we are still seeing sulfurs hatching. This year has been a better than last year for sulfurs on the Clinch River by a long shot. In fact, last week we got into a great hatch that had fish boiling everywhere. The fish above came on a good sulfur day in fact. If you are more interested in quality instead of quantity, the Clinch is the place to be. However, you should recognize that it is tough even for great anglers. There are simply some days where the fish are extremely difficult on this crystal clear tailwater. Stick with it anyways, because eventually you'll have one of those great days where it all comes together.
On the Clinch, keep it simple with nymphs (a small pheasant tail imitates a sulfur nymph reasonably well) and midges. We've been fishing our nymphs on 5x and midges on 6x and always fluorocarbon for subsurface flies. We also recommend keeping some sulfur dry flies on hand. If you see anything like what we experienced last week, you'll be glad to have those patterns with you.
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Does It Get Any Better? Cicadas 2021
The Brood X cicadas have been everything people had hoped for, when you can locate them anyway. As with most periodic cicada hatches, the bugs are where you find them. While they are supposed to be in East Tennessee, there aren't bugs in every single location. Once you find them, however, it is some of the best fishing you've ever experienced. This particular event has been mostly a warm water event in our area. The upper East Tennessee tailwaters would be worth checking if you have the time and want to find trout eating cicadas.
In our area, the vast majority are happening closer to warm water fisheries. If you've never chased carp on cicadas, then you owe it to yourself to try it out. We are excited about the hatch, but also recognize that it won't be here much longer. If you have trips scheduled in the next week or two and want to try and get on this fishing, just let us know. The next hatch in our area will happen in 2024. This one will offer both trout and carp, bass, and panfish opportunities.
We have all been out just a little to pursue this hatch with more opportunities happening this week. In fact, we have got at least one two boat guide trip this week where we will be focusing on some cicada fishing. Those who have had a taste will do almost anything to experience it again...
Read about the adventures we had a couple of weeks ago while also trying out Trout Zone Anglers guide Travis Williams' new raft on the Trout Zone blog at the link below. Also, stay tuned for another post in the next day or two about further cicada adventures over the last few days. You won't want to miss it!
Searching For Cicadas
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The Big News
Okay, the real big news around here has everything to do with why I haven't been working much. Baby girl Knapp arrived on May 16, about a week and a half early. She came in at 18.5" and 6 pounds 2 ounces. Mama and baby are doing great, and I feel truly blessed to be able to take some time off to spend with both of them. Much thanks to guides Travis Williams and Pat Tully for holding down the fort while I've been off.
Anyway, thank you to everyone who has been checking in about that and for all your thoughts and prayers. We are continually amazed that we are parents and that we were blessed with such a healthy baby. This is an awesome new journey that we've started on, and despite some sleep deprivation, we couldn't be happier!
-David Knapp
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Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report
Summer hit hard and early this year. Lower rainfall going into the summer means that we are tiptoeing on the edge of a drought year. There is still plenty of time for that trend to reverse, but Little River has been flowing lower than normal more than it has been flowing above normal this year. Of course, drought years turn into great tailwater fishing years so it isn't the end of the world.
With the lower water of summer, we are spending a lot of time hiking into the higher elevations chasing brook trout and rainbows. There are still some opportunities to fish on Little River for those who want to, but don't be surprised if your guide wants to head higher if you have a trip booked over the next few months.
Terrestrials are very important now throughout the Smokies. Ants, inch worms, and beetles are a mainstay of our boxes during the summer months. Golden stoneflies are going to be important moving forward along with slate drakes (Isonychia bicolor). For both of those hatches, the nymph stage is generally more important to imitate than the adults. Of course, little yellow stoneflies are almost always around in the summer in the Smokies.
Don't be surprised if fishing isn't as good as you would normally expect. We are in the middle of unprecedented interest in our sport which is leading to much higher pressure than normal. The fish require a very stealthy approach, so if you aren't catching fish, focus more on stealth than anything else
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Fly Fishing Tips For More Success
Lately, I have been inspired to share things that I routinely see that will help people become better anglers. Some of these are things to do and some are things not to do. Both are important to keep in mind when you are on the water. The first suggestion is rather straightforward, but often times when on the water, I find myself flailing away at impossible targets. In this article, I'll share how to increase the odds to catch more fish with one simple suggestion. The title says it all but the article has some elaboration on the concept.
Fish Within Your Strengths For Success
The next article is mostly geared towards tailwater fishing, especially drift boat fishing. However, the advice is important in any sight fishing situation as well. Of course, patience is more than important for any angler. Use that patience to make yourself limit casting to what is absolutely necessary.
Be Patient, Don't Cast Too Often
If you put the two concepts together, you'll catch a lot more fish.
-David Knapp
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Upcoming Guide Trip Availability
The next couple of months are one of our busiest times of the year. We are already largely booked into July at this point. The only day we have left in June is the 24th with guide Pat Tully. If you are interested in fishing with us in July or August and beyond, here are the open dates for each guide respectively. Some of these days are full days and some are just half days left so make sure and let me know how long of a trip you are looking for. We are booking through December 2021 now for all guides, so if you want a date beyond the open dates listed, just let me know, and I'll check the calendar for you.
David Knapp:
July 14, 20, 21, 23, 27, and 30
August 3, 10-13, 17-20, 24, 25,
September 2, 3, 7-9, 20-24, 27-30
October 1, 6, 8, 12-15, 22, 26-29
Travis Williams:
July 5, 8, 15, 22, and 26
August 2, 5, 9, 12, 23, 26, 30
September 2, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, and 30
October 4, 7, 11, 14, 21, 25, 28,
Pat Tully:
July 1, 2 (half), 5 (half), 6, 8, 9, 12 (half), 13, 15, 16, 19, 22, 23, 26-30
August 2-6, 9-13, 17-20, 23-26, 30, 31
September 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-30
October 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
As always, if you are interested in fishing with any of us, you can reach out to me (David Knapp) at TroutZoneAnglers@gmail.com which is probably the best way to get a quick response. Text is a very close second best at (931) 261-1884. A phone call is great as well but it might take me longer to get back to you. I'm often checking voice messages late at night, so if you don't mind a late phone call, mention that in your message. Otherwise I'll try to get back to you the next day. If you have fished with Pat or Travis before and want to book them again, you are also welcome to reach out to them directly. You can find trip info on our website at www.troutzoneanglers.com or let me know if you have any questions.
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Thanks For Being Here
Thank you for taking the time to keep up with us here at Trout Zone Anglers. We appreciate you choosing us as your fly fishing guides and hope to help you become better anglers and make amazing memories each time you're out on the water. We look forward to fishing with you, be it again or your first time.
Sincerely,
David Knapp, Travis Williams, and Pat Tully
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