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Tennessee Overhill Fishing Report - November 2006 |
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Monday, 13 November 2006 |
Tellico River - Water levels are approaching the normal fall mark. Water temperatures are cool and fluctuating with the daily ambient temperature. The leaf fall is near complete. It is time to start back wearing waders here. The delayed harvest section is in full swing. The area with special regulations is from Turkey creek up to the mouth of the North River. The river is fishing well for both stocked rainbows and wild trout. The browns are more aggressive as they are feeling the spawning urge. Both the North and Bald rivers are in good shape and fishing well. Nice afternoons are allowing some dry fly fishing here also.
Hiwassee River - TVA is currently generating approximately 2000cfs during the week and 1400 - 2000cfs on the weekends. If we see a low water day it is usually on Sunday as this is a low power demand day. This is the best release schedule we have had so far all year. Water temps are 60 degrees. Fall is shaping up to be the best fishing of 2006 and I think this will hold true right on into 2007. We are in a typical fall weather pattern with a cool snap followed by a warm up and then a short rainy period. The timely rains are good for the watershed, current fishing, and getting us in shape for next spring. The two or three cold snaps have released some shad from the reservoir. Almost every trip yields at least one fish with a beer belly. More cold weather should just increase this occurrence. Nice, calm afternoons are giving us very good hatches of small bwo's on some days. Several different sizes are coming off from #16 on down. I think they are both baetis and psuedocloeons. Current fishing techniques cover all the bases with streamers and nymphs early and the possibility of some dry fly fishing later in the day.
Toccoa River - We are currently not fishing here. This is standard protocol. The stretch of river that we like is difficult to get our boats down during late summer and fall. We need the additional flow from the tributaries for a comfortable float. We usually begin to drift this section after the first of the year. As soon as we get some half way decent weather in February, the caddis will appear on the Toccoa. This is when we want to start being here. We will see caddis, Hendricksons, sulfurs and BWO's all within a 90 - 120 day period. Due to events from this summer and fall, I think early 2007 will be one of the Toccoa's best seasons yet. Our largest trout of 2006 came from this small river.
Holston River - The Holston flows from Cherokee dam just north of Knoxville and west of Sevierville. It is a good float trip destination for those visiting the Smokey's or Gatlinburg area. TVA has not been giving us too many floatable days this fall due to high water levels, but when the flows are right, the fishing is great. Weekends, and especially Sundays seem to be the best bet for a good flow rate. The upper river is holding some very nice holdover rainbows. Average fish size is excellent. Caddis and midge are hatching in good numbers. We are doing some light nymphing, dry fly fishing, and streamers are also producing some fish.
Cumberland River - Not too much to report from here right now. It was great. It will be great again. The generation schedule is currently too high to fish. When the Corps runs water here, they often will run great amounts 24/7. The good news is that when they drop the generation levels, they often do so for a few weeks which gives us a window of opportunity. I still expect a good window sometime in 2006. It also means the fish haven't seen a fly or lure for a while and are hungry and refreshed. The Cumberland is our newest offering and one that we are very excited about. It will be the most challenging river we fish, but it offers the greatest opportunity also. I am convinced that there are more trophy sized trout here than any other river within a half day drive of us. I think the Cumberland river is best for experienced anglers looking for opportunities for above average fish and not just numbers. If you are interested in fishing with us here, you may want to respond to this email and say: put me on the "Cumberland call List". I will put you on a separate distribution list and send a short, one line message saying the "water is right" when we get the favorable windows to fish here.
Dane law - Southeastern Anglers, 866-55TROUT |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 13 November 2006 )
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