Stream Report for August 4, 2010

STONE MTN AND MITCHELL RIVER

Both streams has switched over to hatchery supported which means most of the delayed harvest fish have been taken out. Warmer water temps add to the reasons why you should find an alternative fishing spot.


HELTON CREEK

Helton has also switched over to hatchery supported. With over seven miles of water, and unlike the Mitchell and Stone mountain there are always fish left after the harvest takes place. Water temps stay cooler because of the altitude and could be worth a trip. Sulphurs, Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, Adams, Beetles and Ants should all work on top. Subsurface look to try micro mayflies, san juan worms, Y2K, white wooly buggers and midge patterns.



WILSON CREEK (DELAYED HARVEST)

Is also hatchery support now. Fewer fish but always worth trying to catch those that did not get harvested. Use the same tactics as above.


SMITH RIVER

The lower section through town and below the dam were stocked on 5/25. Fishing has continued to be good through town. But as most of you who fish the Smith know, summertime is beetle time. Shady areas and against the banks will produce fish. Hunchback two-tone sulphur (18-20), pheasant tails (18-20), Quasimodo (18-20), beetles in size 14 also pmd sprout emergers in 18 will work on top also, red copper johns (18) fished under a size 12 caddis will work too.



SOUTH HOLSTON (TN)

The sulphur hatch has still been coming off more sporadically and the fishing has been good. Sulphur duns and emergers have been the ticket in sizes 16-20. Para sulphurs will work as well. Rainbow warriors in pearl and red, two tone hunchbacks, two bit hookers, psycho princes in sizes 16-22. Rainbow warriors in pearl and red will work also. Be sure to have some small zebra midges in red and black in sizes 20-24.


WATAUGA RIVER (TN)

Sulphurs, caddis and midges will just about cover it on the Watauga. Take some strike indicators and split shot to fish bead head nymphs such as pheasant tails, micro mayflies and hare\'s ears in size 18-20. Caddisflies are working as well so caddis larva patterns will produce as will caddis dries. Soft hackles in olive and yellow will produce in the riffles. Make sure you have midge patterns as well like zebra midges, ginny midges and wd-40\'s in sizes 18-24.

NEW RIVER

The popper fishing has been incredible! Water conditions have been good for the most part. Check our streamflows under the links section of our website. Late days rains can push the river up to where it is not wadable. For those who want to do some great fishing while you wait for October to arrive, the New is it. For the fly fisherman, baitfish patterns and poppers are the way to go right now. Deceivers, clousers in chart./white, olive/white and gray/white. Fat Bastards will work as well in chatruese, white and black. Hit the banks with poppers. We like to use frog colored poppers as well as yellow, white, chart. and color combination of those just listed.

DOWN AT THE COAST

Down around Cape Lookout and Oregon Inlet the fishing has spectacular. Bluefish and spanish fishing has been great also when the weather cooperates. Most baitfish patterns will work such as deceivers and clousers. They are not being picky. The redfishing has been good as well back in the marshes. Crab and shrimp patterns work as well as clousers in black and tan/white.