TWRA is now publishing fishing forecast for area lakes: The TWRA wants to build a comprehensive report each week of the state’s lakes. If you do not see a report for your favorite lake and you are someone who can provide a report please contact us at Ask.TWRA@tn.gov and provide us with your contact information
Tellico River and Tributary Streams Fishing Report:Â 20 July 2023
Forecast Contributor- Cody Fischer, https://www.facebook.com/tellico.outfitters
Current Streamflow: 195 cfs
Water Temps: 60-68 depending on elevation
It’s been a wet summer so far, and that trend is going to continue for the next couple of days, with 1.5″ of rain expected this afternoon and another .5″ forecasted for Friday. The good news is that the rain departs Friday night and Saturday, and Sunday are predicted to be sunny and clear. We may see high or off-color water at the start of the weekend, not necessarily unfishable, and the river should be clear by Sunday and going into next week.
Despite a lack of noticeable hatches lately, dry fly fishing has been phenomenal, especially for anglers who are venturing into the tributaries and targeting wild and native trout. A Parachute Adams, yellow stimulator or Griffith’s gnat is about all you need. We have been fishing nymphs below our dries and 90% of the fish choose to pounce on the dry fly. Temps are still in the 60-65° range in tributaries over 2,500′, which is perfectly fine for sagely catching and releasing trout.
Big dry flies (hoppers, chernobyls) and nymph droppers are still the way to go on the Tellico. Most stocked trout will eat the nymph, but don’t be surprised if they pounce on a big foam dry fly. Pat’s rubber legs, Frenchies and perdigons are still top producing nymphs. If the water is high and off color this weekend, it will be the perfect time to throw streamers as well.
There’s not much rain in the forecast for early next week, and temps will be pushing into the low 90s, so keep an eye on temps next week if you want to catch and release. Any water temps above 68° presents too much risk of trout going belly up after a hard fight, so move upstream to higher elevations until you find water temps below 68°. As of this week, temps are still fine from North River confluence upstream to the NC state line. A thermometer is an invaluable tool this time of year for finding ideal water temps.
15 June 2023
Forecast Contributor- Cody Fischer, https://www.facebook.com/tellico.outfitters
Current Streamflow: 89 cfs
Water Temps: Low 60s
Hatches:Â Yellow Sally stoneflies, Cahills mayflies, Sulphur mayflies, Golden stone flies, Salmon flies, Tan midges
Hot flies:  Elk hair caddis, Neversink caddis, Klinkhammer, Parachute Adams, Chubby Chernobyl, Pat’s rubber legs, Rainbow warrior, Frenchie, Quill perdigon
We could use a good shot of rain like most streams in Tennessee right now, but thankfully, water temps are very good at the moment. Daytime highs and overnight lows have been cooler than normal, keeping water temps in the safe zone for trout on most of the river. Concentrate your efforts from Bald River confluence upstream to the NC State Line. You can probably still find trout on the Tellico downstream of Bald River, but water temps are likely pushing up into the mid or upper 60s, so if you plan to release your catch, move further upstream.
The Tellico, Citico and tribs are all excellent right now albeit some of the lower gradient tribs like North and Bald, are getting pretty skinny and the trout will be more skittish than at normal stream levels. A dry dropper is your best bet for gently laying out flies with the least chance of spooking your target. A dry fly in the size 14-16 range and a similarly sized, lightly weighted or unweighted dropper is your best option on the tributaries.
Dry/dropper is also an excellent choice for the Tellico and Citico, although you will still have plenty of luck on a nymph rig, especially if you are euro nymphing in the faster runs and pocket water.
There is a chance for rain this afternoon and a decent chance all next week so hopefully that will be enough to get stream flows back up to normal level. Either way, air temps will continue to be cooler than normal throughout this week and next, so we shouldn’t see water temps degrade too much.
02 June 2023
Forecast Contributor- Cody Fischer, https://www.facebook.com/tellico.outfitters
Current Streamflow: 144cfs
Water Temps: upper 50s to low 60s
Hatches:Â Yellow sallies, Cahill mayflies, Golden stoneflies, Salmon flies, Tan caddis, Mahogany mayflies, Bwos, Midges
We are fully in the midst of that sweet spot between spring hatches and summer heat. As such, the hatches are great, air temps aren’t too hot, and water temps are ideal for wet wading and happy trout.
Water levels are on the low side but remain cool and well within the safe temperature range for catching and releasing trout. Temps were measured at 60F in the late afternoon below Turkey Creek, so expect good water temps all through the Tellico River system and its tributaries.
We have seen phenomenal hatches this year. All of the big players are out: yellow sallies and Cahill mayflies dominate the scene with frequent glimpses of golden stones and salmon flies and sporadic occurrences of a variety of other mayflies, stoneflies and caddis. Terrestrials are also out in big numbers, and you will find action on foam beetles, ants, and small crickets/hoppers. There really is not a wrong choice for dry flies right now.
As for nymphs, both for the Tellico and tributaries, smaller, more natural nymphs seem to be the preference while stream flows are low. Tried and true patterns like pheasant tails, hare’s ears and prince nymphs will all produce fish. Try tungsten headed nymphs such as thread Frenchie’s, Walt’s worms and small Pat’s rubber legs in the deeper pocket water on the main river to drum up the stocked fish.
