UPDATED EVERY FRIDAY June 22, 2012

WATER CONDITIONS:  

Clear water, 2′-3′ visibility.  Normal water level, but falling.  Water temperature varying in the upper 60′s and lower 70′s.

Water watch:

FLY SUGGESTIONS:  

Rust colored Crawfish Patterns, Wiggle Minnows, White and Black Streamers, poppers.

Our newest bass fly, ” Puckerlip” has a soft foam head and is a great top water fly.

GENERAL INFORMATION:  

As the temperatures rise, try fishing sections of water just down river of where a cold water stream enters the river.  In addition, as the sun progresses throughout the day, fish the shady banks.  For instance, in the morning the shady side will be river right and in the afternoon the shady side will be river left.  On a recent Smallmouth trip with Richard Witt, most of the

CWO Guide, Richard Witt

fish were sitting in medium speed water in an average of 3′ depth.  However, the fly being used didn’t have a lot of weight to it, so that would explain why this depth produced more fish.  There again, if you are not catching fish, you more than likely are not getting your flies deep enough.   Richard was using a Scott 9′ – 8WT rod with a very nice Galvin reel.

Fish were also found in their typical holding spots.  Typically fish like three things… food, rest and oxygen.  For instance, a big boulder or rock ledge is an ideal home for a Smallmouth bass.  There, a fish can

Photo By: Richard Witt

rest in the slow water behind, or in front of the rock, or below the ledge.  There it can quickly move a few feet into a bubble line or current where food is channeled and then immediately move back to its resting place.  And the water tumbling over the rock provides the oxygen they need.

Planning a fly fishing trip for trout or Smallmouth bass?  Let the professional fly fishing guides from Curtis Wright Outfitters take you there!

PROJECTED CONDITIONS:  

Temperatures are expected to reach the 90′s this week with scattered thunderstorms.

Keep an eye and an ear out for Cicadas this summer.  If they are present, you can be sure fish will be feeding on them.  Cicadas have been present in Tennessee already but none have been spotted on French Broad River yet.

Click here for current weather.

GEAR SUGGESTIONS:

waterdance e1338493563372 224x300 Smallmouth Bass Stream ReportRod: Fast Action comparable to Scott “S” Series rods 8’6”–9’ 6wt.

Leader: 9-12’ 3x-5x Florocarbon.  Option: Blue Sky furled leader.

Vest:  A vest with a work station and plenty of room for big flies.  Fishpond Waterdance or comparable.

Planning a fly fishing trip for trout or Smallmouth bass?  Let the professional fly fishing guides from Curtis Wright Outfitters take you there!