Bald River/Tellico area this weekend

[jladdsmith]

Hi Folks,

I got a chance to go on a last minute trip with an old friend to the Bald/Tellico area this weekend.  I've been there once before when I first started out with the fly rod and had a great time, but other than one text book brookie, had very little luck.  The only decent fish that weekend were caught below the falls (nice hard fighting smallies on a black wooly bugger) and then some bows down below the confluence on the Tellico. 

The plan is to meet up early at the falls, and then fish the Bald upriver around trail #88 until mid-afternoon, then set up camp (I stumbled onto an awesome hidden campsite above the falls last time),  and fish the remainder of the day.  The next morning would be spent breaking camp, hitting the pool below the falls, and then down the Tellico. 

It's not really going to be a hardcore fishing trip, but I'd love to take a more technical approach for what little time I do have on the water this weekend.  I was hoping to get some advice on flies/techniques from those who know this area - Woodsman/Thumper/Grumps?   How do you think the drought (and recent rain) will affect the fish? 

I'll be using a 7' 3wt on the Bald and a 9' 5wt TFO TiCr on the bigger water.   

Thanks in advance for your help! 

jonathan

[Steve H]

Jonathan, I prefer my 7' 3 wt Scott STS for a majority of the Tellico and tend to fish the North more than anything but do carry a 5 wt 9' for dabbing.

From a technical perspective, this is hands and knees fishing country for sure. Stealth is the key, so hide behind trees, wear camo or blending clothes and don't line the fish.

From a fly perspective:

Nymphs: Tellico, PT, GRHE and Prince
Dries: I have had good luck with Stimulators and Thunderheads

Sizes 12-20

I am sure the water is going to be low. I haven't seen any major fronts push through that area in a while but they have received the occasional heavy shower this early Fall.

Would be anxious to hear about your trip as this is a fun time in that part of the state!

[Glenn Hawkins]

I think Steve has got you on the right track.  The only thing I would add is Elk hair caddis and other patterns in yellow.  Stealth will be your key to success!
Let us know how you do.  Have fun

[jladdsmith]

Thanks Guys,

I really appreciate the advice.  Keep it coming! 

We did fish the North on the last trip, and it did produce better, but in my opinion the North didn't seem as utterly wild or nearly as pretty.   The bouldered pools and little eddies just looks more 'fishy' than what we found on the long flat slicks of the North.  Maybe we hit the wrong section. 

I think you all have already answered my next question, but I'll ask anyway:  Is there simply a higher concentration of fish on the North, or do you just have to work harder on the Bald?

Also, as a plan B, what do you guys recommend if the magic camping spot is already taken?   The internets don't seem to return the right maps for these rivers.   

Thanks again,

jonathan

[Curtis Martin]

October Caddis - it's orange
Parachute Adams- yellow or cream 

I've never been but this info is about a week old.

I would also suggest you bring a fire truck with some water in it cause your gonna need it for the river. Hearsay is the stockings have been put off due to the low water and high temps for the DH sections.

[Steve H]

My fishing of the North is when you take the turn off from the Tellico road keep driving and go above the last campground. Up that way it is bouldered and skinny.

With the water low the trout will be super wary since they don't have many places to hide.

[jladdsmith]

What RM said.

Very low water, but man it was gorgeous!  The North barely had any water in it, except for the pools below the ledges.  I've never had any luck in these pools, so we skipped them, and went for the flatter water of the Tellico. 

As mentioned earlier, this wasn't really a dedicated fishing trip, but we did get some time on the water.  #14 BWOs and white posted Para Adams with a #22 olive zebra midge dropper did produce a few small fish.  We couldn't get the shad and suckers to stay away from the dries.  It was seriously frustrating.  I punished them for it.  One fought back by slapping me in the back of the head on a rebound from the hookset. 

We didn't see a single other fisherman -anywhere in the park, and we did a lot of driving around.  I guess the low water and bluebird skies kept the better educated at home.  On the last trip (same time of year three years ago), we couldn't find a campsite.  This time, the camps were mostly wide open, and every pull off on the rivers was empty.

There were probably 5x the number of bikers there "chasing the tail of the dragon" on the Skyway.  The scenery was awesome- at the base of the mountains, the trees barely saw fall, but the ridge was just about in prime colors. 

With the nice slow soak of recent rain, and cooler temps, this weekend should be nearly perfect up there all around, both for scenery and fishing. 

By the way, what do you guys recommend for those pools below the ledges/falls?  It looks perfectly fishy, but I've never caught a single thing below them.  Maybe it was the rig- last time, I wasn't properly set up, but now, I'm thinking sink tips and weighted nymphs, or some kind of streamer? 

Oh, and as long as you don't take your S.O. with you (or even so) you HAVE to stop by the restaurant/bar on the left at the entrance to ogle the new owner and her daughter!    

Just re-read this post:  For a minute, the last part seemed a little creepy.  I reconsidered this, and then realized that I should have given it two 

[MikeA]

Nice report thanks!