Steve and I had a chance to go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and fish the Bradley Fork this past Saturday. The water was still a little cold since there had been a good deal of snow still melting. As we started about 10:00 after a long drive the water temperature was still low at 44 degrees F, but by 1:00 it had improved to about 49 degrees. That is when the action started. (PS Watch for a blog from Steve detailing the action on the Smoky Mountains trip.)
These are the insects and other food that the trout are eating now and you should imitate them as close as possible. Included are the insects that are close to hatching and you should be prepared to use flies to imitate the nymph or larva. As the water warms and hatching starts, you can switch to dry flies. Click on the flies listed below and scroll over the image to view a close up of the fly.
1. Blue-winged Olives
Hook Size 18 and 20
Nymph:
Dun
2. Streamers: Especially good in off colored, high water
Hook Size 6
Brown Sculpin
White Belly Sculpin
Other choice as shown: (Optional)
3. Little BrownSoneflies:
Hook Size 8, 10, 12, 14
Nymph
Adult
4. Quill Gordons:
Hook Size 12/14
Nymphs
Emerger (Wet Dun)
Dun
Spinner
5. Blue Quills:
Hook Size 18
Nymphs
Dun
6. Little Black Caddis:
Hook Size 18
Pupa
Adult