Date: 3/15/08

Location: Watauga Trophy Section

Conditions: Mid 50’s, Cloudy, Heavy Rain in afternoon

Guides: Justin Shroyer, Rhett Shroyer

Rhett and I floated with four long time Appalachian Angler guest down the Watauga Trophy Section on Saturday. As a storm front pressed towards eastern Tenn. we knew the fishing should be hot. Trout were caught in the morning on beadheaded midge patterns and blue wing emergers. Most of the fish caught were in fast riffles and in deep slots.

The fish really keyed in on specific flies towards midday. They would only touch a particular bluewing pattern with consistency, while ignoring other similar flies. Often the trick was to swing the fly at the end of the drift. The fish were smacking the fly as it just started to swing toward the surface. The adult blue wing olives that showed themselves about 20 minutes later proved why they keyed in on the swing.

As the thunderstorm crashed upon us we were catching fish on about every cast. Often the worst weather is the best weather. At this point the fish were smacking any fly that entered the water. It was hard to pull off the river, however the lightning was getting a little too close for comfort, so we headed in. High numbers of trout were caught in the afternoon. This was the best bite I have seen so far this calendar year on the Watauga Trophy Section.

Reported by: Justin Shroyer