Cherokee, North Carolina

[Warmouth]

I'll be heading to Cherokee in a couple of weeks and will have one afternoon to fish. I will probably limited to the Oconaluftee and I do not have waders.

What fly patterns should I take?
How heavy should my sinking flies be for fishing the deeper pools? I'm afraid that mine wont sink fast enough and I dislike split shot.

Thanks for any help!

Warmouth

[buna]

I fished the area last week although I didn't fish the Oconaluftee. The Light Cahills were hatching, lots of Yellow Sally's and Lime Sally's. I caught numerous fish on size 14 Cahill parachutes, Yellow Stimulators, BHFB Pheasant Tails in 14 and 16. My top nymph was probably a size 14 soft hackle pheasant tail. A BH black woolybugger also produced well when things slowed down. In turning over rocks I found numerous March Brown and Greyfox nymphs but didn't see any hatching yet, they should be anytime. The Sulphurs may be coming off by this weekend also. Good luck.
Buna

[Jordan]

I fished the area last week too. (with Buna and others) We didn't hit the Oc, but I did get a chance to fish two of its tributaries, Straight fork and Bradley fork. We had a good evening on Straight fork, where yellow and orange stimulators produced well. There was a small light cahill hatch going on, but I didn't bother to switch up flies, since the stimulator was catching fish.

I didn't have much luck at Bradley fork, only one small brown in an afternoon of fishing; some local types informed me that the river had not really turned on yet, but should be getting better and better in the coming weeks.

[WV browntrout]

if you are in Cherokee, take the trip to Bryson City and hit Nolan Creek.... or Forney Creek (if you feel like a hike)...
I do not think you will be upset!

browntrout

[Warmouth]

Thank you very much for the replies!
This will be second time going, but last year I went fishless. Pitiful, yes, but I think I know what I'm doing a little better this year.
A few more flies to tie and I'll be set.

I'll give a fishing report in a few weeks if I have success.

Warmouth

[Jim Flamming]

Fished the Upper Oconaluftee last fall with my wife and guide Willy Cope. It ROCKED!!! We had a blast! I love that river and love that area. I live in Michigan, so haven't been back since. I would love to get back there sometime. Have a good time! I'm jealous! I also concur with the review from around Bryson City. Nice area.