Fishing gets really good about the time the leaves are done falling in the mountains of east Tennessee. Cooling temperatures bring optimal conditions on our trout streams, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has been busy stocking rainbows, browns and brook trout in preparation for the delayed harvest (DH) season.
For fast action, there is no better time to visit one of the state's six streams managed under special DH regulations. These waters are heavily stocked, no harvest is allowed, and anglers are restricted to artificial lures through the winter months. It is an exceptional cool-weather fishing opportunity for catch-and-release anglers.
One of the best places to experience DH fishing is on the Tellico River a couple hours' drive from downtown Chattanooga.
The Tellico is one of the Southeast's iconic trout streams. At its formation high in the Unicoi Mountains, it falls cold and clear, gaining flow quickly through a remote mountain gorge on a 30,000-acre chunk of Cherokee National Forest. By the time it leaves the forest in approach to Tellico Plains, it is one of the largest freestones in the region, with water conditions suitable for trout over roughly 18 gorgeous river miles.
Nearly 9 miles of the upper river are managed under DH regulations from Oct. 1 through the last day of February each year. All of it is paralleled by River Road.
The Fishing
"When the DH starts, the fishing gets really good," says Jeff Sharpe, a guide with Southeastern Anglers based in Reliance, Tennessee. "It gives the fish an opportunity to stay in the river and get healthier."
Early in the DH season, fish fresh from the streamside Tellico Trout Hatchery are suckers for bright and flashy lures and flies. For fly fishers, Sharpe suggests bead-head egg patterns and mop flies in bright colors as well as swinging woolly buggers when the fish are aggressive.
As the fish wise up later in the season, a more natural approach is in order. Stoneflies are a year-round food source, so drifting a Pat's Rubber Legs or little black stonefly nymph can be the ticket. A pheasant tail or the obvious Tellico nymph are good for imitating a wide range of subsurface aquatic insects. Dry fly anglers should look for hatches of blue-winged olives and little black stoneflies on warmer days during the winter months.
Anglers with lightweight spinning outfits can do very well with small spinners like rooster tails and Panther Martins. Trout jigs are also very effective.
What You'll Need
Anglers will need chest waders with good non-slip wading boots to reach some of the best holding water, although it is possible in areas to fish from the bank with light spinning gear. Fly rods in 5-weight or smaller are suitable.
A regular Tennessee fishing license as well as a supplemental trout license are required.
Getting There
From Tellico Plains, follow the river east on the Cherohala Skyway for about 5 miles. River Road branches to the south and follows the river for roughly 20 miles up into its headwaters. The DH section begins at the mouth of North River, which enters the Tellico a little more than 9 miles up the road. Catch-and-release regulations are in force from North River to the North Carolina state line.
The coordinates 35.328530, -84.145546 will take you right to the mouth of North River.
Nick Carter is the author of "Flyfisher's Guide to North Carolina & Georgia," which is available on Amazon. Autographed copies are available by emailing the author at nsc8957@gmail.com.
Tennessee's DH Waters
* Buffalo Creek in Grainger County: Small stream on Buffalo Springs WMA northwest of Jefferson City. Easy access. Less than 2 miles of stream managed under DH regulations Oct. 1-Jan. 31.
* Doe River in Carter County: Medium sized stream in Roan Mountain State Park southeast of Johnson City. Mostly roadside access to about 3.5 miles of pretty water managed under DH regulations Nov. 1 through last day of February.
* Hiwassee River in Polk County: Big tailwater river east of Benton. Subject to heavy and dangerous water releases from Appalachia Powerhouse (see tva.gov for water release information). Offers access to wading anglers but is best fished from a drift boat. About 5.5 miles managed under DH regulations Oct. 1 through the last day of February.
* Paint Creek in Greene County: Medium to large stream south of Greenville in Cherokee National Forest. Roadside access to about 5 miles managed under DH regulations Oct. 1 through the last day of February.
* Piney River in Rhea County: More than 10-mile stretch of medium to large stream through Cumberland Trail State Park down to the Highway 27 bridge in Spring City. Areas of easy access as well as remote, hike-in opportunities. Open under DH regulations Nov. 1 through the last day of February.
* Tellico River in Monroe County: Medium to large stream in Cherokee National Forest east of Tellico Plains. Roadside access to about 9 miles managed under DH regulations Oct. 1 through the last day of February.