Fished the Watuaga River yesterday afternoon.  Went specifically to see if the black caddis’ were coming off. That is a hatch I have enjoyed fishing for many years. And always look forward to it’s arrival.  It says’ Spring is here. ” There is a certain place I go to look for this hatch each year.

Last year the bugs arrived 10 days or so from now. But with this warm weather, I  felt like they might make an early entrance.

There were little black caddis’ in the bushes, but none on the water while I was there. If I remember right , the hatch came off last year around 10:00- 11:00 . So I was late for the emergence.

How you can tell when these are beginning to hatch are the smacks right along the edge of the banks. The black caddis crawl to the edges and emerge there.  So when you see smack , smack , smack  on the edge, it is starting to begin.  Honestly the best fly for that time is a dark soft hackle. They will kill it.  Swing it toward the shore. Their actual size is 20-22 and have a gray- black body with the typical long wings, which make you think the fliy’s body is bigger than it is. But it is really tiny.

For a dry, I like to fish a little black, biot body Henryville Special with dun cdc wings.  Two years ago, I used tan hi viz for the wings and they ate it well.

The bugs had already emerged, but the fish were still on the edge waiting for more.  Caught 20 or so fish in the couple of hours I fished .  All were on copperheads.- size 16 and 18. Caught one dandy brown a little over 20″ s on a size 16 copperhead . It was a very thick bodied fish, and burned the reel.  I did not lift him from the water to take a picture.

I am going back tomorrow , earler in the day. Bet you they will be emerging,  just like years before, I can’t wait to get there.

If interested in fishing the Watauga – wade or float, please let us know. Matt and I have spent many years on that river and will be glad to show it to you.

Tight Lines,

Rod Champion

423-878-2822