Fishing in Cherokee

[Jack Hise]

This year I'll be maning a booth at Trout Fest with a good friend. We demonstrate how to make furled leaders as well as sell them.
We plan on arriving a couple of days early to get some fishing in. We'd like to head over to Cherokee for a day and would welcome any information/tips/etc.

[David Knapp]

Are you talking about fishing the trophy section or the rest of the Tribal water?

[Jack Hise]

That's what we are thinking David

[David Knapp]

Jack, I have not fished that section for a couple of years since they drastically raised the special permit fee to fish it. However, I can give you some general information. First, most people fish the lower half of it or so where the larger pools are more prevalent and big fish are a little more concentrated. That time of year can produce some great yellow sally hatches which can get the fish to the surface the last hour or so of daylight. Otherwise, in my experience it was generally the best to fish that section like you would fish a tailwater. Fish subsurface (especially midges and other smaller stuff) throughout the day under an indicator unless you see a hatch and rising fish. Most people start at the bridge across from the big school where there is enough parking space for 4-5 cars. There are some nice trout in that pool, but just know that it gets pounded so fishing up or down from there can improve your odds. For a couple of specific spots, feel free to shoot me an email...