The Smith River Deep Freeze
- luckystripsflyco
- Jan 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 7
The Great Winter Freeze and Thawing our way into Spring
Right now, the Smith River along with a greater portion of the Southeast is locked in a coat of ice. Consistent below freezing temperatures have created a sheet of ice that is showing no signs of melting anytime over the course of the next week. This time in the house has us all in arms of cabin fever and daydreaming of warmer weather along with the adventures to come back on the water! This has posed as a prime opportunity to continue filling boxes and stockpiling flies for this upcoming Spring and Summer Season. Over the course of the past week has held ample time at the vice with plenty of large baitfish imitation streamers being tied with smallmouth on the mind, followed with the ever-presence of tactical nymphs designed with purpose.
Unfortunately this weather is keeping us off the water and taking away some valuable time us anglers are missing and thinking about. However, on the positive side, this past weather system did bring in some precipitation, which can only help aid in the process of us receiving more flows in banking up more volume in Philpott Lake. We have been navigating low flows since the beginning of October, with the end insight and still some room to gain ground towards. We can only help but anticipate some flows being released from Philpott Dam in the future. Yes, this storm did not bring the volume of precipitation it was calling for; however, at this point, any amount will help, given a majority of the system seemed to be ice and sleet. In due time once this layer melts and the ground water systems thaw, I imagine we'll see another spike on the graph in reference to the volume of water in the lake increasing. With another round of future storms in sight, and a hopeful mindset this may be something we see sooner rather than later. Current graph data shows Philpott holding water reserves at 968.5 ft.; closer and closer we rise!
Along with the anticipation of the flows, we will see a similar mindset in our supporting fish population. Building off of our last article talking about the metabolism rates and the energy consumption and maintenance of our fish populations during our winter season, we are seeing the peak of that effect here. Once these fish begin to unthaw with warmer temperatures and thawing ice, they are going to look to regain calories and food from this period of subfreezing temperatures. Granted throughout this process I am sure they have been feeding just fine and maintaining necessary caloric intake, mainly in the form of very small macro-invertebrates. These fish maybe more focused on survival, as we are in the “peaks of a season” with ice extending from the banks. As we begin to navigate out of these “peaks of the season” there will be alterations within the feeding habits as we approach warmer weather and receive more flow into our waterway.
As we progress through the great thaw of winter and our tribulations of today, soon enough we will be looking at a completely different river system! The Spring season is on the horizon, and I believe we are all excited for what it may hold! There will continue to be articles posted along the way highlighting the seasonal changes. One of the first noticeable changes I anticipate occurring is going to be our fish maneuvering from their winter holes and migrating into more active feeding lines that we typically see associated with springtime and warmer weather. This could pull some of those populations from the depths out of that deep winter slumber and push them higher up in those feeding lanes, looking to be more active and placing themselves in an advantageous place to be rewarded with their efforts and intentions. Corresponding with the anticipation of rising temperatures into our Spring season, the bug life will follow suit. The warmer days and high sun exposure will only help activate those bugs that have laid dormant and less active throughout the winter and return as a popular food source for our resident trout! It is a great mesh of circumstances that really transform the river coming out of one season and transitioning into another!
Like mentioned in previous articles, the Glorious Smith River is a viable trout stream year round and we have maintained phenomenal days even throughout the dead of the winter. shifting strategies as needed depending upon the day but as always targeting positive water with the best drifts we can, in turn receiving some bent rods and tension on the other end of that fly rod! It has been a great winter season and I am hopeful that trend will continue and I am truly excited for what this thawing process into late winter and early spring season will hold.
I still have several remaining available dates heading out of this cold freeze and into the Spring. These dates will not last, beat the cabin fever rush and reserve those dates you are interested;
Feb. 7, 8, 14,
Mar. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 29
Select Trip of interest and Available Dates will populate into the Calendar
As always greatly appreciate the support and time reading the articles, if there are any other topics you’d like to hear, please reach out and let me know. I would love to best assist those reading!
Matt Tuggle, Lucky Strips Fly Co.
276-732-0517
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