What flies are hatching on the Oconaluftee River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Oconaluftee River include Quill Gordon, Hendrickson, Sulphur. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Oconaluftee River?

The Oconaluftee River is running at 403 CFS at the At Birdtown gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Oconaluftee River fishable today?

Oconaluftee River is outside its fishable window right now. Flow is 403 CFS at the At Birdtown gauge. Check back when conditions return to the normal range.

Oconaluftee River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Oconaluftee River — At Birdtown

Unfishable

403CFS

Discharge

1.74ft

Gauge Height

67.5°F

Water Temp

Updated 1 hr agoView on USGS ↗

24-Hr Pressure

28.03 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Voluntary Catch-and-Release Advisory

Water temperature is at or above 65°F. At these temperatures trout are physiologically stressed and have a higher post-release mortality rate. Consider waiting for cooler conditions — early morning or evening — or choosing a tailwater with regulated temperatures.

Local Weather

82°FMainly clear

Wind 2 mph28.03 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌫️

Foggy

83° / 66°

Tomorrow

🌦️

Drizzle

83° / 68°

0.01"

Wed

🌦️

Drizzle

81° / 67°

0.06"

Thu

⛈️

Thunderstorm

78° / 65°

0.47"

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

2

Time of Day

Using: 403 CFS · 67.5°F · Terrestrial peak — beetles especially productive in canopy water. Yellow Sally winding down. Sparse hatches midday — fish stay on attractor dries.

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Oconaluftee River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Oconaluftee River · August · Late Summer

Full calendar →

⚪ No tracked hatches in active range at 67.5°F — browse the calendar below for seasonal activity

Select month

JanDec

Terrestrial peak — beetles especially productive in canopy water. Yellow Sally winding down. Sparse hatches midday — fish stay on attractor dries.

Yellow SallyTerrestrials

🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Oconaluftee River

The Oconaluftee flows through the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Newfound Gap down to Cherokee, NC. One of the most accessible and heavily visited trout streams in the eastern US — wild rainbow and brown trout in a stunning mountain setting. The stretch through Cherokee is particularly popular with visitors.

Quill GordonHendricksonSulphurYellow SallyLight CahillBlue-Winged OliveMidge

Regulations

Great Smoky Mountains National Park regulations: artificial lures only, single hook only, all brook trout must be released, 7-inch minimum on rainbow and brown. Valid NC fishing license required. GSMNP entrance fee applies.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Oconaluftee River with more confidence.