Tellico or Hiwassee Trout Help?

My 10 year old son has been asking to go trout fishing. He has never caught a trout before. We have tried in years past to get him one at Lake Junior but that is not really the same as fishing a stream or river.

I am planning to take him during Christmas break to either the Tellico River or Hiwassee River to fish the Delayed Harvest Section. We will be using spinning tackle not fly casting gear. I have waders but he only has regular boots and shoes. He is a pretty good fisherman when it comes to hooking and fighting a fish, but still needs plenty of room to cast.

We have never been to either location. I am looking for some good advice, from those with experience fishing those areas, so I can plan a great trip for my son.
Which location will be better for him?
What are the lures and color patterns we should try?
Tell me what I need to know because I really want him to be successful. I know we will have an adventure but catching some fish always makes it better.:biggrin

Thanks, JayW

I have fished both, but not extensively. The biggest difference is the Hiwassee is controlled by generation, so you have got to keep up with the schedule (and hope they abide by it)! At full generation, it is serious and wading should not be attempted. Also, pay attention to a landmark if you are wading. If you notice rising water, get out. Many limits of trout are caught on Tellico with whole kernel corn, especially if it has been recently stocked. Personally, if I was going to fish more than one day, I would fish both. Tellico requires a special permit. Black, brown, yellow, and white Roostertails are always with me. A few Trout Magnets wouldn’t hurt.

I would go to Tellico and fish below where North river comes into the Tellico. If I'm correct the waters above it are closed this time of year. Keep your eye on the road but just look for places that you can cast and there aren't overhanging limbs and pull offs for parking.
, good time of year to go when snakes aren't a problem. check regulations to be sure and If you need a daily permit. Hiwassee is running very full and fast rite now with all the rain we've had.

I’ve never fished those but I got to Little Red in Arkansas. I always take my fly rod but usually give up on it pretty quick and go back to spinning rod. I’ve had real good luck with Repala Cout Downs and the Trout Magnet crankbaits. Usually the rainbow or brown trout pattern work good, but just can’t tell from one hour to the next.

I don’t know about those places but the Red is controlled by generation. When you see the current change GET OUT OF THE WATER.


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If you are going over Christmas break then go to the Tellico. The Hiwassee is running at 5000+ cfs (spilling) right now and looks to be the next few days too. At that level, I wouldn't even try to fish it. Normally I would say the Hiwassee if you need plenty of room to cast, but you would need to wait until the water gets back down to a much lower level.

Now for the Tellico, the delayed harvest section is from the mouth of North River upstream to the NC state line. A Tellico daily permit is not necessary from Sept. 16th to March 14th. Of course this section is also artificial only. I fly fish, so I'm not positive on if the artificial has to be single hook or not. It's been a long while since I've used a spinning rod for trout, but used to have luck on silver or gold Panther Martin's. They have treble hooks, so trout magnets may be a safer bet since I'm not sure of the regulations. I haven't used them for trout, but they work in the lake for other species.

As for advice, if you want him to be successful I would wait until another time of year when you can use bait. I have two kids around the same age and I wouldn't try it right now. I don't want to talk anyone out of fishing, but I know trout fishing those rivers would be difficult this time of year for a kid with the regulations. That's just my opinion though.

If you have the time and money, take him to the White River in Arkansas this Summer. Call Cranor;s guide service and book you a couple of days. You will not regret it if trout is what you want. You will fish out of a boat so plenty of room to cast. I have been several times and fish for browns but you can catch all the rainbows you want

Thanks for the replies. I talked to the TWRA trout biologist for the area. He said no hook restrictions are in place and currently you don't need the daily permit. You must follow the delayed harvest regulations - so all artificial baits and all fish must be released. He also suggested fishing deep and slow with trout magnets or trying small crank baits for big browns.

Now for the important question from a 10 year olds point of view. Where is a good place to eat lunch? He likes burgers and BBQ and so do I.:biggrin