S8, Ep 5: Frosty Mornings and Musky Pursuits: January Fishing Insights with Ellis Ward
Episode Overview
East Tennessee guide Ellis Ward delivers his first fishing report of 2026 on The Articulate Fly podcast, covering winter tactics for both post-spawn trout and low-water musky fishing. Ward breaks down strategic adaptations required for fishing extremely low and clear water conditions that have dominated the region through early January, affecting both tailwater trout fisheries and musky rivers like the French Broad. The episode emphasizes post-spawn trout streamer fishing opportunities in late January and February, when trophy fish are feeding aggressively to recover after the fall spawn. Ward also discusses current musky conditions under challenging low and clear water, requiring downsized presentations and pinpoint casting to specific holding pockets, with the transition to pre-spawn musky anticipated in March. Additionally, Ward covers his intensive bucktail processing operation, having accumulated over a thousand deer tails for custom musky flies following the end of deer season. With water levels dictated by minimal tailwater releases and fish becoming increasingly spooky in gin-clear conditions, Ward explains timing windows for visiting anglers looking to capitalize on prime post-spawn trout streamer fishing and upcoming pre-spawn musky opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- How to capitalize on post-spawn brown trout streamer fishing in late January through February when trophy fish are feeding heavily to recover after the fall spawn
- Why low and clear water musky fishing requires downsizing presentations and focusing on precision casts to specific structure rather than covering water broadly
- When to book trips around optimal moon phases and weather windows during the transitional period between post-spawn trout streamer fishing and March pre-spawn musky activity
- How to execute sidearm casts to tight cover and confined holding areas when backcast limitations and spooky fish demand tactical adjustments in extreme low water
Techniques & Gear Covered
Ward emphasizes post-spawn brown trout streamer tactics as prime winter opportunities, with late January and February offering some of the highest ceilings for trophy fish on streamers as they feed aggressively after the fall spawn. For musky fishing under current low and clear conditions, Ward discusses downsized fly presentations that facilitate better casting opportunities to tight cover with limited backcasts. The conversation details targeted approaches to four-by-four pockets, requiring anglers to identify specific holding structure rather than covering expansive zones. Ward discusses his extensive bucktail processing operation, managing approximately a thousand tails stored in two chest freezers and working through the dyeing and preparation process during winter. Equipment discussion includes the practical considerations of fishing in extreme cold with nitrile gloves and hand warmers while maintaining the dexterity needed for presentations in sub-30-degree weather, particularly important for anglers targeting post-spawn trout during early morning sessions.
Locations & Species
The French Broad River serves as the primary musky water, with Ward noting how extremely low and clear conditions require tactical adjustments throughout the winter period. East Tennessee's tailwater systems are emphasized for post-spawn brown trout streamer fishing, with Ward specifically noting that late January and February represent prime months when the ceiling is quite high for trophy trout that have completed their fall spawn and are feeding heavily. The interconnected nature of water management affects both systems, as minimal dam releases on tailwaters correlate with low water on musky rivers. Target species include brown trout during the post-spawn period and musky, with Ward noting the transition to pre-spawn musky fishing anticipated in March. Winter conditions feature fluctuating temperatures from the high 20s to occasional 50-60 degree days, with recent rainfall helping water levels but clarity remaining exceptionally high throughout the low-flow period.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why is late January through February considered prime time for post-spawn brown trout streamer fishing?
These months represent the post-spawn period for brown trout, which spawn in fall and early winter. After the spawn, trophy brown trout feed aggressively to recover, creating exceptional streamer fishing opportunities. Ward specifically notes that January and February are prime post-spawn brown trout streamer months where the ceiling is quite high for catching large fish. Anglers willing to fish in cold conditions with nitrile gloves and hand warmers can encounter fish that are actively feeding and responding well to streamers.
How should anglers adjust musky tactics when fishing extreme low and clear water conditions?
Downsize fly presentations and focus on precision over coverage. In very low water, target specific four-by-four pockets rather than working entire banks, as fish concentrate in limited holding areas. Use sidearm casts to get under branches and tight to banks where limited backcasts restrict traditional presentations. Slow everything down and be prepared to make multiple casts to productive zones. While fish are still moving and following flies, the challenging conditions require tactical patience even when hookups remain inconsistent.
When is the optimal time to target different species in East Tennessee during winter and early spring?
Late January through mid-February targets post-spawn brown trout on streamers, with the second half of February offering prime dates around favorable moon phases. March shifts focus to pre-spawn musky as water temperatures begin rising, presenting different tactical opportunities. Ward emphasizes booking trips during these transitional windows when weather variability creates both challenges and rewards, noting that anglers fishing in 28-degree weather during the post-spawn trout period may encounter exceptional opportunities they wouldn't see later in the season.
Why does bucktail processing happen during winter and what's involved in the operation?
Deer season ends January 4th, creating an annual surge of raw material that must be processed before spoilage. Ward manages approximately a thousand tails across two chest freezers, working through skinning, cleaning and dyeing operations during winter when guide trips slow and fly tying season peaks. Efficient processing requires several hours per session to maintain quality control while balancing family commitments and remaining guide availability.
Related Content
S6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis Ward
S6, Ep 139 - Exploring East Tennessee's Changing Waters with Ellis Ward
S7, Ep 50 - The Art of the Follow: Streamer Strategies and Fishing Tales from East Tennessee
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Hey, folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of The Articulate Fly. We're back with the first East Tennessee Fishing Report of 2026 with the man himself, Ellis Ward Ellis. How are you?
Ellis WardWarm and cozy. How are you, Marv?
Marvin CashAnd just trying to stay out of trouble. You know, it's kind of funny.I know Santa Claus was good to you, but to say that the last four to six weeks have been eventful in your life is an understatement. Right?
Ellis WardThat's an understatement. I will say that it's a good opportunity to improve efficiency in every single breath of the day.But you know, a newborn, a 15 month old and a 7 year old while attempting to you know, be on the water. When I have trips I took some time off.But getting back to that now and, and do anything truly throw in some daycare illnesses and you know, the typical day to day things and wow, it's been a lot but you know it's, it's all all manageable.
Marvin CashYeah, we'll call it your Entropy 2026 tour. How about that?
Ellis WardYeah, high.
Marvin CashSo you know, you have been out on the water and it's kind of interesting because you're getting ready to kind of get dropped in the deep freeze here later this week, right?
Ellis WardYeah, we've been all over the place. Last week was you know we finally got some rain end of the week over the weekend and temperatures in the.Some of those socked in days where things are sort of hanging in the, in the 50s and low 60s and cold the last couple days. And when I say cold that's. You get soft around here pretty quick. When I say cold it's twenties like high twenties with and no wind and snow.Sunny and occasionally it kind of feels nice outside.But got some regular folks coming end a week for, for fishing post spawn and Thursday is supposed to be high 28 and high 28 is cold for for these parts we get. The next day is high 41 and that's. That can be like a. We'll say typical.Typical lower we'll say lower half of the, the highs in, in January and February but we do, we do get a lot of these you know, 50, 60 degree days. So just gotta, gotta roll with the punches when you get them.
Marvin CashGot it. And I know you've, you know. So the fish are starting to drop back. I'll be on your boat and here about a month or so.What are you seeing on the musky front?
Ellis WardIt's been, it's been really low water and I mean this is this is the case.You know, tailwater trout fishing is, it's not like the musky rivers are going to be super full and healthy when we're not getting releases on, on the tail water. So it's, it's been a lot of low and clear fishing and to a certain extent I, I like it because it feels a little bit more targeted takes out.It's not so much the difference of tailwater trout which is, you know, when it's juicing, that's one animal. And when it's like when they're releasing, then when they're not, it's completely different.In that quote unquote targeted approach is you're hitting, you know, four by four pockets in an area where you could be fishing a 50 yard bank. And they're just, they're not going to be holding on anywhere but that, that very specific pocket just because it is so much lower with the muskie.It's, the zones are still open. They're going to, they're, they're just a little bit more spooky and you gotta, you know, on the, on the French.
Ellis WardBroad.
Ellis WardWere I had a guy go, oh, so we're bass fishing. And I was like, you know, whatever you want to call it.But we're, we're downsizing a little bit and it has less to do with the presentation and you know, smaller profile and more to do with.We gotta get a couple sidearms with somewhat limited back casts up under that branch and against that bank and you know, everything is a bit slower and we can afford to take more than one shot but you know, moving, moving some good ones and it's muskie fishing. I think that I've, I've discussed this. I really want people to catch a muskie because that doesn't do anything for anyone.It's going to happen when it does. But, but it is.You know, if, if we get these follows that have people falling out of the boat almost and, and connect on more of them, then I have pictures and we're talking about a 44 in the boat versus just moving some good ones. And so the conversation becomes very different. I get more anglers on the boat, we have more flies in the water, I get more pictures.We start talking about more 42s and being unhappy with, with the, the low 30s and all that.So it's, I'm, that's just a walk of life where I'm continuing to exercise patience and I love, I love being out there and fishing with, with anyone who does ended up getting on My boat. And you know that that train's gonna pick up steam and be well on its way when it makes sense for it to be.
Marvin CashYeah, absolutely. And of course you've been cranking out bucktails. Cause we're in the thick of tying season, right?
Ellis WardYeah, thick of. Thick of some season, I'll tell you that much. Deer season ended January 4th. Freezers are jam packed.So part of the cranking on bucktail was, dude, we get a couple of those sort of wet, 50, 60 degree days and I don't care what else is going on. That includes sleep. There's. I didn't have. I have two freezers now and you know, I probably have a thousand tails in there.And so for a while I didn't have the big freezers. And you know, every Monday or whenever I would go pick them up, it was, it was game time until they were done just so they wouldn't rot.So things feel a little, you know, a little more staged and, and controlled in the last couple years. But I did end up just because I. I have a couple more places I'm getting them from and everyone's freezing them for me now.So I've ended up getting more tails than the two chest freezers could fit. And so I've been jamming on them partially for that. And then also, you know, starting end of this week, I'm gonna be back on the water.
Ellis WardSo.
Ellis WardChunking out two, three hours to, to rip into some tails and dye and all of it. And it, you know, it's just, it's pretty, it's very turnkey for me.I've done so many, and I've done it in so many different ways that are so much less efficient than I do now.But it's still like any process, you don't sit down at your computer and get into a spreadsheet and within 30 seconds you're operating at the speed that you're operating at in let's say 15 minutes and a cup of coffee. There's a little bit of a ramp there. So I think it's just. Some of.It's just planning ahead and saying, man, I want to make sure that these things are out into people's hands during tying season.When it's cold and looking into January, February, and I do still have some good dates available, but number of trips I want to be on the water, babies, et cetera. It's just any, any free time has been, let's get the bucktail moving.
Marvin CashGot it. And since it's the beginning of the year, we always do our drawing from the questions that we used last year.And before I announce the winner, Ellis, you want to let folks know what the winner is going to win.
Ellis WardYeah. They are going to be voluntarily subjected to between seven and 10 hours in close quarters with me on a boat.So the winner will get a full day trip of whatever they want. I do. As anyone listening knows, streamer and dry fly primarily for trout or, or muskie, if whoever's listening wants to do that.And we'll get out and get after it.
Marvin CashYeah. If you want to use your seven or eight hours when the sun goes down, you just. The only hours you can't fish are between 4 and 6 in the morning.
Ellis WardYeah. And there's wiggle room there.
Marvin CashSo just depends on what the stripers are doing down on the lake. That's all we're saying, folks.
Ellis WardMy goodness. The number of sunrises after floating the river and ending in the lake that I've witnessed might be shocking.
Marvin CashYeah. The popcorn shad, right?
Ellis WardRainbait.
Marvin CashYeah. So the lucky winner is Isaac Hale. Isaac, I will hook you up with Ellis. You're gonna have a great time.And Ellis, before I let you hop, why don't you let folks know generally what you have available?I don't know, it sounds like you might have some post spawn dates left and then we'll kind of shift into kind of the normal stuff on the tail waters for the hatches in the spring and everything. But why don't you let folks know that how to find you and all that kind of good stuff.
Ellis WardYeah. So end of February, second half of February really has a number of good dates and moons.And you know, as we get into March, I'm going to be definitely pushing pre spawn muskie and I have a good amount of availability in, in March, but that, that postpone streamer fishing is if you have an opportunity to get here and yeah, I mean you might have a day where it's colder and we're gonna wear nitrile gloves and have hand warmers and be thankful to, to see the fish that we see that in the same conditions. If you were here and another month just, we probably wouldn't be seeing them.So if, if you have the opportunity to get here in pretty short order at this point, a handful of days throughout the end of January, but definitely looking at second half of February. And then there's, there's a couple in, in the first half too.
Ellis WardBut.
Ellis WardReach out to me at, on my Cell phone at 513-543-0019.You can see pictures of some fish that might have you saying, oh, I want to go do that at elliswardflies.com you can also purchase your bucktail and muskie lures or trout muskie flies there as well.
Marvin CashWell, there you go. Well, folks, as always, say yo to yourself to get out there and catch a few. Tight lines, everybody. Tight lines, Ellis.
Ellis WardAppreciate it, Marv.
