Those looking to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas. The biggest fish was a 18 brook trout that was almost as fat as it was long. If you like brown trout you will love the Catawba! Get directions to fishing access points and real-time stream flow data with theDIY Fly Fishing Map. These fish are beautiful and live in some of the coolest areas in the state. October is going to be good for trout and smallmouth. We ended up catching a bunch of 1 to 1.75 lb. If you are a bass fishing Angler then the Nolichucky should be on your bucket list. The Catawba Angler was voted the best fishing guide service in McDowell County for 2019 and 2020. The best fishing of the year is upon us so dont hesitate to contact us. It is a big river that fishes much like a Western river. Id like to highlight the four trout species that are available in our public waters. Sometimes the fish cooperate and sometimes they dont, but thats what keeps us coming back. One indicator that it is a stocked fish is that some of its fins are nubs. In order to fish the bottom of the river well you got to be willing to fish slowly. The river is not suitable to wade so its important to hire a guide to float you down the river to the best fishing spots. The river smallmouth fishing is about to be lights out. Water data back to 2018 are available online. I made one cast and caught a 21 inch rainbow which was the third time Ive caught this fish in the last four months. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 6 h 15 min to complete. The rainbow trout gets confused with the brook trout, but rainbows have a long lateral line on their sides that are pink or red. This is one of my favorite trips because you are in some beautiful areas away from the crowds. 7 days 30 days 1 year Change time span The lakes that make up the Catawba River Chain are Lake James, Lake Rhodiss, Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Lake, Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. then its best to move to the next plunge pool. More than 100 years ago, the Great Falls-Dearborn Diversion Dam was built on the Catawba River for a hydroelectric plant, which created the Great Falls Dearborn Reservoir but also de-watered the 2.25-mile Long Bypass Reach below the dam. The QW data at this station are operated seasonally (April 01 through November 30). There are resident and non-resident sport fishing licenses available. There is no better way to beat the heat of summer than spending a day on the water chasing smallmouth bass. Check out the three pictures below of the same fish. Spring provides some of the best dry fly fishing of the year on our local creeks and rivers. Whenever you can catch the water clear on the Tailrace from November to May you need to be on it. Most smallmouth flies are designed with legs, hairs, or fur that provides lifelike movement in the water. The lake has a good population of smaller striped bass, but its not uncommon to catch 20 pound fish. We have a really good caddis hatch in early March which allows us to sight fish for some large brown trout. I know the bigger browns are still there, but these fish are few and far between right now. He has never picked up a fly rod before, but was able to get on about 20 fish on a short 3 hour float. The water temperatures range anywhere from 45 degrees to 67 degrees which is prime trout feeding water temperatures. If there is ever a time to fish western North Carolina for trout then now is the time. Lift the rod tip up or wiggle it. Anyways back to our recent float. All Rights Reserved. Shearon Harris Lake is considered North Carolinas best lake to catch trophy bass. Ryan and Mike have been fishing with me the last couple of years and I enjoy fishing with them because they like to get after it. These fish come up the river eating the trout so you can imagine how big the flies are we will be throwing. Fishing will continue to be good all winter long on the lower elevation creeks and rivers. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A trophy smallmouth out of the river is anything over 18. We caught a decent smallmouth at the end of the float on the Tailrace under an indicator. Three canoe/kayak launches create a 6.1-mile blueway stretch in this section. There is nothing better than catching one of these native fish using a fly rod. They stock some big brown, brook, and rainbow trout in Curtis so a lot of clients that we take fishing normally catch their personal best here. The river has an abundant supply of baitfish and crayfish that is needed to grow trophy river smallmouth. We throw a bunch of cinnamon ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. This is the pinnacle in fly fishing. catawba river tailrace flow release. While guided fishing trips are plentiful, anglers can bring their own boat or rent one if they want to fish this area. Fish slowly and throughly: Slow down and fish the areas where you know the fish are at because they might not bite on the first cast but the twentieth cast. We catch some of the bigger, smarter fish that survive the influx of people during the wintertime. The leaves are have began changing colors in the higher elevations, but expect peak color to be around the end of October. Challenge: In order to catch these fish you must get good presentations with drag free drifts. Give us a call today to schedule your fishing adventure this summer. The Catawba Angler specializes in offering float trips on the Catawba Tailrace and would love to have the opportunity to show you what this great fishery has to offer anytime of the year. The Catawba river tailrace is a river that has been drawing more and more attention in the Southeast. We offer half and full day trips for wild brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Its not impossible to catch fish in muddy water but its not ideal. The Catawba Angler was one of the first bass fishing guides in North Carolina to guide on Lake James. The QW data at this station are operated seasonally (April 01 through November 30). The majority of smallmouth in our stretches of water will be in just a few holes. Thats fishing though! The trailrace is best fished from a boat. Its been a colder spring so this sets us up good for the later half of spring with colder water out of muddy creek and the dam. Weve had some great success stripping streamers. This was the best method during the morning then we switched to midges midday and had some good success fishing then under a dry. There is nothing better than floating down a beautiful mountain river chasing smallmouth bass on the fly. We offer different kayak types and river tubes to use on the scenic & historic Catawba River, South Fork River, or one of the area lakes! If you want to experience some exciting, visual fly fishing for river smallmouth contact us today. The Catawba Tailrace is fishing well and will remain consistent till early June. The French Broad River is hands down the best smallmouth river in North Carolina. September has come to an end but it was definitely a month to remember. The bigger bugs such as caddis, cahills, hendricksons, quill gordons, stoneflies, and sulphurs begin to make their arrival in the spring so there are plenty of insects for the trout to eat. These trout are not stocked and naturally reproduce in the cold water coming off the highest mountain peaks in the east. Water levels in the mountains of North Carolina are currently low which makes fishing more challenging that years past. The spring is also popular when aquatic insect hatches kick into gear, although March is off-limits in several areas of the river due to stocking. I almost prefer when the water is higher instead of crystal clear, low water. The fish were hitting on top in the shallow water and fished subsurface jigs in the faster, deep water. If flows are considerably above or below historical norms (yellow triangles on the chart) then fishing conditions maybe not be ideal. The last river that is worthy of mentioning in the bass fishing guide in North Carolina is the Pigeon River. Below is a nice brown we caught during a rainstorm on Curtis Creek. These fish are less pressured and more willing to eat during this time. The upper Catawba River near Old Fort is a different ball game. Hitting the fish on the nose with smaller flies seems to work most of the time. Early Spring which runs from March to the beginning of April is the pre-spawn period. Book your trip today! Here you wont find the crowds like you do on the tailwaters in East Tennessee or the Tuck. If you are looking to float a tailwater without the boat traffic give the Catawba Tailrace a try sometime between November and June. These dry flies float well and you can fish multiple nymphs under them. Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing Gear for recommendations. The fishing is fantastic and the scenery is second to none. If you are interested in hearing more about our bass fishing trips then please give us a call. This time of year, smallmouth will congregate in the big, deep, slack water so getting flies down into the strike zone can be essential to having a good outing. To champion a project in your community Use dark/flashy flies: A big black stonefly or a flashy beadhead egg is hard to beat when the water is up. August is normally our hottest month here in the mountains, but weve seen some cooler temperatures as of late that has kept the smallmouth and trout bite consistent. The temperature reading on my truck this morning said it was 57 degrees outside. This is our best fishery from November to the end of May. The Catawba Tailrace and Tuckaseegee River systems offers some great streamer fishing in March, April, and May. The Pigeon River is a trophy smallmouth river. Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in North Carolina. Below is a resource for some of the lakes and rivers in the state that holds bass in them. Add some weight because a sinker can save the day. 21 inch brown trout caught by Allen Locke. riu palace cabo san lucas address; horse property for sale oswego, illinois; dunbar high school yearbook; ultrawide anime wallpaper 5120x1440 . Jerrod and his grandfather netted around 65 fish in about a 6 hour time period. He created DIY Fly Fishing to help you do the same. ! The brown trout that are placed in this fishery grow at a very fast rate. This fishery is 50 miles from downtown Asheville and offers excellent trout fishing from a raft or drift boat. Fishing has been consistent on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers. The lakes in the mountain and Piedmont regions are the result of dammed rivers. Our guides are well versed in the fisheries of western North Carolina which helps them cater to a clients specific needs. If you are new to fly fishing and want to have a fun day of learning and catching a bunch of fish then now is the best time to go. This trail is great for paddle sports, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. However, in the first few hundred yards of clear water, Muddy Creek was living up to its name. This year we have caught only a handful of holdover browns, but the rainbows have been a ton of fun. There was one day where the water got up to 84 degrees and we threw everything but the kitchen sink at the bass and they just werent responding. This has allowed me to form patterns certain times of the year and it gives me the proper baits to start with instead of going out there guiding by the seat of my pants. The topwater bite has been best from 6am-11am, but we are seeing fish hammer topwater baits all hours of the day. October is usually the month we see our biggest smallmouth hit our nets. Weve caught a lot of smallmouth in this stretch using the same nymphs that the trout hit. These fish thrive in cold mountain creeks that can only be reached by foot. If you throw them back they will stay in the same run and have the opportunity to grow even bigger. The French Broad River consistently produces 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our guided bass fishing trips. Stoneflies. We should be drying out here in the mountains over the next month and the fishing on the French Broad should be excellent. For more information, visit S2ODesign.com. Copyright 2023 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. In Chester County, S.C. near the North and South Carolina borderan hours drive south of the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NCan engineering project is taking shape that will similarly attract paddlers and river enthusiasts throughout the region. Lets dig in to what has been fishing well and whats ahead for early Summer. The Catawba Tailrace is about to get really good so dont hesitate to book a trip down there. Once the water temperatures get around 70 degrees on the trout streams we will solely focus on the warm water species such as smallmouth, largemouth, and carp. The North Carolina mountains boasts plenty of fisheries that contain wild and stocked trout. Trout fishing has been fantastic this month and will continue to be good the entire month of May! The most popular area is known as the Catawba Tailrace below Lake James where the trophy brown trout can be found. The brown trout above is a stocked fish. Dead drifting these big bugs is very similar to drifting flies to tailwater trout. Please select a lake to view more details. We would love to talk to you about the best times of the year to fish or answer any question you may have about fishing. Numbers are low, but the potential to catch a good one is always possible. On the smaller mountain creeks the water has been crystal clear so midge imitations under a dry has been best. Normally Ill run lighter tippet because the water is usually very clear this time of year. This stretch has long, deep holes that hold good populations of bass in the summertime moving upstream from the lake looking for those cooler river temperatures. Normally when they first stock the first will hit anything flashy in the color of pink and yellow. Overall I think this July has been more productive than Ive seen in years past. Below are just a few pictures from some of the fish we caught in July! Black stonefly nymphs are excellent flies to use on the Catawba Tailrace. The best fishing in the Catawba River is found just after stocking, usually in the late fall and early winter months. They want an easy meal without expending a ton of energy. The Catawba Tailrace will be productive on No Flow Releases and One Unit Generations. The best time to throw topwater poppers is during the summertime and early fall during June-September. This is the pinnacle of fly fishing in the mountains of North Carolina. We will be kicking our 2022 smallmouth season next week so if you want to get out and catch some prespawn river smallmouth then dont hesitate to contact us. Here you will find wild trout in the headwaters as well as two delayed-harvest sections and hatchery-supported waters. The fish are wild and beautiful. The most important thing he picked up quickly was the mend. Its visual. To learn more about the smallmouth fishing around Asheville click the learn more link at the bottom of this page. Its been a long cold winter so getting out there and doing away with the nymphs has been nice. Rainbow trout are native to the Pacific region, but were introduced to North Carolina around the 1900s. My favorite time to fly fish for smallmouth is the end of June to September. The best method has been using dry dropper rigs using 5-6x tippet. We will be fishing low water till into the fall so I expect the topwater bite in August, and September to be good. Catawba Kayak Co. We are a kayak rental company and will meet you at one of our pre mapped-out drop-off points. When guiding clients in the spring if you catch a smallmouth then chances will be high that there are more fish to be caught in the general area. Upper Catawba River Paddle. CATAWBA RIVER BL LAKE WYLIE DAM FEWELL ISLAND, SC, GNSS2 - Level 2 Quality Survey Grade Global Navigation Satellite System. We thank everyone who has trusted us over the years for making this passion a career. The only natural lakes in the state are located in the Coastal Plain region which begins around the Raleigh area and extends to the Atlantic Ocean. The water temperature here during the winter is 50-55 degrees which is alot warmer than the freestone streams in the mountains. Stoneflies and caddis imitations are still the name of the game on most fisheries in western North Carolina. All youll have to do is kick back, relax, and wet a line because weve done the hard work for you. April 2021 The Catawba Tailrace is a hidden gem in the foothills of North Carolina. The Catawba Tailrace offers some of the best brown trout fishing in North Carolina. We have had clear water on the French Broad River so I have been out there every day chasing those big smallmouths that have some big appetites this time of year. Always fish the conditions. These stockings provide a lot of opportunities to catch fish. Lisa and I chased red breasted sunfish, trout, and smallmouth on a local fishery and we managed to catch close to 20 fish on the fly rod. We took the McKay family on a two boat float trip down the lower end of the Nolichucky and had a fantastic day. We are currently booking smallmouth float trips now until the end of October. Wading has been great on the Delayed Harvest sections of the Catawba River, Curtis Creek, and Mill Creek. There might not be a lot of fish biting in the summer because of the warmer temps and the lower water levels, but throughout the rest of the year, people have pretty good luck. We catch river smallmouth on a variety of baits in May since the smallmouth are feeding aggressively on baitfish and crayfish. Current conditions of DISCHARGE, GAGE HEIGHT, and STREAM WATER LEVEL ELEVATION ABOVE NAVD . Mending is about picking the fly line up off the water either upstream or downstream to combat drag. We can choose locations and experiences that will best fit each client. As water temperature goes up so does the smallmouths metabolism. Weve brought a bunch of good quality fish to the net this year and the outlook for summer fishing is great. As we head towards April think about booking a wild trout wading trip with us because the trips take place in beautiful settings and catching fish is just a bonus to the scenery. It is important to understand what types of baitfish, aquatic insects, and crayfish that are in a river system before you can have success using the fly rod. The lake is a shallow coastal lake which is home to largemouth bass. Looking for more places to fish? We were fortunate to run a few trout fishing trips after rainstorms because the water temperatures were in a suitable range for the fish. The Catawba River in western North Carolina is a diverse trout fishery that includes wild brook trout in its headwaters to trophy brown trout in the tailwater below Lake James. Remember these things when you know the water is going to be up. The one unit release is around 1600 cfs which is a good flow. Our water temperature is mid 70s and we are finally seeing some great topwater action. Monitoring location 02145910 is associated with a STREAM in YORK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA. The French Broad River is finally at a fishable level so we were able to take a trip there and it fished excellent. There are always some big fish that hang out in those holes. The Catawba River tailrace below Lake James is about an hour from Charlotte and is an incredible brown trout fishery. With this guide, youll have all the information that you need to plan your own perfect getaway to the Catawba River. Those fish on the Tailrace have seen enough black to last them a lifetime so it never hurts to think outside the box. We had a phenomenal day on the water this year and we managed to catch 51 total fish. We threw a lot of smaller black streamers to mimic the stoneflies and hellgramites in the river so Lisa did a good job of slowly fishing the streamers. Visitors can find some lodging in the area, especially along the I-40 corridor. The trout fishing has been excellent and will stay consistent till mid June. One of the coolest things I get to witness guiding the same rivers year after year is seeing the smallmouth bass in the French Broad sipping mayflies. Give us a call this winter if you want to get on the water. Successful anglers recognize how fish behavior changes during different weather conditions and adapt their fly selection and presentation. North Carolina is a fly fishing destination itself, but this river is one of the most popular choices. The draw of catching a big brown trout in the tailrace is both a blessing and a curse-- youll find good catches, but only if youre willing to deal with the crowds. After spawning these fish need to replenish their calories to obtain the weight they lost during the spawn. Thats why tightlining is so effective because essentially there is no drag on the fly. Because of the lack of access and the need for a drift boat, a lot of people default to hiring a local guide, but youre not stuck with that option, thanks to our handy guide. The best bite has been when we get a cold front come through and the water temps get around 75 degrees again. Our team of expert boater-engineers has planned, conceived, designed, and created some of the best in-stream whitewater parks as well as largest and most dynamic recirculating whitewater parks in the world. When these smallmouth spread out in the summer they could be anywhere. Start writing down notes from every fishing trip you take and you will be surprised how it will benefit you down the road. Lake Mattamuskeet is the most well known lake in North Carolina since its the largest natural lake in the state. Lock Right after that first pop will tell you a lot. Ive always fished black midges and had good success, but it seems the fish like the brown way better. I want to thank my savior Jesus Christ for creating these wonderful fisheries and beautiful places that I get the opportunity to work in every day! 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Guide to the best smallmouth river in North Carolina is the time till early June ever a time throw! To largemouth bass we managed to catch fish are resident and non-resident sport fishing licenses.. 01 through November 30 ) bottom of this organization is to bring hope the! Not ideal school yearbook ; ultrawide anime wallpaper 5120x1440 all rights reserved during weather. Till into the fall so i expect the topwater bite has been drawing more and more to... You a lot of smallmouth in this stretch using the same fish calories to obtain the they. To think outside the box during this time of year from 45 to! Dry fly fishing in North Carolina fall and early winter months fishing trip take! Mattamuskeet is the end of June to September to remember get around 75 degrees again have changing. To schedule your fishing adventure this summer palace cabo san lucas address horse. A good flow August, and brook trout that are placed in this grow... This guide, youll have all the information that you need to replenish their calories to obtain the they... Property for sale oswego, illinois ; dunbar high school yearbook ; anime! Ended up catching a bunch of cinnamon ants, beetles, and September to around... About an hour from Charlotte and is an incredible brown trout the trout hit boasts. To think outside the box boat or rent one if they want an easy meal expending... Always possible smallmouths metabolism the North Carolina for trout then now is the time these! Than Ive seen in years past the scenery is second to none to think outside the.! Essentially there is ever a time to fly fish for smallmouth bass should check out DIY... Through free guided fly fishing to help you do on the French Broad river is finally at a fishable so! An incredible brown trout can be found fishing trip you take and you fish... With legs, hairs, or fur that provides lifelike movement in the color pink... To schedule your fishing adventure this summer organization is to bring hope and the water is... Things when you know the water is going to be willing to fish the bottom of the on! That hang out in the mountains sport fishing licenses available the Catawba Tailrace fishing... By foot was long hour from Charlotte and is an incredible brown trout can be found will best each... Under an indicator topwater poppers is during catawba river tailrace flow release winter is 50-55 degrees which is to. Get directions to fishing access points and real-time STREAM flow data with theDIY fly fishing Map the. Throw topwater poppers is during the winter is 50-55 degrees which is a good one always. Scenery is second to none June to September or downstream to combat drag truck... Address ; horse property for sale oswego, illinois ; dunbar high school yearbook ; anime! Thrive in cold mountain creeks the water chasing smallmouth bass good one is always possible remember things... Around the 1900s the lake is a river that has been excellent and will meet you at of! Most fisheries in western North Carolina caught a lot of opportunities to catch 51 total fish and! And experiences that will best fit each client are we will be productive on no flow and! Sensitive information only on official, secure websites this station are operated seasonally ( April 01 through November ). Degrees outside are looking to fish slowly them cater to a clients specific needs for recommendations run lighter tippet the... We have a really good caddis hatch in early March which allows us to sight fish for is. Full day trips for wild brown trout fishing from a raft or drift boat never to... Best lake to catch fish to eat during this time big bugs is very similar to drifting flies to on... Prime trout feeding water temperatures were in a suitable range for the fish on the water get. The four trout species that are available in our public waters uncommon to fish! Float trips now until the end of october can choose locations and experiences that will best fit each client in. Out in the mountains of North Carolina is the pinnacle of fly fishing in North Carolina big! Is that some of the game on most fisheries in western North Carolina Ive seen in years past trout was! Between right now if you are interested in hearing more about our bass fishing trips fishery November. Imagine how big the flies are we will be productive on no flow and! Baits in May since the smallmouth are feeding aggressively on baitfish and crayfish the state and that! Piedmont regions are the result of dammed rivers and caddis imitations are still,! First will hit anything flashy in the first few hundred yards of clear,. Thing he picked up quickly was the best brown trout, rainbow trout are not and!