Fly fishing in high water

Anglers have to be prepared to fish in any condition. I wanted to take the time to share with y’all some tips that will help you catch fish in high water conditions. Here in western North Carolina we get some good rain in the Spring and Early Summer, but that shouldn’t deter you away from getting out there and catching fish. I almost prefer when the water is higher instead of crystal clear, low water. Recently we received close to half and inch of rain the night before a guide trip. Normally a half of inch of rain in an isolated area is going to cause the creeks and rivers to present high water conditions. Below are some of the tips we used on the guide trip and had some really good success. Remember these things when you know the water is going to be up.

1. Throw bigger/heavier flies: One advantage to fishing high water is that anglers can throw larger than normal flies with great success.

2. Use heavier tippet: The potential to catch a big fish is always a possibility in high water so it’s a good idea to bump up in tippet size to give you that extra assurance to land the big one. Fish aren’t leader shy in high water.

3. Fish push out of the fast current towards the banks or the deep eddies: Trout and smallmouth do not like fighting the current in high water so focus your attention on the areas where they will be holding.

4. Use dark/flashy flies: A big black stonefly or a flashy beadhead egg is hard to beat when the water is up.

5. Sinkers: If you are fishing a deep run and aren’t catching fish it’s probably because your flies aren’t getting down fast enough. Add some weight because a sinker can save the day.

6. Streamers: What better time than to throw a big streamer than in high water. A weighted wooly bugger will catch fish.

7. 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.

8. Head to the high country: The higher elevation creeks are going to clear up first so start there.

March Fishing Report 2022

The best fishing of the year is right around the corner!

March is less than two weeks away and I couldn’t be more excited. This winter has been a cold one, but the good news is that the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. March provides some of the best trout fishing of the year due to the fact that multiple creeks and rivers will receive their first stocking of fish. This provides excellent wade fishing and float trips on numerous delayed harvest fisheries throughout the mountains. The wild trout streams in the area will be another hot ticket with fish rising to dry flies. Last year the second week of March brought out some of the best blue quill and quill Gordon hatches I’ve ever seen and I am confident this year will be very similar. The best fishing will be on the Catawba Tailrace as we will be chasing the best hatch of the year down there which are the caddis. The fish down there will be eagerly eating bugs on top which is quite a phenomenon to witness. It’s hard to pinpoint the best dates because we cannot predict the weather, but in years past the best fishing has taken place the first week of March through the second week of April. We target the browns and rainbows down there using emergers and dry flies. If you have ever wanted to fish the Catawba Tailrace then now until the end of May is the best time to go. Last year between March and June we boated 5 fish over 20 inches which was our best year of guiding down there since 2017. Contact us and we will be happy to show you a cool fishery that doesn’t get a ton of pressure unlike other tailwaters in the Southeast. We are going to be offering some new trips this year so be on the lookout for those in the upcoming months.

Towards the of March we will be throwing big flies and baits for pre-spawn river smallmouth. If you are looking for quality fish instead of quantity then a smallmouth float trip is for you. This time of year the bigger smallmouth are packing on the pounds to prepare for the spawn. Speaking of smallmouth, 2022 is looking like it’s going to be a low water year so it’s best to leave the freestone trout alone starting in late June through the beginning of September because lower water levels mean warmer temperatures. The higher elevation creeks will be fine early morning and so will the tailwaters in East Tennessee, but when it’s hot it’s best to chase bass. We have great success from March all the way into November chasing smallmouth so give us a call and we would love to show you how much fun these river smallmouth can be on the fly or spinning gear.

2021 was our best year to date in terms of fishing and the number of trips we ran, and I would like to personally thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ because without him none of this would be possible. I am excited to see what this year has in store for us and I look forward to fishing with new clients and welcoming old ones. See you on the water!

Matt Evans

Owner/The Catawba Angler

Winter Trout Fishing in NC

Recently snowstorm Izzy came through the Blue Ridge Mountains dumping 6 to 15 inches of snow in places. The water temperature on most of the fisheries in western North Carolina is below 40 degrees. The runoff from heavy snowfall and frigid nights causes the water temperature to plummet. Catching fish this time of year is not impossible, but you must change up your method. Catch numbers will be lower because a trout’s metabolism slows in colder water, but quality increases.

This time of year we sight fish to some of the biggest trout on the creek if you can spot them in the crystal clear water. Most of the bigger fish hang out in the slow, deep pools because they do not have to exert much energy. These fish are super spooky but not impossible to catch. The only fly you need to have ties on is a midge. Olive, black, and brown midges are my favorite colors. Tightlining a midge using 6x tippet is the most effective way to catch fish. If the fish do not respond to a dead drift then try lifting your rod as the midge drifts in front of the fish. This slow lift of the rod makes the fly seem as if it’s swimming or emerging which usually triggers a response from the fish. This 18” brown trout was taken on Curtis Creek when there was snow on the ground and the air temperature was 29 degrees. This was one of three fish caught, but catching this fish in the wild water section was a true prize given the conditions.

Fishing around the warmest part of the day will increase your odds of catching fish because this is when the water temperature will be on the rise and will “peak”. Springs along the creek will also add some warmer water to the creek so it’s not a bad idea to plan your trip around these areas. 10am to 2pm is prime time.

Normally in the winter there will be pods of trout in the same hole. It’s not uncommon to see more than one big trout in a hole. When you come up on a pod of fish always target the one in the back and work your way upstream so you don’t spook all the fish going for the biggest one ahead of the others.

The photo below is typical of most mountain creeks in the wintertime. The water is crystal clear and low. The water in the back of the hole is deepest at 3-4 feet. This deeper water is where most fish hangout this time of year then when Spring rolls around those fish will push towards the head of the run.

Anytime there is a warm spell in the winter time and the water temperature rises significantly then it’s best to hit your local creek. This rise in temperature will trigger the fish into feeding more aggressively and you might run into a good Blue Wing Olive hatch. You will never know if you don’t go!

Winter fishing provides solitude and therapy for cabin fever. If you got a good pair of waders then you can fish year round even on the coldest, winter day. January and February provide more shots at trophy trout in the mountain creeks of North Carolina than any other months besides October.

Normally my go to rod this time of year is my 10’6 3wt Redington Strike. My leader setup for these smaller mountain creeks is 24 inches of 2x attached to 18 inches of Rio’s 3x sighter material attached to 60 inches of 6x. Some people will disagree with this setup but it’s easier to cast than the long leader setups most euro nymphers use. Find something that works for you and roll with it. If it catches fish then you are doing something right.

Catawba Tailrace 2022 Fishing Report

Streamers and nymphs have been producing some good trout on the Tailrace this winter. We’ve caught a handful of browns on our float trips, but the majority have been rainbow trout. It is encouraging that some of the stocked fish from last fall (2020) survived the floods and the warm summer this past year and have the opportunity to becoming trophy fish.
Earlier this fall we were informed that the Tailrace wasn’t going to get stocked because of the trout shortage in North Carolina. Fortunately the NCWRC was able to pull stock from private hatcheries and different state hatcheries to help replenish the numbers that were lost in the flooding from Hurricane Fred, and were able to stock the Tailrace.
The rainbow trout that they put in are 10-14 inches and are supercharged this time of year. The fish make hard runs and acrobatic jumps in the swift flows from the dam. The key to success at the Tailrace is getting the flies down fast enough to reach the target zone. A lot of times light flies never get down to where the fish are holding so you drift over a lot of them. When throwing streamers use sink tips and lines to get the flies down to that 3 to 4 foot depth range. Everyone knows black is an excellent choice for streamers and stoneflies on the Tailrace, but you will be surprised with other colors that work down there. The last two float trips I had on the Tailrace my clients started with black, but I quickly changed colors after crossing some productive riffles without any strikes. We changed to a more natural color and it was the color we stuck with the rest of the trip. There are a lot of holes on the Tailrace where you aren’t going to be able to get your flies down fast enough using a traditional dry dropper set up or an indicator. We have been utilizing 10 foot or longer rods with clients over the past few years using the tight lining method and have seen lots of success. The tight lining method eliminates any drag on the flies allowing them to shoot straight to the bottom. This is where those trophy fish hang out. All four fish that went over twenty inches last year were caught dredging the deepest holes on the Tailrace.

Outlook for the Catawba Tailrace (January-May)

The Catawba Tailrace will continue to fish well until the end of May this year. We stop fishing it at the end of May and solely focus on wild trout in the higher elevation streams and smallmouth bass in the larger rivers. As always we anticipate a good Caddis hatch starting in early March and some excellent nymph fishing when the stoneflies begin to hatch. The best fishing has been on the minimal flow release which allows you to anchor and target areas which you normally blow past on one or two unit generation. Nymph fishing has been best on the one unit generation. If they are pushing two units it’s best to stay at the house.
I’m expecting another great season on the Tailrace and I welcome long time clients and new ones looking to explore a really cool tailwater in North Carolina. There is always the possibility of catching a trophy brown trout on this fishery! Our March and April are starting to fill up so contact us soon to reserve your preferred dates. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you on the water!

Fishing Near Asheville

North Carolina is home to the largest mountains on the the east coast and this produces great trout fisheries, smallmouth rivers, and mountain lakes. North Carolina is home over 2,000 miles of cold water creeks and rivers that support trout. There are plenty of trout streams in the Pisgah National Forest that have natural reproduction, but some of the lower elevation fisheries that are incapable of supporting wild trout receive stockings of hatchery raised fish that presents angling opportunities. North Carolina boasts some really good tailwater fisheries which include the Tuckaseegee, Catawba, Nantahala, and the Green. These tailwaters consistently produce some of the biggest trout caught in North Carolina. Trout aren’t the only species worthy of targeting when visiting the mountains of North Carolina. The French Broad River near Asheville and the Toe River near Spruce Pine are highly regarded for their smallmouth populations. Asheville fishing guides have done extremely well targeting these great sport fish. These two larger rivers hold musky as well which are among the largest North American fish living only in freshwater. North Carolina is home to some larger lakes which create some excellent angling opportunities throughout the year. Lake James is home to smallmouth and largemouth bass which draws in anglers all across the state to fish it. The state record Tiger Muskellunge was caught out of Lake James in the 80’s and there remains a dedicated group of musky anglers that chase these fish in the Catawba and Linville Rivers that feed the lake. Speaking of Linville, the Linville Gorge has been named the Grand Canyon of the East and is one of the only two wilderness areas in North Carolina. This rugged wilderness is home to some large brown trout and smallmouth bass. This area should be explored only if you have experience in the backcountry because it is no place for novices. Below we will highlight some areas and fisheries worthy of exploring in North Carolina. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Pisgah National Forest:

The Pisgah National Forest is home to some of the best trout fishing in North Carolina. Davidson River, South Toe River, Wilson Creek, Curtis Creek, and the South Mills River are all within the Pisgah National Forest. The tributaries that flow into these creeks and rivers are noteworthy for their wild trout populations. Most of these tributaries are smaller and many anglers overlook them because of their size. These smaller creeks are seldom fished and can hold healthy populations of surprisingly large, spooky fish. The ability to make short, accurate casts is imperative to success here. Most wild trout streams in North Carolina are around the 2,000 foot elevation mark which offers great scenery and solitude. There is nothing like casting a dry fly in early Spring to wild trout in a backcountry setting. This is truly a genuine Southern Appalachian fly fishing experience. The best time to target wild trout in North Carolina is from late February to early December. These higher elevation creeks get really cold in late winter and anglers have a short window to target these fish only in late afternoon. If you have never experienced a March Brown hatch in April on one of the wild trout streams in North Carolina then make an effort to do so.

Bridgewater Tailrace:

If you aren’t interested in tight corner fishing on the smaller mountain creeks of North Carolina then the tailwaters might spark your interest. Tailwaters are notoriously known for growing very large trout. The Bridgewater Tailrace extends from Lake James to Lake Rhodhiss which provides 18 miles of fishing. Most anglers devote their time and effort to catching trophy trout in the upper 8 miles of the Tailrace, but old timers say the biggest trout hang around the lower end of the tailwater near Morganton. Shockings in the Tailrace has proven that the fishery holds some giant trout. Trout up to 28 inches have been shocked in the fishery and striper anglers regularly catch browns exceeding 20 inches. The best way to catch a big brown in a tailwater is throwing large streamers. A big meal will entice the larger fish to move. The bigger brown trout in any body of water aren’t going to waste their time eating something small unless you encounter a specific hatch. Large brown trout hunt that one large meal that will hold it over for a day or two. The Bridgewater Tailrace’s worst enemy is Muddy Creek which dumps a ton of sediment in the fishery after extreme floods. The sediment can be detrimental to younger fish, but the more mature fish do have a fighting chance. Trophy brown trout are always present in this fishery, but in order to catch them one must be willing to put the time in year after year. The best time to fish the Bridgewater Tailrace is Early December to the end of May.

French Broad and Toe Rivers

The French Broad River and Toe River boast excellent smallmouth bass numbers which creates excellent angling opportunities from March to November. More and more anglers are giving the trout a break in the heat of the summer and focusing their attention on river bass. Smallmouth are some of the sportiest fish in North Carolina. They are aggressive fish that are known for their eyes being bigger than their stomachs. They hit big baits and are known for their ferocious topwater takes. The rocky bottoms and ledges of these two rivers provide the perfect hiding places for smallmouth bass to ambush their prey. Next time you are in western North Carolina try your hand at smallmouth instead of trout and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Catching a five pound smallmouth out of the river on light tackle or a fly rod is about as good as it gets in North Carolina.

Lake James:

Rivers aren’t the only place in North Carolina to find bass. Lake James is a very clean lake due to the fact that two mountain rivers flow fresh, cold water in to it. The lake is home to a variety of fish species but the most known species are smallmouth and largemouth bass. In order to fish the lake one must have a motorized boat or a kayak. If you plan on kayaking the lake devote your attention to where one of the four tributaries come into it. These include the Catawba River, Linville River, North Fork of the Catawba, and Paddy Creek. The Catawba River arms hold musky certain times of the year so if you are interested in chasing huge fish then this is your best bet. The Catawba River is a unique river holding numerous species unlike any other river in North Carolina. Depending on the season you can catch trout, smallmouth, largemouth, catfish, walleye, and perch. This makes the Catawba River a one in a kind fishing experience. We will discuss it in further detail below. Lake James fishes best in the Spring, but people fish it year round. One tip here is to find the baitfish. The bass are constantly chasing the blueback herring on this lake.

Catawba River

The Catawba River flows through 9 counties in North Carolina and provides ample opportunities to catch a variety of species. The Catawba River headwaters start in McDowell County then flows east through a series of lakes and eventually into South Carolina. In between the lakes provides great habitat for fishing. The Catawba River is easily navigable with a kayak or raft which makes it very appealing to a lot of anglers. The Catawba River provides plenty of wading opportunities through McDowell and Burke Counties. There are a few greenways on this river that gets stocked with trout certain times of the year. The river has something for everyone whether you are looking for trout or bass. The Catawba River is a lower elevation fishery which creates a great place to chase trout in the colder months when the higher elevation fisheries are too cold to fish.

Linville Gorge Fishing

The Linville Gorge is rugged, wild, big, and just plain awesome! It is a wilderness area and it’s a place worth exploring whether you fish or not. The scenery is just as good as the fishing. If you plan on fishing Linville Gorge then you need to have some experience in the backcountry. Fishing the gorge is challenging because of all the rock hopping you have to do to get to certain holes. There are some massive holes in the gorge and you will quickly notice why big fish like it here. Big brown trout and smallmouth bass lurk in the Linville River. The greater the risk the greater the reward. If you are looking for a challenge this is the place to go.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. If you have any more questions about where to fish in North Carolina then just give us a call and we can provide more details that we prefer not to post online. Tight lines!

Hiring a fishing guide

I hope this article will help shed some light on the benefits of a fishing guide, selecting a guide, and tips on making the most out of your fishing trip.

Benefits of a fishing guide:

The most common benefit of hiring a fishing guide is taking the guess work out of catching fish. For instance, if you are visiting an unfamiliar area for a week and know nothing about the waters you plan to fish then hiring a guide can help you down the right path. Hiring a guide can help you learn the water, understand the current conditions, and most importantly you get the guide’s expertise for the day. Having this knowledge will make the rest of your trip more enjoyable instead of fishing blindly and trying to figure things out on your own.

Fishing guides can help you learn particular creeks and rivers. Navigating certain rivers can be tricky so obtaining a guides knowledge of the lines they use and areas they avoid can save you from being caught in a dangerous situation when navigating it yourself.

Another benefit of fishing with a guide is that a guide is someone you are going to learn from. If you want to learn a particular technique or chase a specific species of fish then hire a guide who specializes in what you are interested in doing. A guide is going to explain the hows and whys to you, and the day will not only be a learning experience, but one where you catch fish.

Selecting a fishing guide:

Selecting the right fishing guide can be challenging when there are twenty or so guides that pop up on a google search, but hopefully after reading this you will have a clear view on how to select the right one.

A good guide is a someone who is trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable of the waters they fish, and a hard worker.

A good guide will cancel a trip if conditions are poor or unsafe for fishing. It’s always best to be upfront with the clients instead of sugar coating the situation just to get paid. Fishing guides make a living off repeat clients. A bad day of fishing for a client can result in a long lost customer. It’s best to be honest.

The best guides are going to be the ones that have experience and treat every trip like it’s their first. There is no substitute for knowledge and experience, but having a energetic attitude, good judgement, and a willingness to adapt when fishing gets tough can work to a younger guide’s favor.

A good fishing guide is going to understand the client’s expectations before going into the trip and will do everything the day of to meet those expectations. Some days can be tough on the water, but having a guide who does everything in their power to make your trip successful is the difference between a mediocre one and a great one.

A lot can be said about the first interaction with a fishing guide whether it’s an email or phone call. If the guide does not give you a good first impression then it’s probably best to find someone else. A great day of catching fish doesn’t matter if you do not enjoy the guide personally so keep that in mind.

Other pieces of advice:

Do your research. When choosing a fishing guide don’t go with the first one that pops up on Google unless they can meet your expectations. Check out their website, reviews, and social media pages. Make sure the guide service is one that you feel confident in going with.

Let the guide know your expectations. A successful day on the water is determined before the trip begins if the guide knows what you are looking to accomplish and has prepared for it.

A fishing guide can be a very helpful resource. Pick their brain and ask them questions about the local economics, best fishing spots, fauna and flora, and ways to improve your skills. A fishing trip isn’t just about catching fish, but a memorable experience fishing somewhere new.

Fly Fishing In December

December can be the best time to fish NC trout waters.

December is an overlooked month to trout fish. During this time of year the crowds have dwindled and the fishing is just as good if not better than it was in the fall. The trout are keyed in on blue wing olives, midges, and early black stones. We will discuss how to rig your flies for success below, but first let’s talk about water and weather conditions during the winter.

Water Conditions in the Winter

We can see water temperatures range anywhere from the upper 30’s to the low 50’s in December. This means anglers must be willing to change their tactics according to whatever weather is present on the day you are fishing. If the water temperatures are hovering 40 degrees you want to downsize your flies because trout won’t be chasing a bunch and will be eating smaller offerings. This is a great time to throw midges. Small flies are a must have in every Angler’s fly box in the wintertime. The water this time of the year is normally crystal clear so put away the 4 and 5x tippet. Break out the 6 and 7x tippet because more subtle presentations are key. Throwing smaller flies on heavy tippet doesn’t work either. In order to get size 16-22 flies down you need to be throwing tippet that is smaller in diameter. I will also lengthen my leaders this time of year because the longer the leader the farther away you can present your flies to flies without getting on top of them. This is especially important when nymphing from the boat. I am normally running a 12 foot leader on all float trips down the Catawba because a shorter leader just won’t cut it. One of my favorite offerings this time of year is running a heavy point fly like a stone or an egg pattern then have some sort of an blue wing olive emerger pattern two feet above it. This set up has proven itself year over year on NC trout waters. This time of year I try to schedule my trips around the time the water temperature begins to rise. This means starting later than usual. The best fishing in the wintertime is going to be from 10am to 2pm.

Weather Conditions in the Winter

Our winters here in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains are generally mild. This is the time of year to fish those lower elevation trout streams instead of those higher blue line wild trout streams. The reason is that the higher elevations are much colder and the water temperatures are usually below 40 degrees which makes for shorter windows to fish except for the warmest part of the day. The lower elevation streams and rivers are normally consistent all day. Big swings in the weather doesn’t slow down fishing as long as the angler adjusts his tactics. For instance, if we have had 60 degree days for a week straight then all of a sudden it drops to a high of only 40 for the day, the fish might adjust to what they are willing to eat. The egg patterns they were chomping might not be the best offering. Be flexible and fish weather and water conditions. Every day is going to be different.

What should we wear?

When fishing in the winter time it’s important to dress in layers. It’s better to have more clothes on than not have enough. A ski cap or tobaggan is priceless on those windy, cold days. Gloves can be beneficial as long as they stay dry which is hard to do when you are wade fishing and catching fish, but many clients love having them on fishing from the boat this time of year.

Dry Fly Fishing in December

When we think of hatches we think of the Caddis in the Spring or the Sulphurs in the Summer, but what about the BLue Wing Olives in the Winter? Some of the best dry fly fishing of the year can be available on the colder days of winter. We were recently fishing the Catawba River and we came up on a long flat section right before some white water and we saw multiple fish feeding on BWO’s. This is always a treat for clients because we will anchor upstream of the fish and drift small dries to these active fish. A lot of times I will tie on two dry flies at a time. One being a sighter fly and the other being a very small offering. A lot of times the fly can be so small that you are setting the hook when a fish eats within the general area of your presentation. One fly that I have recently had success on is the “Trusty Rusty”. The trusty rusty is a spent mayfly pattern which means after a mayfly is done mating it’s upright wings will fall flat to the water. The best patterns are going to be tied in gray because that is the color of Blue Wing Olives.

Streamer Fishing in the Winter

Big flies entice big fish. When you are streamer fishing you aren’t going after a lot of numbers. Streamers catch the bigger, dominant trout in the river because bigger fish are looking for that one big meal. Just think how many midges a trout would have to eat to get the same calories as eating a minnow. We throw a lot of leech patterns, and minnow patterns on the NC tailwaters in the winter. This type of fish can be very fun instead of watching an indicator all day. On our guided trips in the winter expect to throw multiple flies which can include anything from a dry fly to the kitchen sink depending on what the fish are biting.

Recent Catches in December 2021

Thank you for reading. If you are interested in hearing the most up to date fishing conditions give us a call at 828-460-2390. We look forward to seeing you on the water.

Western North Carolina Trout Fishing

There are many beautiful spots around the world to trout fish, but no place can overshadow the North Carolina mountain creeks and rivers. North Carolina has some quality trout fishing, but the fishing can be challenging. Here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains you won’t see the same casts that Brad Pitt does in the movie A River around Through It, which depicts him making very long casts. The fishing style around these mountains consist of short casts because most streams are small and have some sort of tree growth along the the banks unlike many open, western rivers. Our waters are basically drainage ditches coming off high mountains so the water is faster with a bunch of riffles and pockets. As a full time guide, I see it time after time where clients want to make the “hero” casts on small fisheries. These casts have a place when the water is low and clear, but a lot of times only a few feet of fly line is needed as long as your leader is the correct length. The most successful clients are the ones that seldom make long casts whether we are fishing from foot or the boat. On the small wild trout streams one of my best days were with a guy who fished all Fay with only his leader touching the water. It’s very hard especially for beginners to set the hook on long casts because they have way too much slack in their line. I’ll fish behind someone making long casts all day, but the ones you have to look out for are those short cast anglers. Those short cast anglers know what their doing.

North Carolina has plenty of trout water to fish since more than 25% of the 100 NC counties have trout fishing. Most of the trout streams are classified as wild trout streams meaning the trout were not stocked, but born in the stream naturally. I believe the wild trout fishing in North Carolina is better than other states because there isn’t as much food in our streams as some of the other western streams. The lack of food makes for more opportunistic fish which is a good thing! Talk to some of the guides on the more popular western rivers after a big salmonfly hatch. The fish eat heavily for a week then they are so full they turn off afterwards. North Carolina does have some good hatches, but we aren’t necessarily matching the hatch always.

The wild trout fishing in North Carolina is often overlooked because the trout aren’t big, but I would take a 10 inch wild trout over a 20 inch stocked fish any day of the week. The wild trout are more beautiful, and they fight harder. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder though.

The wild trout streams in North Carolina are never crowded and the farther you get from the trailhead the better the fishing. Some of the best wild trout streams are the ones that most people will drive past and say there isn’t any fish in there. Any North Carolina creek above 2,500 feet in elevation is more than likely going to have trout in it.

Some of our favorite creeks and rivers are the Catawba River, Toe Rivers, French Broad River, Davidson River, Pigeon River, Curtis Creek, Newberry Creek, Deep Creek, Wilson Creek, Lost Cove Creek, Harper Creek, Tuckaseegee River, and Nantahala River.

What is the best trout stream in North Carolina?
The best trout stream in North Carolina is the one you haven’t discovered yet. What I mean by this is that there are many trout streams that you might not find in a book or a social media post, but it could very well be the best trout fishing you’ve ever experienced. Get out and explore! There isn’t one stream in North Carolina that is better than another some just fish better than others certain times of the year.

How to target and catch big trout?

The best places to target big trout is to fish where big trout live. Fishing these areas will increase your odds of catching a big trout significantly. We catch a lot of big trout on our smallmouth trips using spinning gear. The baits we throw for smallmouth are bigger baits such as rapalas and bigger soft plastics. This is evidence that big trout eat bigger baits.

The best places to target bigger trout is where smaller creeks flow in larger rivers. These are hot spots for bigger trout because in the summer when the water temperatures get warm in the larger rivers these trout will head to these areas. A lot of times these bigger fish will stay in these general areas year round.

Bigger trout are similar to big smallmouth. The bigger fish are more willing to chase bigger baits than smaller ones because if they are going to expend the energy they want it to be worth their time.

The best times to target big trout in North Carolina is Spring, Fall, and Winter. The warmer water temperatures in the summer contain less oxygen which slows trout fishing down. The good news is that smallmouth fishing is awesome in the summer months.

Best flies for bigger trout: Pats Rubber Legs, Crystal Wooly Buggers, Mini Finesse Gamechangers (Rainbow Trout), Mini Sex Dungeons (Black & Purple)

Best spinning tackle for bigger trout: Lucky Craft Jerkbaits, VMC Marabou Jigs, Keitech Easy Shiners

Trout Live in Beautiful Places in NC

Trout fishing isn’t always about catching fish. It’s enjoying where these fish live and the pleasure of fishing for them in beautiful places. Trout fishing in the North Carolina Mountains is truly special and there is enough water here to keep an angler busy for a lifetime. Below are some photos of the creeks and rivers we are fortunate enough to guide on.

The Catawba Angler

We are a fly fishing/light tackle guide service based out of Old Fort, North Carolina. When you book a trip with us you will fish with a full time guide that grew up fishing the creek or river you will be guided on. We know you are paying hard earned money to fish with us and we will make sure we do everything in our power for you and your family to have a great day on the water. We value your business and look forward to seeing you on the river.

Sincerely,

Matt Evans

Owner/The Catawba Angler

Fly Fishing in November

November is a great month to get out on the delayed harvest waters in North Carolina to chase stocked trout. The creeks and rivers are stocked with some good sized trout that can provide non stop action for anglers. The key to success this time of year is downsizing your line and flies. The water is very clear so using 6x or 7x tippet is a must. The fish are keying in on early stoneflies and midges. My favorite color to use in November is black. Whether I’m swinging nymphs or streamers you can bet I’ll be using black ones.

The Catawba River is a great fishery in November because it’s got the stocked fish from October & November in it. This year the NCWRC stocked a lot of brook and rainbow trout. Brook trout are aggressive fish that hang out near shallow water on the Catawba. We catch most of the brook trout hanging above or below riffles that are anywhere from 2 feet to 4 feet deep. The rainbows tend to head towards deeper water so tighlining a pink or yellow egg on the bottom is hard to beat. Below is a video from some recent trips on the Catawba River.

Swinging flies has been around a long time and I’m starting to do more and more of it because of how effective it is at catching trout. To swing flies you want to be upstream of the trout you are targeting. Cast at a 45 degree angle across the river using a long, light leader. Once your flies reach your desired location you want to have a tight line meaning eliminate any slack in the line. Normally the fish will hit the flies on the swing and once they do then it’s FISH ON. A lot of times fish will hook themselves, but it’s best to set the hook in the direction of the swing. Some guides might tell you lift your rod tip UP when setting, but this creates split second slack in your line which can result in missed fish.

The best flies to swing are CDC collared pheasant tail jigs, jelly leeches, Y2K eggs, and black midges. These flies catch fish this time of year.

Pink Egg.

Jelly Leech Fly.

North Carolina Brook Trout

River Smallmouth Fishing in October

October is my favorite time of year to target the smallmouth bass in the river. This time of year the fish congregate in the deepest holes of the river. This congregation of fish creates more competition between the bigger fish and the smaller fish to grab that soft plastic that mimics a crayfish. We see more quality fish come during the month of October than any other month. The scenery this time of year is second to none and we never see another boat on the water because everyone is trout fishing.

French Broad River in October.

Monster smallmouth caught on October 21.

October is a great month to catch quality river smallmouth.

17 inch river smallmouth fights as well as any other freshwater fish in NC.

Great Fall Colors. Great Smallmouth Fishing.

French Broad River Smallmouth. October 2020.

Smallmouth River Fishing in October.

October Smallmouth.

This time of year we will throw bigger baits because it does mean bigger fish. A big smallmouth is more willing to eat a bigger bait than a small one. Instead of throwing a 2.75 inch bait throw a 5 inch bait. If you are looking for your personal best smallmouth then bigger baits are a must. We normally stop running smallmouth trips when the water temperatures drop below 50 degrees because at this temperature I see a big change in appetite from the fish. In years past we normally hit the 50 degree mark around the second week of November. This doesn’t mean big smallmouth won’t feed in the winter, but one must be willing to fish slow.

Trout Fishing in North Carolina

There are many opportunities to target stocked trout and wild trout in North Carolina.

Stocked Fishing Opportunities

The NCWRC stocks a ton of creeks and rivers in NC certain times of the year. Fall and Spring boasts some really good trout fishing on Delayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported creeks & rivers. Stocked fish are fish that are raised in hatcheries, then when they get a certain age or size the state releases them into our waterways for angling opportunities. The best place to find out where to fish in North Carolina is to visit the N.C. Interactive Trout Fishing Map. This shows every public trout fishing creek or river in the state. The link is listed below:

https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/fishingareas

Stocked fish are very opportunistic when they first put them in public water so any bright colored lure normally gets their attention. Once they acclimate to the river system then anglers should start focusing on the natural food presentations for success. A great resource for finding out what bugs hatch certain times of the year is the NC Hatch Chart.

Stocked fish normally range anywhere from 10 inches to 22 inches. There are always opportunities to catch big trout in stocked waters because the state puts them in there. Most of the 20+ inch fish released into public water are mature trout that were used in the breeding process at the hatchery.

A brood trout.

Wild Trout Fishing Opportunities

Most streams in North Carolina that are above 2,400 feet in elevation hold wild trout. The best advice one can give you is to get on a map and go explore them for yourself. It’s always rewarding as long as you go into it with no expectation. Enjoy the beauty of the oldest mountains in the world and if you happen to catch a wild trout consider it a bonus. The wild trout streams in NC is where you find peace and tranquility. Most wild trout streams in North Carolina will fish best when we start getting some really good hatches in early spring, but trout can be caught year round on wild trout streams. These streams are usually smaller in size so they can be more technical. If you can fish a smaller mountain creek in NC without any hang ups then you can fish anywhere in the US. These smaller mountain creeks makes you a better angler because you have to be stealthy, make good drifts, and avoid the tight overhangs. Most wild trout range anywhere from 6-12 inches. A 12+ inch wild trout is an excellent catch and one should call that a good day of fishing! What these fish lack in size they make up for in beauty. Below I will show you the three wild trout species we have here in North Carolina.

Wild Brown Trout

Wild Rainbow Trout

Wild Brook Trout

Trout Fishing 101

Tips to make you a better trout angler in NC:

1. Hire a fishing guide: There are plenty of guide services in North Carolina that have full time guides on their staff. These men and women have devoted their entire lives to the sport of fishing, and picking their brain during a half or full day trip is money well spent. Professional guides can put you in the right direction from the start and teach you basics that you will use your entire fishing career.
   

2. Must Have Flies for NC: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Eggs, Caddis, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Zebra Midges, and a Black Wooly Bugger

3. Downsize your tippet: Size does matter when it comes to your tippet. I use 5x and 6x tippet on any trout stream in North Carolina. For spooky trout in crystal clear water 6.5x to 7x tippet is the way to go. I recommend fishing with a single fly when you are first getting into fly fishing. The more flies you tie on the more likely you are to create tangles with a bad cast.
   

4. Spend your money on things that matter: Good fly line and a good pair of waders goes a long way! If you buy cheap fly line for your $300 reel then you are doing yourself a disservice. The best fly line on the market is Scientific Anglers. You cannot go wrong going Scientific Angler’s Air Cel or Frequency line. Simms makes the best waders on the planet and they are made in Bozeman, Montana.
   

5. Read a book: There are some great books I will recommend below that have helped me grow as a trout angler throughout the years. I find myself revisiting these books random times again and again.
   

   The History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies: Ian Whitelaw (Great book to learn about popular flies and which flies you actually need)

   Fly Fishing the Blue Ridge Parkway: Sam Johnson (If you want places to fish this is your resource)

   Orvis: Guide to better fly casting: Al Kyte (Great book that breaks down the mechanics of fly casting)

   Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass: Harry Murray (Great read when the trout aren’t biting)

6. TOTW: In order to become a better angler one needs time on the water. To master something you must practice so get out there and fish. I enjoy Simms marketing campaign: You get one life. FISH IT WELL.

NC Delayed Harvest Fishing

October means great trout fishing on many creeks and rivers in western North Carolina!

The NCWRC stocks certain creeks and rivers in twenty counties the first week of October. These stockings place high densities of trout in the waters to increase angler’s chances of catching. All trout must be released back into any Delayed Harvest water from October 1st until the first Saturday in June. Trout can only be caught using a single hook, artificial lure or fly. (No worms, powerbait, Gulp Minnows, corn, or dough balls) This regulation provides good fishing throughout the fall, winter and well into late spring. We enjoy taking seasoned anglers as well as beginners to these waters because it is an all around fun day of fishing in some beautiful settings. We provide wade trips and float trips on multiple Delayed Harvest waters across western NC. Check out some of our catches from the years past on Delayed Harvest Waters in NC.

Fall Smallmouth Fishing

Fall is a magical time here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Around mid September we get the first glimpses of fall when air temperatures drop in the low 60s. This transition from summer to the first stages of fall is one of my favorite times to guide because it means good fishing for river smallmouth. Once water temperatures drop below 70 degrees in September the bass will begin to eat heavily on crayfish and minnow patterns. Early to mid morning is a great time to throw topwater and then there is consistent fishing the rest of the day with moving hard baits. We have great weather in September so the French Broad and the Nolichucky Rivers provide suitable water clarity for good smallmouth fishing. During September & October, anglers are presented with opportunities to catch their personal best river smallmouth. Catching a big smallmouth on conventional tackle or the fly is about as good as it gets for western North Carolina river fishing! Here are some of our most recent catches on our river smallmouth float trips in September.

Early September Smallmouth

September is a great month to fish the French Broad River.

Fishing Near Asheville, NC

The Catawba Angler provides wade fishing and float fishing trips near Asheville, North Carolina.

Asheville is known for it’s fishing. The Pisgah, Nantahala, and DuPont National Forests that surround the city are home to many excellent wild trout fisheries. These cold mountain streams are a fly angler’s paradise. Anglers could spend a lifetime exploring and fishing every creek or river within an hour’s drive of Asheville. The trout streams and creeks are best explored by wade fishing trip then with one of our local guides. Our local guides will provide all the equipment and gear needed to have a memorable outdoor experience. Rainbow, brown and brook are the three trout species we target around the area. The most important species found in the higher elevation creeks around Asheville is the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout. (Known as “Specks” among the locals) This is the only trout that is native to North Carolina.

Asheville is a great area to set up base camp to fish for wild trout, smallmouth bass, or musky. Most creeks and rivers are all within a day trip’s drive. The French Broad River flows right through downtown Asheville and is home to some excellent smallmouth bass fishing. Other species such as musky, walleye, and catfish are also found in the river making it one of the most diverse rivers in the area. The French Broad River is hard to wade so it’s best to fish it from raft or kayak. Our guides fish it from March to November and would love to show you a different side of Asheville. We provide spin fishing or fly fishing trips for bass on the French Broad River.

Fishing near Asheville, NC

Great fishing is a short drive away from Asheville.

French Broad River:

The French Broad River is arguably the best smallmouth river in the area. It’s best fished using spinning gear, but fly fishing can be fantastic as certain times of the year. The most productive stretches to fish for smallmouth is from Westfeldt Park near the Asheville Airport to Hot Springs.

Bass Fishing Asheville, NC

North Mills River:

The North Mills River is a heavily stocked river for trout in the fall and spring months. These trout are easily caught using bright colored flies using eggs, mop flies, or worms. This is a great river to target if you are a beginner fly angler or visiting the area and are short on time.

North Mills River Fishing

Newberry Creek:

Newberry Creek boosts a healthy population of wild rainbow and brook trout. Newberry is a pristine mountain creek that is managed under a Catch & Release designation. The old forest service road that follows the creek provides easy access to hop off of to wade fish. Newberry Creek is the largest tributary to Curtis Creek which is also a great fishery for trout.

Newberry Creek

Davidson River:

The Davidson River is a freestone river near Brevard that was recognized as one of Trout Unlimited’s top 100 trout streams. The Davidson is known for its big selective trout which humbles the best of anglers, but this is what keeps them coming back again and again. The Davidson has easy roadside access which makes it one of the most popular rivers in western North Carolina. If you are up for the challenge of fishing one of the most technical streams in the area then the Davidson is worth a shot.

Davidson River Fishing

Curtis Creek:

Curtis Creek holds both wild and stocked trout. The area surrounding the creek was some of the first acres purchased as National Forest property east of the Mississippi under the Weeks Act of 1911. The fishing close to Hwy 70 is classified as stocked water. Once you reach Curtis Creek Campground the water is classified as wild trout water.

Curtis Creek Fly Fishing

Nolichucky River:

The Nolichucky River is within 60 miles of downtown Asheville. The river is smaller than the French Broad, but holds just as many smallmouth per mile. This river is full of ledges and deep pools which creates an ideal habitat for smallmouth. This river is a special place due to its scenery and fishing.

Nolichucky River

Catawba River Tailrace

The Catawba Tailrace is the closest tailwater to Asheville, North Carolina. The tailwater is a brown trout fishery that holds some very large trout. This fishery can be wade fished near Bridgewater Dam, but floating it is the best bet. The best fishing is from November to the end of May.

Catawba Tailrace Fishing

Catawba River:

The Catawba River is stocked through Marion, North Carolina which provides excellent wade fishing opportunities from October to May. The Joseph McDowell Greenway provides river access for 1.75 miles making it one of the longest stocked sections in the state.

Joseph McDowell Greenway

Lake James:

Lake James is the only lake on the Catawba River chain where anglers can catch smallmouth, largemouth, musky, and walleye. The deep, cold waters of the lake is fed by the Catawba River and Linville River making it one of the cleanest lakes in the state. The clear water here makes fishing a challenge, but those who are willing has the opportunity to catch the biggest bass of their life.

Lake James Fishing

Great catches near Asheville:

Summer Smallmouth Fishing in North Carolina

July & August are prime months to target smallmouth bass in the rivers around western NC.

July and August are usually the hottest months in North Carolina. These hotter months means lower water levels on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers. Lower water levels force the smallmouth bass to push off the banks into more oxygenated holding areas in the middle of the river. Smallmouth will be on the banks early morning, but once the sun gets overhead then it’s time to back off the banks. I run a wide variety of baits this time of year which can be anything from a buzzbait to a soft plastic jerkbait. Smallmouth can be all over a certain bait one day and then turn their nose up to it the next. The key to success this time of year is to keep changing baits until you figure out a pattern. Another tip is if the fish won’t hit a crawdad pattern then you might as well go home.

Most anglers do not enjoy fishing off colored water, but this is the norm on the French Broad. We rarely get days where the water is crystal clear so you just have to adapt using baits that have sound and vibration. It’s hard to beat tossing a 1/4 ounce spinnerbait in dirty water.

Pictures are worth a thousand words so check out some of our best catches from July and August 2021. Enjoy!

Outlook for September & October 2021

September can be provide some cooler nights which drops the water temperatures below 70 degrees. This can provide some excellent smallmouth fishing for spin fishermen and fly anglers. The biggest smallmouth we caught last year came on September 11th. Check it out below:

The bigger smallmouth know it’s time to start feeding aggressively before winter so they normally start mid September and will continue well into November. Here are some other big fish we’ve caught in September.

October is one of my favorite months of the year to guide because it’s prime time for trout and smallmouth. The creeks are running cold and the trout are happily eating again and the bigger rivers are stocked full of trout. The river smallmouth are fattening up before winter and life is good for a fishing guide.
We offer guided wade fishing or float trips for stocked trout which is a fantastic time to catch one of the biggest trout of your life. The state stocks some good size fish on our rivers and trout fishing will be red hot the first week of October till the end of May. Our wild trout streams fish really well in October if you are looking to get off the beaten path so keep that in mind.
Smallmouth fishing on the French Broad River can be lights out in October if water conditions cooperate. If you are interested in catching some good sized smallmouth October is a hard month to beat. Below are some great trout and smallmouth we’ve caught and released in October.

We look forward to seeing you on the water! Western North Carolina is a truly special place to fish for trout or smallmouth. Contact us today to experience some great fishing here in the mountains of North Carolina.

Swannanoa River Fishing

Trout Fishing the Swannanoa River near Asheville.

The Swannanoa River is roughly 25 miles long and is one of the largest tributaries to the French Broad River. It’s headwaters originate in Black Mountain, NC, then it flows west through the Swannanoa Valley and then eventually into Asheville. The Swannanoa River’s water quality has improved tremendously over the last ten years due to stream restoration and storm water best managements practices being implemented by RiverLink.

Near the rivers headwaters you get the typical mountain stream feel and this is where you will find the majority of the trout. Flat Creek and BeeTree Creek are two cold water tributaries which helps keep the river cool enough in the summertime to house wild rainbow trout.

Near the headwaters of the Swannanoa River.

Every once in awhile you will catch a stocked trout in the headwater of the river. Most of these fish head upstream from the Hatchery Supported section in Black Mountain looking for the colder water.

Stocked Brook Trout caught in the Swannanoa River.

The Swannanoa River is full of creek chubs, knotty heads, and crawfish which serves as forage for the bigger fish like the trout, sunperch, and even smallmouth bass in the lower stretch in Asheville. The wild trout that are in the Swannanoa River are opportunistic and will hit any fly that looks buggy. (Parachute Adams, Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl)

Wild Rainbow caught on a Chubby Chernobyl.

Most of the wild trout in the Swannanoa never exceed 8 inches.

The Swannanoa River is a cool fishery to explore. It’s got plenty of opportunities for the beginner and advanced angler. When I was researching the river I was hesitant to fish it because of its bad rap, but I’m glad I didn’t stop there. Go explore it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

June 2021 Fishing Report

Smallmouth season is in full swing!

The smallmouth fishing around Asheville, North Carolina is excellent during the month of June. The best days have been when the water is low and clear, and the more challenging days have been when the rivers muddy up after a hard rain. We have been fishing the French Broad the most this summer because water conditions have been favorable. Whenever the French Broad is low and somewhat clear you need to be fishing it. The Nolichucky can be more difficult to navigate when water levels get low, but where there is a will there is a way. The topwater bite hasn’t been very good this year, but minnow patterns and crawfish patterns have been the ticket. Our biggest fish of the year so far came on a soft plastic in early June. July is definitely a good time to catch a bunch of fish. Most fish will range from 8-12 inches, but you hope to fool a bigger one 16+ inches. Here are some of our best smallmouth catches from June 2021.

Trout Fishing in June

We have had a cooler than normal June and we’re able to sneak in some trout fishing trips on the Catawba Tailrace and the main stem of the Catawba. Fish are still eating stoneflies and egg patterns.

Lake James Fishing Report (June 2021)

Lake James has been tough, but the best fishing has been early morning. We’ve managed a couple of good fish on recent outings. If you want to get out on the lake this summer remember early morning is best.

Outlook for July 2021

We still have some availability the last two weeks in July, but they will be booking up soon. The fishing in July is good. Smallmouth is the name of the game during the month of July. The French Broad is usually low and fishing is consistent. We will start running trips earlier in July because the best fishing is usually before 2pm. July involves a more finesse fishing approach so throwing jigs is definitely the best technique. Fish will still be chasing in the early hours, but when the sun gets overhead we downsize and go natural. Trout fishing can be good around rainy days where the water temps drop to levels that are suitable to catch and release trout. All of our trout fishing trips in July is on higher elevation creeks. Check out some of our best catches from July 2020.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing in WNC (May 2021)

May provides some excellent angling opportunities for river smallmouth around Asheville, North Carolina!

River smallmouth are prized catches here in the mountains of North Carolina. These fish are aggressive predators to smaller baitfish and crayfish. We begin targeting these fish beginning in April, but the fishing doesn’t ramp up till the moth of May. The smallmouth have finished spawning and they go into post spawn mode which means they are hungry after spending all their energy on “love”. We have been running smallmouth guide trips on the Nolichucky and French Broad Rivers. Fishing has been as good as I have seen it in recent years. The water clarity and flows have been great because we haven’t had much rainfall. We’ve been catching most our bass on jigs, swimbaits, and topwater plugs. I’ve mainly guided spin fishermen, but have been fortunate to take out some great fly fishermen. Check out our best smallmouth bass catches from May 2021. The Catawba Angler specializes in guided river smallmouth float trips on the Nolichucky, French Broad, and Catawba Rivers.

May Fishing Report 2021

The month of May provides some great trout and smallmouth fishing in the mountains of NC.

Trout Fishing in May

There are plenty of great trout fishing opportunities in May. The delayed harvest stretches are fishing well and the wild trout fishing on the wild trout streams is even better. Here are some of our most recent trout catches in the month of May.

20 inch brown trout caught on a recent float trip. May 1, 2021.

Wild brown trout caught in the Pisgah National Forest. May provides some excellent wade fishing in the backcountry.

Ashley with her personal best rainbow trout. Fish measured right at 20 inches. May 8, 2021.

Grayson with a great rainbow trout on a recent wade trip. May 7, 2021

Fred with a 18” rainbow that put up an impressive fight on 5x tippet. May 8, 2021

Nick with a big delayed harvest rainbow trout. May 7, 2021

Kevin caught double digits on a local delayed harvest stretch. May 7, 2021

Smallmouth Fishing in May

The smallmouth bite has been good and will only get better as water temperatures warm up. We have had good success on the Nolichucky, and French Broad Rivers. Fish are currently eating minnow and crayfish patterns. There hasn’t been much topwater yet, but I expect to see it on any of these warmer days. Here are some smallmouth from the month of May.

Fishing was great until we got rained out. May 3, 2021

14” river smallmouth. May 3, 2021

French Broad River Smallmouth May 10,2021

Smallmouth Country. May 10, 2021

Smallmouth fishing in May.

Ed Pruitt with a nice river smallmouth. May 2021

Outlook for the rest of May/Early June

Trout fishing will remain consistent in the larger rivers as long as water temperatures stay below 70 degrees. Wild Trout fishing will be the best bet come early June unless you are up for fishing the Catawba Tailrace. Since that water comes out of the dam it stays cool enough to float for trout well in the summer. Smallmouth fishing is good and will only get better. We have caught some of our biggest smallmouth in May/Early June. Don’t hesitate to book your smallmouth adventure because we are filling up fast the month of June and July. The fishing on Lake James has been excellent lately and will stay consistent well into the summer. Thanks for reading! Hope to see you on the water.

May 11th, 2021 (French Broad River Smallmouth)

The smallmouth are keying in on minnow and crayfish patterns. The fish have not moved into the shallow yet, but as the water temperature rises the bass will push towards the bank. Ton of mayflies on the water today and the bass were taking them off the surface. This was one of the first times I have seen this take place so it was cool to watch. We netted around 15 fish on a half day float with a couple of good sized ones in the mix. Check out the pictures below.

May 12th, 2021 (Trout Float)

Took Michael and his son Justin on a trout float and the weather just didn’t cooperate. The weather stations said it would stop raining around 10am, but it rained all day. I appreciate clients who are good sports about the weather because we can’t always have ideal conditions on the water. We caught fish before the water turned dirty, but we are going to reschedule for a better day.

Wet, cold day on the water.

May 17,18,19,20 (Nolichucky River Smallmouth Trips)

May 21st (Smallmouth Float Trip)

Longtime client Jay and I fished the Nolichucky River and caught some good fish on topwater lures. Water temperature was 66 degrees so the bass were feeding aggressively.

May 25th (Trout & Smallmouth Float Trip)

Rich and his son Wes went on a trout/smallmouth float trip with me and we had good luck catching both species. The water temperature was pushing 70 degrees midday so the trout bite slowed down, but we managed to catch some good ones early on. The smallmouth fishing has really turned on now.

May 15th (Trout Float Trip)

May 26th (Smallmouth Float Trip)

Dan and his daughter joined me to chase some river smallmouth in the French Broad River. Water temperature was 70 degrees. We caught 25+ fish with the majority of them weighing over a pound. The French Broad provides the perfect habitat for these smallmouth ambush crayfish, hellgramites, and baitfish. The French Broad River has really turned on and should provide fishing all summer long.

May 27th (Smallmouth Float Trip)

Catching smallmouth on the fly is challenging and its a lot of work. Jerry and Nathan threw topwater poppers all day and brought some good fish to the net.

Catawba Tailrace Fishing Report 2021

The Catawba Tailrace is one of the best tailwater trout fisheries in North Carolina.

22 inch brown trout caught by Jim Muse. April 2021.

20 inch brown trout caught by Chris Snyder. May 2021.

21 inch brown trout caught by Allen Locke. April 2021

The Catawba Tailrace is a hidden gem in the foothills of North Carolina. On it’s good days this fishery rivals the tailwaters of Tennessee. The Catawba Tailrace offers seclusion unlike any other tailwater in the Southeast. We rarely see other guide boats on this fishery which is an added bonus.

The best times to fish this fishery is from mid November to May/June. The most successful tactics is nymphing and streamer fishing. We rarely throwing anything over a size 12 fly on this stretch because the fish here eat big flies.

The Catawba Tailrace is a diverse fishery that holds numerous species but we only target trout currently on our guided trips. We are devoting time to figuring out the striper fishing here to start offering guided trips one day so stays tuned for that.

Yellow Perch caught on a recent float trip.

We occasionally catch smallmouth on the Catawba Tailrace.

Striper caught in late summer on the Tailrace.

Trophy Trout on the Catawba Tailrace

It only takes a few years for the stocked fish here to become trophy trout.

The trout that are stocked in the Tailrace grow at fast rates. In two to three years, trout will grow to trophy sizes which is over 20 inches. It’s important to always release these bigger fish because they will only get bigger. Check out some other great catches from earlier years.

21 inch brown caught on November 4th, 2019.

Trophy brown trout caught on March 5th, 2019.

Nice brown caught on October 30, 2019.

Solid brown trout caught in late fall of 2019.

Outlook for May & June

May 10, 2021

Current water temperature is 54 degrees. Fishing has been consistent all day. Lower stretch has been fishing slower than the upper, but that has been the case since early fall. Lots of fish in the 10-14 inch range with a few bigger ones present on every float. 1 unit generation has provided the best fishing, but no generation has been good. The special trout regulation section is best to nymph while the hatchery supported section fishes best with a streamer. Biggest fish have been caught in the deepest holes. If this cooler weather stays throughout the month of May, fishing will be good well into June. Book your tailwater fishing adventure today. The Catawba Angler specializes in guiding for trout on the Catawba Tailrace below Bridgewater Dam.