We had a great day of fishing on the Nolichucky River and Bennett reeled in a true trophy river smallmouth. Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in North Carolina. Of course, depending on when you go, you might not have as much competition. The only disadvantage to this fly is that its always swimming fast on the retrieve so if the fish arent in the mood to chase then try a fly that hangs and suspends more. If you are looking for the best Italian in the area look no further. The Catawba Angler offers dry fly fishing trips on our mountain creeks for wild trout in the the Spring. Weve been getting just enough rain to keep the rivers higher than years past, but still fishable. Learn about our recreational opportunities and shoreline activities. I would have to say if you are looking to catch a lot of fish then you do not want to miss fishing this stretch this time of year. Just minutes from I-40 and easily accessed from Hendersonville and Asheville, this river is a prime spot for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Catawba River Canoe Map The Catawba River begins in the foothills of North Carolina and flows for more than 200 miles through the Piedmont of North Carolina. The graph below shows the stream flow (discharge) for the past 7-days. Sami and his father run Eddies Pizza and Pasta in Marion. Remember these things when you know the water is going to be up. If its two units stay at the house. There are always some big fish that hang out in those holes. We provide fly fishing and spin fishing trips for trout and smallmouth bass close to downtown Asheville. We caught nothing but rainbows because they didnt put browns in this winter because of the hatchery shortage of fish after the flood in August 2021. Using poppers to catch river smallmouth is by far the most exciting way to fly fish. Recently on the Catawba River we got into a Blue Wing Olive and an Early Black Stone hatch that offered us some excellent sigh fishing to pods of stocked fish. We are on the water every day and we are doing our best getting back with clients as soon as possible. These trips are great introductory trips to get kids interested in the sport of fishing. We look forward to seeing you on the water. Weve been chasing river smallmouth on the French Broad, Toe, and Catawba Rivers all summer long. Remember to still use light tippet this time of year. If you dont get an immediate response we will respond as soon as we get off the water so please bear with us. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the We throw a bunch of cinnamon ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. (Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Wylie) We have multiple exploring options including . Those fish on the Tailrace have seen enough black to last them a lifetime so it never hurts to think outside the box. All praise and glory goes to God because all good things come from his goodness, grace, mercy, and unfailing love. We mainly nymph fish this section with an indicator using stonefly patterns, and smaller jig head nymphs as dropper flies. Chasing these fish will make you a better angler. ! Trail Manager. With over 15 miles of trout water and very little public access float fishing is your best bet. The USGS stream gauge at Pleasant Gardens, NC provide a good indication of current conditions in the upper Catawba River. The QW data at this station are operated seasonally (April 01 through November 30). The Catawba Angler, 750 Ebenezer Church Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762, United States. 22 inch brown trout caught by Jim Muse. Fall time anywhere from the second week of September to the end of October is when you can plan on catching your trophy smallmouth out of the river. 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. April 2021 The Catawba Tailrace is a hidden gem in the foothills of North Carolina. Check out the fish we caught in October fly fishing Curtis Creek. Its visual. The brown trout that are placed in this fishery grow at a very fast rate. The best fishing has been on the minimal flow release, but weve had great action using heavy nymphs on one or two unit generations. Check out some of our best catches below from March, April, and May. 828-460-2390. If you are interested in this mission and know of a kid who could benefit from Mended Fly Fishing then please reach out to Patrick Hayes (Founder) or myself. Located about an hour from Henderso We had an awesome time having the creeks all to ourselves and we caught a fair share of wild rainbows on dries. While guided fishing trips are plentiful, anglers can bring their own boat or rent one if they want to fish this area. 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. 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. I had the pleasure of taking my best friend fly fishing for the first time and we had an excellent day dry fly fishing and running nymphs under an indicator. May 23, 2022 / by / in mbbs doctor jobs in kuwaitmbbs doctor jobs in kuwait The river smallmouth fishing is about to be lights out. Jerrod and his grandfather netted around 65 fish in about a 6 hour time period. The lake is home to many different fish species but the largemouth bass is most sought after. If its dragging its lagging. Ive got a feeling rainbow trout streamer patterns are going to catch some big fish over the next few years down there. Smallmouth bass are the hardest fighting fish we have around the mountains of North Carolina. Lake James is the best bass fishing lake on the Catawba River chain and is home to both smallmouth and largemouth bass. The Catawba Tailrace is a unique tailwater fishery below Bridgewater Dam in Morganton, North Carolina. When fishing midges I wouldnt use any tippet under 5x. The reaction bite the last two weeks has been nothing short of amazing. Locked padlock Weve been fortunate to catch some really nice trout on the Catawba River this year. The water has been lower so its pushing the bass in isolated areas looking for that higher oxygen content. Current conditions of DISCHARGE, GAGE HEIGHT, and STREAM WATER LEVEL ELEVATION ABOVE NAVD . Fly fishing in the Spring is hands down the best time to trout fish in North Carolina. The Catawba Tailrace and Tuckaseegee River systems offers some great streamer fishing in March, April, and May. Lift the rod tip up or wiggle it. We should be drying out here in the mountains over the next month and the fishing on the French Broad should be excellent. I hit a local favorite of mine yesterday and those fish were willing to chase down small streamers and were also chomping on a variety of eggs. Jerrod and his grandfather booked a trip with me on the Catawba Tailrace on March 22nd. Spring in North Carolina begins March 20th and ends June 21st. As part of the recent Catawba River Agreement and FERC re-licensing of the Catawba River for hydropower, a multi-million-dollar effort was launched to return water to the river for new recreational opportunities and to restore aquatic life and lowland habitat downstream of the dam. Thats the key when fishing crawfish patterns. A lot of times Ill run wool as an indicator since it is such a delicate presentation. Below are some pictures of some recent catches. If you arent fishing the nymphs about 6-8 feet deep your not in the target zone. Anyways back to our recent float. Pressure is light and the fish are eager to hit big bugs and streamers. Most smallmouth flies are designed with legs, hairs, or fur that provides lifelike movement in the water. Our favorite streamer to fish is a black peanut envy designed by Kelly Galloup. Its versatile. Another prominent river that flows through the Piedmont region is the Yadkin. We are currently booking in August so please dont hesitate booking. Dry Flies- Adams Dry Fly- Elk Hair Caddis - Blue Wing Olive - Royal Wulff - Griffith's Gnat White - Stimulator, Organge - Chernobyl Ant Nymphs/Wet Flies- Rubber Leg Nymph, Brown- BH Pheasant Tail Nymph - BH Prince Nymph - BH Hare's Ear Nymph - Barr's Emerger Nymph - Zebra Midge Nymph, Black Streamers- Wooly Bugger, Black (Size #8x2)- Wooly Bugger, Olive (Size #8x2). We are currently getting some rain which will bump those river levels up right in time for our June trips. The water temperatures are still below 50 on the higher elevation creeks, but any warm front will bump those temperatures up to a desirable range. In the spring these lakes warm up faster than the deep man made lakes in the piedmont and mountain region so the prespawn bite on these lakes occur here before any other lake in the state. The Catawba Angler was one of the first bass fishing guides in North Carolina to guide on Lake James. Ask us about the ones that have gotten away. Normally your best fishing will be 7am to 11am so weve been out there early this month. The best fishing is on days when there is no generation. If float fishing isnt your thing then we got some excellent wade fishing opportunities chasing stocked and wild trout. Fish arent leader shy in high water. The river is half the size of the French Broad River, but has a thick population of bass in it. The weather was ideal with it being cloudy and mid 50s. The bigger smallmouth that call the lake home will run up the two rivers certain times of the year so its not uncommon to catch 3 to 4 pound fish in the rivers. Its not impossible to catch fish in muddy water but its not ideal. The mend is very important when fishing from a raft or drift boat. 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. Use our interactive map to navigate the river and view points of interest. Weve been bringing alot of fish to the net and seeing some holdover fish as well. This fishery is 50 miles from downtown Asheville and offers excellent trout fishing from a raft or drift boat. The key to having a successful day is finding somewhat clear water. Anglers have to be prepared to fish in any condition. The Bridgewater Tailrace Brown Trout Fishery December 2018 The Catawba River below Lake James in Burke and McDowell counties, known as the Bridgewater Tailrace, has been managed for many years by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as a tailwater trout fishery. Twitch Em: In deep slow slack water I like to twitch the poppers because sometimes just a little movement on the legs can draw a strike. We spent the day together on a local smallmouth river and had a blast catching the fish on a variety of methods. The lakes that make up the Catawba River Chain are Lake James, Lake Rhodiss, Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Lake, Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie. The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina and is home to 4 lakes which include W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, High Rock Lake, Badin Lake, and Lake Tillery. The Southern Appalachian Brook Trout is our native fish here in North Carolina. United States. I love fly fishing with game changer flies. Fly fishing for smallmouth is not an easy task, but I couldnt think of anything more rewarding when that 3 pound smallmouth takes a topwater bug drifting parallel to the bank. Below is a resource for some of the lakes and rivers in the state that holds bass in them. This time of the year is an excellent time to catch your personal best river smallmouth before they start to spawn. catawba river tailrace flow release. Ive booked trips on the Tailrace all the way out to the fish of June because we should have suitable water temps until mid june. The smallmouth have been heavily feeding on a variety of baits but weve had the most success on baitfish imitations. 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. Get it while its good. During this time the leaves are changing colors and most people are occupying the trout streams again. The elk hair caddis is my personal favorite fly. We are big on teaching then catching at our guide service because youve got to be able to do things the right way before you start catching. 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. Looking for more places to fish? The Catawba Angler was voted the best fishing guide service in McDowell County for 2019 and 2020. Water levels in the mountains of North Carolina are currently low which makes fishing more challenging that years past. Hatchery Supported waters opens up this Saturday so this provides some more opportunities on our float trips and wade fishing trips to catch some bigger stocked trout. One of the best holes on the creek is going to be the handicap holes right off the main road. These fish will test your drag, jump, and then tail slap water at you when you release them. Seasonally, North Carolina is fairly temperate. After an intense fight we netted the fish and it was nothing but smiles the rest of the day. Its good to see at least one brown in that stretch. I want to thank him for my wife for getting up at the crack of dawn with me before heading to the river. We caught most of our fish on the bottom that day which involves a more finesse style of fishing. Ive always fished black midges and had good success, but it seems the fish like the brown way better. Smallmouth start chasing during this time and there is no better time to throw moving baits. A good float is putting in at the bridge at US Business 221 and going down to Burnettes Landing. If you like brown trout you will love the Catawba! We offer half day wade trips for $250 (2 anglers). Gage height, feet. Below are some of the smallmouth bass weve caught this spring. United States. Official websites use .gov The sun directly over the water makes it tough to sneak up on fish. Lock Located about an hour from Hendersonville and just about 40 minutes from Asheville, the special regulation tailrace, a portion of which is actually the Linville River, is the big draw among anglers in the area. These and other enhancements are part of ongoing efforts by the local utility to further open local lakes and rivers to recreational use. I good way to fish these smaller midges is to use a size 14 chubby chernobyl as the indicator. Hatches of Giant Stoneflies and caddis are predominant. If you werent within a foot of the bank you were catching fish. 21 inch brown trout caught by Allen Locke. Our smallmouth float fishing trips take you down the river in our comfortable rafts enabling us to access areas they you cannot by foot. The Catawba Tailrace is slowly starting to fish better and better. These fish come up the river eating the trout so you can imagine how big the flies are we will be throwing. Electro-shocking, a method for assessing the fish population by sending a mild electrical current through the water, reveals a significant level of natural reproduction of the trout stocked. You wont be able to put-in or takeout there so just a heads up. There is a healthy population of wild brown trout in the Davidson River so that is a good start for most anglers looking to catch one. These stockings provide a lot of opportunities to catch fish. Spring is my favorite time to fish Curtis Creek because we get some excellent caddis, March brown, and Hendrickson hatches throughout March, April, and May. Give the trout a break this summer and book a trip with us to catch some river smallmouth. Wild trout fishing will only get better as the temps warm and we will fish the wild trout streams well into June. Tiger trout are extremely rare in North Carolina. Thats fishing though! Fish are actively feeding and preparing themselves for the spawn which is a good time to cast crayfish, hellgrammite, and baitfish patterns. Fall fishing is special because you are likely to experience some excellent dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing all in the same day. 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! The lake is home to some big largemouth bass and is also known as a put and take striper lake where the state stocks 25,000 fingerling every year. Always be willing to might slight changes especially when it comes to getting your flies down in the water column. The mission of this organization is to bring hope and the love of Christ to youth through free guided fly fishing trips. As that temp drops the fishing will continue to get better and better. The areas along I-40 are expanding with increased access and parking, so it is likely that we will update this information in the future with additional options for fishing locations on the Catawba River. 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. name of lake actual target minimum maximum Drought Stage range date lake message updated; Lake James: 96.1: 95.1: 92.6: 100: ND. 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