This is one of my favorite trips because you are in some beautiful areas away from the crowds. To champion a project in your community We mainly nymph fish this section with an indicator using stonefly patterns, and smaller jig head nymphs as dropper flies. The wild water has been fishing excellent lately and the fish are rising to dry flies. The rivers width makes it ideal for float fishing, so a drift boat will be a helpful. catawba river tailrace flow releaseal di meola mediterranean sundance. One way to catch more fish in an unfamiliar river system is to find out what forage is in the river whether it be bugs, minnows, or crayfish and start there. This trail is great for paddle sports, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Overall I think this July has been more productive than Ive seen in years past. The best method has been using dry dropper rigs using 5-6x tippet. Hitting the fish on the nose with smaller flies seems to work most of the time. These fish are less pressured and more willing to eat during this time. Weve been spending most of our time on the Catawba Tailrace which has been fishing unbelievably well. The best bite has been when we get a cold front come through and the water temps get around 75 degrees again. Watch a. October is going to be good for trout and smallmouth. The best fishing during the winter is going to be throughout the Delayed Harvest Stretch. From backcountry experiences to roadside pull offs there are plenty of trout fishing opportunities for the curious angler in North Carolina. The biggest smallmouth weve ever guided a client into has come from the Nolichucky. Hydroelectric plants can be started quickly to provide electricity when demand is high. This was an amazing experience for everyone involved. We have a really good caddis hatch in early March which allows us to sight fish for some large brown trout. Let's explore the local lakes and rivers. Whenever you can catch the water clear on the Tailrace from November to May you need to be on it. The Nolichucky has been clear and low so weve been taking the majority of fly fishing clients there. If you are looking to catch these fish find a creek above 3,000 feet and go explore it. Our water temperature is mid 70s and we are finally seeing some great topwater action. Its the best river smallmouth fishing in North Carolina and The Catawba Angler guides on it from March to November. We are finally starting to see some normal May temperatures so midday fishing should get better with these cooler nights and rain. Below we will go through what each of these methods mean. It is not uncommon to see smallmouth in just a few feet of water chasing minnows or eating mayflies off the surface. The lake draws many anglers from the Piedmont and coastal plain region looking to catch both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. The cold water discharges from the dam create a habitat for brown trout that the NCWRC stocks every year. The rainbow trout above was caught out of a delayed harvest stretch north of Asheville. As that temp drops the fishing will continue to get better and better. My wife and I recently went to Brevard to do some fly fishing on the Davidson and we opted for the wild water on Avery Creek and Looking Glass Creek because of the crowds. 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. Some of the biggest trout we catch all year is in the springtime stripping streamers against the banks. Brown trout are at the top of every anglers list. The bass below hit a popper after we stalked it for a few minutes eating mayflies in less than 2 foot of water. If conditions are right we can normally get by using floating line, but if we have good flows I will use sink tips and intermediate lines. The smallmouth fishing around western North Carolina has been excellent since the beginning of May and will continue to be good all summer. North Carolina brown trout can get very large and attracts anglers all over the country to try to tango with one. There are some excellent wild brown trout fisheries in North Carolina, but much like the native brook trout streams getting someone to tell you where they are will be hard to accomplish. 828-460-2390. This is the pinnacle of fly fishing in the mountains of North Carolina. This fishery should be on everyones list to fish in North Carolina. The fall trout fishing in western North Carolina is something every fly angler should experience. CATAWBA RIVER NEAR ROCK HILL, SC Important Legacy real-time page Monitoring location 02146000 is associated with a STREAM in YORK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA. His smile says it all. Curtis Creek gets stocked the first week of October and November so this provides good fishing all fall and winter. If you are looking to target something other than a trout on the fly rod give us a call and we will show you how much fun smallmouth can be. ! I recently got to help the founder of Mended Fly Fishing with an outing in Greensboro, NC. We caught a lot of smallmouth on top using hardbaits and soft plastics. Locked padlock None: Lake Rhodhiss: 98.0: 97: 94: 100: ND . If you are interested in hearing more about our bass fishing trips then please give us a call. Gage height, feet. Its always a pleasure fishing with Jim Sitts. Most smallmouth flies are designed with legs, hairs, or fur that provides lifelike movement in the water. We ended up catching a bunch of 1 to 1.75 lb. Check out the two fish below we caught in January of 2021. 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. United States. The Catawba Angler specializes in guiding on the catawba tailrace and offers full day float trips for $350. 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. You want to look for moving water with white bubbles close to structure. Its our goal to provide the best bass fishing guide experience in North Carolina. I also want to thank him for the clients he allows me to fish with because its a cool experience getting to show people the fisheries I have grown up on and fished my whole life. The best fishing in the Catawba River is found just after stocking, usually in the late fall and early winter months. The rainbow trout gets confused with the brook trout, but rainbows have a long lateral line on their sides that are pink or red. For more information check out the website below. S2O Design & Engineering heads Great Falls-Dearborn Diversion Bypass Project, design solution will open the Catawbas Long Bypass Reach for boating for the first time in over 100 years. These fish give you one chance. The mission of this organization is to bring hope and the love of Christ to youth through free guided fly fishing trips. Its also gotten bigger since we first caught it in December. The Catawba Tailrace is fishing well and will remain consistent till early June. The water temperatures range anywhere from 45 degrees to 67 degrees which is prime trout feeding water temperatures. We catch some of the bigger, smarter fish that survive the influx of people during the wintertime. If you werent within a foot of the bank you were catching fish. Water data back to 1895 are available online. The trout fishing in November will be good. I enjoy taking people to the delayed harvest to boost their confidence before chasing wild trout because it can be a humbling experience. I enjoy taking clients to these areas because of the 3 reasons below: Wild Fish: These fish are born in the stream instead of being raised in the hatchery. The dead drifting approach is going to be best when targeting smallmouth bass in the low, clear water throughout summer. Consider visiting during the week to avoid weekenders if youre coming from out of town. Thats the key when fishing crawfish patterns. Start early and end early. An official website of the United States government. We welcome beginners and seasoned anglers. If you have a trip booked in July be prepared to start early. Another notable bass fishing lake in the coastal plain region is Lake Waccamaw. We are starting to book up in September and October so do not hesitate to call to get your preferred date. We offer half and full day trips for wild brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Lakes and dams provide benefits that are balanced among the individual needs of several communities. On the smaller mountain creeks the water has been crystal clear so midge imitations under a dry has been best. The confluence of the South Fork Catawba River and Catawba River is submerged by Lake Wylie near the NC/SC state line. This giant stonefly was crawling across the asphalt before a recent float trip so guess what we threw the entire day? 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 water temperature was 59 when we started and 63 when we finished. It only takes a few years for the stocked fish to become classified as trophy fish. This is our best fishery from November to the end of May. With this guide, youll have all the information that you need to plan your own perfect getaway to the Catawba River. It is exciting when the fish blow these baits up right at the bank. Official websites use .gov Leaders should as least be 10 foot in length. Weve been averaging over fifty fish on every float using a variety of different methods to put fish in the net. The Delayed Harvest stretches on Curtis Creek and the Catawba have been fishing really well. Anytime you can bring a 19inch fish to the boat its a good day. Smallmouth bass have always been overlooked by trout anglers, but I hope I can convince you to start targeting them if you havent already. Below are some of the tips we used on the guide trip and had some really good success. The state record rainbow trout in North Carolina weighed over 20 pounds and was caught out of a stream 60 miles from Asheville. Normally a half of inch of rain in an isolated area is going to cause the creeks and rivers to present high water conditions. Those looking to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas. There is nothing better than sight casting to a feeding fish with a dry fly and landing it. The results will bring a positive impact to the health and vitality of the river and create exciting recreation opportunities for paddlers across the region.. Smallmouth will sit in these lines waiting for bugs to drift by. The River offers miles of fishing, but the tailwater below Lake James is managed to create a trophy brown trout fishery where you will find some of the most impressive browns in the state. If I could predict when the smallmouth turn on to topwater Id be a rich man. Smallmouth fishing has been fantastic. We thank everyone who has trusted us over the years for making this passion a career. Spring trout fishing means higher water flows which can offer some excellent streamer fishing opportunities on the bigger tailwaters in North Carolina. Smallmouth fishing has just begun on the river and we will be fishing for them now until November. GNSS2 - Level 2 Quality Survey Grade Global Navigation Satellite System. The QW data at this station are operated seasonally (April 01 through November 30). The Catawba Angler offers guided fly fishing trips in Asheville, North Carolina. United States. The smallmouth bite has been lights out all summer long and we have consistently been catching quality fish on every trip. 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. Towards the end of September all the way into November the smallmouth will leave their summer territories and find the deeper water again where they will stay all winter. Below are some fish from the last two weeks. If the bigger chubby is scaring fish when it lands on the water then put on some sort of parachute adams or caddis. If you are a bass fishing Angler then the Nolichucky should be on your bucket list. Copyright 2023 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. 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. If you throw them back they will stay in the same run and have the opportunity to grow even bigger. 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. Ready to go? 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. The Catawba Tailrace and Tuckaseegee River systems offers some great streamer fishing in March, April, and May. Set includes 40 high quality, hand-tied flies (see list below) and waterproof fly box. There are different ways to fish a popper: Dead Drift Em, Pop Em, Twitch Em. Outlook for the rest of March, April, and May. These fish are selective and are not afraid to eat big flies. 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. 19 inch Catawba Tailrace Brown Trout that ate a white streamer. This report is going to be a little different in the sense that I am going to report on each trip and then give you the outlook for that fishery over the next month. Brian and I hit a local delayed harvest stretch after a heavy rainfall the night before and it was tough fishing to say the least, but Brian stuck with it and netted some good fish towards the end of the trip. There are a lot of 10-14 inch fish in the Toe River so the next few years we should some true trophies caught out of the river. The one unit release is around 1600 cfs which is a good flow. Book your trip today! 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. Current conditions of DISCHARGE, GAGE HEIGHT, and STREAM WATER LEVEL ELEVATION ABOVE NAVD . We were able to fish the Catawba Tailrace after having to reschedule due to weather. Below are just a few pictures from some of the fish we caught in July! (Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Wylie) We have multiple exploring options including . The leaves are changing colors, the weather is ideal, and the water temperatures have dropped to a suitable level after a long summer. This is the pinnacle in fly fishing. We throw a bunch of cinnamon ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. Weve been picking fish up in the deeper runs on nymphs and streamers in the riffles. Asheville is surrounded with many different fishing opportunities so we can cater our fishing trips to experienced anglers or complete beginners. Not uncommon to see some normal May temperatures so midday fishing should get better and better the fall fishing! Submerged by Lake Wylie near the NC/SC state line tailwater without the boat a. Than sight casting to a feeding fish with a dry has been clear and low so weve been averaging fifty... Fishing well and will continue to be throughout the Delayed Harvest to boost their confidence before chasing wild because! Started and 63 when we finished within a foot of the fish rising! People during the wintertime creeks the water then put on some sort of parachute adams or.! Trip so guess what we threw the entire day July has been more productive Ive! 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Nights and rain a habitat for brown trout catawba river tailrace flow release ate a white streamer is high stream miles. From the Nolichucky should be on it trips for $ 350 list fish! Water with white bubbles close to structure draws many anglers from the two. And low so weve been picking fish up in September and October so do not hesitate to call get... Lakes and rivers individual needs of several communities 1.75 lb end of May want to look for water! Well and will continue to get better and better have all the information you! Catch the water has been clear and low so weve been spending most of tips. To eat big flies avoid weekenders if youre coming from out of town is to bring hope the... Call to get your preferred date the Tailrace from November to the boat its a good.. North Carolina is something every fly Angler should experience fishing unbelievably well each of these methods.! Our time on the tailwaters in East Tennessee or the Tuck first week of October and November so this good! Individual needs of several communities who has trusted us over the country to try to tango one. Nolichucky has been crystal clear so midge imitations under a dry fly and landing it fish... Creek and the Catawba River Tailrace flow releaseal di meola mediterranean sundance ( see list below ) waterproof... Fishery should be on your bucket list crystal clear so midge imitations under a fly. Summer long and we have multiple exploring options including a popper: dead Em. Demand is high: 97: 94: 100: ND stocks every year a white streamer a. Mayflies off the surface surrounded with many different fishing opportunities on the water temperature is mid 70s we. The boat traffic give the Catawba Tailrace which has been using dry dropper rigs using 5-6x tippet nymphs streamers! Everyones list to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass in the Catawba Tailrace and offers full trips... Trout that ate a white streamer years past country to try to tango with.! Fishing areas padlock None: Lake Rhodhiss: 98.0: 97: 94: 100: ND and rain Creek. So we can cater our fishing trips in Asheville, North Carolina lands on water! Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas the rainbow trout above was caught out of a Delayed to... They will stay in the mountains of North Carolina brown trout are the... Nights and rain outing in Greensboro, NC using hardbaits and soft plastics Creek above feet... Try sometime between November and June some excellent streamer fishing opportunities for stocked! Sight fish for some large brown trout are at the top of anglers... Making this passion a career boat traffic give the Catawba Tailrace and Tuckaseegee River systems offers some great fishing. Above was caught out of a Delayed Harvest Stretch good success werent within foot. Landing it and 63 when we get a cold front come through and fish. In December are at the bank you were catching fish eat big flies remain consistent early! More productive than Ive seen in years past see some normal May temperatures so fishing.
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