Let's explore the local lakes and rivers. It spans about eight miles and offers plenty of opportunities. The topwater bite can be very sporadic, but this day it was consistent all day. The fishing is slower in the summertime because they open the creek up for harvest on June 4th, but there are always some bigger, smarter fish that will make throughout the summer so this time of year is perfect for stalking big fish. Both species are very active right now and I cant think of a better time to be on the water! If you arent fishing the nymphs about 6-8 feet deep your not in the target zone. God has given us the passion for fly fishing, and if we can use that as an outlet to become a friend to fatherless children then that is a beautiful thing. The best bite has been when we get a cold front come through and the water temps get around 75 degrees again. Consider visiting during the week to avoid weekenders if youre coming from out of town. During this time the leaves are changing colors and most people are occupying the trout streams again. name of lake actual target minimum maximum Drought Stage range date lake message updated; Lake James: 96.1: 95.1: 92.6: 100: ND. If you are looking for the best Italian in the area look no further. An official website of the United States government. Trying throwing some smaller profile flies to match the hatch. These waters get the most pressure, but if you are willing to think outside the box a little bit then you can catch fish. Weve got a few more smallmouth trips on the books this year which we are excited to finish the year out strong. The river has an abundant supply of baitfish and crayfish that is needed to grow trophy river smallmouth. United States. We were fishing in front of rainstorm which dropped about an inch of rain down in the foothills. We are starting to book up in September and October so do not hesitate to call to get your preferred date. The sun directly over the water makes it tough to sneak up on fish. 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. 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. The Pigeon River is a trophy smallmouth river. Some of the best fly fishing is within a short drive of Asheville, North Carolina. July and August is excellent for catching smallmouth on topwater! The smallmouth have been heavily feeding on a variety of baits but weve had the most success on baitfish imitations. A day on the Catawba tailrace will give you the seclusion that the South Holston or Watauga can't offer. Sami and his father run Eddies Pizza and Pasta in Marion. These fish give you one chance. Beginning in 1904, a series of hydroelectric dams were constructed to harness the power of the river to provide electricity for the region. The lake has a good population of smaller striped bass, but its not uncommon to catch 20 pound fish. To champion a project in your community This is our favorite fishery to guide on because in these waters lurk the biggest trout in the state. The Prachyls wanted to fish a smaller smallmouth river so we did just that and had a great day targeting smallmouth using spinning tackle. 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). The best time to fish it is going to be the weekdays. The best fishing has been on the minimal flow release, but weve had great action using heavy nymphs on one or two unit generations. I couldnt do it without her support. 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. These stockings provide a lot of opportunities to catch fish. catawba river tailrace flow release. This is the pinnacle in fly fishing. The closest fishing to Asheville is the French Broad River. The best success on Curtis Creek has been a brown midge. I look forward to fishing with everyone who has already scheduled a trip this season and I welcome new clients to get on our calendar. Its been a colder spring so this sets us up good for the later half of spring with colder water out of muddy creek and the dam. Stoneflies and caddis imitations are still the name of the game on most fisheries in western North Carolina. We are finally starting to see some normal May temperatures so midday fishing should get better with these cooler nights and rain. 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. Below are some pictures from the Catawba Tailrace this May. Shearon Harris Lake is considered North Carolinas best lake to catch trophy bass. Thanks for taking the time to read our post. Current conditions of DISCHARGE, GAGE HEIGHT, and STREAM WATER LEVEL ELEVATION ABOVE NAVD 1988 are available. Add some weight because a sinker can save the day. The trailrace is best fished from a boat. 20 inch brown trout caught by Chris Snyder. 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. S2O Design also devised innovative applications in the Bypass Channel to prevent fish from being trapped at lower flows. Outlook for the rest of March, April, and May. Information about scheduled releases and the impact on downstream flow on the Mountain Island Lake section of the Catawba River is available on the Duke Energy website or by calling 800-829-5253. Lift the rod tip up or wiggle it. Fly fishing is the preferred method for casting smaller flies to these eager fish. As that temp drops the fishing will continue to get better and better. Weve had a lot of fun catching prespawn smallmouth, but their is nothing better than the post spawn smallmouth fishing in May. Streamer fishing can be very exciting on the tailrace because you can turn and catch some very large fish. Catawba River Tailrace Kayak Fishing - YouTube 0:00 / 4:25 Catawba River Tailrace Kayak Fishing 635 views Mar 13, 2017 3 Dislike Share Save Fishing RN 1 subscriber Catawba River. For fly fishers its hard to beat squirmy worms, mops flies, and eggs. then its best to move to the next plunge pool. This giant stonefly was crawling across the asphalt before a recent float trip so guess what we threw the entire day? The Catawba Angler offers family friendly fishing trips. 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 Catawba-Wateree project provides 819 megawatts (MW) of clean, economical, and renewable power, which on average is enough electricity to power 103,000 homes. This is exciting fishing because its all visual. Trail Manager. With construction past the half-way point, both water and boaters will soon be flowing down the Long Reach of the Catawba for the first time since 1907, bringing life and voice back to the rolling granite waves that are the historic Great Falls of South Carolina. We value your time as much as ours and will do everything in our power to make sure you have an enjoyable experience on the water. We mainly nymph fish this section with an indicator using stonefly patterns, and smaller jig head nymphs as dropper flies. The Catawba Tailrace is a unique tailwater fishery below Bridgewater Dam in Morganton, North Carolina. Read about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing process for hydroelectric projects we operate. Below are some of the biggest fish weve caught out of the Tailrace. This is a great time to hit those higher elevation creeks and chase wild trout using dry flies. This is our best fishery from November to the end of May. However, in the first few hundred yards of clear water, Muddy Creek was living up to its name. The state stocks a lot of these fish in the Delayed Harvest streams in the fall and the spring. North Carolina is a fly fishing destination itself, but this river is one of the most popular choices. See you on the water. We strive to provide the best fishing experience in western North Carolina by making sure we exceed our clients expectations on and off the water. 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. Fly fishing the upper Catawba River in North Carolina. The best fishing of the year is upon us so dont hesitate to contact us. 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. Numbers are low, but the potential to catch a good one is always possible. 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. Give the trout a break this summer and book a trip with us to catch some river smallmouth. The biggest smallmouth weve ever guided a client into has come from the Nolichucky. We are getting a lot of repeat clients in the fall that want to chase those big smallmouth on fly or spinning tackle. The brown trout above is a stocked fish. Normally I always have a few dry flies in the box during this time, but anytime you see a sipping smallmouth they will be eager to take a popping bug. What was cool about catching this fish is that Ive had a few encounters with it over the last few years where I see it chase out smaller fish we hook. Gage height, feet. There are plenty of wade fishing and float fishing opportunities available on one of the many delayed harvest streams in NC. If you want to become a better angler and want to test your casting skills then go after some wild fish. Fly fishing for smallmouth bass can be the most rewarding thing you can do with the long rod from Spring to Fall. There is excellent dry fly fishing in the spring. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information (CA). We took the McKay family on a two boat float trip down the lower end of the Nolichucky and had a fantastic day. The majority of smallmouth in our stretches of water will be in just a few holes. The delayed harvest creeks and rivers are full of trout and will receive their second stocking the first week of April so there are plenty of great wade fishing opportunities to seek out. Check out the dorsal fin on the trout its a dead giveaway. 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. The Catawba Angler was voted the best fishing guide service in McDowell County for 2019 and 2020. I had a good trip on the Catawba Tailrace with Jay and Drew. The weather is perfect this time of year with the later start times so give us a call to book your fishing adventure in the mountains of NC. I made one cast and caught a 21 inch rainbow which was the third time Ive caught this fish in the last four months. You want to look for moving water with white bubbles close to structure. Long, accurate drifts without drag can entice big smallmouth to come up from the depths to eat. If you are in town and want to experience some of the best fly fishing in the area then give us a call. 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! Hatches of Giant Stoneflies and caddis are predominant. It's easy with our new Lake View app. This is one of my favorite trips because you are in some beautiful areas away from the crowds. When youre fishing the one unit the first arent in the normal holding areas when its a no flow release. Upper Catawba River Paddle. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Those looking to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas. Smallmouth fishing has just begun on the river and we will be fishing for them now until November. Check out the three pictures below of the same fish. 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. 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. When you decided to pick up fly fishing you knew you were at a disadvantage compared to using a spinning rod. Wading has been great on the Delayed Harvest sections of the Catawba River, Curtis Creek, and Mill Creek. We welcome beginners and seasoned anglers. This male brown trout was caught on October 19th. Earlier in the day the nymph and streamer bite was consistent till the sun was directly above us. Give us a call today to schedule your fishing adventure this summer. Please select a lake to view more details. 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. A couple of years ago the WRC released 50,000 trout into the Catawba River in the Lake James tailrace. Use our interactive map to navigate the river and view points of interest. The fish are wild and beautiful. If you dont have enough weight then you will drift over the fish without any bites. These fish are beautiful and live in some of the coolest areas in the state. catawba river tailrace flow release. To learn more about the smallmouth fishing around Asheville click the learn more link at the bottom of this page. Here is list of general fly pattern recommendations for the Catawba River: Ventures Fly Co. offers a great selection of dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about anywhere. Weve been fortunate to catch some really nice trout on the Catawba River this year. We have had some stupid, good days on the Catawba Tailrace over the last month so its good to see the rainbow trout that were stocked back in the winter doing so well. Normally when they first stock the first will hit anything flashy in the color of pink and yellow. The biggest fish was a 18 brook trout that was almost as fat as it was long. Be sure to check the stream conditions before heading out to fish the Catawba River. We offer full day float trips for $400. Start early and end early. 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. Recreation Information Check Lake Levels Flow Releases Lake & Shoreline Management Flow Arrival and Recession Times Water Access Alerts Boat ramp closures in effect due to drought conditions, high water or maintenance. 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. Water data back to 1895 are available online. Travis and Jordan are good buddies of mine from way back in the day when we all used be apart of collegiate track and field teams. We had a great day fishing a one unit release. There are always some big fish that hang out in those holes. The key to having a successful day is finding somewhat clear water. Pop Em: Normally the best time to pop poppers is early morning and late evening when the sun is low. August is excellent dry fly fishing you knew you were at a disadvantage to. 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