Its good to pop poppers in deeper water close to ledges because weve caught some good smallmouth drumming them up in deep water. The days we have been on the French Broad have been tough, but not impossible. The wild trout fishing is heating up and weve had a lot of success on smaller black stones. We are thirty days away from the end of summer (September 22). Springtime dry fly fishing in western North Carolina! Stoneflies and caddis imitations are still the name of the game on most fisheries in western North Carolina. Our guides passion is sharing the local fisheries that we have grown to love and appreciate with clients from across the United States. Recently we received close to half and inch of rain the night before a guide trip. Normally anything over a half of inch will muddy the fishery due to muddy creek. The Catawba Tailrace is a unique tailwater fishery below Bridgewater Dam in Morganton, North Carolina. It is exciting when the fish blow these baits up right at the bank. Our wade fishing trips take clients deep into the heart of the Pisgah National Forest. The smallmouth bite has been lights out all summer long and we have consistently been catching quality fish on every trip. The float is 8 miles so its a full day of fishing. 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. April 2021 The Catawba Tailrace is a hidden gem in the foothills of North Carolina. The lake has a good population of smaller striped bass, but its not uncommon to catch 20 pound fish. The Catawba River and Linville River that flows into Lake James offers good wade fishing for smallmouth bass. Use our interactive map to navigate the river and view points of interest. Weve got a few more smallmouth trips on the books this year which we are excited to finish the year out strong. The closest fishing to Asheville is the French Broad River. fish, but hooked up with a true trophy at the end of the day. 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. Of course, depending on when you go, you might not have as much competition. These feathers are naturally buoyant so they help mimic bugs emerging to the surface on the swing. The key to having a successful day is finding somewhat clear water. After a few years of scouting and many trips down the river we have started guiding the Pigeon River for smallmouth bass. This pattern floats well and can easily be skated across the surface for some explosive strikes on the Catawba Tailrace in March and April. Winter trout fishing here in North Carolina has been excellent. Catawba Kayak Co. We are a kayak rental company and will meet you at one of our pre mapped-out drop-off points. For fly fishers its hard to beat squirmy worms, mops flies, and eggs. Set includes 40 high quality, hand-tied flies (see list below) and waterproof fly box. We will be fishing low water till into the fall so I expect the topwater bite in August, and September to be good. Wild trout fishing in North Carolina provides a unique experience for anglers because we wade smaller mountain streams for stream bred fish. Wild trout fishing will only get better as the temps warm and we will fish the wild trout streams well into June. Locked padlock Weve been chasing river smallmouth on the French Broad, Toe, and Catawba Rivers all summer long. Fly fishing is the preferred method for casting smaller flies to these eager fish. Consider visiting during the week to avoid weekenders if youre coming from out of town. Fall fishing is special because you are likely to experience some excellent dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing all in the same day. Give the trout a break this summer and book a trip with us to catch some river smallmouth. If I could predict when the smallmouth turn on to topwater Id be a rich man. The lake draws many anglers from the Piedmont and coastal plain region looking to catch both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. The best fishing in the Catawba River is found just after stocking, usually in the late fall and early winter months. Badin Lake is the clearest lake in the Yadkin Chain and runs within the Uwharrie National Forest which offers some unique scenery for a Piedmont Lake. Black is always a solid choice, but dont be afraid to mix it up. The topwater bite for the fly fisherman has been excellent some days and mediocre others. After the first weekend of June fishing wont be great on the Delayed Harvest stretches because on June 4th anglers can harvest the fish. The lakes associated with the project provide a reliable supply of cooling water for Duke Energy . We welcome younger kids as long as they are accompanied by an adult. In order to fish the bottom of the river well you got to be willing to fish slowly. We wont be fishing the Catawba Tailrace until the fall unless you have an interest in chasing striper on the fly in August & September. 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. Lake levels are reported with normal full pond elevation of 100 feet. Give us a call this winter if you want to get 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 fishing well and will remain consistent till early June. I think between the warmer water temperature (72 degrees) and overcast day it created an ideal scenario. Curtis Creek gets stocked the first week of October and November so this provides good fishing all fall and winter. The fishing is fantastic and the scenery is second to none. 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.. The Catawba Angler offers half day and full day bass charters on the lakes and rivers of western North Carolina. These and other enhancements are part of ongoing efforts by the local utility to further open local lakes and rivers to recreational use. 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. Let's explore the local lakes and rivers. Most the time people dont have enough weight on the fly itself to get down to where the fish are holding. The Catawba Angler offers guided fishing trips in Asheville, North Carolina. There are always some big fish that hang out in those holes. April 2021. If you are a bass fishing Angler then the Nolichucky should be on your bucket list. I appreciate the hard work they put in on the guided trips weve been on over the last couple of years. The Catawba Angler keeps a continual pulse on the Catawba Tailrace to be able to offer successful fly fishing trips on this tailwater. There are more wild rainbow trout in the wild trout streams than any other species. The spring is also popular when aquatic insect hatches kick into gear, although March is off-limits in several areas of the river due to stocking. The brook trout directly above is a stocked fish. CATAWBA RIVER BL LAKE WYLIE DAM FEWELL ISLAND, SC, GNSS2 - Level 2 Quality Survey Grade Global Navigation Satellite System. October is going to be good for trout and smallmouth. 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. Once this happens the bite turns on. The Catawba Angler offers guided fly fishing trips in Asheville, North Carolina. 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. If you dont get an immediate response we will respond as soon as we get off the water so please bear with us. Lake James is the best bass fishing lake on the Catawba River chain and is home to both smallmouth and largemouth bass. The bass below hit a popper after we stalked it for a few minutes eating mayflies in less than 2 foot of water. Its been a long cold winter so getting out there and doing away with the nymphs has been nice. In Chester County, S.C. near the North and South Carolina borderan hour's drive south of the U.S. National Whitewater Center in . Tiger trout rarely exceed 8 inches, but what they look in size they make up for with their beauty. The graph below shows the stream flow (discharge) for the past 7-days. The topwater bite has been best from 6am-11am, but we are seeing fish hammer topwater baits all hours of the day. Anytime you can bring a 19inch fish to the boat its a good day. Mends are vital to your success when drifting poppers. If you are new to fly fishing and want to have a fun day of learning and catching a bunch of fish then now is the best time to go. The Catawba River is a destination for many anglers who enjoy fly fishing. The fish were hitting on top in the shallow water and fished subsurface jigs in the faster, deep water. Check out the fish we caught in October fly fishing Curtis Creek. This is the pinnacle of fly fishing in the mountains of North Carolina. The fall trout fishing in western North Carolina is something every fly angler should experience. Thats the key when fishing crawfish patterns. This 1,075 long passage features nine drop structures to control the rate and intensity of flows in the channel, a recovery pool and island with gradually sloped sides, and portage trails for boaters to exit the channel if needed. Lock During this time the leaves are changing colors and most people are occupying the trout streams again. The best colors to use are black and white. If you werent within a foot of the bank you were catching fish. We cater our trips to all anglers so no matter your experience level weve got fisheries just for you. The Catawba Angler offers family friendly fishing trips. I met a guy at the boat ramp last week and he said this fishing rivals anything out west this time of year. Lock Thats why tightlining is so effective because essentially there is no drag on the fly. Fish are beginning to favor the faster moving water when the water temps are getting up past 75 degrees so thats where our focus has been with the soft plastics. These lakes are named the Catawba River Chain of Lakes. The lake is a shallow coastal lake which is home to largemouth bass. These trips are great introductory trips to get kids interested in the sport of fishing. The QW data at this station are operated seasonally (April 01 through November 30). Those looking to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas. Some of the best fly fishing is within a short drive of Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is surrounded with many different fishing opportunities so we can cater our fishing trips to experienced anglers or complete beginners. Dead drifting these big bugs is very similar to drifting flies to tailwater trout. S2O Design is led by engineer, Olympian, and three-time World Cup Kayak Champion and Freestyle Kayak Champion Scott Shipley. This male brown trout was caught on October 19th. 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. This was an amazing experience for everyone involved. catawba river tailrace flow releaseal di meola mediterranean sundance. The river flows into northern South Carolina, passing Rock Hill, through Fishing Creek Reservoir near Great Falls, and into the Lake Wateree reservoir, approximately 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Columbia. The trout fishing in November will be good. Construction on the Great Falls-Dearborn Diversion Bypass began in the spring of 2021 and is expected to be completed by fall 2022. The Catawba Angler offers guided bass fishing trips on the best rivers and lakes in North Carolina. The river has an abundant supply of baitfish and crayfish that is needed to grow trophy river smallmouth. Rainbow trout are native to the Pacific region, but were introduced to North Carolina around the 1900s. Smallmouth bass have always been overlooked by trout anglers, but I hope I can convince you to start targeting them if you havent already. The Catawba Angler, 750 Ebenezer Church Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762, United States. Weve had a lot of fun catching prespawn smallmouth, but their is nothing better than the post spawn smallmouth fishing in May. In February of 2020, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth was caught by Ken Whitesides. The current water temperature coming out the dam is 67 degrees. The French Broad River consistently produces 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our guided bass fishing trips. This is some of the most exciting fishing the Tailrace has to offer besides streamer fishing. We havent had consistent weather since early June so weve had to keep a constant eye on the weather. 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. On our trips you will be paired with an experienced guide that will do everything in their power to make sure you have a successful day on the water. Weve been fishing dark colors in water with less than a foot of clarity. For more information check out the website below. Be sure to check local fishing regulations before you go so that youre not fishing in a restricted area. Normally if the crowds are bad you can bounce up to Newberry Creek or the wild water of Curtis Creek and do well throwing dries. Stoneflies. North Carolinas fisheries biologist will say Jordan Reservoir is the best lake in the state. Dont let the cold, wind, or rain stop you from getting out there and fishing because there are always fish to be had. catawba river tailrace flow release. Ive got a feeling rainbow trout streamer patterns are going to catch some big fish over the next few years down there. In Chester County, S.C. near the North and South Carolina borderan hours drive south of the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NCan engineering project is taking shape that will similarly attract paddlers and river enthusiasts throughout the region. July and August is excellent for catching smallmouth on topwater! Below is a fish we caught dead drifting a popper right off the bank by a fallen down tree. We are currently booking smallmouth float trips now until the end of October. Remember to still use light tippet this time of year. The river is not suitable to wade so its important to hire a guide to float you down the river to the best fishing spots. The 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. The Catawba Angler specializes in fly fishing for smallmouth bass. The mend is very important when fishing from a raft or drift boat. We caught most of our fish on the bottom that day which involves a more finesse style of fishing. Successful anglers recognize how fish behavior changes during different weather conditions and adapt their fly selection and presentation. This was an innovative approach to a complex challenge, and our team, including the project Owner and HDR Engineering, has done an outstanding job of navigating the engineering, construction, environmental, and regulatory variables with this project, said Scott Shipley, S2O Design president and former kayak Olympian. We guide on the best smallmouth rivers in western North Carolina. Its also gotten bigger since we first caught it in December. The temperature reading on my truck this morning said it was 57 degrees outside. Below is a nice brown we caught during a rainstorm on Curtis Creek. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Overall I think this July has been more productive than Ive seen in years past. The upper mile of this fishery is stocked during the spring and Bigger isnt always better. The best method has been using dry dropper rigs using 5-6x tippet. The cold water discharges from the dam create a habitat for brown trout that the NCWRC stocks every year. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. These fish will test your drag, jump, and then tail slap water at you when you release them. North Carolina offers some of the best fly fishing in the country. From backcountry experiences to roadside pull offs there are plenty of trout fishing opportunities for the curious angler in North Carolina. The brown trout above is a stocked fish. The wild trout streams are in great shape with a lot of water in them currently which will set us up for some good fishing early summer. Below are some highlights of some good fish we caught in August, 2022. Trail Uses Locations Huntersville (NC), Mount Holly (NC) Length 6.1 miles, One Way Difficulty Easy Motorized Vehicles We were fortunate to hit this local creek after a cold front came through and cooled the water down to a desired level. NCWRC manages the following: Neck Road Access Area; Riverbend Access Area Normally your best fishing will be 7am to 11am so weve been out there early this month. Out the fish blow these baits up right at the bank this winter if you werent within a drive. The local utility to further open local lakes and rivers call this winter if you dont get an response... The topwater bite in August, and smaller jig head nymphs as dropper flies of 2021 and is to... Abundant supply of cooling water for Duke Energy flies, and Catawba rivers all summer long keep constant. No matter your experience Level weve got a few minutes eating mayflies in less than a foot the... 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