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Area Streams - Fly Fishing the Mountains of WNC

Davidson River Outfitters is situated on the banks of the Davidson River. Theriver literally runs through our back yard and right out of the PisgahNational Forest. In the Pisgah Forest area of Western North Carolina,you can fish everything from tiny creeks filled with brook trout toriffle filled rivers all in one day. It's possible to find a smallsecluded stream which sees no fishing pressure at all. Come by the shopand get the latest scoop.

Below you'll find some of our favorite rivers and links to detailed info.

Trout Maps:
Transylvania County
Jackson County
Haywood County
Buncombe County
Henderson County

Rivers and Streams We Fish:

Avery's Creek (Click for Streamflow Data )
Avery'sCreek is a small but vital stream to life on the Davidson. Early Springfinds Avery's flow above normal but very fishable. When winter rainspush the Davidson up and out of banks many large fish will hold in thesmall water of Avery's Creek. Staying here until low water flow forcesthem out into the main river again. Also in spring Rainbows spawn inits pea size gravel. Then in fall Browns do the same. Don't overlookthis small tributary of the Davidson. This steam is classified Wild Trout and has no closed season.

Courthouse Creek (Click for Streamflow Data)
CourthouseCreek is the headwaters of the French Broad river. Its beginnings areunder the Devils Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Always clear andcold this small stream is brimming with Browns and Rainbows in the 6"to 10" range. Although small in comparison to many of the area streamsit will produce more fish on the fly than many larger streams. Althoughthe fish may be smaller they add a great challenge to even the bestangler. Most of the stream is open and easy to cast on. The stream hasseveral small waterfalls on it and many deep pools six to eight feetdeep. This stream is classified Wild Trout and has no closed season.

Davidson River (Click for Streamflow Data)
The Davidson River is ranked as one of Trout Unlimited's top 100 trout streams in North America and is our "home water". Located in North Transylvania the stream is a fly fisherman's dream. Large pools aboundas well as long runs with pockets and eddies with large trout 18" to 24" cruising its waters. The water runs crystal clear even during the rains of spring. Much like a spring creek it must be fished with light tippet. 6X to 8X is desirable in 9' to 12' lengths. Though the river can get quite crowded, there are many areas on the river where one can find solitude if he or she looks. This stream is classified Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only.

Greenland Creek
Greenland Creek is located in Jackson county and is extremely small. Running a tannic color, it is a brook trout enthusiast dream. Small "specs" inthe 5" to 7" range abound. This stream is protected and is "Catch and Release" only. Do not go into Greenland Creek with out your camera. Large waterfalls with large clear pools provide perfect shelter and food supply for these little gems. Beneath the falls its possible to cast fifty to sixty feet and get a strike on almost every cast. A tripin to Greenland Creek can be an adventure. Its also a bear and turkey sanctuary. Many bear sightings have been reported. This stream is classified Catch and Release only and has no closed season.

Looking Glass Creek (Click for Streamflow Data)
Only the flow of this stream is vital to the Davidson. Looking Glass Falls are located about one half mile above the conflux of the Davidson and Looking Glass. Therefore spawning on Looking Glass is prevented. The stream is a clear jewel. At times it is forty to fifty feet wide and other times barely ten feet wide. It winds and crosses under the highway several times as in flows from under the Blue Ridge Parkway.This stream is brimming with trout in the 11" to 14" range. Trout Unlimited is presently doing a feeding program to improve the size ofthe trout in this stream. This crystal clear jewel is classified Wild Trout with no closed season.

East Fork of the French Broad (Click for Streamflow Data)
The East Fork is one of the four tributaries of the French Broad. While there are many private stretches, there is also enough easily reached water to make the East Fork a desirable location. This stream is classified as Delayed Harvest.

North Mills River (Click for Streamflow Data)
NorthMills heads up in Northwestern Henderson County and is part of the Cityof Hendersonville's water supply. Coming out of the reservoir NorthMills begins its journey to the French Broad. The stream meandersthrough laurels hemlocks and evergreens. Cool in winter it begins toheat up in early June due to the reservoir at it head. This stream runsclear and clears fast after rain due to the settling in the reservoir. Not deep or wide it allows for easy wading and some overhead castingbut generally it is considered tight fishing. This stream is classified Delayed Harvest and has no closed season, but has different regulations during the season.

South Mills River (Click for Streamflow Data)
South Mills begins in Northern Transylvania and flows about 15 mile before going into Henderson County. The upper end of South Mills is near theBlue Ridge Parkway and flows down the mountain through laurel andevergreens. Several small water falls and deep pools allow for fish tohave ample oxygen during hot summer days. This stream has been on TroutUnlimited Top 100. The stream has a healthy population of native brownsand rainbows. It has a fire road running it entire length to HendersonCounty. The lower end of the river has horse back riding trails and canbe muddied often as equestrians cross the stream. This stream isclassified Wild Trout and has no closed season.

West Fork of the French Broad (Click for Streamflow Data)
TheWest Fork heads near Owens Mountain in Northwestern TransylvaniaCounty. This stream passes through Forest Service land and privateland. It has limited access to Forest Service land but is a veryproductive stream. Like the North Fork it has a gorge area whichrequires some effort to get to but the rewards are great. With manydeep pools and runs it is easy to cast on and runs dingy clear due toseveral trout farms on its tributaries. There are also several waterfalls in its path. This stream is classified Hatchery Supported and hasa closed season from the first day of March until the first Saturday inApril.

West Fork of the Pigeon (Click for Streamflow Data)
Locatedin Haywood County, the West Fork of the Pigeon River begins along theBlue Ridge parkway. The tannic colored water falls rather quickly andpicks up volume from a small stream flowing from Little Sam's Mountainas well as numerous springs along the way. Near the upper end, mostlybrook trout will be caught with a few browns mixed in. As the streamdescends the mountain, browns become more and more prevalent. Largeboulders and rocks make for interesting fishing. This stream willremind you of fishing a small western trout stream with its fir treecanopy up near the parkway. This stream is Hatchery Supported and has aclosed season from the 1st day of March until the 1st Saturday in April.