Davidson River Outfitters - Stream Report

Fishing Forecast and Stream Conditions

June 22nd, 2018

Overview

Summertime is officially here, and water conditions are about as good as they get for this time of year in WNC.  The heavy rains of late May, have made for a silver lining of perfect streamflows and cooler water temperatures.  Summer fishing is still summer fishing, so anglers will find the best chances of success will occur early in the moring, late in the evening, or on small streams at higher elevations.  Terrestrials are at the top of the menu for trout diets throughout our area, so be sure to fill your fly box with some beetley inchwormy goodness.

Davidson River

The Davidson is at an optimum flow for fishing.  The terrestrial bite is on in the early moring hours, and late evening anglers will find a few stoneflies hovering about just before dark.  Even though the water is higher than normal, keep those leaders long and tippets light, as the fish are as persnickety as ever.  Summer means lots of other river users during mid day hours, so be prepared for swimmers, tubers, and other water lovers to be out once the day starts to heat up.  With the thermometer tickling the nine zero in the afternoons, putting up the fly rod and breaking out the swimsuit, might be a good idea.

Wild Trout

Wild trout fishing is also at a Premium for late June.  With a little extra juice in the streams, blue line anglers have seemingly endless possibilities to explore.  The more commonly fished Wild Trout designated streams like Cathey's Creek, Avery Creek, and Courthouse Creek are all good bets, offering ease of access and scenery to boot.  As a precaution, those anglers fishing high gradient streams should be aware of the weather.  Strong thunderstorms can cause flash floods, and it is best to bail if it seems as though the water is rising.

Smallmouth

Smallmouth fishing is sort of going on, but afternoon thundershowers have been bringing heavy sediment loads to the French Broad.  Anglers who want to give it a try, should travel north of Asheville, and focus on the sections of river downstream of the MSD dam.  The dam causes some of the mud to settle out, and often makes the river more fishable in the reaches below.

Fly Patterns

Loco Beetle 12, Hi Vis Beetle 12, Texas Piss Ant 14-16, Fat Albert 12-14, Green Weenie 12-14, Furry Foam Inchworm 12-14, Trip Saver 14-16, Yellar Hammer Nymph 10-12, Bills Provider 8-12, Kevin's Stonefly 8-10,  Zebra Midge 18-20, RS2 20-22, Foxy Red 4-6, Sparkle Minnow 4-8, Double Barrell Popper 4-6 Near Nuff Crayfish 2-6

Avery's Creek

Avery's Creek is a small but vital stream to life on the Davidson. Early Spring finds Avery's flow above normal but very fishable. When winter rains push the Davidson up and out of banks many large fish will hold in the small water of Avery's Creek. Staying here until low water flow forces them out into the main river again. Also in spring Rainbows spawn in its pea size gravel. Then in fall Browns do the same. Don't overlook this small tributary of the Davidson. This steam is classified Wild Trout and has no closed season.

Click for Streamflow data

Courthouse Creek

Courthouse Creek is the headwaters of the French Broad river. Its beginnings are under the Devils Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Always clear and cold this small stream is brimming with Browns and Rainbows in the 6"to 10" range. Although small in comparison to many of the area streams it will produce more fish on the fly than many larger streams. Although the fish may be smaller they add a great challenge to even the best angler. Most of the stream is open and easy to cast on. The stream has several small waterfalls on it and many deep pools six to eight feet deep. This stream is classified Wild Trout and has no closed season.

Click for Streamflow data

Davidson River

[Davidson River fishing] 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 abound as 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.

Click for Streamflow data

Looking Glass Creek

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.

Click for Streamflow data

East Fork of the French Broad

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.

Click for Streamflow data

North Mills River

North Mills heads up in Northwestern Henderson County and is part of the City of Hendersonville's water supply. Coming out of the reservoir North Mills begins its journey to the French Broad. The stream meanders through laurels hemlocks and evergreens. Cool in winter it begins to heat up in early June due to the reservoir at it head. This stream runs clear and clears fast after rain due to the settling in the reservoir. Not deep or wide it allows for easy wading and some overhead casting but generally it is considered tight fishing. This stream is classified Delayed Harvest and has no closed season, but has different regulations during the season.

Click for Streamflow data

South Mills River

South Mills begins in Northern Transylvania and flows about 15 mile before going into Henderson County. The upper end of South Mills is near the Blue Ridge Parkway and flows down the mountain through laurel and evergreens. Several small water falls and deep pools allow for fish to have ample oxygen during hot summer days. This stream has been on Trout Unlimited Top 100. The stream has a healthy population of native browns and rainbows. It has a fire road running it entire length to Henderson County. The lower end of the river has horse back riding trails and can be muddied often as equestrians cross the stream. This stream is classified Wild Trout and has no closed season.

Click for Streamflow data

West Fork of the French Broad

Located in Haywood County, the West Fork of the French Broad River begins along the Blue Ridge parkway. The tannic colored water falls rather quickly and picks up volume from a small stream flowing from Little Sam's Mountain as well as numerous springs along the way. Near the upper end, mostly brook trout will be caught with a few browns mixed in. As the stream descends the mountain, browns become more and more prevalent. Large boulders and rocks make for interesting fishing. This stream will remind you of fishing a small western trout stream with its fir tree canopy up near the parkway. This stream is Hatchery Supported and has a closed season from the 1st day of March until the 1st Saturday in April.

Click for Streamflow data

French Broad

The French Broad begins under Devil's Courthouse, on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Transylvania County NC. From there, the river flows generally northeasterly through the Appalachian Mountains for 213 miles, eventually joining with the Holston River in Tennessee to form the Tennessee River .

The French Broad is one of the most diverse fisheries in the world. The head waters of the river in Transylvania County are home to Brown Brook and Rainbow Trout with a few of the small streams containing true, Southern Strain Brook Trout. From the town of Rosman to the city of Brevard, the river is mixed with Trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, and Muskellunge as well as Panfish and Course fish. From the City of Brevard to the Asheville Regional Airport, the river is mainly a Muskellunge fishery with a few Bass and Panfish mixed in. From the Airport area North to the confluence with the Holston the river is home to a world-class Smallmouth Bass fishery, along with Stripers, Walleye, Largemouth, Kentucky Spotted Bass, Blue and Channel Catfish, White Drum and countless other species.

The difficulty in fishing the French Broad is that the river from Brevard, all the way to Lake Douglas in TN can be muddy for days or weeks at a time, from rainfall that may occur 100 miles upstream. From the Barnard NC area north to Hot Springs, the river flows through a large gorge that contains up to class 4 whitewater rapids and should not be navigated by the inexperienced white water rower. However, the river from Brevard to Barnard is a gentle slow moving river that can be navigated by even the greenest of rower's.

Unfortunately, wading access is fairly limited on the main French Broad. The best wading access is located along River Road between Asheville and the hamlet of Alexander NC.

For the best fly fishing, the river needs to have at least 24” of visibility, for those that are using conventional tackle you only need about 10 inches of visibility to have a great day on the water.

Click for Streamflow data

Watauga

The Watauga River is considered one of the top ranked tailwaters in the Southeast. Located in Eastern Tennessee, its cold clear water and endless limestone ledges make a great habitat for brook, brown, and rainbow trout. The river begins below the Wilbur Dam and flows west into Sullivan County where it reaches Boone Lake.

Fishing on the Watauga is great the entire year. This river is undoubtedly known for its 5 miles of “Trophy Trout Water” which is a special regulated section only accessible by boat. Other areas of the river are accessible by utilizing public access points however, water releases from both dam structures often affects the water levels as well as the clarity of the water with little warning.

Springtime hatches of sulphurs, black caddis, and crane flies make this time of year the most productive, although trout are willing to eat throughout the summer months with terrestrial's imitations becoming the most successful patterns used. Autumn provides the next best time of year to fish the Watauga because the weather and discharges are usually very stable and dependable. Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, and little Black Stoneflies are the most popular flies for the season but don't rule out a big lifelike streamer to bring out the big boy!

Click for Streamflow data

Tuckasegee

The Tuckaseegee River is noted as the best tailwater is North Carolina. Formed from the confluence of the East and West Fork, the cold water discharges from each Dam provides suitable habitat for brook, brown, and rainbow trout through most of the year. The most notable section of the Tuck is the Delayed Harvest section from the Hwy 107 Bridge west to the town of Dillsboro. This special regulated section of river holds more fish per mile than any other river in the state during full stocking but the best fishing usually occurs from October 1st through the first Saturday in June.

Access to the Tuckaseegee is along N. River Road at any gravel pull off along the river. This large body of water is great for wading and is wide open for casting however, daily generation schedules fluctuate the water levels beyond safe wading. During generation, floating in a drift boat or raft is the best option.

Typical Delayed Harvest patterns such as San Juan Worms, Eggs, and flashy bead head nymphs are go to patterns for producing fish while caddis nymphs and small streamers always produce larger fish.

Click for Streamflow data
Click for Generation Report

November-February

Insects Fly Pattern Hook Sz.
Adults Dries/Emergers  
Blue Wing Olive Mayflies Parchute BWO, Thorax Dun 18-24
Midges(Cream, Olive, Black) Parachute Adams, Midge 18-24
Micro Caddis (Black, Gray) Elk Hair Caddis 18-20
Dark Stones Clipped Caddis 18-22
Nymphs/Larva Nymphs  
Blue Olive Mayflies Olive Hare's Ear, Olive P.T. 16-20
March Brown Mayflies BH Pheasant Tail 16-20
American Grannom Caddis Peeking Caddis 14-18
Rockworm Caddis Super Pupa 16-20
Midges(Cream, Black, Olive) RS-2, WD-40 18-24
Dark Stones Copper John(Blk, Copper) 16-18
Baitfish/Big Food Streamers  
Sculpins Near-Nuff Sculpin 4-8
Dace Zonker (White, Blk) 6-12
Crayfish Wooly Bugger(Blk, Olive, Brn) 4-10
Creek Chubs Double Bunny(Brn, Tan, White) 2-6

March-June

Insects Fly Pattern Hook Sz.
Adults Dries/Emergers  
March Brown Mayflies March Brown Standard/Parachute 12-14
Blue Quill Mayflies Parchute Adams, Thorax Dun 14-18
Red Quill Mayflies Quill Gordon 14-18
Cahill Mayflies Lt. Cahill, Sparkle Dun 12-18
Green Drakes Green Drake, Coffin Fly 8-12
Yellow Drakes Coffin Fly, Cut Wing Drake 8-12
Caddis Elk Hair Caddis 12-18
Dark Stone Clipped Caddis 12-18
Yellow Sally Stones Yellow Sally 16-18
Golden Stones Stimulator 12-18
Midge(Olive, Gray) Midge 20-24
Nymphs/Larva Nymphs  
March Brown Mayflies Hare's Ear 12-16
Blue Quill Mayflies BH Pheasant Tail 14-18
Green Drake Mayflies Fox Squirrel Nymph 10-14
Caddis Super Pupa 14-18
Golden Stones Kevin's Stone 8-12
Yellow Sally Stones Copper John 16-18
Baitfish/Big Food Streamers  
Sculpins Woolhead Sculpin, Olive Zonker 4-10
Dace White Zonker, Sparkle Minnow 6-12
Crayfish Near Nuff Crayfish 2-6
Creek Chubss Wooly Bugger Brown 2-8

July-October

Insect Fly Pattern Hook Sz.
Adults Dries  
Golden Stones Stimulator 12-16
Yellow Sally Stones Yellow Sally, Clipped Caddis 16-18
Grasshoppers Dave's Hopper, Club Sandwich 8-14
Crane Flies Hackle Stacker Cranefly 12-18
Camel Crickets Gorilla Hopper 10-14
Beetles Disco Beetle, Bark Beetle 8-10
Ants Transparant, Fur Ant 12-18
Midges Parachute Adams, Midge 18-24
Nymphs/Larva Nymphs  
Golden Stones Kevin's Stonefly 8-12
Yellow Sally Stones Copper John 16-18
Inch Worms Inch Worm, Chart. San Juan 10-12
Midges WD-40, Disco Midge, RS-2 18-26
Baitfish/Big Food Streamers  
Sculpins Slumpbuster 10-12
Creek Chubs Double Bunny 2-8
Dace Zonkers 6-12
Crayfish Near-Nuff Crayfish 4-6
Damsel Fly Nymphs Wooly Bugger 6-10

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