The Dog Days Are Here Again

Trout fishing is a coldwater sport, folks. To quote the eminent ichthyologist Dr. Robert Behnke, "Trout feeding is sharply reduced as temperatures rise from 60 to 70 degrees F." Unfortunately, that is exactly where most of the waters locally are running right now -- between 65 and 70 degrees. That will change if we start getting some nighttime lows in the low 60s and the highs moderate from the sweltering 90s we've experienced of late, but needless to say, it is an awful tough time to be a trout fisherman.

Still, it's much cooler in our mountain streams than it is on the coastal plain of any state in the Deep South, so there's something to be said for going up in elevation. If you plan on booking a trip in August or early September, prepare to head for the high country to fish. That means try to book our North Fork private waters, which sit about 3,300 feet in elevation, or climb even higher on a backcountry brook trout trip.

If you opt for private waters, shoot for a day when temperatures are not in the 90s, preferably with some cloud cover or a drizzling, overcast day. This heat wave will eventually pass. If your plans don't allow for such meteorological advantages, come anyhow. We'll still hook some fish; it will just be more challenging than in the spring or fall.

Another good summer option, for those with the physical stamina and adventurous spirit to pull it off, is a backcountry brook trout trip. All of our guides love to fly fish for native brook trout, and a trip to the high country offers an invigorating alternative to the daily heat gripping the valleys below. Be forewarned, however: these backcountry trips are not for couch potatoes or guys nursing an old football leg injury. Typically, we will cover about five or six miles, including hikes in and out plus fishing upstream. And the climb out at day's end is usually a lung-buster. But the scenery on these streams cannot be rivaled and these fish readily rise to a dry fly, if you're stealthy. They are small, though. A big brookie is about 9 or 10 inches. We use 2- and 3-weights to make it sporty and fun.

Don't forget our warmwater species, too: there are numerous slow river stretches and lakes locally where you can catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, bream, muskie, redeye bass and lots of warpaint shiners! Start with public ponds in DuPont State Forest, which offer decent bass and bream fishing in the early morning hours, or try wading the shoals down near Bent Creek on the French Broad. Bright days aren't the greatest, but cloud cover will bring fish up top on poppers (white and chartreuse work well for us.) Slow down your retrieves - afterall, it's the dog days of summer. Everything is working at about half-speed.

Tight lines,

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