Fishing the Dog Days

The heat arrived a tad early this year, with daytime temps jumping up into the mid-80s to low 90s in late June. Since then, temperatures have moderated, thanks to some damp, cooler days interspersed with hot, sunny ones. The rivers started to drop from lack of rain in early July, but afternoon thundershowers have since recharged water levels and we're looking pretty good going into August (though the Davidson is still pretty bony.)

With the change in Delayed Harvest waters from C&R to catch-and-keep, our fishing options have shrunk some. The best trout fishing right now is on our North Fork private waters, which has been producing lots of rainbows and a few nicer browns on all but the brightest days. We've been breaking off a lot of big fish, even on 5X, but a few have found their way to the net even on the slowest days. We still have some availability mid-week through the end of July, but the weekends are pretty full. Call 877-3106 to book your own little piece of fishing paradise.

On public water, there are plenty of wild trout options, but the fishing at mid-day has slowed considerably as water temps climb into the mid- to high 60s. If you're headed to Looking Glass, Avery, Courthouse, Cathey's, the Big East Fork or any of our smaller wild trout streams, prepare to get lots of dry fly refusals during the heat of the day. Early and late in the day or on a rainy, overcast day is better. Thunderheads, lime or black Humpies, Stimies and foam ant patterns in sizes 12-16 are your best bets, and don't forget to tie on an inchworm or epoxy ant dropper. We've been running some backcountry southern Appalachian brook trout trips and they've all gone great - lots of strikes in all the places they should be, with a few fish topping 10 inches (yes, that's a trophy in the S.A. brookie world.) If catching a mess of pretty natives on a 2-weight sounds like fun, give Than or Mac a shout at the fly shop. But be prepared to hike 3-5 miles over the course of the day, in sometimes steep terrain.

Smallmouth season is here in force and our driftboat guides have been having some banner days on the French Broad, when afternoon thundershowers don't muddy things up for us. Guide Michael Sprouse reports that even on off-color days, once he finds the fish, it's not hard to catch 20 or more on chartreuse-and-white Clousers or other streamers. Michael's drift boat trips are fun, but if you don't have a full day to devote to smallie fishing, try a half-day wade trip (normally near Asheville) for $150 (one angler) or $235 (two.) Most of these will be late in the day, when the chance for top-water action is greatest.

Tight lines,

Than