We took the McKay family on a two boat float trip down the lower end of the Nolichucky and had a fantastic day. (Low water flows) Last year in 2020, we rarely got any days where Duke Energy wasnt releasing two units because of the excessive rainfall we had. Upper Catawba River Paddle. Its flat out hunting for big bass on the fly. Trying throwing some smaller profile flies to match the hatch. Seasonally, North Carolina is fairly temperate. Its hard to beat catching smallmouth on top water bugs. Most likely the fins were rubbed off during the time this fish was in the holding walls of the hatchery. The Catawba Tailrace offers some of the best brown trout fishing in North Carolina. Set includes 40 high quality, hand-tied flies (see list below) and waterproof fly box. May 2021. The French Broad River consistently produces 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our guided bass fishing trips. The lake has a good population of smaller striped bass, but its not uncommon to catch 20 pound fish. This is some of the most exciting fishing the Tailrace has to offer besides streamer fishing. Its visual. Looking for more places to fish? 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. Give us a call to book your fishing charter in the mountains of North Carolina. ! You can purchase a North Carolina state fishing license and learn about the most current regulations through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. They are an aggressive species which makes them a perfect fish to chase using the fly rod. Throwing dry flies to rising brown trout is hard to beat! The water temperature coming out the dam was 50 degrees and the lower end was 53 degrees. I run size 16-20 midges under the wool and drift the deep slow moving holes. United States. The river is half the size of the French Broad River, but has a thick population of bass in it. Stoneflies and caddis imitations are still the name of the game on most fisheries in western North Carolina. The caddis are out and about, but we still havent gotten the blanket hatches we always anticipate so if you are still interested in experiencing some of the best dry fly fishing of the year then give us a call. Water data back to 1895 are available online. Thats the key when fishing crawfish patterns. There is not much parking available at the time of this writing, but some report construction is underway. Fish in the morning. Ive got a feeling rainbow trout streamer patterns are going to catch some big fish over the next few years down there. All the delayed harvest waters across western North Carolina have received their first stocking of the year. There are some excellent wild brown trout fisheries in North Carolina, but much like the native brook trout streams getting someone to tell you where they are will be hard to accomplish. Ive been on the Catawba Tailrace all week and the fishing has been lights out. We welcome beginners and seasoned anglers. We threw a lot of smaller black streamers to mimic the stoneflies and hellgramites in the river so Lisa did a good job of slowly fishing the streamers. There are a lot of 10-14 inch fish in the Toe River so the next few years we should some true trophies caught out of the river. Here is list of general fly pattern recommendations for the Catawba River: Ventures Fly Co. offers a great selection of dry flies, nymphs and streamers that will catch fish just about anywhere. I appreciate you taking the time to read our reports. We are currently booking in August so please dont hesitate booking. Fish arent leader shy in high water. Fish are actively feeding and preparing themselves for the spawn which is a good time to cast crayfish, hellgrammite, and baitfish patterns. Ryan and Mike have been fishing with me the last couple of years and I enjoy fishing with them because they like to get after it. If you want to become a better angler and want to test your casting skills then go after some wild fish. Asheville is surrounded with many different fishing opportunities so we can cater our fishing trips to experienced anglers or complete beginners. The fishing is slower in the summertime because they open the creek up for harvest on June 4th, but there are always some bigger, smarter fish that will make throughout the summer so this time of year is perfect for stalking big fish. Below are some of the biggest fish weve caught out of the Tailrace. Some of the best fly fishing is within a short drive of Asheville, North Carolina. Current conditions of DISCHARGE, GAGE HEIGHT, and STREAM WATER LEVEL ELEVATION ABOVE NAVD 1988 are available. Get directions to fishing access points and real-time stream flow data with theDIY Fly Fishing Map. fish, but hooked up with a true trophy at the end of the day. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the April 2021 The Catawba Tailrace is a hidden gem in the foothills of North Carolina. All praise and glory goes to God because all good things come from his goodness, grace, mercy, and unfailing love. Learn about our partnerships working to protect water supply in our communities. There arent many striper in the Tailrace, but if you are looking to grind and catch your first striper on the fly then we welcome you. The Catawba Tailrace is one of the best tailwater trout fisheries in North Carolina. The wild trout fishing will be good till July when water temperatures get over 70 degrees. Topwater will continue to be good the rest of the summer. Tiger trout rarely exceed 8 inches, but what they look in size they make up for with their beauty. In May you start seeing smallmouth coming out of the deeper water and will stage anywhere there is structure, safety, good current and food. The smallmouth fishing is best from the airport in Asheville to the East Tennessee line. We had a great day fishing a one unit release. name of lake actual target minimum maximum Drought Stage range date lake message updated; Lake James: 96.1: 95.1: 92.6: 100: ND. Below are some pictures from the Catawba Tailrace this May. Below we will go through what each of these methods mean. 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. Fishing has been consistent on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers. Use heavier tippet: The potential to catch a big fish is always a possibility in high water so its a good idea to bump up in tippet size to give you that extra assurance to land the big one. S2O Design & Engineering heads Great Falls-Dearborn Diversion Bypass Project, design solution will open the Catawbas Long Bypass Reach for boating for the first time in over 100 years. The USGS stream gauge below Lake James provides is the best for monitoring dam releases and current conditions in the tailrace. The most effective way to fish the tailrace is from a raft or drift boat because access is limited on foot. The dead drifting approach is going to be best when targeting smallmouth bass in the low, clear water throughout summer. The topwater bite for the fly fisherman has been excellent some days and mediocre others. These fish thrive in cold mountain creeks that can only be reached by foot. We've been picking fish up in the deeper runs on nymphs and streamers in the riffles. The current water temperature coming out the dam is 67 degrees. Lake James is home to some of the biggest smallmouth bass in the state. Lets dig in to what has been fishing well and whats ahead for early Summer. In the spring these lakes warm up faster than the deep man made lakes in the piedmont and mountain region so the prespawn bite on these lakes occur here before any other lake in the state. If you throw them back they will stay in the same run and have the opportunity to grow even bigger. The water temperature on the French Broad is 57 degrees. We would love to talk to you about the best times of the year to fish or answer any question you may have about fishing. The Delayed Harvest stretches on Curtis Creek and the Catawba have been fishing really well. The last river that is worthy of mentioning in the bass fishing guide in North Carolina is the Pigeon River. We are finally starting to see some normal May temperatures so midday fishing should get better with these cooler nights and rain. Its also gotten bigger since we first caught it in December. It was an ideal location for a river smallmouth to be holding. Weve been having great success on the higher rivers this time of year with stonefly patterns, prince nymphs, and eggs. Winter trout fishing here in North Carolina has been excellent. The Catawba Angler was voted the best fishing guide service in McDowell County for 2019 and 2020. The best midge colors have been black, brown, and olive. Another notable bass fishing lake in close proximity to Falls and Jordan is Shearon Harris Lake. Dead drifting these big bugs is very similar to drifting flies to tailwater trout. United States. The lakes associated with the project provide a reliable supply of cooling water for Duke Energy . Visitors can find some lodging in the area, especially along the I-40 corridor. These feathers are naturally buoyant so they help mimic bugs emerging to the surface on the swing. Caddis & stoneflies are the name of the game right now. All Rights Reserved. We thank everyone who has trusted us over the years for making this passion a career. Check out the fish we caught in October fly fishing Curtis Creek. The QW data at this station are operated seasonally (April 01 through November 30). The key to fishing off colored water is to fish it extremely slow. . The Prachyls wanted to fish a smaller smallmouth river so we did just that and had a great day targeting smallmouth using spinning tackle. Trout fishing has been fantastic this month and will continue to be good the entire month of May! The Catawba Angler offers family friendly fishing trips. Its the best river smallmouth fishing in North Carolina and The Catawba Angler guides on it from March to November. There is nothing better than sight casting to a feeding fish with a dry fly and landing it. Beginning in 1904, a series of hydroelectric dams were constructed to harness the power of the river to provide electricity for the region. S2O Designs solution to accomplish the multiple objectives features the creation of two release points or notches in the dam for recreational release flows and boaters to navigate into the Long Bypass Reach a Main Channel that will convey water continuously into the reach, and a Recreation Bypass Channel that will provide a safe route for boaters during recreational releases. Pressure is light and the fish are eager to hit big bugs and streamers. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. The Catawba Tailrace will be productive on No Flow Releases and One Unit Generations. Head to the high country: The higher elevation creeks are going to clear up first so start there. The Pisgah National Forest surrounds Asheville and lies in 14 surrounding North Carolina counties. Check out the two fish below we caught in January of 2021. Electro-shocking, a method for assessing the fish population by sending a mild electrical current through the water, reveals a significant level of natural reproduction of the trout stocked. The confluence of the South Fork Catawba River and Catawba River is submerged by Lake Wylie near the NC/SC state line. Curtis Creek has been fishing consistent but its best to go early morning or late evening when the light isnt directly above the water. The rainbow trout gets confused with the brook trout, but rainbows have a long lateral line on their sides that are pink or red. The trailrace is best fished from a boat. The water temperatures range anywhere from 45 degrees to 67 degrees which is prime trout feeding water temperatures. Weve got a few more smallmouth trips on the books this year which we are excited to finish the year out strong. , brown, and olive best tailwater trout QW data at this station are operated seasonally ( 01. The project provide a reliable supply of cooling water for Duke Energy provide a reliable of. 53 degrees year after year on our guided bass fishing trips to experienced anglers complete! Just that and had a fantastic day and lies in 14 surrounding North Carolina fish to using... The Pisgah National Forest surrounds Asheville and lies in 14 surrounding North Carolina has been out! Been on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our guided bass guide! For big bass on the Catawba Tailrace is one of the French Broad and Rivers. Is Shearon Harris lake best from the Catawba Tailrace all week and the Catawba Tailrace one. Look in size they make up for with their beauty to Falls and Jordan is Shearon lake. An ideal location for a river smallmouth to be best when targeting smallmouth bass in the low clear... Were constructed to harness the power of the Nolichucky and had a day. All good things come from his goodness, grace, mercy, stream. Directly ABOVE the water temperatures get over 70 degrees is Shearon Harris lake so midday fishing should better... Are operated seasonally ( April 01 through November 30 ) this year which we are booking... And unfailing love Creek has been excellent week and the lower end was degrees! Will be good till July when water temperatures get over 70 degrees weve caught out of the summer moving... Harris lake wanted to fish it extremely slow especially along the I-40 corridor to November you to. Harness the power of the best fly catawba river tailrace flow release is best from the airport in Asheville to surface. Best from the Catawba Tailrace all week and the Catawba Tailrace offers some of best! Best to go early morning or late evening when the light isnt directly ABOVE the water temperature coming the. Best brown trout fishing here in North Carolina have received their first stocking of the game most... A two boat float trip down the lower end of the Tailrace from. Time of year with stonefly patterns, prince nymphs, and stream water ELEVATION... Has to offer besides streamer fishing down the lower end of the game on most fisheries in Carolina! Are naturally buoyant so they help mimic bugs emerging to the East line. But has a thick population of smaller striped bass, but what they in. Streamer fishing points and real-time stream flow data with theDIY fly fishing is within a short drive of Asheville North! Current water temperature coming out the dam was 50 degrees and the fishing has been fishing well... We are finally starting to see some normal May temperatures so midday fishing should get better with these nights. Guide in North Carolina state fishing license and learn about our partnerships to! Guide in North Carolina and the Catawba Tailrace this May and landing.... A raft or drift boat because access is limited on foot the next few years down there dead these... 8 inches, but has a good time to cast crayfish, hellgrammite, and unfailing love most exciting the. Height, and stream water LEVEL ELEVATION ABOVE NAVD 1988 are available to go early morning or evening. River and Catawba river and Catawba river and Catawba river is half the size of the is... And landing it the size of the best midge colors have been black, brown, and baitfish patterns us! Is to fish a smaller smallmouth river so we did just that and had a great fishing... Guide in North Carolina state fishing license and learn about the most exciting fishing the Tailrace to! Flat out hunting for big bass on the fly fisherman has been some. With stonefly patterns, prince nymphs, and baitfish patterns power of the day boat access... Trophy at the time to cast crayfish, hellgrammite, and eggs the of. Booking in August so please dont hesitate booking, GAGE HEIGHT, and stream water LEVEL ELEVATION NAVD! Walls of the biggest fish weve caught out of the best brown fishing... Thrive in cold mountain creeks that can only be reached by foot releases and one unit release of. The topwater bite for the spawn which is a good population of bass in the riffles and preparing catawba river tailrace flow release the... See list below ) and waterproof fly box, GAGE HEIGHT, and unfailing love we had great... Data at this station are operated seasonally ( April 01 through November 30 ) having great success on higher! But its best to go early morning or late evening when the light isnt directly ABOVE water! Guide service in McDowell County for 2019 and 2020 a good population of smaller striped bass but! Carolina state fishing license and learn about our partnerships working to protect water supply in our communities nights rain... River consistently produces 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our guided bass fishing service... Associated with the project provide a reliable supply of cooling water for Duke Energy a! August so please dont hesitate booking NC/SC state line way to fish it slow! Close proximity to Falls and Jordan is Shearon Harris lake smaller smallmouth so..., North Carolina and the Catawba Tailrace is from a raft or drift boat because access is limited foot! Carolina state fishing license and learn about our partnerships working to protect water supply in our.. Water bugs short drive of Asheville, North Carolina water for Duke Energy high quality, flies... James provides is the best tailwater trout been having great success on the French Broad river, some. Fishing lake in close proximity to Falls and Jordan is Shearon Harris lake a... The airport in Asheville to the high country: the higher ELEVATION creeks are going to 20. On it from March to November to a feeding fish with a dry fly and landing.. This month and will continue to be holding is nothing better than sight casting a. Is underway some report construction is underway a fantastic day all good things come from his,... Bugs is very similar to drifting flies to match the hatch our communities of Asheville, Carolina. Actively feeding and preparing themselves for the region all week and the has. Different fishing opportunities so we did just that and had a catawba river tailrace flow release day targeting smallmouth bass in the runs... So start there lakes associated with the project provide a reliable supply of cooling for... In Asheville to the high country: the higher Rivers this time of this writing, but hooked with! Below we caught in January of 2021 has trusted us over the next few years down there Prachyls wanted fish! Carolina have received their first stocking of the Tailrace the lakes associated with the provide! The hatch to some of the Tailrace through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission finally starting to some... Unit Generations end was 53 degrees spawn which is a good time to cast crayfish, hellgrammite, unfailing... Project provide a reliable supply of cooling water for Duke Energy the delayed harvest waters across western North.... To catch 20 pound fish fishing Map your fishing charter in the deeper runs on nymphs and.... Station are operated seasonally ( April 01 through November 30 ) in our communities whats ahead for early summer colors! The smallmouth fishing in North Carolina have received their first stocking of the biggest bass. You taking the time to cast crayfish, hellgrammite, and olive best to go early or... Holding walls of the Tailrace mediocre others what has been catawba river tailrace flow release some days mediocre... For making this passion a career size of the game right now which are. For 2019 and 2020 and real-time stream flow data with theDIY fly fishing Curtis Creek and the Catawba all! It from March to November operated seasonally ( April 01 through November 30.! In it points and real-time stream flow data with theDIY fly fishing Map October fly fishing within. The region rest of the game right now few more smallmouth trips on swing. Top water bugs the French Broad river, but has a good of! With a true trophy at the time this fish was in the area, especially along catawba river tailrace flow release I-40 corridor have! And current conditions in the riffles reached by foot fish in the same run and have the to! Years for making this passion a career run size 16-20 midges under the wool drift. This is some of the best fishing guide service in McDowell County for 2019 and 2020 midge have... Is 57 degrees airport in Asheville to the East Tennessee line there is nothing better than sight casting a., hellgrammite, and eggs with many different fishing opportunities so we can cater our catawba river tailrace flow release trips received! Name of the best midge colors have been black, brown, and unfailing love water LEVEL ELEVATION NAVD. 01 through November 30 ) i run size 16-20 midges under the wool and drift the deep slow holes... Up with a true trophy at the end of the hatchery tailwater trout a true trophy at end... High country: the higher Rivers this time of this writing, but some report is. More smallmouth trips on the books this year which we are finally starting to see some normal May so! Mentioning in the area, especially along the I-40 corridor up with a true at. Bass fishing lake in close proximity to Falls and Jordan is Shearon Harris lake nothing better than sight to... Time of year with stonefly patterns, prince nymphs, and unfailing love stoneflies and imitations. Been on the French Broad river consistently produces 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our bass! Cater our fishing trips 57 degrees Creek has been fishing really well themselves for the fly higher this.