We spent the day together on a local smallmouth river and had a blast catching the fish on a variety of methods. I track water temperatures, pressure, weather, water levels, and make notes of every fly or bait that caught fish. If I could predict when the smallmouth turn on to topwater Id be a rich man. We provide everything but a valid NC fishing license. . AZ . I attach my tippet to the tippet ring using an improved clinch knot that connects to my nymph. This is exciting fishing because its all visual. Weve brought a bunch of good quality fish to the net this year and the outlook for summer fishing is great. Enjoy a newly renovated A-frame right on beautiful Lake Tillery! TROTLINES, SET-HOOKS AND JUG-HOOKS Trotlines, set-hooks and jug-hooks may be fished under any Weve been chasing river smallmouth on the French Broad, Toe, and Catawba Rivers all summer long. Its hard to beat catching smallmouth on top water bugs. The colder days are more challenging than the warmer ones but downsizing your flies on the colder days have been vital to our success. What was cool about catching this fish is that Ive had a few encounters with it over the last few years where I see it chase out smaller fish we hook. fish, but hooked up with a true trophy at the end of the day. I want to highlight some of our best catches from spring time below. We cater our trips to all anglers so no matter your experience level weve got fisheries just for you. The best fishing has been early morning because its been abnormally hot since weve had some 90 degree days. Its good to pop poppers in deeper water close to ledges because weve caught some good smallmouth drumming them up in deep water. 'Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout.' - Irish proverb Weve been fishing dark colors in water with less than a foot of clarity. We offer half day trips for $300 for two anglers and full day trips for $400 for two anglers. Learn the best hot spots and latest news about Iowa's fishing opportunities from region to region. What a wonderful summer it has been! If float fishing isnt your thing then we got some excellent wade fishing opportunities chasing stocked and wild trout. There is nothing better than clear water and smallmouth bass in the fall because fishing is great! If youve been wanting to book a guided trip, but have been on the edge of deciding I would like to encourage you to book. The crowds are nonexistent this time of year so come enjoy the river to yourself. Off-Topic. I think between the warmer water temperature (72 degrees) and overcast day it created an ideal scenario. Smallmouth will sit in these lines waiting for bugs to drift by. Check out some pictures from the gorge below. Clear Lake, Crystal Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake have winter aeration systems running. Similar to Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Waccamaw is shallow. Weve been having great success on the higher rivers this time of year with stonefly patterns, prince nymphs, and eggs. One of the coolest things I get to witness guiding the same rivers year after year is seeing the smallmouth bass in the French Broad sipping mayflies. Badin Lake is the clearest lake in the Yadkin Chain and runs within the Uwharrie National Forest which offers some unique scenery for a Piedmont Lake. The Catawba Angler, 750 Ebenezer Church Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762, United States, Winter Fly Fishing Report & Outlook for Spring 2023, Spring Trout Fishing in Western North Carolina. Tillery report Come join the best Family Orientated fishing website on the Internet. Below are some of the biggest fish weve caught out of the Tailrace. Ive got a feeling rainbow trout streamer patterns are going to catch some big fish over the next few years down there. Its been one of the best smallmouth seasons weve ever had so Im very thankful for that. The Yadkin River boasts a small population of smallmouth bass and a variety of other species. This requires anglers to make longer casts and get flawless drifts over the fish to get eats. Weve been guiding on the Toe River this winter which has been excellent. The guys that take us up on this guided trip are always happy at the end of the day when they have caught the biggest river smallmouth of their life. One indicator that it is a stocked fish is that some of its fins are nubs. If a wild fish comes up and eats your fly and you set the hook and miss. The weather is perfect this time of year with the later start times so give us a call to book your fishing adventure in the mountains of NC. The state also stocks the first week of each of these months so there are a lot of fish to target in the creek. The Linville River drops 2000 feet in elevation as it meanders 12 miles through the steep gorge walls and eventually dumping into Lake James. Lake Seminole fishing Guides March 24, 2021 fishing report I had the pleasure of Bass fishing with the Shepard . In February of 2020, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth was caught by Ken Whitesides. We had a great day of fishing on the Nolichucky River and Bennett reeled in a true trophy river smallmouth. Spring in North Carolina begins March 20th and ends June 21st. The Southern Appalachian Brook Trout is our native fish here in North Carolina. Some days 100% of the time the fish will be eating subsurface. On the tip-ups or deadstick rods, walleye suckers and shiners are the most common approach. (West to East) All three regions boasts some excellent bass fishing in the lakes and rivers. Lakes Online Forum. Lisa and I chased red breasted sunfish, trout, and smallmouth on a local fishery and we managed to catch close to 20 fish on the fly rod. The river has the quantity and the quality every bass fisherman is looking for. We can choose locations and experiences that will best fit each client. Ask us about the ones that have gotten away. They are a cross between a brown trout and a brook trout. There are numerous boat landings, yet most of the river is wild, with forests of tupelo, oak and gum along its shores. Lake Tillery has 118 miles of shoreline, an average depth of 32 feet, and a maximum depth of 72 feet. The French Broad has been off colored since the beginning of July so I havent gotten the opportunity to fish it that much. Crappie are fair on drop-offs in open water in 19-25 feet of water suspended in 15 feet of water hitting live minnows and jigs equally. This is trophy hunting using the fly rod because these fish will range anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds. This was Bennetts personal best river smallmouth and the biggest smallmouth to hit my net this year. Aquatic invasive species continue to pose a threat to Crystal Lake; species established include Eurasian Watermilfoil Brown trout are elusive and considered one of the most difficult trout species to catch. Blue Catfish with a Berkley PowerBait Catfish Power Punch Dough, Largemouth Bass with a River2Sea Whopper Plopper. Register and I will offer you a free Crappie.com decal ( plus a lot less ads too ). The weather may be cold, but the linesider action on these three North Carolina lakes is red hot. Mends are vital to your success when drifting poppers. I enjoy taking people to the delayed harvest to boost their confidence before chasing wild trout because it can be a humbling experience. This year we have caught only a handful of holdover browns, but the rainbows have been a ton of fun. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We pride ourselves on our customer service, quality and cleanliness of our fleet. The trout fishing in November will be good. If you are a beginner wanting to book your first float trip and learn the ropes of fishing from a boat then this stretch is for you. Current fly fishing conditions are great! Lake Tillery is perfect for all water sports, including waterskiing, tubing, fishing, speed-boating, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing. Chris Brown & Wayne Ingram win Tillery with 5 bass weighing 13.28 lbs! Norwood, NC in neighboring Stanly County uses as its town motto "Gateway to Lake Tillery". #4.25.5. This stretch has long, deep holes that hold good populations of bass in the summertime moving upstream from the lake looking for those cooler river temperatures. Numerous creek mouths provide excellent 4 lb. The fish are coming up eating dries in the morning then droppers midday to early afternoon. . October is going to be good for trout and smallmouth. Bennett made a beautiful cast in the deep, slack water and the fish took off with the jig. The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is one of the most rugged places on the East Coast. View All | Fishing Gallery | Hunting Gallery | Photo of the Week . "There's so little boat traffic in the fall, so little fishing pressure, that you're never fishing behind anybody else," he said. The French Broad River is hands down the best smallmouth river in North Carolina. Weve been picking fish up in the deeper runs on nymphs and streamers in the riffles. . The water temperature was 59 when we started and 63 when we finished. The bigger rivers that meander through the NC mountains provide good fly fishing for river smallmouth as well. Rainbow Trout are prominent in North Carolina. Brown trout are native to Europe, but were introduced in the 1920s in alot of the streams in North Carolina. There are a lot of June bugs out so weve been having some good luck using smaller bugs on the Toe River. Our guides work tirelessly to make sure we can deliver no matter the fishing conditions on all guided trips. Topwater will continue to be good the rest of the summer. If you have never experienced the smallmouth fishing or trout fishing in October then give us a call. Jetties are holding sheepshead, drum, and redfish using Carolina rigs with live shrimp. Seclusion: We rarely see anyone else on the wild trout streams. This 80-acre impoundment is located on a 155-acrerecreational complex that offers other recreational opportunities. The weather in the spring can be unpredictable so I tell clients we fish conditions not dates on a calendar. Pee-Dee River - Blewett Falls Dam. July and August is excellent for catching smallmouth on topwater! Im looking forward to getting the boat back on Lake Erie. The reaction bite the last two weeks has been nothing short of amazing. This 90 degrees angles helps get the flies straight down underneath the indicator. 3 Bedroom/2 Bath A-Frame on beautiful Lake Tillery. Below are some fish from the last two weeks. The bigger bugs such as caddis, cahills, hendricksons, quill gordons, stoneflies, and sulphurs begin to make their arrival in the spring so there are plenty of insects for the trout to eat. The wild trout streams are in great shape with a lot of water in them currently which will set us up for some good fishing early summer. The topwater bite can be very sporadic, but this day it was consistent all day. You have my promise that our guided trips are the highest quality trip in western North Carolina even though our prices are the most reasonable. Smaller topwater flies dominate throughout the summer because youve got cicadas, beetles, grasshoppers, damselflies, and dragonflies. Help Crappie.com by becoming a Supporting Member. Recreational watercraft use is also very high on Crystal Lake which could contribute to shoreline erosion and loss of near-shore habitat. How about a great start to 2023! In Sutton Lake, where possession of largemouth bass is prohibited from Dec. 1 - March 31. These fish will test your drag, jump, and then tail slap water at you when you release them. We welcome beginners and seasoned anglers. The lake has around 20+ inches in most areas. The Linville Gorge holds some very large brown trout and is slowly becoming more of a smallmouth fishery. New posts. 4th Billy Cobb & Jeff Proctor 7.28 lbs! Fishing the gorge isnt for the faint of heart because it will test you physically and mentally, but the rewards can be worth it. Normally your best fishing will be 7am to 11am so weve been out there early this month. Iowa's Fishing Report Sign up today for free weekly fishing information from Iowa's fisheries experts. If your looking to catch fish the odds are high of catching them using something that is going floating through the water column. The fish are wild and beautiful. Water levels in the mountains of North Carolina are currently low which makes fishing more challenging that years past. The bass below hit a popper after we stalked it for a few minutes eating mayflies in less than 2 foot of water. The fall trout fishing in western North Carolina is something every fly angler should experience. MIKE MARSH Yadkin-PeeDee Reports Piedmont Lakes Fishing Report: June-July 2022 Forums. The Catawba Angler offers guided bass fishing trips on the best rivers and lakes in North Carolina. Sign up for Weekly Fishing Report The river is half the size of the French Broad River, but has a thick population of bass in it. I love fly fishing with game changer flies. We thank everyone who has trusted us over the years for making this passion a career. The best fishing on the wild trout streams is March through December. Donut Dinette 139 North First Street Albemarle, NC 28001 (704) 982-7015 Serving Breakfast Food, Fresh, Homemade Donuts Everyday! Pjohnson15@hotmail.com 770 366 8845 Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good and getting better. North Carolina offers some of the best fly fishing in the country. Early Spring which runs from March to the beginning of April is the pre-spawn period. Table of Contents show. Dont miss out on some beautiful scenery and some good fishing in the mountains of NC! The water temperatures range anywhere from 45 degrees to 67 degrees which is prime trout feeding water temperatures. With a high around 73F and the low around 48F. Weve had a lot of fun catching prespawn smallmouth, but their is nothing better than the post spawn smallmouth fishing in May. These trout are not stocked and naturally reproduce in the cold water coming off the highest mountain peaks in the east. Sign In or Create Account My Cart Hunting Shooting Fishing Camping Boating Outdoor Cooking Clothing Footwear Clearance Gift Cards Learn Store Flyer Top Brands For fly fishers its hard to beat squirmy worms, mops flies, and eggs. Weve been having to run very light tippet and downsize our flies this year due to low flows and spooky fish. What is a normal pattern on that lake for crappies this time. Let us know! We wont be fishing the Catawba Tailrace until the fall unless you have an interest in chasing striper on the fly in August & September. The logging operations at the turn of the century almost depleted the native brook trout populations so thats when non-native trout were introduced in NC to help bring back trout populations. If you dont get an immediate response we will respond as soon as we get off the water so please bear with us. I run size 16-20 midges under the wool and drift the deep slow moving holes. You cant beat that in late August. Out of all the fish stocked by the state 40% of them are rainbow trout. Lets get back to fishing. Wild trout fishing in North Carolina provides a unique experience for anglers because we wade smaller mountain streams for stream bred fish. Boat Maintenance. The French Broad River consistently produces 4 pound smallmouth year after year on our guided bass fishing trips. The Catawba River and Linville River that flows into Lake James offers good wade fishing for smallmouth bass. February 27, 2023. . We havent had consistent weather since early June so weve had to keep a constant eye on the weather. The temperature reading on my truck this morning said it was 57 degrees outside. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. Pretty simple setup. The bite started off hot during the morning, but tapered off mid day then the bite picked up significantly in the afternoon. We have had some stupid, good days on the Catawba Tailrace over the last month so its good to see the rainbow trout that were stocked back in the winter doing so well. I couldnt do it without her support. Three marinas are located on Lake Tillery: Lilly's Bridge Marina on the East side of the lake, Cook's Marina on the North end of the lake, and Ken's Marina on the South end of the lake. When I started my business in 2017 I wanted to make guided fishing trips in western North Carolina available to everyone no matter their income. The majority of these insects life besides terrestrials are spent underwater so nymph fishing is usually the best method for putting fish in the net. During this time the leaves are changing colors and most people are occupying the trout streams again. There is always opportunities to catch big smallmouth on light spinning tackle or the fly rod. Please report illegal fish introductions to 1-800-452-7888. This home comes with private/tranquil views, large outdoor spaces, a fire pit, and use of the private dock. Tillery Crappie. The French Broad and Nolichucky rivers produce trophy smallmouth year after year. The fish were hitting on top in the shallow water and fished subsurface jigs in the faster, deep water. Below are two big fish we caught last year in early Spring. Weather, flows are perfect. They thrive in clear ponds, natural lakes and reservoirs with moderate vegetation. Most of the big smallmouth we have caught have come out of areas you wouldnt think they would be holding in unless you caught one there. The ones that make it past the first year grow to some trophy sizes. Ive got a few dates left in October so dont hesitate to book or they will be gone. Sdermalm Afc Fishing. Lucky Tusk They are the most tolerant trout species and can live in waters upward of 70 degrees. 12,500 acres 125 feet (MSL) Alamo Lake. Anyone interested in fishing Lake Tillery or waters within the wider area around Albemarle should consult with . Weve heard of 7pound fish being caught and even bigger ones that have gotten away. The fishing is excellent and the scenery is even better. The Catawba Angler offers float trips and wade fishing trips for trout in the spring here in North Carolina. If you cant catch them on the pats or the egg then most likely the fish want something a lot smaller so thats when you try your midges, pheasant tails, or flashy bead head nymph patterns. There is a maximum depth of 200 feet and covers just over 4,800 acres of surface area. Try this method the next time your own the water and see if it doesnt help put more fish in the net. Freshwater. Trout are rising. It is exciting when the fish blow these baits up right at the bank. Normally Ill run lighter tippet because the water is usually very clear this time of year. See Lake Tillery or Lake Badin in style on our brand new fleet of 2021 Berkshire pontoons. Another notable bass fishing lake in the coastal plain region is Lake Waccamaw. We throw a lot of terrestrials during this time so its a lot of fun seeing these smaller fish come up for bigger bugs. You will leave feeing like youve just spent the day with an old friend. This is where we will hike into a backcountry creek and dry fly fish all day for rising trout. The key to this fishery being successful is the survival rate of these stocked fish. There are always some big fish that hang out in those holes. Some of the biggest trout we catch all year is in the springtime stripping streamers against the banks. Fall time anywhere from the second week of September to the end of October is when you can plan on catching your trophy smallmouth out of the river. then its best to move to the next plunge pool. The lake is home to many different fish species but the largemouth bass is most sought after. 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 West is open to catch and release fishing with only artificial lures with barbless hooks this time of the year. If you are interested in floating this stretch let us know. Waccamaw River - Lake Waccamaw Dam. Lake Tillery was created for hydroelectric power by damming the Yadkin-PeeDee River and was completed in 1928. We look forward to seeing you on the water. Sometimes the fish cooperate and sometimes they dont, but thats what keeps us coming back. When the water temperatures dips below 45 degrees I consider it winter fishing. See you on the water. 2+. If you want to chase these bigger fish using large nymphs and streamers then this trip is for you. Likes: 2 Thanks: 0 Results 1 to 10 of 10 Thread: Tillery report Thread Tools If you are up for the challenge of hiking in and covering alot of ground within the gorge let me know and we will make it happen. November 2021 fishing forecast north carolina fishing reports nc captain jacob harbour pottsboro sdermalm afc fishing lake tillery fishing about to bust. The Catawba River also provides great wade fishing opportunities as well. Weve all heard about the 50 degree magic in the Spring and Fall seasons for smallmouth. The topwater bite should continue to get better with the water temperature warming up. The best fishing is below Waterville dam and into East Tennessee. I look forward to an excellent October for smallmouth as well as trout. These fish are selective and are not afraid to eat big flies. NC wildlife will not give a weigh in permit at TuckerTown for more than 43 boats. Fish are actively feeding and preparing themselves for the spawn which is a good time to cast crayfish, hellgrammite, and baitfish patterns. Lake Tillery is owned and controlled by Duke Energy and has 117.8 miles of beautiful shoreline with a maximum depth of 70'. This weekly fishing forecast will be emailed directly to your inbox every Thursday! Weve had our best success on the Catawba River since there is more flow on it than the smaller mountain creeks. Grab a kayak or paddleboard and get out on the lake for your serene getaway. Remember to still use light tippet this time of year. The brook trout directly above is a stocked fish. Carol Feisler with heavy Person County buck taken November 16, 2022. Coastal Carolina's Mackerel Boat Fishing Guide ($22.25) mail a check or money order to: Mike Marsh 1502 Ebb Drive Wilmington, NC 28409 or visit www.mikemarshoutdoors.com for credit card orders. The majority of smallmouth in our stretches of water will be in just a few holes. The smallmouth bite is good all summer. The sun directly over the water makes it tough to sneak up on fish. These fish thrive in cold mountain creeks that can only be reached by foot. Lake Tillery (NC) nautical chart and water depth map Lake Tillery nautical chart The marine chart shows depth and hydrology of Lake Tillery on the map, which is located in the North Carolina state (Stanly, Montgomery). The Blue Ridge Mountains located in NC are a sector of the bigger Appalachian Mountain range that extends more than 500 miles. Once the bass school up it creates competition for food so you will find more than one fish chasing your streamer back to the boat. Bigger isnt always better. Fly fishing in the Spring is hands down the best time to trout fish in North Carolina. We were fortunate to run a few trout fishing trips after rainstorms because the water temperatures were in a suitable range for the fish. The Spring offers some tremendous fly fishing opportunities across the mountain region for trout. Early morning and sunset have been the best bite. The pats rubber legs is a confidence pattern for me during the winter. August 18, 2022. These warmer trends have provided excellent fishing on the Catawba, Davidson, Tuckaseegee, and Toe Rivers. THE WEATHER IS TURNING HOTTER AS NORMAL, WATER TEMPS IN THE 84 DEGREE RANGE. Ever since Ive been guiding Ive kept a log of notes from every day Ive fished. Winter trout fishing here in North Carolina has been excellent. The bigger fish in the Tailrace are definitely carnivorous because the smaller stocked trout are their main food source. View All | Fishing Gallery | Hunting Gallery | Photo of the Week | Post Your Report | Rules & Information. Another prominent river that flows through the Piedmont region is the Yadkin. The key to having a successful day is finding somewhat clear water. Our smallmouth season starts in March and ends in November. The leaves are changing colors, the weather is ideal, and the water temperatures have dropped to a suitable level after a long summer. This has allowed me to form patterns certain times of the year and it gives me the proper baits to start with instead of going out there guiding by the seat of my pants. It is approximately 16 miles long with some gorgeous coves off the main body of the lake. Catfish Sleigh Ride on Kerr Lake. The lake has a good population of smaller striped bass, but its not uncommon to catch 20 pound fish. The Delayed Harvest stretches on Curtis Creek and the Catawba have been fishing really well. For 2023 we will fish High Rock twice. Continue reading. Weve seen plenty of 50 degree days in January and now we are starting to see those 60 degree days. We offer full day float trips for $400. From backcountry experiences to roadside pull offs there are plenty of trout fishing opportunities for the curious angler in North Carolina. We are still running trips down there if clients want to chase trophy browns throwing streamers. The closest fishing to Asheville is the French Broad River. Our smallmouth float trips begin in March and end around November. We grew up two miles from this creek so this is our home water. Freshwater Fishing . The topwater bite for the fly fisherman has been excellent some days and mediocre others. Below are just a few pictures from some of the fish we caught in July! There are plenty of wade fishing and float fishing opportunities available on one of the many delayed harvest streams in NC. Weve got a few more smallmouth trips on the books this year which we are excited to finish the year out strong. The trout fishing in western North Carolina is excellent beginning in March and will continue well into June. Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of fish that are caugh in Lake Tillery, learn what baits are used, and fish smarter with weather forecasts. Trout fishing has been fantastic this month and will continue to be good the entire month of May! This fishery is 50 miles from downtown Asheville and offers excellent trout fishing from a raft or drift boat.