Cooler temps are here and the fishing is excellent!
October is one of the best times to be in the mountains of North Carolina. Trout fishing ramps back up and big smallmouth feed aggressively before the cold weather sets in. The French Broad River was fishing phenomenal the entire month of October because we were able to get some dry weeks without any rain. Smallmouth fishing is still an option on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers but our focus will transition to catching that one big fish instead of numbers. Below are some of the big smallmouth bass you can expect to see on the French Broad River in Asheville, North Carolina.
Blake came up from Alabama to catch his personal best smallmouth! This fish was right at 19inches and was pushing 4 pounds.
The French Broad River has an abundant supply of crawfish and baitfish in it so we match this forage on our trips. Jigs, swimbait, and crank baits are hard to beat when the water temperatures drop below 60 degrees.
Crawfish claw that a smallmouth regurgitated from the river. Any soft plastic that resembles crawfish are deadly baits in any smallmouth river.
Sam Henkel and his personal best smallmouth. October 20, 2020
Beautiful day on the mighty French Broad River.
The smallmouth bass still bite in the cold! This big smallmouth crushed a plug right at the boat.
Dennis Kuenze and his son Bobby caught over 30 smallmouth in early October. The leaves were just beginning to change.
Beautiful rainbow trout that came to the boat on one of our float trips for smallmouth.
Trout fishing in November
Here in McDowell County we are blessed with so many good trout streams that the options are endless to fish. Water temperatures are well below 60 degrees which is ideal for trout. We guide for stocked fish in Curtis Creek, Mill Creek, and the Catawba River. We also float the Catawba and the Catawba Tailrace for stocked and larger holdover fish which mainly consist of brown trout. Early morning starts can be cold this month, but it is worth it when you are the only one on the creek or river at that time. If you aren’t up for wading and looking for a warmer option we offer full and half day float trips which allow you to stay warm and dry. These are great floats that offer you solitude and the ability to hit spots you cannot get to by wading.
The best fishing in November is on the delayed harvest waters. The fish are abundant and have spread out to different holding spots than when they were first stocked in the beginning of October. Egg patterns and worms are excellent choices for any delayed harvest stream. Dry fly fishing is still an option midday in November. I’ve seen thick hatches of BWO’s on the Catawba River and it can make for some really good days out there.
The wild trout waters are still fishing really well this time of the year, but we make sure we do not disturb any spawning fish during this time. The future of the fishery depends on a successful spawn and it is up to us to leave those fish alone. A good tip is to be cognizant of where you are stepping in the tail out of runs or riffles. This is where most trout will spawn. Below are some of the fish we have caught in late October and early November! Fishing will remain consistent and be on the lookout for an excellent deal The Catawba Angler will be offering on all wade and float trips in December.
Healthy brown trout from one of the delayed harvest streams in Old Fort, North Carolina.
Curtis Creek produces some large trout after they stock it.
The smile says it all!
Nothing better than celebrating your birthday with The Catawba Angler.
October and November are great months to catch brown trout!
Big brood trout caught in the Catawba River. These trout are used in the states production of hatchery fish and then released into waters after a certain period of time.
First trout on the fly!
Mr. Lorenz and I finished the day with a beautiful dry fly eat on a small wild trout stream.
My wife with a massive brown caught on a hatchery supported creek.
Beautiful rainbow trout caught in November!
Wifey with another big one from a local creek here in western NC!
Beautiful male brook trout displaying his colors. Keep these wild trout wet and release them immediately.
The sport of catching wild trout is second to none.
Striper caught on one of our recent float trips.
What to expect in December
The days are cold, but the trout fishing is hot. Most people think the fishing stops in the winter, but it’s one of my favorite times of year to fish because there isn’t much pressure from other anglers and the fishing can be really good. If the weather is anything like it’s been the past couple of years we can expect a mild winter. Cold days aren’t for the faint of heart, but getting that tug from a big trout will warm you up real quick. The name of the game this time of year is nymphs or streamers. Streamer fishing is exciting because you are hunting for that dominant trout looking for a larger meal. Some of the biggest fish of the year come in December while fishing streamers. We tend to catch more rainbows in December but there are still opportunities at some very large brown trout on the Catawba Tailrace. Check out some of our catches in December.
Rainbow caught in December out of the Catawba River.
Hooked up on a good brown trout from the Catawba Tailrace.
Streamer fishing in December can be very rewarding!
Give us a call to get on some great winter trout fishing.
Bundle up and let’s go fishing in December.
Stay tuned for some awesome winter trout fishing specials!