Don’t mind the cold weather! It’s time to go trout fishing!
December is finally here and it’s a great time to target trout here in North Carolina. Water temperatures are below 50 degrees and we all know trout thrive in cold water. Tips and tactics change in the winter months, but the fishing remains consistent. We have plenty of guided trips we offer in the winter and I will breakdown what to expect from each of them below.
Catawba Tailrace Float Trips
The Catawba Tailrace is our go to winter fishery to target brown trout. The 8 mile stretch from the dam down to Glen Alpine is best suited for floating because access to wade fishing is limited to the first mile. The NCWRC put a bunch of brown trout in this stretch every fall making fishing excellent in the winter and will continue well into the spring. We always looks forward to the caddis hatch we get around the first of March. Last year, the release schedule was not conducive to dry fly fishing. The best opportunities come when Duke Energy isn’t running the generators. Enough of the talk with Spring time, let’s get back to fishing the Tailrace during these winter months. The water temps are finally in the 50’s and the trout have spread out over the course of the 8 mile stretch which has made for some really great days on the water. The best time to fish the Tailrace is when we see no rain for a few days leading up to your desired trip date. The reason I say this is because Muddy Creek is notorious for dirtying up the water after a rainfall. It’s not impossible to catch trout in off colored water, but it’s not as enjoyable fishing the blue/greenish water of the Tailrace when it’s clear.
The fishing on the Tailrace has been nothing less than spectacular the past few weeks. We have had little rainfall and the water being discharged from the dam is finally a good temp. Nymphs have been the way to go when the fish aren’t eating streamers. Stonefly, Blue Wing Olive, and midges are the nymphs of choice during the winter. The black stonefly is a pattern that consistently produces fish on the Tailrace. If fishing nymphs under an indicator try using wool instead of Thingamabobbers. The wool is more delicate and doesn’t create a big splash like the Thingamabobber does when it lands. The trout on the Tailrace spook easily when the water is super clear so the more delicate the presentation the better. When fishing one of the many riffles on the Tailrace in the winter it’s best to devote a good amount of time to the holes because I’ve seen fish hit nymphs on the 10th or so cast using the same bugs. Sometimes there isn’t much science behind it. It’s getting the bugs in the right spot, at the right depth, at the right time.
We have had some phenomenal days throwing streamers on the Tailrace. The best days are when the pressure drops before a rain or snow storm. This drop triggers the fish into eating aggressively. (It’s probably because the fish know muddy creek will soon become dirty lol) When there are no generators running anglers can get by throwing streamers on a floating line, but when they are releasing water it’s best to use a sink tip or sinking line. The choice of color depends on whether or not it’s sunny or overcast. When it’s super sunny out the fish are sticklers for detail. I like for clients to throw more realistic streamer patterns in natural colors such as olive, browns, or white. On cloudy days it’s hard to beat black or orange.
White is a great color to throw when fishing clear water on sunny days.
The Catawba Tailrace is an excellent brown trout fishery close to Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina. It has its challenges with the sediment coming in from Muddy Creek as well as the warmer water temperatures being discharged from the dam in the summer, but it has a ton of potential for growing big trout. We have seen more trophy browns the last 3 years than any other prior year. I believe the fall stocking that the NCWRC has been doing has proven a much better survival rate for the fish and the ones that do survive the summer months are growing to very respectable sizes. With that being said, it’s The Catawba Angler’s local tailwater and we are very proud to show clients this unique fishery. We offer full day float trips for $350 and would love to have the opportunity to take you fishing. Check out some of our recent catches from the Tailrace.
Mark with a healthy brown trout from one of the many riffles on the Catawba Tailrace.
Andy caught over 20 fish on a cold December day.
The Catawba Tailrace offers solitude unlike any other trout tailwater in the Southeast.
It only takes a few years for these stocked brown trout to grow to trophy sizes.
This brown was pushing twenty inches and still has plenty of room to grow into a true giant for the next angler.
Wild Trout Fishing North Carolina
The Catawba Angler offers guided fly fishing trips on some of North Carolina’s best wild trout streams. The fishing is good year round and the best part about it is the challenge of tricking wild trout on the fly. These fish have a PHD in predator instincts unlike the stocked fish we guide for , and provide a challenging, yet rewarding experience for the novice or experienced angler. Most of the wild trout streams we guide on hold rainbow trout, but we occasionally find some quality brown trout. We do have one of the best wild brook trout streams in our backyard so if you are interested in targeting North Carolina’s only native fish then reach out to us. When booking a guided trip for wild trout expect to do a little walking because getting to these fish do require a little effort. Most of the walking involves scrambling over boulders while working the plunge pools and pockets while fishing upstream. We’ve had anglers of all ages tackle this trip. Anyone interested in a backcountry wild trout fishing experience is suitable for this adventure.
Our guided trips on wild trout streams are one of the favorites to clients because of the challenge and the solitude they are able to find here. The fishing brings us to a place where we are one with nature. You get the best of both worlds with a serene background and the beauty of the challenge in finding those wild trout. This is the true Southern Appalachian trout fishing experience. We normally target these fish using a dry dropper combo, but we will also Euro nymph the deeper pools making sure we pick up those larger trout that hold on the bottom of the pool.
Fly selection doesn’t have to be complicated on these wild trout streams. Our guides will always have a parachute adams, caddis, pat’s rubber legs, pheasant tail nymph, and a hare’s ear nymph in their fly boxes. The key to catching fish on wild trout streams in North Carolina is to get drag free drifts and keeping your fly out of the tree canopy that outline the banks.
Wild trout streams fish well year round so do not hesitate to book your backcountry adventure. We would love to show you the true Appalachian fly fishing experience on one of our local wild trout streams. Check out some of our recent catches from these excellent trout fisheries.
Jim keeping the leader off the water while fishing a dry dropper rig. This is a very effective set up for wild trout in the winter.
Nymphing stoneflies in the winter in deep pools are deadly on wild trout.
Common view of a wild trout stream in North Carolina.
Wild brown taken from a nice run this winter.
The best fishing is always off the beaten path. The Catawba Angler can take you there. #wifey
This fish took a pheasant tail nymph in a still deep pool.
Delayed Harvest Fishing
We offer float trips or wade fishing trips on a few delayed harvest stretches!
The Delayed Harvest waters are still fishing well. The fish are eating more natural flies opposed to worms and mop flies. We’ve had a lot of success fishing smaller nymphs such as beadhead flashback hares ears and egg patterns on the delayed harvest sections of Curtis Creek and Catawba River. Check out the hares ear fly below. The hares ear is a classic pattern that has caught millions of fish since its introduction in the early 1800’s but the flashback added to it gives it a little more razzle dazzle in the water column.
Classic Pattern with a little more flash.
The delayed harvest sections are great for beginners because they hold a bunch of stocked fish and the creeks and rivers are easily accessible to anglers. We offer half day wade trips for $250 and full day float trips for $350. The advantage of the float trip is that we are able to hit sections on the Catawba River that are inaccessible to wade fishermen. Another perk is that you are out of the cold water and in a raft. Both options are great and if you are looking to learn the sport of fly fishing. Check out some of the recent catches from the delayed harvest sections we guide on in McDowell County.
Tina with one of her many catches from the Delayed Harvest stretch on the Catawba.
The Fortune’s had a wonderful day on a local delayed harvest stretch.
Typical size for trout in our delayed harvest stretches.
A float trip is a great option for the winter time. Clients stay high and dry.
Client hooked up with a nice rainbow trout.
Monster brown trout caught and released. Curtis Creek, North Carolina
One of the best patterns for Delayed Harvest waters in the winter are egg patterns. This fly is called a sucker spawn egg.
Lake James Guided Bass Fishing Trips
Lake James is fishing well. We’ve been able to take a few trips out there this winter and put people on their personal best bass. This is a lake that can humble anglers but it can be very rewarding when you hook into that 4 pound smallmouth or largemouth. Our guide Kelsey Minish has been fishing the lake for years and knows what it takes to put clients on fish no matter the season. Check out some of our recent catches from Lake James.
Jack with his personal bests from a recent guide on Lake James.
The winter time is a great time to catch some good smallmouth at Lake James. The Catawba Angler guides year round at the lake.
The Catawba Angler wants to say THANK YOU!
The Catawba Angler just reached a huge milestone. We recently received our 100th five star google review! I couldn’t be more happy because this shows people are appreciative and happy with our services. We dedicate a lot of time to our profession to ensure we provide the best guided fishing trip in western North Carolina. Our guides spend a tremendous amount of time on the water so we are prepared for any occasion. We love showing clients from all over the excellent angling opportunities that we have in our backyard and we continue to pursue this passion as long as God allows us. We want to thank you for your business and thank you for trusting us to take you fishing.
Sincerely,
Matt Evans
