Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Western North Carolina
Smallmouth bass fishing in May and June has been lights out and the bite will remain consistent through late summer into early fall. This has been one of the better years I have seen on the river as far as size and quantity goes. We have landed some really nice bass on flies and spinning gear with the biggest going 20 inches pushing 4 1/2 pounds.
With more time on our hands this Spring due to COVID-19, our guides were able to scout new water and try some different techniques and tactics that have proved to be highly effective on the rivers we guide. Finding methods on your own and then educating clients on how to effectively catch fish on these methods is very rewarding.
Our rivers are seeing more and more pressure as the sport of fishing increases every year, so it is important to always be thinking outside the box as far as choosing flies and lures. Just as the waters are ever changing, so does what fish are choosing to eat.
At The Catawba Angler we spend ample time on the water learning how to target these fish, so our pulse for what to choose is always up to date.
Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
Fly fishing for smallmouth bass is challenging, but very rewarding when you get that first fish on the fly. When targeting smallmouth on the fly you must know where smallmouth hold in the river. On our smallmouth trips we get a lot of anglers who have never targeted these fish before, so it’s important to first educate them on the holding areas for bass.
The rivers we guide on offer many different fishing scenarios that includes riffles, drop offs, eddies, and seams where we approach each one using a specific tactic.
Late May and Early June offers excellent streamer and topwater fishing with poppers. We will fish both methods using floating line without any sink tip. Most of the streamers we fish are tied with heavy enough material to get down in the water column without the assistance of a weighted line. Color choices depend on water clarity and weather of the day. Our most successful color for both flies are black. Dark colored flies look more natural to the forage that the bass eat.
Mr. Baker caught this 20” smallmouth bass on a black marabou streamer.
Fly fishing with poppers can produce some ferocious takes from smallmouth.
Exploring New Smallmouth Territory
We mentioned we have devoted a lot of time exploring new water this Spring due to the virus. One of the fisheries we explored had some really good smallmouth. This new fishery is one where we are now offering trips and are really excited on how well it has been fishing.
18 1/4 inch bruiser caught on a new fishery we began guiding on this year.
Smallmouth on the fly.
Surprise brown trout from a smallmouth float trip caught on a client’s hand tied streamer.
The Catawba Angler would love the opportunity to take you on your next fly fishing adventure for smallmouth bass. We have some of the best smallmouth fishing in the South.
Spin fishing for Smallmouth Bass
We also offer light spinning gear trips to target bass. This is a great option for the advanced angler looking to catch trophy bass or even younger kids who want to get their first one ever.
Kurt has been fishing with us for the past 3 years. We put a lot of nice fish in the boat this day in muddy water.
Healthy North Carolina Smallmouth.
15 year old Max with a 16 inch fish that hammered a topwater plug.
JB came down from Virginia to catch this 18 inch beauty.
This 18inch smallmouth denied a topwater plug but couldn’t refuse a subsurface bait.
Rainbow Trout caught on the French Broad on one of our smallmouth floats.
Jason’s face says it all.
Lake James Guided Fishing Trips
Lake James fishing has been tough but our guide Kelsey Minish has been putting clients on some great fish. On one of Kelsey’s recent trips he was able to put Mr. Kneisl on his personal best largemouth that’s weight 6.5 pounds. To top it off, the fish was caught on topwater.
6 1/2 pound largemouth.
Lake James Largemouth.
Nothing better than a father son trip on Lake James.
Surprise catch on Lake James.
Guide Kelsey Minish was a monster walleye caught out of Lake James.
Summer Trout Fishing
The Catawba Angler still guides for trout this time of the year, but we go high to catch wild trout because those creeks are still cold enough to catch fish without harming them. If you enjoy solitude and eager trout willing to hit dry flies, then we’ve got some excellent fisheries around McDowell County for you.
Dry fly fishing is the name of the game this time of year for wild trout.
Jack’s first fish on the fly.
Native brook trout.
Nice brook trout fooled into eating a fly.
Chris with his personal best brown trout on the fly.
No need for waders this time of the year.
THANK YOU!
I would personally like to thank everyone who trusted The Catawba Angler to take them fishing and supporting us during a time of uncertainty. Your business means the most to Courtney and I and we look forward to fishing with new clients as well as old.