French Broad River Smallmouth
The French Broad River proves itself year after year as being one of our most productive smallmouth fisheries in WNC. The water clarity was consistent throughout July which made fishing ideal for clients.
We were fortunate to have clients that were willing to meet us very early at the put ins because the best fishing was from 7am to noon. Once the cicadas started calling then fishing slowed down until the evening.
The top water bite has been somewhat slow this year, but it’s definitely not for lack of trying. Most bass were caught on crawdad patterns and minnow imitations using spinning or fly gear. When the water was off colored we used flashy colors such as orange, chartreuse, and bright yellow.
It always amazes me how one lure or fly can fish well one year and then the next year it won’t yield the same results. I have seen this pattern on the French Broad for the past few years. This is one of the reasons I love guiding because no year is ever the same. Water conditions and temperatures are ever changing season to season.
Nate “Dawg” Griffith with a nice smallmouth from the French Broad River.
Smallmouth grow around two inches a year. This smallmouth is estimated to be around 7 years old.
French Broad Smallmouth.
Dr. Hata with a nice bronze back caught in swift current! This fish put up quite the fight!
It was a pleasure taking Mr. Campbell and his son Jordan down the French Broad for the first time.
The dog days of summer. The high this day was 95.
Fly Fishing for River Smallmouth
Fishing for smallmouth on the fly can be challenging, but also very rewarding. These fish never back down from a fight and will test your tackle. I was fortunate to take some fly anglers out to catch their first smallmouth bass on the fly.
Smallmouth bass love oxygen rich current as well as still water eddies. At times there are too many holes for anglers to hit when float fishing the French Broad because it all looks good! All of our top water eats came out of the still water behind boulders and the glassy water near the banks with submerged structure. Stripping streamers through riffles and at the mouths of tributaries was very effective. Smallmouth bass will hold in these areas and chase baitfish across the top of the water. I always look for scattering minnows because it means a bass isn’t far behind. When fishing streamers in faster water use a faster retrieve but in eddies and glassy water use a slow one. A strong hook set is needed on bass because their skin is thick. Once you have a good smallmouth on the fly rod expect a long fight. Smallmouth will usually jump when hooked so prepare for it by giving them a little slack. Most smallmouth will spit hooks when they go airborne because clients don’t give them enough slack.
Manning Paul with a solid smallmouth caught on a streamer. We saw this fish chasing minnows in the shallows before targeting it.
Kip with one of her first smallmouth bass on the fly! This one chased down a white marabou streamer.
This was Harry’s first smallmouth on the fly! 16” smallmouth bass.
Leech patterns are great flies that simply catch bass!
Leech pattern in action.
Topwater eats are the best!
Awesome catches from our youth anglers:
Brynn casted, hooked, and landed this smallmouth all by herself!
One of the 11 bass Jack caught on the French Broad this day!
Austin with a nice river smallmouth.
This kid had a blast catching this largemouth on Lake James.
Trout Fishing in July
We managed to get a few trout trips in this month because we had some cooler nights. It’s vital to get your trout fishing in very early because once water temperatures rise then oxygen levels decrease. Catching and landing a trout in water that is above 70 degrees can be fatal. It’s best to bring a thermometer to the water you intend on fishing to make sure the temperature isn’t too hot. All of our trips took place on higher elevation streams where the water tends to stay cooler in the warmer months. It’s important to hook and release fish as fast as possible this time of year as well so you do not stress them out more than they already are.
Parachute Adams always do the trick on wild trout.
Quick picture then a release for this wild rainbow.
Dave picking apart some pocket water with a dry fly.
July is a great month to throw hopper patterns.
Lake James Guided Fishing Trips
Lake James continues to fish well and we are looking forward to finishing out the summer strong. Here are a few pictures from some of our recent trips at the lake.
Lake James Smallmouth.
No better way than to spend a day fishing!
Chris with a nice smallmouth!
My future brother in law with a nice largemouth!
Nice bag from one of our guided fishing trips!
