Trout Fishing the Swannanoa River near Asheville.
The Swannanoa River is roughly 25 miles long and is one of the largest tributaries to the French Broad River. It’s headwaters originate in Black Mountain, NC, then it flows west through the Swannanoa Valley and then eventually into Asheville. The Swannanoa River’s water quality has improved tremendously over the last ten years due to stream restoration and storm water best managements practices being implemented by RiverLink.
Near the rivers headwaters you get the typical mountain stream feel and this is where you will find the majority of the trout. Flat Creek and BeeTree Creek are two cold water tributaries which helps keep the river cool enough in the summertime to house wild rainbow trout.
Near the headwaters of the Swannanoa River.
Every once in awhile you will catch a stocked trout in the headwater of the river. Most of these fish head upstream from the Hatchery Supported section in Black Mountain looking for the colder water.
Stocked Brook Trout caught in the Swannanoa River.
The Swannanoa River is full of creek chubs, knotty heads, and crawfish which serves as forage for the bigger fish like the trout, sunperch, and even smallmouth bass in the lower stretch in Asheville. The wild trout that are in the Swannanoa River are opportunistic and will hit any fly that looks buggy. (Parachute Adams, Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl)
Wild Rainbow caught on a Chubby Chernobyl.
Most of the wild trout in the Swannanoa never exceed 8 inches.
The Swannanoa River is a cool fishery to explore. It’s got plenty of opportunities for the beginner and advanced angler. When I was researching the river I was hesitant to fish it because of its bad rap, but I’m glad I didn’t stop there. Go explore it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
