Western North Carolina, with its pristine waters and aquatic life, is a haven for freshwater fly fishing enthusiasts. From the high elevation mountain creeks to the larger freestone rivers, this region offers a diverse range of environments to explore with a fly rod in hand. In this quick guide, we'll delve into the world of fly fishing in western North Carolina discussing the essential fly patterns and techniques that the guides for The Catawba Angler swear by.
Essential Fly Patterns
Pat’s Rubber Legs
Pat’s Rubber Legs are our most productive stonefly nymphs. It’s a great trout fly, but has brought many smallmouth to the net. This should be a staple in every anglers fly box that fishes western North Carolina. You can catch fish on this nymph year round, but the best times fish it is early fall through late spring.
2. Eggstasy Egg Fly
Egg Flys are super easy to tie and they catch fish. The best colors are orange, pink, and yellow. Any egg pattern is great for catching delayed harvest fish during the winter months. Eggs provide big meals that trout have a hard time passing up.
3. Beadhead Pheasant Tail
Beadhead Pheasant Tails are proven patterns that mimic the mayfly nymphs that inhabit the trout streams of western North Carolina. Unweighted pheasant tails are great swinging flies in the spring. This is a must have fly in every anglers fly box.
4. Perdigon Nymph
Perdigon Nymphs get down quick and are our go to nymphs during low and clear water conditions in the fall and winter. These nymphs in size 14-18 will fool the most educated trout in the river. Any natural color is best for this pattern.
5. Parachute Caddis
Parachute Caddis flies are hands down our favorite dry flies for the caddis hatches on the tailwaters of western North Carolina and East Tennessee in the spring. This is a great fly to use during the spring/summer/fall months on the wild trout streams in North Carolina. This is a very buoyant fly to use when fishing the faster pocket water on the higher elevation streams.
6. Chubby Chernobyl
Chubby Chernobyls are great flies to use for dry dropper setups. These flies can carry weighted nymphs better than any other dry fly pattern. The smaller chubbys in size 14-16 are great dry flies for wild trout streams. Our favorite colors gold, tan, and purple.
7. Kreelex Minnow
The kreelex has slowly become one of our most productive trout streamers. The flash of this streamer is very appealing to a large trout looking for a bigger meal. We fish them during the summer for smallmouth bass.
8. Hares Ear Nymph
The Hares Ear nymph is a classic pattern that should be in your fly box. It’s been a staple in our fly boxes ever since we began fly fishing and has proved itself effective year after year. This is a great dropper fly to use under a chubby chernobyl when mayflies are hatching.
9. Griffiths Gnat
The Griffiths Gnat is our go to dry fly pattern when fish are refusing bigger dry fly offerings. It’s a good one to trailer off a bigger dry like a parachute adams if your eyes aren’t as good as they once was. The gnat works great for picking off fish in the slower, deeper runs or the long flats above riffles.
10. Beadhead Krystal Bugger
The Krystal Bugger is a simplistic streamer pattern that has caught fish all around western North Carolina. It’s similar to the wooly bugger but has a lot more flash. This is a great pattern in white, black, and olive.
These ten flies have been effective for us on the trout streams of western North Carolina because they mimic the insects and baitfish that the fish prey on. If you are looking for more information on certain sizes that work best feel free to reach out to us because we are here to help. See you on the water with a couple of these flies on hand! Thanks for reading!
