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Fishing ReportFilterWhat they were hitting onFilter
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Stone Mountain afternoonUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/20/2013Roaring
After all the rain Friday, I spent the afternoon Saturday at Stone Mountain Park catchin' on the Roaring River.  There was a little cloudiness in the deeper pools where you couldn't see the bottom but, the water wasn't bad.  For a stream that's had 2 stockings already I didn't find huge numbers of fish but, still managed a decent number of catches during the 6 hours I was there.
Sucessful patterns were a bead head pheasant tail, roe egg, and black or mottled brown girddle bug.
Paul Scheponik
Grand Slam at South Mountain State ParkUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/16/2013Jacob Fork
I had never fished at SMSP before, which is surprising since I was raised in Morganton.  I caught a few brooks on wet flies, then a brown on a dry, and went after a trifecta, the rainbow, with what else, but a Rainbow Warrior.  Wham! Grand Slam....Thank you, Ma'am!  What a beautiful and rewarding day!
Princes, Black and Olive Wooly Buggers, Elk Hair Caddis, Rainbow Warrior, Chartreuse Salmon Egg Pattern.
Jayne Sommer
N. WilkesboroUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/9/2013Reddies River
If you're up for a challenge, there are plenty of brookies in Reddies River in the DH section in N. Wilkesboro.  However; it is quite difficult to get to "the honey hole" where they were most prevalent.  The current was strong, and the rocks were quite slippery. 
Princes, Copper Jaynes, Egg Droppers.
Jayne Sommer
Mitchell on MLK DayUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/21/2013Mitchell
I went out to the Mitchell on MLK Day, and I sure had a lot of company there!  I had a nice converation with a guy fishing with a Tenkara.  The day was about 50 degrees and sunny, and the water was icy cold.  After the snow and rainstorms, the fish were not in the usual places, and were not very cooperative.  It wasn't until 4pm that I tried fishing right in front of the parking lot and in a few minutes pulled out 12 fish, one right after the other.
Rainbow Warrior #16, Copper John #16, and egg pattern. 
David Richards
Attachment
Wilson repeat!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/20/2013Wilson
Wilson Creek is still running a little high after all the rain this past week but, the water is very clear.  Fished a 4x Flouro leader with 5x Flouro tippet for droppers.  Didn't catch as many a a couple weeks ago but, still a good afternoon and very few others fishing there.
Caught most on a Rainbow Warrior or Egan's Frenchie but, had a few on a olive/rust girdle bug and a black RS2 also.
Paul Scheponik
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Wilson Fishing Great!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/28/2012Wilson
The water was gin clear and there were plenty of hungry fish.  Fished from Noon to 5 and caught well into double digits of fish.  Clarity of the water called for Flouro leaders/tippet.  Used a 9ft 5x leader and 6x tippet to the RS2.  Caught fish all afternoon on all 3 patterns.  Best fish of the day was a beautiful 18" Rainbow.  Photo is a little blured but, what do you expect with fish in one hand, camera in the other! :-)
Fished all afternoon with the same light olive/rust girdle bug, dropping a size 16 Egan's Frenchie and a size 20 black RS2 below that.
Paul Scheponik
A Mitchell afternoon.Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/27/2012Mitchell
Found the fish willing and hungry for the afternoon.  Not in some of the usual holes/runs but, they're there.  Fished all afternoon and only saw 2 other fisherman (and a NC Wildlife officer).
Caught the majority of fish on a Thin Mint Bugger.  Egan's Frenchie caught the rest.  Surprise!  Not one fish on an egg. 
Paul Scheponik
Beautiful day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/26/2012Mitchell
Fished with my new son-in-law, Mike, on the Mitchel.  Fished from 9am until it got too dark to see... literally fishing under the full moon.  Fished up after the end of the gravel road, and ran into a lot of fish but not very many other people.   What a beautiful fall day.
copper john, barr emerger, Y2K, WD40, and dark hendrickson dry flies. 
David Richards
After Thanksgiving on the West Fork of the PidgeonUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/24/2012W. Fork of the Pidgeon
On the Saturday after Turkey Day did a day of fishing on the West Fork of the Pidgeon, under the rusty steel bridge, with my daughter and son-in-law.  There were hundreds of fish just laying in the crystal clear water.   Each of us caught fish, and just about froze our toes with the cold water.  Beautiful clear day!
copper johns, bar emergers
David Richards
Beautiful fall day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/3/2012Mitchell
I arrived around noon and fished until it was too dark to thread a fly.  Beautiful sunny fall weather.  The water was as low as I've ever seen it, and fish were hanging out in the deep pools.  The Mitchell was stocked on Nov 1st, so lots of fish.  Mostly hitting nymphs and egg patterns, but when they started rising I caught a few on dry flies.  I netted a total of about 20 fish or so, and lots of "long distance releases" of fish I had on but due to my excitement either broke off or came off.   I also caught several trees and a particularly stealthy submerged log.
Copper John size 16, Y2K egg pattern size 12, Barr emerger size 18, Adams Dry size 14!
David Richards
My Way of Chillin'Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
6/30/2012Mitchell
Temperatures in Winston reaching 100+ can quickly make a mountain stream call my name.  Wet wading in the summer time is such a relief! Today I caught 9 fish, including one on the very first cast.  A few minutes later, I caught two at a time.  I saved the last one for dessert: caught a beautiful 22 inch rainbow.  As I rode into Devotion's 2,300 acres and crossed the Mitchell River a few times, I said out loud, "The water is so clear, I think they might be hitting dry flies today."  But I already had my rod rigged with wet flies, and I fished those successfully most of the day until the end. 
The fish were hitting rainbow warriors, princes, and particularly liked no. 18-20 "Copper Jaynes".  On the way out of the estate, I stopped and fished under a bridge in a deep pool after switching to dry flies: a sulpher and a no. 18 Royal Wulff.  Wham!  It seemed surreal when a 22 inch rainbow immediately hit the Wulff and took it down.  Good fight!  And I was particularly pleased with such a nice fish hooked on a dry fly.  It had been awhile since I even used them.
Jayne Sommer
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Floatin' on the WataugaUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
5/12/2012Watauga (TN)
Allie and I ventured to the Watauga for a full day float with Silverbow Anglers.  Stayed at Meredithvalleycabins.com Friday night.  Very nice, clean fully equiped cabins (3) right on the Watauga River bank in Elizabethton, TN. Adam Vurnakes of Silverbow Anglers picked us up at the cabin at a bright and early 7:30 AM on Saturday and we were off to the river put-in.  Adam was equiped with a great drift boat that had stands fore and aft of the type that allows you to brace/lock your legs while standing.  He came fully equiped with rods, flies, everything we might need although I used my own rod for right hand retrieve.
Once on the river, we didn't see the hatch activity we had hoped and after a couple hours we switched to nymphing. 
Adam is the first guide I've done a trip with that actually cooked a hot riverside lunch for us.  Usually, it's a sandwich or sub but, not this day.
We both had great days catching lots of redish Rainbows and a few yellow bottom Browns including the catch of the day (photo attached).
I recommend Silverbow Anglers (Adam Vurnakes) to anyone looking for a float trip on the Watauga, SOuth Holston, or Nolichucky (for smallmouth).  His rates are lower than many but, the service is first class.
Caddis dry patterns, (forget the name but,) a nymph pattern resembling a pheasant tail, San Juan worm, and, of course, I had to get my "Frenchie" involved.
Paul Scheponik
Ararat Stream CleanUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/21/2012Ararat
Hit the water for a couple hours after pickin' garbage (stream clean) and had moderate success.  Caught one really nice Brookie at the rafting launch area right near the Nature Area parking we worked the stream clean from.
The big Brookie was on Egan's Frenchie as were a number of others along with catches on a Roe colored egg pattern and my Olive/Rust Girdle Bug.
Paul Scheponik
Ararat Stream CleanUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/21/2012Ararat
Hit the water after the stream clean as well.  Caught a several fat rainbows and a couple of brookes.  Fishing was ok, but a little slow.  Fishing right off the bottom seemed to work the best for me,
I was running a Prince and either a orange or green egg pattern.  It was split on which fly they took. 
Martin Boggess
Balsam Lodge WeekendUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/14/2012West Fork of the Pigeon River
Great weekend for the spring 2012 Balsam Lodge trip.  14 people showed up for the three day fishing, eating, and drinking marathon!  Warm weather and cooperative fish.  Even the Tuck was fishing well!  Lots of great fish stories will come out of this!   
Copper Johns, Egg Patterns, Elk Hair Caddis, and just about everything else.
David Richards
Trifecta + on the AraratUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/1/2012Ararat
Got the trifecta on the Ararat Sunday morning thanks to a smaller Brown after a number of 'bows and Brookies.  The water was quite stained but, not so bad you couldn't wade. The + was the homo sapien stupidous power baitus that I had to report to NC Wildlife. When they see you looking and quickly try to hide the jar, they know they're doing something wrong! THe NC Wildlife officer's biggest concern is that people don't call when they see violations.  I did!
Continued success with Egan's Frenchie and a few on Roe eggs and olive/rust girdle bugs.
Paul Scheponik
Thunderous day on Wilson CreekUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/20/2012Wilson
My Son and I went to Wilson Creek for the afternoon. There was a surprising number of people there for a weekday until the thunderstorms popped up. After the storms we pretty much had the place to ourselves.  Caught lots of 'bows and Brookies, no Browns.
Continued success with Egan's Frenchie, Roe egg patterns and olive/rust girdle bugs.
Paul Scheponik
egg-tastic day on the AraratUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/14/2012Ararat
Went back to the Ararat after work again.  Yesterday was a "Frenchie" day but, today was an "egg" day.  Did better today in less time than yesterday.  Had 2 different fat 17" Rainbows in addition to lots of 10-14" 'bows and Brookies but, no Browns.  Not much competition for the river either.  There was one or two other fishermen on the river but, this river is under-utilized.  It's close, easy to wade/fish, and stocked well. 
Eggs and Flashback Pheasant Tails ruled the day (evening 5:30-7:30) with a couple fish on a olive/rust girdle bug.
Paul Scheponik
Evening delight on the AraratUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/13/2012Ararat
Drove up to Mt. Airy after work last night to fish the DH section of the Ararat.  It was warm and the fish were willing.  Parked at Riverside Park and fished downstream for about 1 mile.  Lots of 10 to 14" 'bows and Brookies.
Continued success with Egan's Frenchie and a few on girdle bugs and eggs.
Paul Scheponik
Flurries and Fish on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/4/2012Mitchell
Hit the Mitchell after church today.  It was windy, falling temps and later in the afternoon it started snowing (flurries) but, the fish were willing. Like the previous day's report I also managed the triple play.  Saw the Pig of Pigs in one hole but, couldn't get him to take a bite.
My pattern of the day was Egan's Frenchie.  Caught a few on an egg pattern and one on a girdle bug but it was the Frenchie that got most of the action.
Paul Scheponik
Triple Grand Slams on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/2/2012Mitchell
Fished with two friends.  All three of us obtained the "Holy Trinity of Trout Fishing":  Beautiful FAT browns, rainbows with purple and gold hues, and big brookies that made us proud.  Usually I say we were wearing them out.  But they were wearing US out, quite often with cast-catch-cast-catch rhthym.
I still needed a brown, and one of my friends needed a brookie to complete our Grand Slam contest...and we both succeeded within one minute of each other.  It was very exciting, indeed!  
We all 3 caught double digits, and I don't think I caught anything less than 13 inches. 
It was mostly overcast, spitting rain a little while.  The storms that were forecast did not materialize save for one blip of lightening and one distant roar of thunder while we were taking a lunch break by the vehicles.  Temps were cool but not unbearable with proper attire....and a flask full of Captain Morgan! 
Note to self:  Buy a bigger net!!!!!!
Autumn Mists, White Wooley Boogers, Chartreuse Salmon Eggs.  Stripped them like spinners...they still liked my dropped eggs better than anything else I tied on. 
Jayne Sommer
Attachment
20 something day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
2/18/2012Mitchell
It's hard to believe the Mitchell is still fishing so well in mid-February when it hasn't been stocked since November but, today was a '20 something' day.  Caught 24 trout including two 20" 'pigs' that put up a pretty good fight.  Stocking is less than 2 weeks away.  The catchin' will only get better!
Like last time I led off with a olive/brown variegated girdle bug, followed with a roe egg and a dropper below the egg.  Started with a Rainbow Warrior below the egg but tried a black bead head Egan's Frenchie a little later that seemed to work better.  The Frenchie is a pattern I observed the Pros using in Cherokee last year during the Fly Fishing Championship.  It's in the Spring 2012 edition of Fly Tyer magazine right now too!
Paul Scheponik
'Buggy" day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/28/2012Mitchell
Ventured over to the Mitchell Saturday.  First person I saw was our past President, Dave.  We pretty much had the river to ourselves all day.  I saw one other vehicle parked there but, never saw it's owner except when he drove by on his way out.
The river was a little high and had just enough stain to allow using a 4x leader in the deeper holes where you could not see the bottom.
Fished from 11:30 to about 4:30 and landed over 20 fish.  Not bad for the end of January!
Fished a triple rig with a Girdle Bug as the lead pattern followed by an egg and a Rainbow Warrior on the end.  I caught fish on all 3 patterns but, it was the Girdle Bug that really got hammered the most.  The fish were agressively hitting the Girdle Bug as I drifted it through faster riffles or along the edge of faster water.  What fun!
Paul Scheponik
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Rainy Day on the AraratUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/6/2011Ararat
Went to the Ararat with rain and rising water expected with the hope that I could tempt a real lunker with lower light and slightly dingy water. I had caught a couple of 18” rainbows on earlier trips to the Ararat and they put up a respectable fight but it was clear that they were newly stocked and didn’t have the shoulders of a acclimated fish. Started fishing around 7am and water flow was 260 and slightly dingy and caught fish in most pools with small stuff copper johns, rainbow warriors etc rather than the pink sj worm that the newly stocked fish go for. It rained most of the morning and with water levels increasing the fish started showing a preference to the pink SJ worm as long as I had enough weight to overcome the current. I did manage to temp one of the largest rainbows (+20”) of my fishing career into biting that had developed enough shoulders to give me a real battle in the rising water. I continued catch fish until 2pm until the turbidly was an issue. Water flow at 200 pm was around 285cfs but it eventually peaked at 8000cfs. Pictures and links to USGS flow for Ararat are on our facebook page.
copper johns & rainbow warriors early then pink SJ as turbity increased
Scott Larsen
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Toe-rifficUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/25/2011North Toe (Spruce Pine, NC)
Fished the North Toe in Spruce Pine Friday.  The river was in great shape, had great weather and found lots of willing fish to catch. If you looking to catch a bunch, go here. 
Fish were hitting just about anything presented well.  Girdle bugs, egg patterns, Barr Emerger, Rainbow Warrior, Pheasant Tails,...
Paul Scheponik
Mitchell Improved!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/6/2011Mitchell
Fished the Mitchell River for the first time this Fall.  I surprised to see a number of stream improvements have been made since Spring.  Similar to what was done on the Ararat in Mt. Airy, a number of new runs and weirs have been constructed starting near the rental house that have converted what used to be shallow flat water into nice runs and pools.  They were also full of trout from the stocking earlier in the week.  If you haven't been to the Mitchell recently you need to check it out!
As with anytime just after stocking they were hitting most anything thrown at them.  I had plenty of success with eggs, Barr Emergers, Girdle bugs, etc.
Paul Scheponik
Cold & Wet on the HelltonUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/28/2011Helton Crk
Went up to and fished Helton Creek the Friday before the Old Fields stream restoration. As predicted it rained most of the day and air temps dropped from the 40s to the 30’s. I was hoping that the low light and rising off color water would induce the larger fish to bite but that was not the case for me. I caught plenty of fish including a gorgeous 14” Brown with most of the fish I caught concentrated in the major pools. I had no luck in the tough to fish “sanctuaries” that I had success finding the bigger fish last year.
Pink san juan worms and blue copper johns
Scott Larsen
Ararat IIUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/15/2011Ararat
My Son and I took 2 of his children to the Ararat Saturday.  They both caught 4-5 trout (with a little help) and my Son and I did a little better.  Nothing real big but, found a few holes loaded with fish and not another soul besides us on the river!
The usual fare of Barr Emergers, egg patterns, and green/brown girddle bugs
Paul Scheponik
Curtis CreekUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/14/2011Curtis Creek, Old Fort NC
Lot's of fish in Curtis Creek. Only fished for a couple of hours but caught about 6 nice fish.  It was stocked a few days earlier.
Copper Johns
David Richards
Ararat tryout,...Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/9/2011Ararat River
Went up to Mt Airy SUnday to check out the new DH section of the Ararat River.  Found my way to the lower end of the Greenway/Park (Riverside?) and discovered several other TU license plates parked there.Didn't take long to find M & M (Mikes) and explored the river a little.  While the DH section is supposed to go all the way down to Rt 52 I did not find much happening downstream from the park after a few hundred yards.  That section below the park becomes kinda trashy and didn't catch anything but a sunfish.  Going up from the park there were some decent runs and managed to catch two dozen fish even though I didn't start until 1 PM.  The water seemed rather low and the bottom is very silty.  I wouldn't rate the Ararat as good as the Mitchell River or Stone Mountain but, it's a little closer and easy to access. I still need to check out the upper section above Main St. to the other park (Arrington?).
While I caught a couple on a green/brown girddle bug and a few on an egg pattern the Barr Emerger was the hot ticket.
Paul Scheponik
Couple of days at Springmaid Mountain near Sprce PineUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/8/2011N Toe
My wife and I spent a couple of days at Springmaid Mountain Resort (828-765-2353) near Spruce Pine using the time that they donated to our chapter to support cold water conservation for purchase for our banquet. She enjoyed the view and rocking chairs overlooking the nearby pond as well as the new furnishings which included a very comfy sofa while I liked the easy access to the N Toe. There where plenty of fish in the Park downtown but I particularly enjoyed the serenity of a section on the road to the water plant were I fished for a couple of hours on Sat morning, caught plenty of fish including a 18” rainbow and didn’t see a single other fisherman on the water. See our facebook page for pictures.
Pink San Juan worms and black Woolly Burger
Scott Larsen
Biking and fishing on the AraratUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
9/2/2011Ararat
The Ararat River, in Mount Airy, has been undergoing extensive restoration work in the past 2 years.  I decided to go for a bike ride along the Ararat River Greenway.  I rode one end of the greenway, Arrington Park, to the other end, at Riverside park (about 2.3 miles).  The greenway bike path was in perfect, and follows the Ararat River.  It has a lot of great looking fishing spots, all along the way.  After riding I tried my luck fishing in a couple of deep runs and caught 10 redbrest sunfish in just a few minutes.  This run will be Delayed Harvest in a month!!!~
Copper Johns and Y2K egg patterns
David Richards
Day at Stone Mtn and Basin CreekUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
8/21/2011Roaring
I went yesterday to Stone Mountain and Basin Creek.  I had pretty good luck at Stone Mountain on the Roaring River. Practically had the whole place to myself.  Someone told me that they stocked it two weeks ago.  I caught several nice trout and several suckers and one perch.  Then I went to Basin Creek and only caught little shiners although I spooked some nice brookies.
Y2K, copper johns, and rainbow warriors.  They ignored any dry fly.
David Richards
Attachment
The Palominos are back (Cherokee)!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
5/21/2011Raven's Fork, Cherokee
Fished Raven's Fork in Cherokee this weekend (working around the US National Fly Fishing Championship).  The Palomino Trout have been stocked again!  They are not as large as the ones that were stocked over a year ago but, They've got a fair number of them in the stream.  Perhaps they waited for the US National Fly Fishing Championship  that was held there this weekend to stock them again.  In any case, got me one!  It was a smaller one but, I got one.
Rainbow warriors were the best pattern. 
Ever wonder what the "pros" use?  See the attached photo.  I got to observe several of the Championship competitors.  What I observed was long leaders, short casts, large landing nets, flyline never hit the water only the leader, no strike indicators, barbless hooks, and nothing but NYMPHING! 
Winning was based on total inches (or cm) of fish caught.  They would rather catch 3 average fish than one large fish since landing the large one took too long.  They had 3 hours on their "beat" to catch as many fish as possible.
I actually retrieved a couple of their flies (the attached photo) when I pulled up one of their broke off lines late Sunday. I had seen one of the competitors fly boxes when he showed me what he was using.  Tied one on and I'll say this, they work!
Paul Scheponik
Good Friday on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/22/2011Mitchell
Last Friday was Good Friday, and I took off to the Mitchell.  It rained mostly, and was chilly, but the fish were active enough and it wasn't as crowded as I expected, probably because of the drizzely conditions.  I caught about 18 or 20 fish on nymphs, egg patterns, and elk hair caddis dry flies.  Water was very high and slightly cloudy.
Y2K, Rainbow Warrior, Elk Hair Caddis, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear
David Richards
High water in HeltonUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/16/2011Helton Creek
River up (S fork of new near Jefferson peaked at 6.8cfs vs normal of 4.8) and slightly dingy and mostly cloudy all day.  Most of fish in deep pools with the best fish coming out of deep areas that were tough to make good presentations to ie under low bridges, near trees, etc. High flows required a lot of weight which resulted in hang ups and loss of tackle/ frequent retying.  Hitting Y2ks, red copper johns, pink sj worms.
Y2ks, red copper johns, pink sj worms.
Scott Larsen
Boone report.Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/12/2011Watauga River
Traveled to the Watauga DH section in Boone with Mike White.  It was fairly clear unlike many of the DH streams after all the heavy rain this week.  Had another Grand Slam indicating NC Wildlife has stocked a good mix of species this month.  Some of the deeper holes close to the road were a little crowded earlier in the day but, but late afternoon most had departed leaving the river open for us. 
Get out and do some 'catchin'.
Rainbow Warriors, eggs, blue Pickpockets fished deep in deep holes.
Paul Scheponik
Wilson & N. Toe blowed out but,...Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/8/2011Cane Creek (Delayed Harvest)
Traveled to the N. Toe Tuesday bypassing Wilson on River's Edge advice that it was over the bridges from Sunday's rain.  The N. Toe in Spruce Pine wasn't very good either with the water high, fast, not brown but, very off color and full of silt and debris.  Drove up the road a little to Bakersville and the Cane Creek DH section.  The water was off color a little but very fishable and uncrowded.  For the third outting in a row had a Grand Slam.   
Rainbow Warriors, eggs, and Thin Mint buggers ruled the day.
Paul Scheponik
Attachment
Wilson SlamUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/4/2011Wilson
Allie and I ventured to Wilson Creek on Friday.  It had been stocked but, fish were spotty throughout the stream.  Some holes were full of fish while others that typically have a lot of fish after stocking only had a few.  I guess they didn't distribute them very well this time.
We had a good day with a number of fish hitting dry flies, nymphs and even a streamer.  For the second time in a week I caught a Grand Slam (Brookie, Brown, & Rainbow).
Caught fish on a variety of patterns including Rainbow Warriors, Barr Emerger, egg, olive Slump Buster, and a dry pattern from Great Outdoor Provision Co. (can't recall the name) with a red body, tan foam, and brown hackle. 
Paul Scheponik
Attachment
Mitchell Grand SlamUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/1/2011Mitchell
The Mitchell is well stocked! I helped with the stocking today and witnessed first hand many nice sized trout coming out of the truck and going into the river. They are well distributed throughout the river too. Fish were put in from the dam to beyond the last gate at the end of the gravel road. (See photo of us transferring fish to a smaller tank in a pickup for going above the last gate). After putting fish in, I tried my hand at taking some out for a closer examination. Fishing from about 2PM until almost dark I had 36 that cooperated including the grand slam of trout fishing (Rainbow, Brown, Brookie), a nice 20" Rainbow, and one heck of a football shaped Brookie (photo attached). The Brookie wasn't real long but, he was almost as thick as he was long with a big ol' hook jaw! Great fish! Enjoy!
Rainbow Warriors in size 18-20 ruled today. Caught some on eggs too.
Paul Scheponik
Forget Stone Mtn until MarchUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
2/6/2011Roaring
Ventured to Stone Mountain State Park today.  The water was low, clear, and devoid of any trout! All the deeper holes that usually hold trout were empty.  I even walked up Bullhead to see if there were any fish there.  NADA, nothing!  Don't waste your time until it's stocked the beginning of March.
Nothing.  Nothing there to hit anything!
Paul Scheponik
Mitchell still has a few fish.Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
2/6/2011Mitchell
After seeing nothing at Stone Mountain I drove over to the Mitchell.  There's still a few fish there if you can find them.
Small #20 Rainbow Warriors and egg patterns.
Paul Scheponik
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Cherokee is fishin' well!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/29/2011Raven's Fork
Cherokee may be a little distant to call 'local' waters but, it's with 3 hours for most of us.  If you want to catch some really big trout it's worth the drive. My Son and I fished the trophy section on Raven's Fork saturday both of us caught new personal record fish.  My Son landed a 23" Rainbow for his best ever and late in the afternnon I landed a 26"er (photo attached). They increased the annual fee for fishing the trophy section from $20 to $75 in December 2010 and added a 3-day permit at $25 for those who don't get here very often but, it's still a bargain compared to the fees on some private waters. (There is also the $7 daily fee in addition to the annual trophy section permit).
Best pattern was a Rainbow Warrior.  Also caught fish on a black/white girddle bug, egg, blue Pickpocket.
Paul Scheponik
SLOWWWW day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/5/2011Mitchell
Mitchell river was low, cold and the clearest I have ever seen it.  Fished until midafternoon with only one decent bite and talked to 6 other fishermen who were having similar luck.  Decided to fish one last big SLOWWW pool before I left and found if I SLOWWWLY (just this side of glacial speed) drifted a #20 beaded hares ear on a 7X tippet through the deepest and SLOWWWEST section I could get them to bite. Bites were very light and although I hooked at least 20 I only brought 6 to the bank with one of them in the 15 to 18” range.
#20 beaded hares ear
Scott Larsen
Ch-ch-chero-keeeee Brrrrrr!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/30/2010Raven's Fork - Cherokee, NC
Allie and I ventured to Cherokee for some "Trophy" trout.  The weather forecast was for mid 40's Thursday and 50's on Friday.  What we experienced was Thursday never got above 38 and it was only 41 when we called it a day at 3PM on Friday.  Saw plently of big trout in Raven's Fork but in 30ish degree water they were difficult to catch. 
Blue Pickpocket, Thin Mint Bugger, egg, Barr Emerger
Paul Scheponik
Stone Mtn saturday.Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/11/2010Roaring
East Fork of the Roaring River in Stone Mountain State park still has trout!  The water is low and gin clear but, free of any ice.  Water temps are down there (around 40 degrees).  The trout are mainly in typical winter holding laying on the bottom in the deeper holes.  The takes are very light.  6x Flouro tippet is the ticket here.  There's a few "Pigs" laying in there if you can get them to take!
Had the most success with eggs but, they also took some small emerger/midge patterns.  No one pattern stood out.  I think it's more about presentation than a specific pattern.
Paul Scheponik
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Spruce Pine iced up but,Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/9/2010North Toe @ Spruce Pine
Got to fish Spruce Pine for a couple hours but, the going was a little difficult.  The river is iced up quite a bit.  In some places the ice is over 1" thick.  However, where you can find open water the fish are there.
Rainbow Warrior, egg, Thin Mint Bugger
Paul Scheponik
Black Friday trout on Wilson!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/26/2010Wilson
William and I went to Wilson Creek today.  No lines (of people) or crowded stores here, just a low clear stream, almost no other fishermen, and trout.  The fish were spread out pretty well. I caught fish in the deep holes but also found a fair number hiding in smaller runs and shallow riffles.
I caught over 30 using a black and white girdle bug, egg, Rainbow Warrior, and, of course, my Barr Emerger.
Paul Scheponik
Two more Days on the Toe & WCUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/11/2010Toe & Wilson creek
After fishing several hours in the morning on the Toe I hooked up with Peter and we went down town & got a great lunch at DT’s Blue Ridge Java….Peter got a hot dog and I tried to get it with flies (see Spruce Pine video) but they were out. We also went over to Rivers Edge Outfitters to get some fishing tips and talk with them about our banquet.   After lunch we went exploring the waters near the waste treatment plant.  In the week since the stocking the fish had transitioned from pink SJW to more normal fare.  We caught plenty of fish including one 18” rainbow on a black WB but most of the fish were caught on really small stuff like bars emerger, with a few on beaded pheasant tail, & blue pickpockets.  Peter had to go home but I stayed and had great dinner at BamBQue and spent the night at the Spruce Pine Motel.  I spent the next challenging day on Wilson Creek. It was a good thing that Peter had given me his winning combination of a beaded PT and a bars emerger because that is all I caught fish on in WC. Water was low and very clear and it was tempting to think the fish had been caught out but I saw several large schools of fish that I and several other anglers found very challenging to tempt into hitting our flies
most of the fish were caught on really small stuff like bars emerger, rainbow warrior, with a few on beaded pheasant tail, & blue pickpockets.
Scott Larsen
Blustery Day on the N. ToeUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/6/2010North Toe
Traveled to Spruce Pine today.  The temps seemed to fall all day.  The wind picked up during the afternoon and it snowed on Mike, William, and I but, we caught lots of trout!  The North Toe was low and clear but, the stocking earlier this week has the river full of trout.  The 30 something temps didn't deter us from having a good day.
Salmon colored egg patterns, Barr Emerger, brown/black speckled girdle bugs, green pickpockets and some kinda "fluff" BW emeger that Mike tied.
Paul Scheponik
Two days of Hog Heaven on the Toe and Wilson CrUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/2/2010Toe & Wilson Cr
Spent two days in hog heaven at Spruce Pine and Wilson Creek.  During my first day on the Toe the stocking truck showed up so I got to help put a thousand fish by the park and saw them back the truck in the river to dump in the rest just below the park.  I wasn’t having much luck on the freshly stocked fish so I went down by the water treatment plant and found a pool that was tough to access and even tougher to fish but had plenty of willing fish. Spent the second day on Wilson Creek and fished 12 runs trying to cover a lot ground to ID some potential future spots. Caught fish in all of them but the last when I got hung up in a tree and decided to go home rather than retie. Maybe it was just timing but the fish seemed to be more spread out on Wilson Creek than the Toe. Ended up with a totally insane number of fish with 3 fish around 18” and 2 around 16” and am still having visions of Wilson creek trout dancing in my head.  Caught virtually all the fish on a pink SJW as a dropper on a heavily weighted wooly bugger but other folks were catching them on stuff like Y2ks and the like.  Please consider mashing the barb on your hooks (the fish are easier to release) and stressing the fish as little as possible so more folks can enjoy this amazing resource.
pink SJW as a dropper on a heavily weighted wooly bugger but other folks were catching them on stuff like Y2ks and the like.
Scott Larsen
Rainy day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/20/2010Mitchell
 I took the advice of our speaker at our last TU meeting Jim Brady and went fishing in the rain on 10/21.  I was hopping that the rising water (went from 65 to 75 cfs) and a black wooly booger would trigger some of the larger fish but that didn’t happen for me ….the biggest was a rainbow in the 16” range but I did catch plenty of fish consistently in all the areas I fished and although the water clouded up a little it didn’t seem to impact the fishing.  They seemed to be in the larger pools typically in runs next to some sort of rock structure with most hitting pink San Juan Worms and red copper johns.
Pink San Juan Worms and red copper johns.
Scott Larsen
Two days of Spruce Pine HeavenUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/12/2010Toe
Spent 2 days exploring the Spruce Pine (SP) area with my wife and fishing DH section of the Toe in SP. Foliage was gorgeous.  Water was low and clear and most of the fish were concentrated in the City Park and hitting pink San Juan worms.  Caught plenty of fish including two 18 rainbows. Found a great BBQ Joint (Bama Que) & a wonderful Bed & breakfast called the Richmond Inn with very reasonable rates (would you believe $70- $90/night) that we both loved in SP that is rated three diamonds by AAA.  http://richmondinn.us/
pink San Juan worms
Scott Larsen
1st trip of DH SeasonUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/9/2010Mitchell
Caught 36 and lost at least that many.  Nothing real big, a few ~16" Brookies.  Fish were bunched up and almost exclusively in slow water.  Strikes were very light requiring a Zen-like concentration to detect.  Small strips to move the flies seemed to trigger more strikes.  Fish hit all flies about equally.
W Cone Bugger (Olive), Egg and WD40 (of course)
Peter B Lloyd
Hiked the Yadkin for Small MouthUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
9/23/2010Yadkin
Water in the Yadkin was low and clear so I headed out for my first expedition to the Pilot Mount State park access area for small mouth.  From a connection I made at our last TU meeting I decided to access the river from the east side and found a trail that provides reasonable access for a good long section of the river.  I ended up with 6 SM bass, two of which were 12” with one 14” fish but they were all surprisingly strong fish and that loved to jump.  They were biting grubs & 4” worms in silver flake, black, & chartreuse in pockets between rapids. I had to cover a lot of water which meant a serious amount of very challenging wading so if you go wait until the river is low and clear, bring a wading staff and come prepared for a strenuous work out.
grubs & 4” worms in silver flake, black, & chartreuse
Scott Larsen
Smallmouth Fishing on the New River in VAUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
8/13/2010New River
I went on a great float trip on the New River in Virginia with Sam Wauford.  This is a trip that I won at auction at our conservation banquet.  It was fantastic!   Caught 26 fish, including 16, 17, and 18 inchers.   Smallmouth and Red-Eyes.  The water was great, not very many other people.  Sam has a great boat and fantastic gear - he provided everything even the cookies.
Boogle Bug Poppers
David Richards
Stocked?Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
7/10/2010Wilson
I saw on the Wildlife Commission site that Wilson creek was stocked (with trout) this past week.  So, I thought I'd give it a shot and fished the DH water.  I caught one small smallmouth, about a dozen bream/redbreast/blugills, one un-named species with a red and a black strip on it's side near the gills, almost caught a few swimmers/tubers, had two turkeys (gobble gobble) run by AND one 21" Rainbow!  I'm not sure if he was a recent stocker from this week or a stragling holdover from earlier this year.  If they stocked this past week either they're all bait fished out or they just weren't liking the 75 degree murky water.   I guess the 21 incher made it all worth while.
Everything but the trout hit on a foam hopper pattern that was doubling as a strike indicator.  The Rainbow was on a blue pickpocket.  Several of the bream also hit the pickpocket and a Barr Emerger.  The swimmers and tubers can be caught on anything but, except for the blonde in the blue bikini, I'd throw them all back :-) !
Paul Scheponik
Deep holesUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
7/3/2010Smith
Fished the Smith River in Virginia last Saturday.  I didn't see another soul on the river all day.  Parked at the Pizza shop and fished around the furniture factory to the Rt 666 bridge at the tail end of the special regulation area.  There's one really deep hole just upstream from the pizza shop where the river makes a left turn (right turn if you're facing upstream).  Nymphing on the bottom there was productive.  Caught 10 in that hole in the 10-14" range. Had a couple more on a dry caddis pattern.
Moorish's blue pickpocket was the ticket fished as a dropper behind a weighted bugger to get it on the bottom.  The caddis pattern I used was an olive foam caddis.
Paul Scheponik
Rocky Fork - Beautiful place for wild trout conservationUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
6/25/2010Rocky Fork TN
I went out to the Rocky Fork area of Tennessee with a group from Trout Unlimited people from NC and TN to tour the 10,000 acres of wilderness that we are interested in protecting.  After driving 2 hours on a private rough "road" in 4X4's and enjoying the spectacular views, did some fishing for the wild brookies and rainbows.   Caught 10 fish.  Check out http://www.tu.org/rockyfork
Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Coachman, size 12 and 14
David Richards
Attachment
Last shot on Wilson before DH endsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
5/31/2010Wilson
Fished Wilson Creek on Memorial Day trying to get one last day in before delayed harvest end.  There was a steady light rain until mid afternoon.  The water clouded up around Noon.  From starting time around 10 AM until 5:00 or so I landed 13 fish including a couple 16" fish and a 20"er.  They were all Rainbows. 
A little after 5:00 the rain had quit for an hour or two, the water cleared and I waded around a bend in the river just below the old mill site to where there is a straight stretch of fairly flat shallow water that steps up several times before coming to a fairly deep hole.  It was like someone flipped a switch.  For the next hour or so until I quit for the day at 7:00PM the stream came alive with one Brookie after another.  In the last hour or so I landed 17 Brookies including a nice 18"er.
Black and Olive Buggers, blue PickPockets, and small (#22-24) Rainbow Warriors.
Paul Scheponik
Mitchell and Stone Mountain - good day, too hotUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
5/15/2010Mitchell
Went to the Mitchell in the morning and Stone Mountain (East Fork of the Roaring River) in the afternoon.  Hardly anyone fishing at either place.  Caught several on the Mitchell on copper johns and Y2Ks, and five at Stone Mountain.  Caught one big rainbow laying in a deep pool, on the first cast, with a new pattern, the Eggi Juan Kenobi (Google it).  Caught 4 near the footbridge on a Light Hendrickson dry fly. A bit murky water because of the recent rain.  It was a very hot day, very humid.
Copper John, Y2K, Eggi Juan Kenobi, light Hendrickson dry fly
David Richards
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"Stimulating" day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/24/2010Mitchell
Wanted to try my new Cabela's L-Tech rod that replaces the LSTs I broke in Cherokee 2 weeks ago so I headed over to the Mitchell River today.  There were a number of guys fishing the lower part of the river so I went to the upper end and parked by the gate.  With only 1 pickup parked there I figured it wouldn't be too crowded. The morning started off good with the first fish an 18" Brown on an egg pattern.  Continued to pick up fish by nymphing but early in the afternoon after a few fish hit my strike indicator I thought I'd switch to dries for awhile.  The afternoon became "simulator"ing.  I fished dries the rest of the day until about 6 PM when the skies we preparing to open up.  Ended up with 22 on the day including another 18"er (Rainbow).
egg pattern and Bloody Mary nymphs in the AM. 
Orange STIMULATOR, parachute BWO in the afternoon.
Paul Scheponik
Good Friday on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/2/2010Mitchell
I spent yesterday on the Mitchell (with a lot of other people!) and had very good luck.  Caught about 40 or so.  There were a lot of caddis, and some mayflies, in the air and on the water, but I didn't see any rising and only a few jumping.  Some nice big rainbows (18 inch?) and brookies.  Best luck on the flat water near the parking lots, and in some deep holes.
Red copper johns, and bead head caddis pupae in tan or green.
David Richards
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North Toe, one more time!!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/2/2010North Toe @ Spruce Pine, NC
Mike White and I fished the North Toe on Friday (April 2).  The water was still a little high and, perhaps, even a little more off color than the previous two visits in March.  While March was from snow melt I suspect this time it was from the heavy rain earlier in the week.  However, it didn't stop the fish from biting.  Between Mike and I we landed almost 100 fish.  They stocked earlier this week and it would seem they put in quite a few Browns this time.  I don't think I've ever caught so many browns in one day there.  Many were on the small side but a few were nice sized around 16 to 17 inches. They aggressively attacked wooly buggers while being retrieved or just suspended in the current.  The Park area was crowded but below Ingles and above the water treatment plant we had just about to ourselves all day.  There's still some nice 'pigs' there too including the 18" Brookie and 20" Rainbow I landed.
The cream colored bugger was still working in the off color water along with eggs, blue pickpockets, Barr Emerger, and anything red.
Paul Scheponik
Two amazing days on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/31/2010Mitchell

Thanks to the delivery of two stocking trucks on 3/30 and the skills that I have developed from the patient coaching from Paul, Peter, and others from TU I had two amazing days on 3/31 and 4/1 including 5 Brown trout over 18” on 3/31 and two rainbows over 18” on 4/1 and two many 12” fish to count.  Fishing was much better in the morning than PM for me.  Had success with a weighted Wooly Bugger with a florescent yellow or pink Y2k type dropper fished under indicator and wo indicator stripped as a streamer.

weighted Wooly Bugger with a florescent yellow or pink Y2k type dropper.
Scott Larsen
Wilson- Fish On!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/27/2010Wilson
Finished out a pretty good day on the Wilson.  Well over 20 fish, mostly 10-14".  The morning was slow, but once the water warmed up after lunch the fishing was great.  Prince Nymph and Emergers were hot.  We fished mostly the upper end of the DH section.  Fish were hanging in shallower runs below some of the bigger pools.  I caught a bunch right up against the bank in less than 2ft of water.  Wilson had a lot of people out, but the river is full of fish.  Good Day of Fishing!!!
Prince Nymph and Emergers. 
Martin Boggess
Attachment
N. Toe still stained but,Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/20/2010North Toe @ Spruce Pine
Fished the North Toe Saturday.  It's still a few inches high and the water is still stained but, that didn't affect the "catchin".  I out did my personal high from last year including 1 big FAT 22" Rainbow (see attached photo) and a nice 20" Brown.
The cream colored bugger, salmon or pinkish colored egg, and a blue Morrish's Pickpocket worked all day. 
Paul Scheponik
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N Toe - High & TurbidUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/18/2010North Toe - Spruce Pine
Scott Larsen and I fished N Toe for the first time.  Water was turbid and I believe a few inches above normal.  Fished the park in the morning w/ cream wooley bugger (tungsten cone and lead), egg and #16 stonefly nymph.  Caught several but had to get the flies down fast.  Scott caught a nice bow here.
 
Fished 226 bridge after lunch.  Fish here hit my bugger exclusively so I removed the other flies. Caught several fish including a nice bow and brook.  Also caught a 20" brook!   ~6:30 the water turned muddy and rose a couple more inches.
 
Not the best conditions but pleased with the numbers (>40 between us) and quality.  I can't wait to fish it when the water improves.
 
There were a lot of little black stoneflies; saw several ovipositing; but water was too turbid to do a lot w/ little black stonefly nymphs (caught a few).
Cream Wooly bugger
Peter B Lloyd
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North Toe Birthday Pig-fest!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/9/2010North Toe River (Spruce Pine, NC)
I played "Hookie" today for my birthday and went to the North Toe River in Spruce Pine, NC.  The river was up a little from snow runoff?  Yes, there was still some snow on the mountain sides.  The runoff had the water stained some also but, that didn't bother the trout.  I started the day using my Brown Trout bugger, an egg, and a Rainbow Warrior.  I picked up a few fish but I had to work for them.  I decided to experiment a little and switched from the Rainbow Warrior to a blue pickpocket.  From that point, it was ON!  The blue PP and the egg were getting most of the action.  When I noticed my BT bugger was a little tore up I switched to a cream colored bead head bugger.  That got a lot of action too.  If you're looking for some "Pigs" the North Toe is the place.  I had 6 trout 18" and bigger including 18" Rainbows (2), 19" Rainbow, 19" Brookie, 20" Brookie, and the last fish of the day was a 23-24" Rainbow!  It was getting dark and I figured I couldn't do any better than that! (photo attached)
What worked today for me were a size 8 cream colored bead head bugger, size 12 egg, and a size 16 or 18 blue pickpocket. 
Paul Scheponik
Attachment
Wilson in MarchUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/6/2010Wilson
Wilson was very clear and cold (39 degree water temp) today.  It appeared that some stocking had taken place but it didn't look like the full 4700 fish had been put in.  There were fish stacked up in some locations but not as many as you would typically see after a full stocking.  There were lots of fishermen there today too.  Scott Larsen and I combined for a total of 57 fish.
Best pattern today was a size 22-24 Rainbow Warrior.  Had some on the ol' egg pattern too.  To lesser degree I caught a few on a Virus (pearl) midge, Tungsten Rojo midge, a green/brown/black wooly bugger (Brown trout), and a Barr Emerger.
Paul Scheponik
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Wilson Creek Double Slam!Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
2/21/2010Wilson
Mike White and I both had a 'Grand Slam' on Wilson Creek today.  Brookie, Brown and lots of Rainbows.  Some of the holes and runs that previously trips had fish stacked up in them were bare today but, there was still trout to be found.  We just had to look a little harder.  Mike was the 'Pig' Master today with a 21" Rainbow and another slightly smaller but FAT Rainbow.  I had a real nice Brookie.  Between us we landed 42 fish on a nice day.
The water is still 38-40 degrees, a little lower than last month and clear.  There's no ice now either.
I landed fsih on my Brown Trout bugger, egg pattern, a Tungsten Rojo Midge, pickpocket, and (of course) Barr Emerger.  Mike was using an Olive bugger, pickpocket, and (after watching me) Barr Emerger.
Paul Scheponik
Another beautiful day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
2/19/2010Mitchell
Sunny, breezy, highs in 40s, water flow 147 cfs, 2.26 ft, water temps in the upper 30s.  Water very clear ….  Caught 3 in heads of pools on copper J & beaded nymphs and then found one large school in a long slow pool.  Fish were reluctant to bite until I put on a chartreuse egg and then I caught 5 over the course of an hour or so not necessarily on the egg.  I was using a three dropper rig and when I got back home I noticed that I had broken off the hook point on the beaded nymph.  Talked to another fisherman who also found a large school of mixed trout and suckers in a long slow pool who said he fished that school for over two hours and only got one hit on a woolly bugger.

 
Copper J, beaded nymph, egg
Scott Larsen
Beautiful day of Private water fishing on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
2/12/2010Mitchell
Gorgeous sunny but breezy day with air temps up to hi 30s and water temps mid 30s.
Water flow 178 cfs level 2.38.  I saw only one other fisherman who left at noon.  Judging from the tracks in the snow I was fishing a lot of water that had not been fished since the last snow.  Caught 3 nice fish including a brute with the snagle jaw of the maturing adult. Two of the fish were in surprisingly fast pocket water in the heads of pools and one was in long deep pool.  Was using beaded nymphs and wd 40s.
The other fisherman reported caught two in the fast water at the head of a pool on Wooly boogers
beaded nymphs and wd 40s.
Scott Larsen
Cold day at Stone MountainUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/23/2010Stone Mountain
It was a cold rainy day at Stone Mountain.  The water was pretty cold and the fish were not very active.  I caught a small native and a Rainbow.  The fish were huddled up in a few deep holes and not really hitting on anything I had.  It was a tough day, but better than not fishing.
I caught one on a Prince and one on a egg pattern.  Nothing else seemed to be working.
Martin Boggess
Mitchell water temps increased to mid 40sUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/20/2010Mitchell
Recent rain has brought water temps into the mid 40s and increased water level to 161 cfs. Clarity slightly murky. Partly cloudy in the morning and rain in the afternoon.  5 fish on beaded copper johns in long moderately deep pools and fairly fast water in heads of pools.
beaded copper johns
Scott Larsen
One Wet AfternoonUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/20/2010Stone Mountain
Wet, foggy and not too many visible fish. Water was extremely clear and running at an excellent level. Air temp was hovering around low 50's and the water was 42-43 F.
Gold ribbed hare's ear...the fly actually had no hares mask on it. The tail is constructed from my dog's (Lilo) ass hair. I call the fly Lilo's Ass Hare :) God I love fly-fishing and tying...
Brandon Frakes
Wilson Creek still fishing well.Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/16/2010Wilson Creek
Fished the DH section of Wilson Creek all day.  Water is clear, a little lower than it was on Jan 2, and temp is 36 degrees.  There's still good populations of fish although, I found a couple Power Bait jars along the bank and one still had some in it.  They're recent!  The warmer weather brought higher numbers of fishermen out and I had to detour around others a number of times.  The fish have spreadout through the stream more and become a little more selective.   However, that didn't dampen the 'catchin'.
Mike and I had success using olive/brown buggers as a lead pattern (and as weight) followed with a red pick-pocket or egg pattern and a really small dropper below that.  Mike was using WD40's and I was using a size 24 Rainbow Warrior.  It may be hard to see the eye of the hook of that RW but, the two 18" rainbows I caught on it didn't have any trouble seeing it.  It was a good day.
Paul Scheponik
warm day on the mitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/15/2010Mitchell
Second day of air temps into the 50s, water temps in the 30s water flow 100cfs, sunny and calm.  Fished from 10 to 4pm.  eight fish total Single and double until about 2 pm and then lucked into a active school even with surface activity in a long moderately deep pool and then caught 5 in a row. I was fishing a beaded zebra midge and beaded pheasant tail but I think they would have hit most anything.
beaded zebra midge and beaded pheasant tail
Scott Larsen
Chilly Day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/2/2010Mitchell
Cold day, high might have been 30 and windy - had to rig in the truck.  Wind and icing guides made line management a little challenging but the fish were cooperative.  Fished ~10-2 and caught > 20.  Fish were fairly shallow feeding in the riffles at the heads of pools.  I saw 1 other nut fly fishing.
#18 Soft hackle and #14 BHPT
Peter B Lloyd
Chilly ain't the word but,...Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
1/2/2010Wilson Creek DH
Mike White and I had the DH section of Wilson Creek to ourselves last Saturday.  (we were probably the only 2 crazy enough to be out there).  It was 24 degrees when we started around 10:00 AM and 22 degrees when we quit at 5:00 PM.  It was supposed to be in the low 30's but, I'm not sure if it ever made it that high.
However, it didn't seem to bother the trout.  We had a great day.  Caught lots of fish in that 38-40 degree water.  Wilson is still fishing well.  There are plenty of fish although, they've become a little more wary after being in there awhile now.  The water was clear with good flow and no ice to hamper our fun. 
After fishing Wilson creek twice in the last few weeks I'd guess that it would continue to fish well right through the winter.  We've been checked by Wildlife officers on our last 2 visits to Wilson Creek and he said poaching has not been a problem there, YET.  The stream does not appear to be affected by rain (muddy) like the North Toe or Helton. So, guys, get out your insulated jackets, waders, gloves, etc. and go have some fun 'catchin' !
Olive and Olive Brown bead head buggers with some flash, roe and salmon colored egg patterns, small (size 20-24) midge emergers as a dropper.  Used weighted buggers as a lead pattern with the egg and midge as droppers.  The weight was critical to get down to the fish. Don't forget your anti-icing paste for your rod tip!
Paul Scheponik
Wilson Creek - DH SectionUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/12/2009Wilson Creek - DH
Gene Pope, David Richards and myself set out from Advance Saturday with air temps near a balmy 22F. Starting fishing with air temps near 27F and ended the day near 40F. In all we have a good day catching fish all day (10A-3:30P) I would highly recommend making the near 2 hr drive to fish this river. The DH has a lot to offer from slow water, riffles; deep water, etc. In all, we probably fished near half the 3.5 miles of designated DH water.
Olive and Brown Wooly Buggers; Hares Ear; Y2K; Pheasant Tail; Mint Oreos and WD40s
Brandon Frakes
Mitchell RiverUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
12/5/2009Mitchell
A-
I had success with double dropper...5x tippet with black or olive wolly bugger with pink or red san juan worm. Also had luck with hair's ear flashback.
Brandon Frakes
Catawba River Stream FlowsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/17/2009Catawba Rriver
If you plan to fish the Catawba below Lake James, check out the stream flow schedule.  Here is the link to Bridgewater   http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/scheduled-flow-releases.asp?sec=subnav
 
Date is for Squeak's presentation at the November chapter meeting.
Peter B Lloyd
North Toe RiverUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/5/2009North Toe
Lots of fish right in Riverside Park. 
Y2K's and Copper Johns
David Richards
The AftermathUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/10/2009Mitchell
Fishing much slower than yesterday.  Caught a couple on nymphs.  Switched to a streamer and managed to catch 2 ~16" bows - very fun!
Ultra Zug (nymph) and Rag Wool Sculpin
Peter B Lloyd
Great DayUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/9/2009Mitchell
Full day, fished ~8hrs.  Caught 30-35.  All bows and brookies and most ~12."  One kicker 20+" bow on a #20 WD40, red.   Jumped twice straight up a good 3' - quite a spectacle!
 
Lots of folks there.
Egg, BH Pheasant Tail, and WD40s (of course)
Peter B Lloyd
Curtis CreekUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
10/4/2009Curtis Creek
Tried fishing Curtis Creek last Sunday.  It had just been stocked, and the fish were visible but not taking flies.  Maybe in a few more days.
David Richards
Curtis Creek after Muddy Creek restoration tourUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/8/2008Curtis Creek
Stocking for November seemed to be light.  When I found a few fish in a pool, I was able to get one to bite on midge pattern and another on a wooly bugger with a pink egg pattern about a foot behind.  Ran out of time after the second fish (felt like a nice one, but lost it after a minute or so).
Mixture
Bill Remaley
MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/2/2008Mitchell
On Sunday the water was low and slow and crystal clear. I didn't see much activity. Eventually I found a small run that had trout feeding top water and caught 6.
Black ant, Parachute Adams
Michael Davis
Dan RiverUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
11/2/2008Dan
Traveled up to the Va State Line on HAtchers Chapel. Water was very low and saw no trout. Fished about 1000' downstream from bridge.
Drove over to the access at Joyce Mill Rd. and property owner had strung up a cable across the dirt road down to Cougar Falls. Not sure if the State is aware of this.
Drove to Jessups Mill, water very low and didn't go above the dam. Fished about 200' below the bridge.
Tried dries with droppers, caught several nice sized chubs on beadheads under the bridge at Jessups Mill.
Michael Davis
Rough Day on the MitchellUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
4/10/2008Mitchell
Took a short after work trip to the Mitchell today.  Started off really slow.  Barely saw any fish let alone hook them.  Finally started getting some action on Light Cahills at about dusk.  Caught a nice Rainbow and few small brookies and bows.
Light Cahill at dusk
Martin Boggess
BWO's and a Busy BeaverUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/27/20085 stars!
I arrived at about 3:30 and fished until dark, about 7:00.  Caught about 15 fish, none of them small:  a brookie, a 'bow, and a brown.  They were rising like crazy and eating emergers (rising but no bubbles).  Taking my Adams flies on the surface! Great blue olive (size 14) hatch at dusk.  
 
A beaver had made a great dam between the two parking areas on the river, which made a lot of slow and deep water which the fish were loving.  The beaver swam by me quite close a couple of times which was kind of freaky. 
Parachute Adams - nothing else worked.
David Richards
helton creekUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
3/21/2008helton
fished 21th  river bank full  caught several fish
copper johns and small bead heads
Gene Pope