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 :-) !

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

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

Small stream that is hatchery supported

I-77 north to Dobson Exit 93

The North Toe in Spruce Pine, NC is Mountain Heritege Water and Delayed harvest regulations.  It's bigger water than Stone Mountain or the Mitchell River.  It's stocked heavily and holds quite a few bigger fish (over 18"). This sections flows through downtown Spruce Pine.  There is a Park with parking, a playground, a small pavilion, a handicapped pier, walking path and rest rooms at the upper end of the DH section which would be great for family outtings.  The lower section is still easily accessible but without the amentities.  Since it's right in town cell service is readily available.  It fishes well with some deep holes and nice runs and riffle.  Some people even choose to float it.

Take I-40 west to exit 86 then go north on Rt 226 through Marion to Spruce Pine.  At the bottom of the hill where 226 intersects Rt 19 go straight through the intersection (226 goes to the left) which becomes Highland Ave.  It's a short distance to the river.  There is a stop light just before the river.  Turn right and bear left on the first side street to go to the Park and upper section.  Turn left at the light and bear right after you pass Ingles on the first small street to get to the lower section.