March 18, 2011 Asheville, NC Fishing Report
I was on the water a ton last week and a half. I was guiding and fishing for fun. We were dealing with the flood waters of the two big rain storms we had, but fishing was still good expecially if you went to the top of the water sheds. Expect everything to get even better when the water comes down and fish are more accessible.
North Mills Fishing Report
I fished the North Mills River twice last week. The water up there is crystal clear, but was high. There were a few holes that are slow moving and were business as usual, but most required lots of split shot and an attentive drift. Standard Delayed Harvest flies were working. There were small dark caddis out, but the water was too high for fish to try and eat them.
Davidson River Fishing Report
The Davidson is clear and high like the North Mills. They both have some of the cleanest water around us since there is no development above them. The fish are still podded up on the Davidson, but they should spread out very soon. If you can find a group of fish in the big riffle it is on! Our best flies have been size 20 midge patterns dropped off eggs and worms. There were bigger bugs out the last trip. BWO’s, Blue Quills, I think I saw a Hendrickson. The first of April should bring awesome fishing up at the hatchery.
Curtis Creek Fishing Report
Curtis Creek didn’t get near the rainfall of the rivers west of Asheville. It is at pretty normal flows and even is trending a little low for this time of year. Fishing was ok. Everywhere there should have been a fish there was one, but not many more. The big pool by the handicap ramp was full of wary fish, but we worked them for a few hours one day and hooked close to a dozen. There is one big guy about 17” or 18” that we hooked twice. He broke off once, and threw the hook on a big jump the second time. If you can get on that pool great, if not you have to work pretty hard down there to find your fish.
Shelton Laurel Fishing Report
The Laurel fished well. It was still high when we fished it, and I think there were lots of fish hiding on the bottom, but we found a couple of spots with good seams and were on fish. The Laurel has some nice ones in it too. It may have the largest average fish of all the Delayed Harvest water I have fished this month.
Tuckasegee Fishing Report
This report is a little older. Because of the rain Duke Energy has been running the Tuckasegee full bore. It also has a good amount of mud in it. Before the storms, about two weeks ago, it was on fire. The fish were eating eggs, worms, soft hackles, and caddis pupae. It should be fishing well again in just a few days.
Call me if you need a fly fishing guide (803)-431-9437, and check out my website and facebook page.
