Asheville Area Fishing Report April 17-23

Late April Fly Fishing Report

Davidson River Fishing Report April 17, 2011
The fishing was good, but tricky at the Davidson River Hatchery last weekend. The flood waters had the river running high, and the fish were feeding. The only trick was the wading. Fish were pushed tight to the bank and the water was ripping down the middle. It was harder to get to the fish, but when you did you were rewarded. They were eating size 10 stone fly nymphs, and 14 caddis soft hackles.

Davidson River Fishing Report April 18, 2011
The wading was a little easier Monday, but fish were still tight to cover. We got a smattering of different sizes smaller fish and hooked 5 really nice fish. Unfortunately we only landed one. The big guys were really using the current to their advantage. Our biggest, a nice rainbow, came unbuttoned right at the net. Heartbreaking. Thanks to Jamie Dickinson the ORVIS Charlotte Fishing Manager for bringing his boys up to fish with me.



West Fork Pigeon River Fishing Report April 19, 2011
I fished the West Fork with a Family from Connecticut looking for a warmer fishing climate. We had a great time. We caught most of our fish on nymphs, but the dad managed one fish on a Rabbits Foot Emerger. I can't wait for the water to come down some more so the fish start eating more dries! We used Stonefly nymphs, small mayflies, midges, eggs, and san juan worms.

South Holston Fishing Report April 20, 2011
I was a part of a big group float last week and we floated the South Holston Wednesday. Fishing was good, but not easy. We did a double upper section float thinking the upper would really turn on in the pm. We caught a few on SJ worms, but it was mostly a midge pupa game. Small midge nymphs fished near the bottom did the trick.

Watauga River Fishing Report April 21, 2011
We did a morning float on the Watauga with the TVA running a smaller than normal generation and actually managed a pretty good morning. We had to cancel the afternoon because the river got too muddy when the second wave of water hit us. Fish were definitely in select high water spots, but they were chomping when you found them. I found one seam that was great!
South Holston Fishing Report April 22, 2011
We wade fished in the morning and it was very good. The TVA hasn't given us a wade generation in a while and it showed. The fish were crushing midge pupa. One of the best wade days I have seen on the South Holston. We ate at Webb's Grocery and then put on for the float. The float was actually pretty good too. The second half of the float was very good. For about 45 minutes we couldn't keep those browns off the line. Excellent.

West Fork Pigeon River Fishing Report April 23, 2011
The West Fork fished ok in the morning, but was a little tough in the pm Saturday. We nymphed and threw dry dropper rigs in the morning and got fish on caddis, mayflies, stones, eggs, and midges. It was a smorgasbord. The afternoon got tougher and we caught a few on dry flies, and had a ton of follows on the streamer. Overall a great time on a beautiful river.

Call me if you want to book your trip in May I still have openings.
803-431-9437
www.browntroutflyfishing.com

Thanks,

Brown

Hosted Belize Fly Fishing Trip Feb. 19 - Feb. 24

Next February my friend and fellow guide Brownie Liles and I are hosting a trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize for some of the world’s best flats fishing, and we want you to come with us. We will be staying at El Pescador, a stately, mahogany, beach front fly fishing lodge that has been hosting fishermen for almost 40 years. You may have recently seen the lodge, and its guides, featured on OLN’s Buccaneers and Bones series with Tom Brokaw and the Tarpon and Bonefish Trust. Brownie and I both have experience fishing and traveling to Belize. I led a trip from Jackson Hole to El Pescador in 2009, and Brownie used to own land just up the beach from the lodge in the early nineties. We are both excited about the opportunity to show you this special place.

I have booked spots in the lodge for 4 days of fishing and 5 nights arriving Sunday February 19, 2012 and returning on Friday February 24^th. Extra days and nights of fishing or relaxing are easily added to either end of our stay if you are inclined. The base cost assuming a shared boat and double room occupancy is $2,585 per angler. You can upgrade to a single room for an additional $75 per night. Non angler packages start at $1705 and the countless non angler activities such as diving, snorkeling, jungle zip lines and other eco adventures can be arranged as desired. All packages include flights from BZE toand back to Belize International Airport, hotel and sales tax, 3 meals a day, heavy hors d’oeuvres, local beverages(beer, rum, soda) consumed at the bar, and complimentary use of lodge amenities(pool, gym, WIFI, bikes, kayaks, etc.).

Belize has flats diversity to rival anything in the world. The west side of Ambergris has sand flats, grass flats, hidden mangrove lagoons, and vast tarpon flats. The East side of the island has the second largest barrier reef in the world. On my trip in 2009 we landed bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, snapper, jacks, barracudas, and ladyfish on the fly! That variation in fish and their habitat lets you see the flats in a way that is unique to Belize.

The dates for this trip have been strategically placed on the New Moon to maximize our fishing opportunities for all species. February in Belize has average day time temperatures of 80 degrees. Belize was a colony of Great Britain until 1981 and because of that all of the El Pescador fishing guides speak English, a huge advantage to the angler. This is an incredible time to leave an American winter and arrive in Central America for an unparalleled tropical fishing experience.

Brownie and I hope you will be able to share this week with us, and look forward to discussing further details with you.

Please call me if you would like to discuss the trip details further. 803-431-9437

www.elpescador.com

www.browntroutflyfishing.com

Asheville are fishing report

Asheville Fly Fishing Report for the first week of April

April, 4 Fishing Report
I guided a full day on the Shelton Laurel Creek April 4 and we hammered them. I had one angler who wanted to do a lesson style trip and the fishing was really good. There were gobs of caddis coming off the water, but only a few fish were eating them. We caught fish on stone fly nymphs, SJ worms, Eggs, Soft Hackles, and pheasant tails. It was a really fun day of fly fishing and we had the river mostly to ourselves.

April, 7 Fishing Report
I guided Richard and Alyna on April 7 on the North Mills River. We got out for a morning half day trip and even with the early start there were lots of anglers on the water. The campground section was slammed. Tons of fishermen and a giant school group. We fished a couple of holes above the campground and caught fish on stone flies and then we drove up to Trace Ridge. We made the hike down to the river and covered lots of ground fishing stones and soft hackles. There were some March Browns hatching, but no fish rising so we stuck to the nymphs. Fishing was good, but you had to cover lots of ground. We didn't find many holes that were loaded with fish, but if you keep moving you will find a few here and a few there.

April, 9 Watauga River Fishing Report
The TVA stopped generating for a short period and we got out Saturday for a big float. There was a bachelor party going on which always makes for a great fly fishing trip. We caught a few fish on dry flies, but nymph fishing was more productive. We thought that the fishing would be crazy since no one had been fishing, but the fishing was just ok. We didn't cream them, but caught a good number of fish including a 16" rainbow and giant 6lb. Sucker Fish.

April, 11 South Holston Fishing Report
I floated the South Holston with a buddy doing a scouting trip, and the fishing was very streaky. We would change flies for an hour and then finally find one they would eat. After a handful of fish they would stop. Then the cycle repeated itself. We caught them on midges, pheasant tails, scuds, and sj worms. Fun day, but we definitely had to work for it.

Watauga River Fly Fishing Report

Watauga River Fly Fishing Report March 29 2011
I fished the Watauga River Tuesday from the Watauga River Lodge down to the bridges takeout. Fishing was good until the water hit us around noon. We did not see any blue winged olives, but that was the nymph they were eating. We did see my first Mothers Day Caddis of the season just above the ledges. We fished the dries there for a while, but only managed a few. There were bugs, birds eating the bugs, but only about 10 fish rising. I would expect any day now the fish will really key in on the new food source.

If you want to get in on some of this great April fishing give me a call. When you plan a trip based in Asheville, NC the opportunities are so numerous that there will be some river close that is fishing great.

Brown
www.browntroutflyfishing.com