WNC Stream Reports
Updated western North Carolina Trout Stream Reports
Wilson Creek, Delayed Harvest Section, 4-20-2012:I fished the Delayed Harvest section of Wilson Creek with two clients on Friday from the old factory ruins to the bridge located upstream and had an excellent day. Although we caught a couple of nice Browns in the tails of deep runs on brown Beadhead Wooly Buggers, most of the Trout seemed to be holding in the huge glides on this section of the creek and were readily coming to the surface for both Royal Wulff and Carolina Wulff (yellow floss) patterns in a size 12. Thus, both my clients caught several nice Rainbow and Brown Trout ranging in size from 9 inches to 13 inches. Clic on the Photo Gallery link in the Top Menu to see pictures of this excepctionally pretty section of Wilson Creek. |
Upper Creek 4/15/2012-
Fished Upper Creek on Sunday with a client and the fishing was excellent. Drove to the end of the road and parked then walked the other mile to the end of the old road bed and then entered the creek. We fished from the end of the road upstream to Angel Falls and caught six Rainbows, two Brown Trout, and one Brook Trout. This section is of medium size and is fairly open but does have dense foliage on either bank and thus it is best fished with a 7ft. to 8ft. 6in. rod with a 4wt. or 5wt. line. Water temperature was 58°, the water level was normal, and water's turbidity was crystal clear. In addition, we found the Rainbows holding in the riffles, runs, and plunge pools, the two Brown holding in the slower water at the tails of two separate riffles, and the one Brook Trout in a deep, shaded, run. Also, we saw a significant amount of insect activity including May Flies and Terrestrials but even so, the trout were not feeding actively on the surface. However, they did respond well to Sulphur Dun and Sulphur Spinner imitations as well as Light Cahill's in size 12 on the surface and below the surface, they were taking Sulphur nymphs in size 14 and Beadhead Wooly Buggers in both olive and brown in size 10. Wilson Creek 3/31/2012-
I fished the Delayed Harvest section of Wilson Creek today and had a fantastic day! I parked in the first parking lot on the left after turning left at Mortimer and then fished upstream toward Edgemont. This section of Wilson Creek consists of numerous very large, deep, pools, connected by wide riffles and numerous swift runs. Thus, it provides excellent habit for the Brooks, Browns, and Rainbows, that the NCWRC stocks this section with each year. Also, the stream in this section is fairly wide and thus it best fished with a 9 ft. to 10 ft. rod with a 5wt. or 6wt. line. In addition, the terrain in this section is neither particularly steep nor particularly rough and the road is closely adjacent to the stream in most places although its elevation above the water varies greatly so you have to choose your exit point accordingly. The water temperature was 54°, the water level, was normal, and the water clarity was crystal clear. I found Rainbows and Brooks holding in the riffles and deep runs and Browns holding in many of the large pools adjacent to cover. In addition, I saw an abundance of insect activity and got a close look at two May Flies that appeared to be either Light Cahill's or Sulphurs in a size 12. However, the trout did not seem interested in coming to the surface for a dry fly so, I switched to an olive Beadhead Wooly Bugger and then a brown Beadhead Wooly Bugger and caught several nice trout ranging from about nine inches to 14 inches (all of which I released). In addition, one of the fish that I caught was a gorgeous Brook Trout about 12 inches long that appeared to be wild since it was in full color and displayed no fin wear.
Location: Delayed Harvest section of Wilson Creek Access: The road is closely adjacent to the stream in most places Weather: Sunny but somewhat windy. Water level: Normal. Turbidity: Crystal Clear Starting air temperature: 67°. Starting water temperature: 54°. Ending air temperature: 76°. Ending water temperature: 55° Areas fish are holding: Rainbows and Brooks are holding in the riffles, runs, and plunge pools, Browns are holding in pools adjacent to cover and fast water. Best time of day: Mid-morning to early evening. Best set-up: 9ft. to 10ft. mid-flex rods designed for 5wt or 6wt. lines with 7 1/2 ft. to 9 ft. leaders and 4x or 5x tippets for dries and 3x tippets for streamers. Best technique: Dry flies in size 12 & 14. Streamers in size 8 & 10 Best flies: Yellow and green or olive Elk Hair Caddis, Grizzly Wulff, Royal Wulff, olive or brown Beadhead Wooly Buggers Upper Creek 8/20/2011-
Fished Upper Creek on Saturday with a client and the fishing was excellent. Drove to the end of the road and parked then walked the other mile to the end of the old road bed and then entered the creek. Fished approximately three miles of creek and caught seven Rainbows and one Brown Trout. This section is of medium size and is fairly open but with dense foliage on either bank and thus it is best fished with a 8ft. 6in. to 9ft. rod with a 4wt. or 5wt. line. Water temperature was 64°, water level was normal and water clarity was crystal clear. We found Rainbows holding in the riffles, runs, and plunge pools and the one Brown holding in the tail of a pool. Fish were feeding actively on the surface they did respond well to Stimulators and Elk Hair Caddis in yellow or green and size 12 & 14.
Type of stream: Limestone Spring Creek Location: End of old road bed to just below the falls Access: Can be fished from the small bridge to Angel Falls. Road runs adjacent to the creek for a three miles or so. The old road bed extends another mile. Then, it's about three-and-a-half miles to the Falls. Access is walk/wade. Terrain is very rough. Weather: Sunny Water level: Normal Turbidity: Crystal Clear Starting air temperature: ° Starting water temperature: 64° Ending air temperature: ° Ending water temperature: 64° Areas fish are holding: Rainbows are holding in calm water adjacent to runs, Browns are holding in pools adjacent to cover Best time of day: None. Best set-up: 8ft. 6in. to 9ft. full-flex or mid-flex rods designed for 3wt, 4wt., or 5wt. lines with 6 ft. to 7 1/2 ft. leaders with 4x or 5x tippets. Best technique: Dry flies. Best flies: Yellow or Green Elk Hair Caddis and/or Stimulators Harper Creek 6/13/2011-Fished Harper Creek from just below the second fall to the point where the trail crosses the creek the second time. This section is of medium size and is fairly open but with dense foliage on either bank and thus it is best fished with a 7ft. 9in. to 8ft. 6in. rod with a 4wt. or 5wt. line. Water temperature was 62°, water level was slightly high and water clarity was slightly turbid below the falls but cleared above the falls. We found Rainbows holding in the riffles, runs, and plunge pools and Browns holding in pools adjacent to cover and fast water. Fish were not feeding actively on the surface they did respond well to Stimulators and Elk Hair Caddis in yellow or green and size 12 & 14. Caught five Rainbows, one Brown, one Perch, and one Blue Headed Chub. Lost a nice Rainbow 10 to 11 inches long.
Type of stream: Limestone Spring Creek Location: Just below Harper Creek Falls to second trail crossing Access: Requires a forty-five minute hike to the Falls and then access is walk/wade. Terrain is moderately rough. Weather: Sunny. Water level: Slightly High Turbidity: Slightly Turbid Starting air temperature: 70° Starting water temperature: 64° Ending air temperature: 84° Ending water temperature: 64° Areas fish are holding: Rainbows are holding in calm water adjacent to runs, Browns are holding in pools adjacent to cover Best time of day: Dawn until 11:00 AM. Best set-up: 8ft. 6in. to 9ft. full-flex or mid-flex rods designed for 3wt, 4wt., or 5wt. lines with 6 ft. to 7 1/2 ft. leaders and 4x or 5x tippets. Best technique: Nymphs and dry flies in the riffles. Dry flies in the pools. Best flies: Yellow or Green Elk Hair Caddis and/or Stimulator |
