FS Digest

I live in the triangle in NC and just moved here. All I've found is some ponds which aren't ideal for fly-fishing. I moved from Colorado and just love river fishing. Any help would be much appreciated for some rivers nearby to flyfish for some bass or whatever other fish I can catch on the fly.

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by Rynow17

FS Digest

As I'm sure you know, there's a lot of incredible trout fishing in WNC.

Closer to home, I'd imagine that there are some bass and bluegill in the Haw, Eno, or Cape Fear rivers. I'd assume that Falls Lake and Jordan Lake are worth checking out as well, but not sure if you have a boat. I'd go to the Orvis store in Raleigh and buy some stuff, they'll help you out.

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by pibe92

FS Digest

Great thanks!

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by Rynow17

FS Digest

The Eno is your best bet around here- that’s in Durham. If you’re wanting rivers, that is- there are plenty of good lakes. There are some decent Trout streams in the mountains at the right time of year, but 3-5 hour drive minimum. (Except South Fork Creek, that’s about 2.5, and closer to Charlotte.)

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by Davoneous

FS Digest

I tried the Eno but must have not been in the right spot. Any particular place to park and try?

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by Rynow17

FS Digest

Welcome to the Triangle. Much as I love living here for other reasons, Central NC kinda sucks for fly fishing. There are areas of the Neuse that are fly fishable, particularly before all the foliage comes back. No matter what anybody tells you, I would not keep fish out of the Haw. Actually there is a statewide fish advisory on eating black bass.

You will need a kayak or canoe to flyfish most rivers in Central and Eastern NC. If you have some sort of boat, there's also the local shallow manmade lakes such as Falls and Jordan, both of which get heavy bass and crappie tournament pressure. IMO, Kerr Lake and the section of the river below the dam beats both of the closer lakes. Kerr is where you go if you want some stripers, though the populations and sizes are way, way down in recent years. Reportedly, there is a section of the Cape Fear below the Jordan lake dam that has some fly fishable sections, but oddly, I 've never gone down there.

The good news is the mountains and the coast and SW VA are only 3-4hrs away. For whatever reason, it seems like the river smallies on the NC side of the New tend to be dinks. But, up in SW VA, the New has some amazing smallmouth fishing. Again, it's a matter of getting to it, and with a few well known exceptions, that generally meaning floating, not wading.

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by Independent

FS Digest

This is some great info thank you. I've thought about the Haw (won't keep any) but whereabouts on the Haw?

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by Rynow17

FS Digest

This website is your friend... https://www.ncpaws.org/wrcmapbook/FishingAreas.aspx I moved to Charlotte area 2 years ago and this has been great. Also the peeps at my local Orvis store were awesome in giving me some advice for some river systems and areas to start. So I would check out some local stores near you. I also try and shop at any local stores in the area I fish to get some info and give them some business.

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by PlowedOyster

FS Digest

Hit the Neuse or Eno. You can find wadeable areas with just a little leg work hitting the canoe launchs. Check the water levels specially on the neuse in case they’re releasing water. Gar is supposedly a big thing in the area when it warms up, though I’ve yet to get on them.

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by BigPIoppa

FS Digest

New Hope Creek in Duke Forest. Some of the other creeks also have great warmwater fishing for bass, bream, jacks, and carp.

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by phil_monahan

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

River Fishing Tips: How To Find Bass In Rivers:

When fishing backwaters, look for something different along the bank that will attract bass. Prime examples include sparse rocks lying along a mud bank, a water fall or a partially submerged drain pipe. These areas usually hold concentrations of bass.

Watching the river’s current flow is the key to river fishing for bass on nearly any system in the country.

Most anglers hone their skills on lakes, so it might take some retraining when they have to fish for river bass. The most important lesson in adapting to river fishing is discerning the differences between a lake and river.


https://shopkarls.com/blog/river-fishing-find-bass-in-current/

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bassman57 Loc: Kinston, NC

Can't help you out on the fly fishing but as stated earlier, you most likely gonna need some type of watercraft for that area, which I don't know much about either. I have bass fished in Falls and Sharon Harris lakes from a boat, bass fishing both are great. Never been to Jordan Lake but it's great as well, from what I've heard. Tight lines!

DeeJay Loc: Southwest Virginia

Years past, i would wade fish Phelps Lake eastern N.C. 6 miles long 5 1/2 miles wide, average depth 3-4 feetmost of shore line is wadeable. We paired 2 people dropped 2 off, then drove the boat a mile or so anchored the boat. 2 more would fish from there. When the first 2 came by the boat, they would motor up to the second pair. If the 2nd pair need anything boat would stop, then proceed another mile or so. This would continue until tired or time to quit. A kayak would work extremely well there. Windy days the waves are swells, kayaks be careul. 1995 was the last time there. Pettigrew State Park has camping sites, and launching ramp. Large mouth, lots of yellow perch, big blue gills, bowfins, gar, some catfish. My biggest bass 10 1/2 lbs. 2-3 hrs from Durham. FISH ON.
Deejay