Just fished this weekend Bunches Creek in Cherokee, and Nantahala River Gorge in North Carolina. No luck at all at Bunches Creek (water level too low and probably overfished until next stocking on Thursday), but in Cherokee caught a 12" rainbow trout on a red Fire Egg under a bridge in the Catch & Keep area. No luck on the Nantahala. No luck on the Tuckaseegee River in Bryson City because of heavy rains overflow and brownish water. No takers on the Panther Martin spinners or Fire Eggs except that one. Weather was warm, 50ish degrees in daytime, sunny and clear. Water is cold and clear except for the Tuckaseegee.
Well...I'll give you an A++ for effort under those conditions! Glad you did manage to get a lure in front of a hungry trout! Those are some nice rivers to spend time on, and you are lucky if you live there to return on future trips!
I have wet a line in some of what you mentioned while on vacation several years ago and had a great time stalking around the banks. Due to the swift water conditions when I was there, I found that flicking spinners upstream and reeling downstream rapidly was the best way to encourage strikes. My usual across style and downstream sweeping approach did not yield as many takers.
Welcome to the Stage!
Welcome to the stage troutstalker. Lots of members down your way that should be along later on
Did both methods, upstream and across, no luck with the spinners and artificial eggs. Water might have been too cold and maybe they were lethargic, temps at night were near freezing the past week and perhaps they didn't want to move. I have a cabin in Andrews 15 minutes from Nantahala Gorge so I'll be up there a few times a year and can give fishing reports. I've caught 25 in a day on Panther Martins drifting the Tuckaseegee in the summer. Haven't tried my new fly rods yet though.
Troutstalker wrote:
Just fished this weekend Bunches Creek in Cherokee, and Nantahala River Gorge in North Carolina. No luck at all at Bunches Creek (water level too low and probably overfished until next stocking on Thursday), but in Cherokee caught a 12" rainbow trout on a red Fire Egg under a bridge in the Catch & Keep area. No luck on the Nantahala. No luck on the Tuckaseegee River in Bryson City because of heavy rains overflow and brownish water. No takers on the Panther Martin spinners or Fire Eggs except that one. Weather was warm, 50ish degrees in daytime, sunny and clear. Water is cold and clear except for the Tuckaseegee.
Just fished this weekend Bunches Creek in Cherokee... (
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Welcome to the forum. Sounds like I am not the only one with bad fishing results this year. I have been out a few times this year with no luck at all. Keep trying. Scott and I will be going to Lake Hartwell on Sat. It is supposed to rain but will try our luck anyway. Bobby from southern NC
Troutstalker wrote:
Just fished this weekend Bunches Creek in Cherokee, and Nantahala River Gorge in North Carolina. No luck at all at Bunches Creek (water level too low and probably overfished until next stocking on Thursday), but in Cherokee caught a 12" rainbow trout on a red Fire Egg under a bridge in the Catch & Keep area. No luck on the Nantahala. No luck on the Tuckaseegee River in Bryson City because of heavy rains overflow and brownish water. No takers on the Panther Martin spinners or Fire Eggs except that one. Weather was warm, 50ish degrees in daytime, sunny and clear. Water is cold and clear except for the Tuckaseegee.
Just fished this weekend Bunches Creek in Cherokee... (
show quote)
Ts.... I would try something with a tight wiggle for vibration and something with the loudest rattles. Should help the fish locate your lures in that reduced visibility environment. At least in theory?
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