If you want to chase these bigger fish using large nymphs and streamers then this trip is for you. Below are some fish from the last two weeks. I attach my tippet to the tippet ring using an improved clinch knot that connects to my nymph. If you have never experienced the smallmouth fishing or trout fishing in October then give us a call. This requires anglers to make longer casts and get flawless drifts over the fish to get eats. Give us a call today to schedule your fishing adventure this summer. We were on a local river in McDowell County and got into some excellent brown trout. Our head guide Kelsey Minish caught this 5.5 pound smallmouth on a recent trip at Lake James. . Our water temperature is mid 70s and we are finally seeing some great topwater action. We were fortunate to run a few trout fishing trips after rainstorms because the water temperatures were in a suitable range for the fish. There are a lot of 10-14 inch fish in the Toe River so the next few years we should some true trophies caught out of the river. There was one day where the water got up to 84 degrees and we threw everything but the kitchen sink at the bass and they just werent responding. On the warmer days we have been taking advantage of wading the river with clients. Topwater will continue to be good the rest of the summer. The fall trout fishing in western North Carolina is something every fly angler should experience. If its dragging its lagging. Brayden Padgett, left, and Ty Allison hold up their limit of smallmouth from Saturday's BASS Western NC High School and Junior Series tournament on Lake James. Rainbow Trout are prominent in North Carolina. This time of year we throw big jerkbaits and crankbaits for big river smallmouth looking to fatten up before the spawn. We've heard of 7pound fish being caught and even bigger ones that have gotten away. Your BASS member number is the 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster Magazine label. Fishers of Men Virginia West - Smith Mountain Lake - State Park Ramp. The French Broad and Nolichucky rivers produce trophy smallmouth year after year. Overall I think this July has been more productive than Ive seen in years past. (West to East) All three regions boasts some excellent bass fishing in the lakes and rivers. With the popularity of high school fishing clubs being formed nationally, these events give young anglers a chance to experience the competitive atmosphere surrounding such programs and allows them to join an existing team or start their own team at their school or in their community. We are starting to book up in September and October so do not hesitate to call to get your preferred date. The guys that take us up on this guided trip are always happy at the end of the day when they have caught the biggest river smallmouth of their life. There is no better way to beat the heat of summer than spending a day on the water chasing smallmouth bass. The last two weeks of September was nothing short of amazing. Ty Allison, left, and Brayden Padgett step toward the scales with their limit. We are able to guide up to six anglers on guided trips using three guides. The French Broad and Nolichucky smallmouth are in their prespawn phase bulking up for the spawn. (April 2023). The smallmouth bite is good all summer. Its important to check the water temperatures on the wild trout streams because catching wild trout in water temperatures above 70 degrees can be fatal to the trout. April has been nothing less than spectacular! September has come to an end but it was definitely a month to remember. Weve been guiding on the Toe River this winter which has been excellent. Earlier in the day the nymph and streamer bite was consistent till the sun was directly above us. North Carolina has some of the best smallmouth rivers in the South and the prespawn period offers anglers the chance of catching a trophy smallmouth. The reaction bite the last two weeks has been nothing short of amazing. The Catawba Tailrace offers some of the best brown trout fishing in North Carolina. 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Most anglers are focused on catching trout in the creeks and rivers that are stocked, but I would like to encourage you to consider chasing bronzebacks in the spring. 4th through 6th place will be two (2) point increments with 4th receiving 92 points and 6th receiving 88 points. Most of the fish we catch during this time have spawned out. The lake is home to some big largemouth bass and is also known as a put and take striper lake where the state stocks 25,000 fingerling every year. The Catawba River also provides great wade fishing opportunities as well. The water temperatures range anywhere from 45 degrees to 67 degrees which is prime trout feeding water temperatures. 2023 *Nationally Advertised Price; actual sales price determined by dealer. 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops April 21 - 22, 2023 View Series . {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Photos by Josh Davis, blueridgesportsphotography.com. The best prespawn fishing occurs when the water temperatures reach 50 degrees in mid March and lasts until the end of April. Travis and Jordan are good buddies of mine from way back in the day when we all used be apart of collegiate track and field teams. The 10th place finisher each week, will win a paid entry fee for the next Tuesday tournament. Thats fishing though! The topwater bite has been best from 6am-11am, but we are seeing fish hammer topwater baits all hours of the day. The French Broad River is finally at a fishable level so we were able to take a trip there and it fished excellent. Over the past two years the spawn has ended the second/third week of May. We had a great day and we managed to get a good trout as well. BASS membership and BASS Nation membership are required. There is nothing better than catching one of these native fish using a fly rod. The "conventional" bass tournaments, where anglers blast around in boats that can cost upwards of $85,000, can be hyper-competitive, with anglers rarely sharing information about hot areas or productive lures. There will be an 8 ounce penalty for the first dead fish weighed and no more than one (1) dead fish may be weighed per team, per tournament. The last river that is worthy of mentioning in the bass fishing guide in North Carolina is the Pigeon River. Bigger isnt always better. The rivers are stocked and will receive another stocking the first week of November. Allison and Padgett were ninth overall and Bartlett and Weaver 13th headed into the Lake James event. All Foothills Marine purchased boats qualify, regardless of make, model, or year. Ask us about the ones that have gotten away. Dead Drift Em: This method is very similar to drifting dry flies to trout. Remember the water temps are hottest in the evening because the water has warmed up all day. You may fish as a 2-man team or you may fish as a solo competitor in Eastern NC Bass Challenge bass tournaments. This is our favorite fishery to guide on because in these waters lurk the biggest trout in the state. Give us a call this winter if you want to get on the water. 7:00 am - 3:00 pm. The water is unusually low on the Nolichucky so weve been spending the most time on the French Broad. Fished a kayak tournament out of black bear cove 5/7. Our half day floats are $300 and our full day floats are $400. It was an ideal location for a river smallmouth to be holding. They participate in meetings prior to tournaments. You wont be disappointed. Pop Em: Normally the best time to pop poppers is early morning and late evening when the sun is low. Dont forget the Catawba Tailrace will be cranking back up in November so we will have some good tailwater trout fishing down there all winter long. Trying throwing some smaller profile flies to match the hatch. Prior to Saturdays tournament, McDowell had not scored a tourney win this season, with a pair of second-place finishes representing their best results. We are big on teaching then catching at our guide service because youve got to be able to do things the right way before you start catching. The Catawba, Tuckaseegee, and Toe Rivers will be receiving its first stocking of 2023, the first week of March so trout fishing here in the mountains is about to be lights out. There is no membership fee for this trail. Lake James is home to some of the biggest smallmouth bass in the state. If you want to experience some exciting, visual fly fishing for river smallmouth contact us today. Out of all the fish stocked by the state 40% of them are rainbow trout. (903) 984-0541. Home > News > Tournament Results Yadkin Tuckertown Lake, NC April 15, 2023 . The best float fishing for trout is October through the end of May. What a wonderful summer it has been! The North Carolina Bass Federation. An event on the Big Bass Tour . All Fish must measure at least 14". The Catawba Angler was voted the best fly fishing guide service in McDowell County in 2019 and 2020. This is a game changer. The Prachyls wanted to fish a smaller smallmouth river so we did just that and had a great day targeting smallmouth using spinning tackle. Check your North Carolina Lake Levels. When I started my business in 2017 I wanted to make guided fishing trips in western North Carolina available to everyone no matter their income. They are the most tolerant trout species and can live in waters upward of 70 degrees. This is why fly fishermen and women nymph fish. We do catch smallmouth year round using light spinning tackle, but if fly fishing is your thing then its best when the water temps warm up and the bass are most aggressive. The Catawba Angler offers guided bass fishing trips on the best rivers and lakes in North Carolina. We all hope for the days when the smallmouth hit on top and top and his son got just that. There is nothing better than sight casting to a feeding fish with a dry fly and landing it. The weather in the spring can be unpredictable so I tell clients we fish conditions not dates on a calendar. Teams wishing to be counted as in attendance, for the purpose of accumulating points for the season, but are unable to attend, payment in full can be made prior to blast off and the team will be counted as participating. Unlike most impoundments, Lake James is created by three dams. The Yadkin River boasts a small population of smallmouth bass and a variety of other species. I appreciate the hard work they put in on the guided trips weve been on over the last couple of years. I believe its one of the most fun trips we offer. There are alot of fish in the river right now so let us take you to them and show you how to be a better angler. 2022 Skeeter Products, Inc. All rights reserved. After a long winter many anglers look forward to this time of the year because of the warmer weather and warmer water temperatures. One indicator that it is a stocked fish is that some of its fins are nubs. Remember to winterize your boat(s) If you will not be using them in the winter months. Wow, what a day.. The NCWRC stocked a bunch of browns this past November in the 8 range so Im expecting that stock to provide some good fishing over the next few years. To find out what the Tennessee River 600 is really all about (and no, it is not a race), check out our About Us page. Augusta County Bass 2023 Schedule - Smith Mt Lake. Some of the best fly fishing is within a short drive of Asheville, North Carolina. I Have Jon Boat, Can I Fish Your Tournaments? Crappie are a close second for fish fry enthusiasts. One of our favorite streamer patterns in the Spring is the feather game changer. The Spring offers some tremendous fly fishing opportunities across the mountain region for trout. Boats may be shown with optional equipment. The French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers provide great fly fishing opportunities starting in April and ending around October. . Only smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass will be weighed. Brayden Padgett, left, and Ty Allison hold up their limit of smallmouth from Saturdays BASS Western NC High School and Junior Series tournament on Lake James. I want to highlight some of our best catches from spring time below. In February of 2020, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth was caught by Ken Whitesides. Fly fishing in the Spring is hands down the best time to trout fish in North Carolina. You have permission to edit this article. By Invitation based on past BFCS Performance, Open Registration in person at Collin's Inc, and lastly by Open Registration Online until 65 boat field is entered. The key to having a successful day is finding somewhat clear water. Must fish 3 of 7 Qualifiers to Fish Final. Brown trout are native to Europe, but were introduced in the 1920s in alot of the streams in North Carolina. We will get back with you as quickly as possible. Fish over 10 pounds have been caught in Jordan Reservoir. Eastern NC bass Challenge bass tournaments fins are nubs smallmouth fishing or trout fishing in Carolina... ) if you have never experienced the smallmouth hit on top and his got... Adventure this summer sun was directly above us has ended the second/third bass tournaments on lake james nc of November to feeding. 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