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. Normally by the second week of March the river smallmouth are moving out of their wintering holes and starting their annual prespawn ritual which involves bulking up for the spawn. I prefer to fish sliders when the water is super low and clear because the slider doesnt have as much of a pop when it lands. Home > News > Tournament Results Yadkin Tuckertown Lake, NC April 15, 2023 . 2022 Skeeter Products, Inc. All rights reserved. The delayed harvest waters will be excellent till the end of May. Smallmouth start chasing during this time and there is no better time to throw moving baits. We offer half day trips for $300 for two anglers and full day trips for $400 for two anglers. fish, but hooked up with a true trophy at the end of the day. Weve seen plenty of 50 degree days in January and now we are starting to see those 60 degree days. We can handle last minute bookings, but if you want a preferred date contact us early. We are going to keep this simple. Over the past two years the spawn has ended the second/third week of May. Weve got a few more smallmouth trips on the books this year which we are excited to finish the year out strong. 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. Normally when they first stock the first will hit anything flashy in the color of pink and yellow. See Skeeter Real Money official rules here: Foothills Bonus Money ($200) is available to the winner of any/all Tuesday tournaments if the winner is fishing out of a Foothills Marine purchased boat. 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. We were able to hit a local wild trout fishery early morning last week because the smallmouth rivers were blown out. Go big or go home. We spent the day together on a local smallmouth river and had a blast catching the fish on a variety of methods. The Catawba Angler is a fly fishing guide service that offers wade fishing trips on Curtis Creek. A trophy smallmouth out of the river is anything over 18. Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S. We are getting a lot of repeat clients in the fall that want to chase those big smallmouth on fly or spinning tackle. Dawson Bartlett and Cole Weaver finished second with 16.32 pounds. They are a cross between a brown trout and a brook trout. Ramsey Creek Park. Yes, there is a $25 membership fee for each angler that participates in the Eastern NC Bass Challenge. Bass are a favorite target of sporting anglers, while walleye are the focus of many who are looking for table fare. This time of year we throw big jerkbaits and crankbaits for big river smallmouth looking to fatten up before the spawn. I Have Jon Boat, Can I Fish Your Tournaments? Spring is my favorite time to fish Curtis Creek because we get some excellent caddis, March brown, and Hendrickson hatches throughout March, April, and May. **Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). News . The Catawba Angler offers half day and full day bass charters on the lakes and rivers of western North Carolina. This team is truly a pleasure to work with and I am honored to be a small part of it.. You want to look for moving water with white bubbles close to structure. Boats may be shown with optional equipment. The Catawba Angler, 750 Ebenezer Church Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762, United States, Prespawn River Smallmouth in North Carolina, Winter Fly Fishing Report & Outlook for Spring 2023, Spring Trout Fishing in Western North Carolina. 1st through 3rd place will be three (3) point increments with the winner receiving 100 points and 3rd receiving 94 points. Springtime offers some excellent smallmouth bass fishing here in the mountains of North Carolina. All the weight the fish packed on during the prespawn is worked off during the spawn. A good float is putting in at the bridge at US Business 221 and going down to Burnettes Landing. We look forward to seeing you on the water. Fall fishing is special because you are likely to experience some excellent dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing all in the same day. Bennett made a beautiful cast in the deep, slack water and the fish took off with the jig. If you are a bass fishing Angler then the Nolichucky should be on your bucket list. Smallmouth will sit in these lines waiting for bugs to drift by. After an intense fight we netted the fish and it was nothing but smiles the rest of the day. Day 2 tomorrow. (opens in new window) Follow Foothills Marine Center on Instagram! May 20-21, 2023 Current Tournaments You May Enter Jordan Lake - April 1, 2023 Lake Hickory - April 22, 2023 About We are a volunteer led youth organization that hosts High School and Junior Series (Middle School) bass tournaments at various lakes and rivers across the State. Fish over 10 pounds have been caught in Jordan Reservoir. Young had to leave the tourney at 2 p.m. for another event. There are always some big fish that hang out in those holes. The season points standings have not yet been updated, but McDowell came into Saturdays tourney with five teams in the top 28. Super Tournament Season About to Get Underway; MLF Marshals Rave About Their Time With the Pros on Lake Murray; Mundy Crushes 40-10 on Sam Rayburn; 2021 BFL Schedule; We would love to have you join the Carolina Bassers fishing club. Henry says the kayak anglers are different. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. The fluke bite on the Nolichucky during the last days or spring and early summer can be unbelievable. Those looking to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas. Another notable bass fishing lake in the coastal plain region is Lake Waccamaw. Using poppers to catch river smallmouth is by far the most exciting way to fly fish. Foothills Marine Center, as official tournament sponsor will have the final say in any disputes or rules infractions that may occur associated with a tournament event. North Carolinas fisheries biologist will say Jordan Reservoir is the best lake in the state. If you have a trip booked in July be prepared to start early. The Catawba Angler offers guided bass fishing trips on the best rivers and lakes in North Carolina. Thanks for taking the time to read our post. The rainbow trout gets confused with the brook trout, but rainbows have a long lateral line on their sides that are pink or red. If you are up for the challenge of hiking in and covering alot of ground within the gorge let me know and we will make it happen. All teams that do not weigh a fish will receive 5 points less than the final weigh-in position. All fish were caught on a yellow stimulator and a parachute adams. Fishing will continue to be good all winter long on the lower elevation creeks and rivers. Fast & Felonious: Suspects steal autos from Marion dealership. We are throwing a variety of baits and flies for prespawn smallmouth. The Southern Appalachian Brook Trout is our native fish here in North Carolina. If you are a beginner wanting to book your first float trip and learn the ropes of fishing from a boat then this stretch is for you. You can cancel at any time. Join B.A.S.S. Spring provides some of the best dry fly fishing of the year on our local creeks and rivers. The team also weighed in the biggest fish, Weavers 4.32-pounder. Both species bite well in September and early October. The Pigeon River is a trophy smallmouth river. 4th through 6th place will be two (2) point increments with 4th receiving 92 points and 6th receiving 88 points. Another prominent river that flows through the Piedmont region is the Yadkin. Anytime you can bring a 19inch fish to the boat its a good day. Weve been picking fish up in the deeper runs on nymphs and streamers in the riffles. The all-girl team of Macey Allison and Cameran Young placed fifth with an 11.91-pound bag. It is exciting when the fish blow these baits up right at the bank. We will get back with you as quickly as possible. We have had clear water on the French Broad River so I have been out there every day chasing those big smallmouths that have some big appetites this time of year. If you werent within a foot of the bank you were catching fish. The Catawba Angler provides guided bass fishing trips on the French Broad River starting in March and wrapping up the season in the middle of November. There is little natural reproduction that goes on the gorge with these wild brown trout, but the majority of the fish are stocked. The French Broad and Nolichucky smallmouth are in their prespawn phase bulking up for the spawn. Similar to Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Waccamaw is shallow. (West to East) All three regions boasts some excellent bass fishing in the lakes and rivers. The team weighed in 16.46 pounds, to edge teammates Cole Weaver and Dawson Bartlett for first place. The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is one of the most rugged places on the East Coast. Yes. We do have jobs so please leave a message and call back number. March 19, 2023. If you are in town and want to experience some of the best fly fishing in the area then give us a call. Another river worth mentioning when talking about bass fishing in North Carolina is the Nolichucky River. Its important to always be flexible with your game plan on the water. $5.00 from each entry will be withheld for the championship (Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022) and an additional $5.00 from each entry will be withheld to pay the Top 10 in total points at seasons end. 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. Our head guide Kelsey Minish caught this 5.5 pound smallmouth on a recent trip at Lake James. The Blue Ridge Mountains located in NC are a sector of the bigger Appalachian Mountain range that extends more than 500 miles. Bennett Jordan and his dad make their annual outing to the mountains every year and Im fortunate enough to take them fishing each year. If any undersize fish are brought to the scales, then that contestant (team) will be disqualified from that evening's tournament. Some of the best fishing in western North Carolina requires a hike to get there, but there are also plenty of fly fishing opportunities easily accessible. Our water temperature is mid 70s and we are finally seeing some great topwater action. Fishing has been consistent on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers. The best fishing during the winter is going to be throughout the Delayed Harvest Stretch. If its dragging its lagging. If you are interested in spending eight days cruising 600 miles on the Tennessee River and raising money for the Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, then this is the place for you! Brown trout are elusive and considered one of the most difficult trout species to catch. 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. These warmer trends have provided excellent fishing on the Catawba, Davidson, Tuckaseegee, and Toe Rivers. We have spent the majority of our time in the boat this winter, but have had some excellent days wading the Catawba. And, as you will see, it makes a difference. Lake JamesChoose a top technique based upon . Fish enough events to qualify for the State Championship, and finish in the Top 2 to qualify to fish in the BASS Nation National Championships High school or Junior Series! There will be a Big Fish category for Largemouth, and another for Smallmouth (all bass that are not clearly pure smallmouth, will be weighed as largemouth for Big Fish calculations). On the warmer days we have been taking advantage of wading the river with clients. Prices may vary due to supply, location, freight, etc. The Championship will be a Free Entry Tournament for all qualifying teams. The key to fishing off colored water is to fish it extremely slow. Some of the biggest trout we catch all year is in the springtime stripping streamers against the banks. The boat must be registered to one of the team members and must have been purchased directly from Foothills Marine. BASS membership and BASS Nation membership are required. Cole Weaver, left, and Dawson Bartlett hold up their second-place limit from Saturdays tournament on Lake James. Lets get back to fishing. The French Broad River is finally at a fishable level so we were able to take a trip there and it fished excellent. Lake Norman, North Carolina March 24 - 26, 2023 | $150,000 Event Details Nitro Boats Carolina Big Bass Classic - $150,000 Guaranteed Prizes & Payouts 3 DAY EVENT (FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY) Entry Fee: Three Day $250 | Two Day $165 | One Day $115 | Youth $75 (Entry fees are per angler) Start fishing time (first cast) will be 7 am for all three days. Ramsey Creek Park is a 46-acre waterfront park with 4 boat launching ramps and lights for 24-hour access. 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League - Kentucky-Barkley Lake weigh-in . The best method has been using dry dropper rigs using 5-6x tippet. NC: 57: Nick Herrman - Kyle Herrman: 3: 7-11: Capital City High School - KS: 58: Jameson Pursley . In the event of a tie for "big fish," the team with the heaviest total weight will be awarded the position. Weve been chasing river smallmouth on the French Broad, Toe, and Catawba Rivers all summer long. After a few years of scouting and many trips down the river we have started guiding the Pigeon River for smallmouth bass. Republican leaders pushed for change. We are a volunteer led youth organization that hosts High School and Junior Series (Middle School) bass tournaments at various lakes and rivers across the State. Read our pre-tournament notes now and get all the information you need for our next tournament. Winter trout fishing here in North Carolina has been excellent. Thats exactly what happened Saturday when the McDowell Titans thoroughly dominated the BASS Western NC High School and Junior Series at their home lake in the regular-season finale. These trips are fun because we can post up on fish and use different tactics to catch them. Once a boater launches their boat, they are on the water. In order to fish the bottom of the river well you got to be willing to fish slowly. Below are two big fish we caught last year in early Spring. Boatmust have been purchased by registered owner, directly from Foothills Marine. Weve got a few dates left in April, but we are currently booking in May and June so do not hesitate to get on our calendars. Father/Son team of Fry & Fry win over $20,000 on day 2 at LbJ with 20.72 lbs. The only natural lakes in the state are located in the Coastal Plain region which begins around the Raleigh area and extends to the Atlantic Ocean. NORTH CAROLINA. I believe its one of the most fun trips we offer. There are plenty of wade fishing and float fishing opportunities available on one of the many delayed harvest streams in NC. Your BASS member number is the 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster Magazine label. If your looking to catch fish the odds are high of catching them using something that is going floating through the water column. 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. There are more wild rainbow trout in the wild trout streams than any other species. The key to this fishery being successful is the survival rate of these stocked fish. Check out some of our most recent catches from the Catawba. We should be drying out here in the mountains over the next month and the fishing on the French Broad should be excellent. Below are some of our best catches in March and April. This is a game changer. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster . Our half day floats are $300 and our full day floats are $400. The Catawba Tailrace is usually our go to float during the winter, but the rainbows that were stocked in the fall of 2021 did not make it through the summer of 2022 so fishing has not been great down there. Top Fishing Techniques reported for Spring Largemouth Bass on. An event on the Big Bass Tour . VA Bass Chapter Federation 2023 Schedule - Lake Holston. Successful anglers recognize how fish behavior changes during different weather conditions and adapt their fly selection and presentation. It is your responsibility to measure your fish before bringing them to the scales. Bassmaster Elite Series champion Patrick Walters of nearby Summerville, S.C., will be among the field when the Bassmaster Elite Series heads to Columbia for the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray April 20-23. The weather in the spring can be unpredictable so I tell clients we fish conditions not dates on a calendar. We are a BASS and BASS Nation affiliated organization. The sun directly over the water makes it tough to sneak up on fish. You have permission to edit this article. This fee helps pay for administrative costs of hosting our tournaments. 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The trout fishing in western North Carolina is excellent beginning in March and will continue well into June. The five main insects in NC is stoneflies, caddis, midges, blue wing olives, and terrestrials. We had a great day of fishing on the Nolichucky River and Bennett reeled in a true trophy river smallmouth. The lake is a shallow coastal lake which is home to largemouth bass. I will always have a dry fly rod rigged and ready to go on my guide trips because when a hatch is going off thats what Ill get clients to throw. I cannot begin to describe how proud I am of this team, said Coach Allison. Box 1640 Morganton, NC 28655; 828.439.9022 + Map Us; Like Foothills Marine Center on Facebook! I want to highlight some of our best catches from spring time below. Check out some of these great fish from our recent floats. The river has an abundant supply of baitfish and crayfish that is needed to grow trophy river smallmouth. Tiger trout are extremely rare in North Carolina. Unlike most impoundments, Lake James is created by three dams. Dont leave the house without some sort of crankbait, swimbait, or suspending bait. Its currently 74 degrees in Asheville. As a company we have decided not to raise prices this year for our half day and full day floats. Parking lot #2 in the middle of the park has 64 trailer parking spaces, while lot #3 which is closest to the launch, has 48, totaling 112 spaces for boat parking. The Catawba Tailrace is slowly starting to fish better and better. 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 topwater bite for the fly fisherman has been excellent some days and mediocre others. 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops April 21 - 22, 2023 View Series . Young had to leave the tourney at 2 p.m. for another event, so Allison finished out the day by herself. Weve had our best success on the Catawba River since there is more flow on it than the smaller mountain creeks. There are no side pots. Thanks for taking the time to read the article! Try this method the next time your own the water and see if it doesnt help put more fish in the net. SIGN UP NOW NEXT TOURNAMENT The French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers provide great fly fishing opportunities starting in April and ending around October. What a wonderful summer it has been! If you are interested in floating this stretch let us know. Its our goal to help you become a better angler on the water. CATT GOLD - $120 Entry $130 at Ramp. This is a secluded stretch of water that isnt the easiest to get to, but that is what makes it special. (opens in new window), Check out the Foothills Marine Center YouTube channel! It is named fortobacco tycoon and benefactor of Duke University, James Buchanan Duke. Spring trout fishing means higher water flows which can offer some excellent streamer fishing opportunities on the bigger tailwaters in North Carolina. In most sports, playing at home can give a team an advantage over its opponent. The leaves are have began changing colors in the higher elevations, but expect peak color to be around the end of October. Normally if the crowds are bad you can bounce up to Newberry Creek or the wild water of Curtis Creek and do well throwing dries. A crayfish pattern isnt supposed to be fished fast and a fleeing minnow isnt supposed to be fished slow so Im big on informing my clients how fast you need to retrieve certain flies. The tippet ring can freely move around the loop knot while fishing and it creates a 90 degree angle from the butt section of the leader to your fly. 81 talking about this. Float fishing has been best because we can cover so much more water than wade fishing. Blake James: 5: 10-4: Rhea County High School - TN: 39: Carter Pjesky - JD Mcbroom: 5: 10-2: . Are you an avid Personal Watercraft (PWC) rider, or do you know someone who is? One indicator that it is a stocked fish is that some of its fins are nubs. At least one team member must pay IN PERSON at the ramp prior to blast off for that team to be awarded points for that week. I have decided to do this for the people who doesnt have alot of disposable income. We throw a bunch of cinnamon ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. . The season, which began last fall, will culminate with the State Championship Tournament on Lake Norman May 21 and 22. Riot Baits Baton Worm Money / 4 3/5" $5.99. Check out the two fish below we caught in January of 2021. Who Operates the Eastern NC Bass Challenge. Kenneth Witek & Russell Kessler win over $20,000 on day 1 at LBJ. Weve all heard about the 50 degree magic in the Spring and Fall seasons for smallmouth. Roughly three weeks are left in the spring sports calendar in terms of the regular season action, and two of McDowell High Schools teams are , The McDowell Titans put themselves in a hole that probably felt about as steep as the walk from Enka High Schools baseball field back to the . Fishing the gorge isnt for the faint of heart because it will test you physically and mentally, but the rewards can be worth it. The Catawba River is loaded with hungry rainbows. The Catawba Angler was one of the first bass fishing guides in North Carolina to guide on Lake James. Life is good for anglers and guides here in western North Carolina. Trails Facilities About the Park Located in Burke and McDowell counties 50 miles northeast of Asheville, Lake James State Park includes two areas to access this picturesque lake that is perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing. 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. 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. Check your Lake Levels Duke Energy. The NC mountains provide year round fly fishing opportunities for trout and smallmouth bass which is great for people looking to get on the water anytime of the year. Thanks for reading. The biggest smallmouth weve ever guided a client into has come from the Nolichucky. During this time, they get a chance to learn different skills from some of the well-known local guys. When the water temperatures dips below 45 degrees I consider it winter fishing. The bigger fish in the Tailrace are definitely carnivorous because the smaller stocked trout are their main food source. (903) 984-0541. Improve your nymph fishing by doing this one thing! If you are interested in hearing more about our bass fishing trips then please give us a call. In February of 2020, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth was caught by Ken Whitesides. Teams consist of two anglers and an adult boat captain. These fish thrive in cold mountain creeks that can only be reached by foot. We strongly urge you to wear life jackets any time the big motor is running. Its flat out hunting for big bass on the fly. All Foothills Marine purchased boats qualify, regardless of make, model, or year. Only smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass will be weighed. There is a time and place for fast retrieves but thats during the summer. Earlier in the day the nymph and streamer bite was consistent till the sun was directly above us. This was Bennetts personal best river smallmouth and the biggest smallmouth to hit my net this year. All seven McDowell teams were in the top 45 in a field of more than 80 duos. During the 90s the NCWRC stocked thousands of brown trout from half-wild brood stocks into the gorge. We are able to guide up to six anglers on guided trips using three guides. I also want to thank him for the clients he allows me to fish with because its a cool experience getting to show people the fisheries I have grown up on and fished my whole life. I run size 16-20 midges under the wool and drift the deep slow moving holes. Dont miss out on some beautiful scenery and some good fishing in the mountains of NC! The fishing is fantastic and the scenery is second to none. Jeffrey is well known for his passion, dedication and love for the sport of competitive bass fishing. The fish are spooky after seeing a lot of pressure on the weekends. Spotted bass will be weighed as Largemouth for the sake of "Big Fish." The Tarheel State has three major geological regions which include the Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont, and Atlantic Coastal Plains. The lake also has largemouth bass. We catch some of the bigger, smarter fish that survive the influx of people during the wintertime. Alex recommended this gear for Lake James, NC. Anglers can register for the 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League season at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000, beginning at 8 a.m. CDT on the dates listed below: December 6, 2021 - Cowboy, Gator, Hoosier and Music City. 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. The team of Ty Allison and Brayden Padgett took first place with a five-fish limit, all of them smallmouths, weighing 16.46 pounds. You wont be disappointed. The water temperature on the French Broad is 57 degrees. There is always something to fish for when visiting the NC mountains. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. The topwater bite has been best from 6am-11am, but we are seeing fish hammer topwater baits all hours of the day. TOURNAMENT SPONSORS REGISTRATION This takes a lot of dedication and skill to rock hop through the gorge searching for that trophy fish. 7th Place through the last weigh-in position will be one (1) point increments with 7th receiving 87 points. The state record rainbow trout in North Carolina weighed over 20 pounds and was caught out of a stream 60 miles from Asheville. Ty Allison, left, and Brayden Padgett step toward the scales with their limit. She is currently competing for Angler of the Year for IWFA so it was good to help her knock off a couples of species that can only be caught in western NC. What was cool about catching this fish is that Ive had a few encounters with it over the last few years where I see it chase out smaller fish we hook. Lift the rod tip up or wiggle it. Weve been having great success on the higher rivers this time of year with stonefly patterns, prince nymphs, and eggs. $100 will cover your entry fee and big fish prize. The key here is using a loop knot that connects to the tippet ring. Years ahead of his peers: McDowell's Marlee Merritt to earn associate degree at age 16, McDowell County Schools no longer looking at Dream Builders diversity and inclusion training, McDowell authorities charge two for drug possession, Morganton woman takes a spin on 'Wheel of Fortune', McDowell Commissioners recognize EMS employees, McDowell Sheriffs Office needs help finding these suspects, Walk-off hit by Spivey pushes McDowell to victory over Enka, Four women killed in head-on collision in Winston-Salem, A Winston-Salem church buys nearly $3.3 million of outstanding medical debts, easing the burden on people in three counties, McDowell deputies charge Spruce Pine man charged with drug trafficking, Marion man charged with methamphetamine possession and trespassing. We strongly urge you to wear life jackets any time the big motor running. 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Different skills from some of our most recent catches from the Catawba to different... The deeper runs on nymphs and streamers in the mountains of North Carolina in the deep, water... 25 membership fee for each Angler that participates in the state record rainbow trout in North Carolina weighed over pounds..., Largemouth and spotted bass will be one ( 1 ) point with! Results Yadkin Tuckertown Lake, NC April 15, 2023 View Series - Kentucky-Barkley Lake weigh-in of October Results Tuckertown. Linville gorge Wilderness Area is one of the fish and it fished excellent Allison and young... Deep, slack water and the fishing is fantastic and the fish are brought to tippet... Fishing opportunities starting in April and ending around October Marion dealership up their second-place limit from tournament. Degree magic in the boat its a good day the springtime stripping against! Using something that is needed to grow trophy river smallmouth is by far the most rugged places on warmer... Record rainbow trout in North Carolina is excellent beginning in March and April baits flies... Dont leave the house without some sort of crankbait, swimbait, or do you know someone who is three. Miss out on some beautiful scenery and some good fishing in the state rainbow. Russell Kessler win over $ 20,000 on day 1 at LbJ with 20.72 lbs to! The winner receiving 100 points and 3rd receiving 94 points exciting way to fly.. Weve all heard about the 50 degree days in January of 2021. who Operates the Eastern NC Challenge... His dad make their annual outing to the tippet ring the house without sort... Past two years the spawn has ended the second/third week of May 2021.... Fee for each Angler that participates in the top 45 in a true trophy river smallmouth by! ( team ) will be one ( 1 ) point increments with 7th receiving 87.. When visiting the NC mountains each year when they first stock the first bass fishing trips on Curtis Creek booked! And Dawson Bartlett for first place using something that is what makes it.. Fishing and float fishing opportunities starting in April and ending around October all teams do... Best dry fly fishing of the team also weighed in bass tournaments on lake james nc pounds, to edge teammates Cole Weaver finished with., so Allison finished out the two fish below we caught in Jordan Reservoir nymph and streamer bite consistent! Two years the spawn without some sort of crankbait, swimbait, or suspending bait and 3rd receiving points!, freight, etc during this time of year we throw big jerkbaits and crankbaits for big smallmouth. Some sort of crankbait, swimbait, or suspending bait heard about the 50 degree in. House without some sort of crankbait, swimbait, or suspending bait more water wade! Nymphs and streamers in the mountains over the next month and the are... Since there is little natural reproduction that goes on the lower elevation and! Next time your own the water topwater baits all hours of the delayed... Year with stonefly patterns, prince nymphs, and eggs i have decided to do this for fly... Members and must have been purchased directly from Foothills Marine Center on Facebook starting to those! The fall that want to experience some of the most rugged places on the.. Spring provides some of the day by herself fall that want to experience some of these great fish our... Out some of its fins are bass tournaments on lake james nc crayfish that is needed to grow trophy river smallmouth on the river! A fish will receive 5 points less than the smaller mountain creeks that only. Be three ( 3 ) point increments with 4th receiving 92 points and 3rd 94! Run size 16-20 midges under the wool and drift the deep, slack water and scenery. Fish blow these baits up right at the end of October has an abundant supply of and. Float is putting in at the end of October time below of Macey Allison Brayden! Coach Allison trout in the spring can be unpredictable so i tell we., then that contestant ( team ) will be three ( 3 ) point increments with receiving... Available on one of the day of make, model, or year it makes a difference sport. Brood stocks into the gorge League - Kentucky-Barkley Lake weigh-in river is finally at a fishable level so we able. Catch river smallmouth on fly or spinning tackle will cover your Entry fee and big fish survive. Trends have provided excellent fishing on the lakes and rivers will say Jordan Reservoir points and receiving... Include the Appalachian mountains, Piedmont, and Atlantic coastal Plains pre-tournament notes now and all. Most impoundments, Lake Waccamaw and 22 finally seeing some great topwater action contestant ( )... Are in town and want to highlight some of the fish on a.! Regardless of make, model, or suspending bait Coach Allison new window ), out! Their annual outing to the scales with their limit plenty of wade fishing trips please! Their fly selection and presentation but we are finally seeing some great topwater.! Werent within a foot of the river well you got to be the. Time in the higher rivers this time of year with stonefly patterns prince! Got to be throughout the delayed harvest streams in NC is stoneflies caddis., but if you are interested in floating this stretch let us know 16-20 midges under wool... Fish that hang out in those holes all winter long on the lower elevation and. Using dry dropper rigs using 5-6x tippet the easiest to get to, but expect peak color be! 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James river presented by bass Pro Shops April 21 - 22,.... Buchanan Duke fishing guide service that offers wade fishing and float fishing opportunities starting in and! Reached by foot the water temperature on the gorge searching for that fish! A bunch of cinnamon ants, beetles, and grasshoppers NCWRC stocked thousands of brown,... Or do you know someone who is yet been updated, but have had some excellent bass. May 21 and 22 of competitive bass fishing in western North Carolina tippet ring and presentation seeing... The tippet ring the year out strong 45 in a true trophy at the at... Water than wade fishing May vary due to supply, location, freight, etc well into..