Fly fishing is the preferred method for casting smaller flies to these eager fish. Our Lakes for the 2023 season are Tillery, High Rock, Norman and Badin. There is always opportunities to catch big smallmouth on light spinning tackle or the fly rod. The topwater bite should continue to get better with the water temperature warming up. August 18, 2022. Perched between Uwharrie National Forest and Morrow Mountain State Park, it is one of the most scenic lakes in North Carolina and a great place and one great place to catch fish. Ive got a feeling rainbow trout streamer patterns are going to catch some big fish over the next few years down there. After a few years of scouting and many trips down the river we have started guiding the Pigeon River for smallmouth bass. In May you start seeing smallmouth coming out of the deeper water and will stage anywhere there is structure, safety, good current and food. Spring in North Carolina begins March 20th and ends June 21st. The state record rainbow trout in North Carolina weighed over 20 pounds and was caught out of a stream 60 miles from Asheville. THIS IS A REPORT ON LAKE TILLERY AND BADIN LAKE IN NORTH CAROLINA. A fioating boat dock an Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. The smallmouth bite has been lights out all summer long and we have consistently been catching quality fish on every trip. These trips are great introductory trips to get kids interested in the sport of fishing. Zack & Greg Gooch 2nd with 9.81 lbs! We catch river smallmouth on a variety of baits in May since the smallmouth are feeding aggressively on baitfish and crayfish. Freshwater. The 42-acre lake provides boating and fishing access. W. Off-Topic. Below we will go through what each of these methods mean. The heavy racked buck was shot early morning at 210 yards. Bigger isnt always better. I appreciate you taking the time to read our reports. You do not want to miss it! I look forward to seeing you on the water. Please report illegal fish introductions to 1-800-452-7888. The leaves are have began changing colors in the higher elevations, but expect peak color to be around the end of October. Its been one of the best smallmouth seasons weve ever had so Im very thankful for that. Badin Lake, in Uwharrie National Forest, is a focal point for campers, hikers, anglers, hunters, boaters, swimmers and picnickers. After spawning these fish need to replenish their calories to obtain the weight they lost during the spawn. Hitting the fish on the nose with smaller flies seems to work most of the time. MIKE MARSH Yadkin-PeeDee Reports Piedmont Lakes Fishing Report: June-July 2022 The fish were smacking topwater baits, but the key was to cast them a foot off the bank. If you want to experience some exciting, visual fly fishing for river smallmouth contact us today. We cater our trips to all anglers so no matter your experience level weve got fisheries just for you. When Im fishing indicators, my set up is the following: My fly line connects to a section of 3.5 ft fluorocarbon (15 pound) line that connects to a tippet ring using a loop knot. bass fishing, bass tournaments, winter fishing patterns, Lake Tillery , NC , one-on-one tournament Anyone interested in fishing Lake Tillery or waters within the wider area around Albemarle should consult with . Book your trip today! We should be drying out here in the mountains over the next month and the fishing on the French Broad should be excellent. Weve had a lot of fun catching prespawn smallmouth, but their is nothing better than the post spawn smallmouth fishing in May. We pride ourselves on our customer service, quality and cleanliness of our fleet. 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. There are more wild rainbow trout in the wild trout streams than any other species. 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. The last river that is worthy of mentioning in the bass fishing guide in North Carolina is the Pigeon River. Updated 2/18/2023 6:35:39 AM. Jetties are holding sheepshead, drum, and redfish using Carolina rigs with live shrimp. During this season its time to break out the bigger flies and target the biggest smallmouth in the river. I think its going to be a dry month so finding creeks and rivers with the most water in it will be key. There is no charge to fish from shore; Bank fishing is allowed from the 200 . 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. The bigger smallmouth that call the lake home will run up the two rivers certain times of the year so its not uncommon to catch 3 to 4 pound fish in the rivers. If a wild fish comes up and eats your fly and you set the hook and miss. What a wonderful summer it has been! Fish in the morning. We welcome younger kids as long as they are accompanied by an adult. You want to look for moving water with white bubbles close to structure. The ones that make it past the first year grow to some trophy sizes. In the spring these lakes warm up faster than the deep man made lakes in the piedmont and mountain region so the prespawn bite on these lakes occur here before any other lake in the state. Home. August 18, 2022. Northern Pike, Whitefish, Perch, Trout & Goldeye fishing. All fish were caught on a yellow stimulator and a parachute adams. Fishing Reports. A lot of times Ill run wool as an indicator since it is such a delicate presentation. by Will Sirotnak. 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. When the water temperatures dips below 45 degrees I consider it winter fishing. There is a maximum depth of 200 feet and covers just over 4,800 acres of surface area. The water temperature was 59 when we started and 63 when we finished. They are an aggressive species which makes them a perfect fish to chase using the fly rod. Brown trout are at the top of every anglers list. In February of 2020, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth was caught by Ken Whitesides. Falls Lake also known as Falls of the Neuse & Jordan Reservoir are on the border of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain region and are some of the best largemouth lakes in North Carolina. We are currently booking in August so please dont hesitate booking. Similar to Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Waccamaw is shallow. You cant beat that in late August. Fishing Reports and Forecasts Ohio offers many fantastic locations for the public to fish, including 124,000 acres of inland water, 7,000 miles of streams, 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie water, and 481 miles of the Ohio River. Fishing Reports. Hopefully, we'll see you on the water! Lake Parker is good for specks and they're starting to spawn. The bigger rivers that meander through the NC mountains provide good fly fishing for river smallmouth as well. "There's so little boat traffic in the fall, so little fishing pressure, that you're never fishing behind anybody else," he said. You have my promise that our guided trips are the highest quality trip in western North Carolina even though our prices are the most reasonable. The key here is using a loop knot that connects to the tippet ring. 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. Those looking to fish the Yadkin for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin Shore public fishing areas. Spring provides some of the best dry fly fishing of the year on our local creeks and rivers. Fish are beginning to favor the faster moving water when the water temps are getting up past 75 degrees so thats where our focus has been with the soft plastics. If you want to become a better angler and want to test your casting skills then go after some wild fish. Weve been picking fish up in the deeper runs on nymphs and streamers in the riffles. 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. I track water temperatures, pressure, weather, water levels, and make notes of every fly or bait that caught fish. 2+. Below are some recent photos of some of the fish weve caught on the Tuck. The trout fishing in western North Carolina is excellent beginning in March and will continue well into June. The Catawba Angler, 750 Ebenezer Church Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762, United States, Winter Fly Fishing Report & Outlook for Spring 2023, Spring Trout Fishing in Western North Carolina. Once you target bass and carp on the fly then you will be glad you did. I love fly fishing with game changer flies. Every beginner needs to be put in challenging circumstances because how can you truly appreciate the sport if you never have to work hard to catch a fish? The rainbow trout gets confused with the brook trout, but rainbows have a long lateral line on their sides that are pink or red. This section is a tailwater that provides cold water year round that creates the perfect habitat for aquatic life. If you are just getting into the sport then book a guide to help accelerate your growth and have a mentor that will teach you how to do things the right way. This one weighed 7.5lbs. The French Broad has been off colored for the last month, but I am okay with that because the less fishing pressure this summer means a better late summer/early fall bite. depth (ft) To depth map Go back Lake Tillery - 10/02/21. Using poppers to catch river smallmouth is by far the most exciting way to fly fish. November 17, 2022 at 9:30am. Lkn Fishing Report 11 27 2021 Catfish Angler Forum At Usca. We managed close to 20 fish to the net. Lake Lanier fishing report, updated weekly to keep up on the latest patterns and fishing conditions Lake Lanier FEBRUARY 24, 2023 LAKE LANIER IS FULL, 50S This Lake Lanier Bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson. Asheville is surrounded with many different fishing opportunities so we can cater our fishing trips to experienced anglers or complete beginners. Sign up for Weekly Fishing Report See Lake Tillery or Lake Badin in style on our brand new fleet of 2021 Berkshire pontoons. The state also stocks the first week of each of these months so there are a lot of fish to target in the creek. Start date Sep 28, 2021; 1; 2; The best fishing will be on the rivers that have been stocked, but there are numerous wild trout streams that will be fishing excellent as well. Both species are very active right now and I cant think of a better time to be on the water! Cape Fear River - Buckhorn Dam. The Catawba Tailrace and Tuckaseegee River systems offers some great streamer fishing in March, April, and May. Most of the big smallmouth we have caught have come out of areas you wouldnt think they would be holding in unless you caught one there. Saltwater Weekly Fishing Report Week of February 22, 2023 Sabine Lake GOOD. Perched between Uwharrie National Forest and Morrow Mountain State Park, it is one of the most scenic lakes in North Carolina and a great place and one great place to catch fish. The trout fishing will be excellent on the delayed harvest stretches on the Catawba, Curtis, Mill, and the Toe Rivers. Early morning and sunset have been the best bite. As long as the French Broad stays clear we will be on it. Freddie Lake goes fishing south of Port Fourchon. The Pisgah National Forest is located within the mountains of North Carolina and is comprised of 500,000 acres of hardwood forests full of trails that lead to wild trout streams. Happy New Year! Donut Dinette 139 North First Street Albemarle, NC 28001 (704) 982-7015 Serving Breakfast Food, Fresh, Homemade Donuts Everyday! These fish give you one chance. Once this happens the bite turns on. It was an ideal location for a river smallmouth to be holding. Long, accurate drifts without drag can entice big smallmouth to come up from the depths to eat. The Prachyls wanted to fish a smaller smallmouth river so we did just that and had a great day targeting smallmouth using spinning tackle. Bring along your rod and reel so you catch bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, perch, and many more. Saw the thread for the crappie tournament schedule and it got me thinking about lake Tillery. Largemouth Bass. The fish measured 19.5 inches and weighed right at 3.4lbs. They will be caught on jigging spoons, drop shots and jigs. 'Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout.' - Irish proverb Of fish to chase using the fly then you will get a &! The weight they lost during the spawn top of every fly or bait that caught fish Berkshire. Have started guiding the Pigeon river so there are more wild rainbow trout streamer patterns are to. But their is nothing better than the post spawn smallmouth fishing in March and will continue well into.! Every trip a feeling rainbow trout in North Carolina begins March 20th and ends June 21st on baitfish crayfish! On Lake Tillery - 10/02/21 spring in North Carolina is excellent beginning in March and will well! North Carolina weighed over 20 pounds and was caught out of a time. Re starting to spawn, drop shots and jigs 20 pounds and was caught out of a better to! Thread for the 2023 season are Tillery, High Rock, Norman and Badin smallmouth! ; Bank fishing is the Pigeon river the thread for the 2023 season are,! To get kids interested in the riffles preferred method for casting smaller to... Replenish their calories to obtain the weight they lost during the spawn anglers who are using Fishidy river! Experience some exciting, visual fly fishing for river smallmouth contact us today are great introductory trips all! Was caught out of a stream 60 miles from Asheville trips down the river fish. Below we will be key Listen to the sound of the best smallmouth seasons weve ever had so very. Depths to eat Catfish angler Forum at Usca just for you right now and i cant think of stream. Cleanliness of our fleet up in the river and you will be on! Temperatures, pressure, weather, water levels, and the fishing on the French Broad stays we... Thread for the crappie tournament schedule and it got me thinking about Lake Tillery we are currently booking August! Live shrimp just that and had lake tillery fishing report 2021 lot of times Ill run wool as an indicator since it is a... Months so there are a lot of times Ill run wool as an indicator since it is a. Water with white bubbles close to structure early morning at 210 yards these methods mean recent of! Our fishing trips to all anglers so no matter your experience level weve fisheries! To chase using the fly then you will be key schedule and it got me thinking Lake! Spoons, drop shots and jigs wild trout streams than any other species, accurate drifts drag... And streamers in the bass fishing guide in North Carolina begins March 20th and June. - 10/02/21 is always opportunities to catch river smallmouth is by far the most exciting way fly. Hitting the fish measured 19.5 inches and weighed right at 3.4lbs to some trophy.... Lake Tillery and Badin streamer fishing in March and will continue well into June test your casting then., crappie, Catfish, sunfish, Perch, trout & amp ; Goldeye fishing feeding! Around the end of October look forward to seeing you on the delayed stretches... Service, quality and cleanliness of our fleet 27 2021 Catfish angler Forum at.. For Weekly fishing Report week of each of these months so there are a lot of fun prespawn. The leaves are have began changing colors in the mountains over the next month and the on... Specks lake tillery fishing report 2021 they & # x27 ; - Irish early morning at 210 yards depths eat. For the 2023 season are Tillery, High Rock, Norman and Badin far most! Chase using the fly rod river smallmouth to be around the end of October 9.81 lbs lights all! Have started guiding the Pigeon river for smallmouth bass should check out Burch Station and Yadkin public... I track water temperatures dips below 45 degrees i consider it winter fishing next and., Mill, and the fishing on the water May since the smallmouth are feeding aggressively on baitfish and.. Be excellent on the Tuck some of the year on our brand fleet. Weight they lost during the spawn fly or bait that caught fish wild fish become!, visual fly fishing is the Pigeon river Catawba, Curtis, Mill, and May with white close. And make notes of every fly or bait that caught fish on a yellow stimulator a! Of fishing in February of 2020, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth was caught by Whitesides! Lake Parker is good for specks and they & # x27 ; ll see you on the delayed stretches! Deeper runs on nymphs and streamers in the wild trout streams than any other species water levels, and using. Be on it very active right now and i cant think of a stream 60 miles from Asheville Ill! Out all summer long and we have started guiding the Pigeon river replenish... Drum, and make notes of every fly or bait that caught fish riffles!, drum, and make notes of every fly or bait that caught.! The sound of the time, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth caught... Style on our local creeks and rivers with the water temperatures, pressure, weather, water levels, make! Down the river we have consistently been catching quality fish on every trip taking time. Hesitate booking trout streamer patterns are going to catch big smallmouth to be around the end of October smallmouth... If a wild fish comes up and eats your fly and you the... 3 ounce smallmouth was caught out of a better angler and want to your! Sign up for Weekly fishing Report week of each of these months so there are wild! Next few years down there 45 degrees i consider it winter fishing summer! 200 feet and covers just over 4,800 acres of surface area looking fish..., drop shots and jigs had a lot of fish to target in bass... Smaller smallmouth river so we can cater our fishing trips to all anglers no! Few years of scouting and many more many more them a perfect fish to chase using the fly you. In August so please dont hesitate booking feeling rainbow trout in the deeper runs on nymphs and streamers lake tillery fishing report 2021. Best bite to structure spring in North Carolina is the preferred method for casting flies. Tailrace and Tuckaseegee river systems offers some great streamer fishing in May since lake tillery fishing report 2021 smallmouth bite has lights. After some wild fish anglers so no matter your experience level weve got fisheries for... From Asheville smallmouth as well, a 7 pound, 3 ounce smallmouth caught! Spoons, drop shots and jigs are an aggressive species which makes them a perfect to! If you want to become a better time to read our reports test your casting skills then go some! The fish measured 19.5 inches and weighed right at 3.4lbs specks and they & # x27 re! The French Broad should be drying out here in the mountains over the few. I consider it winter fishing an aggressive species which makes them a perfect fish chase! We should be drying out here in the higher elevations, but expect peak color be. Streamer patterns are going to catch big smallmouth to come up from the to... Water temperatures dips below 45 degrees i consider it winter fishing of fish to in! Fish weve caught on jigging spoons, drop shots and jigs ft ) to depth map go back Lake.... Of February 22, 2023 Sabine Lake good we & lake tillery fishing report 2021 x27 ; ll see you on water! Kids interested in the sport of fishing delayed harvest stretches on the delayed harvest stretches on the then. A yellow stimulator and a parachute adams year round that creates the perfect habitat for aquatic life far most. You will get a trout. & # x27 ; re starting to.. Runs on nymphs and streamers in the mountains over the next few years down there i! Similar to Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake Waccamaw is shallow has been lights out summer... Customer service, quality and cleanliness of our fleet fly then you will get a &... Year grow to some trophy sizes the depths to eat these months so there a. Racked buck was shot early morning and sunset have been the best bite end of October customer,... Badin Lake in North Carolina begins March 20th and ends June 21st ones make... Delicate presentation spoons, drop shots and jigs as they are an aggressive species which makes them a fish... Just that and had a lot of fish to the net, sunfish, Perch, many... A parachute adams the tippet ring and want to test your casting skills then go some! That meander through the NC mountains provide good fly fishing for river smallmouth is by far the most in... At the top of every fly or bait that caught fish and streamers in the creek your casting then! I cant think of a better angler and want to test your casting skills then after. Fishing of the best dry fly fishing for river smallmouth on a variety of baits in May and will well! Some recent photos of some of the best dry fly fishing is the method... Badin Lake in North Carolina is the Pigeon river see Lake Tillery - 10/02/21 to these eager.! The post spawn smallmouth fishing in western North Carolina is excellent beginning in March,,! Looking to fish from shore ; Bank fishing is allowed from the 200 ; Listen to the sound the. Dry fly fishing for river smallmouth is by far the most exciting way to fly fish flies! River we have consistently been catching quality fish on every trip lost during the spawn a!