Besides the gorgeous mountains, rivers, and streams, North Carolina is also known for its ever-changing season. From the lush greens to the vibrant reds and yellows, however, the leaves are not the only thing that changes.
Summer:
When picking a time to set out for your first fly fishing expedition, consider the season. From many of my sources, the best time to get out on the streams in North Carolina seems to be around April through June.
In the summer it is often a good idea to start with terrestrials and hoppers. For those unaware, terrestrials are fly patterns that imitate larger top-water bugs. Things like beetles, ants, and dragonflies. These big flies are usually made up of a wild mix of materials with a foam center to keep them afloat.
Fall:
Fall is one of the most popular times for beginner anglers in the state because it harbors an event that increases your odds tenfold.
The Delayed Harvest season is one of the most anticipated fishing seasons of the year. It’s a time when 34 specially designated streams are managed to boost angler success. It starts in early October when the water temperatures are typically lower, creating a more comfortable habitat for the trout to thrive.
The waterways are heavily stocked in October and November. The Delayed Harvest trout waters are managed under a set of rules that help sustain optimal fishing conditions throughout the season. The rules require that anglers only use artificial bait and single hook lures, perfect for fly fishing. Also, all trout caught must be returned to the water immediately.
Those regulations, along with dense stocking, make trout fishing fun for everyone, no matter their level of expertise. It also helps them hone their skills without pressure or competition from those fishing with live bait. Officially, the Delayed Harvest season runs from October 1 until the first Saturday in June.
Fly-wise, opinions vary however, your best bet would be to throw a zebra midge, wooly bugger, or tungsten missile. I would suggest the zebra midge first as it imitates 50% of the trout's diet in the fall and winter months.
Winter:
In the winter months, it is important to be prepared. The harsh weather will test your endurance, patience, and most of all outerwear. Be sure to wrap up and wear waterproof clothing as the water can reach freezing temperatures in the mountains. With that being said do not count out these months as they are an opportune moment to get out there and practice. The winds in the mountains will make casting hard so make sure you have practiced shooting line and your roll cast.
The timing could not be more perfect for you to catch your PR in the mountains of North Carolina. Hatchery Supported trout waters are open from the first Saturday in April to the last day of February the following year (and closed for March). The N.C. “Wildlife Resources Commission typically stocks the Hatchery Supported waterways with nearly 960,000 trout — 96% of which average 10 inches in length, with the remaining 4% measuring over 14 inches long.”(French Broad Crossing, 2022) Use the 2021 Hatchery Supported trout stocking schedule to see when and where stocking occurs during the year.
I must be honest, I have yet to have the opportunity to go out into the mountains in the winter, so most of my information in this section is coming from research and interviews. With that said Orvis suggests that in Eastern N.C. and Tennessee the best flies to tie on are as follows:
The Worm
Micro Spawn
Girdle Bug
Rainbow Warrior
Pheasant Tail
If it hasn’t become apparent through this article yet let me help you out. Finding trusty resources is key to putting yourself in a successful position. The flies that I suggested are well-tested and produce the most bites, however, you should always check the rocks and water around you to see what you can imitate; that will always be your best bet. Learning to read charts, finding schedules and understanding maps is a surefire way to put you on track to land a fish. Getting out on the water at the right time is half the battle.
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