North Carolina's Delayed Harvest streams have been fishing well recently (when not flooded), as we've enjoyed a warm fall. Stone Mountain's Delayed Harvest streams were chock full of eager, nice sized trout for our Black Friday trout fishing excursion. The well-fed, stocked brown and rainbow trout averaged 12-14", with a few larger ones lurking around. We had good luck not only in the pools where stocking is easiest, but we encountered trout all throughout the stream.
While most people were watching football in a food induced coma or fighting other shoppers for "good deals", we enjoyed perfect trout fishing weather prior to the heavy rains. However, a large number of other anglers shared the day with us. With a water temperature of 48 degrees, the trout started the morning somewhat sluggishly. However, the action soon heated up with a nice fat brown trout starting the day off. My son was able to catch his first trout by himself using a Rooster Tail on his brand new spincast outfit. Rooster tails and Panther Martins worked well throughout the day. I found some interest from the trout using blue winged olive mayfly nymph and cream midge patterns. One energetic rainbow trout put on quite an aerial display, jumping well out of the water three times after taking a BWO nymph. Even late in the day, we were able to find cooperative trout in the popular spots.
A friend of mine fished the DH stream in South Mountains State Park, also with great success, and texted me a picture of a nice brook trout caught there.
As a reminder, catch and release, single hook artificial fly/lure restrictions apply for DH streams from now until early next June.
We were also able to get in a little fishing on the front end of the rainy weather during our subsequent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fishing took a back seat to family fun, but we were able to wet the line in Abrams Creek on the far end of the 11 mile, one way road around Cades Cove, Anthony Creek on the upstream end of the Cove, and then again in the Little River along the road on the way back to the hotel. The water temperature was a balmy 54 degrees in Abrams Creek, very nice for the end of November. We had several trout flirt with our offerings in all three locations, but no strikes.
Anthony Creek, which is a typical Smoky Mountains freestone creek containing rainbow trout, forms the headwaters of Abrams Creek upstream of Cades Cove. Much of the flow of the creek goes underground in the Cove area through limestone, improving the pH. As the underground water re-enters the creek at the far end of Cades Cove, Abrams Creek supports far more aquatic life than most other area streams. Abrams Creek through this area fishes much like a spring creek, though the pH normalizes the further downstream you progress. If you have time, take the 2.5 mile hike down to Abrams Falls, and fish the large pool at its base. Abrams Creek contains only rainbow trout in this area, though eventually you will begin to encounter smallmouth bass further downsream.
The Little River offers miles of easily accessible pools, riffles, runs, and pocket water, as you drive along the road through the Park. The river is home to rainbow and brown trout, as well as smallmouth bass in the lower reaches. The browns can reach a large size in this area. The Little River receives a good deal of pressure during the main fishing season, and its lower reaches can run somewhat on the warm side for trout during the summer months. I have fond memories of spending numerous summer evenings around dusk trying to coax the rising trout in this river to take my flies when I was younger.
I had forgotton how scenic Cades Cove was, and we were fortunate enough to see many deer, wild turkeys, and even two bears from a distance climbing a tree. The day ended as the rain intensified, and a kayaker passed through the pool we were fishing on the Little River.
The following days were washouts, thanks to the slow-moving front that passed through the area. However, we discovered a nice trail immediately behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center that provided access to Fighting Creek. We will probably return and fish this little creek someday when the weather is more cooperative. In the meantime, we may need to get used to fishing high water with an El Nino shaping up for this winter.
