There are many opportunities for fishing trips in NC mountains. While our mountains are diverse in elevation geography, Asheville, NC is typically the center point for attractions and meeting up with long lost friends or family members. While there is a city atmosphere found in Asheville, you can get lost in WNC’s National Forests just […]
Written by: Ethan Hollifield, Head Guide Arguably the most exciting and fun way to target smallmouth bass in rivers is with topwater flies. There really is nothing more exciting to me than to watch a topwater presentation get pounced on by a big river smallmouth. Throwing topwater flies along with the intricacy that comes with […]
When visiting the Appalachian mountains, most anglers think about fishing for mountain trout. While this may be on your bucket list, there are many other fishing trips available to catch multiple species right here in Asheville. Below we will illustrate some of the types of fishing available in Western North Carolina, and specifically Asheville, North […]
Wild, Native, and Stocked Trout. What’s the Difference? Written by: Ethan Hollifield Head Guide at Southern Appalachian Anglers The ecological history of trout in Western North Carolina has created a relatively diverse fishery as it stands today here in the mountains. Our waterways currently hold four primary species of trout: brook trout, brown trout, rainbow […]
How to Ethically Handle Trout By: Ethan Hollifield, Guide at Southern Appalachian Anglers The varying trout species that are found in Western North Carolina are the quintessential essence of what makes our fisheries here so special. In order to keep the trout fishing here as best managed as possible; it’s important for all anglers regardless […]
NC Trout Fishing Regulations Mountain trout require cold, oxygenated water to thrive. Therefore there are a number of regulations put into place to help protect their environment, and prevent anglers from keeping the desired amount of fish with creel limits. While catch and release is the only practice that we preach at Southern Appalachian Anglers, […]
Early Summer Smallies on the Fly Author: Ethan Hollifield River smallmouth are one of my favorite freshwater species to target on the fly. This is my favorite time of year to chase smallmouth, and Western North Carolina has an abundance of smallmouth water ranging from large river basins to low elevation creeks and streams. Pound […]
How to Set Up a Drop Shot Nymphing System Author: Ethan Hollifield It’s hard to argue that nymphing is an effective way to target trout throughout the year, and through varying types of water conditions. Nymphing techniques have multiple branches of skills to be mastered that all have their place on their water, but one […]
Western North Carolina running from southeast Asheville all the way north toward the Tennessee boarder has the best trout fishing in the Southeast United States. While there are some private creeks and rivers that you need to stay away from there are hundreds of local streams and rivers that provide anglers with wild trout fishing […]
Most anglers spend their entire life in search of a trophy smallmouth bass. Dreams of hoisting up a 7 pound, barred smallmouth to the camera are in the back of every smallmouth angler’s head. With their tendency to travel to deep water and hide behind rock ledges, trophy smallmouth can be a challenge to find. […]