Davidson River Fly Fishing

Big trout, easy access, fly fishing heaven. Spend a day or spend the weekend on the beautiful Davidson River, full of large brown and rainbow trout and plenty of camping spots along the banks. The Davidson River is located off of US HWY 64/276 and about 2 miles north of Brevard, NC.

With excellent population of big trout, the Davidson has been coined one of Asheville’s private fly fishing getaways. With only 30 minutes southwest of Asheville, the Davidson River stretches from Brevard all the way back up into Dupont State Forest. The river has been listed as one of Trout Unlimited best streams and provides the angler with a number of different fishing styles to slow drifting nymphs to larger pools, or dry fly fishing while sight fishing large fish.

The Davidson River gets fished year round so presentation and fly imitation can be key. The big trout are smart so light leaders, and quiet wading practices can make it or break it for catching a trophy trout. Don’t be fooled by big pools, there are almost always big fish laying on the bottom. This is when drifting large nymphs, depending on season, throughout these deep holes can provide the angler with a fish of a lifetime.

Davidson River Hatches

Hatches on the Davidson River are year-round. With midges hatching almost all day to caddis and mayfly. Larger insects will hatch on the Davidson depending on season. Try fishing elk hair caddis’ during the summer and fall months for dry fly fishing and bead head hares ear for drifting in big pools. All the way from Sycamore Flats, at the beginning of the river, to the fish hatchery big fish can be found surfacing for big meals. Don’t be afraid to toss out big dry flies to see what you might catch.

Smaller midge imitations such as the Griffith’s Gnat or off colored midges can provide good fish catches. With the smaller flies being hard to see try to watch for any fish rolls or fly line stops.

Angler Space

The Davidson River can get busy at times, but don’t worry avoiding the crowds can be just as easy. With a quick hike up river there are a number of different spots to fish along the river where many anglers do not go, but still offer great fishing. Virtually every spot on the Davidson River is accessible, even some of the smaller creeks coming out of Dupont State Forest.

Davidson River Fly Fishing Guides

Southern Appalachian Anglers offers fly fishing guides on a number of different rivers including the Davidson River all the way up to Tennessee and almost every river in between. With our staff of professional fishing guides, over 18 years of fishing Western North Carolina’s streams and lakes, Southern Appalachian Anglers will provide an exciting fish catching experience.

Contact Us

Contact Southern Appalachian Anglers online or call 828-691-1506 to book your next Asheville fishing trip.