Announcement from the NC Wildlife Resource Commission
NC Wildlife Resource announced on September 30, 2019, that several of the popular Delayed Harvest Trout Streams will have stocking modifications. According to their 9/30/19 release, the NC Wildlife Commission staff are monitoring conditions on area water. The following changes are taking place:
Ashe County: Trout Lake (postponed until the week of 10/7 for now)
Wilkes County: East Prong Roaring River, Stone Mountain Creek, Upper & Lower Elk Creek are subject to reduced stocking will occur on week of 10/7, Reddies Creek is postponed at least until the week of 10/7.
Watuaga County: Lake Coffey & the Lower Watauga River (postponed until week of 10/7) & Upper Watauga (reduced stocking)
Surry County: Ararat & Mitchell River are both under reduced stocking
Madison County: Big Laurel & Shelton Laurel Creeks will both be under reduced stocking numbers
These modifications are due to hotter weather than normal & lower water. Rescheduled stocking numbers & new dates will be listed once they are finalized by http://www.ncwildlife.org.
History & Regulations of Delayed Harvest
The NC Wildlife Commission implemented the Delayed Harvest Trout Waters in the early 1990’s. It has grown to include 36 trout waters in western North Carolina. The special regulations include catch and release only from 10/1/19 to the first Saturday in June (6/5/2020). No natural bait can be possessed & only artificial lures with single hooks can be used (preferably flies from https://www.jessebrowns.com).
Local Available Resources
Available at Jesse Brown’s Outdoors are several resources for a successful fly fishing outing into any trout stream this fall. We have casting instruction available https://jessebrowns.com/product/casting-lesson/ & guided trips https://jessebrowns.com/product/guided-trip-two/ to schedule please send a note to letscast@jessebrowns.com.
Also, we have fly fishing specialists & several books that can help provide you directions to the appropriate stream to bring maximum success. Stop by Jesse Brown’s for any updates. We are monitoring many of the trout streams & what works best for anglers. Notably, the early stocked fish seem to love the ever-popular Bead Head Wooly Buggers in olive. Jesse Brown’s has plenty so stop by to replenish before heading off for your destination.
