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Connor Dorsey, local fly fishing guide at Jesse Brown’s, joins the Carolina Outdoors with an update on fly fishing in western North Carolina. Hear the conditions of the water, how the drought has affected fishing, and delayed harvest vs. hatchery-supported streams.
What to Know:
- The lack of rain has created very clear water in creeks. This means you need to be more technical in your casts and presentation, size down, and fish with more finesse.
- Connor recommends using smaller flies and more technical casting so that pools of fish don’t scatter when you cast. He will even tie a piece of string to his line so that flies don’t hit the water as hard.
- Delayed harvest streams open to catch-and-release the first weekend of June. Connor’s prediction is that these streams will last to the end of June.
- You can Google your county’s Master Stocking List, which indicates when streams have been stocked and how many fish were stocked.
- Despite some hatcheries being unusable this year due to reconstruction, streams are still very fishable.
- What streams are recommended this May and June for the most success? Connor says the best fishing has been in the Watauga River in Boone, as well as the Catawba River headwaters in Marion.
Connor is hosting the May Fly Fishing Workshop at Jesse Brown’s! This two-day workshop includes an evening of instruction on theory & tying on May 21st, followed by a Saturday day trip on May 23rd. If you’re looking to learn more about fly fishing & register, you can find more info HERE!
Going fly fishing this May? Jesse Brown’s is Charlotte’s one-stop fly shop, from rods to reels to gear and more. Shop online HERE!
Check out more upcoming events at Jesse Brown’s HERE!
