THE MOUNTAIN TIMES SUMMER GUIDE
PAGE 36
Hook, Line and Sinker
2014
Fishing in the High Country
BY JAMIE SHELL
F
ishing the waters of the High Country is a practice almost as old as the High Country itself. For generations, ¿shing has provided sustenance for early settlers and respite in modern times from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, as countless lines have been cast and hooks baited to catch some of the most prized ¿sh the region has to offer. North Carolina is home to hundreds of miles of ¿shing waters, with trout, in addition to smallmouth bass, walleye and musky, among others. “Anywhere you see a stream, if it is more than about three-feet wide, it’s got trout in it,” Kelly McCoy, owner of RiverGirl Fishing Company in Todd, said. Hot spots for landing the big catch locally are along the Watauga and New rivers, some portions of which are stocked. Local ¿shing shops offer a great opportunity for visitors and newcomers to the sport of ¿shing to get a leg up, with some companies offering tours and tips gleaned from their vast experience on the local waters. “Probably half of the people we take ¿shing have de¿nitely not ¿shed before, and a lot of them have not ¿shed at all,” Foscoe Fishing Company owner Slate Lacy said. According to Lacy, his company leads most of its operation at the Watauga River, where an 8- to 10-inch ¿sh is a prime catch, though it’s not out of the question to hook a ¿sh as large as 16 or 18 inches. Lending to the popularity of catching ¿sh in the High Country is the picturesque scenery surrounding a day at or on the water, according to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission ¿sheries biologist Kevin Hining. “I think a lot of it is just the scenery — for the same reason folks want to go to the mountains in general,” Hining said. Besides the visual “hook,” High Country waters offer the chance to land three kinds of trout: Brook, brown and rainbow. NCWRC recommends that those interested in catching the trout varieties should try dry Àies, streamer or nymphs that imitate natural foods. Worms or corn work well for hatchery-related trout,
Hot spots for landing a catch locally are along the Watauga and New rivers, some portions of which are stocked. FILE PHOTO
while spinners, spoons and crankbaits are also feasible options. For those with other varieties of ¿sh in mind, NCWRC of¿cials are ¿nding that smallmouth bass ¿shing continues to trend upward. “Up here, what we’ve found historically has been trout ¿shing, but we’re ¿nding more and more people that are getting interested in smallmouth ¿shing,” Hining said. Rivers, including the New, the Watauga and the Nolichucky, all have solid smallmouth ¿sheries. Known for their “¿ght,” smallmouth bass will bite a variety of arti¿cial baits, especially those in orange and brown patterns that resemble cray¿sh, according to the commission. Safety and access are among the two most important factors to keep in mind when venturing out toward the waters. A vast majority of streams will require crossing private property, so keep an eye out for no trespassing signs. If you’re not
sure where you are allowed on the property, check with the landowner ¿rst. Those looking for a family-friendly adventure will ¿nd a number of local ponds and lakes during the summer that are stocked with ¿sh, including some with piers. In Watauga County, Price Lake outside Blowing Rock is stocked with multiple varieties of trout, as well as bullhead and redbreast sun¿sh. Lake Coffey on Beech Mountain also includes a pier for easy access. Banner Elk’s Wildcat Lake and Grandfather Trout Farm, as well as Ashe Park Pond in Jefferson, also make for familyfriendly spots to catch “The Big One.” A number of ¿shing companies in Watauga and Ashe counties offer out¿tting and/or guide services. Among those business (with phone numbers in parentheses) are Foscoe Fishing Company and Out¿tters (828-963-6556), Appalachian Angler (828-963-5050), Elk Creek Out-
¿tters (828-264-6497), RiverGirl Fishing Company (336-877-3099), Rock On Charters (540-520-9629) and Watauga River Anglers (828-963-5463).
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Before hitting the waters to land that record ¿sh, it’s important to remember a few friendly pointers to make your ¿shing experience a memorable one for all the right reasons: • Fishing licenses are a must. Licenses are required for most adults and range in cost from $10 to $20 for individuals, depending on the type of license sought. Licenses are available at local sporting goods stores, superstores, general stores and outdoor shops. • A little research can go a long way. Some river portions allow only arti¿cial, single-barb lures or require catch-andrelease sanctions during certain seasons. Following the proper guidelines for a SEE HOOK, PAGE 37