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High Country area offers prime fishing options |
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Monday, 14 July 2008 |
Editor’s Note: The following is a personal account of the best local fishing areas.
by JAMES FAY
Intern Photographer
The southern Appalachian Mountains have many rivers, creeks, lakes and streams that boast some of the finest trout fishing in the nation. Whether spin casting a small stream or bait casting into an open lake, the High Country offers it all.
However, most of the area waters are stocked by the North Carolina wildlife commissions, and therefore are also regulated; be sure to visit the Web site www.ncwildlife.org for a listing of these regulations.
The trout caught in the area today include Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout.
 Abel Vivas, an Appalachian alumnus, cleans his catch of the day. Photo by James Fay
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The Brook is the only trout native to the Appalachian Mountains. Brown
trout and Rainbow trout are now in the waters, due to the ever-growing
need to stock the waters in order to keep a healthy population.
To begin fishing basic gear is needed. A good place to start is with a
simple rod and reel combo, such as the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Light, a
medium action rod that comes pre-spooled with eight-pound test fishing
line.
A package of #7 Water Gremlin split shot weights will clamp on the line, eight to 12 inches above the bait or lure.
If live bait is preferred (which produces the best results), a package
of size eight Eagle Claw bait-holder hooks and a container of Canadian
night-crawlers should be purchased. For those who prefer a lure, the
spinner baits tend to work the best. Joe’s Flies offers two of the best
performing spinners, the #127 Black Gnat and the #234 Trout Poacher.
Other handy things to keep in the tackle box include needle-nose
pliers, a ruler, a rag, and a stringer. All of the supplies mentioned
above can be found at Wal-Mart of Boone off of Blowing Rock Road.
Now that all the proper gear is gathered, it’s time to hit the water.
The Watauga River is a great place to trout fish due to the ample
public access points. The regulations change frequently depending on
the different parts of the river, so keep an eye out for the markers.
To reach the river, head down N.C. Highway 105 south, go through the
Broadstone Road stoplight and take the next left onto Shulls Mill Road.
There are several gravel pull-offs with footpaths leading down to the
river.
If the river is followed down Broadstone Road, access can also be found
at the Valle Crucis Community Park, located behind the Mast General
Store Annex.
Continuing down Broadstone Road there will be a bridge that goes over
the river. Make a right turn just before the bridge onto Watauga River
Road where several parking spots can be found on the edge of the road.
This road will eventually dead-end at U.S. Highway 321.
For lake fishing there are two good options. The first is Price Lake on
the Blue Ridge Parkway, located at milepost 297. Price Lake has at
least a two-mile circumference offering ample room to track down the
perfect catch. Being on the Parkway, Price Lake tends to get somewhat
crowded during the summer due to tourism.
A quieter, more remote alternative is Buckeye Reservoir on Beech
Mountain. To access the lake, head past the town of Beech Mountain and
take a right on Pine Ridge Road. There will be signs for the reservoir
and recreation center, located on the right-hand side of the road.
Another advantage of Buckeye is the regulations permit year-round
fishing.
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