catawba river fishing ?'s

[phisherman]

Hey Everyone, I am new to this group and also new to river fishing, i have been lake and ocean fishing all my life but was recently turned on to river fishing by a friend who took me on a wading trip to the mitchell and yadkin rivers and i thouroughly enjoyed it, now i am searching out rivers on my own. I am going to be in the old fort, nc area and i understand that the catawba river flows through that area, also a creek called mill creek. anyone familiar with this area and or river/creek. any tips on what tackle to bring, what type of fish to expect, a place to start etc.. would be greatly appreciated. thanks, greg newton.

[BasserDrew]

Phish, this is the headwaters of the Catawba and I am not positive on this but there may be trout in there. If not, then you'll have smallmouth and largemouth bass in there. I can't remember if spotted bass are in lake James or not but if they are then they will be in there too. It is very small here, almost like a creek so your best bet in summer is to go as close to where it goes into the lake as possible to get to the biggest river in that stretch as possible. Maybe around the Old Greenlee rd area or the Resistoflex Rd area and further down. I have never fished it but try putting in at one of those spots and wading/paddling up to fish and see what happens! Best of luck.

[phisherman]

Hey Drew, thanks for the info, i found a place on google map that looks like greenlee rd will have some access, that gives me an idea, im just gonna go for it, wont be until first weekend of october but I'll let you know how it turns out. Again thanks, I'm new at this and need all the help I can get. Sincerely, Greg Newton

[mookie]

another high point riverbasser, cool:cool:
phish phan as well?

[phisherman]

yea, high point native, phish fan as well, saw them in charlotte july 2nd.

[mookie]

havent seen 'em since before their 'break'
have seen some smallies though :eek:
i fish the dan, fisher and mitchell regularly,though i sometimes hit the new. I suppose I've spent more time chasing dan river smallies than anywhere else.
Welcome to the site

[basshead]

Not sure if trout are in the Catawba there but definitely in Mill Creek.

I don't think there are spots in Lake James, smallies and largemouth. Also a solid population of walleye, which can be caught in the rivers above Lake James as well during certain times of the year.

I think there is a fly shop in Old Fort or Black Mountain that could give you some good ideas where to head. I have not fished that section of the Catawba but believe there are smallies, rockbass, bream, yellow perch, catfish...would imagine the standard small stream tackle would work, ie. floating rapalas, spinners, flukes, smaller spinnerbaits etc.

[basshead]

Also, there may be some access points further east on Hwy 70 towards Marion. I know there is a bridge that crosses and may have access.

[ONTHEFLY]

Well since that is in my back yard I guess I need to chime in.... Catawba River in the Old Fort area is a stocked trout stream for the most part. From Parker Padgett Rd Exit off of I-40 (Exit 75) downstream is pretty much all smallie water. Several accesses along the river...behind Stuckey's at Exit 75, Greenlee Rd, Resitoflex Road (Tom Johnson's Camping Center), US 70 Bridge, NC 221 Business Bridge (behind old Ford Dealership), and then last before the lake is Yancey Road. From there it's the upper end of the lake but Bernette's Campground is on the upper end of the lake and you can take out there also.

I live about 1/4 mile from the Yancey Rd bridge so if I can help in any way let me know.

[phisherman]

thanks to all who shared, especially you scott, im thinking i'll start at old green lee rd the first day and see how it goes, i really appreciate everyones help! this site is very helpful to someone new. I'll be sure to share my epxerience (or lack thereof) when I return. thanks again. greg.

[EGBoyd]

ONTHEFLY...do you know any access points below lake james on the catawba river? do you know of any fishing there?

[BasserDrew]

I've scouted it and i know the water is cold and they stock trout but i am not sure how far down you have to go until you get into good bass water. Good looking water though.

[Catawba]

Lots of public information for the upper Catawba River access can be found at the following sites.

http://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/about-the-catawba/upper-catawba-river-basin/about-the-upper-catawba-river-basin

http://www.ncwildlife.org/fishing/mtn_rivers.htm#catawba_river

[ONTHEFLY]

Sorry for the long delay but I've been on the water so much very little time for posting. BasserDrew and Catawba are spot on.... it's Trout water below Lake James. If you want smallies in that area look at the John's River.

Hope this helps.

[Catawba]

Thanks for the report OTF. Did you get a chance to fish John's River?

I hope Eric (egboyd) sees this. Eric, are you still interested in heading up that way?

[phisherman]

slightly confused here with what your saying OTF, Is there smallmouth in the catawba from old fort to lake james? in your first post it says from parker padget road downstream (exit 75) that its pretty much smallie water, then in your last post it says its trout water????? could you clarify that

[ONTHEFLY]

Well the fish are also confused! What I consider Trout Water is from Exit 75 Parker Padgett Rd upstream through Old Fort and beyond. From Parker Padgett Rd downstream to Tom Johnson's Camping Center is a mixed bag but mostly smallies with a few trout thrown in. From TJ downstream to US 221 / NC 226 (Wal-Mart) is pretty much all smallies. Then from there down to Lake James you have smallies and large mouth.

Now with this being said.... Duke Power is dropping the lake level by 15 feet to work on the dam. This should give us more flowing water (actually where the lake starts) to fish. I plan on doing several floats from Yancey Bridge to the Moose Lodge once the lake drops. I have no idea of how this will affect the fishing but I do like the idea of having more river to fish.

[phisherman]

thanks so much for the info scott, I will be up that way on oct 1st thru 3rd, I'll let you know how it turns out, thanks again for all your help. PS: I thought about going to johns river one day, any word on a good access point?