FRENCH BROAD RIVER FLY FISHING It’s one of the oldest rivers in the world, and one of the few that cross a continental divide. It offers anglers the opportunity to catch trout, smallmouth bass, musky, walleye, and a variety of other species in a variety of water types.
Where can I fish on the French Broad river?
- Mile 52 Westfeldt Park (includes boat ramp and dock)
- Mile 54 Glenn Bridge Park (Hwy 191 Access)
- Mile 57 Ledbetter/ Long Shoals Road Access.
- Mile 60 Bent Creek Boat Launch (Under BR Parkway)
- Mile 66 Hominy Creek Boat Launch (Stair Access)
Is the French Broad river stocked?
For the classic trout fishing experience, the East Fork of the French Broad is ideal. As part of the North Carolina Late Harvest Program, this tributary of the French Broad is stocked and protected, so its cool waters are teeming with fish in late spring.
Can you eat fish from French Broad River?
There are no specific advisories for the French Broad River, but health officials warn folks not to consume too much fish (bass, pickerel, catfish, perch and crappie) high in mercury.
What lures to use on the French Broad river?
But an assortment of soft bait and grubs and 1/4-1/2oz heads is a must for any season. Crank baits in a crawdad pattern are always a staple, and jointed Rapala and stick baits are always a good bet in the warm seasons. Spinner baits can be productive and fuchsia, black or red are good colors to try.
Can you wade fish the French Broad river?
Because of the variety of river bottom types, the French Broad can be a difficult river to wade. With the limestone ledges that often run the entire width of the river, wading boots with studded soles are recommended.
Are there trout in the French River?
Brown trout are present throughout most of the stream and normally caught up to 10 inches in length. Rainbow trout juveniles are stocked annually for rearing in the French River and can typically be caught up to 8 inches in length before they immigrate to Lake Superior, but cannot be harvested.
What kind of fish are in broad river?
Some other species that are found in the French Broad river are walleye, crappie, largemouth bass, perch, white bass, sturgeon, and pickerel. While many species can be limited, they are still living below the surface.
Is there sturgeon in NC?
In North Carolina, Lake Sturgeon have been reintroduced into the lower French Broad River downstream of Marshall, in Madison County, where the species has been stocked annually since 2015.
What time of day do they stock trout in NC?
The Hatchery Supported season Synonymous with what many consider “trout season,” Hatchery Supported trout waters are open from 7 a.m. on the first Saturday in April until a half-hour after sunset on the last day of February the following year (and closed for the month of March).
How often do they stock trout in Cherokee NC?
Oconaluftee River in Cherokee is stocked twice each week by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee manages their own fish hatchery and maintains one of the heaviest stocked trout streams in all of the Southeastern US.
What size trout can you keep in NC?
In all Wild Trout Waters, the minimum length limit is seven inches and the creel limit is four trout per day. Only artificial lures with one single hook may be used.
Can you boat on the French Broad river?
French Broad River This is one of the oldest rivers in the world and holds some of the best smallmouth bass fishing and musky fishing on the east coast. This river is only accessible by drift boat or jet boat.
What animals live in the French Broad river?
Animals living near the river include black bears, beavers, river otters, turtles, salamanders, and a variety of songbirds and raptors. In fact, the French Broad is the only river basin that’s home to the distinctive Eastern spiny softshell turtle.
Are there trout in the Broad River?
The first 4 or 5 miles of the river are home to a mix of stocked and wild trout. Big brown trout lurk in these waters and when fishing in the right conditions seeing a 2-footer is far from uncommon.
What is the best bait for small mouth?
Jigs. Jigs are the most popular and best overall smallmouth bass lure, for two main reasons. There is no wrong time of year to be fishing for smallmouth with some kind of a jig. And secondly, jigs are well-known as big bass producers, so they have high potential for landing a trophy smallmouth.
How do you catch a muskie in NC?
Fishing Tips: Anglers often fish large pools and around woody debris. Because musky are large and toothy, heavy baitcasting tackle spooled with 30-pound test line or stronger is common. Lures include large crankbaits, spoons, bucktails and spinner-baits, as well as live suckers and other large baitfish.
Where is the musky mile on the French Broad?
Simply because there are no mile markers on the river, and secondly, there is no sign to show anglers where to go (thankfully). The musky mile is an easy stretch to access. The put-in is at Hap Simpson Park, floating down to Wilson Road Bridge, behind Lowes Home Improvements in Brevard, NC.
Can you fish the Broad River?
Not only is the fishing good, but it also receives very little pressure. There’s virtually no public access and because the river is so shallow and rocky, the only way you can fish it is from a canoe or kayak.
Does the French Broad River flow north?
The French Broad River is formed by the junction of the North Fork and West Fork in southern Transylvania County near the town of Rosman. It flows northeast into Henderson County, where it then turns northwest and courses through Buncombe and Madison Counties.
Is fishing good on French River?
The French River has been rated as one of the top trophy walleye-producing rivers for fishing in Canada. Pickerel are our most abundant game fish. Ontario fishing early spring provides the best opportunity to catch your limit of Walleye and Northern Pike.
What kind of fish are in French River?
The French River is home to a wide variety of species including Muskie, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, and many more.
Is there crappie in Broad River?
North Fork Broad River is a stream near Cornelia. The most popular species caught here are Blue catfish, White crappie, and Creek chub.
Do smallmouth bass live in South Carolina?
Smallmouth bass aren’t native to the state. The best-known South Carolina fisheries are Broad River and Lake Jocassee, where biologists began introducing smallmouth bass in the 1980s. They also can be found in Lake Oconee and Lake Monticello.
Where does the Broad River begin and end?
The Broad River originates in the mountains of western North Carolina and flows south east through the foothills and Piedmont before entering South Carolina.