Trout Fishing Trip - Upper South Mills River

Stream:  Upper South Mills River

Location:  Off of US276 out of Brevard, North Carolina

Date:  3/20/2010

Weather:  Clear, High in low70's

Water Temperature:  50F

Trout Species:  Brown, Rainbow

Access:  Trail access only.  See map below for driving directions.

View North Carolina's Trout Fishing Corridor by www.troutu.com in a larger map

We headed up US276N out of Brevard, hoping to drive down the forest roads to reach the upper part of the South Mills River.  However, since the forest road was closed off of 276, we decided to hike in from the Pink Beds area.  While the hiking is superb, and the scenery is great, the trout fishing in the extreme upper portions of the stream was zilch.  I've been in this area on another occasion, and the fishing was great in the upper portion.  However, this time, I basically saw no trout until hiking approximately 2.5-3 miles in on the Pink Beds Loop Trail (putting me just above where the forest road intersects the stream).  From this area downstream, the stream changes character by becoming swifter and rockier.  In just a few pools, I caught one rainbow trout, one brown trout, and had several others follow and/or strike.  But by then, it was time to hike back out.

I have also fished the lower end of the river in the past, where it is much bigger, and the fishing is great.

My recommendation for fishing the South Mills River:  Fish the lower portion of the river from the trail and parking area off of Turkey Pen Road, or fish the upper section where the forest roads intersect the stream.  If you do take the Pink Beds Loop Trail, in however, take the right fork, as it will get you to the stream quicker.