Davidson River North Carolina

The Davidson River area is located in Blue Ridge Mountains of Transylvania County, in Western North Carolina close to Brevard and Hendersonville. The Davidson offers a variety of fishing opportunities including backcountry trout fishing on Cove Creek, more accessible stream fishing on Avery and Looking Glass Creeks, as well as trophy brown and rainbow trout fishing on the Lower Davidson River.

The lower Davidson River (below the confluence with AveryCreek) flows through the Davidson River Campground and is managed under the NCWRC Hatchery Supported regulations. There are no bait or size restrictions in this section of the River. The lower Davidson River is closed to harvest from the last day of February through the first Saturday in April. All other days, seven trout may be harvested per angler per day, with no size limit. This section of the river is posted with green and white diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.

The middle Davidson River flows between Avery Creek and the Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery. There are many anglers who will say that the middle Davidson is one of the top fly fishing rivers on the east coast. The reason it is so highly esteemed is that the middle Davidson supports an excellent population of fairly large trophy trout and it provides some of the most excellent hatches. This section is characterized by slow moving pools with little overhead obstructions. The trout in this section are mainly browns and they are cunning as they have survived a good deal of fishing pressure, or they would not be there.

The upper Davidson River above the Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery supports higher numbers of smaller rainbow trout and brook trout, although an occasional large rainbow is not uncommon.

The middle and upper Davidson River excluding Looking Glass Creek is managed under the NCWRC Catch and Release, Fly-Fishing Only regulations and are open to fishing year-round. These waters may be fished with artificial flies having one single hook. No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing the middle and upper sections. These areas are posted with red and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.

It is interesting to point out that both the Avery Creek and the Looking Glass Creek feed into the Davidson River and they provide some good fishing for wild browns and rainbows. This area is easily accessible by car; although a hike to the headwaters may prove to be worthwhile since the fishing pressure will be much less. Avery Creek and Looking Glass Creek are managed under the NCWRC Wild Trout regulations, and may be fished year-round with artificial lures having one single hook. No natural bait is allowed. Four trout at least 7 inches in length may be harvested per angler per day. These areas are posted with blue and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.

The Cove Creek offers still more opportunities for even more remote fishing. It is a high-gradient stream, with numerous small falls resulting in many big pools. There is no vehicle access beyond FS 475 unless you are staying at the Cove Creek Group Camp, so be prepared for some backpacking.

Hatches on the Davidson will include the black caddis, little yellow caddis, and the golden stonefly, as well as the almost daily midges that last all year.

Spring:

The spring of the year will bring about some good hatches starting with the little black caddis in April followed by the litle yellow caddis. Dry flies will work well as will the nymphs. Some of the favorite colors will be red, black and gray as well as the popular cream.

Summer:

A good approach for the summer months will be the cream colored flies like the cream cahills as well a drake pattern. Dry terrestrial flies like the ants, beetles, and green hoppers will also be effective for browns under some of the overhanging branches.

Fall and Winter:

Remember to think small when fishing in the fall and winter, using some of the smaller nymph flies. Midges will produce as good as anythng in this slower season.

How to Fish the Davidson River:

Although you may be after some of the trophy trout population, think small in the area of size #20 through 24. Remember that these trout have seen a good many imitation flies in their life so the stream may present a technical challenge according to Ralph McClellan Jr of Mountain Fly Fishing Adventures. who has guided on the river for many years. Try using midges or try to match some of the naturals that you see. Fish the lightest and longest leader that you can be comfortable with, pehaps a 7x leader. Use a longer rod in the 5 WT or 6WT, especially in the lower portion as it will allow you to achieve a drag free drift and you will get longer casts in the open runs.

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Access:

From Hendersonville on I 26, take the exit for US 64 West and follow US 64 to its intersection with US 276 NC 280. Proceed straight through the intersection onto US 276 N. This road follows the Davidson River upstream to the intersection with FS 475, at which time the Davidson will veer off to the left along FS 475. Look for signs to the Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery.

Maps:

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Check out our full color, waterproof map and fly fishing guide measures 11" x 17"

Recommended DVDs, Books, etc.:

Trout University free classes, instructional DVDs and much more.

Recommended DVDs:

Fly Fishing for Trout in Tailwaters

Trout in their Habitat

Fly fishing Strategies that Catch Trout

Recommended Guide Service:

Mountain fly Fishing Adventures, Spruce Pine, NC

National Weather Service