Head for the Mountains Archives - Page 7 of 19

June 2, 2026

An angler fishes a North Carolina mountain stream that’s not designated as a trout stream but can still hold plenty of trout.

So much water to fish

The early Cherokee marked the beginning of the trout fishing season when trout lilies began blooming along mountain streams in early April. […]

Jocassee Gorges’ rivers offer a treat for trout anglers

Robert Satterwhite

The Jocassee Gorges is a place of such wild and scenic beauty that National Geographic designated it as one of its “50 destinations of a lifetime.” And the trout fishing is top notch. […]

Even though many streams are closed for stocking in March, there’s plenty of trout water still open for anglers in both Carolinas.

Prime spring fishing is just around the corner, as mountain streams begin warming up, and brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout become active and hungry, eager to gobble up the abundant spring hatches. It’s a time when anglers enjoy some of the best trout fishing of the year. […]

Trout in high-elevation reservoirs in both Carolinas tend to grow faster and larger than their stream-bound cousins. This brook trout is a good example.

Don’t forget trout lakes

Robert Satterwhite

Western North Carolina and South Carolina’s Upstate have dozens of lakes with fair to excellent populations of trout. Some of these lakes, especially smaller ones, are classified as hatchery-supported waters and are regularly stocked with catchable-size fish in the spring and winter. […]

Summer and fall drought conditions have left a lot of mountain streams at lower levels, but fishing hasn’t suffered.

Dry weather is a variable

Robert Satterwhite

Western North Carolina and South Carolina’s Upstate had the driest summer and fall on record, seasons marked by scores of wildfires, closures of state parks, burning bans and water restrictions. […]

Bigger streams or lake tributaries are great places to find larger brown trout in winter.

Go to nymphs in winter

Robert Satterwhite

Although spring is undoubtedly the ideal season to fish for mountain trout, winter fishing also has its merits. What most discover is that they catch fewer, but larger, fish. […]

Productive fly patterns for late fall and early winter include (top, left to right) bead-head Prince, bead-head Pheastant Tail, bead-head Hare’s Ear, (bottom, left to right): brown Caddis, parachute Adams, parachute Blue-Winged Olive.

Cool weather is welcome

Robert Satterwhite

After a record dry and hot summer, fall has arrived in the mountains, bringing cooler weather and, hopefully, improved trout-fishing conditions. […]

How to tie your own trout flies

Robert Satterwhite

Seeing a trout rise to a fly is always a thrill, no matter how often you fish. Having a trout rise to a fly you’ve tied yourself is a greater thrill. […]