The ‘other’ mountain fish

Smallmouth bass are great stream targets

North Carolina mountain streams aren’t just about trout fishing. Many of the larger streams also have healthy populations of smallmouth bass. Biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission have identified 36 prime smallmouth streams from the Little Tennessee River in Macon County in the far western part of the state to the Dan River in Stokes County in the north-central area. The majority of the fish collected in surveys were in the 8- to 10-inch range; larger streams contained some bass in the 20-inch range.

Some of the top smallmouth streams are: the lower Tuckasegee River in Jackson and Swain counties, the Little Tennessee River in Macon and Swain, the French Broad River in Transylvania, Buncombe and Madison, the North Toe, South Toe and Toe rivers in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties, the Nolichucky on the Mitchell-Yancey line, and the New River in Ashe and Alleghany counties.

Anglers who regularly fish for stream smallmouth recommend ultra-light to medium light spinning rods and clear 4- to 8-pound test line. Lightweight lures generally work best, and variety is the key: topwater and diving plugs, spoons, spinners, small plastic worms and grubs, and for fly-fishing, streamers and large flies.Click here to read more on The ‘other’ mountain fish