Favorite delayed-harvest streams

The author caught this brook trout on a trip to the North Fork of the Mills River in Transylvania County.

Kevin Howell, the owner of Davidson River Outfitters, recommends four delayed-harvest streams as his favorites among those designated as such by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Howell, who has been fishing delayed-harvest streams since the program began in 1992, likes the North Fork of the Mills River in Henderson County, the East Fork French Broad River in Transylvania County, the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County and the Green River in Polk County.

“The delayed-harvest program allows the (Commission) to reclaim water for trout fishing that may not support trout throughout the year,” he said. “It also provides a great opportunity for anglers to be very successful in their fishing. The delayed-harvest streams are stocked at a much-higher density than the regular streams. Today, we are seeing a lot more anglers due to the popularity of the program, which has been great for the towns that depend on tourism.”

Howell’s favorite fly patterns for delayed harvest streams are:

• Nymphs: Nos. 20-14 Copper John, sizes 20-14; No. 12 Sucker Spawn; Nos. 16-10 Howell’s Trip Saver.

• Dry flies: No. 14 Elk Hair Caddis; No. 14 Yellow Stimulator.

• Streamers: No. 8 Howell’s Strawberry Blonde; No. 6 Clouser Foxee Minnow.

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