Going dry for trout

Try a dry fly on WNC’s rivers and streams

Most years, dry fly fishing kicks off some time in March throughout western North Carolina’s rivers and streams.

Patrick Weaver, a fly fishing guide at Headwaters Outfitters (828-877-3106) in Rosman, NC said early in the month, ,it’s usually too cold for heavy feeding. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth getting on the water and giving it a try.

“This time of year, I like to get out on the rivers and keep an eye out for early spring hatches,” he said. “The cold nights usually keep the insects from hatching in big numbers and driving the trout into a feeding frenzy.”

Weaver said in a typical March, a day of fly fishing will go similar to his experience last year.

“After checking a few spots, I finally saw a rise,” he said. “Then another one. It was near the head of a run under a tree leaning so far, it was desperate not to fall in the water.

“I moved into position and made some casts with a brown stone fly. I had caught some fish the previous week on the same fly. Nothing rose.”

Then he saw something that caught his eye.

“I saw a bug on the water,” he said. “It wasn’t a stone fly, but a mayfly, a blue quill. I switched flies, and on the second cast, a trout took. It wasn’t a banner day, but I landed three rainbows on a dry fly.”

Get ready

Any day now, spring will appear in full bloom and dry fly season will be in full force. Weaver said right now is a good time to get ready. Part of getting ready, he said, is having the right rod to fish dry flies.

“Most anglers have a fly rod or two. But it’s not a bad idea to get a rod that is ‘good with dries,’” he said.

“Dry fly rods are a little different, a little slower than other rods, have a softer feel, yet come alive with a fish on,” he said. “The rod doesn’t need power to cast the most common-sized dry flies. In fact, too much power can be a bad thing.”

The difference can appear subtle to anglers, but major to the trout.

“You want the fly to land light, not slap the water hard,” Weaver said. “And you should also consider the hook set. With the fly on the surface, too much power can rip the fly out of the mouth of the trout or snap the tippet on the hook set.”

He suggests rods with a medium rating in 3-weight, 4-weight, or 5-weight.

“A good medium rod in a 3-, 4-, or 5-weight can be just the ticket,” he said. “Glass rods are popular for dry fly fishing as well. The flexible rod protects light tippets from breaking, even when the big fish run.”

When casting dry flies this time of year, Weaver prefers a Thomas and Thomas 8-foot, 2-inch rod in 3-weight.

“The 8-foot, 6-inch, 4-weight is also a fine choice,” he said. “And for those wanting a rod that can cast and fish longer distances, the Thomas and Thomas Avantt is an excellent choice.”

Other good rod options, according to Weaver, include Hardy’s Ultralight rod and the Reddington Butterstick.

“The Hardy Ultralight throws tight loops and has great control,” he said. “The Butterstick is a smooth-casting rod that shines at protecting light tippets.”

Headwaters Outfitters offers float trips and wade trips on both public and private waters in western North Carolina for all levels of fly anglers. They also offer fly fishing instruction, canoe rentals, and they have a full-service pro shop on site. Check them out at headwatersoutfitters.com.