Go wild for trout

Fish WNC’s Linville Gorge Wilderness Area

February is a great month to hit western North Carolina’s mountain rivers and streams, and Matt Evans (thecatawbariverangler.com) said most anglers will have their choice of waters without being crowded like this area will be in another month or two.

Evans guides 12 months a year, and said these mountains provide year-round fly fishing opportunities for both trout and smallmouth bass. February is a very good month, but anglers need to downsize their flies.

“You also need to be prepared to spend some foot time. Some of the best fishing in western NC requires a hike to get there,” he said.

And one place Evans recommends to anglers looking for big fish and a big adventure is the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.

“This is one of the most rugged places on the East Coast, and it’s one of North Carolina’s most remote and unchanged natural areas,” he said.

Thanks to the Wilderness Act of 1964, this area is protected from any human development.

“The Linville Gorge holds some very large brown trout, and is slowly becoming more of a smallmouth fishery,” said Evans. “The only problem is getting to the fish. It takes a lot of dedication and skill to rock hop through the gorge searching for that trophy fish,” he said.

The NCWRC stocked thousands of brown trout from half-wild stocks here in the 1990s.

Taking a trip here fits great in February, when it often takes a nice, lengthy hike to get warmed up and ready to fish. But it’s not for fair weather anglers.

“Fishing the gorge is not for the faint of heart because it will test you physically and mentally. But the rewards can be worth it,” said Evans, who encourages anyone taking this trip to do it with a professional guide.

The hike into the area is a challenge in itself. But that’s not all there is to fishing here. Anglers also must cover plenty of ground within the gorge itself to find, and stay on, the fish.

“If you are up for the challenge of hiking in and covering a lot of ground within the gorge, let me know and we will make it happen,” he said.

Anglers can reach Evans at 828-460-2390.