Fishing and Fly Fishing Asheville in August
Asheville, North Carolina
Situated as a perfect location to be a jumping off point to fish almost anywhere in Western North Carolina or East Tennessee; Asheville offers the visiting or resident angler multiple opportunities year round. In the month of August when the heat in the lower elevations has become oppressive, a stay in Asheville allows an angler the amenities of town, while being in proximity to the tail waters of East Tennessee and the cooler higher elevations found nearby.
A short drive west up I-26 one can find themselves floating the world class trout fisheries of the Watuga or South Holston Rivers. Terrestrial fishing is in full swing in August and large trout cruise the banks and back eddies looking for an opportunity at a large protein source in the form of beetles. Cicadas, inchworms, ants and other manner of larger terrestrial bugs keep these fish looking up for sustenance, and the flow from underneath the upstream dams keep the waters cold and clear throughout the heat of the summer.
If one heads North or South from Asheville they may find themselves in the towns of Burnsville or Brevard, North Carolina. North offers the cool waters flowing from the high elevations of the Black and Unicoi mountain ranges and South/South West places one in the town of Brevard on the edge of the Pisgah Ranger District. Here, the waters flowing from the heights of the Balsams offer the angler shots at some of the best small stream fishing in the south. While the territory is rugged, every difficult step brings the reward of beautiful other worldly scenery and eager Brook, Brown, or Rainbow Trout. The hatches of spring and early summer have passed and the fish are looking for inch worms, ants, and other terrestrial forms falling into the water. Most of the feeding is opportunistic so a well placed pattern to a well selected spot often produces a strike. Early mornings fish best below 3500 feet and the afternoons are better spent resting and watching summer thunderstorms roll through.
If one wishes to fish “closer to town” the French Broad River flows directly through the River Arts District of Asheville. From the Asheville airport to the small towns of Alexander and Marshall, just on the outskirts of town, the French Broad River is teeming with smallmouth bass. An advanced fly angler can have a spectacular day fishing bait fish and crawfish patterns sub-surface as well as everyone’s favorite, popping bugs on top. Top water fly fishing hits its peak in August on the French Broad as hatches of Damsel Flies, Dragon Flies, Dobson Flies, Dog Day Cicadas, and large southern Beetle species find their way onto the surface of the water, and at the mercy of the currents and the waiting smallmouth bass. For the gear angler, light spinning tackle is perfect for smallmouth bass in the French Broad River. Bait fish and larva patterns of soft plastics as well as jerk baits and spinner baits produce high number days with a few trophy sized fish mixed in. Hitting the spot on the spot with a soft plastic as one floats through the forests and cliffs of the French Broad River in the areas just north of Asheville offers all day summer fun. Should the summer rains make the French Broad a little to turbid for fishing (as can happen from time to time) a short drive North West over the mountains to the Smallmouth Rivers of East Tennessee can save the day.
In summary, there is plenty of fishing to be had in August in Asheville, and PISGAH OUTDOORS can take you to the rivers, show you the spots, help with technique, and would love to spend the day introducing you to the area. Give them a call at (828) 577-3277, email info@pisgahoutdoors, or click on any button that says BOOK NOW on their website www.pisgahoutdoors.com.