An an average small stream back country trout. They run larger and smaller but the majority are 6 to 8 inches and there is one behind every rock.
An average Brook Trout (if any Brook Tout could be considered average). Found in the highest elevations and the most pristine streams these are the native trout of North Carolina. Originally migrating south in front of the glaciers during the last ice age this species of char retreated to the cold waters of the mountains as the glaciers retreated north. Stockings and poor land use of the past expatriated Brook Trout from the majority of their home waters, but they can still be found in the highest ranges, and darkest coves of the Pisgah area.
River Smallmouth and the heat of summer. After the cool wet days of spring have passed the heat of summer sets in on the Pisgah area. Trout fishing is found only very early in the morning or at very high elevations, but the king of summer is prowling the shoals down in the big river looking for a misguided minnow or careless crayfish. He may also be found tucked under a bank or low hanging branch waiting for the next juicy bug to fall from above. And when he makes the mistake of taking your fly for what was supposed to be an easy meal...he's not happy. The amount of fight packed into these little green grenades is startling and awakening for the first time smallmouth angler, and a rush to be chased by the iniateted.
An average Davidson River rainbow. Most of the fish in this water are between 10 and 14 inches and are wild fish. This is a challenging stretch of river and on an easy day will test an angler to the limit of their skills. On a tough day if you can get away with a fish to the net then you have done better than most everyone else on the water. This is the kind of water that makes you a better fly fishermen. A common saying around here is "if you can catch 'em on the Davidson, you can can catch 'em anywhere."
THIS IS NOT NORMAL. This Brown Trout is also from the Davidson river. This kind of fish shows up once or maybe twice a season. They are always there but everything has to come together to get a shot at a fish like this. On this particular day it had rained a bit the night before and the river had come up a few CFS. The water had a bit of color to it, and the sky was over cast. The angler is Trey. I have known and fished with Trey for a long time and have known him to be exceptional at everything he does including fly fishing. He's good looking, smart, funny, kind, an exceptional bird hunter, an exceptional fly fisherman, and humble. Most of us, including myself, would be happy to have just one of those qualities. Still, with all that in his favor Trey fished the Davidson for many years and on that particular day fished the spot for a good thirty minutes before giving up and working downstream. When he returned with only a few fish to hand for his efforts it was suggested that he make a fly change and fish the same spot again. A few casts later this fish was hooked and landed. Ask anyone who has caught fish like this from the Davidson and they will tell you that its time on the water and dogged determination that leads to a fish like this. No amount of luck, guiding, or even angler talent will bring this fish to hand in short order. Time is the secret ingredient.