Spawning Fish
It’s December folks!!! The bite we have experienced in the past weeks has been amazing. The hunt for Wild Fish has been great as far as numbers and size. The leaves are gone, and the fish are pairing up with one another about to get their “groove” on. Spawning trout are what make more Wild Fish. We should respect this time, but also educate others on properly wading in the river this time of year. If viewing the fish, we need to remain hidden, and let them do it in peace. We have good gravel and water in the rivers this year, but there are two things detrimental to the spawn. One is stocked fish trying to mate with the Wild ones, and the other is fishing to fish on the redds.
Don’t cast to spawners!!! The same people who show up to fish redds in the Fall are the same people fishing low hot water in the summer. We need to come together and educate anglers on these ethics, and let them know are freestone streams can’t handle this instagram worthy behavior. It seems the Davidson River in particular seems to be the place people show up during spawn. I get it trust me but, you won’t see me walking around looking for another picture for my social media account. These fish eat year round, why not go get them before or after spawn? It’s amazing what big fish do to people, but I can tell you first hand if you get caught doing something dirty, the karma Mother Nature brings is real.
On the other hand Blue Wing Olives are on the menu with lots of black stones showing up. Dry fly fishing is on fire as well as nymphing, but all in all fishing is just flat out good. Some big number days have showed up as if it was Spring in Pisgah. The bite can be really hit and miss this time of year, but so far it’s been good.
Book yourself a trip, catch a few on top, catch a few on nymphs and hide in the bushes to watch nature create the future. Watch that big brown undulating under the wimpled shallow surface in the tail of the pool, and think not of the low hanging fruit in front of you, but rather the harvest that is to come.
A little restraint now can be an investment that delivers a great return next year.
Empty Redds Photo By My Buddy Ken