Davidson River Flys

[mike@jb]

I'm planning to hit the Davidson River in NC next week. The local NC web sites say midges work well there in the cold. Anyone have any nymph or streamer recommendations?
Thanks,
Mike

[Grateful Sam]

I fished the Davidson back in the end of Oct, I didnt catch a thing so I guess I cant help you with fly recommendations. I can tell you that seemed to be a tough river to fish. The fish were EASILY spooked, but I saw a lot of them.

[Fire Walker]

Davidson River Outfitters:
828-877-4181 or toll free
888-861-0111

They will get ya dialed up. Tough creek but there are some amazing hatches. Tight lines,

Luke

[trout_boy II]

Fire Walker offers good advice and Kevin will sell you some of his unique flies to boot. Also, the usual suspects will work including BHPT, GRHE, WD40's, Crystal Midges, Brassies, Copper John's, etc. I recommend that you talk to DRO, buy a few of their flies (it's only right, considering they are telling you what to fish with) and ask them for details on SIZE and COLOR. Then apply that info to the other flies you already have.

Two other hints - there are so many fish in there, you will easily find yourself fishing too fast and walking on top of fish. This is particularly true in cold weather when they are slower to react. Second, I recommend that you get enuff weight to find yourself hanging up on the bottom at least 25-35% of the time. Obviuously, I'm recommending nymphs, but a warm afternoon could shift you to dry - you'll just have to see what happens.

None of the above will guarantee you will catch any of these educated fish, but if Trout Girl and I can catch some, then anybody can.

Good luck. May see you there - we plan to be on the river one day next week our selves. If you see a red CRV with SC tags - wave.

TB

[mike@jb]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give you an update when I get back.

[Flyman NC]

He is a hatch chart from DRO, might give you a few ideas.

http://www.davidsonflyfishing.com/Hatch.aspx

[TheEndlessEnigma]

very small ...... anything midge like this time of year in sizes 16 and under. size is usually more important than the fly in most streams. but the davidson is funny in that it better be kinda close too

[mike@jb]

Thanks for all the advise, but I did not get a solid hit all day. I know they're in there as I saw fish, but they're spooky. The water was gin clear, even after thunderstorms Wed. night. The rain did not stain the river much at all.

I had a couple of soft strikes, but mostly witnessed trout heading downstream as soon as they saw me on the banks. One trout swam lazily right passed me as I was wading downstream, so not all are easily spooked. She looked right at me (and I thought I heard a laugh...).

I was a very pretty place, and I'll go back again.