Neuse River Bedford

I fished the Bedford section of the Neuse River yesterday.  The river still remains low with not enough rain recently to get them to release more water.  It still fished well for bass and brim but was a bit more challenging with the need to make longer casts not to spook fish.  It seems once the larger bass see you it is tough to get them to hit.  Action was predominantly on top with some foam hoppers .  I also threw some streamers.  I threw at some carp that I cant seem to get to hit if someone can help me with that it would be great email me edwardstern51@gmail.com  .  We are experiencing great weather with warm days and cool nights.  I still wet waded a perfect morning the first step was cool, but I got use to it quick.

My terrestrial box: hoppers, dragon, damsel, spiders, ants and poppers(that I rarely use)

Large sunfish fishing was a bit slower in this stretch of water.  The Bedford section receives the most fishing pressure in the river because Paddle Creek customers mainly float this section.  Regardless, I like to fish it once the summer is ending and fall is beginning.  The bass seem to be in groups not solitary I am finding them with 2, 3, or 4 other fish with them.  Make long casts.  If you are walking downstream try to no send silt into the downstream area you plan to fish approach from the opposite bank.  Also, stay low to the water, minimize false casting, and try a longer leader.

2 year old largemouth on a hopper

Another point of advice, in some spots that you know consistently hold good size fish that spook easily, try staying out of the water and fish these areas from land.

Typical spot near the bank under an overhanging tree

Shellcracker on a small bead chain eye wooly buggerredear sunfish)

Largemouth on small Dahlberg Diver

My streamers: circus peanut, zoo cougar, muddler, small clouser, mick finn, and other uglies.

Thanks to www.mysticoutdoors.com and www.columbia.com

Fly Tackle: 3 or 4 weight fly rods,11 ft tapered leader to 4x tippet 
Dry flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Humpies,  Ants, Beetles 14- 16 for Brim
Terrestrials: Hoppers, Crickets 6-10 for bigmouths
Nymphs: Beadhead caddis, Prince, Zug Bug, Estaz Stone flies 12- 16
Streamers: Muddler Minnow, Clouser, Wooly Bugger in black or white Size 6- 12

Spin Tackle: Ultralight rod and reel rigged with 6 lb test line.
Berkly Power Bait Pre Rigged Atomic Tubes in white, green and pearl.
Gulp Cricket, Johnson Beetle Spin, Phoebe


Fish Species(I have caught): redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, bluegill, green sunfish, largemouth bass, white bass, white perch, crappie, yellow perch, chub, catfish

Conditions: USGS Water data says the Neuse was flowing 132 cfs today at the spillway in Wakefield. It was sunny,  high of 81degrees.  The water was perfect for wet wading only a couple more weeks til it gets to cold.

Wildlife: red shouldered hawk, kayakers, great blue heron,  beetles, spiders, Dragonflies, big green grasshoppers!