Spring Ends, Summer Begins

This spring will go down as one of the best on record for flyfishing in our area! The weekly rains kept the local area rivers and lakes at great levels and the fishing was phenominal.  I got a new Orvis Recon 8'6" 4 weight with a Hydros SL II reel and all I can say is wow! It casts amazing and the reel is very smooth.

Cane Creek Reservoir Bingham, NC

For April and May I concentrated most of my fishing around the first 1/4 mile of the Neuse River near the spillway.  I  also fished the Tar River, White Oak Creek, Moncure Creek, Eno River, Haw River, Falls Lake, Wake Forest Reservoir, Cane Creek Reservoir,  and was not disappointed by any of them! 

Longnose Gar Neuse River Wake Forest, NC

 When the water is high I been throwing conehead and dumbell eye streamers in chartreuse and white when it is at normal levels I been fishing Rubber Legged nymphs of Prince, gold beadhead Hares Ear, and Copper John. 

White Perch Neuse River Wake Forest, NC

Dryfly action has been up and down with the water levels.  In high water there has been little to no dryfly fishing while normal level water has had great action using high floating caddis patterns.  Dragonfly and Damsel have begun to show there faces and streamers that mimic these larvae are starting to produce.  

Rock bass White Oak Creek New Hope, NC

Longnose Gar Tar River Rocky Mount, NC

Redhorse Neuse River Wake Forest, NC

  

When you are fishing different bodies of water species identification can be tough I have been using the NC Wildlife Fish Species Guide it can be found here http://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Fish

Gar are spawning now and they are in rocky, grassy low water areas and can be caught using rope flies.  I caught many large redhorse this spring on beadhead nymphs and I had my first 2 bowfin on streamers last week! These fish are strong I recommend a 6 or 7 weight for large gar and bowfin. The only constant right now is change.  The river will be moving toward early summer water releases and dry fly action will be heating up.  I can guide you in my canoe now!  I am fully insured and CPR certified.  Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!    

EJ

Fly Tackle: Orvis 4 weight Recon 8' 6" Rod, Hydros SLII Reel, Orvis Axis Rod 8'6" 7 ft tapered leader to 4x.  Mystic Au Sable 8' 3" 4 wt fly rods and Ross Fly Start # 2 reels

Streamers: Chartreuse Zonker Strip w/ a Silver Bullet head, Clouser, Wooly Bugger in White and Chartreuse Size 6- 10

Spin Tackle: Medium light spinning rod and reel rigged with 6 or 8 lb test flourocarbon line.

Berkly Power Bait Pre Rigged Atomic Tubes in white, green and pearl.1/16- 1/32 oz Jigheads with realistic eyes white twister or paddle tail.  VMC Paddletails.  Minnows will dominate under a float!