Davidson River, NC

Large trout, small flies, and beautiful surroundings are what await the angler who spends the day fishing the Davidson River. Western North Carolina’s Davidson River is located near the small town of Brevard about a half hour drive from the city of Asheville. The catch and release fly fishing only regulated section of the Davidson is known to many anglers as one of the top fly fishing rivers on the east coast. This is due in part to its excellent population of fairly large trout and its regular hatches. The Davidson has been written about in countless fly fishing publications and has been listed as one of Trout Unlimited’s top streams. Much of the catch and release section is characterized by slow flowing pools giving the angler ample opportunity to sight fish to large Rainbows. Catching these fish is another matter entirely as the water is often gin clear and the fish very wary due to the heavy pressure they receive. In my experience it is not uncommon for these fish to refuse all but the most expertly presented fly. A weekday trip during the off season might get you a bit of solitude but even that might be doubtful. The river is also home to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and the Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery. Both are worth seeing if you want to take a break from fishing.  The area around the hatchery and the bridge leading to the parking area are very popular spots with both guides and anglers fishing on their own. This section provides the easiest access to the river but also gets some of the heaviest pressure. You might find a bit more privacy by simply taking a short hike upstream or down. Hatches on the Davidson can be excellent at times with an almost daily hatch of midges.