Davidson River Fishing Report

Information
A favorite among NC fishermen, the Davidson originates in the mountainous Pisgah National Forest, a scenic area surrounded by other national parks and preserved forest land. As the river wends its way south and nears Asheville, it empties into the French Broad River. Since being included on the Trout Unlimited list of top 100 trout fishing streams in the nation, its popularity has grown, bringing an increasing number of out-of-state anglers.


Luckily the state works hard to keep the river healthy and the fish flourishing.  The river is divided into sections based on the regulations that apply to each. From its headwaters to the confluence with Avery’s Creek, it’s wild fish only, fly fishing only and strictly catch and release. From Avery’s Creek to the national forest line, you’ll find hatchery supported brooks and rainbows.

The section between the Pisgah hatchery and Looking Glass Creek is what really draws fishermen to this river. Here you can expect to find clear, slow moving pools, few overhead obstructions and lots of hatches that support brooks, browns and rainbows, many over 18-inches long. Like other heavily fished waters, the fish can be cunning and despite their large numbers, hard to reel in.

Route 276, near the town of Pisgah, parallels the river, providing lots of public access. There are stretches of restricted private land, although there is a 3 mile section where you can purchase temporary fishing access. Much of the river can be waded and enjoyed with your feet in the water.
 
Featured Fishing Trips
Guided Fishing Trips
$
225
-
$
450
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 3 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 1 day
The Davidson River is one of the most famous rivers in North Carolina. It has the biggest fish in the state, and the most experienced. This is a crowded river that routinely yields ... moreopportunities at fish of a lifetime. It can be very tough, but all it takes is one chance at a 25″ brown trout to make you want to come back the next day. When the Davidson is good, it is as good as anything out there
$
350
-
$
450
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 1 day
The Watauga river is located in east Tennessee near Johnson City and is just a hour north out of Asheville North Carolina. The Watauga river starts in Boone NC and flows west into ... moreeast Tennessee into Watauga lake. After it comes out of Wilbur dam it flows and winds for 22 miles of blue ribbon trout fishing water.

The Watauga river is a tail water, which is dam released off of the bottom of the lake providing cold water and great trout fishing year round. There are large numbers of wild and stocked brown and rainbow trout. There are consistent blue wing olive and midge hatches year round and huge caddis hatches in the spring and sulphurs through the summer months. The Watauga river has a wide deep river bed providing great float fishing trips for all anglers and skill levels.

Let Asheville Anglers float you down river for a Watauga river fly fishing trip of a lifetime. Whether you are in western North Carolina or east Tennessee the Watauga river is a great choice for any fisherman.
Additional Information
Tributaries:
A tributary of the French Broad River
Source:
Pisgah National Forrest
Mouth:
French Broad River
Seasonal Conditions
Season
Hatches
SpringBWO, blue quill, quill gordon, mottled & gray caddis, hendrickson midges and drakes
SummerLight cahill, stenonema ithaca, green & yellow stonefly, giant stonefly, flying ants and terrestrials
FallBWO, deptera midge, isonychia bi-color, flying ants and terrestrials
SummerMidges
Game Fish Opportunities
Fishing Trips
The Davidson River is one of the most famous rivers in North Carolina. It has the biggest fish in the state, and the most experienced. This is a crowded river that routinely yields ... moreopportunities at fish of a lifetime. It can be very tough, but all it takes is one chance at a 25″ brown trout to make you want to come back the next day. When the Davidson is good, it is as good as anything out there
Current Forecast
Water Flow
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Fishing Quality
Scenery
Access
Water quality

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