On the Fly

Fall 2020

On the Fly: A veteran fishing guide and photographer turns his lens on WNC's prized trout

WRITER:

WNC Staff

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Patrick Williams

The brook trout, the most coveted among anglers, is the only species native to this region and is the focus of conservation efforts.

Cast Away - The headwaters of the French Broad River, like the sources of many other drainages in WNC, offer rugged and wild fishing opportunities for the adventurous angler

Off the Beaten Path - Encompassing 7,900 acres within Pisgah National Forest south of Waynesville, the remote Middle Prong Wilderness rewards anglers with nine miles of trout streams

Bait and Switch - In September, after the crowds have receded, Looking Glass Falls returns to a peaceful sanctuary for casting a line.

Yellow Stoneflies provide an abundant and consistent food source for eager trout.

Dry flies, such as the Yeller Hammer and its modifications—patterns originating in the mountains of North Carolina and an art form in itself—provide an irresistible imitation

Best Practices - Catch and release practices ensure future generations can enjoy these wild waters

Juvenile rainbow trout

Cool Rush - Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area, covering 17,394 acres in Nantahala National Forest in Graham County, offers hike-in fishing opportunities.

A rainbow trout fights to get off the line.

Brook trout arguably have the most intricate color patterns of the three NC wild trout species.

Typically found in lower elevations, brown trout inhabit many of North Carolina’s streams and rivers.

Above the Curve - Part of the allure of highaltitude fi shing is stunning roadside scenery, such as Sunburst Falls, part of the West Fork of the Pigeon River and visible from NC 215

Point of View - In the headwaters of the Pigeon River, an angler ascends boulders to get a vantage point for locating skittish trout.

Anglers need not purchase every fly, but should come prepared with several top water (dry) and subsurface (nymph) specimens.

The Blue Ridge Parkway provides access to trailheads used to reach remote waterways.

Gone Fishing - The South Toe River, which runs through Yancey County, requires stealthy wading to avoid spooking wary trout.

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Patrick Williams

Fly fishing enthusiasts are lured to these cold, fresh waterways, characterized by plentiful cascades, deep pools, and rhododendron-choked banks that provide sanctuary for brown, rainbow, and the coveted native brook trout. Photographer Patrick Williams focuses his lens on the beauty of these fish, the traditional flies anglers use to lure them, and the majesty of the wild places where they roam.

About Patrick Williams:

Based in Asheville, Williams has been an avid fly fisherman for 20 years and a local fishing guide for nearly 10. A high school teacher, he spends his summers guiding and photographing. His passion for the sport has taken him around the world, to places as far-flung as New Zealand, Argentina, Japan, Mexico, and Mongolia.

Find him: ecoclinephoto.com and @ecoclinephotography

KEYWORD TAGS:

asheville