Pictures for traction/engagement*
Hello everyone, especially those here in WNC! I started trout fishing this past year and have enjoyed learning everything along the way. I even got my 13 year old son interested and as us parents know, any time away from a screen, in the outdoors is better!
We had great luck this past October/November with catching the stockers but the past few times (early this week) we have noticed there are ZERO trout. I assume they have been all caught…?
Browsing the NCwildlife website I saw that the major supplier is undergoing a major renovation (see 3rd pic) and the stocking will be drastically reduced for the next two years. Very bummed about that but I know how devastating Helene was here in WNC. Does this mean we’ll be SOL for two years? There are a few ponds around but I much prefer creeks. Anyone have any experience with the “trout drought”?
TL/DR: just started fishing this past year, all the local areas seem vacant of trout now, all caught? My county’s major supplier is reducing their stock for two years to renovate. What are my options.
Posted by CrashBandit06
2 Comments
It’s going to be a rough couple of years yes. It is dramatically slower already, and that’s with the trout we imported from Virginia and TN to help supplement our stocking, which the DNR has already said isn’t sustainable, and won’t be occuring again next year.
Fish the bigger rivers with wild populations, fish can survive a lot and repopulate and redistribute quickly through healthy watershed metapopulations. Drop the stocked trout fishing, chase the wild ones in the meantime, they are more rewarding anyway and from what you said are probably your best bet for better trout fishing.