The Adventure Collective 2017 WNC Adventure Guide | Page 25

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Brevard Fishing Expert: Headwaters Outfitters
25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NC
828-877-3106 || headwatersoutfitters.com
Land A Lunker: Fish the beautiful Horsepasture River just a short drive
from Brevard. This stretch of river offers incredible scenery and solitude and
allows anglers to feel miles away from everything even though it’s only a short drive
from the shop. We only run one trip per day on the private water so if clients book
it, it’s all theirs. It’s a great place to fish for beginners and experienced fishermen alike.
The average size fish is in the 16-18 inch range and anglers have the opportunity to
catch rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Fish in the 20-24 inch range are not uncom-
mon. Directions from Brevard: Take US-64 W out of downtown for 8.5 miles.
Turn right onto NC-215 N. Headwaters Outfitters is immediately on the left. Receive a
special 10 percent discount on reservations for fly fishing trips by mentioning the WNC
Adventure Guide. Headwaters Outfitters also stocks a great selection of flies, fly fishing gear
and everything you need to get out and enjoy a day of fly fishing in Western North Carolina.
Wild Water: When it comes to adventure, nothing beats the feeling of
stalking trout through wild and scenic mountain streams and rivers. The staff at
Headwaters Outfitters loves guiding trips on wild streams like Courthouse Creek or
the streams of Panthertown Valley. Panthertown Valley offers some of the best native
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout fishing in the region. The fish are small in size but
so beautiful in color. Panthertown, Courthouse Creek and other small streams often
give the angler a chance to hike in and get off the beaten fishing path. Fishing these
small streams is often referred to as “blue lining,” which gets its name from the little
blue lines on a map. In the midst of summer when larger rivers warm up and fish
become lethargic, these cold mountain streams still offer fantastic fishing. These small
streams are perfect for the dry fly enthusiast because fish are often eager to eat a dry
fly offering. For many people it is a special experience to catch a wild fish in the stream
in which it was born.
Delayed Harvest: Headwaters is just minutes away from the East Fork
of the French Broad, which is one of the most heavily stocked delayed harvest
streams in the state. The state puts approximately 15,000 fish in this 4.5 mile section of
river every year. With catch and release regulations from October through May, losing
track of how many fish you catch throughout the day may be your only problem. With
easy roadside access and fairly straightforward wading, this stretch of water is perfect
for young and old alike. Headwaters Outfitterts is also close to the West Fork of the
Pigeon River, another stream designated as delayed harvest. After a scenic drive up
to and over the Blue Ridge Parkway clients are met by a beautiful gin-clear mountain
stream full of trout. The shop’s central location is a huge benefit. as they are also a
short drive from hatchery supported designated streams like the West Fork of the
French Broad and the Davidson River.
Challenge Your Skills On the Davidson:
Named as one of
Trout Unlimited’s “Top 100 Trout Streams in America,” the Davidson is a very
productive freestone river that supports many trophy-class fish over 20 inches. About
14 miles of the river, from its headwaters to Avery Creek, are managed under catch-
and-release, fly-fishing only regulations. The lowest mile is hatchery supported. The
C&R section can be technical, requiring small flies and light tippets. Midge flies rule
here. Directions from Brevard: Head to Pisgah Forest and turn left onto Hwy
276, which parallels the Davidson through the Pisgah National Forest. Numerous pull-offs are
available, but keep in mind this is first-come, first-serve, so get there early to claim your spot.
French Broad Smallmouth: Smallmouth bass have been described
as pound for pound the hardest fighting freshwater fish out there. The by-water
and Biltmore sections of the French Broad near Asheville offer some of the best small-
mouth fishing in the region. Clients can take a ride down the third oldest river in the
world and target these fish either with fly rods or light tackle spinning gear. When the
smallmouth bite is on, the action is unbeatable. A scenic ride down the river and great
smallmouth action make for an unforgettable day. Directions from Brevard:
Guided float trips are available by reservation through Headwaters Outfitters, but if you’d pre-
fer to paddle your own boat, a favorite section begins at Ferncliff Park in Mills River and floats
down to Butler Bridge access. This rocky section of river offers a lot of good options for fishing,
but the warm heat of summer sometimes keeps fish hunkered down throughout the day. This
section is all about experience, which is why a guided trip is recommended to maximize the
number of bent rods you’ll experience over the course of the day. Headwaters Outfitters
offers a special 10 percent discount on advanced reservations for fly fishing trips by
mentioning the WNC Adventure Guide. Their fly shop also stocks a great selection of flies,
fishing gear and everything you need to get out and enjoy a day of fly fishing.