Fly Fishing North Mills River
Fly Fishing North Mills River
The North Mills River is located in western North Carolina, just a few miles west of the Asheville airport, and its close proximity to town makes it a favorite in this North Carolina region among anglers, hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and campers alike. In spite of this, it is very possible to spend a weekday fishing there and have the stream to yourself.
The river can be broken into three sections. The lower section runs through the picnic area and campground and follows North Mills River Road, Forest Service Road 1206 (Co. Rd. 1345), into the North Mills River Recreation Area; this is the easiest access location, with a main parking lot, and it receives a lot of stocked fish and a lot of fishing pressure. Check the weather before heading out, and bring a map if you plan to explore beyond the main access.
The middle section begins a little west of the campground area where the river takes a turn to the northwest and passes under the road. Access to this area is by a trail along the stream and it is stocked. In addition, trout move around in the stream a lot and once stocking has begun they will move into this stretch from upstream and downstream.
The final section is accessed by driving up Forest Service Road 5000 and taking the first left across the low water bridge. Go to the end of the road and park at the kiosk. Walk down the lower gated road until you reach an access trail leading to the stream. This upper water is generally the best area, with deeper pools, better holdover potential, and a few shallow pockets worth covering in what feels more like a small stream. You can also wade selected stretches carefully, and many anglers focus their effort here. Access near Trace Ridge Trailhead can help if you want to explore farther, but some side roads simply dead end. This section extends upstream to the dam and is well stocked but also receives a lot of fishing pressure.
All three sections are managed under the delayed harvest catch and release program from October 1 until the first Saturday in June, with single hook, artificial-lure rules in effect from October to early June. From June through September, the river is open under hatchery-supported regulations. Anglers 16 and older need a valid fishing license. The stream is stocked with approximately 13,000 trout annually, with about 12,000 of those fish released during the delayed-harvest period.
The lower and upper section of North Mills River is certainly a very popular fishing area for good reason. This river offers strong fishing opportunities for fly fishing in Mills River, NC, and its easy access near Asheville, NC, makes it a solid choice for a day on the water or a bigger outdoor adventure.
The lower section consists of the area that runs through the campground and picnic area. This area is the most popular and can be crowded during peak times, and in summer the lower water can get too warm, reducing trout activity and making it less consistent for good fishing.
The upper sections start where the river makes a sharp right bend past the campground and can be accessed by a trail that runs along the river. The trail will follow along the river for approx. 2 miles up to the Hendersonville Reservoir, and this upper section is often the best bet in spring and fall because anglers can cover stretches and probe deeper runs while watching for brook trout and brown trout in addition to stocked fish.
Rods: 7-9 ft, 3wt – 5wt
Leaders/Tippet: 7.5-9” leaders, 4-5x is perfectly adequate. 6x for low water.
Flies: Attractor patterns, flashy nymphs, eggs, San Juan style worms and small baitfish patters work great up to two weeks after a stocking. Go to a more natural selection of flies after the fish become more acclimated to their new environment. Trout key on local hatches, so mayfly, caddis, and stonefly patterns are productive choices. Attractor dry flies can be especially effective on warmer afternoons when fish are rising. Streamers that imitate sculpin or other specific imitations are a smart option for larger fish. During spring, look for hatches and rising fish, usually in the late afternoon. Early spring is usually the top window, and fishing improves again in October as temperatures cool.
Elevation: 2,200+/- feet. Camping. Horseback, Hiking and Mountain biking trails. North Mills River Campground has riverside sites and is open year-round with limited services from November-March, so it is easy to plan a trip. Reservations are required during the main season from late March through mid-November.
I think I fish, in part, because it’s an anti-social, bohemian business that, when gone about properly, puts you forever outside the mainstream culture without actually landing you in an institution. – John Gierach
