Fishing on High Rock Lake has been hot and heavy despite cold and windy days.
Crappie fishermen have been out in good numbers almost every day, except on the very worst of weather days. Several successful fishermen have been checked with slab crappie weighing over 1 1/2 pounds. Fish averaging 3/4 of a pound are common, although fishermen are also catcher smaller fish.
Hot spots on High Rock Lake include:
– Crane Creek just upstream from the Goodman Lake Road bridge. Travel under the bridge and fish on the east side of the creek about 150 yards off the shoreline keying on 8 to 12 feet of water. There are several rock and brush piles located in this area with good numbers of crappie on and around the structure. Minnows, black/chartreuse jigs 1/32 ounce, and black/hot pink seem to be good choices for fishermen.
– Crow Creek on the Davidson County side of the lake, fish from the mouth of the creek and troll toward the upper end of the cove. Good numbers of fish can be found throughout the main portion of the creek channel and off the various points in that area. Jig colors to try include yellow/white, black/chartreuse, pearl, red shad/with clear tail. 1/32- 1/4 ounce jig heads usually work well.
– Dutch Second Creek across from the N.C. Wildlife boating access area. Focus on the first point slightly right if you travel straight across from the ramp. There are several stumps, rock piles and placed brush piles in 8 to 15 feet of water. Also try on the points in this area, all of which have structure scattered. Good sized fish up to a pound have been caught regularly in this area.
On warmer days, fish tend to move onto shallow water structure, often being caught in less than 5 feet of water. Try using a cork to suspend your jig when conditions allow fish to be in shallow water. On the colder days or in the early morning before the day warms, fish may be found in the deeper structure or located more in the channels of creeks.
Early March is a great time to crappie fish on High Rock, with fish easily caught across most of the lake. When the main channel is muddy, clear water can often be found in Flat Swamp, Pott’s and Abbott’s creeks. Despite muddy conditions, fish still bite, although it can be tougher to catch them. Try a slower speed when trolling and think about using minnows, which often give an extra wiggle to a multi-pole spread when working points and dropoffs.
Fly fishing program for women
An introduction for women interested in fly-fishing is coming to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and the Davidson River near Brevard.
An extension of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program offered by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, “The Fly-Fishing Experience” will be held on April 4. Participants will learn the basics of fly-fishing from experienced anglers, including equipment needs, knots, fly-tying, casting and aquatic entomology.
Wear clothing and non-slip shoes or waders suitable for getting wet, because there will be ample time spent using the newly acquired angling skills fishing the blue ribbon trout waters of the Davidson River.
The cost is $40, which includes class materials, equipment for the day and lunch. Participation is open to women ages 18 and older. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact B.B. Gillen at 919-218-3638 or bb.gillen@ncwildlife.org for more information or to register.
Agencies seek climbers’ help
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is joining with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife in asking rock climbers to heed closures of various sites during peregrine falcon breeding season.
Ten years ago, the world’s fastest bird was removed from the threatened and endangered species lists. Wildlife biologists look to rock climbers as a key part of the bird’s continued success in western North Carolina.
In North Carolina, the falcon nests in the western part of the state, atop the high, broad cliffs often used by rock climbers.
“The peregrine falcon is an endangered species success story,” said Chris Kelly, a biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. “Key to that success has been the willingness of rock climbers to make concessions for the birds.”
Seven of the 13 known nesting sites in Western North Carolina are on National Forests, and each year during the breeding season, the USDA Forest Service restricts access to these areas.
The sites will be closed until Aug. 15, though some sites may be opened sooner if falcons are not using it, or if nesting finishes earlier.
Areas currently closed are:
Whiteside Mountain, N.C. Wall in Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mountain in Linville Gorge, Big Lost Cove Cliffs, Looking Glass Rock’s north face, Whiterock Cliff and Eagle Cliff,
A complete list of closed climbing routes is at www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc and www.carolinaclimbers.org, the Web site of the Carolina Climbers’ Coalition.
n n nE-mail Sgt. Anthony Sharum of the N.C. Wildlife Resources at huntfishguy66@aol.com.