https://youtu.be/PPXHzV8cwrw
Several years back, ominous weather spooked off this stream a bit prematurely. Due this creek having zero trails, at least 4 troughs with slick sloping rocks flanking both sides of the water, and generally just being a miserable bitch, I've been hesitant to return. For some reason, perhaps due seeing my ability to traverse such bitchy streams diminishing, I jumped at the opportunity today to fish this stream.
This creek drains about 6 square miles, and my starting point was at around 1460', and was 2080' at the top of the gorge some 1.5 miles upstream. It is located in the Yadkin river basin. I entertained the notion of going up as far as I could, then retreat, or try to make it to the top, but since this stream is not frequented by many, I could not confirm this was feasible. If I did make it to the top, I could theoretically be hit with trespassing charges due the road being an HOA road, and not state. It was also a 4.5 mile walk back to the truck.
Set the alarm for 4:20 to get an early start. Temps are getting warm, and I did not want to be handling fish late in the day. I was in the creek by 6:40 making my way up to the first big falls. Past experiences fishing in the falls pools were not great, but today was different.
(https://i.imgur.com/whLy2FH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tLEekNz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/J8XSj5m.jpg)
Lost one about 15" plucked right from the base. This falls is about 50' high, but there is a small path to the top. The calmer water above the falls does not last any time.
(https://i.imgur.com/xsVK3jy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6pFTekj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QQk4nkj.jpg)
Not far above the first falls is a 12' wall falls, then shortly above that is the first trough. Getting around them is a bitch. Pic below as trough 2 is hidden behind the midstream boulder below.
(https://i.imgur.com/YtMnfUI.jpg)
I don't have much extra material in the box, and wasn't in the mood to loose stuff in the wood. Many of the pools at the lower third of the gorge was junky.
(https://i.imgur.com/Egrt7o8.jpg)
Some of the drops had ropes dangling on rocks that were placed there years ago, but some were useless.
(https://i.imgur.com/ytRbSIc.jpg)
I was only a third of the way in when this shit show was encountered. If my memory serves me correctly, I flanked this on the right.
(https://i.imgur.com/aaZcAYB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ywnGlL9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Z3oBmPk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OBNCYjq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/W56itnZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RUP48B2.jpg)
This is around the mid point. All the large deep pools mocked me. Most of the fish were caught in smaller pools, push water, or troughs.
(https://i.imgur.com/6otdGgO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iCRNgoG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sfeiuU2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HLz8FNG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VNc7yYq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BO0mX09.jpg)
This is the last major falls towards the upper end of the gorge. Had to get out, and brush beat around this one. Ropes disappeared mid way up. Had to get out, and brush beat about 5 time.
(https://i.imgur.com/gev7Yp1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HUGoPiA.jpg)
Horrible culvert death
(https://i.imgur.com/4nYIxkz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eyRkdqM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hQJvATB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3NHps5I.jpg)
Well, I made it to the bridge. Now for a 1:45 walk.
(https://i.imgur.com/e1YMYS5.jpg)
Snacked on these and blackberries along the way.
(https://i.imgur.com/jthSOow.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HFuhTyJ.jpg)
So generally speaking, this stream fishes well. There has to be larger fish lurking in the larger pools that are not represented here. Caught a ton of the 8-10 inch fish, and lost some nice ones. There should have been some brookies in here, but none were caught. NCWRC shocking turn them up in abundance years ago.