[quest4reds]

Hey all, looking for a decent place to fish with my boat near Boone. Looked at nc wildlife map for boat access and it looks like W Kerr Scott reservoir is the closest thing. I am not a trout fisherman but I may have one on board. Would love some small mouth action and or lmb. I'm not opposed to going to one of the rivers if they would be much more productive than Kerr. Saw a couple rivers to the south that have some access that aren't too far. Anyone with some area knowledge care to help a fellow angler out? I live near fort Bragg but I have family in Boone so I come up that way maybe once a month. Haven't been out there with my boat yet as I just got it last month. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SnowCamp]

Kerr Scott has lmb, smallmouth, crappie, bream, hybrids and spotted bass. Some of the guys on this forum know where they hide.

 

[dbeam]

Rhodhiss would another option, but doubtful the you find any trout in the Catawba that far down. If your fishing Kerr Sciott from the Gheenoe you could go a good ways back up the Yadkin from Warrior Creek access or from Boomer and possibly find a trout or 2. Send RaymondWells a PM.

Darrell

 

[quest4reds]

Thanks for the tips so far gents, I'll start looking at Rhodhiss and the Yadkin too. Not asking for specific spots, although I'd take them if anyone were willing. As I mentioned, this may be a once a month trip at most so I wouldn't be competing for spots with anyone very much and I'm a catch and release angler so anything I catch goes back into the drink to be caught another day.

 

[henchman]

Your gheenoe could do sections of the new river if you did it without a motor like a canoe but the water is low in the summers and you'd probably be better of just renting a canoe and having them shuttle you. If you go out hwy 321 to Tennessee you can get to watauga lake in about 35-45 minutes. Lake trout in there but I've never fished it with a boat myself. If you do a search there is a Tennessee angler site where a guy posts about catching stuff there.

 

[quest4reds]

Your gheenoe could do sections of the new river if you did it without a motor like a canoe but the water is low in the summers and you'd probably be better of just renting a canoe and having them shuttle you. If you go out hwy 321 to Tennessee you can get to watauga lake in about 35-45 minutes. Lake trout in there but I've never fished it with a boat myself. If you do a search there is a Tennessee angler site where a guy posts about catching stuff there.

Yeah, my dad mentioned Watauga lake, but I was trying to avoid the dreaded visitor temporary license charge$$$$ Just did that in Florida and it cost me $60 for 7 days for salt and fresh water with no additions. I may try Watauga some time, just not this time. When you say "the new river" are you referring to the Yadkin or Lewis fork or am I off on both? My gheenoe will get into some skinny water, 3-5 inches, but I'd rather not try shooting rapids with it if you know what I mean. I'm thinking I'll make Kerr my first trip out that way and maybe give Rhodhiss a try on the next unless I end up killing them on Kerr with some beginners luck. Thanks for the input folks. I'll put up a report when I get out there.

 

[SurfRider]

When you say "the new river" are you referring to the Yadkin or Lewis fork or am I off on both?

The New River. Not a new river, it's quite old. But it's actually called the New, that's the name of it. One of the few that flows South to North, and its headwaters are in North Carolina. I've fished the South Fork of the New, caught some smallies just randomly tossing a shallow diver plug. If I'd known what I was doing and been seriously fishing, I think we'd have done better. There are sections further downstream, and into Virginia that are supposed to be very good fishing as well, but do a search for New River, you'll find some posts I would imagine.

The South fork starting at New River Outfitters (in Jefferson I think) was where we started - we did their overnight trip where we rented the canoe, launched at their place, paddled down past the confluence of the North and South forks, camped at New River State Park and they picked us up the next morning just before Mouth Of Wilson. There was only one Class 2 but it was really easy, other than that it was just riffles and a few Class 1's; I did it with my wife (who is not an experienced paddler), all our camping gear, and our cavalier spaniel in the canoe, never had a moment of trouble (except when the dog got upset at the river foam and jumped in to go get it).

For Kerr Scott, Darrell was right, PM Raymond Wells. He's the most knowledgeable forum member that I know of on that lake, and a super nice guy.

 

[Jackson]

Watauga Lake in Tenn is a good place to fish but it will be super crowded this year. The next lake down the river from Watauga is Boone Lake and its dam is under repair and the whole lake is unfishable so everyone has swarmed Watauga lake.

 

[jizzle22]

Go to lake James its in Marion like an hour from Boone has both lmb and smallmouth and like 6 boat ramps it can be a tough place to fish though but it's got some nice fish in it


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[basswrangler]

I highly recommend trying he new River in the area between the fleetwood community and west Jefferson. There are plenty of smallmouth to be had in stretches with downed trees, as well as nice trout in the rockier sections. I walked about 2 miles of the river last summer with some friends and we caught tons of fish!


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[henchman]

I've got a gheenoe also and I would do the new river on it cause I'm not concerned about a few scratches. West Jefferson or fleet wood or Todd area north to the va line anywhere and there are several good put in and take out spots. But for me it's worth $50 or $60 or something like that to just rent a canoe and get taken up river so I don't have to mess with getting my gheenoe up there and then do the truck shuffle etc. they say there's musky up near the Va line but I don't think their numbers are that great. Been on that section many times and it's always enjoyable and no need for a motor.

 

[quest4reds]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I took some earlier advice and PM'd RaymondWells who was nice enough to give me a pointer or two so I think I'll make my first trip to Kerr, but I will be planning for The New River, not "a" new river for my next venture. I think I have a connection for borrowing a kayak so I may try that out fishing the river. Lake James is on my list too, just not sure when I'll be able to make it out there. May even be another couple weeks before I can hit Kerr with the way my schedule is working out right now, I'll post a report when I do make it out there. Thanks again for all the replies folks.

 

[SurfRider]

Keep in mind when you talk about Kerr Scott, there is a big lake further East called Kerr Lake (commonly also called Buggs Island) that straddles the Virginia line. It's a popular lake and people often just call it "Kerr," so just to avoid confusion people often refer to the one near Wilkesboro as "Kerr Scott."

 

[Fish_Fiend]

Whatever you do at Kerr Scott DO NOT...I REPEAT DO NOT...Drag Carolina Rig Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craws in Green Pumpkin Magic over main lake points.

It would be a total waste of time.......

 

[quest4reds]

Surfrider, thanks for clearing that up, and getting me straight on that Kerr / Kerr Scott thing, I am definitely talking about Kerr Scott.

Fish_Fiend, I will take your advice into serious consideration, I sure wouldn't want to waste my time on something that clearly won't work. Should I get some of that fancy looking yellow rope you caught that nice bass on?

 

[dbeam]

Yellow rope is only necessary if you plan on fulfilling the fishes ultimate destiny. I have heard rumors the sppoted bass nuggets or spot on.

Darrell

 

[quest4reds]

Thanks for clearing that up about the rope dbeam. I'm an idiot so can you clarify your comment about "spotted bass nuggets" for me? Is that a special bait or just a term used to refer to a nice fat fish?

 

[Fish_Fiend]

Fresh Spot Nuggets Segway into Ribeye Steaks very nicely.

 

[h2ohhh]

Filet, cut into nuggets, soak in egg, drag through crushed Ritz crackers and toss them in the oil.

 

[dbeam]

What John said. sometimes a little Old Bay and/or black pepper added to the Ritz Crackers.

Darrell