That gorge is some kind of hectic. I'm fairly certain there's not a more dangerous wading or paddling stretch anywhere on the east coast.
linville gorge
i've spent a few days descending into the gorge over the past few weeks. such an odd place to fish. some days, it's great. some days, almost nothing. never know what species you're going to catch, either (it's hatchery supported water). so much depends on what trail you take into the gorge, and what section of the river you wind up wetting a line. quick report: first day, caught a couple smallies, one decent rainbow and a healthy goggle-eye or two (2-inch grubs on a 16th-ounce jig head, mostly). next day, couple nice rainbows and a decent smallie on a small jerkbait (hd trout). next day, only trout, on the jerkbait and 2-inch senkos, but got the slam (two of each). it's all about finding the right pockets, especially closer to the falls.
side note ... i had fished the gorge more than a dozen times before i caught my first brookie down there, and that day we caught seven or eight, including a couple nice ones in the 14-inch range. then, no brookies again until last week. odd.
/steps onto soapbox
those of you who have spent time climbing into and out of the gorge know what i mean when i talk about the "linville look" that i saw often during those days. it's the combination of the weary eyes, slumped shoulders and halting gait as the hikers/backpackers make their way over the trail. people who haven't been down there always underestimate how taxing a day in the gorge will be. can't say this enough ... the gorge is not like most other places in north carolina. don't be fooled because you once did the "hike" to linville falls. everything else there is much more physically challenging, and not even remotely a "safe" place. it's an adventure. i always carry enough food/water for an extra day, because you never know what could happen. you mess up your ankle or knee, and you're sticking around because getting out of there ain't easy.
/steps off soapbox
you won't find numbers of trout like you will at wilson creek or helton creek, and you won't find numbers of smallies like you will in the new river. but, man, the gorge is a beautiful place, and considering the effort to get in and out of there, you'll feel like you've earned the fish you do wind up catching. already can't wait to go back.
side note ... i had fished the gorge more than a dozen times before i caught my first brookie down there, and that day we caught seven or eight, including a couple nice ones in the 14-inch range. then, no brookies again until last week. odd.
/steps onto soapbox
those of you who have spent time climbing into and out of the gorge know what i mean when i talk about the "linville look" that i saw often during those days. it's the combination of the weary eyes, slumped shoulders and halting gait as the hikers/backpackers make their way over the trail. people who haven't been down there always underestimate how taxing a day in the gorge will be. can't say this enough ... the gorge is not like most other places in north carolina. don't be fooled because you once did the "hike" to linville falls. everything else there is much more physically challenging, and not even remotely a "safe" place. it's an adventure. i always carry enough food/water for an extra day, because you never know what could happen. you mess up your ankle or knee, and you're sticking around because getting out of there ain't easy.
/steps off soapbox
you won't find numbers of trout like you will at wilson creek or helton creek, and you won't find numbers of smallies like you will in the new river. but, man, the gorge is a beautiful place, and considering the effort to get in and out of there, you'll feel like you've earned the fish you do wind up catching. already can't wait to go back.
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Me too. Not too old to get in there but too old to get back out....
It's as easy to get in as "tuck and roll"
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