Columbia Rivers Forecast
October and November produced some hot fishing with nice holdover and wild trout being caught. But for those that have had a hard time finding these fish, the month of December, and into the spring, should be a little easier as trout time arrives in the Saluda River when the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) begins stocking nearly 30,000 rainbow and brown trout in the river.
Officially, trout time kicks off in the Saluda River this month with the helicopter stocking of between 14,000 and 16,000 fish that are normally spread throughout the river from the Lake Murray dam to the I-26 Bridge. These fish are willing to eat just about anything. Good flies to use are egg patterns, worm patterns and anything bright. The typical Pheasant Tail nymphs, Hare’s Ear and smaller mayfly dry patterns will produce as well. On spinning gear, small spoons, Rooster tails and Mepps spinners will get fish to the boat.
Regulations are five trout total with only one allowed over 16 inches. However, with the way this fishery has evolved over the last few years, please consider voluntarily returning anything over 15 inches as these are the spawning population, as well as any fish under 10 inches as these are the young of the year spawned last winter. If we manage the river well, we can have a trout fishery that rivals the Chattahoochee River in the Atlanta area. This would also make the Saluda the most southern river in the US with a sustainable or even semi-sustainable trout fishery.
Remember to be safe on the river and always keep an eye on river levels as they can change in an instant.
Jake Howard
Saluda Valley Guides LLC
www.saludavalleyguidesllc.weebly.com | (803)312-2435
Barron’s Outfitters
www.barronsoutfitters.com
(803)254-5537