[ducktrooper]

I'm planning on visiting my brother in Charlotte for a couple days and would like to take him fly fishing somewhere within 2 hours if possible. Any suggestions for good areas to wade and guide services? Thanks.

[macknnc]

Well it depends on what you are looking for. Charlotte had three large power company lakes close by. From north to south they are Mountain Island Lake, Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie. Wylie is on the NC/SC state line, so you would have to have an SC fishing license depending on where on the lake you fish. To effectively fish these lakes, however, you need a boat. Lots of bass in these waters and some of them, no matter what time of day, seem to hang about in the numerous stick-ups and docks along the lakes.

The two hour from Charlotte limit puts you solidly in the mountains and trout country. Really too many to list, but there is also a post on here about the Davidson River, which is good, but can be difficult at times. A search on NC trout fishing on Yahoo or Goggle will give you a lot of information.

The New River offers trout, smallmouth bass, and even muskies...(not typically a fly rod fish, of course)

Best trout fishing in the state is probably on the Cherokee Reservation, but it is outside the two hour driving time limit, closer to three.

I don't know anything about guides in the area, though I understand there are some.

Lots of good fishing down here though.

[macknnc]

Oops..It ain't the New River that has muskies, but the French Broad River, (outside of Asheville.)

[mtnman2888]

If you're looking for dh waters, try up around stone mountain state park or even the watauga around boone, nc (maybe slighly over 2 hours). There are also some good dh streams around hendersonville, nc. It may be cutting it close to your 2 hour limit, but give Davidson River Outfitters a call, they could probably tune you in to the best places right now.

For wild waters, mount mitchell state park offers some good opportunities. The south toe is catch and release but bring your a-game when it comes to stealth. Those fish are really spooky in the clear water. If you want a treat, hike up the south toe a couple miles and fish it's tributaries.

You didn't hear that from me.