Do you think that the drought the south east US has had the last 2 summers has effected the trout population?

Question

i live in the NC mountains and fly fish for trout, i build my own rods and tie my own flies so I'm not totally stupid when comes to these fish. i was just wondering what opinions everyone else had on this subject.

Answer 1

You need to come to Middle Tennessee and fish below the Center Hill Dam. They are doing repairs and are generating water and the trout fishing downstream is fantastic this year. I went with a friend using ultalight All Pro APX Rods with Okuma Reels and we both caught our limit within an hour. Biggest was a Brown that went about 4 lbs....

Answer 2

Sadly, yes. Smaller streams and sections of streams where the conditions were  marginal for trout, under even the best of circumstances,

have unquestionably been negatively impacted by the drought and attendant warmer water conditions. It is not just a matter of water temperatures since the water holds less oxygen as the temperatures increase and that is what ultimately dooms the trout. Hopefully, conditions will improve and trout will be able to re-populate at least some of those waters that they have been forced out of.

Answer 3

I think the drought has affected fishing every were in the Southeast. I live in Durham, NC. Last summer the rivers and lakes were almost completely dry. This summer is much better, esp with the most recent rains (3 inches in one day). But, yeah, I think it has to affect the trout pop in the mountains

Answer 4

I think yes it has,with little rain the smaller streams do not have as many deeper pools for the trout to hang out in

Answer 5

I hope not - I'm hoping to hit the Blue Ridge in time for the brookies spawning this fall !!!   Been overseas for a while, did ok last w/end got four.