Davidson River Fly Fishing Report - September 6, 2026
DAVIDSON RIVER
ReportSEP 6 — 13, 2026
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Flow
31CFS
DAVIDSON RIVER NEAR BREVARD, NC
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Water Temp
70.9°F
Updated 2026-09-06
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Weather
61–84°F
Partly Cloudy
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Davidson is running at 31.1 CFS with a gauge height of 0.53 ft — extremely low and gin-clear — and water temps have climbed to 70.9°F, putting fish under real thermal stress by midday. Get on the water at first light and plan to be off by late morning before afternoon thunderstorms roll in.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
#16
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Brown #12
#12
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22
Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
#20
Olsen's Peacock Blowtorch Barbless #22 - 24
#22
Wiggly Worm (TBH) #8
#8
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
#14
Top Secret Baetis #16
#16
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrials (Ants) | 16-18 | Moderate | 7 AM - 11 AM |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Light | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Midge | 20-22 | Moderate | 6 AM - 9 AM |
| Caddis | 18-20 | Light | 6 PM - 8 PM |
| Worm / Annelid | 8-10 | Light | 7 AM - 10 AM |
Best Time Window
- 6 AM - 9 AM: Prime window — lowest temps, low light, and midge/ant activity before the sun stresses fish.
- 9 AM - 11 AM: Secondary window on shaded stretches; BWO and terrestrial action possible, but move off the water as temps climb.
- 6 PM - 7:30 PM: Brief evening caddis window if storms clear — watch for rising fish in riffles before dark.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at 31 CFS and water temps pushing 71°F, the fish are stressed and ultra-spooky — drop to 6X or 7X fluorocarbon, stay low, and make your first cast count because you may only get one. Target shaded, oxygenated water: plunge pools below small falls, deep undercut banks, and any spot with a current seam that breaks the surface. Fight fish quickly and keep them in the water for release — at these temps, a prolonged fight can be fatal. Watch the sky closely; afternoon storms are likely and can push a brief feeding window just before they hit.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
