A day of fishing at the Haw River

It's mid April and the weather is beginning to warm up here in NC, and for me and a handful of other people this means it's time to go fishing. Me and and my younger brother headed down to our local recognized body of water, the Haw River, for a day of fishing and exploration. So we packed up our pepper spray (very underrated, but useful at a public river), our fishing gear, and some snacks etc. and headed out.

(Our grassy pathway to the Haw River)

We made our way through the cut path with brush on either side, watching our step and checking out our surroundings until we arrived at our first fishing destination, the bridge.

(We call it the Haw River Bridge)

Once there we immediately noticed that the River was higher than it normally is due to the recent rains, but decided to cast our lines anyway. Both of us carefully climed down the rock face which stood between us and the bank, and began to cast our rods and jig our lures in hopes of getting some Bluegill, or maybe some Bass.

After 15 minutes or so had passed in the same location it was becoming apparent that lures were not going to serve us well in the higher waters and faster rapids. Not to mention there were some pretty gnarly sand bugs.

So after re-climbing the approximately 15 foot rock face again, we began in the opposite direction; we were headed toward the dam area of the River.

(The dam area)

I spotted a huge cluster of turtles resting on two large rocks sticking up out of the water. They seemed almost stranded, or sun-bathing.

(Water turtles getting some sun)

Passing the turtles and continuing on we made it to the dam area, and began to realize that in order to get to the spots that we wanted, we had to get in the shallow water (which was cold, by the way). We sludged through the shallow water all the while getting small rocks and pebbles stuck in our shoes, and all of a sudden I decided to stop. I spotted a medium sized Northern Water Snake resting on a cluster of wood and leaves overhanging the bank, and snapped the following photo.

(A Northern Water Snake, or Nerodia sipedon)

The Northern Water Snake, or Nerodia sipedon, is a common non-venomous snake that feeds on frogs, crayfish, fish, and any other critters it can stretch it's mouth around. I was going to attempt to catch this guy but he was too far down for me to reach, and judging from that look on his face I would have been bitten a few times too. But of course it wouldn't be the first time...

Then a few minutes later while walking around in a somewhat isolated shallow area, I spotted a baby one resting just under the surface of the water. I carefully reached in and grabbed him in such a way that he would not be able to bite me, and even if he did it wouldn't be much of a bother. I mean look at him, he's harmless!

(A baby Northern Water Snake)

And here is another one just for your viewing enjoyment. Also realize that I took the photos of the baby snake after taking him home, as I was so enthralled with him I didn't think to do it back at the river.

(Photo #2 of baby Northern Water Snake back at home)

I should also mention that unless you are absolutely sure of what you are doing, do not try to pick up any snake or attempt to catch it. I have been doing this off and on for years and I always make a point to know exactly what kind of snake it is before I even think about trying to catch it. North Carolina does not contain very many varieties of poisonous snake, but it always pays to be safe.

We continued to venture down the trail, stopping periodically at new openings to cast our lures but it just wasn't working. The water was too high, the fish didn't seem very hungry, and we didn't have any alternative bait...yet.

Then, after a while, we happened upon an area where the river was more calm, and decided to turn over some logs and rocks in search of crayfish. I managed to catch one, and I also managed to get two earthworms in the process. Then I had a great idea. I put one of the earthworms on the hook with my lure, sort of a lure/live bait hybrid kind of thing. At the next opening I cast it in, and positioned my rod on the ground thinking that I should just wait for a tug, when I noticed that it was already moving.

(A medium sized Bluegill, hooked on my lure/live bait hybrid rig)

I began to reel in my line when to my surprise I had a medium sized Bluegill fighting with me on the other end! Now secure in my knowledge that my contraption worked, I added my other worm and dropped it no more than 2 feet from the bank, wham!

(Another Bluegill, my brother snapped this one for me)

This guy was smaller, but still a fighter! It also meant the last of my two worms, thus putting an end to the short lived fishing success. We were both rather tired from hiking all day from location to location, and decided to call it quits. Although the day only yielded two Bluegill, it was still a success!

Oh, and next time the lures aren't working try strapping a worm on there and leaving it on the bottom. It can't hurt!