Planning First Trip To The North Fork

[FlyingFish]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and had a few questions about the North Fork. I usually fish closer to home on Mill Creek and Little Piney. I'm planning my first trip to the North Fork next month and I'm wondering about a few patterns to get me started especially nymphs. I'm finding Princes and Stoneflies mentioned in several places. Anything else? Thanks alot.

[Justin Spencer]

Stop by the flyshop here at Sunburst Ranch when you are down, I have some locally tied flies that we use here that don't exist elsewhere. All your basic nymphs will work along with big princes and stones. Patterns here matter less, good drifts (getting the fly down) matter more. There is a link below to the flyshop where I talk about a few patterns that work on this river.

[FlyingFish]

Thanks for the info.

[FlyingFish]

I was also wondering about rules and regs for camping on the river. I'd like to do a 2 day float/fishing trip...

[Justin Spencer]

All of the trout water is in private property, there are places to camp without causing problems but you must pick and choose wisely. If you want one day in smallmouth and one in trout most of the land above Rainbow Spring is in National Forest. If you want a two day trout trip you can spend the night at a campground with several to choose from. You have ROLF at the falls, Pettit's at Blair bridge, my place between Blair and Patrick, and Riverside downstream of Patrick. All the places have their good and bad points, we have a gravel bar you could camp on, or a cool little island with room to camp as well. Us and Pettit's are located the best if you want to split up a two day trout trip.

[sean c]

Justin is right on about the camping there are a few places a guy could camp in the trout section but honestly all of the private campgrounds Justin listed are right on the river and are very pretty. They will also be close to empty the time of year your talking about going so you will basically have the places to yourselves. At Sunburst you will have conveinence of bathrooms/showers, ice, supplies and a fly shop 50 yards from the river but can still camp in a fairly secluded spot if you choose. Our statndard two day trip when staying at Sunburst would be a float from Kelly ford to Sunburst the first day and Sunburst to James bridge the second day. You cover almost all of the trout water between these two floats and usually get off the river early enough to get home at a decent hour the second day.

[Brian Wise]

You cover almost all of the trout water between these two floats and usually get off the river early enough to get home at a decent hour the second day.

Agreed...or all the water 'worth' hitting anyway.