Wade-able fly fishing streams near Charleston?

Hello all!
I’m an avid fly-fisherman from Cincinnati. I will be travelling to Charleston for business at the beginning of October and I was hoping to get in a day of fishing while I’m in town. I’ve done some searching on the web for fishing streams, but all I seem to locate are boat access locations or charter/guide sites. Any advice on wade-able streams with decent access within about an hour of Charleston?

I would probably say your best bet is to rent a Yak when you are down. Im from Upstate SC so I don’t know the area that well. Some of the locals on this site will probably be more helpful…Should be a good time of year to visit.
Goodluck

Are you referring to freshwater streams Mr. Brew? We do offer excellent sightfishing for reds on the fly however. You wil definately need a boat or get with someone that has one. Thats quite aways away but I might be able to help you out. Like I said dont know that far in advance but might be able to work something out. As far as streams just a rough estimate I would say for anything decent your looking at atleast 3-4 hours of driving:smiley:

Jeremy

Flyguy-I’ve never handled a kayak, so I’ll probably stay away from that one. I was hoping to find some smaller, freshwater streams or rivers that I could wade in.

CT-Thanks for the offer. 3-4 hours out of town would probably be too far. I may just bring my spin-caster and try my luck at the piers.

I may see if any of my fellow travellers are interested in chartering for a day. Based on what I’ve read on this forum, it sounds like the saltwater fishing is excellent! And since my quarry is typically limited to brown trout or smallmouth, a change would be nice.

And (completely off topic) does anyone know of a good place to get a pint or two while in town? Brewpubs, etc.? I’ll be staying near the convention center.

Definitely get a guide. The only fly fishing now is sight fishing So you will probably be using spinning rods.

If a man wakes up early to go fishing he 's sleep deprived, If a man wakes up late to go fishing he’s fish deprived

Brewmeister, take a look at www.saludatu.org. Saluda river has it’s days but it can be dangerous due to occasional rising water, but it is not a bad tailwater fishery. Good access is about an hour and fifteen minutes from Chas… This fish was caught last spring.

By the way Brew, I prefer to drive the extra two and a half hours to NC to catch something like this. Caught on a Pfluger Trion rod ccompanied by a Plfuger President reel, 7ft leader, 6X tippet, #18 Sulpher Emerger. Hope I helped.

dang rookie didnt know we had water that close well I learned something new today. Would you be up for a trip to the saluda or NC area? Better yet we could just swap a trip like you mentioned around here I go all the time. Let me know by email or post.

Jeremy

2006 16ft actioncraft flats 115 etec

Mr.Brew, you don’t want to be wading any freshwater streams around here in the summertime, you might run into Mr. Gator. If you want to throw for reds in the grass around here, you don’t need a boat, you just need to know where you can park and walk. What wt. rod are you bringing?

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Not much in the way of brew pubs near the convention center. Plenty of seedy sportz bars. Best bet is to get a cab downtown and hit eastbay. Try the Griffon, Southend (charlestons only real brew pub) or the blind tiger. All fine places to imbibe. If you can get a few of your constituents to chip in a charter is definately the way to go. Full day will run you around $450. You can find reputable guides on this site or you can e-mail me and I’ll give you some names.

Depending on when in OCT you’ll be here there is a flat out near patriots point that you can park and wade if the tide is above a 6.0. That typically requires a full moon or new moon tide. Mike at the Charleston angler can help. He also kayak guides. It might be a good experience and cheap enough that you can afford it on your own.

Thats why they call it fishing, not catching

Thanks to all for your tips and advice (especially on the pubs)! I’ll have to mull over all of these options over the next month or so. As far as equipment, I’m not really stocked up, as I only made the jump from spincasting to flycasting a few years ago. I have 2 rods: a 5-weight Browning and a homemade 6-weight (not much action). I’ve only got one 5-wieght (dare I say it - White River) reel that I interchange between the two. I typically fish for brown trout and smallmouth here in Ohio, so I stock up on plenty of 7’-5x leader.

I’ve never gone out with a guide. If I go with a guide, do they typically provide the gear or will I need my own? I may be flying into town, so not having to bring all my gear would be nice.

Rookie - Nice catches!

Thanks Brew. I hoped I helped. By the way the 5wt is what some prefer on the Saluda. Good luck and God Bless!!

quote:
Originally posted by Mr.Brewmeister

Thanks to all for your tips and advice (especially on the pubs)! I’ll have to mull over all of these options over the next month or so. As far as equipment, I’m not really stocked up, as I only made the jump from spincasting to flycasting a few years ago. I have 2 rods: a 5-weight Browning and a homemade 6-weight (not much action). I’ve only got one 5-wieght (dare I say it - White River) reel that I interchange between the two. I typically fish for brown trout and smallmouth here in Ohio, so I stock up on plenty of 7’-5x leader.

I’ve never gone out with a guide. If I go with a guide, do they typically provide the gear or will I need my own? I may be flying into town, so not having to bring all my gear would be nice.

Rookie - Nice catches!


The good guides are all sponsored and thus have every concievable piece of tackle/gear you will ever need. I wouldn’t worry about bringing the five or six weight as they are too light for redfish. Just let the guide outfit you. The benefit of this is you will be using only the latest and finest rigs.

I’m not sure about what Mike at the Chas Angler carries for clients or if he does, but I do know that he is sponsored by GLoomis and Ross reels so I would imagine he does. You can check out the shop at www.thecharlestonangler.com or call the shop and speak to him at 843-884-2095 Thats the number for the shop in Mt. Pleasant where he works.

Thats why they call it fishing, not catching

Rookie check your email.

2006 16ft actioncraft flats 115 etec

Chasing Tail. I am not at work so I can’t get your e-mail until Monday. Forward it to this address. lgainey001@sc.rr.com