South Carolina Fly Fishing Guides

Fly Fishing In South Carolina

South Carolina offers some great fly fishing, from the mountains in the northwestern western part of the state to the coastal waters in the east. Because of the Palmetto State’s mild climate, fishing is good year round, and something is always biting. South Carolina has major rivers like the Edisto, the Santee, and the Savannah, along with huge lakes, small ponds, and mountain streams.

South Carolina fly fishing charters can also take you to fish the bays, mud flats, tidal rivers, and offshore waters for a variety of saltwater fishes.

Fly Fishing For Trout In South Carolina

You might not think of “Sandlapper” fly anglers as having places to practice their art on trout, but they do. Rainbow, brown, and brook trout are found in good numbers in quite a few locations. The state record rainbow trout weighed 11 pounds, 5 ounces and was caught in Lake Jocassee, where the record brown was also taken. The brown trout weighed 17 pounds, 9 ounces. The record brookie weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces and was pulled from the Chattooga River. In addition to Lake Jocassee and the Chattooga, other trout water include the Estatoee River, Rocky Bottom Creek, Dogwood Creek, Big Laurel Creek, the Saluda River, Goodwin Branch, the Thomson River, Cheohee Creek, Townes Creek, Devils Fork Creek, Matthews Creek, the South Pacolet River, and Brasstown Creek. Some of these creeks have wild trout, while others are stocked by the state with catchable-size fish. Some of South Carolina’s trout streams are truly pristine, with beautiful waterfalls. Some are so remote, in fact, that they can be reached only by four-wheel drive or on foot. To experience one of these wild streams, contact a South Carolina fly fishing guide.

Fly Fishing In South Carolina

Fly Fishing For Striped Bass In South Carolina

South Carolina is famous for its striper fishing, and the striped bass is the state fish. The largest striper ever landed in the state tipped the scales at 59 pounds, 8 ounces and was produced by Lake Hartwell. Many of the larger lakes and reservoirs have good numbers of big stripers, including Lake Moultrie, Lake Marion, Lake Wylie, Lake Greenwood, and Lake J. Strom Thurmond. Some of these lakes and reservoirs are sprawling, and if you’re not familiar with them, your fishing trip probably won’t be very productive. You’ll have better luck by hiring fly fishing guides in South Carolina for fishing the big waters.

Fly Fishing For Bass In South Carolina

Like most states in the Southeast, South Carolina grows some big bass. Anglers can land bass all across the Palmetto State, including largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and redeye bass. The state record largemouth – and to fish tied for this honor - weighed 16 pounds, 2 ounces and was hauled in from Lake Marion, while the second fish was caught in a privately owned pond. The state record smallmouth weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces and was caught in Lake Jocassee. Other major bass lakes include Lake Moultrie, Lake Wylie, Lake Marion, Lake Murray, Lake Keowee, Wateree Lake, and Richard B. Russell Lake. You’ll find plenty of South Carolina fly fishing guides to help you land lunkers on the fly.

Saltwater Fly Fishing In South Carolina

South Carolina also offers some great saltwater fly fishing. Popular species include redfish, sea trout, flounder, cobia, mackerel, bluefish, tarpon, and sharks. South Carolina fly fishing charters are available for inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing.