Chris Douglas of Carolina All Out shares two of his favorite summer fishing spots.

Mark Chesnutt’s 1990 country hit “Too Cold at Home” sums up mid-summer in North Carolina pretty well: “It’s too hot to fish, too hot for golf, and too cold at home.” It’s the fishing part I’m talking about. When the sun’s blazing and the water’s glassy, sitting in a boat can feel like you’re roasting in a convection oven. But don’t hang up your rod just yet—there are still ways to beat the heat. From mountain streams to coastal backwaters, North Carolina has plenty of cool spots where you can still hook a bass or bluegill, even on the hottest days.

Chris Douglas at work!

Lake Phelps Pumpkinseed On The Fly

Located on the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula, Phelps Lake sits like a shining jewel in the wilderness!  With relatively clear water, an average depth of 4.5 feet and ever-present breeze, Anglers can visually see and target bass and panfish in shallow water.

Fly fishing needs space to cast. Fishing from the bank is not an option due to the thick cover surrounding the lake. Using a boat or even a kayak to get you to the shallows is mandatory.  Once you get to a likely spot, just tie up and start wading.  There are not many things as fun as delicately dropping a popper fly on the water and watching a pumpkinseed rise and smash it right in front of your eyes!

Nolichucky Smallmouth

Part of the French Broad River Basin, the Nolichucky River is known for excellent smallmouth fishing, while its tributaries—the Toe and Cane Rivers—offer great wading spots with shady banks that help you stay cool. Thanks to the higher mountain elevations, temperatures here are noticeably cooler than in the Piedmont or Coastal Plain. With a little research, you’ll find plenty of access points and bait tips online—enough to land you in smallmouth Valhalla, all while escaping the worst of the summer heat.

Visit Carolina All Out: https://www.carolinaallout.com/