Eastatoe River South Carolina Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked)
Rainbow Trout (Wild and Stocked)
Size
Small to Medium
Location
North central South Carolina
Nearest Towns
Salem
Sunset
Season
Year-round
Access:
Easy in areas but hiking required to
reach the best sections
Non-Resident License
State of South Carolina
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The trout season follows the general South Carolina regulations.
Spring:
Spring is the best season to fish the upper river
Summer:
The water can get a little warm during the hot summer in the middle and lower sections but it stays well oxygenated and cool in the remote upper area.
Fall:
Autumn is a good time to fish the river for large holdover brown trout..
Winter:
Fishing during the winter can be good on warm days.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Eastatoe River South Carolina
The Eastatoe River, spelled Eastatoee by some, and also called Eastatoe Creek in its upper section, is one of South Carolina’s best trout streams. Fly fishing the Eastatoe River in its uppermost section can be a wonderful experience for any fly angler.
The Eastatoe River flows though a rugged gorge and prevents all but the serious fly angler more problems to access than the causal road side angler cares for. The stream flows through the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve. The upper section can be accessed from the Eastatoe Heritage Preserve Trail. It takes a good hike to reach the bottom of the gorge.
The uppermost section consist of beautiful water that flows through the gorge with the largest population of wild trout. It consist mostly of fast pocket water with fast runs, riffles, plunges and a few small pools. The wild trout are relatively small, but plentiful and usually eager to take a dry fly. It has special regulations which include using only artificial lures and flies. Abner, Rocky Bottom and Dogwood Creeks are small tributary streams that also have populations of wild trout.
The middle section flows mostly through private property in the Eastatoe Valley. It contains both wild and stocked trout but with a good number of holdovers. Big Laurel Creek is a tributary stream that flows into this section of the river. The water is slower moving with some long, deep pools separated by sections of riffles.
The lower section has easy access, is regularly stocked and has some large holdover trout. The water in this section can become too warm during the summer but it still maintains a good population of holdovers in some areas. The stream is stocked with both rainbows and brown trout during the Spring and Summer. From the confluence of Laurel Creek downstream to Lake Keowee, the Eastatoe River is hatchery supported.