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Good news- Fay is dumping much-needed rains on us as I write. Today's Mills River reading was 178 cfs, up from 9 cfs (gasp) recently... and the forecast is for pouring rain through late Wednesday, at least.

I fished the low-water French Broad (of which the Mills is a trib) for bass on Saturday, a comfortable first time out for me after a few weeks recuperating from minor surgery (Ledges Park adjacent to the river- and the firm footing- make for very easy access). The rock behind me is under water by now... I'll be good to go to the SoMills shortly.

More later- thanks for all those rain dances!!!

I explored several miles near the headwaters of the South Mills River on Saturday, beginning in the Pink Beds area just past the Cradle of Forestry Visitor's Center on Hwy 276. It's a beautiful and well-maintained loop trail (FS118) that connects to the South Mills River Trail (FS133) near the gaging station.

Note that for the clave we will likely pass by the Pink Beds and the headwaters and drive on for a few miles, parking just east of the gaging station at the terminus of FS road 476 to the FS133 trailhead. (Of course, there are many entry routes including (for Crazies) parking at Mt. Pisgah and walking straight downhill for a day or so ).

Tour of the headwaters, walking the south route of the Pink Beds Long Loop


The river is barely a bold creek here, with many interesting and well-maintained crossings. Thanks to the FS, Land 'O Sky TU and others



There are occasional dry open places, not many


Portions of the river are meandering and almost swamp-like as it tries to decide where to go


Two miles or so in the tribs have increased the flow considerably, though the drought levels are still evident with sandy banks


It begins to look like "real" trout water


There were miniature "thickets" everywhere



A spider's web in a hidey-hole


and bratwurst-sized bear scat


This bridge is part of the Mtns-to-Sea Trail system which crosses the Pink Beds Loop on it's way to NC's Outer Banks.


I'm hiking through the mid-section of FS133 in the next few days spotting campsites and will post up. But Looking Glass Falls on Hwy 276 is always worth a look on your way driving in or out


I fished the Davidson briefly on my way out until I lost the spool retaining screw on my Young 2-3/4 reel (Ron has found one for me). The D is looking almost it's normal self these days, I fished at a pulloff a couple of miles below the Hatchery

Mike- thanks, we need you at the clave!

HH- Wow- excellent! I would suggest we put you down for the first evening's meal. Bratwurst is ex+ ! I would love to taste the mild Italian if it's like a summer or sweet sausage, if it's just a milder version of a hot Italian then the brats will git'r done!

Anyone up for maybe hosting (packing in) one group lunch for Friday? Or for Clavers walking in later in the weekend, consider a group lunch offering that we can begin to plan towards later in the weekend.