Bike Fishing
The Perfect Pisgah Adventure Combo
Combining two of the greatest adventures Pisgah has to offer in one or multiple days, the fun starts at the trail head. Bikes and packs are loaded up and ready to hit the single or double track into the valley, or for a long climb up and over. There is something about wind in the face, with gear on your back, that gets the blood pumping. It’s the ultimate in N+1.
Zipping down the trail you slow to pass and greet a few friendly hikers, they are interested in making conversation about the fishing rod tucked in your pack or strapped to your bike. You give a quick prearranged friendly reply with a smile, and pedal on. The whole idea is to get somewhere to do something; no time for small talk. Up the trail a little further you encounter the broad backside of an equine beast. This group is moving a little faster than the hikers, but you’re in another league. Coming to a stop and moving to the downhill side of the trail the lead horseman assures you it’s ok to pass. You walk or slow roll your bike past the horses, give a few more prearranged responses to questions about the bike and the fishing rods, and soon as you are clear; hammer down.
There was a group slipping into waders at the trail head when you first left. You feel kind of bad that you’ve gained so much ground on them to the river, but that feeling quickly fades as the sound of rushing water hits your ears, followed by the sight of deep pools and fast riffles you will soon wade into and make a cast.
This is fishing. This is adventure. This is getting away. These are WILD fish.
A deep breath of damp river air. A hurried stashing of the bike. A quick change into fishing gear (skip the chamois for this one). The cold water hits your twitching legs and you feel your long past and seemingly lost youth, like some designer drug, course through your veins and hit the top of your head. God damn it’s good to be alive!
This Is “Serious Business”
This trip is for the experienced to intermediate rider. Access to backcountry rivers is usually via single track, or rough double track. Medium to short travel trail bikes, and hard tails, are the recommended bikes. This is not a guided mountain biking trip. This is a guided fishing trip that uses mountain bikes for quick access. Participants are expected to provide their own bikes and ride with some or all of their fishing gear. If you wish to rent a bike while in town there are several locations to rent bikes from. You can find The Hub’s rental site here RENT A BIKE.
You will have fun, and you will be tired at the end of the day.
