Broad River
river in South Carolina
Widely fished by fly anglers for smallmouth bass with good year-round fishing from wadeable riffles to deeper tailwaters.
What's working on Broad River
- 01Bass are actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish to build winter reserves.
- 02Excellent subsurface action with streamers and crayfish imitations.
- 03On warmer fall afternoons, topwater poppers can still draw aggressive strikes.
- 04Target rocky structures and current breaks for active fish.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Clouser Crayfish (river)
Crayfish are a primary and consistent food source for smallmouth and largemouth bass in rocky river environments like the Broad River, making this crucial for fall.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent, protein-rich food source on rocky smallmouth bass rivers year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for fall bass.
Popping Bug (Bass)
On warmer fall days in southern regions, topwater action can still occur. This popper creates an enticing surface disturbance, drawing aggressive strikes from bass.
Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)
A classic and highly versatile streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for bass in the fall as water temperatures cool.
Articulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)
Sculpin patterns are excellent for fall and winter bass, imitating larger baitfish that predatory bass key on in cooling waters.
Buy at AmazonClouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White)
Effectively imitates baitfish, a primary food source for bass in the Broad River, especially as they actively feed in the fall.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic bass in the fall.
Where to fish and who to ask
Lockhart Access / Riverbend Park
Public access with nearby pools and ledges holding quality smallmouths.
Neal Shoals / Rock Rapids
A series of shoals and current breaks that concentrate smallmouths; a favorite wading run.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Crooked Feather Outfitters
Get Broad River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
South Carolina season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
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Quick answers
Common questions about Broad River.
What flies work best on Broad River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Broad River right now are Crayfish (Fly) (80% confidence), Hellgrammite Fly (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Broad River?
Broad River holds Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Broad River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Broad River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.