Greenville County, South Carolina
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On The Fly Freshwater
July 2025
Article and Photos by Jimmy Jacobs.
South Carolina’s Saluda River offers a variety of trout options to anglers in the Palmetto State. Most notable of those is the tailwater fishery on the main stem of the river downstream of Lake Murray. Trout action there stretches all the way into the state capitol at Columbia.
Lesser known is the fishing on the three branches to the north that combine to create the main flow in Greenville County, tight against the North Carolina border. There you find a microcosm of the state’s trout water options.
On the Middle Saluda fork of the river, the flow comes through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and Jones Gap State Park in the form of wild rainbow and brook trout fishing. Unfortunately, that backcountry hike-in area still is suffering from after effects of Hurricane Helene that is limiting its already strenuous access.
The North Saluda flows south from the dam at North Saluda Reservoir, offering a put-and-take fishery for brown, brook and rainbow trout. Here the problem for anglers is the lack of public access, as much of the river is on private property.
Finally, we have the South Saluda River, which runs from the dam at Table Rock Reservoir in an eastward direction to the junction with the other forks. While the portion just downstream of the lake also has a lot of private property, once the river passes the intersection of U.S 276 and SC 11, there is a 2-mile portion of the river down to the South Blythe Shoals Road crossing that is open to public fishing and has been regularly stock with trout since the 1960s. Through here the river is either at roadside or a short walk to its banks from a number of parking areas along the highway.
When the On The Fly South crew recently paid a visit to the South Saluda, at first we were a bit put off by the number of vehicles in a parking area on the north side of SC 11 near the middle of the stocked waters. As it turned out, this is a 60-acre South Carolina State Park property originally known as Greenville Wayside Park, but now called Wildcat Wayside, named for the small Wildcat Branch tumbling down the mountain side. A trail runs up the mountain here to three waterfalls that are popular with hikers.
The parking area and entry trail across SC 11 from Wildcat Wayside.
Just across the highway on the southside is another parking area, with a trail offering access to the South Saluda. From that point downstream for a long stretch, the riverside trail is on an old gated roadbed that is obviously used by the stocking trucks. As you might expect, this is a good stretch for fishing. On our first visit, trout could be seen in the clear waters of this portion of the river.
The fishing regulations on the South Saluda allow any type of gear and baits, with a daily harvest limit of five trout. Needless to say, the longer after stocking days, the fewer fish you will encounter.
Be aware that most of this part of the river is on private land, but managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Respecting the landowners by not littering (which is a problem in some areas) will help keep this fishery viable. Also, particularly on weekends, most of the pull offs along the highway will have vehicles in them. This is a popular angling area.
By Palmetto State standards, the South Saluda is big trout water.
By South Carolina trout water standards, the South Saluda is a fairly large stream. On average, the river is around 50 feet wide. That makes it open enough for relatively comfortable casting. Virtually all of this flow has a very low gradient and is easily waded, consisting of slick flat areas with a sand-and-gravel bottom. These flats are broken us by small riffles or drops. All of those shoal areas are created by very big rocks placed in the streambed to create holding water. The fact these are manmade is easily surmised by the fact that virtually all of them are laid with a flat side up. Additionally, at most of these shoals, similar rocks have been set in the river bank to create stairways to the water. Overall, the South Saluda is designed for easy access.
A shoal created and surrounded by the big flat rocks set in and along the stream.
The South Saluda is stocked with brown, brook and rainbow trout. Those plantings ordinarily take place from December through the mid-summer. Very little, if any carryover takes place since the river can reach temperatures in the mid-70s during the late summer.
Most of the fish will be stocked rainbow and brook trout.
Fly selection for fishing here is not rocket science. Expect offerings like San Juan Worms, Squirmy Worms, YSKs or egg patterns to work on these fish.
Overall, we would not rate the South Saluda River as a prime destination for traveling fly casters. On the other hand, if you are in the Greenville area in the spring and early summer, the river is a viable option for some trout action.
