The Davidson River, which begins and flows through Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, has a reputation of producing one of the best trout fisheries in the Southeast. For many years, the Pisgah Chapter Trout Unlimited (PCTU) has prioritized our conservation and education efforts on the river under an on-going partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS).

PCTU has completed many projects such as: Install and maintain split rail fencing at high use locations to manage visitor access, reduce erosion and sedimentation; provide educational kiosks at Sycamore Flats and the parking area near the Setzer State Fish Hatchery; construct rain gardens to collect stormwater runoff from parking areas; plant desirable vegetation along stream banks; and install steps to provide safe access for anglers while reducing stream bank erosion. PCTU also helps fund the Pisgah River Rangers, a program administered by the Pisgah Conservancy to support USFS educational programs during peak summer visitation. 

PCTU also contributed funds and volunteers to collect scientific information for USFS and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) on macroinvertebrates, hellbenders, and fish. We also completed surveys on roads and trails in the forest to map areas of sedimentation, erosion, landslides, and barriers to fish and aquatic organism passage. These surveys help inform trail renovation and other management projects. 

In 2020, PCTU partnered with the Rocky River Chapter to secure funds from Trout Unlimited’s Embrace-A-Stream project to contribute to the Davidson River Habitat Enhancement Project. This project was led by USFS and modified a 600-foot section below the Setzer State Fish Hatchery to provide more diverse structure such as deeper pools and runs, bank revetments, and reconnected floodplain. To view a video about this project, click on this link: https://vimeo.com/4950026.

Following extreme flooding events in 2021 and 2024, PCTU conducted detailed habitat impact surveys of the eight miles of river that flows through the Pisgah National Forest. This information is being used to develop storm recovery and mitigation projects. 

In 2025, PCTU funded, installed, and maintains water temperature loggers under a project designed by NCWRC to monitor tributary and river temperatures. This study will document how climate change is impacting trout habitat and identify which tributaries provide thermal refugia during the summer. 

PCTU commitment to the Davidson River is strong and is dependent on the generous contribution of funds and volunteer hours from our members and supporters. Please join us in this and our other conservation and education programs.