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All South Carolina reports
Broad River
Generated artwork: BlueStreamFly · Regional illustration; not the exact location.
Should I go fishing?
Yes — worth going.
No single best way to fish. Wading, Bank fishing, and Floating have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
Fishing rating92
Rating updatedRiver local time:
Why this recommendation?
USGS shows 584 cfs. The flow has been falling about 15% over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1998-2025, 28 readings) show a typical middle range of 498 cfs to 1,230 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationHighCurrent flow, weather, alerts, and trip-critical signals support this decision.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes
If you go
- Check first
- SCDNR designates the 15-mile reach from Ninety-Nine Islands Dam to the Pacolet River confluence as the Broad Scenic River and lists multiple public access points inside that area.
- Try
- Pick one public access area and fish it deliberately instead of trying to sample every shoal in a single day.
- Leave when
- Skip when the river is rising, muddy, pushy over shoals, too hot, release-affected, or the put-in/takeout plan is not confirmed.
Flow and weather
Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
- Flow
- 584 cfs
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
- Air forecast
- 74°F
- Next 24h high
- 85.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 14%
This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading.
Latest stored weather check
Mostly Cloudy
- Wind
- 1 mph
- Weather checked
More forecast and source details
Mostly Cloudy
National Weather Service
Broad Scenic River forecast point near Blacksburg
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
RiverReports gauge: Broad River near Blacksburg
Flies for this time of year
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
- Clouser Deep MinnowClouserView fly guide ↗
- Leech Patternsleech streamerView fly guide ↗
- Woolly BuggerbuggerView fly guide ↗
See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
March-May
What to look forCrayfish movement, baitfish, and mixed spring insects
Flies to try
June-August
What to look forTerrestrials, minnows, and topwater warmwater feeding
September-OctoberThis season
What to look forBaitfish and crawfish feeding windows
Flies to try
Also try crawdad fly
Late fall-winter
What to look forSparse insect activity and slower forage-driven feeding
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
More fishing tips
Methods, fish species and trip notes
How to fish Broad River today.
The Broad is strongest for fly anglers when flows are stable enough to read current tongues around the shoals and low enough that your take-out plan still feels simple. Rising water, release noise near the dam, or muddy current should push you toward a short bank session at the tailrace or a full skip.
Stable moderate flow
Best for reading shoals, floating between public launches, and stripping streamers through defined current lanes.
Low clear water
Good for careful wading and lighter flies, but stay honest about exposed rock, spooky fish, and longer walks between productive lies.
Rising or release-influenced water
Treat as a major caution near the dam and anywhere current starts filling the shoals. Shorten the session or move off the water.
High stained current
Best skipped unless you are already committed to a safe float plan with the right boat control and local familiarity.
Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Access choicesNo single best option
Wading, Bank fishing, and Floating have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
Wading92/100
Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.
Bank fishing92/100
Bank and edge fishing remains a practical low-commitment option if access is legal and footing is safe.
Floating92/100
A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Full river report
Is Broad River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for South Carolina before you go.
The safest publishable Broad River plan is the South Carolina scenic segment below Ninety-Nine Islands Dam. Start with RiverReports and USGS 02153200, launch only from the named SCDNR access points, and let current, release signals, and your comfort in rocky shoals decide whether the day is a short bank session or a committed float.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Confluence
- A confluence is the place where two streams or rivers meet.
- Stained water
- Stained water is darker or cloudier after rain, runoff, or a change in flow.
- Streamer
- A streamer is a fly that looks like a small fish, leech, or other swimming food.
- Terrestrial
- Terrestrials are land insects, such as ants, beetles, and grasshoppers.
Why this call
Why this score
FlowHelps
USGS shows 584 cfs. The flow has been falling about 15% over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1998-2025, 28 readings) show a typical middle range of 498 cfs to 1,230 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
SeasonHelps
Fall: A reliable time for stable water, aggressive bass, and fewer recreational users on the scenic corridor.
WeatherHelps
The current NWS air forecast is about 74F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 85F. Mostly Cloudy.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip when the river is rising, muddy, pushy over shoals, too hot, release-affected, or the put-in/takeout plan is not confirmed.
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use the Blacksburg trend with water color and shoal safety. Stable or slowly falling water is the cleanest warmwater signal.
Skip when the river is rising, muddy, pushy over shoals, too hot, release-affected, or the put-in/takeout plan is not confirmed.
Start with the Blacksburg gauge, then choose Ninety-Nine Islands or a planned landing before picking flies.
Compare Lower Saluda River, North Saluda River, or Catawba options when the Broad is high, muddy, hot, or shuttle-limited.
Broad River access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.
Before you go
Check current South Carolina freshwater game-fish rules, license requirements, and any posted access or release warnings before fishing the Broad Scenic River area.
Where to access the river
Ninety-Nine Islands Tailrace Fishing Area and Boat Ramp
The clearest bank-and-boat starting point, with a boat ramp, parking, bank-fishing trail, and canoe portage around the dam.
99 Islands Boat Ramp
A downstream public landing on the opposite bank that works better for launch-and-float planning than for roaming bank access.
Dalton's Landing
The main downstream public take-out for the scenic segment and the key checkpoint for deciding whether your float distance is realistic.
- Use only the named public launches and trails listed by SCDNR.
- Worth Mountain is public, but SCDNR says river access there is very limited because the banks are steep.
- If you cannot explain your put-in, take-out, and backup exit before launching, the float plan is not ready yet.
Sources and report details
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
See all 7 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
What this source covers
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report starts with official regulation, access, flow, weather, and public-water sources, then adds practical planning guidance for fly anglers.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Quick questions
Where should I start on the Broad River in South Carolina?
The clearest public start is the Ninety-Nine Islands tailrace access because SCDNR specifically lists the boat ramp, bank-fishing trail, and canoe portage there.
What flow should I watch for Broad River trips?
Use RiverReports for the live chart and keep USGS site 02153200 near Blacksburg open as the official flow backstop before committing to either wading or floating.
Is this a wade river or a float river?
It can be both, but the safest default is a short tailrace bank-and-edge session or a clearly planned float between public ramps. It is not a good river for improvising exits once you are committed.