Neuse river NC 2/4/20:

[Billfish715]

Go west young man. Head to Cherokee Indian Reservation. Great trout fishing opportunities on streams much like some of the NJ streams. Nothing like the Raritan but more like the waters in northern NJ. A bit of a drive but you can make a day/night of it by staying at Harrah's on the reservation.

[AndyS]

I see the strangest posts coming from the Cherokee. First of all the permit situation is a mess, far more than what I care to figure out. The bag limits are a liberal 10 fish per person per day. Seems like people that can't catch a cold or their asses with two hands fish there because the holes are packed with trout. The Indians have hatcheries and stock ponds also that have a NO catch and release, almost like hatchery fishing. Thanks for the advice but may skip it and try the Smith and the Catawba.

[Lard Almighty]

The Eno River looks like it could be promising. Plenty of access, and most of it seems to have a rocky bottom. No trout, but there are largemouth and red-eye bass, and the usual assortment of panfish. Could be a closer option if you don't feel like driving 2+ hours to trout fish.