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The Nantahala River is known the world over for its great white water
action, and is a place that truly exemplifies a great trout river. The
Nantahala is listed as one of the nation’s top 100 by Trout Unlimited. It
has also been featured in Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine, North Carolina
Sportsman, Trout Magazine, and countless others. The Nantahala River is the
most diverse fishery in all of the state. It is arguably one of the finest
rivers in the South Eastern United States. Nowhere else can you fish so many
different types of water in the same river system! From tight Mountain
Laurel choked headwaters, laden with Brook Trout, to a very impressive
tailwater supporting some of the baddest Brown Trout in the state, the
Nantahala has something for every taste. The Nantahala River above the power
house is designated Delayed Harvest, this is a favorite among anglers
because of the great action year round, and high fish counts. One can catch
numerous stocked trout as well as wild trout, the excitement in this
particular section is endless. Below the power house the river changes faces
once again to an impressive tailwater fishery. This is the section of the
river where the world class white water rafting and kayaking take place. The
fishing is great year round in this section too, even during the summer
months when the rafting is going on. The Nantahala here features many deep
pools, numerous runs and riffles that hold truly large trout. Matter of fact
the North Carolina State Record Brown Trout came from this portion of the
Nantahala, weighing in over 24lbs 10oz! Talk about putting a smile on your
face! The Nantahala River is truly a place worth visiting while in Western
North Carolina.
The Tuckasegee River is another amazing trout
fishery. It was recently featured on Trout Unlimited TV hosted by Outdoor
Life Network. It begins life high in the mountains as many small tributaries
that converge to form an East and West Fork, both which are dammed in their
upper portions, finally converging to producing one very cold tailwater
fishery that contains some of the most impressive Fly fishing waters in the
eastern half of the country. The Tuckasegee boasts a nice long Delayed
Harvest section that is very popular among fly fishers for its high fish
counts, willing and very large trout. Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout are all
part of the stocking program, and it’s not uncommon to catch a Rainbow or
Brook over 20 inches. This section makes the Tuckasegee River arguably the
hottest river in the Southeast. The “Tuck” as it is referred to, has
probably as many trout per mile as any of the western rivers of Montana and
Idaho. The Tuck is very user friendly, access is great along the Delayed
Harvest section with the water remaining wadeable most of the time. The Tuck
is also a great river to fish from a drift boat. We have a stable of Hyde
Drift Boats, and Star Wonder Bugs for just that purpose. If you really want
the ultimate experience in fly fishing this watershed, then a float trip is
definitely the best bet!
The Tuckaseigee below the delayed harvest section also contains trout and as
the water starts to warm up further down river, you begin seeing a lot of
nice Smallmouth Bass mixed in. According to a 2004 survey conducted by the
TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) on the fish quality in the region, the Tuck
has the healthiest population of smallmouth in the entire TVA system of
lakes and rivers! We do offer float trips below the delayed harvest section
and the action is nothing short of impressive! There is not as many trout
per mile compared with the Delayed Harvest section, but with some bruiser
Smallmouth Bass lurking behind every rock and log, you’re sure to have a
great time. Just this past year we had an eight year boy catch a 4.5 lbs
river smallmouth bass! What a way to put a smile on a child’s face!
The nearby Oconoluftee River flows out of the
Smoky Mountains National Park through beautiful historic Cherokee N.C. home
to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The Oconoluftee River is a
freestone river that begins life high up in the Smoky Mountains National
Park. Many small feeder streams make up this beautiful river, to form one of
the largest rivers that flows inside park boundaries. Once outside the park,
the “Luftee” as us locals refer to it, flows inside the Qualla Boundary
where it’s waters are stocked with numerous healthy Rainbow, Brook, and
Brown Trout. The Cherokee Indians are long know for taking care of their
natural resources, and the Oconoluftee is no exception. The Tribe stocks the
Oconoluftee River and other streams located on the Qualla Boundary twice a
week, so there is no shortage on trout in the waters of the Oconoluftee. The
Tribe does offer fishing permits, and the daily creel limit is 10 fish with
no size restriction. The previous North Carolina State Record Brown Trout
came from the waters of the Luftee weighing in at 15 lbs 9oz! |
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We also offer trips on the Cullasaja River near Highlands
N.C. The Cullasaja is a hatchery supported stream, and because it receives
little fishing pressure it contains lots of wild trout. Access is great
along the road, and it remains wadeable year round. The Cullasaja River is
probably one of the most scenic rivers in Western North Carolina, it boasts
many large waterfalls, including Cullasaja Falls which is the largest
waterfall in the area. Be sure to bring your camera along with you on this
trip because the scenery is literally breathe taking, and the fishing isn’t
bad either. |
