Western North Carolina Fly Fishing
4000 Miles of Trout Waters!
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, Western North Carolina has over 4,000 miles of public trout water. As fly fishers, we have ample opportunity to discover a wide variety of waters to fish.
In Western North Carolina, we are very fortunate to have beautiful mountains and high-elevation freestone streams so close to Asheville. With the Appalachian Mountains being some of the oldest in the world, our rivers and streams share that same character as they flow towards our main river, the French Broad River. The Davidson River, North Mills River, and many other small tributaries combine south of Asheville to create the French Broad. These streams are known for their great trout fisheries and the French Broad is well known for its smallmouth bass population. Even with these prominent streams garnering most of the attention, we have many other areas worth mention.
Delayed Harvest Streams (Catch and Release from Oct. 1-June)
Henderson County
In Western North Carolina, we are very fortunate to have beautiful mountains and high-elevation freestone streams so close to Asheville. With the Appalachian Mountains being some of the oldest in the world, our rivers and streams share that same character as they flow towards our main river, the French Broad River. The Davidson River, North Mills River, and many other small tributaries combine south of Asheville to create the French Broad. These streams are known for their great trout fisheries and the French Broad is well known for its smallmouth bass population. Even with these prominent streams garnering most of the attention, we have many other areas worth mention.
Delayed Harvest Streams (Catch and Release from Oct. 1-June)
Henderson County
- North Fork Mills River (game land portion below the Hendersonville watershed dam)
- Richland Creek (Russ Avenue bridge to US 19A-23 bridge)
- West Fork Pigeon River (Queen Creek to the first game land boundary upstream of Lake Logan)
- Tuckasegee River (NC 107 bridge at Love Field to the Dillsboro dam)
- Big Laurel Creek (NC 208 bridge to the US 25-70 bridge)
- Shelton Laurel Creek (NC 208 bridge at Belva to the confluence with Big Laurel Creek)
- Green River (Fishtop Falls access area to the confluence with Cove Creek)
- East Fork French Broad River (Glady Fork to the French Broad River)
Fishwater Maps
Fishwater Maps is dedicated to making high quality, finely crafted, accurate maps and fishing guides. They specialize in creating river maps and coastal maps for fly fisherman and light tackle anglers that include all the information you need to get there and get fishing. Their full color maps measure 11" x 17" and are printed on waterproof; heavy duty synthetic paper that can take years of abuse on the water. They feature regional maps, access points, hatch charts, GPS Points, water release travel times on tailwaters, float times for boaters, fly and tackle recommendations, important phone numbers and local information such as where to eat, where to sleep and other services of interest to fisherman. Visit them online at www.fishwatermaps.com
NC Wildlife Commission
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
Since its inception in 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) has been dedicated to the wise-use, conservation, and management of the state's fish and wildlife resources. Their policies and programs are based on scientifically sound resource management, assessment and monitoring, applied research, and public input.
The WRC consists of wildlife and fisheries biologists, wildlife enforcement officers, educators, engineers and administrative staff in nine districts across the state. Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, boating or are just interested in Tarheel wildlife, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is available to enrich your outdoor experiences.
The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education offers many fly fishing classes throughout the year. Click Here to visit their website.
The WRC consists of wildlife and fisheries biologists, wildlife enforcement officers, educators, engineers and administrative staff in nine districts across the state. Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, boating or are just interested in Tarheel wildlife, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is available to enrich your outdoor experiences.
The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education offers many fly fishing classes throughout the year. Click Here to visit their website.
Fly Fishing in the GSMNP
Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, by Jim Casada. The 448-page book features detailed coverage of all the major streams of the nation’s most visited national park along with insight on even the smaller feeders. In addition, there are dozens of helpful graphs, scores of both vintage and modern photographs, a detailed list of outfitters and guides, a folding map which is tucked into the book and can be carried with you on the trail, an extensive annotated bibliography, and much more.This book features a lifetime of knowledge and insight gained from untold days and years of blissful casting and wading in the finest wild trout water east of the Rockies. If you are interested in the history of the high country of western North Carolina and east Tennessee, want to know more about fishing in the Smokies, or are seeking detailed information on tactics and techniques which work well in the region, this book is for you. Link Here
WNC Fly Fishing Trail
www.flyfishingtrail.com
This is the first and only fly fishing trail in the United States!
The Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, situated in Jackson County, features some of the best trout waters in the Great Smoky Mountains. The trail takes you to 15 excellent spots for catching brook, brown and rainbow trout. Whether you seek quantity or size, open waters or small streams, the WNC Fly Fishing Trail has it all. Complimentary maps and lodging details are available by contacting the Jackson County Tourism Authority at (800) 962-1911 or MountainLovers.com.
This is the first and only fly fishing trail in the United States!
The Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, situated in Jackson County, features some of the best trout waters in the Great Smoky Mountains. The trail takes you to 15 excellent spots for catching brook, brown and rainbow trout. Whether you seek quantity or size, open waters or small streams, the WNC Fly Fishing Trail has it all. Complimentary maps and lodging details are available by contacting the Jackson County Tourism Authority at (800) 962-1911 or MountainLovers.com.
