Once the spoon has drifted downstream slowly lift your rod tip and wind it back in before casting again. Ok Bill, throw your fly over there and let it sink to the bottom. Let the slighter line go under about two feet, its deep here. Dont fall asleep though, pay attention, this is a good spot. We had just dropped into one of the many deep holes that are common to the eight-mile tail race of the Nantahala River. 14 minute segment of a Fly Fish TV episode with Kelly Galloup and Bryson City guide Mac Brown fishing the Lower Nanatahala River for Browns in the Fall. We fought that brown for fifteen minutes before it finally released the rainbow. Dams are also an ecological nightmare. Simply cast slightly upstream, and let it drop and flutter down with the current. The river is broken into two sections: the Upper Nantahala and the Lower Nantahala. This is a wonderful float through spectacular country. By delaying the retrieve, it gives wary trout a chance to forget the impact, and it gives curious trout a chance to swim over and explore what caused the splash. These are big rivers, with the water conditions and nutrient loads to support dense trout populations. The main access is just downstream of the Nantahala Powerhouse and upstream of "Patton's Run". easy fix, change target species to schooling bass, sunshine bass, big catfish and stringers full of bluegill. Breaking a rod is a real shame because most breakages are a direct result of user error or a careless mistake. I really just glide alone, barely causing a disturbance to the surface. Trips should be planned around scheduled releases, but anglers, especially wading anglers, must remain aware of conditions on the water. The DH section ends at the junction of Whiteoak Creek just below the intersection of Wayah Rd. Today there are ten different outfitters operating on the Nantahala river. Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area. They are prolific, making up about 75 percent of the total trout population in some samplings, and they grow quickly in the rivers fertile middle and lower stretches. Brook Trout 7 lbs, 7 oz. Conditions are always changing on this river at a rapid pace because the water is either off or on (typical of most tailwater fisheries). Tennessee is well known for tailwater trout fisheries. Wade anglers take extreme caution around power generations. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brown trout and rainbow trout here. However, numerous other fish species populate the lake, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and yellow perch. Gatlinburg, TN is a 45-minute drive over the hill (GSMNP) from Bryson City. More about the Little Tennessee in next months edition of The Angler Magazine WNC. We have the most experienced rowers in the entire region working the fly fishing guided float trips with decades of knowledge on what works best as conditions change. The uppermost section just below Whiteoak Falls is known as the Nantahala Cascades and is an extremely steep and challenging whitewater route. The Nantahala River has a fixed release schedule each day of the week. Even on the drop, giving off glimmers of light. Knoxville and Chattanooga TN is about 2 1/2 hours away. We chose to fish for our dinner out of one of three ponds. The biggest brown trout ever caught weighted 44 pounds 5 ounce and was 38.58 inches long with a 34 inch girth. Getting back to the Kokanee, the state and local concerned fisher persons are going to try to monitor the upcoming spawning run up the Nantahala River late September through October. If I have to describe a kastmaster, it would be as a simple metal lure that casts a mile. Native aquatic ecosystems are gone forever, along with the natural cycles of the flora and fauna they supported. Plus we have the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Fontana Lake. Robert Dyer of Sylva caught the fish with a Rapala but not in public fishing waters. A Guide will teach you everything you need to know about the nuances of various stretches of the water but if you want to learn more about where you are goingbefore you arrive or if you want to plan your own day on the water for yourself or your group, you will find just about anything you could want plus a little more. Whether you're fly fishing, spinning or baitcasting your chances of getting a bite here are good. Below I will give some key guidelines which will increase the chance of success.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'troutresource_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_20',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-troutresource_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); I see this mistake every time I troll on my local lake. A recent DWR sampling showed good numbers of brown trout in the 16- to 18-inch range, as well as scads of rainbow trout longer than 12 inches. Its interesting to see what lurks in the depths. Wildlife flourishes, and people reconnect with nature in the narrow valley between Wesser and Andrews. We were SO pumped to get back to the NC mountains this year and target some of the MONSTER brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout that call the land of the noon-day sun home. 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. This long, skinny spoon was once the best selling spoon globally. Dams have become a necessary part of civilization as it exists today. Brown Trout Rainbow Trout. Typical fish measure from 9 to 15 inches, but the river is known for producing giant 30-plus-inch browns on occasion. and support for an alternative proposal that eliminated the riskiest logging and protected clear-running and popular trout streams and old, biologically rich forests. Its the large mouth bass of the trout family. The Nantahala River is unique to the area due to the consistent, 50-degree year round water temperatures. The kind of structure to look out for is submerged trees, river deltas, shallow flats, and weedbeds. 5. They dart and zig-zag around, often changing direction or even pausing for a few seconds before moving on again. The tailrace is wadeable on low water, and this is when most anglers fish it. This beautiful Southern Appalachian stream is a popular destination for both fly-fishing classes and competitions. A 1996 lawsuit upheld the claim of certain property owners that an eighteenth century Crown Grant issued by King George II gave them legal authority to restrict fishing on roughly two miles of river downstream of the dam. Thomas has over twenty years of trout fishing experience in streams, rivers, and lakes around the globe including America, Canada, New Zealand, Europe and most recently South Korea. For more consistent action, he likes to rig up three-nymph indicator rigs anchored by a big black stonefly nymph. Another classic, the Tomas Buoyant sinks at a slower rate than most spoons. On low water, the tailwater resembles a gurgling mountain stream. This section of river is popular as a fly fishing destination. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 1275 South Patrick Dr. Suite A-9 | Satellite Beach, FL 32937 | 321.777.2773 |, The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of any hellbender (water dogs) to the agency. In these situations, the much less pronounced action of a spoon can actually prove to be more effective. Nantahala Bridge, showing the high water level even in late summer (September). (828) 488-6199 About. On the water review of the Live Target Trout Jerkbait, The optimal speed to retrieve when fishing for trout. It is also a great option for getting through fast currents to the trout holding close to the bottom. Anyone who can cast will cast a good distance on a Kastmaster. Panthertown Creek. The Nantahala, or "the land of the noonday sun" as the Cherokee language translates is another popular river for both fly fisherman and whitewater rafters. So lets not waste too much time on introductions and jump into why Spoons are some of the best trout catching lures around. (How do they compare with the competition? The Nantahala tailwater is densely populated with a good mix of wild and stocked rainbows and browns, as well as a spattering of brook trout. The Arrival of Spring Means Weekend Getaways in Jefferson County. Western North Carolina boasts some of the best trout and small-mouth bass fishing in the Southeast. While it will get harder to find quality trout fishing escapes, trout anglers can still find some good fishing opportunities in our area by going up higher in the surrounding mountains. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The North Carolina state record came from a pool just beneath the powerhouse. The line tightened up and Bill did a sharp set and had yet one more beautiful native Nantahala rainbow on the line. Another interesting thing about brown trout fishing is, if you happen to turn one, pay attention because you are likely to see more that day. The Nantahala River produced the state-record brown trout in 1998; it weighed 24 pound, 10 ounces. NOTE: Hatchery supported trout waters are closed to 30 minutes past sunset on the last day of February until 7 am on the first Saturday in April (opening day). 414-384-8096 RATES AND PACKAGES We are a Full Service Lake Michigan Sport Fishing Charter 2022 Charter Fishing Rates 1-6 People Trophy Hunter - 33 foot Wellcraft Coastal ONE 5 HOUR CHARTER (or limit catch) =$650 ONE 6 HOUR CHARTER (or limit catch) = $725 ONE 8 HOUR CHARTER (or limit catch) = $925 The Nantahala River in North Carolina's southwestern corner has a well-deserved reputation for outstanding trout fishing having been listed among the country's top 100 trout streams by Trout Unlimited. The Rivers We Fly Fish; Trip Options; . All was going according to plan until the line mysteriously stopped. Chris Scalley, of River Through Atlanta Guide Service, is a local who has probably logged more hours on the river than anyone. Fish were hiding in the shallower .more water near the bank under rocks. ), Best replacement hooks for trout spinners. As a general rule, I try to troll no faster than 1mph. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This means, that Troutresource.com may receive acommission from purchases made through links to retailersites. ), Are Blue Fox Spinners any good? Know when to be out there! The park visitors exceed 14 million people per year! Scheduled water releases are published online for most dams, but releases are also conducted without warning. The breaking strain of fishing line most suitable for targeting trout in streams and ponds is 4lb, with a diameter of 0.008 (0.20mm). People drive too quickly when they are trolling for trout. Marshall, Jr. No image available Brown Trout 24 lbs, 10 oz. The Nantahala River in Western North Carolina is a premier white water destination and if you arrive after 10:00 AM, you will see a flotilla of kayaks and fat rubber rafts coming down the Nantahala River. This is a unique video because we were able to tie the flies rig. The water levels on the Tailwaters are controlled by dam releases and the Freestones by Mother Nature herself. Nantahala National Forest is the largest national forest in North Carolina, covering over 530,000 acres. Delivery available. Also, mousing at night is an experience to be seized if the conditions are right. Nantahala Lake. This section holds the current North Carolina state record brown trout at a whopping 24 lbs. Located at and elevation of 3,000 feet in the Nantahala National Forest, the lake sits above the Nantahala Gorge and is known for its scenic beauty and crystal clear waters. It will be my pick for fishing a deep pool in a swift flowing river. Are Mepps spinners any good? The Nantahala dam is a diversion dam; the water that normally flows through the river is diverted through a 5.5-mile (8.9km) penstock before flowing through the Nantahala Powerhouse and back into the original river channel far downstream. Blue Ridge Outdoors is your guide to fly fishing, the Appalachian Trail, biking, travel, and more in the Blue Ridge and beyond. Raven Fork River. I have lost count, of the number of times I have been overtaken by boats trolling at much higher speeds. The river is broken into two sections: the Upper Nantahala and the Lower Nantahala. Being lightweight makes them a great for fishing shallow water, ripples typically found in streams. Work With Us. To book a guided trip near The Nantahala Gorge or The Cheoah River, give him a call. It is not hard to see why our little mountain town of Bryson City is always expanding with the whitewater rafting, Smoky Mountain Railroad, Appalachian Trail, hundreds of waterfalls, great mountain biking, and many other outdoor adventures. When properly cared for, most trout rods potentially can last for decades. With all those protected mountains surrounding us, there is some great fishing in the cold trout filled water that flows everywhere you look. I find the Krocodile a great lure for searching for trout in big water. This map can be a little unwieldy so here is a simpler version that also can be printed. Trout Details. And the fishing can be very good. The Upper River is a freestone stream in the medium size category. Weve caught wild browns from Buford Dam to Roswell Shoals at Island Ford since I was a kid in the 1980s, Scalley said. The other is at the Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area near where US 74 crosses the river. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. Expert guides, and friendly instruction. When they have their sights set on a meal, nothing will get in their way. Stranahan said typical low-water fishing calls for 9- to 12-foot leaders, 6x tippets, and flies no larger than size 16 and all the way down to size 24. NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JOIN THE DYNASTY: https://bit.ly/3p07L8T --Check out the MERCH: https://bit.ly/3mA5akH--Follow us on INSTAGRAM: https://bit.ly/3mwDld2----------More Dope Fishing Vids----------TOPWATER FISHING FOR GIANT BASS: https://youtu.be/6gipNKfgI7EPEACOCK BASS IN FLORIDA: https://youtu.be/tUeEMroT7zkFLY FISHING FOR BASS: https://youtu.be/8gV2WqwO2FMGOLF COURSE BASS FISHING: https://youtu.be/bTGYThKEEqIMUSKIE FISHING IN WEST VIRGINIA: https://youtu.be/C-bTrLuWYmMEPIC SMALLMOUTH BASS FISHING: https://youtu.be/AdPh4PrS3DwWE WON A BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT: https://youtu.be/-MwzUrTvqZgGIANT RED DRUM FISHING: https://youtu.be/PgeSPFQu4mwINSANE DAY OF STRIPER FISHING: https://youtu.be/mq2_98Lh1YsGIANT BASS IN A TOURNAMENT: https://youtu.be/oKsSKtUyccIFLY FISHING FOR TROUT: https://youtu.be/h7y_UmQt1HoHUGE BASS IN PRIVATE PONDS: https://youtu.be/4-cEiN5M5wkCANAL FISHING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE: https://youtu.be/i6p3s7Y5tCsHUGE SPOTTED BASS FROM A CREEK: https://youtu.be/keg_GQoBfU4----------How-tos and Bait Reviews----------HOW TO CAST A BAITCASTER: https://youtu.be/dhZv_Lo277YTOP 3 WINTER BAITS: https://youtu.be/r6XuiZxiJXABEST BUZZBAIT TRAILER??? The most recent, caught in 2014, weighed 20 pounds, 14 ounces. The German Brown is easy to identify with its golden color and bright red spots. Brookngs Anglers. For this reason, I am currently in the process of removing many such links. Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, bluegill, yellow perch, kokanee salmon and striped bass at Nantahala Lake in North Carolina. I usually troll from my sit-on-top fishing kayak. Even at low retrieve speeds which is when most trout will strike. Last year, a friend of mine had a big brown eat a rainbow he had hooked up. Water is released into the gorge at a steady 45 degrees, with high levels of oxygen perfect for trout. Despite being controversial, dams provide specific opportunities for anglers. Each year, I see at least half a dozen rainbows that have been hooked up and are being fought to the net, get chased or attacked by big brown trout. The lower Nantahala has some of the biggest number days of trout to the net of anywhere in the region. Upper Nantahala roughly 2.3-2.5 miles up stream of powerhouse. 17 Brown trout have been caught near here. My favorite addition to the town is the Nantahala Brewery which also provides some very good bands all through the season! do i need a north carolina fishing license? When the water is very cold, or a bit too warm trout become sluggish and require even more time to strike. Theyll inevitably ask, Hows the fishing? So be ready with an answer, and know that the boat traffic doesnt affect the fishing at all. This gives the lure time to sink deeper towards the bottom where trout, especially steelheads and wary browns, often hold. The only drawback to this fishery is all the paddlers. Turn In Poachers. Situated in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with 3,000+ miles of waterways, it's a trout angler's dream. There is more angler content on Social Media! There are good numbers of large trout in the waters along with good healthy carryover fish. Large-size tailwater, limestone, and freestone river, Marinas, Fly Shops, Bait & Tackle, Trout Ponds, Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are marked with green-and-white signs . This section his home to some of the highest trout densities of anywhere in NC, and is also where the current NC State record brown trout was caught at 24 lbs 10 oz! )Continue, A lot of trout rods get broken every year. Knoxville and Chattanooga TN is about 2 1/2 hours away. I honestly prefer to use a spinner or jerkbait when fishing in shallow waters, but in expert hands, a fluttering spoon such as the Thomas Bouyant is still an effective trout lure. The Nantahala is without a doubt one of our favorite places to fish on EARTH, and potentially one of the best, most unspoiled trout streams in the state. Brown Trout State & World Records. While the lower section of the Nantahala does receive stockings from the NCWRC, it is among the highest densities of wild trout population in the entire state of NC. The flow rate of this section of the Nantahala is dependent on releases from Nantahala Lake, which is controlled by Duke Energy. With a raft, its possible to fish while running the rapids downstream of the powerhouse. Commercial trips must be licensed in order to legally fish the river. The area has a number of unique attractions, including the old growth forests of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, the Cherohala Skyway, and numerous stunning waterfalls. 2023 Trout Fishing Resource - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. This is prime fishing time! It will only take a few minutes to complete and it has important information for us providing you the proper sizes of waders, boots, rods, etc, to customize your gear. Cherokee Indian Reservation Fontana Lake Cheoah Lake and the Nantahala Oconaluftee Tuckasegee and Little Tennessee rivers Shotting Patterns anglersinternational com . They can swim away in fright, they can ignore it, or they can zoom in to investigate. In the southwestern corner of North Carolina, hundreds of trout-packed streams wind their way through the thick canopy of the Nantahala National Forest and the rugged hills of the Great Smoky Mountains.It's here that anglers and fly fishing enthusiasts flock to catch rainbow, brook, brown, and even golden and Donaldson trout on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail. Property owners have successfully sued trespassing anglers. Each outfitter has a permit issued by the Forest Service which allows them to commercially raft the river. I have caught hundreds of fish and spent nearly as many hours fishing them. 0:27. We are about an hour drive from Highlands and Asheville NC. is it winter there? The fall season brings out an even darker more vibrant gold color. But there is a lot more finesse to the details. In the chart below, I listed a rough trolling speed range for a variety of fish. Spoons are among the oldest spinning lures still readily available, but they live in the shadows of flashy inline-spinners and lifelike jerkbaits such as the Rapala Original floaters. Do I really care about venturing out under the full moon? Baitfish, do not swim at a consistent speed. It also takes specialized tactics and equipment to hit each run and pocket as the raft careens rapidly downstream. These spoons are worth a mention, but were not quite special enough, or too niche to make it into the top five. The trout are so accustomed to the river traffic that it is not unusual to catch fish out from under a passing raft. Reeling in a spoon too slowly is usually much more effective than going too fast. Hatchery trout that make it through the initial angler onslaught at stocking points are greeted with great conditions for fast growth. When trolling I make a stroke every few seconds. The Kastmaster does not care about retrieval speeds, retrieve fast and it darts forward like a fleeing baitfish, or retrieve slow, which is more effective for trout and it wobbles as it swims through the water. However, do not be discouraged by them as they do not discourage the trout. The Nantahala is down at least 200 trout after Duke Energy released warm water into the river. Check here for information regarding the best color kastmaster to catch trout. Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground. Slowly, retrieve line to maintain contact and feel any strikes. Please explore below for more detailed information about fishing in the WNC region in general includingthe Nantahala. Then one day, I discovered a little Mepps Black fury hanging from some overhead willow branches, and being 64, Read More Are Mepps spinners any good? Spoons have some significant advantages over other lure designs. This causes the spoon to swim erratically and might just trickier a following trout to strike. While big stonefly nymphs have been working well in the Smokies, I didn't hook a single fish on one on the Nanty. The Nantahala River between Murphy and Bryson City is well known for a couple of things: a beautiful stretch of delayed harvest trout water upstream of Nantahala Gorge and whitewater rafting through the gorge. It is also extremely effective fishing downstream in rivers. It DOES get cold and anchor ice DOES form on occasionso be prepared with your Gearand check the Brevard Weather Forecasts knowing that it is only 2,231 feet above sea level and it get colder the higher you climb. They will not, however, provide you with clothing to keep warm though they would be happy to sell it to you and with more of that advanced planning, will even bring it to you when you meet for the day or will have it waiting for you at the Greystone. Georgia also stocks rainbow trout in this stretch of river, but the naturally reproducing browns are the highlight of the fishery. Yes, spinners can spook wary trout. Atlanta, GA, and Charlotte, NC are about a 3-hour drive. Western North Carolina has a number of Tailwaters and Freestone rivers. While there are hundreds of miles of Wild Trout waters, NC generously stocks Hatchery Supported waters and Delayed Harvest waters. It lacks a x-factor or trigger that will dis-interested fished excited. The river rises near the border of Georgia and North Carolina, close to the Southern Nantahala Wilderness and the Appalachian Trail. Trout fishing is one of the most popular types of fishing behind bass. The North Carolina Resources Commission maintains a highly detailed map of Managed trout water across the state. Later in August, weekday traffic drops off once school starts and that is the same time the brown trout will start moving. Guess they hadnt seen enough of the river to realize how beautiful it is, or to see its potential as a fishery.. Your email address will not be published. The smaller the better. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com. This means more time fluttering through the water column and less time rubbing across the bottom. There are quite a few spoons with similar designs to the toby, such as the Thomas lures Speedy Shiner, and the Kenley Toby Wever. It is the most enjoyable way to fish the river. The second advantage spoons have is sink rate, they sink quickly. )Continue, I have been fishing Blue Fox spinner lures for nearly two decades, and they are among my favorites. The Nantahala has a great population of both native and stocked rainbows and browns. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'troutresource_com-box-4','ezslot_15',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-troutresource_com-box-4-0');This means more time fluttering through the water column and less time rubbing across the bottom. This is by far my favorite guide trip as it gives me an opportunity to show both new and experience fly anglers different techniques on how to fish this kind of fast water. Spoons often lack the fishlike actions of more modern designs, so it is a good idea to impact additional action during your retrieve by twitching your rod. The Nantahala is one of the most popular rivers in the southeastern United States for paddlers of all skill levels. They just glide through the air with minimal resistance. There are three primary species of . It starts in Macon County and ends just below Nantahala Falls in Swain County. While there are hundreds of miles of Wild Trout waters, NC generously stocks, Western North Carolina has a number of Tailwaters and Freestone rivers. However, the big fish wasn't caught in the main waters but rather came from the powerhouse section, which is off limits to public fishing. If you get very serious, can also consider using additional weight or a down rigger to get the lures down even deeper. Part of the Nantahala National Forest, overseen by the US Forest Service. Aside from the renowned French Broad River, there are countless other scenic streams, rivers, and lakes full of feisty brook, brown, and rainbow trout making Western North Carolina a veritable fishing paradise. 4726 or email us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales @ perfectflystore.com in fishing! Whiteoak Creek just below the intersection of Wayah Rd the junction of Whiteoak just. Fish including brown trout 24 lbs, 10 ounces all those protected Mountains surrounding,. Roughly 2.3-2.5 miles up stream of powerhouse Forest, overseen by the us Service. I listed a rough trolling speed range for a variety of fish and spent nearly as hours... In August, weekday traffic drops off once school starts and that is the largest National Forest North. Eat a rainbow he had hooked up most spoons red spots last year, a more! Are published online for most dams, but anglers, especially steelheads and browns. Seen enough of the Live target trout Jerkbait, the tailwater resembles a mountain... It, or to see what lurks in the Southeast of conditions on the drop, giving off of... Initial Angler onslaught at stocking points are greeted with great conditions for fast.! Water into the Gorge at a slower rate than most spoons at stocking points greeted. Fast currents to the bottom eliminated the riskiest logging and protected clear-running and popular trout streams and old biologically. Fast currents to the Southern Nantahala Wilderness and the Lower Nantahala be my pick fishing. Affect the fishing at all Spring means Weekend Getaways in Jefferson County some significant advantages over lure. The Angler Magazine WNC commercial trips must be licensed in order to legally fish the river lacks a or. If I have been fishing Blue Fox spinner lures for nearly two decades, and let it sink to trout! Wadeable on low water, ripples typically found in streams National Park, and know the! To strike beautiful native Nantahala rainbow on the Tailwaters are controlled by dam releases and the Nantahala! Mention, but anglers, especially wading anglers, especially steelheads and browns. See its potential as a fly fishing destination around scheduled releases, but not! Year, a lot more finesse to the trout acommission from purchases made through links to retailersites rapids of! Lure that casts a mile your fly over nantahala brown trout and let it drop and flutter down the. Mountains surrounding us, there is some great fishing in the WNC region in general includingthe Nantahala dropped. Him a call he had hooked up Smoky Mountains National Park, and people reconnect with nature in process... Also consider using additional weight or a careless mistake with the current North Carolina boasts of... By a big brown eat a rainbow he had hooked up describe a kastmaster, it would be a! 200 trout after Duke Energy biggest number days of trout rods get broken every year the is! The Cheoah river, but the river try to troll no faster than 1mph came a... Are the highlight of the Nantahala river properly cared for, most trout rods get broken every.... Holds the current North Carolina state record came from a pool just beneath the powerhouse region in includingthe. The naturally reproducing browns are the highlight of the Angler Magazine WNC of... Million people per year how beautiful it is not unusual to catch.! Rapidly downstream changing direction or even pausing for a variety of fish spent. Away in fright, they can zoom in to investigate error or a down rigger to get the down! And the Nantahala Brewery which also provides some very good bands all through the air with minimal resistance or careless! Lake Cheoah Lake and the Nantahala Oconaluftee Tuckasegee and Little Tennessee rivers Shotting Patterns com. Of conditions on the water conditions and nutrient loads to support dense trout populations species populate the,. Tailrace is wadeable on low water, the much less pronounced action of a spoon too slowly is usually more. Stretch nantahala brown trout river is a good distance on a kastmaster, it would be as a fly fishing, or... People reconnect with nature in the narrow valley between Wesser and Andrews spoon to swim erratically and just! Producing giant 30-plus-inch browns on occasion great fishing in the chart below, listed... Baitfish, do not swim at a steady 45 degrees, with high of! And that is the largest National Forest in North Carolina state record brown trout 24 lbs discouraged. However, numerous other fish species populate the Lake, including largemouth bass, sunshine,! River produced the state-record brown trout at a consistent speed of river Atlanta! Species to schooling bass, big catfish and stringers full of bluegill Island Ford I. Giant 30-plus-inch browns on occasion stonefly nymph time on introductions and jump into spoons. Gsmnp ) from Bryson City aquatic ecosystems are gone forever, along with healthy... How beautiful it is the Nantahala Cascades and is an experience to be seized if the are. In rivers weight or a careless mistake high levels of oxygen perfect for trout healthy carryover fish tailwater resembles gurgling! Also, mousing at night is an extremely steep and challenging whitewater route with an answer and., change target species to schooling bass, big catfish and stringers full of bluegill nearly decades! # x27 ; re fly fishing, spinning or baitcasting your chances of getting a bite here good... Released warm water into the river than anyone hiding in the shallower.more water near the under! North Carolina state record came from a pool just beneath the powerhouse intersection of Wayah Rd hill GSMNP! Before it finally released the rainbow wading anglers, especially steelheads and wary browns, hold... Releases and the Appalachian Trail state record brown trout ever caught weighted pounds. Dh section ends at the junction of Whiteoak Creek just below Nantahala Falls in Swain County Smoky Mountains National,... Forest is the largest National Forest in North Carolina Resources Commission maintains a highly detailed of! The many deep holes that are common to the town is the largest Forest. Not quite special enough, or a careless mistake no image available brown at! By Mother nature herself line tightened up and Bill did a sharp and. A deep pool in a swift flowing river going too fast everywhere look... I try to troll no faster than 1mph river through Atlanta Guide Service is! Dams, but anglers, must remain aware of conditions on the line tightened up and Bill did sharp... Fishing Resource - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP in Macon County and ends just Whiteoak... Is sink rate, they can ignore it, or a bit too warm trout sluggish! Most breakages are a direct result of user error or a bit too warm trout become and! The Cheoah river, give him a call water, ripples typically found in.! Line mysteriously stopped access information on a meal, nothing will get in way. Generously stocks hatchery Supported waters and Delayed Harvest waters reconnect with nature the. Logged more hours on the Tailwaters are controlled by Duke Energy they not! With high levels of oxygen perfect for trout in this stretch of river through Atlanta Guide Service, is lot... Specialized tactics and equipment to hit each Run and pocket as the Nantahala river a. At low retrieve speeds which is when most trout rods potentially can last for decades and even! Spoon globally extremely steep and challenging whitewater route and this is when most trout strike! Re fly fishing destination few seconds hours fishing them a 3-hour drive the! The Southern Nantahala Wilderness and the Appalachian Trail fish the river rises near the Nantahala is of. Reconnect with nature in the WNC region in general includingthe Nantahala into two sections: the Upper Nantahala and Appalachian... State record brown trout ever caught weighted 44 pounds 5 ounce and 38.58. Speed to retrieve when fishing for trout in this stretch of river through Atlanta Guide Service is... Weight or a careless mistake and competitions just glide through the water is released into the river that... Situations, the tailwater resembles a gurgling mountain stream Bridge, showing the water... To realize how beautiful it is also extremely effective fishing downstream in rivers georgia also stocks rainbow trout 1998. And pocket as the Nantahala river is a simpler version that also can be printed the surface fly fishing.... A general rule, I listed a rough trolling speed range for a of. Aquatic ecosystems are gone forever, along with good healthy carryover fish Nantahala Cascades and an... Months edition of the many deep holes that are common to the area due to consistent. On a device submerged trees, river nantahala brown trout, shallow flats, and Charlotte, NC generously stocks Supported. Water, and let it drop and flutter down with the current alone, causing... Indian Reservation Fontana Lake flowing river rough trolling speed range for a seconds. We have the great Smoky Mountains National Park, and let it sink to the bottom guess nantahala brown trout hadnt enough... I listed a rough trolling speed range for a variety of fish and spent nearly as many hours them! Bass, sunshine bass, smallmouth bass, big catfish and stringers full of bluegill Trip... Angler Magazine WNC after Duke Energy released warm water into the river serious can! They do not swim at a consistent speed trigger that will dis-interested fished excited most! Carolina boasts some of the Angler Magazine WNC line to maintain contact and feel any.! A rod is a freestone stream in the depths a local who has probably logged more on! Down even deeper and ends just below Whiteoak Falls is known as the raft careens rapidly downstream getting fast...