NC Trout Fishing: The WNC Fly Fishing Trail

The first and only fly fishing trail in the United States, the WNC Fly Fishing Trail, is located in Jackson County and features some of the best trout waters in the Great Smoky Mountains. Follow the Trail to find 15 excellent spots for catching each type of trout. Complimentary maps are available from the Jackson County Tourism Authority. Get a link HERE.

1). SCOTT CREEK
The Stretch: Roughly 10 miles from headwaters near Balsam down to Sylva.
Access Point(s): Parking and access available via several pull-off areas along U.S. 23/74
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Stretch also includes North Fork Scott Creek and Buff Creek, which are very scenic

2). SMALL STREAMS: Moses Creek, Mull Creek, Rough Butt Creek, Chastine Creek, Piney Mountain Creek. The Stretch: Collection of small streams in eastern Jackson County, below Blue Ridge Parkway
Access Point(s): Via Moses Creek Rd (SR 1740) & Caney Fork Rd (SR 1737), avoid posted land
Type of Water: Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brook, Rainbow
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Mountainous terrain, includes several large waterfalls

3). CANEY FORK   The Stretch: Roughly 10 miles from East Laporte Park to headwaters at fork of Mull Creek and Piney Mountain Creek
Access Point(s): Access via Caney Fork Road (SR 1737), avoid posted land
Type of Water: Undesignated
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown, occasional Brook
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Respect private land owners

4). TANASEE CREEK   The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles from Tanasee Creek bridge up to headwaters
Access Point(s): Parking and access available at bridge on Tanasee Creek Road (SR 1762)
Type of Water: Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brown
Numbers or Size?: Both
Noteworthy: Very scenic stretch in the Nantahala National Forest

5). PANTHERTOWN CREEK   The Stretch: Entire stream, roughly 3 miles
Access Point(s): Parking and access at end of Breedlove Rd (SR 1121), with 2-mile walk to creek Type of Water: Catch & Release Single Hook Artificial Lure
Available Fish: Brook
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Located in Panthertown Valley, which is known as the “Yosemite of the East” because of its bowl shape and rocky bluffs

6). RAVEN FORK (Cherokee Trophy Water)   The Stretch: Starts at Blue Ridge Parkway bridge near Cherokee and goes north for 2.2 miles
Access Point(s): Parking & access via several pull-off areas along Big Cove Road; paths run along stream
Type of Water: Catch & Release Fly Fishing Only
Available Fish: Golden, Rainbow, Brown, Brook & Donaldson trout
Numbers or Size?: Both
Noteworthy: This stretch is also called Cherokee Trophy Water and fish of 20-30 inches are common; Cherokee annual permit and daily permit required

7). WHITEWATER RIVER   The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles from Hwy. 107 down to the South Carolina state line
Access Point(s): Parking and access along N.C. 107, a few miles south of Cashiers
Type of Water: Wild Trout
Available Fish: Brook, Brown and Rainbow
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Flows into Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi

8). SCOTSMAN and FOWLER CREEKS into CHATTOOGA RIVER   The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles of each stream flowing down into the Chattooga River
Access Point(s): Access available via Whiteside Cove Rd (SR 1107) or Bullpen Rd (SR 1100) in Nantahala National Forest
Type of Water: Wild Trout with Natural Bait
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Numbers or Size?: Numbers (creeks), Size (Chattooga)
Noteworthy: The movie Deliverance was filmed on the Chattooga River

9). WEST FORK TUCKASEGEE RIVER   The Stretch: From small reservoir at Thorpe Power House upstream several hundred yards
Access Point(s): Parking and access available both sides of N.C. 107 near Thorpe Power House
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Brown, Rainbow
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Although hatchery supported, this has nice concentration of stream-raised fish

10). TUCKASEGEE RIVER (East Laporte Park to NC 107 Bridge)  The Stretch: Roughly 2-3 miles from park to bridge
Access Point(s): Parking and access available at East Laporte Park and pull-off areas along Old Cullowhee Road
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brook and Brown
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: East Laporte Park has picnic tables and public restrooms

11). SAVANNAH CREEK   The Stretch: About 10 miles from headwaters in Pumpkintown into Tuckasegee River
Access Point(s): Parking and access available via several pull-offs along U.S. 23/441
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Access limited the closer you get to the Tuckasegee River

12). TUCKASEGEE RIVER (NC 107 Bridge to Dillsboro park)   The Stretch: Roughly 4-5 mile stretch from bridge to the riverside park in Dillsboro
Access Point(s): Parking and access available via numerous pull-offs along North River Road
Type of Water: Delayed Harvest
Available Fish: Brook, Brown and Rainbow
Numbers or Size?: Both
Noteworthy: Best place to achieve the Tuckasegee Slam (catch all three species in one spot)

13). GREENS CREEK   The Stretch: About 3-4 miles from Macon County line to Savannah Creek
Access Point(s): Various places along Greens Creek Road (SR 1370)
Types of Water: Wild Trout, Undesignated, Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Rainbow, some Brown
Numbers or Size?: Numbers
Noteworthy: Portion of the creek flows through the Nantahala National Forest

14). TUCKASEGEE RIVER (in Dillsboro)   The Stretch: About 1 mile from Dillsboro park through town
Access Point(s): Various places between park and Best Western River Escape Inn
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown
Numbers or Size?: Size
Noteworthy: Includes two lodging options: Best Western River Escape Inn and Dillsboro Inn

15). LOWER TUCKASEGEE RIVER (Barker’s Creek Bridge to Whittier)   The Stretch: Roughly 8-10 miles from bridge to Whittier
Access Point(s): Parking and access via pull-offs and businesses along U.S. 19/74 freeway
Type of Water: Hatchery Supported, Undesignated
Available Fish: Rainbow, Brown
Numbers or Size?: Size
Noteworthy: The stretch is also home to smallmouth bass