Winter Fishing in the North Carolina Mountains

submitted by Curtis Wright Outfitters

Did the Gopher see his shadow? Who knows, and who pays attention to stuff like that? "Whatever is outside the window is the weather for the day", that’s just how it is. But regardless of the weather, there is always fishing year round in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. 

photo courtesy Curtis Wright Outfitters

Winter has always been one of the favorite times to get out and probe the depths for salmonoids, and this season has not been a disappointment. Slightly elevated stream flows due to snow melt and rain have left us with only one thing to do - add more split shot! With mountain weather refusing to be a complete science, it never hurts to be totally prepared for anything... gloves, wool socks, hand warmers, a thermos, and possibly, looking at the forecast for this weekend, a T-shirt and maybe, just maybe a hand full of dries. 

Soon we should be expecting the first major hatch of the season, the Epeorus pleuralis, ("Quill Gordon" for those of us that didn’t study Latin) and for our friends from PA, “March Grays”. The guides at Curtis Wright Outfitters live by the hatches; and if you have any questions about what’s happening bug wise, or would like to take a Guide Trip for some early season risers, just call us - Curtis Wright can get you on the water. 

Cherokee Trout Fishing Tournament this Weekend

May 31 - June 2  Cherokee's Memorial Holiday Trout Fishing Tournament  This fishing event is a tagged fish tournament with a total purse of $10,000. A tagged fish can be redeemed for its corresponding prize value by turning in the tag to the prize distribution booth located at the Artists Row on Aquoni Road across from the Kentucky Fried Chicken.

All persons fishing during the tournament must possess and have on their person while engaged in fishing both an event permit and a valid Tribal fishing permit. An enrolled member’s enrollment card shall serve as his/her fishing permit.

Get more information about Cherokee NC HERE.

Cherokee Winter Fishing Tournament

February 1  Shiver in the River  Winter fishing tournament in Cherokee for $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters). Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters.

When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. The tournament is open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration is necessary to redeem cash prize. 

Get more information about Cherokee NC HERE.

Cherokee Mid-Summer Trout Fishing Tournament

July 13 - 15  Mid-Summer Trout Fishing Tournament  $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters.

When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.  $11 entry fee - available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold.

Some of the best fishing in the North Carolina mountains can be found int Cherokee NC. 30 miles of streams on the Cherokee Indian Reservation are regularly stocked to add nearly 400,000 to the naturally existing population of fish. Throughout the season, fishing is allowed from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Creek limit is ten trout per day per permit holder. For those interested in experiencing fishing on the reservation other than in  the streams, three well-stocked ponds are located on Big Cove Road in front of the KOA Campground. 

Get a link to learn more about the Mid-Summer Cherokee fishing Tournament and Cherokee trout fishing on the Cherokee NC Visitor Guide,

Trout Fishing Tournament in Cherokee

April 27-29   Cherokee's Summer Kickoff Trout Fishing Tournament offers $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced.

The fishing tournament is open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize. $11 entry fee - available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold.

Annual Smoky Mountains Trout and Heritage Festival and Plot Fest today in Maggie Valley

April 21   23rd Annual Great Smoky Mountain Trout & Heritage Festival The Town of Maggie Valley partners with the Haywood Community College Natural Resources Division and Haywood Waterways to offer: FREE Catch Clinics for kids and FREE Timber Sports Demonstrations by the Forestry Club
The Plot Fest A celebration of WNC heritage and the state dog that originated in Haywood County. Bluegrass & local artisans along with Haywood Community College Natural Resources Division and Haywood Waterways offer: FREE Catch Clinics for kids. FREE Timber Sports Demonstrations offered by the Forestry Club. Held at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Get more local information on the Maggie Valley Visitor Guide

Cherokee Opening Day Fishing Tournament

March 31  Opening Day Fishing Tournament   in Cherokee NC. Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. $5 entry. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize. $5 entry fee - available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold.

Get a link for the Cherokee Fishing Tournament and more information on the
Cherokee NC Visitor Guide

Go Fish: Panthertown Valley a Favorite Spot

The headwaters of the East Fork of the Tuckaseigee River and twenty miles of native brook trout streams, including Panthertown, Greenland, and Flat Creeks, wind through Panthertown Valley, making it ideal for catch-and-release fishing. The streams are stained brown with tannic acid from leaves that fall into the water. Primitive overnight camping is permitted and anglers come from around the world to visit these prized waters.

All waters in Panthertown are designated as Catch and Release, Artificial Flies Only Waters by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission.. A fishing license from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is required to fish in Panthertown Valley.


These Regulations include:

• Season is open year-round
• No fish may be harvested or possessed
• Only artificial flies having one single hook may be used
• It is unlawful to possess natural bait on your person while fishing
• It is unlawful to use more than one line per person
• It is unlawful to fish from one-half hour after sunset, to one-half hour before sunrise on any Catch and Release stream located on Game Lands
• It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from "Catch and Release Waters"
• It is unlawful to move wild fish from one stream to another on game lands without prior written authorization from the NCWRC
  

Panthertown Creek is on the Western North Carolina Fly-Fishing Trail, the first and only fly fishing trail in the United States, featuring some of the best trout waters in the Great Smoky Mountains. Get more information about the WNC Fly Fishing Trail and NC Fishing HERE.