The Nantahala River makes a chilly escape from the bottom of the Nantahala Dam, then it tumbles 15 miles to Fontana Lake, near Bryson City. My favorite addition to the town is the Nantahala Brewery which also provides some very good bands all through the season! Kokanee salmon are the landlocked version of the Pacific sockeye salmon. Many great new restaurants and lodging in Bryson City for hosting large groups. Fly Fishing Report February 23, 2020 The Great Smoky Mountains received a light snow in the back country on Thursday and into early Friday morning. The park visitors exceed 14 million people per year! The Nantahala River Gorge. Permit Info: A daily or seasonal pass is required. Rafting alone lures more than 200,000 paddlers every year making it one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the Southeast. With the swift and deep waters of the Lower Nantahala this float trip allows you to fish areas of the river that are unattainable to other anglers. The Lower Nantahala, along the floor of the Nantahala Gorge downstream of the power plant is also classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. Purchase your valid NCWRC license here online or by phone at 1-888-248-6834. 899-224-7238. Fees: $2 per person for a daily pass and $10 per person for an annual pass. Non-Resident Licenses Another notable river system for trout is … We specialize in fly fishing the waters of the Nantahala River and are privileged to be able to offer guided float trips down the Lower Nantahala, which are hard to come by. Linville River. The Nantahala, near where I live in Western N.C., is controlled by Duke Energy, which tailors the releases to the rafting companies that use the river. Gatlinburg, TN is a 45-minute drive over the hill (GSMNP) from Bryson City. Fly Fishing NC | The Nantahala River (Part 1) - Duration: 11:40. 866-910-1013, Ken Kastorff We offer guided wade fishing and float fishing on the lower Nantahala and guided wade trips for fly fishing the Delayed Harvest waters on … Cherokee, NC is about a 10-minute drive from Bryson City. A Rewarding Drive Up Nantahala Mountain. This is my personal favorite river of all for living here since 1987. The “Lower” Nantahala River starts at the generator at Wayah Road and Hwy 19. Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Guide During the summer months Duke Energy releases water for recreational purposes from 9am to 5pm. Many big rainbows and browns roam these waters. 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. Fee is for rafting on the Nantahala River. The river is stocked by the state of North Carolina but also has a very good population of native trout. Nantahala river trout fishing stays productive on the lower throughout the year because it is a tailwater. While the schedule varies from month to month, the river is generally "turned on" mid-morning and "turned off" late afternoon. The Nantahala is divided into three sections, with different fishing regulations for each. Early morning and late in the afternoon/evening, the river levels will drop and it is possible to wade fish. Franklin, North Carolina 28734 Each year, thousands of people enjoy rafting and kayaking the Nantahala without ever experiencing the most beautiful section of the river — the series of cascades that begins 1000 feet above the gorge floor. But because this is where most of the rafting and kayaking activity occurs, the Lower Nantahala is the only stream in the state where night fishing is allowed. This beautiful river known for white water rafting also happens to have lots of hungry trout.The Lower Nantahala River below the power plant comes from the huge aqua duct (from Lake Nantahala) that can be … Permit Info: A daily or seasonal pass is required. But from March thru October, Duke schedules its power generation operations to provide flow releases for the Lower Nantahala’s rafting and kayaking activities. If planning a trip with a permitted outfitter, the daily fee is included. Took my oldest son, Connor, up to the Upper Nantahala Delayed Harvest section today. And a community group created Wishon's Fishing Hole â a handicapped accessible fishing pier on Wayah Road about a quarter-mile above the power plant. The Upper Nantahala follows Wayah Road providing a scenic car-window tableau along the way. On normal days from 9:00 am till 5:00-6:00 pm, the river will have too much water flowing in it for most fly anglers to wade safely. We offer guided wade fishing and float fishing on the lower Nantahala and guided wade trips for fly fishing the Delayed Harvest waters on the Upper Nantahala. Nantahala Community The Upper Nantahala from the dam to White Oak Creek is classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. Above the power plant there are numerous stocked fish at certain times of the year, and a plentiful amount of wild fish year round. Short Term 10 Day â $7 Cherokee, NC is about a 10-minute drive from Bryson City. 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. 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. Whether you’re baitcasting, fly fishing … The lower Nantahala reminds me a lot of the upper Madison River from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge. It may be fished only with artificial lures with one single hook (no natural bait). The Lower Nantahala River is an 8 mile stretch of beautiful majestic scenery and a perfect summer getaway. North Carolina Game and Fish named it one of the state's ten best trout streams and Trout Unlimited listed it as one of the nation's 'Top 100' trout streams. The Nantahala River is an excellent classroom for beginners. Fees: $2 per person for a daily pass and $10 per person for an annual pass. FISHING LICENSES may be purchased online; at Bryant Bait and Tackle, 18154 Wayah Road (828-321-2371); or at a NC Wal-Mart. For the local folks, it is called the “Nanty” for short. The tribal license can be purchased at many of the stores in Cherokee. It was among my favorite rivers long before the Delayed Harvest program because of its rich aquatic life. We’ll fish surging rapids and there will be lots of positioning through the drops and around river rocks. The Upper River is a freestone stream in the medium size category. It is the second most popular river for whitewater rafters in the nation during the releases. Nantahala Fly Fishing Company 866-910-1013. Check the weather here for layering considerations of clothes. Plan your next get-a-away to the trout mecca town of Bryson City, NC! Fish in the lake include Walleye, Crappie, Sunfish, Trout, and Bass. This is the 8-mile section of the Nantahala below the Duke Energy Power Plant. But because this is where most of the rafting and kayaking activity occurs, the Lower Nantahala is the only stream in the state where night fishing is allowed. But because this is where most of the rafting and kayaking activity occurs, the Lower Nantahala is the only stream in the state where night fishing is allowed. 2. If planning a trip with a permitted outfitter, the daily fee is included. 10 Day â $12 Annual Trout Stamp â $10 The Nantahala is often the site of championship competitions, including the 2012 National Youth Fly Fishing Championships pictured above. Rainbow trout | Photo Copyright: Justin Chew. Many anglers enjoy fishing the Nantahala reservoir due to the low number of boaters and the breathtaking scenery. The Lower Nantahala area is well known for its population of large trout, primarily browns and rainbows. Other area attractions can be found by contacting the Bryson City, NC Chamber of Commerce (800-867-9246).
Between the lake and the gorge, the Nantahala River drops almost a thousand feet creating some of Western North Carolina's most spectacular cascades and waterfalls. This is primarily the section along Old River Road. 828-342-6480, Daniel Boone My favorite addition to the town is the. Knoxville and Chattanooga TN is about 2 1/2 hours away. Duke Energy's presence in Nantahala is evident from the large pipe on Old River Road that carries water directly from Nantahala Lake to the Duke Energy Hydroelectric Plant at the bottom of the mountain. You should bring rain gear, warm clothes, sunscreen, lip balm, a hat and polarized glasses. It will benefit your success on the water to wear clothing that blends into the surroundings. The Upper Nantahala River Delayed Harvest program has been well received since its inception in 1993. The Upper Nantahala offers a consistent flow and is arguably one of the most scenic mountain rivers in the nation with its many cascades and waterfalls. The river is broken into two sections: the Upper Nantahala and the Lower Nantahala. The Lower Nantahala, along the floor of the Nantahala Gorge downstream of the power plant is also classified as Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters with no size limit or bait restriction and a creel limit of seven trout per day. It is not advisable to fish during these events due to increased whitewater river traffic and river flow. Anglers can fish the lower portions of the river around the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) and the swinging bridge area until about 11am to 11:30 am before the rivers begins to rise in the mornings and the white water rafting and kayaking begins. Annual Fishing with Trout Stampâ $42, Dakota Rogers 11:40. Plan your next get-a-away to the trout mecca town of Bryson City, NC! Field and Stream Angler of the Year, Fall 1999, Southern Appalachia Fly Fishing Museum, August 2017, Jonathan Dietz, Fly Fishing Team USA Member, Certified Fly Casting Instructor Training Schools, NC Oar Frame Rowing School in the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Weekend Fly Fishing Schools, Hatch Report for North Carolina Smoky Mountains, Fly Fishing Specialty Classes & Show Itinerary. We are about an hour drive from Highlands and Asheville NC. Conditions are always changing on this river at a rapid pace because the water is either off or on (typical of most tailwater fisheries). Resident Licenses Our guides have decades of experience instructing you for a memorable adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains! Annual Fishing with Trout Stamp â $220 Please take a few minutes to fill out the Reservation Form for securing your date. Fishing The Nantahala is also a popular destination for fly fishing. This section provides some of the prettiest trout water in NC, and is very accessible to wade fishing. Photos by Tim Ramey, Fly Fisherman's Corner Photography, The Nantahala River offers anglers some of the South's most celebrated trout-fishing waters. Check with your fishing guide or local rafting outfitters for the most up-to-date information. 3. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brown trout and rainbow trout here. But because this is where most of the rafting and kayaking activity occurs, the Lower Nantahala is the only stream in the state where night fishing is allowed. The part we’ll fish, the Gorge, is a fast and rugged water, a boiling, spitting, bumpy ride. Various Outfitter and guides are available for whitewater rafting and fishing. Franklin NC Chamber of Commerce Site map. The heavy flow prevents anglers from covering every last spot but there are plenty of pockets to fish. Various Outfitter and guides are available for whitewater rafting and fishing. 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