Just west of Ashville, North Carolina in Jackson County is one of North Carolina’s special fly fishing destinations, the Western North Carolina (WNC) Fly Fishing Trail. There are 15 spots on the trail and it’s the only one of its kind in the country. The trail lays claim to some of the best trout waters in the Great Smoky Mountains. It encompasses Jackson County, from the streams around Cashiers in the south up to the trophy water section on Raven’s Fork in Cherokee.
The trail was the brainchild of Jackson county native Julie Spiro, the executive director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. She enlisted Alex Bell of AB’s Fly Fishing Guide Service, fly fishing enthusiast Bobby Kilby and public relations rep Craig Distl to help choose the spots along the trail.
I got the chance to fish a section of the trail with Alex Bell in the last week of October 2013. I had come prepared for what I had thought would be a typical cool fall day in the mountains of western North Carolina. It turned out to be shirtsleeve weather that sparked a late season hatch and a productive and delightful day on the river.
Alex and I began the day like any good fishermen would, over a cup of coffee. I was so excited I couldn’t wait to get started but like any good fishing guide Alex was a man with a plan. We would spend the day on the delayed harvest section of the Tuckasegee River that runs four to five miles from the NC 107 Bridge south of Sylva, NC to Dillsboro Park in Dillsboro, NC. This section is stocked both is the spring and fall and is catch-and-release only.
Right here I have to pause and admit that I am only a novice fly fisherman at best. Though I have spent hours in my yard dry casting to rocks and bushes I have spent very little time on the water pursuing trout. I’m a smallmouth bass fanatic so I was a little concerned about the odds of success on this trip. I should not have been concerned. Alex had all the right gear I needed and coached me though the whole day.
The delayed harvest section of the river is perfect for a novice like me. The current is mild, the water levels are manageable and it’s wide enough to not have to worry about your back cast getting stuck in a tree. Though the day Alex lead me to some great spots on the river where I caught plenty of fish while I was not simply enjoying my surroundings. “Trout don’t live in ugly places,” Alex said. “It’s always someplace pretty. Just standing in the river would be relaxing.”
Three Jackson County towns — Sylva, Webster and Dillsboro — recently joined the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program.
Nearly 9 miles of trout streams in Sylva, Webster and Dillsboro are now classified as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, where anglers who currently hold a valid resident or non-resident North Carolina fishing license can fish with a $5 MHTW license, a special license valid for three consecutive days. The license is only good for the portions of streams designated as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, which are clearly marked with green and black signs. This allows visitors to the area to easily take advantage of the great fishing the Tuckasegee River has to offer.
Not only does Jackson County have the only Fly Fishing trail in the country it is also a year round outdoor play ground for the whole family with activities such as rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. On my visit I stayed at the Jarrett House an historic B&B in Dillsboro, NC but there are many accommodations to choose from in the area.
The WNC Fly Fishing Trail was created in the winter of 2008-09. The first trail maps were printed and distributed in February of 2009. Since that time over 100,000 maps have been printed and given to anglers across the nation. The WNC Fly Fishing Trail website provides even more detailed information complete with access points and GPS coordinates. If anyone would like a copy of the map, or trail information, you can contact AB’s Fly Fishing Guide Service at alex@abfish.org or go directly to the trail website at www.flyfishingtrail.com. You can also visit www.mountainlovers.com or call 800-962-1911 for a list of accommodations.
The WNC Fly Fishing Trail is a great opportunity to fish some of the finest trout water in the east so grab you rod and head to Jackson County for a fishing experience that will call you back for more.
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