Home Waters

The streams listed below make up the WNC Fly Fishing Trail which has been promoted by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce:

 

http://www.flyfishingtrail.com

 

New 2014 fly fishing map-2_web.pdf

 

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 TUCKASEIGEE 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). TUCKASEIGEE 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). TUCKASEIGEE 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). TUCKASEIGEE 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 TUCKASEIGEE 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