The Unaka Range identifies the entire crest of the Appalachian Mountains along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, including the Unakas, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Bald Mountains, the Unicoi Mountains and the Mountains in the Big and Little Frog Mountain Wilderness. Thus, the Unaka Range is blessed with incredible fishing opportunities and getting active with the Unaka Chapter is one of the best ways to meet passionate anglers eager to share their knowledge on where to go, how to improve your skills and what to use to find success fishing the rivers and streams we work together to restore.

Listed below are some of our best local and nearby waters with information on the fishing opportunities all around the area. Always be sure to check the state fishing regulations https://www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/fishing and never hesitate to attend a Unaka Chapter meeting to learn more about our area.

Special thanks to Jim Smalley (RRTU) for creating and providing a Brief History of NC Trout Stream

The Nantahala River is one of the best known in the state, but not just for fly fishing. The Nantahala (Nannie) River is one that is famous for its whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities. And despite having some great white waters, it also offers great trout fishing.

In fact, the Nantahala River is listed in Trout Unlimited’s Guide to America’s 100 Best Trout Streams.

Upper Nantahala River

The river flows through the Nantahala National Forest, starting at Standing Indian Mountain.  The upper part of the river is home to a number of creeks and streams that are part of the wild trout waters program and are managed by the Forest Service as such. 

Excellent trout fishing can be found in most parts of this river including the headwaters above Nantahala Lake, the Upper Nantahala below the confluence with Whiteoak Creek, and the Lower Nantahala down through the Nantahala Gorge. We’ll get into the details of that more below. 

Located in the western part of the state, the river is close to Franklin and Bryson City, offering easy access for locals and visitors alike. There are rainbows, browns, and brook trout that are wild throughout much of the river, as well as areas of the lower river where stocked fish also reside. There are plenty of campgrounds and natural preserves that this river passes through, as well.

Lower Nantahala River

There is an area below the powerhouse that, when the dam isn’t running, the water offers a moderate flow that’s ideal for wading and has a lot of holdover fish. There are also plenty of main roads and Forest Service Roads that provide easy access up and down the river. 

Bear in mind that there are select areas that are closed during March for hatchery operations, so that may affect the planning of your trip. The rest of the river is either open year-round or part of the general fishing season for North Carolina.

Best Places to Fish the Nantahala River

There are several great access areas on the Nantahala River. There is an unpaved service road, Forest Road 67, which follows the stream for about six miles from Mooney Falls. This is a canyon-like area that offers camping and plenty of wading and shoreline fishing. You’ll also find some tributaries in the area.

Warning: The area near Nantahala Lake is mostly private property and you should avoid fishing in the area when signs are posted or if you are not certain about public access. Most residents are friendly, but still don’t like unannounced guests on their property, after all.

If you’re willing to make the trek (access is difficult), the fishing at the headwaters where all the smaller streams come together is a great place to catch some wild trout. Below the dam and powerhouse, you’ll also find plenty of great trout fishing and ideal water conditions when the generator isn’t running and pumping water into the stream.

Jarret Creek and Buck Creek, near the lake, both have a great selection of wild rainbows for those who want a quiet shallow stream that isn’t part of the main river for a slower pace. The area from White Oak Creek that runs to Powerhouse falls is part of the Delayed Harvest regulations of the state. This is a very popular place to fish and for good reason – there are lots of fish here!

Best Time to Fish the Nantahala River

The seasonal availability changes depending on which area of the river you’re in, but most offer year-round access or only close for a month or two out of the year. Be sure to check with the North Carolina fishing regulations before you plan a trip. Also, don’t forget that we mentioned that hatchery-supported waters are closed during March for their operations to take place. 

You’ll find the best fishing during the other spring months, thanks to abundant hatches of midges, mayflies, and caddisflies, among others. There is some good fishing in deeper areas during the summer, but that can be hit or miss. The fall is another peak time to visit, especially on the lower river where you have the chance to hook-up with some large holdover browns. 

Winter does offer some fishing, in particular on the lower Nantahala, a tailwater where the water is a consistent 45-degrees (F) year-round.

Stream Flow and Current Conditions

Be sure to check the stream conditions before heading out to fish the Nantahala River. The USGS stream gauge near Hewitt, NC provide a good indication of current conditions.

Trip Planning Tips

This river is popular for whitewater activities, so make sure that you’re not looking to those areas for your fly fishing destination. Search specifically along the areas of the river discussed here for the best fishing.

The Nantahala River is also a bit far from most major cities, with travelers usually flying into Asheville or Greenville, SC, and driving into the National Forest area. Fortunately, easy highway access and plenty of camping mean accommodations abound.

Snowbird

Big Snowbird Creek is located in the southwestern part of the state. It sits in the Snowbird Mountains and flows from its headwaters down into Santeetlah Lake, followed by Big Snowbird Road for several miles, which is where most of the access is found. This stream offers its fair share of rugged and easy access options, with more of the latter than many creeks in the area.  

Big Snowbird Creek has a variety of fish, including rainbows, browns, and brook trouts in various areas of the creek. It’s the “grand slam” of mountain fly fishing if you’re willing to make the trip. You’ll find the hatchery section near the Junction, which is supported with stocked brown and rainbow trout. There are even some deep pools here where trout can get as big as 18-20 inches (the browns, at least). 

There are 12 miles of foot access between the headwaters and Junction, where you’ll find plenty of wild trout and about five miles of wide-open water that’s prime for rainbow trout. The large boulders ensure that runs are fast and pools are deep, giving rainbows the ideal opportunity to “hide” and giving you the opportunity to target them. 

Brookies run up to 12 inches in the seven-mile stretch at the lower falls, with several tributaries for shoreline and wade-in fishing all around the area. The Snowbird Mountains are notorious for their role in the Battle of Horseshoe in 1814, and Chief Junaluska of the Cherokee Indians is buried in Robbinsville, located nearby. 

While you’re fishing, you can check out the history and enjoy exploring such a notorious place in the state’s history. Or, you can just catch as many trout as possible. We’ll help by telling you where and when to go next.

Best Places to Fish Big Snowbird Creek

Big Snowbird Creek offers a few different spots for access, including the parking area near the old railroad turnaround that is known simply as the “Junction”. Here, there is ample access and anglers can hike a little way to find different types of waters, as well. There is access off of Big Snowbird Creek Trail, too. 

This creek runs through the Nantahala National Forest, emptying into Santeetlah Lake outside of Robbinsville, and can be accessed from a few spots in the national forest, as well. However, these areas are more rugged so be prepared for a little more difficulty in the hike. 

If you want to access the creek from the Snowbird trail, you’ll enjoy a well-maintained hike that offers plenty of access. However, this is also a popular area because it’s easy to get to, so during the spring and early summer there is a lot of competition and pressure. Consider visiting during a different time or on a different day if you want to visit the easiest-to-access areas on this creek. 

Big Snowbird Creek has multiple waterfalls, and underneath each, there is a significant improvement in the fishing opportunity as the waters are cooler, deeper, and churned up to keep the fish active and moving.

Best Time to Fish Big Snowbird Creek

The least amount of traffic is during the fall, and fishing remains fairly successful for those who venture into the creek. The ants, grasshoppers, and beetle imitations do best during this season, while blue-winged olives and midges also offer ideal patterns for fall angling. 

The late winter and spring offer premium conditions from about noon until dusk, with plenty of aquatic insects to keep the trout biting. Midges, blue-winged olives, and quill gordons are popular and attract the wild fish, as do plenty of other mayflies and caddisflies. The fish enjoy the cooler waters of these seasons, making them easier to catch. 

Plus, in the stocked areas, the stocking usually happens in the spring. The summer does offer some good fishing since the creek stays cool, thanks to its mountain location. Expect to find more brookies and browns since rainbows like the cooler months, but you’ll still have a good time. 

Year-round fishing is allowed in this creek but be sure to check the different access areas that might have artificial bait restrictions.

Firescreek

Firescreek is one of the lesser-known delayed-harvest creeks in the state for fly fishing. Because it’s located in the southwestern part of the state and not particularly close to any populated areas, it often gets overlooked. It is close to the Georgia state line and out of the way from everywhere, including the nearest town of Murphy, located 16 miles east. 

Fires Creek is a tributary of the Hiwassee River, which is located to the west of the creek. There are about 10 miles of waters that are prime for trout fishing on this creek, and while some might not call it a “destination”, per se, it does offer some great trout fishing for those who want something different. 

This creek is larger, offering rough pocket waters with riffles and runs, along with tons of plunge pools that are deep enough for even the most skittish trout to feel comfortable. The creek flows from the headwaters near the Tusquitee Bald area and ends up in the Hiwassee River just outside of Hayesville. Two small tributaries are also found off the creek, offering more selection of wild rainbow and brown trout. 

The main creek is home to both stocked and wild trout of the brown and rainbow variety. Most trout range from small-to-medium in size and they aren’t going to bring home trophies, but they’ll provide plenty of fun and relaxation for the fly fisherman looking for a different kind of getaway. One of the biggest selling points of Fires Creek is its remote location and lack of crowds. For the angler who prefers a quiet getaway, Fires Creek could be a perfect choice. Read on to learn about where to go, when to go, and what you’ll need.

Best Places to Fish Fires Creek

This creek has unique accessibility: the entire stream can be reached from the Forest Service Road #340, and just about two miles upstream from the National Forest area, you’ll find the Fires Creek Picnic Area. Here, not many people are fishing unless they park and then wander downstream. 

Upstream from the picnic area, there’s a deep gorge that covers about three miles. It’s difficult to access this area for good fishing, so staying above the gorge is usually a good idea. You’ll also find good access and fishing around where FS 340 meets with 340C. 

You’ll find plenty of room to cast all along this stream and you probably won’t find much other company, unless it’s during the prime spring season. The trails along the streambed will take you to the best fishing spots, and where you can’t wade, there will be easy access to walk along the stream. 

Upstream casts that allow you to stay hidden are best in all areas of the creek and you’ll find plenty of hatches to keep you guessing as to what will work best in your fly box. The good news is, though, that most attractor dry flies work great for the stocked fish, who are much less picky throughout the creek. With so much fishable area, it’s a wonder more people don’t come to explore Fires Creek.

Best Time to Fish Fires Creek

The spring season is ideal for trout fishing. The hatches get both the stocked and wild trout going like crazy, making it less likely that you’ll spook them with your movements. Low and slow is the key, but you’ll need less reserve when you go during peak season.

 You might find the occasional good catch on a summer trip, but the shallower water can get too warm and make it hard to find good fishing. Fall will do you wonders if are looking for some feisty brown trout. Head to the lower section of the creek to find the best fishing during these months.

Fires Creek isn’t notorious for its winter fishing. On warmer days, you’ll find trout hiding in the pools throughout the stream. Plus, the climate means that the terrain should be easy to traverse since it’s relatively flat and doesn’t require a lot of vertical movement.

Trip Planning Tips

Those coming to Fires Creek will find themselves a 20-to-30 minute drive from most major areas that offer lodging and dining. However, the backcountry area of the creek does allow for camping at some spots along the stream, and there are other camping opportunities nearby. You can find nearby hotels and motels with access via Highway 64, and the creek is small enough that it makes a great day trip.

If you’re flying into the region, you’ll probably come through Western Carolina Regional Airport. Some choose to fly through Atlanta, but that’s about 90 miles south.