Nantahala Offers Angling Opportunities

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More Musings

Spring 2001
by Michael Faw, a TRTU long-distance member

While most members are familiar with the Davidson River, did you know that the recent TU publication, "America's 100 Best Trout Streams," includes two Tarheel trout waters? The Davidson is one, and the Nantahala River that winds more than 20 miles through the Nantahala Gorge before it empties into Fontana Lake outside of Bryson City, NC is the other. If you over look the fact that this water yielded the state-record brown trout that tipped the scales at more than 24 pounds, there are still reasons to make the three hour drive from the Morganton area to the river. The lower sections of river below Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in the gorge are deep and hold huge rainbow and brown trout. Access can be gained along the railroad tracks beside the NOC or by walking up from Hwy. 28 bridge region at the back of Fontana Lake near Almond. Yes, it's a long hike, and few anglers visit this stretch. This region sees very limited angling pressure. Hint!

In the gorge upstream for the NOC, there are deep holes and ample parking areas during the mornings and afternoons. During the heat of midday the rafts clog the river with a strong rubber hatch. You can fish and the trout are used to rafts, but you can expect to be asked more than 100 times if the fish are biting. Nymphs and streamers can still attract fish that avoid the surface so that they are not run over by rafts. Weekdays will often find the river empty and is a good time to fish. Yes, there are trout rising to flies in the early morning hours during the spring and summer so plan accordingly.

A good way to fish these deep waters is to cast down stream and strip-jerk the streamer to you. Don't over look the sections of water that are riffles and farthest from the highway shoulder. Hint! Take note that some of the boulders in this area are possibly the slickest in the state. Wade carefully. You could join the rafters and do some sections of the river with a float tube. Avoid some of the bigger falls, however. Also, if the river is muddy, you can normally find cleaner water by driving upstream above the gravel quarry.

In the Beechertown area at the top of the gorge the river burrows under Hwy. 19 and becomes narrower, quieter and raft free. There are trout here and some nice pools up along this stretch. Trout here rise to dry flies on occasion. The upper stretches of the river are catch & release except June through September.

You owe it to yourself to sample this Top 100 trout stream. It's an honor that was well deserved.

By: Michael Faw

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