Cherokee Trophy Water
Trout fishing on the Cherokee Trophy Water of Ravens Fork Creek begins at the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge and goes upstream from there about 2.2 miles. This river is heavily stocked with fish ranging in the 20-28 inch category. The fish behavior there is exactly like the progression on any of the delayed harvest streams.
The trout eat practically anything and everything when first stocked! Fishing pressure causes the trout to feed more selective. The trophy water is stocked weekly throughout the year. There is a healthy population of wild fish in this section of river as well.
The Cherokee Tribal waters remain stocked throughout the year for trout harvest. It is among the most heavily stocked waters in all of North America! Cherokee has a hatchery up Straight Fork to maintain all of the numbers of freshly stocked fish.
Area Attractions Near Bryson City
Other area attractions can be found by contacting the Bryson City, NC Chamber of Commerce. The number is 800-867-9246. Swain County is the trout mecca of the southern states. Swain County has over 85% of government lands! Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park both make up this huge trout fishing playground. Park visitors exceed 14 million people per year!
See why our little mountain town of Bryson City is always expanding! Popular activities include whitewater rafting, Smoky Mountain Railroad, Appalachian Trail, hundreds of waterfalls, mountain biking, and other outdoor adventures!
Many great new restaurants and lodging in Bryson City for hosting large groups. Cherokee, NC is about a 10-minute drive from Bryson City. Gatlinburg, TN is about a 45-minute drive over the hill from Bryson City. We are about an hour drive from Highlands and Asheville NC. Knoxville and Chattanooga TN is about 2 1/2 hours away. Atlanta, GA, and Charlotte, NC are about a 3-hour drive. Plan your next get-a-away to the trout mecca town of Bryson City, NC! My favorite addition to the town is the Nantahala Brewery which also provides some very good bands all through the season!
What you need to bring
Let us show you what it will take for learning to fly fish on your own in some of the best waters in western North Carolina! It is popular with folks staying near Cherokee, NC to go after these large trout on the fly fishing only section of water. You will need a special tribal license to fish all Cherokee waters.
Our guides have decades of experience instructing you for a memorable adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains! 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. You can also check the weather here for layering considerations of clothes. Purchase your valid NCWRC license here online or by phone at 1-888-248-6834. You will need a trout stamp for everything outside the GSMNP and Tribal Waters in Cherokee, NC. Purchase the tribal license at the many stores in Cherokee. Use the contact page or call (828)736-1469 for booking.