Guided lake fly fishing trips are dependent on the season for the water temps to be right for the fly fisher. A fly fishing guided lake trip for trout in western NC creates the best views of the surroundings. Larger trout are commonplace on area lakes than we typically find in our river systems. There are many lakes in western NC that can provide the fly fisher with excellent opportunities for trout fishing. For example, Cheoah and Calderwood Lakes are the coldest lakes in the region due to Fontana Dam being the second tallest dam in the nation. These two lakes can fish good year round.
Rainbow Trout on Cheoah Lake
Lakes like Tanasee, Wolf, Bear, Nantahala, Fontana, Queens, and others are more dependent on the season. These are best through the winter months and early spring. The water temps on many of these lakes can rise too high and put fish so deep that the fly fisher would be better off looking for other choices. The sizes of trout tend to run higher than the rivers in the area. They are powerful fish because they swim in search of food throughout the year.
Various Fly Line Densities
We have all of the necessary lake lines for the region as standard equipment for the day. The lakes tend to offer a totally different set of challenges than the typical river afternoon for the fly fisher. Usually, we fish three flies on the leader at the same time. The distances are much greater when the flies are presented during the delivery cast. The scenery and solitude on the area lakes are what draws us back!
Typical Lake Flies
Lakes offer a different set of challenges than the river fly fisher is faced with. It is due to these challenges that we enjoy lake fly fishing for trout equally as much as rivers! We are sure that we can show you what it takes to be successful on our area lakes. It has been one of biggest new passions the past decade and it pays back much better quality fish!
What to bring to your trout fishing adventure!
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! 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.
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 (unless it is Tuckasegee River Delayed Harvest water).
Kids Fly Fishing on Bear Lake in the Winter
Purchase a Mountain Heritage License ($5.00) for fishing the Delayed Harvest on Tuckasegee River in Jackson or Swain County. This is the best value that I know of anywhere in the country for trout fishing! The tribal license can be purchased at many of the stores in Cherokee. Use the contact page or call (828)736-1469 for booking.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the Reservation Form for securing your date. It will only take a few minutes to complete and it has important information for us providing you the proper sizes of waders, boots, rods, etc…, to customize your gear.
Bryson City, North Carolina Attractions
Other area attractions can be found by contacting the Bryson City, NC Chamber of Commerce (800-867-9246). Swain County is the trout mecca of the southern states with over 75% of the county being either Nantahala National Forest or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park visitors exceed 14 million people per year! It is not hard to see why our little mountain town of Bryson City is always expanding with the whitewater rafting, Smoky Mountain Railroad, Appalachian Trail, hundreds of waterfalls, great mountain biking, and many 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 a 45-minute drive over the hill (GSMNP) 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
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 a 45-minute drive over the hill (GSMNP) 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!