Franklin NC Guided Trout Fishing

Franklin, NC fly fishing guide trips are all within a short drive for the fly angler. The fishing hot spots naturally change depending on the season. The area has tailwater streams, small wild streams, large freestone rivers like the Tennessee River, and Delayed Harvest streams all close to Franklin, NC. The headwaters of the Nantahala River originates in Standing Indian. This is similar to a medium-sized creek up high. Rainbow Springs is private water on the Nantahala River and is one of the most protected streams in the South East.

I have been fortunate to guide it several times with the owners of the fishery and it has quite the list of celebrities over the years. Ernest Schwiebert, Lefty Kreh, Joan Wulff, and many other pioneers in the sport of fly fishing have fished out of the lodge. The Nantahala then flows into Nantahala Lake which offers some good trout and Kokanee salmon fishing when the season is right. The delayed harvest section is further downstream which has an amazing healthy population of wild and hatchery fish. The tailwater section is seven miles long and it is the premier trout river in the state of NC.

Little Tennessee River Fishing

The Little Tennessee River is great when the doldrums of summer hit for smallmouth. Many of the colder streams that flow into Little Tennessee River offer some great trout fishing. We prefer guided float fishing trips on the Little Tennessee River because the rock shelves and deep pools provide challenging wading.

The most popular waters will be listed in the submenus that we offer our various guided fly fishing trips and other customized programs. Or click on these links for more information which include guided float trips, guided wade trips, guided lake trips, casting instruction, video casting lesson, fly fishing schools, groups and corporate trips, backcountry trips, programs and demonstrations, and destination trips!

The dry fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains is best during the spring months. If you tie your own flies or need to purchase flies at your favorite fly shop you can view the historical hatch report by clicking on it. One of the more popular trips in the springtime is the trout fishing backcountry trips in the Smoky Mountains.

Forney Ridge GSMNP

Most of the trout waters near Franklin will be near Bryson City, NC. 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. Over 75% of the county is either Nantahala National Forest or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Park visitors exceed 14 million people per year! When you consider all of the whitewater rafting, Smoky Mountain Railroad, Appalachian Trail hikes, hundreds of waterfall hikes, great mountain biking, and many other outdoor adventures it is not hard to see why our little mountain town of Bryson City is always expanding.

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 just over the mountain from Bryson City about 45 minutes away. 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! Use the contact page or call (828)736-1469 for booking.