Highlands NC Guided Fly Fishing Trips

We have run fly fishing guided trips in Highlands, NC since 1987. The 3 decades of expertise and quality enables us to show you the best waters and techniques for setting an above par effort for trout fishing! Highlands NC guided fly fishing trips tend to be most popular in April through November. However, December through March can be excellent in our local waters. The best trout fishing waters near Highlands, NC usually involve about an hour drive.

The delayed harvest section of the Tuckasegee River in Dillsboro has provided great fishing opportunities for nearby Cashiers, Asheville, and Highlands which are all about an hour drive. Our trout fishing guides meet you in the town of Dillsboro for either a float trip or a wade trip on the Tuckasegee.

The most popular waters will be listed in the submenus below the header at the top of the page 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!

Highlands NC Guided Trout Fishing Trips

A twenty-minute drive downstream lies the town of Bryson City, NC. Bryson City has a new delayed harvest program with a two-mile section of the Tuckasegee. It has many opportunities for the fly fisher with over 27,000 trout over the two-mile section of river! Trout fishing right near town has been very productive with our guides since October 2015.

Swain County has a plethora of trout fishing waters which is in part why so many have coined the town the “trout mecca” of the South. It is our belief that the waters around Bryson City offer the most opportunity for the trout fisherman. This is in part due to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest encompass most of the county.

Take a look at Google Maps and literally, every drainage is another watershed. Many great lakes for trout fishing in the winter months as well. Three large rivers including Little Tennessee, Tuckasegee, and the Nantahala. This area is where we do the majority of our trips.

For those visiting Highlands, the Cullasaja River flows out of the lake in Highlands and offers some great waterfalls for photos. The lake actually hurts the trout fishing though throughout the season because it is too warm for great trout water. The Chattooga River at the iron bridge outside of Highlands offers much better waters for experienced fly fishers. It is not forgiving with canopy, diverse currents, and large undercut rocks in this rugged section of the Chattooga.

A happy new fly fisher from Chicago, IL

Most of the really great trout waters will be near the town of Bryson City, NC. Other area attractions can be found by contacting the Bryson City, NC Chamber of Commerce at 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, 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.