The name “Smoky” comes from the natural fog that often hangs over the range and presents as large smoke plumes from a distance. This fog, which is most common in the morning and after rainfall, is the result of warm humid air from the Gulf of Mexico cooling rapidly in the higher elevations of Southern Appalachia.

The Great Smoky Mountains stretch from the Pigeon River in the northeast to the Little Tennessee River to the southwest. The northwestern half of the range gives way to a series of elongate ridges known as the “Foothills,” the outermost of which include Chilhowee Mountain and English Mountain. The range is roughly bounded on the south by the Tuckasegee River and to the southeast by Soco Creek and Jonathan Creek. The Great Smokies comprise parts of Blount County, Sevier County, and Cocke County in Tennessee and Swain County and Haywood County in North Carolina. The sources of several rivers are located in the Smokies, including the Little Pigeon River, the Oconaluftee River, and Little River. Streams in the Smokies are part of the Tennessee River watershed and are thus entirely west of the Eastern Continental Divide. The largest stream wholly within the park is Abrams Creek, which rises in Cades Cove and empties into the Chilhowee Lake impoundment of the Little Tennessee River near Chilhowee Dam. Other major streams include Hazel Creek and Eagle Creek in the southwest, Raven Fork near Oconaluftee, Cosby Creek near Cosby, and Roaring Fork near Gatlinburg. The Little Tennessee River passes through five impoundments along the range’s southwestern boundary, namely Tellico Lake, Chilhowee Lake, Calderwood Lake, Cheoah Lake, and Fontana Lake .

The Georgia Mountains Region or North Georgia mountains or Northeast Georgia is an area that starts in the northeast corner of Georgia, United States, and spreads in a westerly direction. The mountains in this region are in the Blue Ridge mountain chain that ends in Georgia. At over 1 billion years of age, the Blue Ridge mountains are among the oldest mountains in the United States and sometimes mistaken to be the oldest mountains in the world (in fact they are only about one third of the age of South Africa‘s 3.6 billion year old Barberton greenstone belt.). The mountains in this region are also a part of the vast system of North American mountains known as the Appalachian Mountains that spans most of the United States longitudally along the eastern areas of the nation and terminates in Alabama.

The region is known for its ruggedness and scenic beauty. The Cherokee who lived in these mountains called them Sah-ka-na’-ga - “The Great Blue Hills of God.” Large portions of the North Georgia mountains are included in the more than 750,000 acres (3,000 km²) that comprises the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The Great Balsam Mountains, or Balsam Mountains, are in the mountain region of western North Carolina, United States.The Great Balsams are a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which in turn are a part of the Appalachian Mountains. The most famous peak in the Great Balsam range is Cold Mountain, which is the centerpiece of author Charles Frazier‘s bestselling novel Cold Mountain.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along its length and at Richland Balsam (milepost 431), the Parkway is at its highest point (6053 feet).

Hiring a guide is one of the best ways to learn more about fly-fishing. Guides are out on the rivers more in one year than most folks will get in a lifetime. Guides have seen, tried and heard it all. They are patient teachers who are passionate about sharing the art of fly-fishing with others, whether it is a beginner or expert.

Many people think that hiring a guide is too expensive or just not needed. Both assumptions aren’t at all true. Even the most experienced fly-fisherman can pick up a thing or two from a good guide. There is an infinite amount of fly-fishing variables that a guide has wisdom about: patterns, rigging, presentation, hole selection, reading structures, gear and on and on.

Guides bank on a different currency, and most aren’t getting rich taking others fishing. A guides goal is to put clients on fish, there office is standing in a river with water between their ankles.

We promise you a great trip and we will go out of our way to make sure that your day is the best one possible.

61 Bear Creek Road
Nantahala, NC 28781

Toll-free 866-77-CABIN (866-772-2246)
Local 828-321-2010
Fax 828-321-2543

For a memorable Smoky Mountains getaway, choose from our one, two or three-bedroom Nantahala cabins, one of which will be perfect for your escape, whether it’s a romantic weekend, a family vacation or a group reunion. Our private, beautifully designed, and individually decorated NC cabin rentals are just what you need for a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat.

The Cabins at Long Branch

Clinton Cabin Road
Nantahala, NC 28781

Phone: 662-773-3099
email: info@ClintonCabins.com

The Nantahala Gorge is known far and wide for whitewater rafting and kayaking. Yet the mountains high above the Gorge offer hidden treasures — a scenic mountain river with world-class trout fishing and quiet Nantahala Lake with boating and fishing.

And that’s where you’ll find The Cabins at Long Branch — two secluded cabins on 40 acres bordered by a trout stream and the Nantahala National Forest