If you’re planning a fly fishing excursion, there’s no better place than western North Carolina. The trout-rich waters of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are the reason the guides at Turning Stone’s have chosen to call this area home. 

To make the most of your fishing trip, you’ll want to hire a guide to help show you the best places to fish and make sure you’re using the right equipment. Inevitably, all the guides in the area find themselves fully booked from time to time. Here is our list of the top nine guides in western North Carolina (in no particular order).

Few places rival the tranquil beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, its blue peaks topped with an ever-present fog give this region its name. Its unique biodiversity and eye-popping color make this the most visited national park in the entire US park system.  

Nine months of the year, the weather in western North Carolina and northern Georgia is perfect for getting outdoors. Temperatures are often cooler near the rivers and waterways around Batesville, Clarksville, Franklin, Cashiers and surrounding areas during the summer than in nearby cities like Atlanta and Charlotte. Yet, in spring and fall, the air feels significantly warmer than the higher elevations around Highlands and Boone. 

New residents and people visiting from out of town wonder whether winter weather makes fly fishing impossible. We are happy to report that our area is uniquely supportive of trout fishing throughout the year, even during winter.

Not only is it possible to fish here during the coldest months of the year, but you may also find it is the perfect season to chase prized trophy trout. From October through May in north Georgia is the absolute best time to hook into these beautiful giant trout.

Western North Carolina is a trout fishing wonderland. There are miles upon miles of pristine streams and rivers with an abundance of fish. If you’re searching for the perfect fly fishing getaway, you can’t go wrong with a trip to the Smokies. 

Turning Stone’s Fly Fishing knows these waters. The areas we fish vary from dense Rhododendron forests with small tributaries meandering about that are filled with tiny wild brook trout to large rivers that are rough and tumbling that hold enormous, wild brown trout. We also frequently fish areas that are stocked with massive fish that increase your odds of catching a monster. 

Many people ask us how to identify the difference between wild and hatchery-supported trout. In this article, we are helping you answer that question. 

As kids return to school and temperatures start to cool, if ever so slightly, it means one of the best times of year in western North Carolina is here. Fall is one of the busiest times of the year in Asheville and throughout the Great Smoky Mountains. Millions upon millions of tourists visit our area to experience the dazzling display of colors as the leaves change. 

With such vast differences in elevation, leaves begin changing color as early as mid to late September above 5,000-6,000 feet, but the valleys can remain colorful through Thanksgiving. The peak of fall color is usually in late October. 

You may already be planning your weekend excursion to the mountains, but what will you do? Drive on the Parkway? Hike the trails? The same things everyone else does? We think the best way to really enjoy the season in the mountains is fly fishing. 

All year long, the North Georgia Mountains are a fantastic destination full of amazing options for top-notch outdoor enjoyment, including fly fishing. 

The Soque River is one particular river that is well suited for fly fishing with its slow-flowing lanes over sand and rock bottom, strong runs of rapids, and deep pools. 

When it comes to trout fly fishing in North Carolina, there aren’t many places better than the Nantahala River in the Nantahala National Forest. While the river is more well known for whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities, it offers excellent trout waters. Both wild and stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout can be found in most parts of the river.

What is your perfect getaway? Is it lounging in a chair by the ocean on the beach, with the sun on your back and wind in your hair? Is it visiting a country to which you have never been and inundating yourself in the culture? Is it traveling to the most exotic and isolated island you can find on the map?

For many, the best getaway is one that reconnects them with nature. You may be one who would prefer to get as far away from the noise and stress of daily life. There is no better way to escape the city than to schedule a fly fishing excursion in western North Carolina. We have some of the best classic trout waters in the world, with some of the most experienced guides you can find anywhere.

The only minor issue with your trout fishing getaway is that the prevalence of large, beautiful trout in western North Carolina is no secret. If you wade out into one of the more popular rivers or creeks, you may not be alone. 

When people think about western North Carolina, many will immediately picture the mountains. The tallest mountains on the East Coast are located right here in the Great Smoky Mountains. Clingmans Dome, Mount Pisgah, and many other mile-high summits tower over the region. There are hundreds of thousands of acres of virtually untouched forest to explore among these hills. 

For others, it is the allure of the waters that draw them to our area. There are ten river basins and countless creeks and streams crisscrossing southwestern North Carolina. Some people enjoy plunging down river rapids in kayaks or rafts, while others prefer to float slowly down some of the calmer areas. Still, others enjoy this region for the abundance of wild beautiful trout. 

There is no better place to fish than western North Carolina. Despite the popularity of fly fishing in the area, the state and local municipalities have taken steps to help ensure that this will continue to be one of the best fly fishing destinations in the world. In this article, we are discussing what you need to know about the Heritage Trout Waters in our area. 

Your life and work can be hectic and filled with pressure, even when you are not navigating the challenges of a global pandemic. Everyone needs a break. You need some time off, away from the city and out in nature. We all need to reconnect with the great outdoors. 

One of the best ways you can relax, rest, and rejuvenate is by wading out into the cold waters of western North Carolina to catch world-class trout. 

There is something special about a fly fishing excursion in the most beautiful part of our state. One way to take your trip to the next level is by learning a new skill. The skilled guides at Turning Stone’s Fly Fishing are well-versed in the best techniques for catching trout in our area. 

In this article, we are discussing what you need to know about European Nymphing, or Czech Nymphing.