Turning Stones Blog

One of the most popular and relaxing pastimes in western North Carolina is fishing. Our waters are rich with prized trout. There are many techniques to employ when trying to catch fish in the Smoky Mountains. In this article, we are discussing the difference between when to employ fly fishing and spin fishing. 

It’s been a long, dark, and cold winter in western North Carolina. We’ve had multiple rounds of snow and ice, a lot of rain, and just the overall dreariness that accompanies the season. Whether you live here in the mountains, down east or south toward Charlotte or Atlanta, or west in Tennessee, you’ve probably been stuck inside wishing you could be out in nature.

But you can almost hear it, right? The birds are starting to chirp. The bees are starting to buzz. The days are getting a little bit longer. The valleys are springing to life, and soon the colors will crawl up the mountains to the ridges. Spring is on the way. 

What is the best way to celebrate the arrival of spring in the Great Smoky Mountains? We think it’s scheduling your spring fly fishing trip. Here’s what you need to know about fly fishing in spring. 

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.