Nantahala National Forest is one of the most beautiful regions on the East Coast. According to the US Forest Service:

“The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River.”

If you’re dreaming of an amazing brown trout fly fishing excursion, you can’t do better than the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. 

Why Go Fly Fishing in Nantahala National Forest?

Nantahala is a Cherokee word that means “Land of the Noonday Sun.” The Nantahala River formed a deep valley in North Carolina's southwest mountains, making it difficult to see the sun between the hills.

What Makes the Nantahala National Forest Special

In the Nantahala Gorge between Wesser and Andrews, wildlife thrives, and people reconnect with nature. You can escape the urban jungle and engage in a variety of outdoor activities at the Nantahala National Forest, including:

• Hundreds of miles of trails, including the renowned Appalachian Trail 
• A wide range of beginner to expert mountain bike trail networks, including the iconic Tsali and Fire Mountain parks
• On one of the South's highest elevation zipline canopy tours
• Whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Nantahala River
• Stunning cottages with breathtaking views
• Bryson City, Andrews, Franklin, Sylva, Cherokee, Highlands, Cashiers, and Waynesville are all charming communities worth visiting.
• World-class brown trout fly fishing is found here

Brown Trout Fly Fishing in the Nantahala Gorge Area

Much of the Nantahala National Forest is contained in Jackson County, NC, the fly fishing capital of North Carolina. For those searching for beautiful brown trout, there are many waters to fish in the forest:

• The Nantahala River: For both novice and expert anglers, the Nantahala is a fantastic location. Fish are abundant here all year long.
• The Cullasaja River:  A picturesque, fish-filled, short river in Macon County that is best suited for seasoned anglers.
• Tuckasegee River: Frequently fished in Jackson County, between the towns of Dillsboro and Sylva. This region is excellent for novices and contains a lot of fish. You can find a truly monster-sized brown trout on the Tuck.
• Fires Creek: Just past Andrews, NC, Fires Creek is one of the most beautiful and picturesque locations for brown trout fishing.
• Snowbird Creek: Mostly for seasoned fishermen, this stream is stocked with a healthy number of wild Rainbow Trout and some Brown Trout.
• Back Country Fishing: This is what all of the guides at Turning Stones Fly Fishing are passionate about! We do not share these sites because we want to protect them, but we would be happy to take you to some of our favorite wilderness fishing spots in the Nantahala National Forest.

Brown Trout Fishing in Nantahala with Turning Stone’s Fly Fishing

The guides at Turning Stone’s Fly Fishing have fished for brown trout all over the world. However, we choose to call the Nantahala Forest area home for the abundance of fish and beautiful waters in our area. 

If you want to make the most out of your brown trout fly fishing excursion in the Nantahala National Forest and Nantahala Gorge area, Turning Stone’s is here to help. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, we can take you to the right waters and make sure you have everything you need for an amazing experience. Contact Turning Stone’s today to book your brown trout fly fishing trip!