Fly Fishing Nantahala National Forest

Dream of your perfect mountain getaway. What do you picture? Do you imagine a cabin with a view and a warm fireplace? Can you see yourself skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or rock climbing? Are you more interested in exploring small towns and high-elevation cities, shopping at boutiques, and diving into the culinary scene? What about riding the whitewater in a raft or kayak or zip-lining through the forest canopy from ridge to ridge? Maybe you prefer a relaxing day trout fishing in a pristine river or tributary. Whatever your preference, the Nantahala National Forest has something for you. 

Nantahala (nan·tuh·hei·luh) is a Cherokee word that means “Land of the Noonday Sun.” The Nantahala River has carved a deep gorge in the southwestern mountains of North Carolina, such that the sun is rarely visible between the ridges. Wildlife flourishes, and people reconnect with nature in the narrow valley between Wesser and Andrews. In the Nantahala National Forest, you can get away from the city and find a host of outdoor activities, including: 

• Hiking hundreds of miles of trails, including the famous Appalachian Trail.
• Mountain biking beginner and expert trail systems such as the famous Tsali. 
• Ziplining on one of the highest elevation canopy tours in the South.
• Kayaking and whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River.
• Beautiful cabins with incredible views. 
• Charming towns to explore such as Bryson City, Andrews, Franklin, Sylva, Cherokee, Highlands, Cashiers, and Waynesville. 
• Some of the best fly fishing in the world. 

With the expert guides at Turning Stone's Fly Fishing, we can make sure you have the best Nantahala National Forest trout fishing getaway. 

Fly Fishing in the Nantahala National Forest 

Whether fly fishing is on your list of activities to enjoy in the Nantahala National Forest, or you plan to make a weekend or week of it, it is the right location for finding large trout that are fun to catch. Some of the locations we fish include:

• The Nantahala River: The Nantahala is a great place for beginners and enjoyable for experienced anglers. There is plenty of fish all year here.
• The Cullasaja River: This short river in Macon County is beautiful, full of fish, but best for experienced anglers. 
• Tuckasegee River: Typically fished between Dillsboro and Sylva in Jackson County, this area is great for beginners and has plenty of fish. 
• Fires Creek: Beyond Andrews, this area is beautiful and fun to fish. 
• Snowbird Creek: Primarily for experienced anglers, this stream is loaded with a good population of wild Rainbow Trout along with some Brown Trout mixed in.
• Back Country Fishing: All of the guides here at Turning Stone's Fly Fishing live for fishing backcountry locations! In an effort to preserve these locations, we do not disclose them; however, we would love to take you to some of our favorite Nantahala National Forest backcountry fishing locations. 

The guides here at Turning Stone's are experienced anglers with a wealth of expertise. We have all chosen to call western North Carolina home for its unmatched fly fishing. We want to show you the waters we love and help you catch some fish along the way. Contact us for more information about fly fishing in the Nantahala National Forest. 

Nantahala River Gallery