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Fly Fishing in North Carolina

50 featured rivers, lakes and streams in North Carolina, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Big Creek (Smokies) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Remote Great Smoky Mountains stream. Wild trout in wilderness setting.
Big Laurel Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Wild stream in Madison County with native brook trout in headwaters.
Boone Fork Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
High country stream near Blue Ridge Parkway. Wild trout and beautiful scenery.
Bradley Creek (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Small stream in Pisgah with wild brook trout. Headwaters hold native fish.
Cane River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Scenic stream in Yancey County with wild trout. Less pressured waters.
Cataloochee Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Wild trout stream in Great Smoky Mountains. Native brook trout in headwaters.
Chattooga River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Wild and scenic river forming NC-SC-GA border. Wild brown and rainbow trout.
Cullasaja River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Mountain stream near Highlands with wild trout. Scenic gorge with waterfalls.
Davidson River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Premier trout stream in Pisgah National Forest. Excellent hatches and wild trout population.
Deep Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Popular stream near Bryson City in Great Smoky Mountains. Good family fishing.
East Fork French Broad (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Delayed harvest waters with excellent fishing. Easy access near Rosman.
East Fork Pigeon River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Wild trout stream near Blue Ridge Parkway. Scenic high elevation fishing.
Elk River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Mountain stream near Banner Elk with wild trout. Beautiful high country scenery.
Fires Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Scenic stream in Nantahala National Forest. Wild trout and beautiful waterfalls.
Forney Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Backcountry stream in Great Smoky Mountains. Excellent wild trout and remote camping.
Gragg Prong (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Wilson Creek tributary with wild trout. Less pressured backcountry fishing.
Grandfather Creek (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Small stream flowing from Grandfather Mountain. Native brook trout habitat.
Harper Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Backcountry stream with wild trout. Beautiful waterfalls and pools.
Hazel Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Remote backcountry stream in Great Smoky Mountains. Excellent wild trout fishing.
Henry Fork River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
South Mountains stream with wild trout. Less crowded than nearby waters.
Horsepasture River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Wild and scenic river with excellent wild trout. Dramatic waterfalls section.
Ivy River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Mountain stream north of Asheville with wild trout. Less pressured waters.
Jacob Fork River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Piedmont stream in South Mountains State Park. Wild trout and waterfalls.
Johns River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Mountain stream near Blowing Rock with wild and stocked trout. Good access.
Linville River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Scenic river near Linville Falls with wild trout. Challenging gorge fishing.
Little River (DuPont) (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Scenic stream in DuPont State Forest with waterfalls. Wild brown and rainbow trout.
Looking Glass Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Crystal clear stream in Pisgah Forest. Wild trout below Sliding Rock.
Lost Cove Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Remote wilderness stream in Wilson Creek Wilderness. Wild trout in pristine setting.
Mitchell River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Piedmont trout stream with delayed harvest section. Wild brown trout present.
Nantahala River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Popular western NC river with excellent trout fishing below the dam. Cold tailwater fishery.
New River (Smallmouth Bass, Musky, Rainbow Trout)
Ancient river with excellent smallmouth bass. Some trout in upper reaches.
Nolichucky River (Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Large river with excellent smallmouth bass and trout. Whitewater section famous for rafting.
North Mills River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Excellent freestone stream in Pisgah National Forest. Wild trout and good hatches.
North Toe River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Wild trout stream with good public access. Beautiful Black Mountain scenery.
Oconaluftee River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Major stream in Great Smoky Mountains near Cherokee. Good access and wild trout.
Panthertown Creek (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Wilderness stream in Panthertown Valley. Native brook trout in headwaters.
Raven Fork (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Trophy water managed by Eastern Band of Cherokee. Large rainbows and browns.
Scott Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Delayed harvest stream near Sylva. Easy access and good winter fishing.
Snowbird Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Remote stream in Nantahala National Forest. Wild trout in pristine setting.
South Holston River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
World-class tailwater fishery with trophy brown trout. Famous sulphur hatches.
South Mills River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Remote stream with excellent wild trout. Beautiful Pisgah Forest setting.
South Toe River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Delayed harvest water below Mount Mitchell. Excellent year-round fishing.
Stone Mountain Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Stream in Stone Mountain State Park with wild trout. Beautiful waterfall scenery.
Swannanoa River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Urban trout stream through Asheville. Recovering fishery with wild trout.
Tuckasegee River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Delayed harvest waters near Dillsboro with excellent access. Good winter fishing.
Watauga River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
High country river with excellent trout fishing. Beautiful mountain scenery near Boone.
West Fork French Broad (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Mountain stream with wild trout. Less pressured than nearby waters.
West Fork Pigeon River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Mountain stream near Waynesville with wild trout. Good hatches spring through fall.
Whitewater River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Scenic river near Cashiers with wild trout. Features dramatic waterfalls.
Wilson Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Wild and scenic river with trophy brown trout. Excellent dry fly fishing.

Fly Fishing in North Carolina

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