Five of the Best Rivers in North Carolina for Fly Fishing

onWater team

May 21, 2024

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7 min read

North Carolina is probably known more for basketball and tobacco than great fly fishing, but the Tarheel State has some surprisingly good fishing opportunities. Whether you are coming from Charlotte, Raleigh, or one of the many universities in the state, you don't have to venture too far from home to find some good fishing near you in North Carolina. From trout in the Appalachian Mountains to striped bass in the lower elevations, the fly fishing in North Carolina is worth going. Here are some of the best places to fly fish in North Carolina.

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The Davidson River flows through Pisgah National Forest near Brevard and is known for its challenging fishing. Home to large wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout it has a catch-and-release area with selective gear regulations For success on the Davidson, use small, natural-looking flies as the clear water can make some holdover trout spooky.

The Watauga River near Boone offers some excellent fly fishing for brown, rainbow, and brook trout. The most notable section is the upper section, near the headwaters, as it contains the cleanest and coldest water. Because the river has both wild and stocked trout, techniques can be varied. Nymphs are the most effective, but dry flies can be great in spring hatches as can be prolific.

The Nantahala River is in western North Carolina, near the town of Bryson City. It has beautiful deep gorges and cold waters. This provides excellent habitat for a variety of species of trout. There is a delayed harvest section that is especially good in spring and fall. For the best fishing try early morning and late afternoon. Streamers and nymphs work well, especially during the delayed harvest season.

The South Toe River flows near Burnsville, in the shadow of Mount Mitchell and some of the prettiest country in the state. The South Toe serves up pristine water and is home to wild and stocked trout. For anglers looking to get away from the crowds some, this river is less crowded than some other rivers. When fishing the South Toe, try dry flies and small nymphs and always explore the tributaries as they can yield some fun fishing.

The Tuckasegee River is located near the town of Sylva and is known as the "Tuck," it has robust trout populations and multiple delayed harvest sections. It's one of the most heavily stocked rivers in the state. The river is easy to wade and has good access points. Use nymphs, streamers, and dry flies during hatch seasons.

Wilson Creek flows in the Pisgah National Forest and is one of the designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state. Wilson Creek is known for its stunning scenery and excellent trout fishing. Because the water in Wilson Creek is crystal clear and often slow flowing with some deep pools, stealth, small tippets, and a good presentation are essential. For flies choose attractors and terrestrials when fish are not keying in on subsurface tandem nymph rigs.

The Mitchell River near Dobson is regularly stocked and provides excellent fishing opportunities from fall to early spring even if the stocking scheduled has put fish in the river in awhile. When fishing the Mitchells always look to use nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. Anglers fishing the Mitchell will find ample public access to expore this scenic and diverse fishery.

The Linville River flows through the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area--one of North Carolina's most scenic areas. This intimate rivers features rugged and remote fishing with plenty of chances to hook and land wild trout in North Carolina. Even though the river has a reputation for being challenging, those anglers willing to put in some times will find beautiful wild trout of varying sizes. When fishing, streamers and large nymphs are effective. It is a good idea to be in good physical shape so be prepared for difficult terrain and have a well stocked fly box and full water bottle.

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