Swain County's streams and lakes
are a fisherman's paradise

Whether you are fly fishing for native brook trout in a cold mountain stream, smallmouth or largemouth bass in beautiful Fontana Lake or rainbow or brown trout in one of the many stocked streams, Swain County hosts one of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest offer hundreds of miles of spectacularly clear streams. Just a few minutes from Bryson City, the sparkling waters of Deep Creek are ripe for fly fishing, and many anglers enjoy the Nantahala River just west of town.

The Cherokee Indian Reservation also offers a variety of fishing opportunities for the trout fisherman with regularly stocked streams and three trout ponds. There are several other trout ponds in the area (see below).

If you prefer stillwater fishing, Fontana Lake boasts one of the most diverse fish populations anywhere in the country. With depths of over 400 feet, many northern fish such as walleye, muskie and smallmouth bass are among favorites of local fishermen. For boating information, including public boating access and marinas with boat rentals, visit the Fontana page of this web site.

For a printed brochure of the information on this page, click here to download a PDF.

 

Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Catch-out Pond
Tumbling Waters Trout Pond
Endless River Adventures
Smoky Mountain Flyfishing
The 'Reel' McCoy Fishing Guide Service
Smoky Mountain Adventures, Inc.
Fontana Guide Service
Almond Boat & RV Park
Simonds Bait & Tackle Shop
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited
Fontana Marina
Granger Outdoors
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Current Fly Fishing Report
By J.E.B. Hall, NOC Fishing Guide  email

If one were to describe the fishing conditons on the Nantahala River over the last week using just two words, those words without question would be "blown out." With the generator at the powerhouse under repair, Duke Energy has been forced to divert the water from the lake through the delayed harvest section causing a muddy mess from top to bottom. Smokies streams have been fishing well between the rains but anglers bound for the Park should be prepared to wade through heavy current and be ready to fish lots of split shot to get flies down to the fish.

Suggested Fly Patterns: BWOs 18-22, Pheasant Tails 14-18, Hare’s Ears (Natural, Olive) 16-18, Thorax Duns (Gray, Rust, Olive) 16-20, Copper Johns 12-14, Prince Nymphs 12-14, Radical Caddis Larva 14-16, Z-Wing Caddis Larva 16-18, Cream Midges 22-28, Zonkers (Olive, Black, Brown) 4-8.

 

Bryson City - Swain County
Chamber of Commerce
& Visitor Center

210 Main Street
P.O. Box 509
Bryson City, NC 28713

Karen Wilmot, Director

800-867-9246 toll-free
828-488-3681 local
828-488-6858 fax

       
 


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