Long time lurker, first time poster. Reading these forums has been giving me a ton of insights into this tricky sport for beginners and “experts”. I was wondering if there was anybody on here that could give me a little “inside” information on where some of the better spots are in North Carolina? My wife and I will be visiting the"boy", well not really as it is his third year in the marines,who is at present located in Camp Legune in late september early october. We have been on numerous websites trying to decipher the plethora of information. The plan is to stay on the base for two nights visiting and then SLOWLY make our way back to the midwest. Herein lies our problem, we only have about five days to make our journey, and everything we have looked at looks magnificent. We do not have mountains in misery, oops I mean Missouri, so it all looks good. Cooler temperatures, streams that look like postcards, winding roads we are not familiar with , oh yeah and mountains. So if anybody could help us make up our mind, any and all information would be helpful and very welcome.
Take a look at two books; Great Smoky Mountains National Park Angler’s Companion by Ian Rutter and Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: An Insider’s Guide to A Pursuit of Passion by Jim Casada. The books cover the North Carolina and Tennessee sides of the park. The park is a wonderful place to fish. There are lots of places and it is available as it is public land. And, Welcome.
To add to what Bill said – a great place to stay if you decide on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Townsend, TN. Its “the quiet side of the Smoky’s” so there aren’t as many tourists, but its VERY close to some terrific fly fishing. I can recommend Dock’s Motel. And, if you do decide to stop there – give me a shout. Its only a 45 - 50 minute drive from my house. Be glad to meet up with you. Little River Outfitters is just down the street and they can provide all the scoop about the waters and flies.
Oh yeah… if the wife isn’t into fishing or hiking this is still an ideal location. A quick trip through Wear’s Valley and she’ll be in the middle of Pigeon Forge and two or three outlet malls (if she’s into shopping).
Billhouk thank-you for the great titles I will be checking the city library today! John thanks for the TN advice, we do like the quieter places. The beer-bong days are far behind us! As for the hotel advice we prefer to “rough-it” in our pop-up. The wife says there is no choice between fishing and shopping, it is definitely fishing. Yes it would be nice to meet a friendly with advice and knowledge! Will let you know. By chance are you familiar with the cost of an out of state fishing license with a trout stamp, or is a stamp even required? Once again thank-you both for the advice!
contact Hunters Banks Outfitters (they are located in Ashville but fish just about everywhere or know someone who does) they have a great web site and they are very helpful if you call them. I use them a lot now that our local fly shop is closed.
If you prefer to rough it in a camper take a look at the Elkmont Campground in the GSMNP. It is just a few minutes from Townsend. There was a 14 inch brown hanging out at the bridge just before you go in to the campgound on the Little River. He’s still there as far as I know. I think he flipped me the fin in my feeble attempts to catch him. Let me know if you can’t find the Casada book.
Bill - you sure he’s still there? Sounds like one I had for supper a few days ago.
Brian - Elkmont, Lazy Daze Campground and KOA are the three campgrounds on the Townsend side that I use. If you want trout right outside your doorstep then Elkmont would probably be the best. They have nice restroom facilities, but no showers there. If you fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park then you’ll need either a TN license or an NC license - no trout stamp needed. If you go outside of the Park then you’ll also need a trout stamp if trout is your game. And if you want to fish in Gatlinburg itself, then they have an additional fee for that.
TN License: 3-day $16.50, 7-day $25.50 (no trout for either of those). “All fish” - 3-day $33.50, 7-day $50.50. You can get them online if you wish, but you can also get them at Little River. http://www.tennessee.gov/twra/fishlicense.html
Threeday,Pillcaster,Bill,and John once again thank-you for the info! Pill caster that link definitely hit a soft spot with us. Eating good bbq is something akin to religion in this particular household. Threeday thanks for the link, most helpful. Bill that last comment made me laugh, I do not have enough fingers, toes, or memory space to recall all the times that I have been “flipped by a fin”. John thanks for the link and the camping info. We were suprised to read on the national park site that there was no electric available. I joked with the wife ( she has sleep apnea and can rattle windows loose on neighboring houses with her snoring ) that we could leave the mace and handguns at home because she will have scared the wildlife in the whole county without her sleep machine. Thanks again to all for the information you are making the planning of this trip less stressful!
Hi Brian. Welcome to FAOL from SoCal. You been lurking long enough to know the Newbies from NC bring the BBQ to the fish-ins. Oh ya, you are the bbq. My all time favorite town in NC has always been Mayberry. Jim
bbq—You will be very close to the time the False Albacore are in at Cape Lookout/ Beaufort/ Morehead City. (just a short trip to the north)
10 wt action thats tough to match. Its charterboat fishing and most guides will have a rod that they can provide for you. I’ll be there toward the end of October.
I would definitely look into some of the saltwater action that you’re going to be so close to. Topsail Island is about a 10 minute drive out the back gate (getting out to the back gate will probably take you longer than it will to get to Topsail after you’re out). Depending on what you’re interested in doing, there are a few places just a short drive from Jacksonville. Wilmington is about an hour south on 17. There are some really good guides down there. Even if you don’t do any fishing, Wilmington is a great town with lots to do (and I’m not just saying that because I lived there).
Call some of the local shops in Asheville. They’ll definitely be able to put on some good stuff. Time may not permit it, but Boone is also a good place to check out.
Thank-you all for your outstanding info!!! We have decided to leave this great state and visit ya’lls on the first of Oct. we will be in N.C. until the 6th and then we are taying at elkmont till the 11th. Thanks again ya’ll really did help with our decision process.
First, Welcome aboard! Second, a bunch of us are getting together the 8th, 9th and 10th of October in Townshend. That’s on the TN side of the mountains, I’m not sure where Elkmont is? but I’m sure you’d be more than welcome to share in the fun. I’m sure there will be some guys along soon that can fill you in on all the details.
Second, a bunch of us are getting together the 8th, 9th and 10th of October in Townshend. That’s on the TN side of the mountains, I’m not sure where Elkmont is? but I’m sure you’d be more than welcome to share in the fun. I’m sure there will be some guys along soon that can fill you in on all the details.