Experience the finest among North Carolina Vacation Rentals in Highlands NC at The Lakehouse on Lake Glenville in Cashiers

One of the many great adventures when you visit Jackson County  (Cashiers-Lake Glenville) in the North Carolina Mountains is a wide range of Great Smoky Mountain fishing opportunities. From dropping a line ‘right off the dock’ at the Lakeshouse to the numerous other lakes, rivers and streams in the area, angles find plenty to suit them here.

The Tuckasegee River is the largest body of water in Jackson County, and has been called “Western North Carolina’s best trout stream for fly anglers“. The North Carolina Mountains also offer scores of small streams that make for great mountain fishing locations. Fishing is also available in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the Cherokee Indian Reservation and on many North Carolina Mountain lakes in Jackson County including Lake Glenville – a 1,500 acre pure-water lake with 26 miles of shoreline habitat.

Fishermen visiting the Great Smoky Mountains have good success in their search for rainbow, brown and native brook trout, bass, bream, walley and crappie. Keep in mind that fishing regulations may apply and vare depending on where you choose to fish. Go to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website for information about trout regulations, licensing information, Jackson County stream stocking information and directions to handicapped-accessible fishing spots.

Visit WNC Fly Fishing Trail for information about 15 prime spots to catch brook, brown and rainbow trout in Jackson County. Detailed trail maps are available free of charge on the site and at the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce and outfitters throughout Jackson County.

In Jackson County, where the Lakehouse at Katie Camp is located, waterfalls cascade under the rugged canopy of the Nantahala National Forest while hundreds of trout streams weave their way through the Smoky Mountains. This county and these mountains have long been a haven for fly fishing enthusiasts. In 2009, the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail was created for just those people.

Spearheaded by the Jackson County Tourism Authority, the trail highlights 15 prime spots for catching trout and offers everything from wide rivers to medium-sized creeks to small streams. It is the first and only fly fishing trail in the United States.

The trail includes portions of 11 creeks and four rivers – the Tuckasegee, Chattooga and Whitewater Rivers as well as the trail’s newest addition, Raven Fork. The variety of locations, waters and fish make the trail attractive to both beginner and expert anglers.

Serious fly fishers will like the smaller, lesser-known spots such as Pantertown Creek in Panthertown Valley. This spot is on a high mountain valley which, due to its bowl shape and craggy bluffs, is known as the “Yosemite of the East” and requires a two-mile hike to access it. Other popular spots for experts include Chattooga River, Whitewater River and Tanasee Creek.

Beginners will enjoy the five spots along the Tuckasegee River. These open areas and well-stocked catch and release waters can be fished year-round. Catch all three species of trout (rainbow, brown and brook) and you’ve achieved something worth bragging about to your friends – the Tuckasegee Slam. Try the spot along the NC 107 Bridge to Dillsboro Park for your best chance.

The more remote spots, such as the Panthertown Creek location, allow for a more solitary, serene experience. The trail’s small streams (Moses Creek, Mull Creek, Rough Butt Creek, Chastine Creek and Piney Mountain Creek) offer mountainous terrain and several large waterfalls. If you just want to squeeze in a quick trip during a busy weekend, that’s okay too; the trail offers plenty of locations that allow for convenient drive-up access.

Raven Fork, also known as Cherokee Trophy Water, was just added to the trail in 2010. It’s not unusual to find fish 20-30 inches long at the end of your line here.

If you want to introduce kids to fly fishing, the Tuckasegee River along East Laporte Park is a good location. With easy parking, plentiful stock, public restrooms and picnic tables, the experience should be nothing but calm waters.

Because the NC Wildlife Resources Commission annually stocks the waterways in Jackson County with nearly 100,000 trout, nearly all of the spots along the trail offer a good chance for a successful fishing trip.

A free, water-resistant map of the trail is available by request on the website or by visiting the Jackson County Travel & Tourism Authority. The map provides detailed information such as access points, waterway designations and regulations as well as the species of fish available, whether a stream produces fish of quantity or size, interesting information about the site and how far you have to walk to get there.

With the coming of Spring brings the highly anticipated “opening day” of trout season. The first Saturday in April was the season opener for hatchery Supported Trout streams in North Carolina. Temperatures were warm and the weather pretty for the weekend, so anglers grabbed their gear and headed to their favorite stretch of water to enjoy the magic of opening day of trout season!

The last Saturday in March is always the season opener for Cherokee’s Trout Season. This year’s season opener in  Cherokee was reported one of the best ever seen and every angler that I came into contact with shared the same sentiments. The waters  have been stocked with more fish, and bigger fish, than any previous year. Fisheries Manager Robert Blankenship has really breathed a new life into the fishery in Cherokee. Get to Cherokee and see for yourself what you have been missing. You’ll be presently surprised. If yo haven’t tried it yet, the Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only section offers some of the most exciting fly fishing in the country. Landing and releasing trout over 20 inches is a common occurrence.

The Nantahala River above the powerhouse is fishing great right now. Lots of Rainbows and Brown trout are being caught there, and the water levels have become more “angler friendly” as of late. Expect good hatches of Quill Gordons and March Browns mid morning and throughout the afternoon.

The Delayed Harvest section of the Tuckasegee River is fishing well right now. The fish are plentiful and scattered out, so finding a good spot to fish is pretty easy. The water levels still play an important part if you’re planning on wading. Generation schedules have been hard to pinpoint, and have seemingly not followed the posted generation schedule on Duke’s website. So if you’re wading here keep an eye on the water levels.

The streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are warming up and the fish are just starting to take a dry fly. No need to get on the water early, wait until the sun warms things up a bit and plan on spending the afternoon and early evening fishing sporadic hatches of Quill Gordons, March Browns, Tan Caddis, and Blue Quills. Dredge a black or golden Stone Fly nymph through riffles and runs and you’ll be rewarded nicely.

To fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you must have either a valid North Carolina or Tennessee fishing license. No license is required to fish in Cherokee Reservation waters, however a tribal permit is required. The cost is $7 per day with a creel limit of ten.

You can purchase a basic North Carolina license for a period of one day, three days or one year. The one-day cost for a resident is $5 (one year is $15); for a non-resident is $10, two days $15, one year $30. If you plan to fish for trout outside the National Park, an additional “trout stamp” is required at a cost of $10. Some of the trout streams are strictly catch-and-release.

Fishing licenses are sold on-line through the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources or may be purchased at Signal Ridge Marina on Hwy 107 across the lake from our luxury lake lodge.

My favorite recipe for cooking fresh caught trout is below. (When I have a “hankering” for fresh trout and no time to prepare it myself, I head over to Happ’s Place Restaurant where chef Kathy serves some of the best trout I’ve ever tasted. Happ’s is located in Glenville on Highway 107 about 7 miles from our vacation rental home. Call ahead for reservations especially on the weekends. 828-743-2266.)