Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing

Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing Rules and Regulations

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is a great source of information about rules and regulations you’ll need to follow on your for your Smoky Mountain fly fishing vacation. You can also purchase your license directly from them.

  • For North Carolina residents: Whether you plan a quick weekend getaway or a long vacation of Smoky Mountain fly fishing you’ll want to make sure you’ve got your license.
  • Short term, annual, lifetime licenses, as well as special licenses for seniors and the disabled are available.
  • For non-residents: Be a prepared angler. Get your license before you arrive for your Smoky Mountain fly fishing vacation. Short term, annual and lifetime fishing licenses are available for purchase from the NCWRC.
  • Note about Cherokee: A separate license is required to fish on the waters owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You can order your license online or at one of many stores in Cherokee.

Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing: Focus on Cherokee

Some of the best Smoky Mountain fly fishing can be found in Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Come to Cherokee and you’ll find thirty miles of pristine streams stocked with brook, rainbow, and brown trout. And if you enjoy catch and release fishing, for trophy Smoky Mountain fly fishing locations try Cherokee’s Raven Fork, a haven for catch and release fly fishing.

You can find out about all the amazing spots for Smoky Mountain fly fishing in Cherokee, at FishCherokee.com including info on fly fishing competitions. Whether you are an amateur or a professional level angler, there is a Smoky Mountain fly fishing competition suitable for you in Cherokee.

Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing Trail in Jackson County

Jackson County, North Carolina is home to mountains, lakes, rivers, streams and some of the best Smoky Mountain fly fishing imaginable. Jackson county neighbors Qualla Boundary, the Tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With all that preserved land, and so many awesome Smoky Mountain fly fishing spots, Jackson County has made their own official fly fishing trail. Some of the best trout waters in the Smokies are included on this trail!

Plan a Great Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing Getaway!

While you are here, take part in some of the other outdoor adventures available in the Smoky Mountains: mountain biking, whitewater rafting, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, waterfalls, motorcycling The Dragon at Deal’s Gap, canoeing, ziplining and so much more. Many visitors have been known to come for the Smoky Mountain fly fishing, and then stay, so they can keep enjoying all the amazing beauty and fun of this area. Come for a weeklong vacation, a weekend getaway or quit your job and move here, but whatever you do, don’t miss out on Smoky Mountain fly fishing.

There is so much fun to be had in the North Carolina Smokies that you should do your research before arriving so you don’t miss out. Order our free travel guide, and you can begin planning right away. Download a digital copy or call 1-800-432-4678 to order.

Fishing/Hunting Guides

Fly Fishing Guide Service with an emphasis not only guiding but a high degree of personal instruction from novice to advanced. We offer something for everyone!
33 Captiva Mtn Road Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 547-0231 hightrout.com Get Directions
Rivers Edge Outfitters
River's Edge Outfitters Cherokee is located in the heart of the Smoky Mountain National Park on the Cherokee Qualla Boundary. With over 3000 miles of trout water within an hour's radius of our shop, this area boast's some of the best fly fishing on the East Coast. The Tuckasegee River, the Nantahala River, the Oconoluftee River, the Raven's Fork, and the Little Tennessee River are just a few of the river systems that we fly fish. Just a few miles from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the North Carolina side of the Smokies contains several world renown fisheries. Deep Creek, Hazel Creek, Forney Creek, Eagle Creek, Raven's Fork, and Straight Fork are just a few of the wild trout fisheries that lie on the eastern slope of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Looking for trophy trout on the fly? The Raven's Fork catch and release fly fishing only section is one of the best public trophy water fisheries in the southeast. With most trout averaging 18+ inches this fishery offers the fly fisherman the opportunity to catch trophy trout on one of the most scenic river systems in Western NC. Shop: Fishing Gear, clothing, guide trips, rods, reels, bait, flies, classes, permits, flyfishing!
61 Big Cove Road Cherokee, NC 28719 (828) 497-9300 www.wncfishing.com Get Directions