Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice at American Rivers. The Tassee area of the Greenway is just beyond Depot Street. I'm still using the lessons he taught me! Hatchery Supported Trout Waters. However, if you prefer your own equipment, please see, Do I really care about venturing out under the, Of course. The Little Tennessee River Greenway Looking for another free thing to do in Franklin, NC? May 27, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. 16 Top Lakes in Tennessee. 10 pound braided line also works well, especially when the water is stained. 210 Main Street Brook Trout: 5 per day, 14-20 inch PLR, only one fish over 20 inches may be harvested. Our North Carolina fly fishing guides provide the best customer experience in the region, and they are friendly, knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate about bringing others into the great sport of fly fishing. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Western North Carolina has a number of Tailwaters and Freestone rivers. Here are a few of our favorite companies to work with: Tuckaseegee Fly Fishing Guide. Regardless of your level of experience, you'll have a good time and learn something. Dont let the latest river news and actions pass you by. There are also several bridges and one is a very nice covered bridge. Anthony and Forrest are exceptional tour guides, perhaps the best I've ever experienced. Top draws include incredible hiking trails, secluded fishing streams, teeming wildlife, and panoramic views from lookout towers. On the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin, North Carolina, is a gateway to some of the most untouched nature in the South. Fly Fishing is fun, exciting, and very easy to learn, especially with our experienced guides at Fly Fishing the Smokies showing you the ropes! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn about upcoming events in the Bryson City area. It is also very accessible off of Needmore Road, which is a very nice hard-packed dirt road that parallels the river for many miles. Gordon is the SE Regional Coachfor the US Youth Fly Fishing Team, Copyright 2023 Turning Stone's Fly Fishing, LLC, Asheville Digital Marketing Go left for the "NOC" or Nantahala Outdoor Center, Andrews, NC and Wayah Road (another scenic drive back to Franklin, NC). I have landed bluegill, longear sunfish, rock bass, and even crappie casting small jigs and spinnerbaits. In this article I will thoroughly cover fishing the Little Tennessee River in Franklin, North Carolina. They are a treasure trove of knowledge. Return to main pagePrivacy Policy2012 Stay & Play in the Smokies. Little Tennessee River Greenway Providing a cornucopia of wildflowers and wildlife, the Little Tennessee River Greenway in Franklin, NC cuts a 13 foot wide meandering path of nearly five miles through the Town and points along the river. This place does not accept credit cards because it is free to the public. There is not a ton of holding water in this section. Directions to Nantahala Gorge for Your NC Water Adventures. I gifted my husband a fly fishing lesson with Gordon Vanderpool of Turning Stones Fly Fishing. The rafting experience features eight miles of practice on easy Class II rapids before splashing through the exciting Class III whitewater of Nantahala Falls. I regularly walk my dog here. We caught lovely brookies, rainbows, and browns all three days until our arms were exhausted. If I had to pick one lure to fish with in the Little Tennessee River, my choice would be a size 08 Rapala X-Rap Extreme Action Slashbait. The result is that the water picks up a lot of mud and carries it downstream. River Fishing; About Us; Contact Us; What is the Little Tennessee River basin? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fishinglidokey_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishinglidokey_com-leader-1-0');Smallmouth bass are the most sought after species in this section of the Little Tennessee River. The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of North Carolina Regional MLS LLC, and is updated as of 2023-02-27 20:19:39 PST. Check with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at www.ncwildlife.org for fishing regulations specific to this river. Plus, he's a fun person to spend the day with, with a clear passion for fly fishing. Give Turning Stone's a call if you're ready to take your fly-fishing techniques to the next level. 2) The Little Tennessee River, approximately 135 miles (217 km) long, rises in the Chattahoochee National Forest in north Georgia, flows north, and is joined by the Cullasaja River near Franklin, NC. For Sale. Wide slow moving water with tons of shelves and ledges make for perfect Smallmouth Bass habitat. Level Easy Paved access from the highway - Close to Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee, NC with . Every $1 donated to American Rivers goes to fight for healthy rivers and clean water, everywhere, for everyone. I passed others along the way but it wasnt crowded at all. It is his passion for his clients that makes him a fantastic instructor. Anglers tend to drive an hour to the more glamorous locations but the Little Tennessee River in this section can offer some very good fishing when conditions are right. Lake Emory is a river style lake that is long and narrow and usually has a little current. While there are hundreds of miles of Wild Trout waters, NC generously stocks Hatchery Supported waters and Delayed Harvest waters. it will be winter here. Several other rivers and lakes lie within an hour of Franklin and provide outstanding angling opportunities as well. 2016 Town of Franklin, North Carolina, Tourism Development Authority. We went there nearly every morning during our stay in Franklin. Mainspring has helped conserve more than 29,000 acres in this nationally significant region. Reelfoot Lake, just one of many lakes in Tennessee, offers bird-watching, fishing, boating and more. A wide variety of flies are productive on the river. However, if you prefer your own equipment, please see What to Bring for suggestions. These Stocking Charts are for 2020 and will updated as soon as 2021 is available. Agents, Brokers, Realtors and For Sale By Owner: Advertise Lakefront Property in NC . If the water is very clear, I will even drop down to 4 pound line. . Blount. You will still need a license and you will still need to dress for the season and you should still practice Catch and Release but you may not need to worry about your size 20 Emergers. It originates to the southeast, near Highlands, the county's only other town. Anglers targeting those fish will need to bump up the tackle and lure selection to what they would normally use for largemouth bass in other lakes. The USGS measures and reports on many - not all - rivers across the state and there are independentgroups that monitor water flows as well but knowing the amount of water currently flowing down your favorite river and if it is increasing or decreasing will make or break your day. I've fished in the West, Patagonia, and various other locations, but I've never had so much fun or caught so many fish in all my years of fly fishing. Access to this portion of the river is a bit limited, though better than it used to be. Turning Stone's guides are fantastic tour leaders. However, most of the fish are modest size and I just accepted if I hook a very large fish and cant handle it. We went fly fishing in Cherokee with Turning Stone's. Be sure to visit the Friends of the Greenway website for more information. There are several sections to it, each has it's own entrance and parking area. They contacted us the night before to confirm and get measurements for boots and waders. Did you know that while white water rafting in North Carolina youll likely see Olympic hopefuls training for kayaking? The Little Tennessee River, known locally as "The LT", it is a beautiful little river and has perfect habitat for smallmouth bass and other species. Special Trout Regulations. . What attractions are near Little Tennessee River Greenway? Due to the swift, shallow water in the section, anglers must vary there lure selection and techniques just a bit. There are many other entrance points and amenities, including a mountain bike trail, a historic steel suspension bridge, a butterfly garden, and much more. I enjoyed taking a job through here. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. This stretch of the Little Tennessee River between Franklin and Lake Fontana offers anglers some fantastic smallmouth bass action! However, with an average January high of 47 degrees and average low of 29, it is nothing like a New England winter. Waterfront property at its best! A bonus is that Mrs. Lois Restaurant is next to one of the parking area, so before or after your walk you can have a delicious meal. Sanderstown Rd./NC Hwy 28 & Iotla Bridge: From intersection of Main Street and Depot Street (Adjacent to "Hot Spot") in Franklin, take "Riverview Road" North to N.C. Hwy-28 North for 4.5 miles to "Iotla Bridge" crossing the Little Tennessee River. Take this gravel road down to the river for numerous fishing opportunities. With so many outdoors activities in Franklin to choose from, adventure awaits around every corner! North Carolina Game and Fish has named the Nantahala River one of North Carolinas ten best trout streams. 3. Jigs and other deeper running lures can be used in the slower, deeper pools. Big Bear Park on East Main Street is a popular destination featuring Wesleys Playground. Smoky Mountains Vacation- Sylva,Bryson City,Franklin,Highlands,Cashiers,Cherokee, NC, Categories: Scenic Drives, Fall Foliage - western North Carolina. Its home to 35 fish, mussel, or crayfish species considered rare at the state or federal level, including fish like the Citico darter and Smoky madtom and Little Tennessee crayfish, which isnt found anyhere else in the world. By the way, the visitors center is very nice and they are very pleasant and helpful. Despite having some fly fishing experience, I contacted Turning Stone's to learn how to become a better angler and catch more trout! The lower section is free-flowing and is the quintessential smallmouth bass stream and this is the section that most anglers fish. What hotels are near Little Tennessee River Greenway? The variety really is part of the fun of fishing this stretch of the Little Tennessee River! Water quality is excellent throughout the majority of the basin, and the Little T provides clean drinking water to surrounding municipalities, including Franklin, Sylva and Cherokee, a reservation that is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, numbering more than 13,000, and stewarding the areas rich natural resources. This is a popular trail for birding, fishing, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Photos provided by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Timeless Moments Imaging, and Barbara Moore. 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