I need some specific advice if anyone has any to offer. I’m planning a hike in the A.T. in March and wanted to know if any of you had done this before. I am looking to plan my trip to where we cross streams or rivers where we can try our luck with the long rod… We will bring light spinning gear also but you can’t beat a 5 weight on a nice trout up there. I have fly-fished in N. Georgia before with a guide but me and a few buddies are looking to go out on our own for a couple of days and cover about a 10-15 mile stretch. Anyone know any specific spans of the A.T. that could offer some good fly opportunities?
The AT passes right through Natahala River. WNC part. This is a great refueling, take a breather place. You have the river, Natahala Outdoor Camping store, River’s End rest. Can’t beat the Natahala Gorge sub. You can fish the Natahala River.
Depending on when you go and the Tenn Valley Authorities decision on river flow times you may encounter quite a few rafters and kayakers during the middle of the day.
I found the best time to fish is during early evening. River traffic is low and water level is slowing to find good tide pools and feeding lanes.
Just north of the Natahala is Fontana, and AT actually crosses at the dam. There are some trails that follow the lake, and you also come near Natahala Lake, and then the Little Tennessee.
I’ve done Newfound Gap to Fontana a few times, but don’t remember any decent streams before the lake. Thunderhead is a great spot on that route, doesn’t have all the traffic that Cligman’s has. I never gone south of Fontana, but it’s something I may need to consider.
I’ve paddle the Natahala, and the Little Tennessee. The LT is the stream I’d fish, if I could only fish one of the two. It is wider, more shallow, less people, and very receptive to wading.
Sounds like a great trip. Don’t forget to fill us in on the details when you get back.
there are some beautiful streams flowing into fontana-many of which hold some nice brookies. if it wasent 2am id be able to tell ya…get back to ya when memory returns
What you are thinking of are eagle, hazal, and I belive forney creek.
I have hiked up hazel and eagle by using the shuttle. But i am almost sure the at crosses way up on the ridgeline, I mean a serious hike down. Look at your map.
Another place to look that is gorgeous is the where the at goes through mount rodgers in va. Lots of brookie streams.
You should really try to hit some parts of Fontana then…even if you have to rent one of the Carolina Skiffs at the marina. The walleye and smallies should be off the hook at that time of year. Fontana holds some big walleye that should be moving up to shallow water then. Good luck.
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