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River guide · North Carolina

Fly Fishing the Nantahala River

The Nantahala Gorge produces some of the most consistent fishing in western North Carolina. Cold releases from Nantahala Lake keep the lower river fly-fishable year-round and the tailwater section around Wesser holds impressive brown and rainbow trout. The river's blue-winged olive hatch is arguably the most reliable dry-fly opportunity in the Southern Appalachians.

7 shops nearby

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When to fish

Year-round

Best months: year-round

Best

Blue Quill / Quill Gordon: March. March Brown / Hendrickson / Black Caddis: April.

Today's conditions

Where to fish

Along the Nantahala River

Lackey Hill1 shopBryson City2 shops

Wright Place1 shopCherokee;ᏣᎳᎩ1 shop

The lower Nantahala (the main tailwater fishery) is accessed via Wayah Road and at the Duke Energy powerhouse area near Wesser. This gorge section flows below Nantahala Lake and holds the trophy trout; water temperatures are governed by dam releases. Designated Delayed Harvest and Wild Trout sections have specific regulations: check NCWRC before fishing.

The water

Tailwater

Key hatches

Blue Quill / Quill Gordon
March Brown / Hendrickson / Black Caddis
Blue-winged Olive
Yellow Sally / Little Yellow Stonefly
Terrestrials

Conditions

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6-day forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service ↗

Key hatches

Blue Quill / Quill Gordon (March)
March Brown / Hendrickson / Black Caddis (April)
Blue-winged Olive (year-round, most consistent hatch)
Yellow Sally / Little Yellow Stonefly (May–mid-July)
Terrestrials — ants, hoppers (summer)

Fly shops near the Nantahala River

Shops and guides that fish the Nantahala River. See all 28 North Carolina shops →

7 fly shops shownNantahala River at Wright Place

Species on this water

Trout Bass Carp Panfish

Nearby towns

Wright Place Bryson City Lackey Hill

Rivers nearby

Tuckasegee River Soque River Toccoa River Watauga River

From The Fly Bench

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