WNC Fishing Update
As the weather starts to warm up, my thoughts wander outside to the summer and my time on the creek. Unfortunately, most creeks in Graham County (as well as the region) are closed during the month of March for stocking by the NC Wildlife Commission. The season will officially reopen the first Saturday of April.
According to the schedule here, Graham County is due for over 10,000 trout this month, more than most other counties in the area. Check out the map here (listed under Seasons/Stocking) for more stocking schedules around Western North Carolina.
If you can't shake the itch and need to go wet a line before the first Saturday in April, you have to head to Native Waters, such as Big Snowbird Creek above the junction. You could also fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which does not have a closed season. More information can be found here or here.
According to the schedule here, Graham County is due for over 10,000 trout this month, more than most other counties in the area. Check out the map here (listed under Seasons/Stocking) for more stocking schedules around Western North Carolina.
If you can't shake the itch and need to go wet a line before the first Saturday in April, you have to head to Native Waters, such as Big Snowbird Creek above the junction. You could also fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which does not have a closed season. More information can be found here or here.
I am very excited about fishing in Graham county this year! We have typically done our fishing in Transylvania County and east to Burke County, but none any further west than that. We are trying to plan a quick backpacking/flyfishing trip to Big Snowbird Creek. Any suggestions? I commented on your other blog post about Big Snowbird Creek about camping sites on the creek. Any insight into that would be very helpful! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect time to head to Big Snowbird. My recommendations would depend on how many people you would have with you.
ReplyDeleteFor a big group (5+), I would say camp at one of the established sites along the dirt road before the Junction. These sites have been worked on lately and have fire pits, picnic tables, the works.
For fewer people, park at the junction and head up the trail that parallels the creek. The first camp site will be on the right only about a mile up. For better fishing, I recommend hiking on up to where Sassafras creek runs into Big Snowbird and camp there. This is a great base camp where you can fish the main creek (browns and rainbows from here to the Big Falls) or fish Sassafras (rainbows to the falls, then specks above). You could even walk up the main creek about a mile to the Big Falls and then fish the speck water on up to the Middle Falls.
If you do head to Snowbird, a few suggestions. Make sure to watch the weather and be prepared for temps about 5-10 degrees lower than predicted for other places due to the altitude. Also, if you make a fire remember it is illegal to cut down live trees. Game wardens are usually around, especially on weekends, so follow regulations closely (7 inch minimum, 4 fish per person per day, single hook artificial lures only). The fish can be picky, but a Royal Wulff, Adams or Caddis pattern usually have some luck.
Hope all this helps and that you enjoy your time in Graham County. If you like it, spread the word...we love to share the beauty of our area!
Ben
Oh, another thing about fishing/camping.
ReplyDeleteIf you do camp along the road, this is the area that is stocked so the regulations are more relaxed (7 fish per day, no size limit, artificial or live bait). The creek is also bigger here, so fly fishing is easier too. The downside is that it's easier to get to, so there's more traffic. But I like this part of the creek for an easy day and plenty of fish to catch. Enjoy!