Dashboards and Saddlebags the Destination Magazine™ Issue 025 April 2013 | Page 12

Cast Your Line On
The Nation’s First
Fly Fishing Trail
W
ith more than 3,000 miles
of trout streams and 1,100
miles of hatchery-supported
trout waters in the mountains
alone, North Carolina is a fly
fishing haven. It is also the first
and only place in the nation
with a designated fly fishing trail.
The Western North Carolina Fly
Fishing Trail takes anglers to 15
prime spots in the Great Smoky
Mountains to catch trout. Trail
sites feature a variety of options
ranging from wide-open rivers to
small, secluded streams. The Trail
website also includes information
on licensing, guide services and
accommodations for visitors
ready to take to the water. The
trail was designed by two outdoorsmen and fly fishing guides.
Fly fishing is popular throughout
the mountain and foothill regions
of North Carolina. Several
mountain communities offer community fishing programs with
rod and reel ‘loaner’ programs

Jackson County Chamber of Commerce

VisitNC.com - Bill Russ
for first-timers and novices. The
state’s wildlife commission also
conducts annual fly fishing clinics
for beginners.

#11
Project 543 tells the story of unique
spots across North Carolina we hope
will become some of your favorite
places. Why 543? Because that’s the
number of miles from Manteo, on the
coast, to Murphy, in the mountains,
and is traditionall