From time to time, we have promotions on fly fishing vacations, film tours, and fly fishing videos. Discover genuine guest reviews for River Front Log Cabin Fishing, Floating and Fun - On the Little Tennessee River along with the latest prices and availability - book now. He also lives part time in the North Carolina mountains where he fishes for trout and other species. However, with an average January high of 47 degrees and average low of 29, it is nothing like a New England winter. This Greenway is located just outside of the city of Franklin proper. The river is near the town of Franklin, NC, about an hour drive from the Brookings shop in Cashiers. We highly recommend The Little Tennessee River in the Franklin NC area for it's outstanding Small Mouth Bass fishing opportunities as well as it's recreational values. Jerk baits, top water plugs, small crank baits, spinner baits, and a 1/8 ounce jig with a curly tail grub are excellent lures for the section. Anglers who venture a ways up stream will find the current speed increase as they do so. Mist clings to the peaks and snakes through the valleys like smoke from a warm campfire. 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. The rafting experience features eight miles of practice on easy Class II rapids before splashing through the exciting Class III whitewater of Nantahala Falls. It also has a few musky left over in the lower reaches. There is also a stretch of water in the town of Franklin that has been stocked with several hundred musky the last two years. It eventually empties into the Tennessee River, after creating huge Fontana Lake. 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. This stretch of gravel and paved road connects Macon County and Swain County. It is small enough to catch numbers while large enough to entice larger fish. After moving to Sarasota in 1986 and earning his United States Coast Guard license, he began guiding full time. Back to top There isn't another option. Rainbow and brown trout live in the river all year, with spring runs of walleye and white bass providing plenty of action before the smallmouth start showing up in mid-May. Unfortunately, lake fish rarely move out into the rivers according to fishery biologists. Take advantage of this printable map of the region highlighting the different Managed Waters. In this article I will thoroughly cover fishing the Little Tennessee River in Franklin, North Carolina. Discover the enchanting effect for yourself for a white water rafting North Carolina experience unlike any other! - Go Tubing along the Little Tennessee River from your back yard, or for adventure try White Water Rafting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center just 30 minutes away - Try your hand at Gem mining right here in Franklin - The Gem Capital of the World. On the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin, North Carolina, is a gateway to some of the most untouched nature in the South. Yes. Your Guides will have everything you need but if you want to plan your trip or be prepared with your own favorites, Yes. The Little Tennessee River originates in the North Georgia Mountains near the town of Clayton in Rabun County. Adventures await you in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains of Franklin, NC. Cross the bridge and bear to the right for another 1.2 miles to "Needmore Road" on your right. It also has a few musky left over in the lower reaches. The views were beautiful and I enjoyed the scenery while running. We rented a cabin in the mountains for a month, but there was no good walking near it. Little Tennessee River Tubing, Franklin, NCAugust 5th, 2012 Fishing for panfish can be very productive! So, if you're staying in the Frankln area, makes sure to take full advantage of what the Little Tennessee River has to offer. Great place to take a walk or run. Even the shallow running jerk baits that I prefer can get hung up quite a bit. They are a treasure trove of knowledge. Its home to dozens of waterfalls and miles of hiking and biking trails. Another attraction is the Little Tennessee River Greenway, a 6.1-mile out-and-back trail enjoyed by Franklin residents and tourists. The Little Tennessee River originates in the North Georgia mountains and then flows North through the town of Franklin, North Carolina before being impounded by Lake Emory. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. |. Fly Fishing for Largemouth Bass in Florida. Lake Emory is full of yellow perch and panfish! 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. If there is one downside to fishing the Little Tennessee River, is that it tends to get muddy easily and takes quite a while to clear up. For the most part, I use very light spinning tackle. Reflecting the extraordinarily rich diversity of the Franklin, North Carolina landscape, visitors can experience wetlands, stroll through two railroad cuts left behind by the Tallulah Falls Railroad, wander alongside an old pasture, catch sight of the desert agave, and experience the upland woods. . 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. However, if you prefer your own equipment, please see, Do I really care about venturing out under the, Of course. The Tassee shelter off of the Greenway is an excellent launching spot for canoes and kayaks. Gordon Vanderpool took two complete novices and taught us a lot! There are a few playgrounds along the route. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. In the upper reaches, the Little Tennessee River is not much more than a stream with limited access. I used the knowledge Gordon gave me to go out on my own a few days later on a lesser stream and noticed immediate results. Pending availability, waders are available for FREE. It has smallmouth bass, crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, red eye bass, walleye, brown trout, and steelhead in the late winter months! It DOES get cold and anchor ice DOES form on occasionso be prepared with your, Learn about the regulations, requirements and costs and purchase your license. Knowing zero about fly fishing, I called Turning Stone and spoke with Gordon Vanderpool, the owner and lead guide. Be aware that the river runs through a mixture of Forest Service property and private lands. For more information, contact: Turning Stone's was a delight to work with and was very accommodating when it came to making reservations. Four rivers, the New, French Broad, Little Tennessee and Hiwassee rivers are ranked as NC's best smallmouth streams. Caney Fork River: Center Hill Dam to Cumberland River, including tributaries Total daily creel of all trout (rainbow, brown and brook) in combination is 5 fish. They provide access points from the northern border to the southern border of Macon County. Franklin is a town in Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina, United States, within the Nantahala National Forest. There is a very nice trail, that goes all the way to the Franklin Library, follows the river and then across two bridges before heading up then down a trail that finally ends up near the Library and the public cabbage patch. This lure allows anglers to cover a lot of water in search of fish. Turning Stone's Fly Fishing's personal instruction helped me put all the pieces together and improve my game!! These are Rapala jerk baits in the 08 size, a small top water plug such as the Heddon Tiny Torpedo, the legendary Rebel Wee Craw, inline spinners such as Mepps and Rooster Tail spinners, small spinner baits including the Johnson Beetle spin, and a variety of soft plastic baits fished on a light jig head. The Little Tennessee is a fun river to fish because you really never know what you may feel tugging at the end of your fly rod. The Little Tennessee River offers some of the best Smallmouth Bass Fishing in the south! I am going to break down the Little Tennessee River into three sections; the upper section, Lake Emory, and the lower section. He grew up in Maryland, fishing the Chesapeake Bay waters. The tactic that I primarily use is to go up river of the area I want to fish then let the current drift me down while using the trolling motor to correct my position. If you want to have a fun and challenging experience, Gordon and his team will make sure your day matches your experience while passing on his incredible knowledge. All Rights Reserved. All properties are subject to prior sale, change, or withdrawal. We went fly fishing in Cherokee with Turning Stone's. Fishing during periods of high, dirty water is not only generally unproductive, it can be downright unsafe. There is not a ton of holding water in this section. Try this 6.1-mile out-and-back trail near Franklin, North Carolina. Your Guides will have rods, reels and flies and, with some advanced planning, waders. Little Tennessee River offers a great setting for multi-day adventures. Spotted bass are also present, along with largemouth bass. The Little Tennessee drains portions of three national forestsChattahoochee, Nantahala, and Cherokee, and provides the southwestern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. The result is that the water picks up a lot of mud and carries it downstream. 4 acres (SIP) with a rushing Mountain Creek in the heart of the foothills ONLY $17,900! The section upriver of Franklin goes through quite a bit of flatland areas. The path is wide, mostly paved; grass was mowed and there was no trash anywhere! Probably, yes. The 24-mile reach of the the river from Franklin to Fontana Reservoir is believed to contain all aquatic wildlife present prior to colonializations effects. Fishing In Townsend Fly Little River Permit Information The river almost always has some current, often slow and easy. 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