Trout fishing in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene
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State hatchery workers stock trout in the Davidson River last year, a few months before Hurricane Helene. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Anadolu via Getty Images)
For well over 350,000 people per year, the first few cool days in fall signal it's time to plan a trout fishing trip in the southern Appalachians of North Carolina.
Why it matters: Trout fishing in western North Carolina generates around $1.4 billion in annual economic impact, the state estimated in 2023.
- The best fishing happens outside the hot summer months, since trout need cold water to survive.
Yes, but: Destruction from Hurricane Helene has limited tourism for the past year.
- "All the little mountain towns" need folks to book trips to help make up for the past year's losses, says Matt Canter, owner of Brookings Anglers guide service and fly shop in Cashiers.
- Gov. Josh Stein has been pushing the same message, frequently posting on social media that western North Carolina is open for business. "Have fun and spend a lot of money," the governor encouraged again Tuesday.
Flashback: Landslides and flooding from Hurricane Helene disturbed rivers throughout the mountains, and also killed 600,000 fish being reared at one of the state's coldwater hatcheries.
- The storm's impact on fisheries is still being studied.
Zoom in: Springtime is most flyfishers' favorite time of year, but this fall is looking busy too, guides tell Axios.
- Since it's their spawning season, "fall is a great time for brown trout," says Del Munro, who works for Davidson River Outfitters in Brevard. He says the waters have started to cool down earlier than in recent years.
- Meanwhile, Canter says it "looks like everybody who didn't come this spring is looking to come this fall."
Zoom in: Many of North Carolina's rivers and streams' wild trout populations are supplemented by stocking programs. Brook trout are native, but nonnatives like rainbows and brown trout do well here, too.
- The state's so-called "delayed harvest" trout season begins Oct. 1, signaling prime time for catching (and releasing) large fish.
- And the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians stock waters in the Qualla Boundary.
Between the lines: This is a good year to go.
- A $40 million renovation begins next year at the state's largest trout hatchery, located inside Pisgah National Forest.
- While it's under construction, 65% fewer trout will be stocked, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission anticipates.
If you go: Send us your fish pics! There are plenty of spots, four or five hours from Raleigh.
- Don't hesitate to rely on the state's list of delayed harvest waters for ideas of where to fish. You can purchase a recreational fishing license online.
- Plenty of blogs have great recommendations, too. On Cherokee land, Fly Fishing Smoky Mountains says Raven Fork, stocked by the Cherokee, is "nothing short of incredible" if you're willing to make the trek in.
