We also fish the Little Tennesess River for smallmouth bass in the summer months. So during those times trout are heavily stocked by the state and spawning in the late summer and early fall, to prevent the population from being overfished by the time summer rolls around, Delayed Harvest Waters are established. There are several outfitters that offer guided float trip on the Tuckasegee. Purchase a Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Permit, Come fish on the Tuckasegee! If you have ever vacationed in the mountains you probably thought to yourself, “I wish I could. Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report; Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report Only a short drive from Asheville, it offers easy stream access. The Tuckasegee has earned its spot on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, a combination of rivers that are must-stops for any angler. Below the headwaters to Tanasee Lake, the Tuckasegee has fair to good populations of wild brown and rainbow trout. Every year the mountains are ablaze with autumn colors and sunshine, while a cool mountain breeze floats through hills pleading for you to come enjoy the outdoors. Only an hour outside of Asheville, all four sections of the Tuckasegee River are included on the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, five if you count the West Tuck - and there are only 15 spots on the trail list! Come carve out your home by the river at Cullowhee. Learn more about NC wildlife laws and regulations or you can purchase one from the, Waterways on the Qualla Boundary, Cherokee reservation, are considered sovereign Cherokee Tribal Territory and as such require a separate tribal fishing permit. Tanasee Lake is the first in a close series of three impoundments, followed by Bear Creek Lake and Cedar Cliff Lake. Lots of easy ‘pull off’ access along the 10 mile stretch from Hwy 117. It is even more important for those building. In other words, this river has a lot to offer. With the Dillsboro Dam gone, most of the river is wadable from the junction of the East and West forks to Dillsboro, even during periods of power generation. Delayed Harvest Water regulations are designed to extend the fishing season for all anglers by keeping the amount of fish to catch available longer. We floated a section of the Tuckasegee River between Barkers Creek and Whittier. Fly Fishing the Tuckaseegee River . Made up of 17 cities, visitors and residents can fish in the trout streams that run through any of these counties with a 3-day fishing permit for only $5, no other permit required including a NC fishing license. It is also a chance for more advanced fishermen to learn the hot spots, and river hatches, spots where the insects that fish eat hatch and the fish tend to migrate, on the Tuckasegee River. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of Bryson City, North Carolina lies the Tuckasegee River. The Tuckasegee River is filled with various types of fish for you to try your hand at catching. Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. We snapped a few pictures and the smallie was released to fight another day. Hatchery Supported Trout waters have fewer regulations because they are stocked periodically. The Nantahala River runs through the Nantahala Gorge and is the tailwater to the Lake Nantahala. This river is Hatchery Supported and is seldom fished. We offer Guided Fly Fishing Float Trips on both the Bryson City and Sylva, North Carolina stretches of this river during North Carolina’s Delayed Harvest Season (Oct 1 – Jun 1). This beautiful river starts above Cullowhee towards Cashiers, North Carolina, and flows over 50 miles through Sylva, Dillsboro and Bryson City before finally pouring into Fontana Lake. We went north of Dillsboro, off highway 74, yesterday to try our hand wading for smallmouths in the Tuckasegee River. Today, I guided Clarence and John from Pensacola, FL on a half day float trip. Take a trip and fall in love with all of the outdoor activities Western North Carolina has to offer. The Tuckasegee can be waded or fished from a raft.