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trout fishing in cherokee nc

Posted by on February 1, 2014

Guided fly fishing and spin fishing trips in Cherokee, NC.

The nearby Oconaluftee River flows out of the Smoky Mountains National Park through beautiful historic Cherokee N. C. home to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The Oconaluftee River is a freestone river that begins life high up in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Many small feeder streams make up this beautiful river, to form one of the largest rivers that flows inside park boundaries.

Release shot of a large rainbow on Ravens Fork

Once outside the park, the “Luftee” as us locals refer to it, flows inside the Qualla Boundary where it’s waters are stocked with numerous healthy Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout. The Cherokee Indians are long know for taking care of their natural resources, and the Oconoluftee is no exception. The Tribe stocks the Oconoluftee River and other streams located on the Qualla Boundary twice a week, so there is no shortage on trout in the waters of the Oconoluftee. The Tribe does offer fishing permits, and the daily creel limit is 10 fish with no size restriction. The previous North Carolina State Record Brown Trout came from the waters of the Luftee weighing in at 15 lbs 9oz!

Large Rainbow on Ravens Fork in Cherokee, NC

Large Rainbow on Ravens Fork in Cherokee, NC

The relatively new designation of the Cherokee Catch and Release waters on the Raven Fork offer yet another wonderful fishing opportunity. Fishaverage about 20 inches on this 2.2 mile stretch of water. Managed by Cherokee Fish and Game, the regulations are different from the state of North Carolina. Please be sure to visit out Regulations tab for more information.

Trophy Rainbow

Large Rainbow on the Cherokee Trophy Waters

Our lead guide, Jason Cole, is a member of the Eastern Band of Cheorkee Indians.  Growing up in Cherokee, Jason  has been fishing these waters since he was a young kid.  He has a vast knowledge of the 30 miles of streams located on the Cherokee Reservation.  From the smaller streams of Bunches Creek and Soco Creek to the larger streams of Raven Fork and the Oconaluftee, Jason has fished these waters for over 30 years.  He has also guided hundreds of clients on these waters over the past 9 seasons.  It would be tough to find a more experienced guide for these waters.

Nice Trophy Rainbow from Raven Fork

Outside of the trophy waters on Ravens Fork Cherokee has close to 30 more miles of stream to choose from.  From the smallest stream, Bunches Creek to Soco Creek and the Lower Oconaluftee.  Our guides cover all of these areas on our 1/2, 3/4 and full day trips.

Grady with a nice Palomino

Use the convenient form below to book a trip or inquire about our services and one of our employees will contact you in less than 24 hours to confirm the trip.  In the message line list the type of trip, length, number of anglers and the date of the trip.

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