BRYSON CITY, NORTH CAROLINA
Photos courtesy of Wythe and Smyth County.
WYTHE AND SMYTH COUNTIES, VIRGINIA From mountain rivers to scenic lakes, the waters of Wythe and Smyth counties are the perfect getaway in Southwest Virginia. Explore the deep pools and scattered islands of the New River. With six different ramps, choose your trip length and float the river south to north as you fish for walleye, smallmouth bass, and musky. Rent kayaks and canoes for the day from New River Trail State Park. Get out on the headwaters of the South Fork Holston River in search of brown and rainbow trout. The Middle Fork offers a variety of fishing opportunities, including redbreast sunfish, rock back, and bluegills. Private trophy trout fishing is available along Cripple Creek. Hungry Mother State Park, one of the six original Virginia parks, encompasses a 108-acre lake filled with a dozen species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass. After a morning on the water, take to the 17 miles of trails in the park by foot or bike to see more of the area. The boat ramp at Rural Retreat Lake is open year-round, 24-hours a day. Stock up with bait and tackle before casting your line for musky, northern pike, sunfish, and more. A small pond
next to the lake is stocked with trout. Both lakes also have camping onsite for an extended trip. If you are new to the area, consider hiring a local guide to show you around. With over the 30 years of experience, book a float trip on the New River with Appalachian Outdoor Adventures. Chase smallmouth bass, musky, and wild trout through the mountain streams with Matt Reilly Fly Fishing. Whether you’re looking to get 4 hours on the water or multiple days, New River Trips LLC can get you out there. Trips with Greasy Creek Outfitters include all of the equipment you’ll need on the water. At the end of a long day, head to Seven Sisters Brewery or 7 Dogs Brewpub for a cold one. Take in an evening show at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre or the Historic Lincoln Theater. Check into the Bolling Wilson Hotel, a boutique hotel in downtown Wytheville, for a comfy room, full-service restaurant, and a rooftop bar. Or wind down at the General Francis Marion Hotel and grab a bite to eat at their Speakeasy Gastropub. Spend your days on the water when you visit Wytheville and Smyth County, Virginia.
The New River is one of the oldest in the world, and holds several state records for musky, smallmouth, and walleye.
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the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas. Fly Fishing the Smokies will introduce you to delayed Discover the trout waters of Bryson harvest fishing on the Tuckasegee River. Fish the smallmouth bass City, N.C., the fly fishing capital of the sanctuary on the Little Tennessee South. Explore hundreds of miles of with guides from Tuckaseegee Fly native trout streams, four rivers, and Shop. A popular trip with Fontana two lakes in the area. Guides includes Cherokee’s trophy Find a spot to cast your line on the trout section. Located right on the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Nantahala River, Endless rivers, both named a Top River Adventures has a 100 Trout River by trip for everyone, Trout Unlimited. A 2.2-mile section of including the fastThe Tuckasegee moving cascades flows right the Tuckasegee River on the Upper through town, through Bryson City Nantahala. so it’s just a is designated delayed When you short drive or harvest waters with get off the walk to local one of the highest water, stop by restaurants the Fly Fishing and amenities. trout count totals per Museum of Spend mile of any stream the Southern your days in the U.S. Appalachians to surrounded by learn about legendary the Great Smoky “Stream Blazers,” the Mountains National Park evolution of rods and reels, types and Nantahala National Forest of gear, and fly tying. View the at Fontana Lake. It is the fourth diversity of the Southern waters at deepest man-made lake in the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium. the country at more than 400 feet Of the many regional fish, amphibian, and features some of the best and reptile species, the aquarium walleye, musky, and smallmouth bass includes two Hellbenders. These fishing around. ancient and protected salamanders Experience the world class live in a 450-gallon tank, the largest in scenery and fishing of Deep Creek the Southeast. and Hazel Creek. The Raven Fork If you are in the mood for more Trophy Section, a 2.2-mile stretch of creek located on the Cherokee Indian trout, The Fryemont Inn and Everett Hotel serve trout prepared several Reservation, is home to the biggest different ways. Kick back and relax trout in the Smokies. with a cold beer at Nantahala Whether you are new to fly Brewing Company or Mountain fishing or are looking to find the Layers Brewing Company at the end best local spots, there are several of a long day. outfitters in town who can help you out with any wade or float trip in GREATSMOKIES.COM Photo by Fly Fishing The Smokies.