The Raven Fork / Trophy Trout Fly Fishing Only Section is home to the biggest trout in the Smokies. You can expect to catch rainbow, and brown trout that exceed 20 inches, some measuring in the mid-30-inch range. Oftentimes anglers fishing this section will catch the trout of a lifetime.
Oconaluftee & Raven Fork Rivers FishingThe Oconaluftee River in Cherokee is a large-size freestone creek featuring brown trout, rainbows, brookies and palominos. It is stocked twice each week by the Tribe’s hatchery. There is easy access along the entire length of the river. Cherokee maintains areas from which to access the river to fish, including an island park, handicap access locations, and numerous access points with ample parking.
Raven Fork as it flows through the Qualla Boundary is stocked twice each week with rainbow, brown and brook trout, Donaldson strain rainbow trout, and palomino trout. There is great roadside access and easy wading.
The Raven Fork / Trophy Trout Fly Fishing Only Section is home to the biggest trout in the Smokies. You can expect to catch rainbow, and brown trout that exceed 20 inches, some measuring in the mid-30-inch range. Oftentimes anglers fishing this section will catch the trout of a lifetime. Access is great, and wading is easy to moderate.
Trophy Waters — A 2.2-mile portion of Raven Fork is set aside for catch-and-release fishing. This stretch, which runs north from where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses Raven Fork, offers deep, inviting pools alongside riffles, runs, and pocket waters. A special permit is required.
• Tackle is limited to fly rods, reels, and line with a maximum of 18 feet of leader material or mono-filament line attached.
• Only artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic material on a single, barbless hook are permitted.
Only one single-hook fly per line is permitted.
Fishing with multiple flies attached to a single line (droppers) is permitted.
Oconaluftee & Raven Fork Rivers FishingThe Oconaluftee River in Cherokee is a large-size freestone creek featuring brown trout, rainbows, brookies and palominos. It is stocked twice each week by the Tribe’s hatchery. There is easy access along the entire length of the river. Cherokee maintains areas from which to access the river to fish, including an island park, handicap access locations, and numerous access points with ample parking.
Raven Fork as it flows through the Qualla Boundary is stocked twice each week with rainbow, brown and brook trout, Donaldson strain rainbow trout, and palomino trout. There is great roadside access and easy wading.
The Raven Fork / Trophy Trout Fly Fishing Only Section is home to the biggest trout in the Smokies. You can expect to catch rainbow, and brown trout that exceed 20 inches, some measuring in the mid-30-inch range. Oftentimes anglers fishing this section will catch the trout of a lifetime. Access is great, and wading is easy to moderate.
Trophy Waters — A 2.2-mile portion of Raven Fork is set aside for catch-and-release fishing. This stretch, which runs north from where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses Raven Fork, offers deep, inviting pools alongside riffles, runs, and pocket waters. A special permit is required.
• Tackle is limited to fly rods, reels, and line with a maximum of 18 feet of leader material or mono-filament line attached.
• Only artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic material on a single, barbless hook are permitted.
Only one single-hook fly per line is permitted.
Fishing with multiple flies attached to a single line (droppers) is permitted.
Fishing Access Type:
Boat No
Kayak No
Wading Yes
Safe Wading Levels can be assessed via:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/03512000/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D
Fishing Style: (Match the Hatch)
Nymph
Dry Fly
Spinner Fall
Terrestrials
Streamers
Nymph
Dry Fly
Spinner Fall
Terrestrials
Streamers
Equipment:
4wt to 6wt rod
4wt to 6wt rod
Flies: Hatch Chart
Water Flow: Data
Species:
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Palomino Trout
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Palomino Trout
Misc. Information:
Fishing License
Fishing License
