Cherokee Fly Fishing - Click to visit

The earliest Cherokee fishers were skilled trappers. They constructed underwater raceways or stone weirs to collect and harvest the native sicklefin redhorse, brook trout, and other fish in large baskets. The dried and smoked meat was preserved as a winter food staple. Today, the tribe’s Enterprise Waters, overseen by the Fisheries and Wildlife Management, are legendary for large fish and a full-limit catch – limit is 10 fish per day, per permit. Fishing styles include short rod spin & bait fishers, handy to penetrate some of the heavily forested banks and fly fishers, who share a growing preference for the catch & release lifestyle.

Catch & Release:
The Parkway Haven is a portion of the Raven Fork set aside for catch and release fishing. This 2.2-mile stretch of water, which runs north from where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses the Raven Fork, offers inviting deep pools alongside riffles, runs, and pocket waters.

Releasing Trout:
Trout are delicate and likely to be weakened after a fight. Handle hooked fish gently with pre-wet hands, being careful not to remove the protective slick outer coating. Remove the hook carefully, preferably using forceps, to avoid damage to the fish and minimize the time your fish is out of the water. After removing the hook, gently cradle the trout, facing upstream, giving it support until it regains enough stability and strength to swim away on its own power.