North Carolina Spring Trip 2025

April 9, 2025- April 12, 2025

Location: Dillsboro, NC

Dates: April 9th – 12th, 2025 (Wed thru Sat)

Coordinators:
Michael Broome  mbroome@derbycityflyfishing.com, 502-649-8967

Steve Kuric stevek@derbycityflyfishers.com 812-457-2368

Sean Chandler sean@derbycityflyfishers.com 502-299-5187

Level 2 Trip – You Should be able to manage your leader and tippet and tie-on flies.  You should also be able to cast at least 30 feet. This is a wading trip and some of the wading can be moderately challenging. A wading staff is highly recommended, and many past participants use studded wading boots.

Number of spots 20

Equipment: 3-6 wt rods, floating lines, #8-14 nymphs, #10-12 bead head crackle backs, midges, egg patterns, mop flies, Chicago Flies (white, black, and olive), woolly buggers and misc. other streamers. Don’t forget your waders, net, wading staff & boots.

A NC fishing license is required.  As of Sept 2019, a Trout Stamp is no longer required. Click here to purchase.

We have also acquired a map of local access points. Click here to view.

Outing Details: We’ll be staying in the Dillsboro, NC area to trout fish in several of the delayed harvest (i.e., catch and release) streams in the area. The Tuckasegee River, West Fork of the Pigeon River, the Upper Nantahala River, Laurel River, and the Davidson River, and the  are all within a 1-hour drive of Dillsboro. These rivers provide some of the best fishing in the area. Past trips have produced a very successful catch with fish in the 17–20-inch range being common.

*** Construction Alert*** Due to the recent damage from Hurricane Helene, and the subsequent flooding, has Interstate 40 closed until 2028, a suggested route would be going through the Smokey Mountains National Park via HW, 441, exiting off of I-40 at Highway 66 to 441 through the park, exiting to Cherokee to Highway 74 East to and Dillsboro-Silva. UPDATE The I-40 corridor is scheduled to reopen 3.1.2025 to one lane each way with a 40 mph speed limit. So it may be a way to access the Shelton Laurel and Hot Springs area.

Lodging: You will be responsible for making your own lodging arrangements. I have negotiated a block of rooms at the Best Western Plus River Escape Inn & Suites, NC, Address: 248 WBI Dr., Dillsboro, NC 28725. 828-586-6060.  When booking your room at the Best Western https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.34143.html?groupId=B31VM2I1 ( double occupancy, 2-queen beds) be sure to tell them you are with the DCFF club for the special room rate (to be negotiated) for Wednesday through Friday nights. (The group discount expires the 25th of March)

UPDATE: The North Carolina WRC announced they will be stocking the Tuckasegee river April 1-4, in Jackson County, literally from the parking lot of our motel. (this could make things much more interesting!

Meals: You will be responsible for all meals. A hot breakfast is included in the hotel cost with your stay. We are planning on a carry out dinner at the hotel for two nights from a local restaurant for those that are interested.

Guided Fishing: If you are interested in a wading or float guided trip, Maggie Valley Fly Shop is offering a 20% discount to DCFF members for this trip. You can make arrangements with the shop at: (828) 476-6710 or https://www.maggievalleyflyshop.com/.

Estimated Cost: The three-night trip will cost approximately $350 – $400 per person for lodging (based on shared room), license, gas, and food; there is no deposit required as each participant is responsible for their own costs.  You will also be asked during sign up if you are willing to share a room and if you want to carpool. I will try to coordinate carpooling and shared lodging.

Click here to sign up.