Hiwassee river and Tributaries
Hiwassee River
The Hiwassee River is located in the extreme southeast corner of Tennessee in the Cherokee National Forest and has been a long time favorite destination for fly anglers from across the country. The Hiwassee is famous for it's dry fly fishing opportunities that occur year round. It's also one of the most beautiful trout rivers in the south.
The insect activity is one of the highlights of the Hiwassee. The river hosts a year round calandar beginning in the winter with black stoneflies, early brown stoneflies and the ever present blue wing olive. Springs warmer temperatures brings hendricksons and grannom caddis. The spotlight features on the Hiwassee begin in late May with Sulphurs and the the famous Isonychia. Tricos, Blue Winged Olives and October Caddis carry us through the fall. Dry fly fishing is truly possible any day of the year.
The river is fishable year round, but there are preferred times to target the trout there. Early spring is a prime time to visit due to the large array of insects that hatch in the spring. The "busy" season is from early May - August when the sulphurs and isonychias are hatching in earnest. October and November offer a nice change to the summer heat and now features the start of the Delayed Harvest program.
Special fly fishing memories were taking place on the Hiwassee long before the fly fishing revolution of the early 90's. In fact, drift boats have been common here for a long time. The heavy whitewater and sharp rock shoals of the Hiwassee demand a great oarsmen in a responsive boat. Drift boats were a perfect fit. Taking a guided drift boat fly fishing trip down the Hiwassee River is truly a special experience. The settings are unrivaled and at times the dry fly fishing can be the best you've ever seen.
The Hiwassee River is located an hour east of Chattanooga and only a little more than 2 hours from Atlanta. The area has an abundance of other activities to enjoy during your stay. Rafting, hiking, hunting, antiquing plus many other activities are close by. The area also boast an impressive amount of campgrounds, cabins, and lodging.
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Big Lost Creek
The trout fishing on Big Lost Creek is excellent, especially in the spring and summer. If you want to spend some time in the forest with nothing but your fishing pole and a good book, camping at Lost Creek might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Lost Creek is simple, secluded, and beautiful—a wonderful home base for exploring the magnificent Cherokee National Forest.
Fisherpeople who want to make a weekend out of their excursion will be happy campers (pun intended) at Lost Creek because of the easy access to excellent fishing at Big Lost Creek.
Campers who prefer solitude, but are looking for a more rustic campground, will be pleased with Lost Creek. There’s no need to hike through the backcountry to camp here, but you aren’t going to sacrifice any of that genuine feeling of being out in the wilderness, either.
From Cleveland: Take Highway 64 and turn left onto TN-30 at Lake Ocoee. Continue for about six miles until you reach Forest Road 103 where you’ll take a right and drive for approximately seven miles before reaching the sites.
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Goforth Creek
Goforth Creek in the Cherokee National Forest is a beautiful clear freshwater stream that bubbles out the side of the Southern Appalachian mountains and runs through several miles of pristine forest before emptying into the Ocoee River in Polk County, Tennessee. There is a small parking lot that leads to a very easy trail that goes for a mile or so along the stream. Goforth Creek is a stocked trout stream and also has a hiking trail along much of it length. It's also a wonderful place for photography or just enjoying nature as it was meant to be. During spring and fall during heavy rains it becomes a class 5 rapid for kayakers.
Travel west along Hwy 64 from Ducktown Tennessee along the historic Ocoee River Gorge and just past the Ocoee White Water Center you will see green forest service signs that say "Goforth Creek".
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Greasy Creek
Greasy Creek is a stream located just 6 miles from Benton, in Polk County. Greasy Creek is a stocked trout stream that runs along Highway 30 between Reliance and the Ocoee river. There are campgrounds along the river and the fish are stocked from February through May.
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Spring Creek
Spring Creek is a stream located just 7.1 miles from Etowah. Spring Creek is a stocked trout stream that runs along Spring Creek Rd. Follow Spring Creek Rd. off of Hwy. 411 into the Cherokee National Forest.