Noland Creek is a freestone creek that flows through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is located near Bryson City and Cherokee, North Carolina, and has access off of North Shore Road for those coming from Bryson City. There is good access throughout most of the creek, which has a solid population of rainbow, brown, and brook trout, all wild.
The creek is not stocked, and like most in the park, it doesn’t get a lot of fly fishing action. For you, that means easier catches and some quiet fishing time where you won’t have to fight the crowds. Sure, the more popular trout streams are great, but only if you’re willing to deal with the pressure.
Noland Creek has a few tributaries that offer additional fishing and there are several campsites in the area and along the way. The Noland Creek Trail is going to be able to take you up and down the stream and give you access to the best fishing areas.
Like most of the creeks and streams in the park, the cool waters provide ideal habitat for trout to thrive. Noland Creek is wide enough that casting the perfect line should be easy.
The trout in this creek are wary and more interested in how you’re casting than what you’re offering. Stealth and a light presentation are a must. Simple flies will go a long way if you know how to cast a line well.
Best Places to Fish Noland Creek
The Noland Creek Trail offers access to the majority of the creek. From North Shore Road (Lakeview Drive), also known as The Road to Nowhere, there is access to the Noland Creek Bridge, which is where you will find the trailhead. From here, you will be able to follow the stream most of the way.
You will have to hike in if you want to access anywhere else from this side of the creek. A few miles upstream, you’ll find plenty of great fishing near Bearpen Branch, Mill Creek, and Springhouse Branch. These waters are home to rainbow trout and brook trout and will have various wade-in points that can be accessed as you hike along the trail.
Campsite #64 is located near the confluence of Mill Creek and the Springhouse Branch and makes for a great base camp to explore the area. All camping in the backcountry is restricted to designated campsites. Backcountry camping permits are required for overnight stays in the park.
Be prepared to hike because there are 8 miles of the creek to explore along the Noland Creek Trail.
Best Time to Fish Noland Creek
You can find premier fishing in this creek during the spring, thanks to the abundant insect hatches. Most of the streams and creeks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have this advantage. In fact, so do most of the streams in the state.
This freestone stream also offers decent fishing in the summer at the higher sections, but the lower waters will probably be too shallow and warm to catch much. The fall is ideal because the water is cool again and the weather starts to turn the leaves, creating a beautiful setting for some great fishing.
You can find trout fishing during the winter months too, although the coldest days may prove difficult to motive the fish to bite. Year-round fishing is permitted in this stream, and you will have the best results in March and April when the hatches are at their peak.
As mentioned above, you can always call ahead to see what’s biting and how the weather is if you’re traveling during a questionable season. Spring and fall will make for the easiest catches, but no matter when you visit, you’re sure to have a great time.