By Alex Bell
Moses Creek in Jackson County (Photos by Mary Anne Baker)
Fly fishing has been around these mountains for generations. Some say it originated here with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians hundreds of years ago. Others say it began in the early 1900s. Although sources differ, this much is certain: it’s been here for a long time.
I came here to play basketball at Western Carolina University my senior year, which was the 1976–77 season. I fell in love with the mountains and the people, and moved to Jackson County after graduating. I worked 30 years as a teacher, coach, and elementary principal before retiring in 2007 as a high school principal.
The last few years of my career, I knew I wanted to share my passion for fly fishing with others. You see, fly fishing was my “cheap therapy” as a principal. I would keep my gear in my truck and, on the few days my workday ended before dark, I would head to the river.
The therapeutic benefits of fly fishing are amazing. The sound of the running water, the interactive nature of the sport. As I always tell people, “Trout don’t live in ugly places.”
In addition to fly fishing, fly tying also has deep roots in the region. Although the Catskills claim the origination of the first fly patterns created in the United States, southern Appalachia has its claim to fame as well. Fly patterns such as the Tellico Nymph, Yallar Hammer, Jim Charlie, Thunderhead, and many more were all created in Western North Carolina.
The rhythmic motion of the fly rod to deliver the fly to just the right spot in the water is why many view fly fishing as therapeutic. It is that. But as I can attest, it can also be quite humbling.
Trying to convince a trout to eat a piece of steel with feathers and fur wrapped together with thread is both challenging and rewarding. As they say, “The tug is the drug.”
Julie Spiro, executive director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, grew up on the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County and knows what a gem it is. In 2008, she asked if I could help in efforts to draw visitors to Jackson County to fish.
Her idea was to develop a trail of some sort to get fishermen to our area. The result of our meetings was the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, the first fly fishing trail in the country. Bobby Kilby was the small stream expert and I helped with the bigger water, along with input from Julie and Craig Distl.
The WNC Fly Fishing Trail was the first of its kind in the nation and has brought national notoriety to the 15 spots designated on the trail map in Jackson County.
Enjoyed by those who call these beautiful mountains home, fly fishing has become a major drawing card for visitors to our region.
In one month, guests from 20 different states took trips with me to mountain streams and rivers. Two other notable rivers are Asheville’s own, French Broad and the Davidson River in Transylvania County. Both are considered destination fly fishing rivers.
Every county in Western North Carolina has fly fishing opportunities, and the Appalachian tradition continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
Alex Bell, owner/guide/coach, AB’s FlyFishing Guide Service in Sylva, is a lifelong fisherman who loves teaching beginners as well as fine-tuning experienced anglers, Alex is the cocreator of the WNC Fly Fishing Trail.
