Explore destination-worthy paddling and trout angling on six scenic Blue Ridge rivers
Some of the country’s most beautiful scenic rivers flow through the Blue Ridge, and many of these pristine waterways running through the high mountains and surrounding valleys offer incredible opportunities for float fly-fishing adventures. Whether you’re an experienced angler in search of an action-packed trout outing or a greenhorn looking for a fun guided learning experience, we’ve got you covered with our roundup of some the region’s best fishing-based float trips.
VIRGINIA
Upper Jackson River, Covington
In-the-know anglers call the 18-mile span of Jackson River from its impoundment at Lake Moomaw to the tiny city of Covington one of the southeast’s best kept secrets. The 12-mile-long lake sits in the Alleghany Mountains near the border of West Virginia within the 13,428-acre Gathright Wildlife Management Area—and is home to thriving, year-round trout populations. The controlled release of waters from June to September combines with cold tributary temperatures and an extensive stocking operation to make the upper Jackson a honeyhole for trophy-sized rainbows, browns, and brooks. Better still, there are a half-dozen public boat ramps between Lake Moomaw and Covington.
The four-mile float from the Johnson Spring launch to the historic Smith Bridge River Access brings some of the best trout opportunities. Here, the river averages around 120 feet wide and passes through extremely isolated corridors lined by farmland and dense forests. Expect crystal clear water, fairly swift current, and occasional class I or II rapids that give way to moderately deep pools. Local outfitters report that the section has held an unprecedentedly robust population of big rainbows since 2023.
Go Guided: Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing & Bird Hunting is based in nearby Eagle Rock and offers a fleet of guided excursions on the Jackson. Options range from day-long floats to overnight experiences with a stay and meals at the outfitter’s rustic but well-equipped four-bedroom lodge. wesleyhodgesflyfishing.com
South River, Waynesboro
The picturesque South River is fed by springs and creeks in the Jefferson National Forest and flows through the Shenandoah Valley for about 50 miles. Cold year-round temperatures combine with robust, Department of Wildlife Resources-led trout stocking programs to support large populations of wild rainbows and browns in and around the small mountain city of Waynesboro.
Access some of the best fishing the waterway has to offer by putting in downtown at the boat ramp in Constitution Park. The ten or so mile float to Crimora Park passes through the South River Preserve and brings fun stretches of riffles and rapids offset by long deep pools with occasional boulders that are found beside swift seams. The river averages about 80 feet wide and winds through forested banks and swaths of farmland that offer eastward glimpses of peaks in Shenandoah National Park. Anglers can expect to find big 20-plus-inch fingerling rainbows and browns in addition to smallmouth bass, redbreast sunfish, rock bass, and fallfish that increase in abundance as you float north.
Go Guided: South River Fly Shop sits in the heart of downtown Waynesboro about a block from Constitution Park and its namesake waterway. The two-time BRO Best of The Blue Ridge award-winner is a full-service outfitter with an impressive lineup of guided float-fishing trips on the South, Shenandoah, James, and Jackson rivers. southriverflyshop.com
WEST VIRGINIA
Greenbrier River, Cass
This wildly scenic New River tributary flows southwest through a series of thin valleys lined with high mountains in the Appalachian Plateau of southeast West Virginia for 162 miles. It’s famous for supporting large numbers of trophy smallmouth bass and, in its upper portions, an abundance of brown, rainbow, and brook trout. An eponymous 78-mile rail-to-trail parallels the river and offers plenty of paved, gravel, or improvised public access points.
The give-or-take four-mile span between Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and the Greenbrier Trail parking area near the Sitlington Creek confluence brings gorgeous paddling and excellent fishing. The state’s Department of Natural Resources bolsters natural trout populations by stocking the entire area four times from March through June.
Waters wind through a rocky, remote mountain corridor in the Monongahela National Forest characterized by dense woods, hemlock groves, pebbly beaches, numerous creeks, and high cliffs interspersed with rare patches of farmland.
Go Guided: Knapps Creek Trout Lodge awaits a few miles from Cass—and not far from Snowshoe Resort—in the little valley town of Marlington. The outfitter offers a broad range of half to multiday guided fly-fishing adventures on the Greenbrier and other area waterways. It’s also home to a spacious and well-equipped historic lodge with three suite-style rooms. knappscreektroutlodge.com
TENNESSEE
South Holston River, Bristol
The small, northeast Tennessee river winds from South Holston Lake through 17 miles of scenic countryside on the outskirts of Bristol to empty into Boone Lake just west of Bluff City. The section is famed among float-fishermen for its stunning rural scenery and one of the densest, year-round populations of wild trout in the eastern U.S. The river holds upward of 10,000 trout per mile and produces monstrous browns that can weigh 20-plus pounds and measure upward of 42 inches in length.
Put in at the Emmett Bridge Access just below the Holston River Weir Dam. Pick between an approximately six-mile float to the eponymous landing off Big Springs Road, or an 11-miler to the J. Forrest Thomas Access Area off Dry Branch Road. The water moves at a good clip, making the latter more manageable than you’d expect. The route ferries you through eight stocking sites and includes intermittent views of the Holston Mountain range and Cherokee National Forest.
Go Guided: South Holston River Lodge occupies a lovely two-acre property on the river-right banks of the South Holston about midway between the dam and Bluff City. The operation is home to a team of dedicated guides that helped it land a finalist spot on Orvis’s 2024 Fly-Fishing Lodge of The Year list. Stay options include a trio of lux wood-sided cabins and two rooms over a private restaurant that dishes up three gourmet meals a day for guests. southholstonriverlodge.com
NORTH CAROLINA
Tuckaseegee River, Dillsboro
The mountains of western North Carolina and southeast Tennessee brim with world-class fly- and spin-fishing opportunities—and the “Tuck” is a go-to for both. The waterway begins near the small city of Brevard at the confluence of a pair of creeks in Pisgah National Forest and flows northwest for 50 miles until it empties into Fontana Lake near Bryson City. The upper span of river is known for challenging rapids, but the roughly six-mile stretch that runs from the community of Webster to Dillsboro is a trout angler’s heaven.
Put in at the Locust Creek Access Area off Old Cullowhee Road and float through fun, near-constant riffles and class IIs to the US 441 bridge and Dillsboro Launch Park at Scott Creek. The section is stocked with more than 50,000 trout annually and is the arguable centerpiece of the North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail. Spring and early summer bring action-packed days of battling to land 18-plus-inch brooks, browns, and rainbows in addition to trophy-sized smallmouth bass, rock bass, and redhorse.
Go Guided: Fly Fishing the Smokies is the go-to outfitter for angling adventures on the Tuck. The six-time BRO Best of the Blue Ridge winner offers a full lineup of guided float trips on a half-dozen or so waterways in and around Lake Fontana and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Day trips are great, but be sure to also check out overnight options that include camping in lux canvas tents and chef-cooked meals. flyfishingthesmokies.net
GEORGIA
Toccoa River, Morganton
Some of the Peach State’s best trout and freshwater fishing is found around Blue Ridge Lake. The 56-mile-long Toccoa begins in the deep mountains of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and flows northwest to feed into the 3,300-acre impoundment before continuing into southeast Tennessee. Easy accessibility, swift-flowing water, and a massive state-backed trout stocking program leads to warm weather crowds on tailwaters. But the slightly more technical and much more remote upper Toccoa is a float-angler’s dream.
The picturesque 14-mile span from Deep Hole Recreation Area to Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area—which comprises the state-designated Toccoa River Canoe Trail—is particularly wonderful. The current here tends to move quickly, so the section is doable in a day. But a half-dozen public landings and takeouts make it easy to split into smaller trips. Paddling-wise, you can expect high, densely forested banks, rhododendron thickets, loads of riffles, occasional small rapids, and few signs of civilization. Enjoy deep troughs adjacent to swift-moving seams that have been known to bring trophy-sized browns weighing upward of 18 pounds.
Go Guided: Float North Georgia is a full-service outfitter based out of Blue Ridge that specializes in leading guided float-fishing trips on area waterways for anglers of all skill levels. Outings on the Toccoa range from half to a full day and cover up to eight miles of river. Rods, reels, and flies are provided. floatnorthgeorgia.com
Cover photo: South Holston River Lodge offers guided float trips on a pristine stretch of its namesake river, which holds up to 10,000 trout per mile. All photos courtesy of South Holston River Lodge
