Wilson Creek NC Trout Waters Information portal

Plan your Wilson Creek Trout Fishing Trip courtesy of Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals and Wilson Creek Outfitters

Best Lodging close to the River -web site"click here"

                                                           Brown Mountain Lodge - BML

Creekside Cozy Cabin - CCC

                       Wilson Creek Info

                    Upper Wilson Creek Winter Fishing Excursion Video

                                   

Wilson Creek is a freestone stream that comes to life in Avery County along the slopes of Grandfather Mountain in the Pisgah National Forest.  From it’s headwaters to the confluence with John’s River in Caldwell County, Wilson Creek drops several hundred feet and flows some 25 miles.  Wilson Creek was named a Wild and Scenic River in August of 2000.  

Nice size water for the fly flinger to enjoy!

Basically you can divide Wilson Creek into 4 sections.  The upper section is regulated as Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only.  This upper section is defined by large boulders and plunge pools.  This section requires anglers to hike/walk into the remote sections of the stream.  Lost Cove Creek, one of the major tributaries, is regulated as Catch and Release Artificial Fly Only water.  Lost Cove marks the lower boundary of this section.

From just below Lost Cove down to Phillip’s Branch, which is just downstream of Harper Creek is regulated as Delayed Harvest water.  This section is very heavily stocked with over 10,000 fish stocked each year.  This section is much flatter than the upper section and has some large slow deep pools.  Harper Creek is a major tributary in this section, it’s regulated as a Wild stream and offers the visiting angler the opportunity to hit some Wild water after they “tune up” on the fish in the DH waters.

Another nice Wilson Creek Rainbow

The next section is about 7 miles long and is regulated as Hatchery Supported trout water.  This section includes the Wilson Creek Gorge which is one of the premier whitewater kayaking runs in the southern US.  This section is the most visited part of the stream, with lots of swimmers, tubers, sun bathers etc.  This section is BIG water with lots of deep pools and some Class III and IV rapids.

Great shot of Wilson Creek Gorge

The lower stretch of Wilson Creek below Brown Mountain Beach to John’s River is very marginal trout water and is a smallmouth bass fishery.  Some great smallmouth bass action can be found here and with so much water close by it’s often over looked by the visiting angler.

General Overview of Wilson Creek Fishing Conditions by season
Spring:
Blue Winged Olives and Black Stone flies are the primary hatches throughout the spring.  Starting in April you’ll find big hatches of Hendricksons and Caddis flies.  Spring is a great time of year to fish Wilson Creek since you’ll pretty much have the place to yourself.

Summer:
Summer months can be challenging to the fisherman on Wilson Creek.  The water warms, the crowds grow and the fish activity slows.  Once the Caddis flies begin to tail off you’ll still find a good concentration of Stoneflies and Light Cahills and like all streams in NC terrestrial flies like the ants, beetles, and hoppers can be very effective.

Fall and Winter:

The fall and winter fishing on Wilson Creek can be be INCREDIBLE!   From streamer fishing the gorge for big browns, to stalking wild fish up high to testing your skills on the Delayed Harvest section, Fall/Winter fishing offers great opportunities for the visiting angler.  Typical hatches include Blue Wing Olives (BWO’s) and black stone flies and your typical midge nymphs throughout the season.

Wilson Creek Outfitters web site for the latest in fishing the Wilson Creek Gorge

Wilson Creek Outfitters Website portal for the latest info on Wilson Creek fishing "click link here"

                               What are Delayed Harvest Trout Waters

Delayed-Harvest Trout Waters

• Begins Oct 1 til the 1st Sat in June
• Single hook artificial lures only
• No Trout possessed
• All other times Htchery Supported regulations apply

The following trout waters, Wilson Creek above Phillips Branch (near the Welcome Center)

excluding tributaries except as noted, may be fished only with

artificial lures with one single hook. No natural bait may be

possessed, and no trout may be harvested or possessed while

fishing these waters between Oct. 1, 2012 and 30 minutes

after sunset on May 31, 2013. These waters are closed to fishing

between 30 minutes after sunset on May 31 and 6 a.m. on June 1.

At 6 a.m. on June 1, 2013, these waters open to fishing for youths

under 16 years old under Hatchery-Supported regulations—

no bait restriction, no minimum length limit and seven-troutper-

day creel limit. At 12 p.m. on June 1, 2013, these waters

open for all anglers under Hatchery-Supported regu la tions.

These waters are marked with black-and-white signs.

                               What are Hatchery Supported Trout Water

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters

Stocked Streams and Rivers

Wilson Creek below Phillips Branch all the way down to the Brown Mountain Resort Dam

• Begins the 1st Saturday in April to the last day of Febuary
• No bait or lure restriction
• No size restriction
• 7 fish creel limit

                                       What are Wild Trout Waters

 

Wild Native Trout to the area:

Up creeks and tributaries, Harper's Creek, Gragg's Prong, Phillips Branch and others

• Single Hook artificial lures only
• Minimum size 7 inches
• Daily limit 4
• No closed season

                              Stocking Chart for Wilson Creek for 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 Delayed Harvest Trout Stocking for Western NC

http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Fishing/documents/TROUT_MAP.PDF

Map of the Wilson Creek River sections showing Delayed Harvest and Hatchery    supported waters

To book the best accomodations in the gorge check out our website for Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals  "Click link here"

Outdoor covered lounges with fire pits, chairs, dart boards, and grills for chillaxing after a day on the river!

                                                    BML outdoor lounge fire pit and gas grill

                                                               BML charcoal grill

                                               CCC Outdoor lounge and covered area

                                                 CCC picnic table gas grill darts and fire pit

Family Mountain Hiking Adventures in NC

Mountain Hiking adventures for your kids is what Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals is all about.

Check out the terrific you tube video's of some of the fun areas to see right here in our area click the arrow to see the video:

             Wiseman's View and Linville Gorge - Minutemen Adventures , click below

Minutemen Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains Click Below

Table Rock State Park near Morganton click below

"Grand Canyon of the East"

Family Fun and Lifetime memories in the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Gorge

Click here to view our home page for Pet Friendly Brown Mountain Cabin Rentals

Brown Mountain lodge Cabin Rentals website home page link

BML

CCC

Outdoor fire pit at CCC

Outdoor fire pit at BML

New Charcaol grill at BML

Family size Kitchen at BML

Dylan having fun in the creek

Book your family the memorable vacation in the secluded Pisgah National Forest near the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River and create your own memories

Brown Mountain Pet Friendly Cabin Rentals web site

New trail I cut out behind the BML got to cascading falls over a massive rock slab, the Mountain Laurel has since been cut back so you can see the falls better now.

Kayaking Wilson Creek and John's River in NC

Need to know data to plan your Kayaking trip the the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River and Johns River in Caldwell   County North Carolina.

With rapids ranging from Class I to V, Wilson Creek is a popular destination for kayakers and features some of the best scenery, rapids and exceptional water quality in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to Wilson Creek, there are plenty of other river systems to paddle nearby. Other streams include North Harper Creek, Gragg Prong, Rockhouse Creek, Lost Cove Creek, and Johns River. Guided trips are offered by Wahoo’s Adventures. The best accomdations in the area are the Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin rentals. Paddlers should be aware of private property that runs through Pisgah National Forest in the Wilson Creek area.  Link to website, click here:       Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals

BML

CCC

Amazing Wilson Creek Kayak head cam video tour click below

                                     Wilson Creek put in locations:

Wilson Creek
Upper portions (section 1) of this stream are technically challenging and can only be paddled during heavy rains. In sections before the gorge (section 2 & 3), low- to intermediate-skilled paddlers will find a few challenges and the occasional ledge. The gorge (section 4), being one of the more popular runs in the Southeast, should only be paddled by more experienced enthusiasts, especially after a large rain. The gorge offers several major drops with Class IV and V rapids. After the gorge (section 5), Wilson Creek can be enjoyed by intermediate paddlers with Class I to II rapids.

Section 1: FS 45 to intersection of NC 90 & FS 981  
Section 2: Intersection of NC 90 and FS 981 to CR 1328 Bridge
Section 3: CR 1328 Bridge to the National Forest Service Boundary sign
Section 4: National Forest Service Boundary sign to Brown Mountain Beach
Section 5: 200 yards above CR 1337 Bridge on CR 1328 to CR 1438 Bridge at Johns River

> Wilson Creek Gage Information

       John's River smooth water kayaking and creeking

Video Tour of the Johns River click below:

 

Johns River
The Johns River (Class I to II) is perfect for beginner and intermediate paddlers. It runs from the Globe area of Pisgah National Forest and joins Wilson Creek and continues on to Lake Rhodhiss, north of Morganton. The upper portion (section 1) starts at the Johns River Camp bridge and runs through several low-water bridges and takes out at the bridge on CR 1356 southwest off NC 90. After a gap, section 2 starts at Collettsville at the Adako Road bridge at NC 90 and takes out at the beginning of section 3. In section 3, paddlers put in at the CR 1438 bridge and take out at the North Carolina Wildlife Access Area at the NC 18 bridge northwest of Morganton.

Section 1: Johns River Camp bridge to second low-water bridge after leaving NC 90
Section 2: Caldwell CR 1337 Bridge (Adako Rd.) in Collettsville to Burke CR 1438
Section 3: Burke CR 1438 Bridge (30 yards upstream on east bank) to NC Wildlife Access area at NC 18 bridge.

Brown Mountain Lodge Pet Friendly Cabin Rentals are located in the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Gorge.

         After a fun day on the water chillaxing by the firepit grill steaks is what its all about.

                          Website link to Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals click here

CCC Outdoor firepit and lounge

BML Outdoor Firepit and Lounge

CCC Outdoor hangout by creek

BML Charcoal Grill added at BML

Brown Mountain OHV ATV Park Brown Mountain NC

Take the video head cam tour of the Brown Mountain OHV/ ATV park and see what the trails look like before your adventure!

Courtesy of Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals in Wilson Creek River Gorge

Just bought a UTV to bring up here and explore, I came last weekend and was blown away with the cool trails and sights,  so far I've only explored trail # 1 but its very manageable and awesome, love the views.  Bring your ATV, UTV or off road 4X4 up for some fun!

Jeep trails video click above

Important Info to know before coming:

Brown Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area, on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, offers 34 miles of rugged, mountainous trails with lots of challenges. The trails range in difficulty from “easy” to “difficult.” Note that the trails are color coded on the map to show their difficulty. The map also has vehicle symbols to show which trails are open to trail bikes, allterrain vehicles (ATV’s), 4-wheel drive vehicles, or all three. Mountain bikers may use trails at their own risk; the same fee is required.
All 34 miles of trails are open to trail bikes, while over 14 miles are open to ATV’s. Jeeps and other 4-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles may use trail 8 and part of trail 1. Trails 1a and 1b are only open to
trail bikes and ATV’s. OHV’s may not be ridden on the access road, 299, from the highway. Most trails are not wide enough for two-way traffic, so a one-way system is provided. The trail numbers can only be seen when traveling in the correct direction. Please observe the one-way signs, but be alert for people who may accidentally travel the wrong way. Brown Mountain OHV Area is the
only place in Pisgah National Forest where ATV’s and unlicensed trail bikes may be ridden. On forest roads outside this area, only licensed, street-legal vehicles may be ridden. State vehicle laws are enforced on forest roads.

ATV Head cam video tour

Before you haul:

Call Before You Haul: Due to weather conditions and maintenance, this trail may be closed on short notice. Before your ride, please call the OHV hotline at 828-652-2144. Length: 34 miles Surface: Dirt and Rocks Fees: A fee is charged for use of the trail system. Daily or seasonal passes may be purchased at local vendors or at the Grandfather District Office at 109 East Lawing Lane, Nebo, NC 28761. The District is at exit 90 just off U.S. 40 and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The funds are used to maintain the trails and make improvements in the area. Season: Brown Mountain OHV Area is open this year from April 1 through January 1.   Amenities: Primitive camping is permitted in the OHV area. Designated sites are located along the entrance road. Each site has a table, grill, and lantern post. A picnic shelter, water hydrant, and “sweet-smelling” vault toilet are located at the trailhead. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the OHV area, including in campsites or on trails. Please take your trash with you. When you are away from the toilet, be sure to bury everything, including toilet paper, at least 200 feet away from the creek. Don’t drink untreated creek water.   National Forests in North Carolina 160A Zillicoa Street Asheville, NC 28801 828-257-4200   Grandfather Ranger District 109 East Lawing Drive Nebo, NC 28761 828-652-2144   Directions: From Lenoir: Take Highway 90 west to Collettesville. Turn left on Adako Road (SR 1337) just beyond the elementary school and grocery store. Travel 4.4 miles to the Brown Mountain OHV Area entrance on the right at the sign. From Morganton: Take Highway 181 north about 11 miles toward Linville. Turn right on Brown Mountain Beach Road (SR 1405) at a small wooden church on the right. Travel 3.5 miles east to the Brown Mountain OHV Area entrance on the left at sign. Best cabin rental accomodations in the area are the Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin rentals:

Check us out below:

Book your Land Rover/ Jeep/ ATV excursion and get your accomodations at the Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin rentals, click link below to website home page:

Pet Friendly Cabins in Brown Mountain Wilson Creek River Gorge

BML

CCC

Outdoor lounge at BML

Newly added Charcoal smoker grill at BML

Outdoor fire pit at CCC under Outdoor Lounge

CCC Chillaxing zone

Brown Mountain Cabin Rentals within 9 miles of Brown Mountain ATV OHV Park

Researchers trying to disprove the Brown Mountain Lights

The Legend of the Brown Mountain Lights in NC Mountains.

The paranormal folks and research gurus are still trying to disprove the local legend of the Brown Mountain Lights.  I wrote a story about them in a ghost story book titled "Thirteen Terrifying Tales of the NC Piedmont" story #10.  What I saw up close as teenager was not any kind of man made light source.

http://salisbury.wbtv.com/news/arts-culture/75587-new-research-brown-mountain-lights?fb_action_ids=4793844329756&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=.UG2Yl5gNJdY.like&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%224793844329756%22%3A354153004676938%7D&action_type_map=%7B%224793844329756%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%224793844329756%22%3A%22.UG2Yl5gNJdY.like%22%7D 

We had hiked up School House Ridge behind Mortimer campground and made camp one eve.  We had our campfire and camp site set for the eve.  As anyone who has hiked the Wilson Wild and Scenic River Gorge area will tell you it gets really dark when the moon isn't out. 

As the night settled in and we were huddled around the campfire we heard what sounded like foot steps coming up the mountain through the leaves.  Leaves crunching as if it were footsteps.  I've been coming up here for 40 years I was always told the Legend was Indian squaws looking for thier Braves lost in battle.

We could see the 3 lights that had a irredecent multi colored glow, somewhat like the size of a lantern light approaching.  These were no lanterns!  Literally the lights continued to get closer and closer.  We threw rocks sticks and any and everything we could find at them, they got to within 30 yds of us and vanished.

Needless to say we stayed up the rest of the night to keep a look out and at sun up virtually ran down the mountain to get out of there with our lives.

If your looking for the perfect secluded Mountain getaway check out our cabin Rentals located in the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Gorge web site link below:

                                 Brown Mountain Lodge and Creekside Cozy Cabin Rentals

The local News Channel 36 did a broadcast of the story and its on you tube video here:

To see the Brown Mountain Lights from a distance there is a lookout on Highway 181 out of Morganton in Burke County, looking North from the vantage point is the Brown Mountain and surrounding peaks.  You might get lucky enough to see them.

Here is the link to the Burke County Information regarding the Brown Mountain Lights Phenomenon:

 http://www.westernncattractions.com/BMLights.htm

For best accomdations in the area check us out at Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals:

BML and CCC Cabin Rentals

BML

CCC

CCC Outdoor lounge with fire pit

BML Outdoor lounge with fire pite and grills

BML Newly added charcoal Grill

Book your Brown Mountain lights cabin rental with Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals:

Pet friendly Cabin Rentals website home page link

Earth's Equinox and guide to fall colors in NC Mountains. Fall Equinox starts Sept 22 and Spring Equinox on March21

Brown Mountain Lodge and Creekside Cozy Cabin cabin rentals guide to see peak color in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.  See tons of pictures and details of our cabins and calendar of  availability at:                 Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals

I've been coming to the mountains since I was kid and up here every couple weeks and over the years have determined the basic cycle to the color at different elevations.  For starters though here is a diagram of what happens in the heavens and the earth passes over the celestial equator and changes us from Summer Soltice to Fall:

The Spring and Fall Equinox:

The seasons will change this Sunday (Sept. 22), with the Northern Hemisphere moving into autumn and the South emerging from winter into spring.

The celestial event that marks this transition is called an "equinox," and it happens twice every year, around March 21 and Sept. 21. Just what is an equinox, and why does it occur?

The Earth moves in two different ways. First, the planet spins on its polar axis — a line through the north and south poles — once every 24 hours, causing the alternation of day and night. Secondly, it moves in its orbit around the sun once every 365.25 days, causing the annual cycle of seasons. The equinox occurs when these two motions intersect. [Season to Season: Earth's Equinoxes & Solstices (Infographic)]

Because the Earth is so big, its mass has an enormously powerful gyroscopic effect. For this reason, its poles always point in the same direction, although a major earthquake can cause tiny wobbles in this axis. Most importantly, the Earth's motion around the sun has absolutely no effect on the direction the poles are pointing, which has very important consequences for Earth's seasons.

Astronomers mark the positions of objects in the sky relative to the Earth's poles of rotation (those are the red lines you see in the picture). The most important line is the celestial equator, which divides the sky into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The Earth's pole of rotation is tilted 23.4 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit. This tilt is always toward the same point in the sky, called the celestial pole, no matter where in its orbit around the sun the Earth happens to be.

This tilt makes it appear to observers on Earth's surface that the sun is moving across the sky at an angle to the celestial equator. This is marked by the green line in the image, called the "ecliptic" because eclipses happen along this line.

Scenic Drives 
Fall Color Leaf Guide
 
One of the most beautiful times of the year in Western North Carolina is Autumn. The mountains seem to come alive with color. People travel from miles around just to catch a glimpse of the splendor. 
Peak foliage viewing depends on many factors. The most important factor is elevation. Trees of the same species, can peak weeks apart depending on their location. Cooler slopes, that face the north, will peak much earlier than slopes facing the sun. Certain species of trees also peak earlier than others. In addition, an early frost and unusually wet or dry summers will affect the process differently. 

Estimated Peak Viewing Times
Higher Elevations	October 1 - 15
Lower Elevations	October 15 - 31

Scenic Drives 
Looking for that perfect autumn vista? Choose one of these scenic drives and wind 
your way through the Western North Carolina mountains splashed with the hues of 
autumn. You may also want to consider one of these craft excursions to understand 
the beauty that captures the hearts and imaginations of the region's artists and crafts 
people. 
Craggy Gardens 
Craggy Gardens is a wonderful place for viewing the late summer wildflowers and 
bright scarlet colored berries of the mountain ash. Bring a picnic lunch, hike some of 
the Parkway’s many trails and take in the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge 
Mountains. To reach this area, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville 
for about 20 miles. (One way driving time: 45 minutes.) 
Grandfather Mountain 
From Asheville take I-40 to Hwy 70 at the Old Fort exit. Continue east on 70 to 
221 north. Take 221 to Linville Falls area. Pass the Blue Ridge Parkway and at the 
intersection of 181 and 105 look for a billboard directing you to Grandfather 
Mountain. View the native animal habitats, enjoy hiking and picnicking and test your 
courage on the mile high swinging bridge which also provides a great vantage point 
for viewing autumn’s rich colors. (One way driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes.) 
Mount Mitchell 
Take the Blue Ridge Parkway north. Exit NC 128 from the Parkway to Mount 
Mitchell State Park. This peak, the highest east of the Mississippi, provides 
sweeping views of autumn color on the slopes below. In addition to expansive 
views, the Park offers an observation tower, hiking trails, picnic areas, a natural 
history museum, and a restaurant. (One way driving time: 45 minutes.) 
Mount Pisgah/Graveyard Fields 
Take the Blue Ridge Parkway south from Asheville toward Mount Pisgah, where 
you will find picnic areas, hiking trails and a restaurant. Mount Pisgah was originally 
part of the 100,000-acre Biltmore Estate bought in the late 1800s by George W. 
Vanderbilt. Continue on the Parkway to Graveyard Fields (milepost 418) where you 
can take moderate 2.29 mile hike. Yellowstone Falls can also be seen from an 
overlook on the Parkway. Return to Asheville on the Parkway heading north. (One 
way driving time: 45 minutes.)

Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Gorge Corrider in Grandfather Mountain Ranger District:

Our guests favor the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Gorge as well for the off the beaten path and no traffic.  The Brown Mountain Beach Road is hard packed gravel but is well maintained and is mostly public.  There are 9 miles of River Gorge with public parking and stairs to the river.  Bring your camera, the trees the leaves, the boulders and river hydraulics are amazing.  Bring a fishing rod to catch some of the coolest looking fish...... a beautiful Brown or Rainbow Trout.

Wilson Creek River Gorge

Brown Mountain Lodge and Creekside Cozy Cabin are right down the road from the The Wilson Creek River Gorge and only 13 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Linn Cove Viaduct.  From there you can turn left and go see the Linville Falls and turn back to the right and go across the Viaduct and make a stop at Grandfather Mountain......breathtaking.  After that cap off the evening with mountain gear shopping in Blowing Rock and dinner at Canyon's Restuarant.

Here is Canyon's sunset view from the dining area and deck:

Canyons Restuarant View

View of Grandfather Mountain with telephoto at Canyons

For your next romantic weekend and evening camp fire and terrific accomodations in the mountains check us out at our web site:

Brown Mountain Lodge Cabin Rentals

BML

CCC

CCC Outdoor lounge with fire pit

BML Outdoor lounge with fire pit

BML newly added charcoal smoker grill