Deep Creek

Highlights

•  Excellent trout fishing stream 
•  Crystal clear water makes seeing fish easy 
•  Lower end of Deep Creek receives heavy pressure and some large crowds in Summer months 
•  Hiking, Swimming, Camping, Tubing, Horseback Riding and Fishing nearby 
•  Very popular but relaxing area 
•  Easy access just outside of Bryson City

The Local Scoop

We highly recommend the Deep Creek area for trout fishing. This area receives fairly heavy pressure from anglers but that doesn't mean that you can't catch some nice fish. The water here is pristine and crystal clear making it a challenge to catch fish since they can see you just as easy as you can see them. This is a great stream for fly fishing especially for our area due to it's relative "open" waters with minimal cover from vegetation. Catch Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout here. In the lower end and on up to where you begin to climb in elevation you'll only catch Rainbow and Brown Trout. It's when you get on up the creek and trail at elevation before you have the opportunity to catch our only Native species of trout, the Brook. There are multiple "forks" or "tributaries" to venture up that end up spilling into Deep Creek. So you have a number of option for fishing this area which leads me to my next suggestion, camping. We would recommend taking advantage of one of the 8 primitive campsites that can be found along the Deep Creek Trail. They are managed by the NPS (National Park Service) and 3 of them require reservations to be made throught the NPS (#'s 60, 57 & 55). You'll need to take this into consideration before making your trip plans. Camping along Deep Creek will greatly enhance your trip and will allow for you to fish for longer and offer a chance to take your time and relax while here.

Local Directions

From downtown Bryson City, NC take Everett Street across the railroad tracks and to a right onto Depot Street. Travel along side the trains and train station for approx. 0.2 mile. At stop sign take a slight Left and onto Deep Creek Road for approx. 0.3 mile. Here you'll need to take a Left onto West Deep Creek Road, just before a bridge over Deep Creek. Continue up W. Deep Creek Rd. for approx. 2.5 miles crossing into Great Smoky Mountains National Park (see sign on your Right). The creek will be on your Right.