Got a cabin in Bryson City

[Jeff K]

Going to spend a week there. But due to ex-daughter In Law conflicts we will will be on four wheels.
Want to do some fishing, among other things.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions on the "other things"?

[amazngrace]

There  is a train ride that leaves from Bryson City that's pretty nice.

If you hop over to Cherokee there are some interesting things there, including a Casino. Go north from
Cherokee through the Smokey Mountains National Park,,,,,,,,,An amazing ride, even on four wheels.
You come out in Gatlinburg which is real touristy, but still some neat things to do.

...ED

[boss hoss bill]

Head on over to Sylva, neat town with a great restaurant, Lulus on Main Street.
See the library and remodeled Old courthouse, which are up on the hill overlooking town.
Check for the free concerts during the summer (I think it's Friday night.)

Head to Asheville and stop at the Balsam Inn, a early 1900's built hotel.
They have fine dining and "songwriters in the round" during the summer. Check and see if it's occuring while you're here.

The BRP comes in near Balsam off 74, cruise on up there for a spin.

Take 107 , a beautiful road past WC Univ. to Cashiers for some good BBQ and sightseeing.

And of course the Biltmore House and the Grove Park Inn if you come to Asheville.

[popsix]

Drive over the mountain to Robbinsville and visit Joyce Kilmer National Forest - one of the few remaining unharvested, old-growth stands of timber in the eastern US.
Lots of good mountain trout streams in the area as well. The streams on the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee Reservation) are typically very well stocked. Stop in at any of the convenience stores on the Reservation to get a Tribal Fishing Permit and more info. I think their permit is still $5. No state permit is required on the Reservation and you can keep up to 10 fish if you want.
Also close by is TVA's 480' high Fontana Dam that you could check out. It's an awesome piece of engineering. Fontana Lake is a great smallmouth habitat (with healthy populations of walleye, large mouth and spotted bass as well) and, with the entire north shore being undeveloped Great Smokies National Park lands, it remains the most stunningly beautiful lake I've ever been on. The water is typically on the clear side so you may not catch a high number, but what you do catch will likely be of good size. Go fishing during M-F and you may only see a few other boats on the water. My brother and I went on a Monday 3 weeks ago and the surface was like a mirror until an afternoon storm blew it up a little. We did well using white tube jigs and crank baits. Check with Fontana Village Marina if you need a boat, license or whatever. I think they even run a shuttle to the wild trout streams that flow into the lake from the Park.   

[Jeff K]

Great info! Thanks!

[dragon_slayer_129]

My brother and I did the smoky mountain railroad trip last labor day weekend during our bike trip......the train that leaves bryson city.  It was a decent ride with some great scenery along the lake and you cross a trestle bridge as well on the trip we took (nantahtala gorge trip).  If it's hot out like it was the day we went we opted for the crown class car (it has a/c and a bathroom in the car) but you can get an open air car or other club style cars.  They give a AAA discount and there are coupons posted online sometimes for other discounts.

Also since we chose the crown class car you get the toy train museum tour free with your ticket as well as a collector tumbler with free drinks all day......they have re-fills on the train as well as at the depot.

Here's a few pics from the train depot/trip and toy train museum:












If you are staying in bryson city take a drive over to maggie valley and tour the wheels through time museum.  It's worth the trip......we've been there several times and always find something new.

Here's a slideshow from our visit last year:

Wheels Through Time 2011	powered by Aeva

Dragon Slayer 129

[Stanley Steamer]

Going to spend a week there. But due to ex-daughter In Law conflicts we will will be on four wheels.
Want to do some fishing, among other things.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions on the "other things"?

When I was a teenager many moons ago......we took a trip to Bryson City to go tubing.....seems like it was a stream named "Deep Creek".....it really wasn't very deep except in a few spots.....