Wede or Float the Tuckasseegge:
Half Day 4 hour Wade: $225
Full Day 6 hour Wade $325
Half Day Float: $325
Full Day Float: $425

The Tuck

Spelling variations abound, with the river’s name seen as Tuckasegee, Tuckaseegee or Tuckaseigee. The word comes from the Cherokee word “Di-gah-se” and means place of the turtle. Several ancient fishing weirs used by early Native Americans to catch fish can be seen along the river. Local Anglers often refer to the river as “The Tuck”.

Tuckasegee Water Flow – Dam Controlled

The Tuckasegee River originates in the higher peaks of Western North Carolina from several tributary streams and unseen branches which merge into two forks that are dammed by Cedar Cliff Lake and Bear Creek Lake. These two forks  – the East and West – come together a couple miles downstream. Water Levels of the Tuckaseegee River are controlled by dams located on these forks.

Duke Energy controls the water flow from the dams on a planned schedule. You can access the Tuckaseegee River Water Release Schedule here.

The Tuck fishes the best from October through early summer, early June, when the delayed harvest ends. The Tuck, it should be noted, is not a good summer fishery, even though it’s considered a tailwater. The summertime water temps, put simply, are not cold enough for active trout. In the summer and early fall, it’s best to try to find colder water in the Smoky Mountain National Park streams.

The Tuck fishes best in the fall in the spring, when the water temperatures are more conducive to feeding trout and after the state of North Carolina has stocked. The state usually stocks the Tuck seven times a year — twice in October and November, once each in March, April and May.

When planning your trip to the Tuckasegee River, our expert guides consult the water release schedule to choose the best boat and days for your angling trip.  We know where to find trout in any condition; certain areas fish better depending on weather and water conditions.

Tuckasegee Trout Stockings

Tuckasegee in Jackson County NC gets stocked more than any other river in NC. March, April, May, June, October, and November. Equal Numbers of Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout, with 1/2 the ratio of Brown Trout. See all the details below.

Jackson https://www.ncpaws.org/RSReports/FishStock/TroutCountyPDF.aspx?countyID=87

Tuckeseegee River in Swain Country also gets heavily stocked by NC wildlife commission. March, April, May, June, October, and November stockings. Here the highest ratio is Rainbow Trout, followed by Brown Trout, and Brook Trout with the lowest ratio.

Swain – https://www.ncpaws.org/RSReports/FishStock/TroutCountyPDF.aspx?countyID=50

NC – https://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/Hatcheries-Stocking/NCWRC-Stocking/Coldwater-Stocking-by-County

Tuckasegee Creeks and Congruence

Caney Fork

Webster Creek

Scotts Creek

Barkers Creek

Conley Creek

Coopers Creek

Ocanaluftee River

Deep Creek

  • Indian Creek

Tuckasegee Fly Patterns

  • Blue-winged Olives. Eastern Green Drakes (Abrams Creek Only) Slate Drakes.
  • Hendricksons. Quill Gordons.
  • American March Browns. Light Cahill. Sulfurs. Blue Quills. … 
  • Short-horned Sedges. Cinnamon Caddis (Abrams Creek Only) Little Sister Caddis (Abrams Creek Only)
  • Green Sedges. Giant Black Stoneflies. Yellow Sallys. Winter Stoneflies.
  • March Brown

Smokey Mountain Hatches

The Tuckasegee River has a lot of insect life in it. BWO’s and Caddis Flies start hatching in early February and lasts throughout April. CMost of the caddisfly species here fall under the Cinnamon Caddisfly. Imitations of all life cycles of this fly will work well. These hatch from May until about November.

If you’re fishing during the winter throughout early spring, midges are your go to fly for this season. Streamers work most any time here, and there are some terrestrial patterns like ants, beetles and grasshoppers that will be heavily present from mid June until about September. Streamers from drift boat are ideal conditions for Winter and large Browns that come up from Fontana Lake.

If you’re booking a trip with us though, you don’t have to worry about fly selection. Our expert local guides will have hand-tied custom flies for the season and conditions.

Tuckasegee River Fly Fishing Guide

Bryson City, Dillsboro, Webster, Culowhee

The Tuckasegee River (aka “The Tuck”] flows entirely within western North Carolina. It begins its course in Jackson County below Cullowhee at the confluence of Panthertown and Greenland creeks.

Wading Spots

  • Bryson City – there are several wading spots off Old River Road. We know the honey holes.
  • Dillsboro – Tuckaseegee is wide and shallow in many sections of Dillsboro and Webster. Often Ideal for wading. Mountain Heritage Waters
    • Side Note: we also offer Wading to Ocanaluftee tribal Water, Trophy water, and many creeks including GSNP by road or backcountry motor boat only..

Our Favorite Floats:

  1. Bryson City – Old River Road: Tee-Pees to Deep Creek
  2. Webster – Loki River Access to CJ Harris – need 250 cfs
  3. Barkers Creek To Whittier – #2 on NC Fly Fishing Trip and gets very little pressure.
    • We have floated every section of the Tuck from Lena Davis Dam to Fontana Lake. The sections above consistently produce great angling days.

Tuckasseegee Trout Species

Brook Trout are the only native trout species to the Smokey Mountains. But we do enjoy wild Rainbow and Brown Trout in addition to stocked fish. NC Trout Capital.

Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout

Native Brook Trout

Wild Brown Trout

Wild Rainbow Trout

Stocked: Rainbow, Brown, and Brook