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Upper Wilson Creek Area |
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| Map of Wilson Creek Area (gif 67kb) (click photo to enlarge) | |||
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| Wilson | Andrews | Lost Cove | North Harper |
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Upper Wilson Creek Area |
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| Map of Wilson Creek Area (gif 67kb) (click photo to enlarge) | |||
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| Wilson | Andrews | Lost Cove | North Harper |
Streams within the upper Wilson Creek Area support a diversity of backcountry trout fishing opportunities within Avery and Caldwell Counties. This area is close to Morganton, Lenoir, Grandfather Mountain, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is easily accessible by car.
Access: From Highway 221 near Grandmother Mountain, turn onto SR 1514 and follow to intersection with FS 192. Turn right onto FS 192. This road crosses Wilson and Andrews Creeks. Trails follow both creeks.
Follow SR 1514 to intersection with FS 981, near Mortimer Campground. Turn right onto FS 981 and follow to several trailheads for Lost Cove Creek. FS 981 turns into SR 1511 and intersects the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Town of Linville.
Follow SR 1514 to intersection with FS 464 . Turn right onto FS 464 and follow to several trailheads for the Harper Creek area. FS 464 intersects Highway 181 near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
From Interstate 40, take Exit 100 (Jamestown Road)). Follow signs to Highway 181 North. Follow Highway 181 North to Highway 221 and Blue Ridge Parkway and use directions above (in reverse).
Camping: The Mortimer Campground offers overnight camping for trailers and tents. Restroom facilities, drinking water, tent pads, and grills, are available. Sites are first-come, first-served, and a fee is required to camp in these campgrounds.
Primitive camping is allowed on Forest Service lands throughout the upper Wilson Creek area, except where signed “no camping”. Exceptions to this rule may occur along major Forest Service roads, where primitive campsites have been designated and signed to protect water quality and other natural resources.
Comments: Access to these streams is by trail only and can be difficult. It is recommended that topographic and local trail maps and orienteering equipment be used generously to avoid getting lost.
For more information: Contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_03_fishing.htm for more information on local fishing regulations and license requirements. Trail and local topographic maps are available from:
Grandfather Ranger District
Route 1, Box 110-A (off Exit 90 on Interstate 40)
Nebo, North Carolina 28761
(828) 652-2144
Wilson Creek (upper) is managed under the NCWRC’s Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only regulations. Upper portions of Wilson Creek are steep and flow through steep, rough terrain.
Seasons: Wilson Creek is open to fishing year-round. These waters may be fished with artificial lures having one single hook. No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing Wilson Creek. This area is posted with purple and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.
Andrews Creek
Andrews Creek is managed under the NCWRC’s catch and release trout regulations. Andrews Creek is relatively flat and flows through several open meadows and wildlife fields.
Species Present: brown trout (wild).
Seasons: Andrews Creek is open to fishing year-round. These waters may be fished with artificial lures having one single hook. No fish can be retained while fishing this stream. This area is posted with blue and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.
Lost Cove is managed under the NCWRC’s Catch and Release, Fly-Fishing Only regulations. This stream flows through the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area, and is among the most pristine on the Pisgah National Forest. Lower portions are flat, but deep pools and steep, but small falls, make chest-waders a must. The surrounding landscape is steep and rough.
Species Present: rainbow trout (wild), occasional brown trout (wild).
Seasons: Lost Cove Creek is open to fishing year-round. These waters may be fished with artificial flies having one single hook. No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing Lost Cove Creek. This area is posted with red and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.
North and South Harper Creeks are managed under the NCWRC’s Wild Trout regulations. These streams flow through steep, rough terrain. Large, deep pools are frequent. The trail system in this area, while extensive, can be confusing. It is advised that local topographic and trail maps be consulted often when accessing this area.
Species Present: rainbow trout (wild), occasional brook and brown trout (wild).
Seasons: North and South Harper Creeks are open to fishing year-round. These waters may be fished with artificial lures having one single hook. Four trout at least 7 inches long may be harvested per angler per day. This area is posted with blue and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.
