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| Curtis Creek Area | |
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| Map of Curtis Creek Area (146kb) | Curtis Creek | Newberry Creek |
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The Curtis Creek area is located in McDowell County,
near Old Fort, Mount Mitchell, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The area is easily accessible by car. Rivers and streams within the Curtis Creek area support a
variety of fishing opportunities including backcountry trout fishing on Newberry
Creek to more accessible stream fishing on Curtis Creek proper.
Curtis Creek (above Newberry Creek) is managed under the NCWRC’s Wild Trout regulations. Upper portions of Curtis Creek are steeper and flow through steep, rough terrain. Although FS 482 follows it to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the road is often at the top of some very steep mountainsides. It does, however, cross the River several times before reaching the Parkway.
Species Present: rainbow trout (wild), occasional brook and brown trout (wild).
Seasons:
Curtis Creek is 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.
Newberry Creek
Newberry Creek is managed under the NCWRC’s Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only regulations. This high-gradient stream is among the most pristine on the Pisgah National Forest. Deep pools and steep, but small falls, make chest-waders a must. The surrounding landscape is wild and beautiful. FS 482A follows the creek for a while, making foot access easy.
Species Present: brook trout (wild), occasional brown trout (wild).
Seasons:
Newberry 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 Newberry Creek. This
area is posted with purple and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local
Access: From Interstate 40, take Exit 72 (Old Fort). Follow Highway 70 to intersection of SR 1227. Turn left onto SR 1227 and follow to FS 482 (same road). FS 482 follows Curtis Creek to the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 344 and Highway 80. From SR 1227, where it turns to FS 482, turn left onto FS 482A and follow to a small parking area at the end of the road to access Newberry Creek.
From the Blue Ridge Parkway, turn onto FS 482 near milepost 344 and Highway 80.
Camping: The Curtis Creek Campground offers overnight camping for 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 Curtis 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: This area is popular among local hikers and campers, and gets very crowded in the summer, especially on the weekends FS 482 is closed during the winter to protect the road from damage during the heavy freeze-thaw period.
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