Our Streams: Oconaluftee River

The Oconaluftee River is another of the beautiful freestone waters in Western North Carolina. The unique name of this river is derived from the name of a Cherokee village, Egwanulti, which was established along the banks of the river before Europeans arrived in Western North Carolina.  The Luftee, as it is often called, forms north of Cherokee, near Newfound Gap (elevation 5,048) in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  The river is large relative to most streams in the Park.  It flows south and west, merging with Raven Fork in Cherokee and ultimately flowing into the Tuckasegee River a bit east of Bryson City.  The river is only about 10 miles in total length but drops a dramatic 2,000 feet in elevation along its span, which results in beautiful, fast moving water. 

There are two primary portions of the Oconaluftee: the upper portion which flows through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the lower which flows through the Qualla Boundary (the Reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee).  The river is considered sacred waters by the Cherokee. 

The Luftee is one of the most accessible rivers in the area.  Particularly in the lower portion in the Qualla Boundary, where you can stroll the wide, flat, easy walk on the Oconaluftee Trail which follows the river. Access in the GSMNP varies based on location and elevation but there are multiple areas with good access. 

Please see this article for more info on the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in general.

The Luftee is known for brook, rainbow and brown trout.  The GSMNP portion of the river has more brook trout and more wild fish.  The Qualla portion of the river, which flows through the town of Cherokee is managed by the Cherokee Fisheries and Wildlife Department as a ‘put-and-take’ fishery.  The tribe does an amazing job of management, stocking this portion of the river twice per week for an annual total of 300,000 stocked fish!  

As a result, there are a lot of big fish to catch in the lower portion of the river.  It is worth noting that up until 1998 the Luftee held the NC state record for a brown trout caught here weighing in at a whopping 15.9 pounds!  (The record was broken by a huge margin in 1998 via a 24lb 10oz brownie caught on the nearby  Nantahala River).  This fish population, plus the easy access makes the lower Luftee a great spot to take the whole family. 

The Oconaluftee is a year- round fishery.  Like most streams in the Smokies, it is often quite productive in the Spring.  Even in the heat of summer the fast moving waters of the Luftee stay cool, so it’s a great spot to Walk and Wade in the hotter months.  Walking the Oconaluftee Trail during the fall foliage is breathtaking with great fishing in the river.  A mild winter afternoon fishing on the lower reaches is easy and the weather may be a bit more predictable in Cherokee than in the higher elevations of the Luftee within the GSMNP.  

We fish wet and dry flies in the river and occasionally small streamers. 

Like most streams in the Smokies, casting space can be tight upstream, so roll casting and bow and arrow casting are common techniques.  The lower reaches of Luftee offer lots of areas with ample room for casting. Euro nymphing is also a technique that works extremely well on the Luftee, as with most streams in the GSMNP. 

We guide Walk and Wade trips on the Luftee

For the GSMNP portion of the Luftee, you will need a NC or TN fishing license. For the lower portion on Cherokee Reservation lands you need an Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Tribal Enterprise Fishing Permit, which you can purchase at the Eastern Band On-line Permiting System (sovsportsnet.net) 

Cherokee

Bryson City

Here are a few of the multiple access points along the Oconaluftee 

In the GSMNP 

• Just inside the park boundary, go to the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center at 1194 Newfound Gap Rd / Hwy 441, Cherokee, NC 28719 and access the Oconaluftee Trail. 
• Continue driving up 441 for multiple easy access points 

In the Qualla Boundary area

• Check out the Oconaluftee Island Park at 401 Acquoni Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719 

There is something for the entire family near the Oconaluftee River.  Since the river flows right through the city of Cherokee there are lots of options for lodging and restaurants, including the very nice hotel at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. For more modest accommodations there are multiple campgrounds in the area and lots of motels.  The scenery in the area is beautiful, especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway which you can access a few miles from Cherokee. The Oconaluftee River Trail is an easy walk.  It is one of only two trails in the GSMNP that allow bikes and pets as well as walking / hiking. 

Museum of the Cherokee Indian is a great local resource and a must see. 

We will continue documenting the rivers and streams we guide! Stay tuned!