The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians

There's nothing quite like a relaxing afternoon with no obligations, no deadlines, just chilling. Just reading.

Add to that the May/June issue of a magazine, not just any magazine, mind you, but The Travel and Outdoors issue of WNC Mountain Living in Western North Carolina. 

Add to that, the guideposts segment on page 23, the "Spot for Timely Tidbits & Newsy Snippets," and on that feature page, an article, "Reelin' in the Years." Click over and take a look at the online version.

Yes, a fly fishing article.

Caldwell County native Joe McDade

There they were, two of the Caldwell County fly fishermen featured in our soon to be released book, Joe McDade and Charlie Bean. Actually we submitted the photographs a few months ago and I completely forgot about them, so the magazine came as a surprise, a treat for my relaxing moment.

Caldwell County native Charlie Bean

A third Caldwell County fly fisherman is in the article as well, Alen Baker, talking about the "pioneers of mountain fly fishing" and the need to preserve their stories. That's being done, not only in (have I mentioned it lately?) my upcoming book with Ron Beane, Fly Fishermen of Caldwell County, North Carolina, but also in a new museum, The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians. It's in Cherokee, North Carolina, next to the Cherokee Welcome Center on the banks of the Oconaluftee River. 

Alen Baker in action

This museum is not a "how-to-fly-fish" spot, although anyone browsing through it will no doubt pick up tidbits and newsy snippets to learn more about the sport. Rather, this museum is about the men (and I hope women) behind the rods, who they are, what motivated them, and yes, the flies they created.

Joe McDade in action

If you are looking for a great side trip this summer, might I suggest this, the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians.  Do drop in.

Catch of the day,

Gretchen