My husband and I love to fish, birdwatch and kayak. We had heard that there were “fishing kayaks” available at one of the local guide services. We decided to see what was available and called to book some kayaks and a fishing guide and to see what else the company had to offer. We arrived at the launching spot just as the sky was brightening. Our guide had the kayaks all set up and waiting for us. The fishing kayaks were a marvel. The beauty of the surroundings even more so.

There was the classic “smoke on the water” mist lying on the lake and the water was as clear as a mirror, reflecting the mountains. Jared Schuster, our guide for the day, gave us a brief explanation of how the kayaks are used and a safety explanation to ensure a good trip. He supplied comfortable life jackets and everything we needed. We were helped into the kayaks, which were powered by our legs, leaving our arms free to handle the fishing rods. The seats were extremely comfortable. Our guide, Jared Schuster, was a font of information and described the different kinds of fish that could be caught that day. We learned so much! A GPS locator is on each kayak that is very helpful. On it you can see the bait fish, usually schools of Shad, swirling in circles beneath the surface. The bigger predator fish such as Bass and Trout, feed off the smaller bait fish. We had a choice as to whether we wanted to fish with a spin caster or whether we wanted to troll at the deeper, cooler depths. The locator affixed to the side of the kayak supplied the depth, the water temperature and speed that you are going in your kayak. We even had a place to put our water containers, cameras and sunglasses safely.

We pushed off and glided easily out onto the lake as the sun rose and transformed the sky into a glorious mix of pinks, whites and blues. It was so quiet. We were shown how to look far across the surface of the lake to see where the fish, usually Bass, were rising to the surface and feeding. We headed out to “Chase the Bass. Each Kayak has a net just behind the seat. Our guide took us to a place where he knew fish could be found. That is the joy of having an experienced local guide. You don’t waste time if you are hoping to catch supper! He explained to us that he checks the temperature of the fish’s skin when you net one. If it is warm the fish has been swimming near the surface of the lake and if you release it, it will most likely be just fine. If the skin is very cold, then your fish has darted up from the depths to snag your bait and you should consider keeping and eating him because he will have a harder time recovering after release. Our guide not only cleaned our catch for us but showed us exactly what he was doing and why.

I caught my first fish and it was a big white bass! There is something so thrilling about the feel of a fish pulling hard on the end of  your line. Once the fish was in the kayak, I shrieked for my husband to come take a picture of it. The guide had a camera also, and we all quickly snapped pictures. We decided that the Bass would be our supper and it was slid onto a stringer and placed back in the water along the side of the Kayak. Our group fished happily for hours. We switched from surface fishing to trolling. My most exciting catch was made as  we made our way back to the dock. I caught the most beautiful Brown Trout I had ever seen. It was 23 inches! I was thrilled. The skilled guide netted it up and into my kayak. We immediately agreed that this fish was too beautiful to keep and we snapped a picture and then gently unhooked and placed him back in the water. The guide cradled the fish in his hands and gently moved it back and forth so that water and oxygen would flow across its gills. He pointed out that the skin of the fish was warm and it would push off when it was ready. I happily watched the Monster Fish swim off to live another day. That evening, as my husband and I dined on fresh White Bass tacos, we were still talking about the day. It was priceless.

We discovered that you can customize your day based on weather, location, and activity. You can rent a tandem kayak that has a spot in the middle for your child or your pet. You can rent a paddle board that has a keel that runs from bow to stern on which you can do yoga. These paddle boards are 36” wide and extremely stable, so worries about balancing are needless. Night trips are also available for fishing, watching a sunset or a moonrise, and they even have colored lights that can be attached to the boats for a delightful celebration. There are several places in Graham County to rent Kayaks and Paddleboards. The guide we used was Jared Schuster and his company is Smoky Mountain Kayak Fishing. You can reach him at (828) 735-9793 and his website with details is www.smokymountainkayakfishing.com. If you only have a few days in
Graham County, think about combining several activities on the water and make memories for a lifetime.

Author: Kim Hainge

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What happens in the winter? Don’t all the birds migrate south towards the warming weather? Oh no. The diet of birds has a huge influence on whether they migrate or not. Birds that feed on flying insects are the first to leave as the cooler weather begins. Insectivorous Swallows are the first birds to head south, but they are followed by orioles, tanagers and other birds that not only eat insects but also fruits and berries.

Seed-eaters, however, stay for the winter. Seeds are most plentiful in the fall and winter. Many of these birds supplement their seed diet with the larvae and pupae of insects waiting to complete their life cycle in the early spring. For a few birds, winter is the beginning of the breeding season.

Though many people think of winter as “downtime” for birders, it really isn’t so. Birds are not quite as talkative during the winter. When the weather is cold and food is in short supply they don’t “talk” as much as they do at other seasons. Yet they are here, hordes of them, resident birds and winter visitors alike. You can go out looking for them and you should find plenty to see.

Great horned owls, Barred Owls and Screech owls are notoriously early nesters, with pairs courting in December and actually laying eggs by January in many cases. It is tremendous fun to listen to the owls call out to each other during the winter months and try and identify which owl is claiming its territory, seducing its mate and bragging about the fine nest of eggs in its nest. Since the leaves are off the trees in most cases, it is much easier to see these magnificent birds perched on the upper branches of trees.

The woodcock is the only one of the sandpiper group that prefers to live in damp, shady woods. It also begins the courtship process in midwinter. Though they don’t lay eggs as early as the owls do, the woodcocks begin displaying before many other species. In the mountains you can hear the males calling by mid-February in most years.

The birds that most of us are most familiar with at bird feeders start to sing on sunny days in January, even when the temperature is quite low. Cardinals, Carolina wrens, and titmice, Juncos, house finches, and even bluebirds can be spotted.

Advice from the Audubon Society reads, “If you go out searching for birds in the woods, bear in mind that in winter the smaller woodland birds tend to travel in flocks, so you will find many of them together or you will probably find none at all. Listen for the chickadees, because they will alert you to the presence of one of these nomadic little bands. Titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, kinglets, and the occasional hermit thrush may round out a typical mixed woodland flock. It is theorized that the birds find protection in togetherness — each one in a group being, perhaps, less vulnerable to attack from a sharp-shinned or Cooper’s hawk than it would be if it were traveling alone. Or it may be that they have found that they have a better chance at finding food when moving around together. Whatever their reason, the method works.”

Most birds seem to prefer the borders of meadows. The trees provide shelter from predators and the fields usually provide seeds from wildflowers and grasses. In the winter you are most like to find such birds as sparrows and finches that like to eat weed seeds at this season. Sparrows are fun to search for in winter, because there are so many different kinds to see and their differences are subtle, making identification something of a challenge. You can really hone your birding skills on sparrows.

The variety of woodpeckers in our woods in the winter is delightful. My personal favorite is the Pileated Woodpecker. Its cry is most distinctive and it feeds on the fat grubs that live in decaying trees. It is a bit larger than the common crow and so brilliantly colored it is a thrill to see it, perched at the very top of a dead hemlock tree, or pecking out a cavity lower down the tree that will serve as a nest for its family.

The yellow-bellied sapsucker can also be spotted in the winter. This pretty bird is responsible for the rows and rows of holes that wrap around so many of the trees in the forest. They feed on the insects that live in the upper surface of the bark or hide in the crevices.

If you visit the county over Christmas you can choose to take part in the Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Audubon’s 121st Christmas Bird Count will be conducted between the dates of Monday, December 14, 2020 through Tuesday, January 5, 2021. There is a specific methodology to the CBC, and all participants must make arrangements to participate in advance with the circle compiler within an established circle, but anyone can participate.

Each count takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day. If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher.

The winter months in Graham County provide an outstanding opportunity to see many birds that are hidden from view by the dense canopy of leaves during the rest of the year. Bring your binoculars, scope and camera and prepare to add numerous birds to your Bird Life List. Listening for the drumming of the Ruffed Grouse and looking for rustling in the underbrush indicating the location of its nest lifts the heart and stirs the blood. Once discovered, birding is one of the most entertaining hobbies in the world and one that will bring you back to Graham County every month of the year.

Author: Kim Hainge

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Just outside of Robbinsville NC, you will find Big Snowbird Creek. The headwaters of Big Snowbird Creek begin in the Snowbird Mountains, and it empties into Santeetlah Lake. Its three scenic waterfalls, deep wading pools, and easy access make Snowbird Creek a popular fishing spot for many anglers. The real highlight of this creek, though, is its’ delayed harvest section. The section of Snowbird Creek from the US Forest Service footbridge at the old railroad junction to the US Forest Service Road 2579 is the Delayed Harvest section. The most accessible part of this section begins at the concrete bridge over Big Snowbird on FR 2579 and continues down to the footbridge at the end of the gravel road. On October 1st the delayed harvest season begins. This date is anxiously awaited by both beginning and experienced fly fisherman. This fall, the NC Wildlife Resource Commission will stock the Delayed Harvest section on October 1st and again on November 2nd. Although the fish are plentiful, the fishing is “catch and release” only. Other regulations include: no natural bait may be possessed by the angler, and anglers can only fish with artificial lures with one single hook.

Imagine enjoying fishing all day in an unforgettable setting and then when finished, being able to easily get right back to your choice of lodging. If you are staying in one of the many charming and unique places within Graham County, you can get back quickly and see how having “all the comforts of home” help make it easy to bring the days’ reflection to rest. By choosing Graham County as your home base, you will not only be in close proximity to Big Snowbird Creek, but you’ll also be not far from yet another delayed harvest fishing option.

A short distance from Big Snowbird Creek is the Nantahala River. This river is another abundant trout fishing destination, just an easy twenty-five-mile drive from Robbinsville to Macon County. The Upper Nantahala River from the mouth of White Oak Creek continuing on to the Duke Energy Power Plant is classified as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. The river’s Delayed Harvest section will be stocked, this year on October 2nd and November 16th. This section is a very popular because of its cascading waterfalls, consistent flow, and relative width make it a great river for open wading.

In Graham County, an epic fall fishing trip awaits. The delayed harvest opportunities of the Big Snowbird Creek, the close proximity of the Nantahala River, and the abundance of ”just right” places to stay in and around Robbinsville, make Graham County the ideal location for a base camp. The chance to social distance and to safely rejuvenate may just be what you need this fall season. So, let Graham County be your refuge, and avail yourself of the abundant opportunities to experience the solitude along peaceful river banks and colorful hiking trails this fall season. If you are looking for a place to trek into nature and reconnect, come discover your own sanctuary in Graham County!

Author: Erin Emmons

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There are so many things to do in Graham County while remaining physically distanced from others. It is a healing place. Spending time here helps to center a racing mind and reminds us of things that are really important to us. Come and visit. It could change your life.

Kim Hainge: author

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Turkey Tail Mushroom near river cane

Horn of Plenty Mushrooms. Smell like Apricots

Chaneterell Mushroom

 Graham County is one of the most wonderful spots on the East Coast of the United States to see mushrooms, lichens, mosses and ferns. All year long the mountains and valleys are filled with beauty, but you have to train yourself to look. For years, I hiked the trails and explored the stream banks and reveled in the birds, the trees and especially the wildflowers. Then I was introduced to my first wild-foraged mushroom by a friend of mine from Asheville, Mr. Alan Muskat. Alan came up to my property and led a mushroom hike to seek as many different mushrooms as we could find. I was astounded and fascinated. They were everywhere I looked!
Fungi can be large and tiny, range from bright blue to scarlet, and every color, shape and size between. I realized that all these years I had just not noticed them. I discovered that fungi are as much fun to seek out as wildflowers or birds and that Graham County was the perfect place to see and photograph them. To add to the fun, I learned the top ten, edible mushrooms that can be found here. It is thrilling to stroll out the back door and discover a gourmet mushroom that is sold for a high price at the grocery store. It can make you feel like royalty to dine on freshly picked mushrooms that you harvested yourself.
Many people have great concern about accidentally eating mushrooms that are poisonous. That is a valid concern. Just because something looks like it should be edible does not make it so. There are classes to be taken, guidebooks from which to learn and mushroom clubs available to join. If you plan to eat wild mushrooms you need to learn how to positively identify them.
Fungi can be found just about anywhere in the woods, but the best place to start is a trail that meanders along a mountain stream. Two of my favorites are Slickrock Trail, that is located quite close to the Tapoco Lodge along the Cheoah River, and the Stairway to Heaven Trail near the Fontana Resort. There is one important thing to remember. Mushrooms are not like wildflowers. They pop up and disappear in a day. When you discover a stunning group of tiny blue mushrooms nestled in green moss, stop and really focus on its beauty. Take a picture of it, or bring a sketch book and a pencil. Fungi photography is a growing passion in this country and there are Facebook pages studded with pictures of mushrooms and other fungi. The more you look, the more you will see. Palaces for fairies and ballrooms for elves can be spotted. A circle of white mushrooms in the middle of a pasture is called “A Fairy Ring”.
Several of our local restaurants can provide delicious mushroom appetizers, entrees and even desserts! Plan a few days, any time of the year, to enter a whole new world of beauty that few know exist. With hundreds of miles of hiking trails, Graham County is the perfect place to visit and soak in the peace and tranquility. The Appalachian Trail, The Bartram trail and The Benton MacKaye Trail can be explored here and you will find that you will feel refreshed and relaxed after spending a couple days walking slowly along forest paths and seeing, perhaps for the first time, the beauties of the mushroom kingdom.

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On the first Saturday every June, when delayed harvest officially ends for the year, only anglers under the age of 16 can fish between 6 A.M. and 12 P.M. After that, anyone can fish and keep up to 7 fish per day, with no size or bait restriction.
Whether you choose to fish in Hatchery supported streams, explore the rugged and enchanting headwater creeks and blue-line for beautiful Brook Trout or prefer fishing in the numerous lakes in Graham County, you can be assured that you will want to return again and again.

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Author: Kim Hainge

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Taken from the observation deck

Once again, it’s time for the autumn leaves to delight us with their beautiful colors and fragrance. Come to Graham County for some spectacular leaf color display. A little-known location for viewing the changing colors, as well as watching both the sun set and the moon rise, is called Maple Springs Overlook.
Maple Springs Overlook, at 3340 feet elevation, can be part of a perfect fall day in Graham County. Combine a visit to the famous Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, the Maple Springs Overlook and the Cherohala Skyway, and you will be staggered by the glorious fall color and vistas. You may be lucky enough to be greeted with swirls of multicolored maple leaves blowing across the road on a breezy day. The Maple Springs Overlook is located about five miles past the turn into the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest parking lot. Park in the paved lot, which is literally the “end of the road”. Follow the brand-new composite boardwalk out to the deck, which overlooks the Slickrock Creek basin. The view is spectacular. Lake Santeetlah can be seen from the deck off to the right. The Little Santeetlah Creek watershed feeds into this beautiful lake.
The wildfires that swept through the Nantahala National Forest and the Joyce Kilmer – Slickrock Wilderness in the Fall of 2016 damaged the wood bridge and deck at Maple Springs Overlook. The original deck encircled a large tree which was lost to the fire. The deck was closed off to visitors for almost two years and has just been reopened, better than ever. The 900 ft boardwalk to the open deck circles around an island of trees, so you can walk in one way and walk out the other.
The Observation deck is an excellent place for pictures and a picnic lunch, but an alternative is to stop at the picnic area back down the road towards the Memorial Forest. There is a pull-off at an unusual rock formation consisting of rocks protruding vertically from the mountainside. The pull off offers a picnic table and trash can.
This section of highway going to the Maple Springs Overlook was originally constructed in the 1960’s as the beginning of the Cherohala Skyway. Thanks to the efforts of environmentalists from the government, groups like the Wilderness Society, activists and the general public, the construction of this route was halted. At that time the Cherohala Skyway was rerouted to the opposite end of Joyce Kilmer Road.
Today you can access the completed Cherohala Skyway by following the road back past the entrance to the memorial forest and continuing on another couple of miles until the road ends and NC 143 begins. A right turn towards the west will put you on the skyway, which rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway for its natural beauty.
Keep in mind that there are no restrooms at the Maple Springs Observation Deck area. The closest rest rooms can be found at the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest parking/picnic area. You may wish to stop at the Graham County travel and Tourism office on the Rodney Orr bypass in Robbinsville to pick up a map and directions.

Kim Hainge: Author

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Fireflies in early summer can create memories that last a lifetime. Graham County, North Carolina, is the home of two very special species of firefly; the Synchronous firefly (Plotinus Carolinas) and the Blue Ghost Firefly (Pauses reticulate).
Prior to 1900, synchronous fireflies were known only to a privileged few in the Appalachian Mountains. Once the word got out, people came to the Great Smoky Mountain Park to see the fireflies’ spectacular light show on an annual basis. The site at Elmont can become so crowded during peak firefly times that some of the magic is lost to those who don’t enjoy crowds. They have even started a lottery for the privilege of being bused to the location. The good news is that synchronous fireflies also display at various locations in Graham County. The Joyce-Kilmer Memorial Forest is one of the newly discovered locations to view one of the only species of firefly in the United States that can synchronize their flashing light patterns.
During the first week of June, on a quiet, dark, rain-free evening, drive up to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest parking lot. Bring a flashlight covered with blue or red cellophane in order to retain your night vision. Park your car and creep up the trail to sit on a bench and watch the woods light up. At first, everything is pitch black, then, as suddenly as if someone had flicked a light switch, the woods light up like a Christmas tree. The lights continue flashing for about a minute and a half, then just as suddenly, everything is pitch black once again. Peak flashing for synchronous fireflies in the area normally occurs within a two-week period in mid-June from dark to about 11:00pm. It depends on the weather and the progression of spring.
An additional treat is that you will also see the wonderfully named Blue Ghost Firefly in the forest. This firefly is much smaller than the average firefly, about the size of a grain of rice. They appear for about one month of the year, usually June, and are most often seen around ten o’clock at night. Their blue-green light rarely blinks but glows continuously as the small firefly travels through the air and underbrush. This firefly can actually control the intensity of its light, from low to brilliant. It is easy to imagine that it could have been the inspiration for Pinocchio’s Blue Fairy.

Photograph courtesy of NPS

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