“People fish because they are searching for something. Often, it is not for a fish.” Fennel Hudson, Fly Fishing – Fennel’s Journal – No. 5
Hello and welcome to the Way of Water. Our goal in this experience is to approach fly fishing as a contemplative practice and a way to experience renewal beyond just “getting on the water.”
“Flow” of the event
After brief introductions, we will gear up, and I will invite you into a short centering practice. You will be given one or more prompts to help ground you in the experience. Please arrive about 15 minutes early so we can get geared up and on the water as soon as possible! You will have an opportunity to share with the group as we close.
Important things to remember
Western North Carolina has some of the best fly fishing on the east coast. Participants will have opportunities to fish on a private section of the Broad River. All levels of skill are welcome, but gear, and instruction is not provided. You must bring your own gear and have some experience fishing with a fly rod. I will be very happy to help you tie knots and have a good time, but I don’t want to pass this off as fishing lessons.
About the river
The Rocky Broad River runs through the land here before it joins with the Hickory Nut Creek, the Middle Fork of the Hickory Nut Creek and Reedy Creek at Bat Cave where it then flows into Lake Lure, then into South Carolina to the Atlantic Ocean.
This stretch of the Rocky Broad is a private, beautiful stretch of the river. We will park near a private residence and then walk to the river. Some people with mobility issues need to take it slow.
The river itself is not very wide but is easily navigable by a trail along the river and features some deep pools and some areas with faster-moving currents.
There is a restroom available, but it will be a car ride away. I will do my best to help shuttle people to the facilities as needed.
What to bring
Getting there
The address for this location is listed as Hendersonville, but the location is actually off of Hwy 9, between Bat Cave and Black Mountain. I put 5292 NC-9, Hendersonville, NC into google maps. You will see a gravel road going down to the river, and the gate will be open.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Z6w3yWB2AztNofH7
Here is the driveway
Additional DIRECTIONS:
Flies:
Hatch Chart | WNC Fly Fishing | Davidson River Outfitters
You can find helpful recommendation on what flies to use at this site.
I prefer dries and have had good luck Caddis and Midges. I have also seen some people fish in the deeper pools using nymphs.
Elk Hair Caddis
Midge
Bead Head Nymphs
About the Transfiguration Preserve:
Located in the Hickory Nut Gorge in western North Carolina, at Bat Cave, this is home and refuge for many rare and endangered species of beings, animals and plants. This land has been a retreat since 1898 for the Sisters of the Transfiguration, an Episcopal religious community of women based in Glendale, Ohio, https://www.ctsisters.org/ now conserved through Conserving Carolina. https://conservingcarolina.org/forest-bathing/
*The vision for the Transfiguration Preserve is a stewarded, healthy and biodiverse ecosystem, with access for educators, students, researchers, and spiritual seekers at varying levels and abilities. The natural environment is the experience sought—where reflectivity, learning, spiritual connection, and exploration of the natural world ***can occur—in a landscape that has little or subtle evidence of human impact.