Robin Sargent

I bet you didn't realize that salmon fishing is possible in the North Carolina Mountains. Well it is. Every fall, the salmon run up from lake Nantahala, up the Nantahala River , finally ending in the Standing Indian Wilderness Area. North Carolina Dept. of Wildlife Resources stocked kokanee salmon, onchorynchus nerki, in Nantahala and a couple other lakes in western North Carolina in the 1950s or 1960s as forage fish for northern pike, which they also stocked. Pike died, but the salmon have evolved and hung on. The kokanee are on average 20-24" long for the bucks and 14-16" long for the hens.

There is no way to catch these fish unless you are invited to the Rainbow Springs Club or know someone who owns property further downriver on Water Gage Road or own property within the Rainbow springs road areas referred to as Water gage road or thunderstuck road. The whole river where they run is private, and in North Carolina that means no fishing, no wading, etc.

The real point of my secret salmon alert relates to the fact that I have several acres of property listied on this very privite remote and secluded river. One brand new listing has a cabin and comes completely furnished, ready to enjoy and experience North Carolina Fishing at its finest. Oh yeah, it includes deeded fishing rights to over 3 miles of fishing on the very privite Upper Nantahala River. I will blog more on this newest listing later

But for right now, just imagine, if you were sitting here, you'd be fishing on the Nantahala River by now and likely catching Rainbows and Salmon.

I have specialized in wild trout stream, secluded properties. I have extensive knowledge of the surrounding areas for the past 25yrs. As past president of the Rainbow Springs river association and realtor , I can accurately state the following relevant to the Rainbow Springs area: Recent average price for Macon county side river/lake lots per acre has been 120K+ range. The average price for clay county river front only is 50K per acre and river/ lake property 90K The average cost for building square footage to be $125.00. Add 30K for site prep, well and septic. These costs reflect depressed market and were higher several years ago. The remoteness of the area drives up sq ft costs. I speak from experience. Consider that contractors spend over 1 hr per day just on drive time and the subs hate the distance which means you end up paying more to build in this area.

The Rainbow springs community area is really an anomaly due to the fact it is completely surrounded by NFS land, bordered by the Rainbow Springs Club ( a 5000+ acre private hunting preserve that has been deeded to a conservancy). Additionally, the Rainbow springs club is bordered by the Standing Indian Wilderness area and NFS. All of which means the Nantahala river that flows across the area properties is completely protected from development, deforestation and other adverse affects. The water quality is outstanding, clear and pure. The wild life is abundant. The Nantahala river of course is what feeds into the beautiful Lake Nantahala. large % of the lake shore is also NFS creating one of the most beautiful lakes east of the Mississippi.

The question becomes what is it worth to own a part of something so rare? This is what drives the fact that there are really no other homes on the market in this area. (in fact there are a few other homes but I wouldnt recommend touching them!) Point is that people really hang on to these properties. The final analysis: This area is the only way to go to get the value of remote, extremely private, protected land that includes ownership of both river and lake frontage. The people in this area all really value those qualities. Think about it....how many places offer river frontage, lake frontage, ultra-remote, great neighbors and have deeded fishing/hunting rights for the entire community?

Finally, I could point to other many other areas in Western North Carolina that have good selection of homes either on "rivers" or "lakes". I feel that None will come close to the offerings and profile of rainbow springs area. It really does come down to the personal value someone places on such an rare area.

A little known area above Lake Nantahala where the Nantahala river flows into the lake is an awesome area for fly fishing. It is known as the Rainbow Springs area, which is located above the Nanatahala Lake. It is a remote area, surrounded and bordered by 5+ miles of national forest. It's not well known, but this part of the river actually has its own salmon run during the late fall! (bet you didn't know that) The fish exit the lake and run up the river to an wilderness area known as the "standing Indian" area. I have listings of properties that are only on the river and some properties that have both lake front and river front because they are located right where the river and lake meet. (lakefront/riverfront is a totally unique value ) These are all located in a protected locked gated community and most be shown by Realtor. Do not venture down this road even if the gate is open... you may get locked in and its a long walk out of there!!! Also, some of the properties are located on the other side of river and can only be accessed by driving and fording through the Nantahala River at known groomed river crossings. They require good SUV and local knowledge!

Not only am a realtor, I am also an avoid fly fishing guy and really love this area. Anyone that is looking for awesome fly fishing cabin property would also love this area. I don't believe any thing else with unique features exists like this in the south east. I am knowledgeable on other trout water areas (the snowbirds, hiawaassee and other wilderness areas in the greater Nantahala National Forest areas. I will post more information on future blogs related to Fishing and Grouse Hunting areas. Please feel free to drop me a line is this is use full for you