It's no secret that fly fishing along the Tuckaseigee River is about as good as it gets anywhere. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, it has.

The first officially designated fly fishing trail in the U.S. is right here in Jackson County, appropriately titled the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.

"The idea to create a fly fishing trail came from a brainstorming session between me and Craig Distl, our Public Relations representative," said Julie Spiro, Executive Director of the Jackson County Chamber and Tourism Authority. "For about five years now, we have been promoting the great fishing that we have in Jackson County. We think fishermen really appreciate what we have to offer here. We wanted to create a trail to help folks who are not as familiar with the area find places to fish, while stressing the importance of respecting the rights of private land owners."

The trail features some of the best trout waters in the Great Smoky Mountains and encompasses 15 prime spots for catching brook, brown and rainbow trout. The trail includes portions of four rivers, the Tuckaseigee, Chattooga, Whitewater and Horsepasture.

The Horsepasture River actually produced the last two state-record rainbow trout in N.C. Currently, Leah Johnson holds the record at 20 pounds, 3 ounces, catching the mammoth on Jan. 28, 2006.

"We wanted to get some solid advice from guides in the area, as well as fishermen," added Spiro about the creation of the trail. "We contacted Alex Bell of Sylva, who runs a guide service, and Bobby Kilby, who has a great deal of experience fishing various streams and the Tuckaseigee River. Bobby and Alex helped us lay out the trail. It has taken about seven months to complete the map and Web site."

The trail is also highlighted by several smaller streams and remote waterways. Tanasee Creek and Greens Creek cut through scenic areas of the Nantahala National Forest, while Panthertown Creek bisects Panthertown Valley, which is often referred to as the "Yosemite of the East."

Read the full story at the CrossroadsChronicle Online.