Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians

Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians Gathering and preserving the artifacts and history of fly fishing, while educating the public about The history of supplementing our streams by stocking, etc.

Sections of the physical museum:

Gamefish and Streams:
Brook, rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth bass, sunfish and other Southern Appalachian native gamefish species in a cases, species info, stocking and management history – federal, state, EBCI, private, habitat, etc. Maps and photos provide an understanding of prominent streams for each species and their unique habits. Forage Foods and Habita

ts:
Aquatic Insects, Terrestrials, Crustacea and small bait fish all contribute to the nutrition of our mountain gamefish. Actual samples, life cycle pictorials, photos provide an understanding of the variety of foods in their own habitats. Flies:
Original Southern Appalachian fly patterns highlighted in display cases. Additional fly patterns found successful in the region for any and all gamefish also displayed. An open process to supporting and visiting fly tyers allows for submission of additional and new fly patters for continued expansion of the vast array of flies available to the fly fisherman. The actual fly, the recipe, the tier’s name and the back story about the fly is collected for each fly pattern submitted to the museum. Tyers:
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and local fly tyers provide the creativity and beauty of the art and production of both local original fly patterns as well as fly patterns from other places in the world that have been adopted for use in Southern Appalachia. Fly Fishermen (Anglers):
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and local anglers provide the rich heritage past down to our generation and beyond. Featured Southern Appalachian streams on panels with maps and photos highlight some of the most noteworthy fly fisherman and where they are generally know to fish or have fished. Rods, Reels and Fly Fishing Equipment:
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and local rod builders provide the foundation of the art and craft of rod building including both from scratch wood, metal and bamboo rod makers to skilled custom rod builders utilizing more modern bamboo, fiberglass and graphite blanks. Rods and reels, associated gear and gadgets, documents, photos, etc. in display cases provide a vision of past to modern fly fishing equipment. Rod Builders:
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and local rod builders display the complexity that draws craftsmen to the both the recreation and the hobby of fly fishing with your own custom made rod. Featured rods of fiberglass, metal, graphite and bamboo in various stages of development and the tools involved. Conservation Leaders:
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and conservation organization leaders, instructors and agency administrators provide a social, political and scientific view of how our streams have endured for many, many decades of both care and abuse. The history from foraging fish for food to regulations for sport tells the full story of the evolution of the sport of fly fishing. Mountain Region Scientists:
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and conservation organization amateur scientists, institutional scientists and agency scientists provide a social, political and scientific view of how the aquatic food chain and gamefish species have endured for many, many decades of both care and abuse. The full history from documenting fish for taxonomic identity to the use of DNA for genetic studies of fish populations gives a perspective of the evolution of our scientific methods. Hatcheries:
Stories and photos of regional and local hatcheries both agency operated and private. with maps and photos highlighting the machinery behind fishing licenses and keeping up with the demand for fishing. Fly Fishing Clubs and Entrepreneurial Endeavors:
Stories and photos of local clubs and entrepreneurial endeavors that offer alternative approaches to the sport of fly fishing. Guides:
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and local guides provide the experiences of fellow fly fishermen that teach others streamside, often as part of making a living in Southern Appalachia. The history of sporting stores, mail-order suppliers, lock tackle shops, local fly shops, etc. with maps and photos highlighting the diversity of opportunities for beginners, visitors and those expanding their experiences. Library, Photography and Art:
A small library of fly fishing related books provides a managed access for research. Fly fishing related photography and art by regional artists placed throughout the museum. Authors and Writers:
Biographies, stories and photos of legendary regional and local article writers, book authors, editors and publishers are indexed with their books available for sitting area research. It is assumed that either a donation will be encouraged from each visitor or a low-price ticket will be issued for general operating expenses. Museum merchandise, fly pins, museum pins, patches, etc. provide marketing, promotion and membership to the museum. Each display case would have: donor or loanee, description and use of item, historical timeframe, interesting or humor related story, etc. A future expansion might include a community room available for fly tying classes, conservation organization meetings and museum workshops. Learning stations, feature movie(s), timeline trail, etc. may be a future consideration. Kiosk

To create a dynamic capability of capturing history as it occurs, a database within a kiosk (possible with website access for museum members) will be updated quarterly with new who’s who in fly fishing bios (search data plus a narrative or video), stories and photos. In this manner all fly fishers may participate and me a part of the museum. The kiosks will provide electronic access to all museum information that has been digitized. This can be an opportune place to partner and promote both the museum as well as the business sponsors and museum agents involved.

Join us today!
06/13/2026

Join us today!

Today is the day! It’s Rivers & Reels Fest!

Join us for a full day of family activities, river exploration, education, and an evening film under the stars at Appalachian Rivers Aquarium.

Hidden Rivers is a 1-hour film that explores the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian region, North America’s most biologically rich waters. The film follows the work of conservation biologists and explorers throughout the region - revealing both the beauty and vulnerability of this aquatic life - and how many people are finding ways to protect these ecosystems.

Schedule of Events for Today

| 10am — Aquarium & Fly Fishing Museum Open |
Our aquarium and fly fishing museum will open at 10am. Admission to our facilities is free, however donations are greatly appreciated. See the endangered Eastern Hellbender salamander, view 100+ year old fly fishing gear, participate in our family-friendly scavenger hunt, or converse with our knowledgeable staff.

| 11am–3pm — Riverfront Family Fest |
The Riverfront Family Fest will start at 11am and go until 3pm. Today’s offerings include a bounce house, co****le, giant connect four and other lawn games, and an extremely talented face painter. Her service fee has been covered by Appalachian Rivers Aquarium so that face painting is complimentary to all visitors (but she does a wonderful job and can absolutely be tipped!)

**To respect the time of our staff and contractors, early or late entry to the event or its amenities is not permitted.**

| 2pm–3pm — River Snorkeling Workshop |
At 2pm we will start kicking off special activities for our evening film showing! A representative from Mainspring Conservation Trust and the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail will be on site from 2pm to 3pm to host a River Snorkeling Workshop. Recent rains have caused diminished water conditions for in-water activities but that doesn’t mean you can’t come on down and learn about river snorkeling! Guide Jason will go over basics, gear, safety, species identification, and more in this FREE one hour educational workshop. It’s a can’t miss to anyone who’s been curious about our native waterways and/or aquatic life. No gear is required but you can always run on down to our friends at Nantahala Gear Xchange after the class to purchase used and new snorkel gear!

| 4pm–7pm — Extended Aquarium Hours & Community Partners |
From 4pm until 7pm you can enjoy extended hours for the aquarium and fly fishing museum as well as peruse information about local community partners. Aquarium staff and a representative from Freshwaters Illustrated will be on site before the showing to answer questions and talk with visitors about freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity in our region. We will also have our co****le boards out in the lawn for visitors to play and enjoy!

| 8pm — Aquarium & Museum Close / Film Previews Begin |
At 8pm the aquarium and museum will close and film previews will start.

| 8:30pm — Feature Film Begins |
At 8:30pm our feature film will begin!

This event is FREE to attend. The movie will be shown outdoors (weather permitting), so please bring a lawn chair or blanket. Parking is limited, and carpooling is encouraged.

So many things going on this weekend!
05/21/2026

So many things going on this weekend!

Don’t let the rain get you down this Memorial Day Weekend, there’s still plenty to do at the Aquarium Park Campus!

Join us today (Thurs 5/21) from 10am to 4pm for an escape from the rain! The Aquarium and Fly Fishing Museum will be open to explore, including getting a chance to enjoy the family-friendly scavenger hunt activity.

Tomorrow (Fri 5/22) from 9am to 2pm we will be hosting the Smoky Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market! As long as we don’t have any heavy rain or wind/lightning the market goes on and we always have a great selection of local vendors. [check online an hour before event to confirm it hasn’t been cancelled]

Saturday (5/23) from 11am to 3pm we’re hosting our very first ever Riverfront Family Fest! We’re hoping the weather holds out for us for this event which features bounce houses, lawn games, and potentially a face painter and craft vendors! As long as we don’t get heavy rain or wind/lightning we will give it a go! [check online an hour before event to confirm it hasn’t been cancelled]

And if not, on Saturday we will also have our Critter Craft children’s craft where your child can tie their own fake fishing fly from 10am to 1pm.

This weekend is packed with opportunities, don’t miss out!

05/16/2026

We’ve got our family-favorite children’s craft today! Stop on by from 10am to 1pm to participate in “Critter Craft”, where children can tie their own (fake) fishing flies!

We tried to find a fun fly in the museum that had “mother” in the name and couldn’t… so it’s up to y’all to tie the perf...
05/09/2026

We tried to find a fun fly in the museum that had “mother” in the name and couldn’t… so it’s up to y’all to tie the perfect fly for Mother’s Day!

If you do, drop a photo in the comments so we can have the mother load 😉

05/01/2026

While you’re in town to visit the Smoky Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market be sure to stop by and visit with us (or vice versa)! They’re open from 9am to 2pm and we’re open from 10am to 4pm.

It’s a beautiful day to visit the aquarium, fly fishing museum, and to shop local while you’re at it.

Don’t bug out! You don’t have to be an entomologist to appreciate this super neat display generously donated to the Fly ...
04/24/2026

Don’t bug out!

You don’t have to be an entomologist to appreciate this super neat display generously donated to the Fly Fishing Museum! (Though if you are that’s super cool, talk bugs with us, we love it!)

Check out our entomology exhibit and all the others in the museum today (4/24) and tomorrow (4/25) from 10am to 4pm.

04/18/2026
It’s shaping out to be a nice day! We have a lot going on today (4/4) down at the aquarium and museum! 10am to 1pm we wi...
04/04/2026

It’s shaping out to be a nice day! We have a lot going on today (4/4) down at the aquarium and museum!

10am to 1pm we will have the children’s “Critter Craft” where they can tie their own kid safe, fake fishing fly. From 11am to 3pm (weather permitting) we will be hosting the Smoky Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market’s first ever Easter Weekend Pop-Up Market!

And available throughout the whole day (10am to 4pm) our ol’ reliable family friendly scavenger hunt and also a special Easter egg hunt activity for the younger kids! So much to do and see!

Both the aquarium and the fly fishing museum are admission free, though we greatly appreciate donations. Come on down and visit with us!

Address

117 Island Street
Bryson City, NC
28713

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18284883733

Website

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