Local Area Guide: Things to do / Activities / Attractions

The South Toe River Area is located in Yancey County, on the east slope of Mount Mitchell. This area is close to Mount Mitchell State Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Burnsville, and is easily accessible by car. Rivers and streams within the South Toe River Area support a variety of fishing opportunities including backcountry trout fishing on Upper and Lower Creeks (on the slopes of Mt Mitchell) to more accessible stream fishing on the South Toe River. Occasional large rainbow trout are caught on the middle South Toe River. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, turn onto FS 472 near milepost 344 and Highway 80. From Interstate 40, take Exit 72 (Old Fort). Follow Highway 70 to intersection of Highway 80. Turn left onto Highway 80 and follow under the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Mount Mitchell Golf Course. Bear left onto FS 472. Comments: Black bear density is higher than average in this area, so if camping, be sure to bear-proof your campsite! For more information: Contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_03_fishing.htm for more information on local fishing regulations and license requirements. Trail and local topographic maps are available from Appalachian Ranger District 19-E By-Pass, P.O. Box 128 Burnsville, North Carolina 28714 (828) 682-6146 Lower South Toe River The lower South Toe River (below the confluence with Clear Creek) is managed under the NCWRC�s Hatchery Supported regulations. There are no bait or size restrictions in this section of the River. The lower South Toe River bisects the Carolina Hemlocks Campground. Species Present: brook trout (hatchery-raised), and brown and rainbow trout (hatchery-raised and wild), occasional sunfish (mostly redbreast and smallmouth bass) Seasons: The lower South Toe River is closed to fishing from March 1 through the first Saturday in April. All other days, seven trout may be harvested per angler per day, with no size limit. This section of the river is posted with green and white diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations. Middle South Toe River The middle South Toe River (between the game lands boundary along FS 472 and the first concrete bridge above Black Mountain Campground, excluding tributaries) is managed under the NCWRC�s Catch and Release, Fly-Fishing Only regulations. This portion of the River is wide and shallow, although several deep pools make chest-waders a must. The middle South Toe River flows through the Black Mountain Campground. Species Present: rainbow and brown trout (wild), occasional brook trout (wild). It is not uncommon to find trophy-sized brown and rainbow trout, although they have proven to be pretty wily. Seasons: The middle South Toe River is open to fishing year-round. These waters may be fished with artificial flies having one single hook. No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing the middle South Toe River. This area is posted with red and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations. Upper South Toe River The upper South Toe River (above the first concrete bridge above Black Mountain Campground, excluding Lower and Upper Creeks) is managed under the NCWRC's Wild Trout regulations. This portion of the River is steeper and flows through steep, rough terrain. Although FS 472 follows it to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the road is often at the top of some very steep mountainsides. It does, however, cross the River several times before reaching the Parkway. Species Present: rainbow and brown trout (wild), occasional brook trout (wild). Seasons: The upper South Toe River is open to fishing year-round. These waters may be fished with artificial lures having one single hook. Four trout at least 7 inches long may be harvester per angler per day. This area is posted with blue and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations. Lower and Upper Creeks These streams are among the most pristine around. Old logging roads follow both creeks for a ways, but then you're on your own. The country is wild and beautiful. Species Present: brook trout (wild), and occasional rainbow trout (wild). Seasons: Lower and Upper Creeks are managed under the NCWRC's Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only regulations, and may be fished year-round with artificial lures having one single hook. No natural bait is allowed. No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing these streams. These areas are posted with purple and yellow diamond-shaped signs stating local fishing regulations.

Rated at 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest, this course is one of the most playable yet challenging courses in the mountains. Its just 2 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 344 (Buck Creek Gap) at NC80. Bent-grass from tee to tee, its more of a valley course -- the front nine was built on an old cow pasture with meandering creeks and open areas. The back nine though wanders along the South Toe River, with occasional crossings at the signature 14th hole and again at the 15th. Trees shade the margins of the fairways, and there's never a sense of any homes present at all, all being tucked way back in the trees. Truly one of the most serene settings in the mountains. The course does not penalize you for hitting it straight down the middle as some mountain courses do. Waiting to tee off at the second hole, a par 3, offers an opportunity for many golfers to feed the many trophy size rainbow and brown trout in a deep hole right next to the second tee. Tempting! Right behind the blue tees, and up the hill is one of our nicest vacation rentals, "Golf View" on Golf View Lane, just off of Fairway Loop. It has a path past a big fire pit down to the rivers edge right behind the tee box. The restuarant at Mt Mitchell Golf Course is open almost every night, currently closed only on Tuesdays and Sundays. Most Saturdays feature a prime rib and/or seafood buffet, Fridays generally an all you can eat barbeque. Its no wonder that the readers of the Asheville Citizen Times recently voted Mt Mitchell Golf Course and the #1 public course in the western Carolinas. Hawtree Pub, adjacent to the restuarant is open most afternoons and into the evening for coctails, or just a cold draft brew after coming in off the golf course. Yes, we have alcoholic beverages. Actually, the town of Burnsville has just voted in alcohol and most restuarantes now serve beer and wine, and the local Ingles grocery has a great selection of beers and wine. Soon, we may even have an ABC store in town. So what's next? We have a number of homes in the vacation rental pool that look down through the trees to the golf couse, and several that are situated along the river.

The South Toe River exits Pisgah National Forest here near the Mt Mitchell Golf Course. It has its origins on the eastern slopes of the Black Mountains with its watershed boundaries following the Blue Ridge Parkway on the South. The South Toe flows north up the valley, with Pisgah National Forest on both sides, and combines with the North Toe River between Micaville and Spruce Pine. At this point, its about a hundred yards wide, and about 10' deep. Here in the southern end of the valley, we have wonderful pristine waters which abound with brook trout, rainbows, and brown trout. At the golf course meanders along the South Toe River for seven of the back nine holes, with some near record brown trout taken from deep holes like that along the 14th fairway. Further north, about 3 miles, is the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, where you'll find one of the most refreshing swimming holes in the county. It features a concrete bank on one side, and waters about 10-15' deep. From Carolina Hemlocks south, lies one of the nicest areas for tubing you'll find in the mountains. You can start here and bob down the river for hours, picking any of a half dozen excellent areas to get out of the water and meet up with transportation back to the start point. For instance, from Carolina Hemlocks area to 7-mile Ridge Road would be about a two-three hour float.