North Carolina

Well winter is here in good old Ohio. I am already planning my next
family vacation / fishing trip. The last couple of years we have been
heading up to Michigan to the Upper Manistee River. I must say, I love
this river. Fishing it this past summer was a little tough this time
around. The sun was bright (damn bright), the water was warm and the
days were hot (damn hot). I did however land my biggest Brookie to
date this time around. It was right at about 11 inches. I thought it
was a small Brown at first. Being so warm I didn’t want to fool with
it much and my oldest boy wanted to get a look at so a true
measurement was not taken. It might have been 10 inches but I am
sticking with 11. I am quite gifted in these matters. The year before,
it was dry fly and Brookie heaven. I could toss just about and pattern
and get a take. This time around, they made me work for it. No action
on top the week I was there. But knowing what it could be I stuck
hardnosed to the dry fly. Even fell into the trap of tying on about 5
different patterns in an hour, knowing it is wrong, doing it anyway. I
would look at my nymph box and then recall the glory of a hungry
Brookie eating a bug off the surface and tie on another dry. Vicious
life can be. All in all I love this place, Absolute clear, cold water
and pretty much quiet. Love it there.
But this year I am thinking about North Carolina. I've never been.
Maybe the area of Franklin. I sort of don’t like people much and like
my camping to feel like camping. But its a family trip and the wife,
three boys and dog would probably like a little to do. Hike this trail
hike that trail, go back to camp sort of thing. Being a family trip it
will need to be a drive to camp site. Simply too much to carry at this
point in life. But I don’t mind a good hike to fish. As a matter of
fact I would rather walk in a bit. Quiet, I like to get away from the
people. I am thinking that maybe this year we will go the first week
in June. I am looking for pretty safe water as well. My boys are mid
teens and I would like it very much if they don't drown while wading.
My wife does not fish. She goes and holds down "trout camp" (as I call
It) and never complains not a bit when I roll out at the crack of dawn
and slosh around a large gulp Bush Mills and call it brushing my teeth
before I grab my gear and hit the water. Never says I fish too much.
She wouldn't If I did. I don't. Not so sure there is such a thing. But
too much fishing at the point in life is not an issue. She's too good
to me really. Now here is the kicker. I am damn poor at this point in
life. It has been a rough few years. This being said, cheap is not
only good, it’s a must. The cheaper the camping is, the better. We
don't need nor want anything fancy. Just some quiet, a nice place for
two tents,a dog and some trout waters to wade. So there you have it.
Part story, part question. But all true. I am thinking maybe Snowbird
creek. Any thoughts anyone? Oh and it doesn't need to be near
Franklin. That’s about an 8 hour drive for me and That's about as far
as I would like to go. Any part of the western part of the state is an
option at this point. Nantahala, Pisgah... doesn't matter. Looking for
cheap, nice to look at, easy to get along with and productive waters.
(Sounds like my wife)
So what do you think?
Suggestions?
Chad