Can You Fish on the French Broad River With Live Bait?
Snaking through popular tourist destinations like Asheville, North Carolina and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the French Broad River is widely considered one of the more popular and beautiful waterways in the eastern United States. Each year, thousands of recreation enthusiasts flock to the French Broad to enjoy such activities as rafting, skiing and fishing.
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Geography
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The French Broad River begins in Transylvania County, North Carolina, just east of the Eastern Continental Divide. From there, it flows northwest into the Asheville area, through the North Carolina side of the Great Smokey Mountains, and across the Tennessee state line. Slightly east of Knoxville, Tennessee, the French Broad converges with the Holston River at a point generally considered to be the headwaters of the Tennessee River (the Tennessee River, consequently, flows through Knoxville and middle Tennessee, ending at the Mississippi river in west Tennessee).
Tributaries
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As the French Broad River flows through Asheville, North Carolina, it is fed by western North Carolina's Swannanoa River. Just across the Tennessee state line, in Cocke County and Newport, Tennessee, additional tributaries include the Pigeon River and Nolichucky River. As the flow approaches the tourist town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, it is joined by the Little Pigeon River before flowing into Douglas Lake (a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) lake created by Douglas Dam) .
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History
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The French Broad River has a far more innocuous name than some residents of the Appalachian region have long rumored. Rather than being named for a French mademoiselle, the river's name stems from its broad flow through French territories in colonial North Carolina. A river which similarly flowed through English territory was once known as the English Broad River, though it is now more commonly referred to as the Broad River. The French Broad River was a major player in the development of several cities along its route, most famously Ashville, North Carolina and Sevierville, Tennessee. In 1968, the state of Tennessee designated the state's portion of the French Broad as a state scenic area.
Recreation
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The French Broad River is popular with recreationists in the Appalachian area, especially during the warm summer months. Popular recreation along the river includes boating and water skiing, riding of personal watercraft, and--especially in the faster moving portions--white water rafting. More subdued portions of the river are ideal spots for fishing, and a variety of live and man-made bait may be effective. Prominent catches in the French Broad include crappie, bass and trout, three fish that thrive in the cool mountain waters.
Warning
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While the French Broad River is a peaceful and highly scenic waterway, its violent rapids and dramatic mountain drops also make it a dangerous recreational area. Thrill seekers who ride the river's rapids frequently attest to the river's changing dynamics, and the French Broad--like any mountain river--can quickly change demeanor with variances in the rugged terrain. One of the French Broad's tributaries, the Nolichuckey River, actually draws its name from a Cherokee word for "dangerous water." In addition to the potential hazards presented by the river itself, several species of snakes are prevalent around the French Broad; copperhead and water moccasin ("cotton mouth") snakes are common in and around the river. Black bears are also indigenous to the area.
Fishing Restrictions
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While most bait--both live and inanimate--is allowed when fishing on the French Broad river, both North Carolina and Tennessee have extensive licensing and regulatory procedures (according to one AshvilleNOW article, the North Carolina fishing regulations alone are more than 75 pages in length). While some of these regulations may seem somewhat asinine to avid fishermen (snakehead fish, walking catfish and pirannah are prohibited in North Carolina waterways, for example), other regulations can be somewhat more foreboding. Both North Carolina and Tennessee are relatively lax on the types of bait used for general fishing (night crawlers, earth worms, minnows, and other traditional live bait are acceptable), but a few exceptions do apply (both states prohibit the use of eels less than 6-inches long). Additionally, designated waterfowl impoundments may require special considerations (crab pots may not be used in these impoundments, though they are acceptable on general waterways). The use of live bait may also be dependent on the type of fishing rig deployed; while live bait is perfectly acceptable on a standard fishing pole, for instance, it may not be used on trot lines, set-hooks or jug-hooks. Before embarking on a fishing venture to the French Broad river, consult with the appropriate state licensing officials (see Resources below).
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