2nd Annual Western North Carolina Flyathlon
When: April 26th - 28th, 2024
Where: Saluda, NC
Number of Participants: 50
Fishing Difficulty: MODERATE
Running Difficulty: MODERATE
Course Map and Elevation Profile: 6 mile out and back course with approximately 1900 feet of elevation gain / loss.
REGISTER: Registration will open at this link at 10 am EST on January 27th, 2024.
When: April 26th - 28th, 2024
Where: Saluda, NC
Number of Participants: 50
Fishing Difficulty: MODERATE
Running Difficulty: MODERATE
Course Map and Elevation Profile: 6 mile out and back course with approximately 1900 feet of elevation gain / loss.
REGISTER: Registration will open at this link at 10 am EST on January 27th, 2024.
This scenic and fishy course winds along the Green River near Salida, NC.
Event Description: First held at the end of April in 2023, this is the newbie Flyathlon race on the block. Held in the Green River Game Lands near Salida, NC, this Flyathlon is designed to bring the outdoor enthusiast together with the goal of protecting watersheds like the Green River from the increase of pollution and development in the area. This river provides habitat for our unique native brookies but public access is a constant battle, and this is one way we can protect this area while running, drinking delicious beer, and catching a few fish friends.
On Thursday night, we gather at New Belgium Brewing Co. in Asheville NC to share fine craft beers and go over the rules. Camping will be available near the start line on Friday and Saturday nights of race weekend and we strongly encourage everyone to come and stay for the weekend! On Friday night, we will have a series of leisure sports games with prizes including time deductions for Saturday's main event.
Bright and early Saturday morning, we organize at the Green River Ranch which conveniently sits at the trailhead of the Green River Cove trail. A few words are spoken, a crappy domestic beer is sacrificed, and then flyathletes are off.
One thing to keep in mind is the Green River is a dam released river, so flows matter. 0 or 1 unit of generation is fairly easy to navigate, while 2 units of generation from the hydroelectric plant becomes nearly impossible in the Narrows and blows out some of the lower Delayed Harvest runs. We plan to work with the plant to have ideal flows on race day.
With two very distinct sections of river there are two very distinct approaches to fishing. Stockers will eat about anything with an OK drift, especially your favorite “junk” flies (squirmy worms, egg patterns, mop flies). Once you hit the wild water these spooky guys key into more natural selections, a damned good drift and your typical WNC wild trout flies (Parachute Purple Haze, stoneflies, BWOs and caddis imitations.)
After the race is over, the real fun begins back at the Green River Ranch. Fine New Belgium craft beers compliment a delicious meal. Awards are presented to the top finishers and fundraisers, and a grand champion is crowned following a corn hole / BB rifle cage match throw down…
We hope you will join us this coming year on the Green River!
As any of you familiar with spring in Western North Carolina can attest, the weather at this time of year is unpredictable, the fish aren’t terribly bright, and the after-party will be world class.
On Thursday night, we gather at New Belgium Brewing Co. in Asheville NC to share fine craft beers and go over the rules. Camping will be available near the start line on Friday and Saturday nights of race weekend and we strongly encourage everyone to come and stay for the weekend! On Friday night, we will have a series of leisure sports games with prizes including time deductions for Saturday's main event.
Bright and early Saturday morning, we organize at the Green River Ranch which conveniently sits at the trailhead of the Green River Cove trail. A few words are spoken, a crappy domestic beer is sacrificed, and then flyathletes are off.
One thing to keep in mind is the Green River is a dam released river, so flows matter. 0 or 1 unit of generation is fairly easy to navigate, while 2 units of generation from the hydroelectric plant becomes nearly impossible in the Narrows and blows out some of the lower Delayed Harvest runs. We plan to work with the plant to have ideal flows on race day.
With two very distinct sections of river there are two very distinct approaches to fishing. Stockers will eat about anything with an OK drift, especially your favorite “junk” flies (squirmy worms, egg patterns, mop flies). Once you hit the wild water these spooky guys key into more natural selections, a damned good drift and your typical WNC wild trout flies (Parachute Purple Haze, stoneflies, BWOs and caddis imitations.)
After the race is over, the real fun begins back at the Green River Ranch. Fine New Belgium craft beers compliment a delicious meal. Awards are presented to the top finishers and fundraisers, and a grand champion is crowned following a corn hole / BB rifle cage match throw down…
We hope you will join us this coming year on the Green River!
As any of you familiar with spring in Western North Carolina can attest, the weather at this time of year is unpredictable, the fish aren’t terribly bright, and the after-party will be world class.
Because this race is a fundraising race, we have a required fundraising minimum of $250. Money raised will go towards on-the-ground projects with a native trout focus. If you want to participate and this amount of fundraising is prohibitive, please send us an email with your rationale and we can try to work around it.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FLYATHLON HALL OF FAME
2024 Western North Carolina Flyathlon Results
2023 Western North Carolina Flyathlon Results
2024 Western North Carolina Flyathlon Results
2023 Western North Carolina Flyathlon Results
