2nd Annual Western North Carolina Flyathlon
When: TBD 2023
Where: Saluda, NC
Number of Participants: 50
Fishing Difficulty: MODERATE
Running Difficulty: MODERATE
Course Map and Elevation Profile: 6 mile out and back course. Details about the Western North Carolina Flyathlon course can be found here.
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 canyon 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. Providing habitat for our unique native brookies and 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!
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.
The first mile and half starts on Delayed Harvest regulated river full of the typical 8” – 12” rainbow but a small percentage of those stocked fish are 20+ inch browns and football size brookies. The Green River trail side is public land however the river right side is mostly private property, so wading is acceptable but please be respectful to private landowners. Long flat sections separate a few deep runs with the occasional small rapids most of the time these trout group together in pools and riffles in this area.
At roughly the 1.5 mile mark, there is a significant change from old growth hardwoods and gentle class I or II Delayed Harvest river to pine thickets, and tight rhododendron choked trail. From Fishtop up, racers find themselves in “the Narrows.” This NCWRC designated WILD trout water is steep class IV and V whitewater with spooky little wild trout, and some say a few monsters hiding in deep plunge pools.
The largest uphill climb is found in this section with a brutal thigh burning ascent into a boulder garden and brings racers to one of the most spectacular views of the race. A high overlook allows racers to see massive rapids and huge pools just out of reach.
After the ascent, Flyathletes drop back down along the river near rapids like “Hammer Factor” and “Baby Sunshine” (sounds cute but its a gnarly and dangerous rapid) before the last half mile to the turn around point. This last portion pulls away from the river with a gradual ascent to the ridge where the Pulliam Creek Trail intersects, and racers begin making their way back to the Green River Ranch.
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.
When: TBD 2023
Where: Saluda, NC
Number of Participants: 50
Fishing Difficulty: MODERATE
Running Difficulty: MODERATE
Course Map and Elevation Profile: 6 mile out and back course. Details about the Western North Carolina Flyathlon course can be found here.
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 canyon 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. Providing habitat for our unique native brookies and 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!
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.
The first mile and half starts on Delayed Harvest regulated river full of the typical 8” – 12” rainbow but a small percentage of those stocked fish are 20+ inch browns and football size brookies. The Green River trail side is public land however the river right side is mostly private property, so wading is acceptable but please be respectful to private landowners. Long flat sections separate a few deep runs with the occasional small rapids most of the time these trout group together in pools and riffles in this area.
At roughly the 1.5 mile mark, there is a significant change from old growth hardwoods and gentle class I or II Delayed Harvest river to pine thickets, and tight rhododendron choked trail. From Fishtop up, racers find themselves in “the Narrows.” This NCWRC designated WILD trout water is steep class IV and V whitewater with spooky little wild trout, and some say a few monsters hiding in deep plunge pools.
The largest uphill climb is found in this section with a brutal thigh burning ascent into a boulder garden and brings racers to one of the most spectacular views of the race. A high overlook allows racers to see massive rapids and huge pools just out of reach.
After the ascent, Flyathletes drop back down along the river near rapids like “Hammer Factor” and “Baby Sunshine” (sounds cute but its a gnarly and dangerous rapid) before the last half mile to the turn around point. This last portion pulls away from the river with a gradual ascent to the ridge where the Pulliam Creek Trail intersects, and racers begin making their way back to the Green River Ranch.
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.
