The Nantahala River, flowing through western North Carolina, is one of the state's most celebrated trout waters. Named the land of the noonday sun in Cherokee language, it runs through a gorge where sunlight only reaches the floor during midday. This stunning river has earned its place among Trout Unlimited's Top 100 Trout Streams in America and is known for both exceptional fishing and whitewater activities. The river begins at Standing Indian Mountain, flows through Nantahala National Forest, and is dammed to form Nantahala Lake, with distinct sections below offering varied fishing experiences. With its classic pocket water structure, scenic waterfalls, and healthy populations of wild and stocked trout, the Nantahala provides anglers with diverse fishing opportunities in a breathtaking mountain setting.