Blue Ridge Country July/August 2024 - 50

Turtles love bogs.
ADOBE STOCK
MORE WATER WONDERS
Mountain Bogs. Rabun County, Georgia,
and Nantahala National Forest, North
Carolina. Bogs are specific types
of wetlands that are exceptionally
rare, usually quite small and have
remarkably varied vegetation. While
acidic, nutrient-poor pools of water with
saturated soil might seem less-thanideal,
quite the opposite is true. These
ecosystems " create ideal conditions for
rare plants and animals to thrive. " To
protect these vulnerable areas, access is
generally limited to volunteers. Contact
a conservation organization for details
and optional sites. georgiawildlife.
com/conservation/bogrestoration OR
blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/
nantahala-river-bogs
Ice Caves. Ice Mountain Preserve, Hampshire
County, West Virginia. Mountains
that make ice? Dotted throughout the
upper Appalachian Mountains is a
specific type of geological formation
called a talus-and-gorge ice cave (steep
cliffs and narrow gorges) like the one at
Raven Rocks. This specialized ecosystem
allows water to freeze into the days of
summer. Visitors are welcome at this
special preserve via a docent-led hiking
tour. Reservations required for the onemile
roundtrip. historichampshire.org/
scenic/icemt.htm
Clouds/Fog/Mist. It would seem, in this
writer's humble opinion, to be a hydrological
oversight to neglect mention
of the airborne water particles visible
throughout the southern Appalachian
Mountains. First described in words
by the Cherokee people as 'shaconage'
or " place of the blue smoke, " the
clouds, fog and mist later inspired the
namesake of the country's most-visited
national park. This phenomenon is a
delicate dance of atmospheric conditions
(air temperature, humidity and
thermal inversions), bodies of water on
the land and the collective exhalations
from the plant kingdom. The result,
plumes of fog and mist with undulating
pools of clouds best viewed from ridgelines
and mountaintops. -AM
JOSHUA MOORE
FISHING SPOTS
Toccoa River. Union and Fannin counties,
Georgia. Enjoy a clear line of sight in the
pristine waters of this conventional fishing
and fly angler's destination. Catch
multiple
species including rainbow,
brown and native brook trout. Cast into
the tailwaters of the Blue Ridge Dam,
the deep pools at Curtis Switch or hire a
local guide for the best spots. Visit shops
and restaurants on the Riverwalk in picturesque
McCaysville. georgiawildtrout.com/
post/toccoa-river-trout-fishing-guide
Chattooga River. Oconee and Rabun
counties, South Carolina. Fed by springs
and rainfall, this river boasts some of the
best wild trout fishing in the state. Access
the waters via trails in the Ellicott
Rock Wilderness Area or by Burrells
Ford Bridge Road. One of the last freeflowing
streams in the region offers
deeply forested slopes, endemic plants
and solitude. Stop by the Walhalla State
Fish Hatchery to learn about their trout
stocking operations. discoversouthcarolina.
com/chattooga-wild-and-scenic-river
Douglas Reservoir. Jefferson, Cocke,
Sevier and Hamblen counties, Tennessee.
With a total surface area of more than
30,000 acres, this reservoir hosts several
game fish. Come for largemouth, smallmouth,
white, rock, black and spotted
bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, sauger,
walleye and more. Be sure to fish Flat,
Muddy, McGuire and Nina Creek embayments.
Discover family fun in nearby
Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
tn.gov/content/tn/twra/fishing/where-to-fish/
east-tennessee-r4/douglas-reservoir.html
Fontana Lake. Graham and Swain counties,
North Carolina. Nestled between the
Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala
National Forest is a reservoir created by
the tallest dam east of the Rocky Mountains.
The deep, still waters are home to
largemouth and smallmouth bass, white50
BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
GETTY IMAGES

http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/chattooga-wild-and-scenic-river http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/nantahala-river-bogs http://www.georgiawildtrout.com/post/toccoa-river-trout-fishing-guide http://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/fishing/where-to-fish/east-tennesse-r4/douglas-reservoir.html http://www.historichampshire.org/scenic/icemt.htm http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

Blue Ridge Country July/August 2024

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