Cooper Creek Trout Farm

Amidst all of our hub-bub of packing to move and new house details, we declared today an Adventure Day! Hooray!  We're off to see the . . . fishes?! The weather was so perfect, sunny and high 60's and Cass woke up with a wish to catch a fish.  For the kids, he said.  I've always fished in the ocean or in ponds so I had no idea what to expect but I'm always game for an adventure, I found out it's a bit like "Pick Your Own Fruit" but with fishing rods and scales.

We went to Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Pond (Dig the waterfall background sounds on their website!) in Bryson City via Route 19 and up through Maggie Valley.  Totally worth the trip! The kids had a blast and caught 11.5 pounds of gorgeous, wiggly, farm raised rainbow trout!  (Which we're eager to fry up at the Bywater next weekend!)  We spent a grand day out in the mountains, at a beautiful historic homestead that backs right up to Smoky Mountain National Park.  Nothing short of fantastic!

Jerry Lashover, the owner, is an ingenious individual with a laundry list of ideas about how to enjoy yourself for a day surrounded by gorgeous scenery and mountain spring fed water that his special spot in the Smokies provides.  There are several waterfalls within hiking distance from the property, access to SMNP and he's even invited me to come back and do some bear watching/photographing with him. Can't wait!!

A fantastic day trip opportunity within easy driving distance from Asheville. The kids had a ball fishing, we got six beautiful fresh trout that we'll enjoy for several dinners to come and everyone comes home with something to talk about.  Looking forward to next time.  Thanks for an excellent day!

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