Fishing weirs in the Tuckasegee and Little Tennessee
Tuckasegee River
Allman fish weir
The high visibility of the Allman weir in Webster is owing in part to its maintenance by post-Removal property owners.
To view this weir, find the pull off on River Road between Dillsboro and Webster and walk a few yards south. While it is possible to make out the weir through full summer foliage, it is most visible seen when the leaves are down.
The Allman weir in Webster, N.C.
It is also possible to amble down the river’s edge for a closer view. I this only if you are 1) fairly nimble of foot, and 2) dressed for the surfeit of poison ivy.
River’s edge view of the Allman weir from the right bank.
Little Tennessee River
The sites of historic Cherokee settlements—the so-called Middle Towns—are numerous along the Little Tennessee River in contemporary Macon and Swain counties, N.C. So too are the kinds of river bends that make for good weir locations.
Weir off Needmore Road
This one is easily accessed via the scenic/twisty Hwy 28 between Bryson City and Franklin. Those prone to car sickness might consider popping a Dramamine ahead of time, though! It is most visible during low water, as with all weirs.
Weir in the Little T off Lower Needmore Rd.
Weir below Lake Emory
The weir between the Cherokee towns of Iotla and Watauga is a bit more challenging to access by foot so I won’t give any recommendations in the way of directions. It came as quite a surprise when I happened upon it in the summer of 2011. I suspect this is due to the fact that I do almost nothing in the way of watersports—the weir must be widely known by those who float and fish the Little T.
References
Gibbon, Guy E. “Fish weirs and traps (Eastern Woodlands).” Edited by Guy E. Gibbon and Kenneth M. Ames. Archaeology of prehistoric Native America: an encyclopedia. New York: Garland Publishers, 1998.
Lutins, Allen H. “Prehistoric fish weirs in eastern North America.” Master’s thesis, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1992.
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