September in WNC

By Missy Schenck

The author's grandsons, Phen and Hawkins, fishing on the Lower Green River. Image courtesy of the author.

WNC fall outdoor adventures

Fall is in the air and it is a great time to connect with nature and go outside. There is no better way to experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge than camping in the Western North Carolina mountains. Home to numerous state parks and national forests, WNC has an abundance of campsites and natural escapes for a memorable night of camping under the stars. Most campsites may be found through the internet and require advance reservations.

Fishing tips for September

Hannah Myers of Headwaters Outfitters says, “Fall will be here before we know it; then creeps in winter midge fishing. Take advantage of the next few warm weeks we have; continue fishing terrestrials! Beetles, ants, crickets and grasshoppers will still be out and about over the next few weeks; enjoy them while they last. The inchworm bite has still been strong here in WNC as well; keep a few in your box to use as a dry-dropper rig!”

WNC Events

Morganton Festival, September 10-11, in downtown Morganton includes fine arts and crafts, festival cuisine, a beer garden, four stages of entertainment and much more.

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is hosting a Farm Tour September 18-19, 2021. Visit 20 farms that are not normally open to the public and see what happens behind the scenes.

Flock to Rock Birding Day, September 18, at Chimney Rock Park, which includes bird walks and workshops led by leading birding experts and ornithologists.

Hendersonville’s Art on Main is scheduled for September 25-26. Buy from juried fine artists including paintings, pottery, metal, wood, fiber, jewelry, glass and more.

French Broad River Festival, October 1-3, is a grassroots festival in Hot Springs on the banks of the French Broad River and features some of the best music in the area, camping, and outdoor events in celebration of the river.

Mountain Heritage Day, Saturday, September 25, on the campus of Western Carolina University, is a long-running outdoor celebration featuring the music, crafts and flavors of yesteryear.

Missy Craver Izard was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. She resides in Flat Rock, North Carolina, with her husband, Sandy Schenck, where their family runs a summer camp.