A river lost in time" is the way Jerry Anselmo describes the Little Tennessee. When he first saw it in 1991, Anselmo,
now the owner of the Great Smokey
Mountains Fish Camp and Safari,
decided that the Little Tennessee River
was the most awe-inspiring place he
had ever seen. "I've been all over the
world," he says, "and I knew I was
home when I saw it."
Anselmo was actually lost when he
stumbled onto the area that would
become his new home. He was on his
way to Clemson, South Carolina, to see
about buying some land for a fish camp,
when he got turned around on N.C.
Highway 28 near Franklin.
Alongside the road, the serene waters
of the river flowing nearby caught his
eye — and captured his heart. He
decided to follow the 20-mile route of
the river to see where it would take
him. When he reached the end, he
knew that he'd never leave.
Big fish
Just two days after driving alongside the river Anselmo, an avid outdoorsman
and fisherman, decided to canoe it.
There were no river outfitters in the
area, however, so Anselmo borrowed a
canoe to float the long stretch. While on
the Little Tennessee, Anselmo was struck
by the seclusion and serenity. He saw a
lot of fish but never another person, and
that was all it took. "I knew this was
where I was going to start my fish
camp," he says.
Anselmo, who was then living in
Louisiana, quickly acquired 20 acres
of land where an old mining camp had
been. He also bought several tracts
along the river strategically spaced
four-to-five miles apart to use for the
convenience of different float trips,
including canoes and kayaks. The
building of the camp took "two long,
hard years," Anselmo admits.
The camp includes a main building
that has two rooms Anselmo rents out
to river-riders and folks who love to fish.
There are also 10 campsites at the lodge
and eight RV sites. Each parcel of land
along the river has campsites, as well.
In 1993, Anselmo opened his camp,
and the fishing began. He declares the
Little Tennessee "the best place to catch smallmouth [bass] in the world..."
And Anselmo should know, having
been named one of the most famous
smallmouth bass fishermen in the world.
"When I go out," says Anselmo, "I
expect to catch at least a couple of two-
or three-pounders. There are some five-
to seven-pounders out there," he adds.
The Little Tennessee is also home to
several other species of fish, including
walleyes, brim, catfish, and trout.
Great fishing is one of the main
reasons people return year after year;
Anselmo’s personal touch is the other. Anselmo customizes each group's trip
down the river using his four properties
along its banks.
Dr. Jimmie Sain, a repeat fisherman
for seven years now, looks forward to
his trips to the river. "I live in Charlotte,
so it's just about three hours away from
me. When I heard about the Great
Smoky Mountains Fish Camp, I decided
to take my son fishing; I couldn't believe
it when I got there." Sain says there are
three reasons he loves the Little
Tennessee: "The mountains are
breathtaking, the fishing is great, and the
sound of the running water is so
soothing. You can't beat it." He's right. Other than the voices of
|
|
your fellow river-riding companions, you
hear no one. Anselmo describes it as
"what it is used to be like going down a
river." The only other sets of eyes you
may see on the trip belong to the
neighboring cows, munching slowly on
stalks of long, yellow grass along the
riverbanks. On occasion, a crane may
swoop in and out of the coves.
Slower river-trippers may try a
leisurely ride in an inner tube. And
for landlubbers, Anselmo maintains
hiking trails and bikes to ride. For a taste of the good life, arrive at one of Anselmo's campsites,
and it's likely he'll greet you himself with
one of his delectable dinners. In addition
to being an expert fisherman, Anselmo is
also a gourmet cook. A former owner of
five-star restaurants in Memphis,
Tennessee, and Hot Springs, Arkansas,
Anselmo always has something
wonderful cooking in his kitchen.
His love for cooking began at an early
age — while growing up, Anselmo
worked in his mother's steakhouses
washing dishes and, later, as a fry cook.
In college, he opened up his own
restaurant and lodge.
Some of his favorite meals take on a
Cajun or Italian flavor. Those who
spend the night at his camp may wake
up to a riverside breakfast featuring
Anselmo's own homemade sausage,
eggs, and banana nut pancakes with
lemon zest and fresh herbs grown right
outside the lodge. Those who are
traveling on the river can take along a
lunch prepared by Anselmo. "I never
know what I am going to fix until that
day," he says, "but so far no one has
complained." Beautifully cut zinnias
and snapdragons, grown by Anselmo,
adorn the breakfast tables and decorate
the lodge.
Anselmo's hospitality springs from a
simple desire that guests leave refreshed
after spending time on the river. "This
river has so much to offer," he says.
What the Little Tennessee has to offer
is one of the most intact aquatic
ecosystems in the entire Tennessee River
system. Brent Martin, with the Little
Tennessee Land Trust, shares Anselmo's
love of the river. "The first time I saw it
I thought it had to be one of the most
amazing places I had ever seen.
"Jerry has offered his camp as a base
for our annual river cleanup that takes
place in late spring or early summer,"
Martin continues. This year Anselmo
is helping by trying something different.
"He is going to lend his canoes so the
volunteers can be more thorough with
the cleanup than by walking the river.
We are lucky to have an outfitter that
cares so much about the Little
Tennessee."
Anselmo, who has been involved in
conservation for many years, says the
reason he feels so strongly about
taking care of the Little Tennessee is
the simple act of giving back to it. "It
has been good to me, and I want to be
just as good, if not better, when giving
back." Anselmo and the Little
Tennessee have a relationship not many
share. Lucky for him - and lucky
for the Little Tennessee.
.
Diane Silcox-Jarrett lives in Raleigh.
|
