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Peak Color Alert! Fall Color Vibrant on Highest North Carolina Mountaintops

Charlotte, N.C. -- North Carolina is bursting with all the colors of fall. Go to www.visitnc.com/fallcolor for this week's detailed reports from leaf spotters and fishing pros. Then, search for lodging, events and activities - all located within the 'Fall Experience' on www.VisitNC.com.

Article about Color Alert! Fall Color Vibrant on Highest North Carolina Mountaintops. Top Leaf Viewing Opportunities Blue Ridge Parkway

Fall color is coming on quickly and early along the Blue Ridge Parkway this year with peak colors already being reported in the high elevations south of Asheville. Color is spectacular on top of Grandfather Mountain and throughout Doughton Park. Color should be at peak this weekend. The Parkway will likely be crowded -stay alert! For additional scenic drives throughout the state, go to the VisitNC.com press room.

Bryson City, Great Smokies (Far western mountains)

This may be one of the nicest fall color seasons in several years according to locals in Bryson City. Viewed from the higher elevations, the sides of the Smokies are anywhere from 25 to 35 percent of their potential peak color. Yellow poplars, or tulip trees, along with sycamores are providing some yellow color but the maples are still the most vibrant with bright patches of red and orange. Other reds include the dark burgundy red of the sourwoods and dogwoods.

Boone area

The leaves are beautiful. The high elevations are peaking, and the valleys are about 75 percent. For great views, travel U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock. Things should be spectacular through next week and perhaps the week after.

Looking ahead….Best Leaf Peeping Opportunities for Next Week Northwestern mountain region

Fall is in full effect in the High Country boasting vibrant colors in the trees and crisp, cool mountain air. Leaves are around 50 to 60 percent of their full color, so peak is right around the corner. Cooler temperatures are expected with highs in the mid 50s and lows in the upper 30s, so remember to bring a jacket!

FALL FISHING - GRAB A CAMERA!

Show off your fishing skills! Go to the Fall Fishing Report on VisitNC.com (http://www.visitnc.com/fallfish) and submit photos of your big catches. Click on 'Share Your Photos' and follow the directions from there. VisitNC.com is looking for proud anglers willing to share their big moment. Many of the images submitted will be posted and used on our web site. Come share the catch and view what's been biting!

Top Fall Fishing Opportunities

For the best salt water, surf, pier and boat fishing – go to North Carolina's Coast. For full reports go to http://www.visitnc.com/fallfish.

Outer Banks - Impressive big-eye tuna landings, Wahoo, yellow fin tuna limits, dolphin, billfish releases, black fin tuna and king mackerel all made recent offshore fishing news. Pier and surf reports have gotten good attention, too. Inshore boat anglers in the Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet areas recently caught gray and speckled trout, as well as bluefish and limits of puppy drum. Several big drum were released. In the Manns Harbor area, striper fishing is good.

Crystal Coast - There are still good numbers of wahoo and sailfish being caught offshore. Spanish mackerel fishing is good around Cape Lookout Shoals and eastside of the shoals. Lately, there have been reports of gray trout showing up in the shipping channel and around the high-rise bridge between Morehead City and Radio Island. Speckled trout are plentiful in the marshes. Along the piers, fishermen are catching large numbers of bluefish, spots, flounder, black drum and sea mullet.

Cape Fear Coast - Wahoo in the 30- to 40-pound range; and some sailfish are biting. Carolina/Kure Beach pier fishermen report that spots are running again along with nice flounder and a few blues. Johnnie Mercer Pier (Wrightsville Beach) reports catches of blues, Spanish mackerel, flounder, drum, mullet and spots. Flounder, drum, bluefish, some trout are biting along the inlets with more spots expected with this week's cold front. Spanish mackerel can be found near the beach out to 3 to 5 miles; kings 7 to 20 miles; sea bass 10-20 miles and dolphin at 23 Mile Rock.

VisitNC.com's 'Fall Color Experience' (www.visitnc.com/fallcolor) tracks the change through a network of sanctioned 'leaf watchers' across the state. Read their personal descriptions and see how the changing elevation affects what's in color and when. The experience also includes:

  • up-to-date leaf alerts from our network of leaf peepers statewide
  • fall coastal fishing forecast
  • scenic drives
  • great hiking trails
  • tips on why the leaves actually turn and great trees to watch
  • tips on getting good photos
  • interactive computer game with fall coloring for the kids
  • fall-friendly lodging

In addition, toll-free hotlines have been established to assist travelers with their plans to visit North Carolina this fall:

  • Fall Color Hotline: 1-866-6LEAVES (866-653-2837)
  • Fall Fishing Hotline: 1-888-2 FISH NC (888-234-7462)
  • General Travel Information: 1-800-VISIT NC (800-847-4862)