Few places are as beautiful as North Carolina's Chattooga River in fall, as the autumn leaves accent the mossy granite riverbed.

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The crispness of the colors, the crispness of the air – it's just a great time and place to be alive. Cashiers, where I have family, is home to the humble beginnings of the fabled Chattooga River. It's one of my favorite haunts, but I don't get to photograph it in autumn much. This image actually shows my first time photographing the Chattooga River in fall. This stretch of land is privately owned by a group of devout trout fisherman. They obsessively work to keep it pristine and untouched, as one of the few remaining abundant, unstocked trout fisheries. Fly fishing tournaments are even held here! One of the owners is a family friend, and he graciously lets me explore the land. It is stunningly beautiful and one of my favorite places on Earth.

Purchase “Colors of the Chattooga River in Fall” Fine Art Print: