Straddling the North Carolina-Virginia
line in eastern Gates County lies the Great Dismal Swamp. It is the
northern-most of the great southern swamps and one of America's most
mysterious wilderness areas.
Surveyed by William Byrd and George
Washington, the Swamp has long drawn adventurers, runaways, romantics,
Indians, moonshiners, hunters and lumbermen who removed thousands of
majestic cypress and juniper trees. The Dismal Swamp remains a wildlife paradise, sheltering birds,
otters, bobcats and rare plants that include dwarf trillium and
May-blooming wild camellia. This National Refuge offers a mysterious
and awesome setting for nature to be absorbed.
The Chowan River, proclaimed the world's
most beautiful river, and Bennetts Creek also provide water sport
enthusiasts a paradise in which to play. Fishing is a popular activity
on the Millpond, in the Swamp, and on the Chowan River. Largemouth
bass, bluegill, chain pickerel, black crappie, perch and herring are
some of the most sought after species. |
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