Knot Head

I started using furled leaders around 5-6 years ago. They are fantastic for fishing dry flys on the Smokeys small streams where I've used them the most. I've only used Blue Sky leaders and they have no stainless ring so it's recommended that you tie a short "extender" section of 2X or 3X and then tie tippet to that. IMO opinion, they're pretty much worthless for anything but dries and warm water patterns (my favorite application for a furled leader BTW), so I'll be checking out Feathercraft's mono version. Also one other disadvantage to furled leaders is that they can be bad about throwing off water spray onto the water's surface on the cast. Not too much of a big deal unless your fishing very spooky fish.

What Ness said. Can't imagine any of the family would regret making the trip once they got there. As pretty as it is around Fall Creek and the Cumberland Plateau, it pales in comparison to the Smokies and the national park. Good luck and P.M. me if you want some first hand info. on where to fish and include everyone in the outing.

O.K. DaddyO, I checked out your destination and I've been in that area. As far as trout go, your closest and best bet will probably be trying to catch a period of low generation on the Caney Fork River which you will cross at least 3 times (maybe 4) as you go east on I-40. It's the tailwater of Center Hill Lake if I recall. It's a well known trout fishery and can be real productive, but there has been some kind of issue on the river since I left at the end of 2008. Something to do with a construction project that has had a negative effect on the fishing. You would just have to look into it, as I have not really followed it closely. Another option, (not so trout related) is a VERY beautiful state park called Fall Creek Falls State Park. It's not far from where you will be and IMO would be well worth visiting. We camped at alot of State Parks in TN. and that one would most likely be my favorite. There is a 350 acre lake and there are no private boats allowed or gas motors allowed on it. If you take a trolling motor and battery you can rent a boat at the state park. They also rent canoes. The current state record catfish (don't remember what species) and bluegill were caught there. There are also several small creeks that are open to fishing and might even hold trout but I'm not sure since I've only fished the lake. You would need a TN non-res license and park permit. Let me know if you're thinking about heading toward the smokies.

DaddyO, I lived in the Smokies right on the edge of the national park for over ten years. I'm not sure where Spencer is but the closer you get to the park area the more info. I could offer up. Are you going to be in that area as well?

Nice to meet you too Trav. We made it home in good shape and plan on seeing how she fishes this weekend. Take Care bud!

PM sent.

Screen Name...Knot Head How many in boat...Just me. (Unless I bring my boys in which case I will notify on here) (Just me for now though) Food...I'm thinking about asking my wonderful Italian wife to make this cucumber/tomato salad that we eat alot of during the summer. Even though it's good for you, I promise it will be good. Preferred river...Shoal Creek sounds good to me. Preferred Date...May 29

Tim that boat looks like it could be a Native' Ultimate. If so, how are you likin' it and where did you purchase it?

I haven't formally introduced myself, but will post in the new members section soon, but I would be in for a float if it happens to work around my wife's work schedule. Also if any of you guys around here ever want to team up for a short local float on weekends give me a holler. I know shuttling issues keep me from getting out as much as I would like. I have a canoe/kayak trailer that will hold several boats.

Hey there am4mu, just registered on here recently and just saw your post. I grew up in the Ozarks and moved back last year, but have spent the last ten years living literally about 4 minutes from the park boundary and 20 minutes from Gatlinburg. I spent that time fishing all over the park, outside of it, and Western North Carolina. I might be able to offer up some helpful info. on getting the most out of your time there. First off, the great thing about the Smokies area is that you have so many choices in the way you prefer to fish on a given day based on particular preference or mood. (tailwater, big stockers, wild rainbows, up high brookies, backcountry trout with total seclusion, lake trout and Smallmouth from kayak, a quick trip near the road, wading for smallmouth, trout and redeye outside the park boundary, a daypack trip to a seldom fished stream) etc. The neat thing is because of proximity you can choose at the last minute and still get it done. So with all that being said, my recommendation would be to not limit yourself to either or. The only thing your missing by not fishing Gatlinburg though is the opportunity to catch much bigger than average fish for the area (stockers), and you can do that in a much prettier setting when you get back here. I say set aside about an hour and a half to take in the spectacle that is Gatlinburg and then go enjoy what the Smokies are all about, which is unspoiled natural beauty and the abundant history surrounding the appalachian settlers that were able to carve out an existance there. Someone mentioned Abram's Creek earlier. You guys will definitely want to see Cade's Cove while you are there, which is how you access upper Abram's but I wouldn't send someone there if they were budgeting fishing time as efficiently as possible. My favorite area to fish on that creek is an area called the "horseshoe", but you need a full day to fish it and it is rugged as all get out to get in and out of. (hence the good quality fishing). Search and rescue goes in there every couple years for someone that doesn't give themselves enough time in the day to fish it through and then trys to bushwack out in the dark. The rest of the creek is right next to the always busy Abram Falls trail and the wading is as slick as it gets in the entire park. You can do better with the time you have, but if you've got your gear give it a go anyway since you'll be right there. The fly shop mentioned is in Townsend and is called Little River Outfitters. They built a new building a few years ago and it is owned by Byron and Paula Begley and Daniel Drake. They are great people and the shop is as nice as any you will ever visit. If you go to their website and go to the message board it would be very helpful in getting familiar with the surrounding area and local streams. I will end this lengthy post with just a couple more things. First, I will say that if I were heading back tomorrow and had only one day to fish, I would be thinking of one thing and one thing only....grabbing my 3 weight and heading up high to match wits with native brookies on a dry fly. The fish are small (4-6") on average, but the locale, fishing technique required and overall experience are second to none and I guarantee will be memorable. I miss that more than I thought I would. Secondly, as long as you keep your gear in your vehicle as you and your wife sightsee, you will find more trout-holding water than you could fish in years. It's the trout mecca of the East IMO. PM me for more specific info. if you would like.