Planning Next Year's Vaccation

[ozark trout fisher]

Yeah, the little wild fish don't really do it for me. Maybe that's blasphemy among fly fishing circles, but I've had my fill of eight inch wild brook trout. I've been looking at some boards dealing with backcountry fishing in the smokies and it seems like they're all writing home about little tiny fish. Granted, my wife doesn't fly fish (yet) and would probably be thrilled with brookies on a 3wt rod.

From your experience, are bigger fish possible in the park? I read post after post and only found one thread about a "big fish." It was thirty something posts about a 17 inch rainbow. Would I do it if it were in my backyard? Absolutely. I'm just wondering if I'd want to drive half way across the country to fish for dinks (even if they are pretty and wild).

Honestly, past the 8" headwater fish, I can't help you out too much. That's generally what I would focus on out there.