Now What Should We Talk About?

[brownieman]

We could talk about why smallmouth are a superior species of fish to any trout. I'm not joking, though. They're better. Period. It's not a matter of opinion. I'm right and you're wrong.

Knowing the importance of the existence of smallies in Ozark Streams I just wish the dept. or someone would do more to help such a neat fish.

Things of this nature make me wish I were filthy rich...just hope the money wouldn't have changed my beliefs.

later on

[Paola Cat]

I did a trip about a month ago to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park near Townsend, Tennessee. Fished several of the park streams. They've set a record there this year for high water and flow. Needless to say, the water was up, off color, and moving fast (sounds familiar .... I ought to be used to this .... LOL). Anyway, the fishing was tough but OK. Caught wild rainbows and brookies. Had to fish deep with heavily weighted nymphs to get any action. Biggest fish of the trip was 11" (yep ..... a lot different than your local tailwater fish). Beautiful area. Tons of wildlife .... saw (2) black bears. We stayed out of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg ..... they're just like running down 76 through the Branson strip. I'd recommend the GSMNP area to hike and get away. The fish are wild and small but still a lot fun. PC

[eric1978]

I agree with Eric. Except that he is still using that sissy spinning gear. I guess only real smallmouth guys use fly rods.

I guess only real fly-fishermen fish for trout.

Oh, and I use baitcasters, too, so...

Knowing the importance of the existence of smallies in Ozark Streams I just wish the dept. or someone would do more to help such a neat fish.

Things of this nature make me wish I were filthy rich...just hope the money wouldn't have changed my beliefs.

later on

Well, sir, you're not gonna get any arguments on that one. I would love to see what would happen to Ozark smallmouth fishing if MDC put in even a fraction of the resources they allocate to trout.

[ness]

I did a trip about a month ago to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park near Townsend, Tennessee. Fished several of the park streams. They've set a record there this year for high water and flow. Needless to say, the water was up, off color, and moving fast (sounds familiar .... I ought to be used to this .... LOL). Anyway, the fishing was tough but OK. Caught wild rainbows and brookies. Had to fish deep with heavily weighted nymphs to get any action. Biggest fish of the trip was 11" (yep ..... a lot different than your local tailwater fish). Beautiful area. Tons of wildlife .... saw (2) black bears. We stayed out of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg ..... they're just like running down 76 through the Branson strip. I'd recommend the GSMNP area to hike and get away. The fish are wild and small but still a lot fun. PC

Man, you're killing me. We did a three-day stopover in Townsend on our way to SC this summer. That was not nearly enough time for me there. I had one day blocked out for fishing, and it rained bad the night before. The water was way, way up. Caught a nice brown though. Got skunked early the last morning -- way up in the Park trying to snag a brookie. That was a disappointment, but I know I'll get back. Gorgeous place, and Townsend is the way to go.

Where'd you stay?

[rps]

Many of the forum members have fished many places. Good tales. Great memories.

What many fail to realize: If you start here, there isn't much upscale left out there. But don't tell others that! Soon there won't be room for any of us.

[eric1978]

I did a trip about a month ago to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park near Townsend, Tennessee. Fished several of the park streams. They've set a record there this year for high water and flow. Needless to say, the water was up, off color, and moving fast (sounds familiar .... I ought to be used to this .... LOL). Anyway, the fishing was tough but OK. Caught wild rainbows and brookies. Had to fish deep with heavily weighted nymphs to get any action. Biggest fish of the trip was 11" (yep ..... a lot different than your local tailwater fish). Beautiful area. Tons of wildlife .... saw (2) black bears. We stayed out of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg ..... they're just like running down 76 through the Branson strip. I'd recommend the GSMNP area to hike and get away. The fish are wild and small but still a lot fun. PC

We spent a week hiking the Smokeys last year. It is an incredible place...the diversity is mind-boggling. When we started out our hike at the bottom of Mt. Sterling, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt and sweating. 6 miles up to the summit and we were in an ice storm. It's like a rainforest at the bottom and a Rocky Mountain environment at the top. Came back down the next day and spent the rest of our trip hiking the lower parts. We didn't do any fishing, but the streams were awesome. I will go back one day.

What many fail to realize: If you start here, there isn't much upscale left out there. But don't tell others that! Soon there won't be room for any of us.

Very true rps. The funny thing for me was that I had to visit places like the Rockies and the Smokeys before I appreciated what we had in our own backyard. I don't take it for granted any more.

[brownieman]

I gotta couple of buddies that razz me all the time about giving out too much info...all our top secrets ya know, lol.

They think I should profit from my knowledge of the river whether it's guiding, eco-tours, something new and trendy.

I guess alot of folk would, I don't know or really care.

I feel I do profit just knowing maybe I made someones trip a little better.

I know I have been a tourist plenty of times and would have loved to have some of the local knowledge about anything.

Knowing a little is better than stumbumbling off totally ignorant about what/where you're doing anything.

Giving is suppose to be better than receiving...it's great when they work together.

They'll just have to keep rakin...they know how much damage it does, lol.

later on

[ozark trout fisher]

We could talk about why smallmouth are a superior species of fish to any trout. I'm not joking, though. They're better. Period. It's not a matter of opinion. I'm right and you're wrong.

Heck no, that ain't true.... Trout are way better especially those ones in Busch Wildlife..... :lol:

[ozark trout fisher]

I did a trip about a month ago to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park near Townsend, Tennessee. Fished several of the park streams. They've set a record there this year for high water and flow. Needless to say, the water was up, off color, and moving fast (sounds familiar .... I ought to be used to this .... LOL). Anyway, the fishing was tough but OK. Caught wild rainbows and brookies. Had to fish deep with heavily weighted nymphs to get any action. Biggest fish of the trip was 11" (yep ..... a lot different than your local tailwater fish). Beautiful area. Tons of wildlife .... saw (2) black bears. We stayed out of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg ..... they're just like running down 76 through the Branson strip. I'd recommend the GSMNP area to hike and get away. The fish are wild and small but still a lot fun. PC

I did that trip a few years ago. You gotta love those brookies.

[smallmouthjoe]

I've been thinking about a trip to Pickwick next summer. I read an article in a magazine about how they catch giant SM dragging steep banks with jigs. That sounds about as good as it gets for me. Anyone been there?