Smoky Mountains Wild Trout

[flyman]

OK, not really as exotic as Alaska, but I am going on my annual Smoky Mountains trip, just outside of Gatlinburg. I go there for work every year then stay a couple days and fish. Just wondering if anyone has been there and where they may have had success. Looking for new places this year. If you have been there you will know the place is huge. I believe I read it has about 2000 miles of wild trout water in and around the park. So, lot's of places to fish. They have native and/or wild brook, brown and rainbows. Also, my goal is to fish the backcountry. I would like to hike a ways to get away from the campers. Although any suggestions are welcome, if if not off the beaten path. Fly recommendations would be helpful as well. In that area they love to use big dry flies with a dropper fly nymph below. What did you have success with? Thanks guys!

[fly2fish]

I fished there a year ago last March. Was told before I went not to expect the same fishing that we are used to here. The trout averaged 6-10 inches and since they do not stock they would be few and far between. Also that time of the year the rivers would be up and slightly murky from the snow melt.

When we got there there was no snow even in the mountains, there was hardly anyone else fishing. I started on Abrams creek on the Cades Cove loop. There are 2 streams merging together right at the parking lot for the Abrams Falls hike. It wasn't 5 minutes before I had a 12 inch rainbow, I ended up with 2 fish above average, 2 average, and 2 below average just in the morning hours. Don't be alarmed at the amount of cars in the parking lot most are hiking up to the falls, the lot was almost full (30+cars) but only saw 2 other fishermen. Bead head pheasant tail, and copperjohns were the ticket then fished on a two fly rig. I was using a dry parachute adams as an indicator with one of the other two as the dropper, caught one of the larger ones on the adams. Good luck and post a report when you get back. There is a flyshop in Gatlinburg that is upstairs in one of the strip malls just to the left of the main 3 way intersection as you come in to town from Pigeon Forge.

[flyman]

Thanks! Sounds like you didn't do too bad! I stopped in at that fly shop last year. They gave good advice on the flies, but not so much on the places to go. Which wasn't their fault. I was interested in going in the back country and hiking/camping as well as fishing. A lot to ask for I suppose. He gave good tips on general areas to target, but did not know about the hiking/camping areas. I ended up choosing a spot that a park ranger advised. The camping and hiking was great but the fishing was very poor, lol. So this time I am trying to do more research, or, maybe not be so picky. Base my camping on the fishing area instead of basing my fishing on the camping area. Thanks for the reply, I will certainly post a report, that is, if I have anything to report.

[John Berry]

My daughter went to school in Knoxville and over the years i spent a lot of time fishing the area. I would suggest the Little River Fly Shop in Townsend, Tennessee as a base of operations. My favorite spots were Metcalf Bottoms, The West Prong and Abrams Creek. If you are willing to hike over one hundred yards you will have it to your self. The dry fly is king.Elk hair caddis and royal wulffs rule. Take some small hoppers. Good luck. I like this area so much that my wife and I were married at a small chapel in Townsend and we fished Metcalf Bottoms on our honeymoon!

[LASGTA88]

now thats a good wife lol my ol lady has been good enough to make sure i can spend at least one whole day fishing on our honeymoon.. we are lookin at smokey mountains for ours

goodluck

LA

[flyfshn]

Flyman, i fished there 2 years ago, but I only had a half day to fish. We went stayed in a cabin with my wifes family for the weekend and was lucky to get that. I stopped in Smoky Mountain Anglers (fly shop fly2fish was trying to remember), but I had much better luck there. They provided info and recommended flies. Sounds like they may have had someone filling in for them if they did not provide much help. I fished the same area that f2f fished and used a Elk Hair Caddis and a dry fly one of the guys in the shop created....was kind of like a stimulator. Caught a few small fish, while it was pouring down rain! I would give SMA another shot at assisting you with assistance.