Kaboom1 (Brad Sherrick), FatBill (Bill Horner), Warren Patterson (WarrenP) and myself, Jack Hise, will be getting together in Townsend, Tennessee on Oct. 8th-10th to fish the Little River and the Great Smoky Mnts. National Park. All are invited to join us and wet a line in one of the most beautifull areas in North America!
We plan to stay at Dock’s Motel on the Little River as I have stayed there and will never again refer anyone to a place I have not stayed! Did that once and I was lucky my friends forgave me for that one!!
This is in prelude to holding a future FAOL Fish-In there for our South East members. Sort of a scouting trip to feel out the area.
While I am not the most social person in the world (wife will vouch for that) I would seriuosly consider this event. I have been a lurker/member of FAOL for a a number of years. Perhaps it is time to do some socializing. We have vacationed in Townsend for the better part of 17 years (our first vacation when we were married) it is a great place.
I will be checking the area out as well Aug 21-28th. Although the fishing may not be good in the heat, I will certainly consider attending a Fish In there at an alternate time.
I’m told that October is a very mild month in Townsend. The average high is 70 with a low of 42 and only 2.9" of rain making it the drier of the 12.
I’m only familiar with Dock’s Motel. A very nice place with easy river access. After the 2006 Michigan Fish-In faux paux with the not to be mentioned lodge:( I will not advise on places to stay that I have not stayed in myself. Maybe Bob and John can help out here.
Got my reservation at Dock’s already. :shock: :mrgreen:
That’s the only motel I’ve stayed at in Townsend. Most of them look good from the outside, but not having stayed in any I’d hate to recommend others. Check the Little River Outfitter’s site - they have listed many of the area motels and other accommodations.
I can recommend camping sites - which is what I usually do when in Townsend. If you want to camp in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Elkmont is nearby and a good location. Great place to fish as well. Only “negative” there are no showers.
KOA has a nice campground right on the Little River. They have cabins as well as tent sites. Some of the “lodges” are very nice - though pricey. (We took a tour of the lodges as they were being completed a couple years ago. Lovely!) They have a little beach area if you bring the kids/grandkids and want to just skip rocks.
Lazy Daze Campground is another nice one. Not many on the water sites, but nice shady sites are there.
Those are the ones I stay at… when I find something I like I tend to go back time and again and not try other places.
Well as I have mentioned this to my wife it sounds like this may be doable. Might have to drop her off near Nashville or bring her along ( if she comes along I will have to leave the car with her but I am sure one of my fine friends will transport me to the water and back. Keep me posted.
As Long as work lets me take my last week of vacation I am in.
If you fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park then you’ll need either a TN license or an NC license - no trout stamp needed (both licenses are good for the entire Park regardless of which state you’re fishing in). If you go outside of the Park then you’ll also need a trout stamp if trout is your game. And if you want to fish in Gatlinburg itself, then they have an additional fee for that. The Park and upper parts of Little River are terrific trout streams! Including native brookies. The Little River through Townsend and lower down is known for its small mouth bass, although close to the Park there will be trout as well.
TN License for non-residents: 3-day $16.50, 7-day $25.50 (no trout for either of those). “All fish” - 3-day $33.50, 7-day $50.50. You can get them online if you wish, but you can also get them at Little River Outfitters in town. http://www.tennessee.gov/twra/fishlicense.html
Bill and Tim;
Remember exiting off I75 into Grayling? 4 lane divided highway, stores, gas stations, fast food joints, commercialism jammed right up in your face!!:evil: Not so in Townsend! Divided highway but nothing “IN YOUR FACE”!! If the River allows, homes and bussinesses are set well back from “Main Drag”. The sign says “Welcome to Townsend” but there is nothing there, at least not “In Your Face” Stay/Eat/Buy here" Tourist stuff! I remember Warren and I enjoying a cold one outside our room in the peace and quiet after an afternoon of fishing.
Oooo, I wanna come!! I gotta check my calendar and with my better half. Oh, yeah, AJ will be in kindergarten then too. Man that don’t sound right at all, he should still be in dipers.
Jason;
Just do your best to at least visit for a day or 2. You’ll meet some very fine people! AJ may just be the center of attention!! I know at least 4 guys that will give him casting lessons!!
I just talked to my boss Jack, she said she didn’t have any objections, but we’d have to see about AJ’s school schedule. We may try to come in friday night or saturday morning. I’m already excited and can’t wait. Of course we work every saturday and I’ll have to check with that boss too.
Of course we work every saturday and I’ll have to check with that boss too.