My family is planning a vacation and one of our ideas is to go fishing in the smokey mountian national park. We have never been their, and were wondering what the good areas to fish would be. I enjoy fishing small streams for wild trout, and am not afraid to hike in. I have search the internet for information but if seems there is so many streams that I have no idea what the best areas are. Any information on access to visit or names of streams would be appreciated. Also what flies would you reccomend for this time of year?
Austin,
Would you be staying on the TN or NC side of the park? I am more familiar with the NC side as I live there and fish it regularly.
The water is pretty low right now and the fishing is tough, although the fishing has been pretty good. Most of the fish are small, averaging about 6-10". Larger ones can be had after a thundershower if the water is discolored.
I would recommend Deep Creek near Bryson City for some good fishing and family recreation such as tubing, Great Smoky Mountain Railway, etc. Cataloochee Valley near Waynesville is a nice place to visit and one of my regular haunts. It has the elk restoration and some good hiking.
If I can help in any way, don’t hesitate to e-mail me with any questions.
Bryan
Bryan- We have not decided which side to visit, we might go to both sides if we have enough time. What flies would you recommend for this time of year? From what I’ve read it seems that any yellow dry fly is a good choice.
Jeff- I checked out that website and it is exactly what i needed.
Austin you are right about the Yellow dry flies. But I would also add some Green Weenies and maybe a few ants to my fly box, just in case. I never go to the smokies with out them.
If you will be on the TN side I would recommend the Townsand area to stay in and I highly recommend Little River Outfitters for your fishing supplies and information.
I already have the ants, but Ill be sure to add some green weenies to my fly box. Townsand seems like it would be a good place to stay because of the fly shop and the streams near by.
Thanks for the help.
Can’t go wrong with a yellow palmer(think bivisible with a yellow body) and a peacock bodied parachute. Dropper flies, if you use them, would be a PTN, bead head Prince, or various colors of Copper Johns. Sizes 12-18 for dries and nymphs will catch fish on most any day.
Lowe Fly Shop in Waynesville recently closed but the guide service is still operating. They can be contacted at 828-452-0039 if you would like to book a trip.
Dry dropper combos are my favorite way to fish. I also tied up some yellow palmers last night. How do you fish these, by stripping them right under the surface or just as a dry fly? I have nothing against people who use guides, but I probably won’t book a guide because I think part of the fun is learning on you own and experimenting. I probably couldn’t afford it anyway and I dont think my dad would pay for it.
Austin,
Townsend is the place my family usually stays when in the Smokies. It’s much quieter and less crowded than Gatlinburg. Check some of the web sites, there are a number of cabin rentals in and around townsend. That’s what we usually do. There are some motels in town but never stayed there. They look nice.
If you’re looking for night life and tons of tourist junk shopw, Gatlinburg or Piegon Forge are the places to stay, but if you want a little quieter, Townsend’s the ticket.
I think we are going to stay in Townsed, we don’t do much shopping, and the less people the better.
I have been trying to find out as much as i can about the fishing, but can’t figure out if I need waders or not. I guess it probably depends on which stream I am fishing?
but can’t figure out if I need waders or not. I guess it probably depends on which stream I am fishing?
Austin, I would bring them just in case, but in the summer, the water is not that cold and the air temps are pretty warm. In June, my son who is 12 years old and I were in the mountains for 2 days fishing and we didn’t wear waders.
You really should wear felt sole boots. The rocks are very slick and they are all very rounded. The ankle support of the boots and the slip protection from the felt will be welcome.
As for waders, it’s a personal call and depends on your sensitivity to cool water and what the weather is. When it’s 85 degrees out, that cold water feels pretty good. Also depends on rain. If the water is knee to thigh deep and the weather is hot, I would not use waders and just enjoy being in the cool mountain stream.
If the water is waist deep and the outside temp is 70, I may consider the waders so the fishing would be more enjoyable.
Bottom line, bring them so you have them just in case. Again, I’m not an expert in fishing the mountains. I’ve only fished them a few times, but my wife and I have vacationed in the Smokeys over 25 times and have been there in spring, summer, autumn and in winter. I’m pretty familiar with the weather and the area, just a little newer to the trout fishing scene.
I will be sure to bring my waders along just in case we do have a few cool days. My boots are felt soled so it looks like I should be in good shape. Thanks for the help.
Fish the palmer dead drift with maybe with a little twitch near the end.
Watch out for the rocks, they are very slick. Rough up your felts with a wire brush before you visit.
Waders are usually not needed up until September, but the last few days have been cool and rainy with a breeze which would make the waders feel pretty good. I carry my rain jacket year round and have used it to stay dry and as a windbreaker. It has made the difference in being near hypothermia or continuing to fish or hike.