Gatlinburg/Smokies streams

[TNBronzeback]

Im going to be in Gatlinburg next week for vacation and am planning on bringing my fly rod and ultralight to try for some trout if time allows.
Anybody have any starter information they are willing to share? Maybe some stretches of river or maybe types of flies to try? I plan on looking into the fly shop that is around there someplace, but if anybody might know of a less populated creek or trails that lead to a nice hole to try i would appreciate it. catch and release here, not looking to wipe out anybodies honey hole.
Thanks!

[Travis C.]

go to little river outfitters in townsend. great shop and guys. check their site out too. they have current stream reports. from what i have seen things are finally picking up after all the rains this year.

[TNBronzeback]

Awesome, Thanks for the info Travis. I will do that!

[Travis C.]

If you are going to fly fish it then make sure most your patterns are dries. There is some nymph action but most like to catch them on dries in the small streams. Flies like Stimulators (in a few sizes are good) and Parachute Adams (in a couple sizes) should catch you fish.

For your ultra light, I'd only take light line 2lbs test with a 2lb fluorocarbon leader and trout magnets.

[Travis C.]

Also depending on where you are at starting around the Apple Barn (I can pm you directions if you need) in Sevierville all the way to the French Broad is smallie water. Very good smallie water. A lot on the upper end of that stretch is wade friendly and you can just pull then fish. Take small to regular size fluke style baits in minnow colors fished weightless and gotta have some sort of topwater whether its a prop or walk-the-dog bait. Try to stay on or below 6lb test though.

Hope this helps.

[jaystaler88]

Once you are inside of the park I would recommend the aforementioned Stimulators in a few sizes, orange or yellow work well. Yellow worked the best for me up there. Yellow Elk Hair Caddis works well as well, in a couple sizes. You can try a Dry-Dropper rig, dropping a small pheasant tail off the back of your dry fly.

I was up there about one month ago and we caught all the 6-9 inch WILD rainbows we wanted, granted the fish were hard to get to! Reckon that's why they were so willing to bite. Pre-front conditions are never bad, either. Beautiful country up there, fish with a partner or bring a dependable device that you can call for help with, the terrain can be unforgiving!

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by jaystaler88

I was up there about one month ago and we caught all the 6-9 inch WILD rainbows we wanted, granted the fish were hard to get to! Reckon that's why they were so willing to bite. Pre-front conditions are never bad, either. Beautiful country up there, fish with a partner or bring a dependable device that you can call for help with, the terrain can be unforgiving!

Have you ever fished over in the meadows at Cataloochee Valley. I have always wanted to but haven't yet. It's late summer western style fishing with terrestrials to browns and you typically fish along with herds of elk grazing.