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Fishindad
Posts: 13 Greenhorn
Smokey Mountain fishing
Fishindad
Posts: 13 Greenhorn
The family and I headed up to Gatlinburg this year and the eventual agenda for me was some fly fishing. As we drove up there the streams had pool after pool after the rapids. It was just gorgeous. I could not wait to get out there. I had packed all the needed gear and once the family was settled in, my routine was to get some early morning fishing in before the day started.
The day we got there I headed up to Smokey Mountain Angler. I talked with the good folks there and got some hints. I was a decent shop and they were very helpful. Me being the person I am, I wanted to figure this one out on my own this time. If I caught one trout, that would be success. I did however listen when then encouraged me to use a dropped rig with a terrestrial on top and a copper john fly in the bottom.
I decided to not fish in the city limits of Gatlinburg. While they stock weekly up there, it just was not what I was looking for… I am sure my success ratio would have been much better. Instead, I decided on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon. Surprisingly, in the 3 days I was there for the 3 mile stretch I walked and fished, I only saw 1 other angler.
Mountain trout trophies I understand are 14 inch fish. I did not see one of those. I did see a lot in the 6-11 inch class. I also learned they are VERY spooky and if the are not facing into the current, they are not going to eat. Its also surprising how difficult it is to see them. Polarized glasses are the key. Finally, you really don’t need that 8wt rod there. I fortunately, brought my 8 and my 6. I would have to say even the 6 was a bit too much.
The method was simple, cast up current and let the lures do the work. Try to cast at a 45 degree angle from you so that you get more ground coverage. You don’t want to cast directly upstream from you position. Finally, be quiet and stay out of the water. Its funny, I brought my waders and my best fish (which I lost) came when I was hiding on top of a bolder and casting to a deep pool.
The serenity up there is unbelievable. The air was crisp in the am and the rushing water muffled out the world. Hopefully one day, I will get my kids to want to come with me on the morning vacation excursions. Right now, that’s still not on their agenda and I am not going to push.
Enjoy the pics.
Fishindad
The day we got there I headed up to Smokey Mountain Angler. I talked with the good folks there and got some hints. I was a decent shop and they were very helpful. Me being the person I am, I wanted to figure this one out on my own this time. If I caught one trout, that would be success. I did however listen when then encouraged me to use a dropped rig with a terrestrial on top and a copper john fly in the bottom.
I decided to not fish in the city limits of Gatlinburg. While they stock weekly up there, it just was not what I was looking for… I am sure my success ratio would have been much better. Instead, I decided on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon. Surprisingly, in the 3 days I was there for the 3 mile stretch I walked and fished, I only saw 1 other angler.
Mountain trout trophies I understand are 14 inch fish. I did not see one of those. I did see a lot in the 6-11 inch class. I also learned they are VERY spooky and if the are not facing into the current, they are not going to eat. Its also surprising how difficult it is to see them. Polarized glasses are the key. Finally, you really don’t need that 8wt rod there. I fortunately, brought my 8 and my 6. I would have to say even the 6 was a bit too much.
The method was simple, cast up current and let the lures do the work. Try to cast at a 45 degree angle from you so that you get more ground coverage. You don’t want to cast directly upstream from you position. Finally, be quiet and stay out of the water. Its funny, I brought my waders and my best fish (which I lost) came when I was hiding on top of a bolder and casting to a deep pool.
The serenity up there is unbelievable. The air was crisp in the am and the rushing water muffled out the world. Hopefully one day, I will get my kids to want to come with me on the morning vacation excursions. Right now, that’s still not on their agenda and I am not going to push.
Enjoy the pics.
Fishindad
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