Fly-fishing in the Smoky Mountains is sure to be a memorable trip for anyone that enjoys casting a line. Fly-fishing these pristine streams are sure to reward those that take the time to venture into the park.
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The Great Smoky Mountains are one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern portion of the United States. There are over 2,000 miles of streams within the National Park, holding brook, rainbow and brown trout. Other species of fish frequent these streams, however, the prize is the trout on a fly. Fly-fishing for these beauties requires marginal skill, and a little stealth since they spook real easy. Hiring a local will help you locate the fish, eliminate unproductive waters, and refine your skills.
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Fly-fishing the Smokies Guides
For our fishing adventure, we contact Fly-fishing the Smokies, scheduling a 5-hour wading trip. I made reservations over the phone a few months before our trip. Everything was as described on the website. They attempt to contact you and verify details 24-hours prior to your trip. They offer different guided fishing trips on their website, including both wade and float trips. Eugene Schuler and his guides, shop and tackle are all first notch!
What is the Best Fly-fishing Gear
We met our guide, Kyle, at the fly shop in Bryson City early in the morning. We used our own wade boots and waders. However, they are provided as part of the package when you book your trip. The waters in Smoky Mountain National Park are cold in June and can provide excellent fishing all the year. Having a good pair of chest waders and wading boots with wool socks will keep your feet comfortable for the entire day. Our gear included a Redington Crosswater 9-foot 5-wt fly rod with a floating line with a 5X tippet. It is advisable to bring a rain jacket, a hat, and sunscreen.
After being outfitted, we headed into the National Park. The Bryson City area is renowned for the fishing in the Tuckasegee River. Today, the river is running too high and dark with runoff to allow us to wade safely. The day was overcast, but it did not dim our spirits. You can easily access many of the rivers and streams in the area from the road. Some require a hike, but they can access others like the Oconaluftee via pullouts along the scenic highway.
Getting on the Oconaluftee River
The Oconaluftee River is a freestone stream of its origins as a mountain spring tumbles down the Newfound Gap following Hwy 441. Unlike rivers in the Shenandoah National Park, these rivers run cold all year round. The river widens as it passes through Cherokee, North Carolina to the confluence with Raven Fork. Eventually the river merges with the Tuckasegee. The river has many access points and parking pullouts along Hwy 441. The forest canopy is thick, overhanging the river banks, sometimes affecting your casting. The shade is welcome, providing shade from the heat of the day and keeps the waters cool. Today it protects us from the constant downpours.
Our guide pulls off the highway at MM 24.61, the Cliff Branch section of the Oconaluftee River. We often fly fish larger, open rivers. The tight confines of this river took us a while to master our technique on this narrower stream. A few times we caught trees, not fish, however our guide is patient. Kyle explains how the river has an excellent aquatic insect population in the spring. The river comprises a sandy bottom, with lots of larger boulders that create pools and riffles for the fish to ambush prey. The rocks are slippery, you will have to scramble in some areas with low-hanging branches.
Trout Require a Stealthy Approach
Approaching from downstream is important in these clear waters. Fish feed into the current, so presenting the line with little slack is crucial if you do not want to miss a fish. Keep a super tight line. Today, overcast skies make it, so casting a shadow is not an issue for us. A good pair of polarized sunglasses are a great asset and will make a world of difference when finding fish. The first cast can be the most important cast. The more the fish sees the fly, the less likely they are to take it.
Fly-fishing the Smoky Mountains- the Best Flies
The best flies to use on to use in June are:
- Blue-wing Olives (BWO) Mayflies-nymph 14-16
- Blue-wing Olives (BWO) Mayflies-emerger 14-16
- Little Black Caddis (size 18 – pupa or adult)
- Little Yellow Stonefly (Yellow Sally- size 14)
- Additionally – Blue Quill, Hendrickson, March Brown, and Light Cahill mayflies.
- Floatant and Desiccant
Presentations today are mostly with dry flies-dead drift. We had a lot of bites but only brought in a few smaller brown trout. We fished the entire 5 hr. Time seemed to slip away quickly. Even when it poured rained, we continued to fish.
Smoking them – Lots of Fishing!
We did not take a break, so took our lunch to go. They provide lunch as part of the package. The sandwiches were delicious! Our guide, Kyle, was very patient, helping us refine our skills. He taught us a technique to set the fish more effectively and teaching us how to read the river. I have to say we were extremely happy with the service provided by Fly-fishing the Smokies. They communicated well, provided everything we needed, and showed us a great time on the river.
Taking what we learned, we continued to fish the river throughout the week. Most days we pulled into the Tow string area, starting at the campground bridge, picking our way downstream. We had some success finding smaller trout, but the bigger fish did not take our line. I found a gigantic crayfish the size of my hand in a small crevice of a boulder, showing we can find larger fish in the river.
Having an Outstanding Day
We had a blast in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, walking the trails and fishing the rivers. This was the perfect way to disconnect, have a good time, get a little exercise, and learn something along the way, Anytime you can catch fish is a good time!
Information on licenses, fishing regulations can be viewed at the Bryson City Webpage. The Smoky Mountain National Park does not require an entrance fee. You should always check fishing regulations before you cast a line-know before you go.
Planning Resources
- Map of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park–A great resource to plan your trip and calculate the distances you need to travel.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Official Site–Plan your visit, get updates on road conditions and general information.
- Free Smoky Mountains National Park Planner–free trip planning guide, a digital version is available.
- Dining Options in Smoky Mountains-Looking for places to get a good meal. Visit the website to see what options are available. There are many picnic areas throughout the park.
- Lodging in the Smoky Mountains- We stayed at the Riverside Cabin through Vacasa. However, there are many options for staying outside the park.
- Camping in the Smoky Mountains–the park has many campsites that can be reserved in-advance, there are also campgrounds in the surrounding towns that can be reserved.
- LeConte Lodge® is the only lodge accommodation inside the National Park. It is accessible only by hiking.
- Riverside Cottage: we spent a week in this beautiful cabin that is dog-friendly. You can find other accommodations outside the park by various vendors.
Final Thoughts There is Outstanding Fly Fishing in the Smoky Mountains
The Smoky Mountains are ideal for fly-fishing aficionados. Whether you’re hunting trophy wild trout in the park’s streams or catching feisty rainbows in a stocked river, the landscape and fishing are unparalleled. Don’t worry if you’re new to fly fishing; there are plenty of guided trips and lessons available to get you started. If you are an experienced angler, the Smokies offer a true test of your skills, with challenging currents and selective trout. If you’re planning a Smoky Mountain fly fishing trip, we hope you have tight lines!
So, how about you? Do you like to fish? Have you fished in this area? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks!!
