Fishing the Great Smokey Mountains

When I think of trout fishing in the Great Smokey Mountains; I think of the peaceful sounds of the rushing streams and the whispering rivers that God has blessed us with to enjoy. It is an experience that will keep you looking forward to the next trip to fish the day away.

There is so much excitement in casting your line up river letting the current carry it down through the rushing waters where the trout can be seen shimmering in the sunlight facing upstream in the current only to be slowed down by the calm pockets or by the fish taking hold of your bait. The trout can be usually found at the base of rapids, and waterfalls where there is plenty of oxygen and the water is cooler. Most fish look for several different things: a place to hide from predators, a place to look for food, and a place to rest in the current. Another way to fish these waters is with a fly fishing rod; working your line back and forth with the bait fly popping the top of the water tempting the fish sitting just below the waters surface. When it comes to live baits; trout can usually be caught with small minnows, worms, and crickets. Corn and salmon eggs are also favorite baits with many anglers. The most common hook used when fishing these small baits are usually #8, #10, and salmon egg hooks which have a short shank. Another favorite bait among anglers is the artificial flies. Fly Fishing can be fun; however, it just takes a little practice mastering the technique. Once you have this technique down you will be ready to feel your creel with lots of trout. Just be sure to remember that wherever you fish check out the daily creel limit.

As with most fishing areas from state to state the Cherokee Reservation has rules and regulations to follow. A fishing permit is required and can be purchased at one of at least twenty-eight different businesses throughout the Reservation. I believe that most areas in the Smokey Mountains have a limit of ten trout per day. Although there are hundreds of fishing spots to choose from in the Great Smokey Mountains; it is best to look for the areas that have been stocked. Most of these fishing spots can be found in the Cherokee Tribal Areas where they have over thirty miles of trout springs and several trout ponds to give your fishing skills a shot. These waters have been stocked twice a week with several different species of trout to include rainbow, brook, and brown trout.

Want to bring your youngster trout fishing but you know that his/her attention span has not fully developed, and that he/she just does not have the patience to give it the time you give. Well be sure to take a few hours out of your day for him/her to try a local trout farm in the area where he/she is sure to catch some fish. You will be glad you did; not only will he/she be excited about the fish he is catching; it will improve his/her interest, and he/she will have a little more patience when fishing in your hot spot. The most important thing is not to forget to involve your children.

If you don’t know what the differences are between the rainbow, brook and the brown trout here are some traits that will help you identify these fish. The rainbow trout has a somewhat wide reddish or pink band along its side with dark spots on its silvery blue head, back, and tail. The brown trout has orange or yellow spots surrounded with light colored halos. Last, the brook trout is covered with small reddish spots along its side with squiggly marks on its back. The different trout can be found mostly in the Great Lakes, Pacific Coast Waters, and the Western States Streams. Although I speak of the trout fishing in the Great Smokey Mountains I know there are plenty of other great trout fishing spots across this great nation, and I look forward to having the opportunity to visit your favorite trout fishing hot spot.

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