Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing Report – August 10 2025
Trout Fishing in America’s Most Beloved National Park
August in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park brings a deep, full embrace of summer — warm days, cool mountain mornings, and endless miles of trout-filled water winding through one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse landscapes in North America. For the fly angler, this is peak season for solitude, scenery, and wild trout.
Stream Conditions & Weather
The weather this August has been seasonably warm, with afternoon highs back in the mountains reaching mid-70s to low 80s – offer a much needed solace to the heat of nearby Gatlinburg and Cherokee. Occasional afternoon thunderstorms help knock the temps down, keep the cool water flowing and the trout active, especially in the upper reaches of the park.
Water levels are holding steady in most streams, and higher elevation creeks are running clear and cold — perfect for wet-wading and sneaking up on wild rainbow and brook trout. Wading these waters is a refreshing escape from the summer heat and a reminder of just how alive and pristine these creeks remain.
Top Streams to Fish in August
Little River (above Elkmont):
A classic Smoky Mountain fishery. This stretch offers excellent pocket water and plunge pools holding wild rainbows and browns. Mornings and early evenings are most productive.
Deep Creek:
Flowing through rich hardwood forest, Deep Creek offers a mix of easily accessible lower stretches and more secluded upper water where native brook trout thrive. A stunning area complete with multiple waterfalls to fish and hike. Popular knowledge amongst anglers is to walk above the tubers before fishing. Tubing is only permissible below the Indian Creek confluence. Plan your day to walk up the gated gravel road past the tubers for best results.
Middle Prong of Little River (Tremont):
Fast water, lots of pockets, and willing wild rainbows make Tremont a go-to stream in August. It’s a favorite among guides for good reason — it produces consistent action and some surprisingly good fish. Smaller tributaries are some of our favorites for native Brook trout
Oconaluftee River (inside the park):
Lush, scenic, and rich with Cherokee history, the Oconaluftee is a beautiful stretch that offers excellent dry fly action this time of year. Fish the shaded bends and riffles in the early morning hours for your best shot at rising trout.
Hatch Chart for August
| Insect Hatch | Time of Day | Fly Pattern Suggestions |
| Yellow Sallies | Late Morning and Afternoon | Yellow Stimulator #14-#16 |
| Light Cahills | Late Afternoon and Evening | Parachute Cahill #14 -“16 |
| Caddis (Tan/Olive) | All Day | Elk Hair Caddis #16 |
| Terrestrials | Midday | Foam Beetle #12 #14, Black Ant #16 |
| Midges | Early & Late | Griffiths Gnat #20 -#22 |
| Inchworms | All Day | Green Weenie #14 |
Dry-dropper rigs are still king in August. Think small dries on top with a bead-head nymph below for best results in the faster water
Fly Patterns That Are Working
- Yellow Stimulator #14–16
- Elk Hair Caddis #16 (tan or olive)
- Foam Beetle or Ant #14–16
- Green Weenie #14
- Pheasant Tail Nymph #16–18
- Soft Hackles #16
- Parachute Adams #16 (always a safe bet)
A Touch of History
As you cast into the sparkling runs and deep green pools of these ancient mountains, you’re following in the footsteps of sportsmen and storytellers who revered this land long before it was protected. Legendary Smoky Mountain sportsman Mark Cathey, known for his unmatched skills and sense of humor, once roamed these hills with a bamboo rod and a head full of fishing tales. His spirit lives on in the laughter of a guide’s story and the pull of a wild trout on a dry fly.
Horace Kephart, author of Our Southern Highlanders, was among the first to call for the protection of this wild country. He saw these mountains not just as scenery, but as a sanctuary — a place for the soul to breathe. That’s still true today.
Final Thoughts
Fly fishing in the Smokies in August is about more than catching trout — it’s about immersing yourself in something timeless. It’s the cool rush of water against your legs, the chorus of birds overhead, and the satisfying sip of a native brook trout rising to a well-placed dry.
Whether you’re hiking into the backcountry or fishing roadside runs, you’re in one of the prettiest and most rewarding trout fisheries in the country.
If you’re new to the park or want to explore the waters more deeply, book a guided trip with Fly Fishing the Smokies. Our professional guides know these streams intimately and are passionate about sharing their knowledge — and the beauty — of this special place.