Fly Fishing the Smokies report August 10

Posted on August 10, 2025 by eshuler
Fly Fishing the Smokies August report, Raven Fork, Brook Trout, Great SMoky Mountains National Park, Seth Shuler,

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.

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Gatlinburg, Bryson City, Maggie Valley, Cherokee, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Trout Fishing Guide, Fly Fishing Guide Service, Fly Shop, Great SMoky Mountains national Park,

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.

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fishing Guides, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Bryson City, Cherokee, Maggie Valley,

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

Uncle Mark Cathey, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Great SMoky Mountains National Park,

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

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.

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Colton Wike, Fly Fishing Guide, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Cherokee, Bryson City

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.

   Call or Text us at (828)-421-6378

Be sure to check out our Seasonal Specials!




Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fly Fishing the Smokies report August 10

Fly Fishing the Smokies report July 11 2025

Posted on July 11, 2025 by eshuler
Fly Fishing the Smokies, Great SMoky MOuntains Trout Fishing, Brown trout, guided fishing trips, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Bryson City, Maggie Valley, Cherokee

There’s something deeply soul-refreshing about standing in a cool mountain stream this time of year — mist rising off the water, birdsong echoing through the hollows, and the soft rush of clear water over smooth rocks. Fly fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this week has been nothing short of magical.

Weather & Water Conditions

This week has brought ideal summer conditions to the Smokies. Mornings have been mild, with temperatures in the low 60s at higher elevations, warming to the low 80’s by afternoon. Afternoon showers have kept stream flows healthy and temperatures cool — a perfect combo for active trout. Water levels are in great shape for July. The Smokies have had just enough rain to keep stream levels near perfect. Lower elevation streams are warming up in the afternoons, so it’s best to fish early or head higher up the mountain for the most productive and fish-friendly conditions.

FLy Fishing the SMokies, Trout fishing guides, Gatlinburg, Bryson City, Sevierville,

Hatches & Fly Recommendations

Trout are looking up, and dry fly action has been steady throughout the day in shaded runs and riffles. Summer hatches are in full swing, and terrestrials are becoming more important by the day.

Current Hatches:

  • Yellow Sallies
  • Light Cahills
  • Caddis (tan, olive)
  • Midges (early and late)
  • Terrestrials: ants, beetles, inchworms

Top Fly Patterns:

  • Yellow Stimulator #14–16
  • Parachute Adams #16–18
  • Elk Hair Caddis #16 (tan/olive)
  • Foam Beetle #14
  • Green Weenie #14
  • Pheasant Tail Nymph #16–18
  • Soft Hackle Wet Flies #16

Dry-dropper rigs are producing well, especially in the pocket water that characterizes many of the park’s wild trout streams.

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Great SMoky MOuntains NAtional PArk, Trout fishing guides, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Bryson City, Cherokee, MAggie Valley,

Scenic Streams to Explore

If you’re looking for solitude and stunning scenery, try Lynn Camp Prong, Ramsey Prong, or Goshen Prong — all offering wild rainbow and native brook trout amid rhododendron tunnels and mossy boulders. For easier access with excellent fishing, Little River above Elkmont and Tremont continue to produce well. On the North Carolina side of the Smokies, try Indian Creek, Slab Camp, and Palmer Creek.

These are some of the most picturesque trout streams in the country — cool, clear, and full of wild fish that reward stealth and a well-placed cast.

Fly fishing the Smokies July fishing report, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee, Bryson City, Sevierville, Maggie Valley

Guided Trips with Fly Fishing the Smokies

Want to make the most of your time on the water? Book a guided trip with Fly Fishing the Smokies — the most experienced and professional guide service in the region. Whether you’re a first-time angler or a seasoned fly fisher looking to explore hidden backcountry streams, our guides will put you on fish, help sharpen your skills, and make sure your day is unforgettable.

🎣 Full & Half-Day Trips, plus Seasonal Specials

🌲 Backcountry Adventures

🐟 All Gear Provided

🧭 Local Knowledge. Professional Guides. Wild Trout.

For Reservations call or Text

(828)-421-6378 or Book Online

Book Online, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Best Trout Fishing Fly Fishing Guides in Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Severville



Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fly Fishing the Smokies report July 11 2025

Fly Fishing the Smokies in July

Posted on July 5, 2025 by eshuler
Indian Creek Falls, Bryson City, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Fly Fishing Guides Charters Trips Excursion

July Trout Fishing

July in the Great Smoky Mountains brings a vibrant blend of warm summer days, lush green canopies, and the soothing music of tumbling streams echoing through the valleys. For the fly angler, it’s a time of both challenge and reward — and few places rival the Smokies when it comes to beauty, serenity, and the thrill of chasing wild trout in their native waters.
As of early July, water flows are moderate across much of the park, thanks to scattered afternoon thunderstorms that are typical this time of year. Water temperatures at mid to higher elevations are staying within healthy ranges, generally in the low to mid-60s, making these elevations ideal for pursuing wild rainbow and brook trout.

July Fly Fishing Smoky Mountains

Low elevation streams can warm up quickly during the afternoon, so if you’re fishing below 2,500 feet, it’s best to get on the water early. A quick check with a stream thermometer can help you ensure the water remains trout-friendly. Rainbow and Brown trout are the predominate species we fish for in lower elevation streams.

Fly Fishing the Smokies, July Fly Fishing, Smoky Mountain Trout,

Fishing in the Smokies is more than just catching fish — it’s about being there. Mist rising off the water at dawn, the dappled light filtering through old-growth hemlocks, the rhythmic cast of a fly line under the hush of towering rhododendrons — it’s a sensory experience that grounds you deeply in nature. The Great Smoky Mountains are one of the few places in the world where you can hike into backcountry wilderness and cast to wild trout in a stream that looks and feels untouched by time. Every fish is earned. Every strike, a reward. Whether you’re on a solo adventure or sharing the day with a close friend, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the peace and beauty surrounding you.

Trout fishing guides in Bryson City NC, Great Smoky Mountains, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Bryson City Fly Shop

July Hatches

Insect activity is strong, with yellow sallies, light cahills, and a variety of caddis present. Terrestrials are also coming into play, especially after a warm, sunny afternoon. A well-placed beetle, ant or grasshopper pattern under overhanging branches can bring explosive takes from aggressive wild trout.

Recommended flies:

  • Yellow Stimulator #14–16
  • PMD #16-18
  • Sulphers #14-18
  • Light Cahill #16-20
  • Parachute Adams #16–18
  • Elk Hair Caddis (tan or olive) #16
  • Foam Beetle or Ant #12–16
  • Hopper Tan, Olive, Brown #8-14
  • Pheasant Tail Nymph #16–18
  • Green Weenie #14

Dry-dropper rigs are particularly effective in the pocket water and plunge pools these mountain streams are known for.

Fly Fishing the Smokies guides, Guided Fly Fishing Trips Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Sevierville Cherokee Maggie Valley Bryson City

Book your next guided trip with our team of professional guides and chase wild trout in some of the most beautiful streams in the country. Fly Fishing the Smokies offers several trip lengths and some fantastic seasonal specials. All skill levels are welcome and we supply any equipment that you need. Local, experienced guides ready to put you on the fish!

For Reservations call or Text

(828)-421-6378 or Book Online

Book Online, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Best Trout Fishing Fly Fishing Guides in Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Severville



Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fly Fishing the Smokies in July

Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 2/13/25

Posted on February 13, 2025 by eshuler

Over the course of the past two days, the Smoky Mountains region and much of the South has received heavy rains. More than 5 inches has fallen in most areas around the Smoky Mountains. Currently rivers and streams are swollen with larger rivers running stained and muddy. We are seeing river levels dropping already which is a good sign. However there is still a lot of water rolling through here at the moment. Fortunately the water drops quickly in the mountains here, and we should see most creeks and smaller rivers fishable by the end of your weekend.

Tuckasegee River report

The Tuckasegee River in Bryson City hit nearly 15,000cfs at 6:00am this morning. Currently at noon, its already dropped to 10,000cfs. We anticipate levels to keep dropping quickly down to around 3,500 cfs by possibly Sunday or Monday and then a gentle drop from there into mid week. Hopefully the river will be fishable by Sunday on the Dillsboro stretch of the river. That may be a little optimistic, but were calling it here first.

Great Smoky Mountains report

Water levels in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have dropped quickly as per usual. Deep Creek reached a high overnight at 5.1 feet, and this afternoon its dropped to 4.28. Before the rains began two days ago, it was running low at 2.9ft. We anticipate that Deep Creek and several other park creeks will be fishable on Saturday. Water is already running clear, just a lot of it at the moment. The smaller streams will drop levels first of course with larger creeks such as the Little River near Gatlinburg and the Oconaluftee near Cherokee taking a day or so longer. If you are planning on fishing the national park this weekend, bring your streamer box and strip some steak through the big runs and pools especially along the sides and edges close to logs and ambush points. After a big rain event, this is when we catch the truly big brown trout in the Smoky Mountains. If you’re a streamer junkie, now’s your time to shine!

Cherokee Fishing report

The Cherokee Trophy Section is running very high and dangerous right now. Overnight the Oconaluftee River stream gauge hit 6,700cfs which is a bunch, currently at noon we are seeing 4,000cfs. That’s a significant drop but no where close to fishable yet. Possibly by Sunday the Trophy Section will be fishable, just be careful where you wade and how far out you go. My advice would be to strip big streamers on sink tip lines, and stay close to the banks. As we all know there is some genuine river monsters on the Trophy Section and murky high water is when you will get the best opportunities at them.

Gatlinburg Fishing report

The West Prong of the Little Pigeon, the river running through town in Gatlinburg, is still high and murky. Things will clear up quickly as river levels continue to drop. The river hit a high of 1,620cfs over night. Currently at noon its dropped over half way and is 730cfs. Before the rains started, the water was really low just under 200cfs. Fishing here is another area where you want to bring your streamer box and strip steak through the deepest pools you can find and hunt for big pockets behind the boulders.

Keep it safe out there this weekend and don’t take unnecessary risks. Its just fishing and they aren’t going anywhere.

Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 2/13/25

Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 02-11-25

Posted on February 13, 2025 by eshuler
Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing Report, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Bryson City, Tuckasegee River, Float Trip,

Fishing this past week in the Smoky Mountain region has been surprisingly really good. Unseasonably warm temperatures last week and into this week brought out tons of black Caddis and Little Winter Stoneflies which kept the trout happy and feeding up top. Lots of fish looking up and fishing some dry flies during Winter was a special treat for us!

Tuckasege River float trip, Fly Fishing the Smokies Guide Service and Fly Shop, Gatlinburg Fly Fishing, Pigeon Forge Trout, Sevierville Trout Fishing, Cherokee Trout Fishing, Maggie Valley Fly Fishing Guides,

Tuckasegee River

The Tuckasegee River continues to be the top of the heap this month of all the water we guide on. River levels have been in great shape with wadeable flows all month long. Fishing has been really good since we warmed up from the bone chilling temps we had early in the month. Double nymph rigs fished deep under indicators have produced the best. Euro-nymphing has also been very productive. The streamer bite this past week was good especially on the warmest days. The big trout were happy to chase prey down from their deep water Winter haunts. Dry flies were the big talk this past week as we saw tons of black caddis popping off in clouds at times. Little black Winter Stoneflies were also hatching in big numbers. We did spot a few Blue Winged Olives as well.

Cherokee Trophy Section, Cherokee Fly Fishing Guides, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Fishing Report

Cherokee Fly Fishing

The Cherokee Trophy Section which comprises of the Raven Fork and Oconaluftee River has been fishing good this past week. Warmer weather melted away the ice from the sides of the banks and turned the fish on big time! Mid day hatches of black caddis and little Winter stoneflies had the fish popping the top after some dry flies. Of course the biggest producer was drifting small dark nymphs deep along the bottom of the big pools and slower moving water. Lots of good Rainbows and a few Browns found themselves in the bottom of a net. Euro-nymphing produced some good fish too, mainly fishing small jigged streamers along the bottom in the some quicker moving water. Streamer fishing has worked decently well too. Not as productive of course, but how cool is it to watch a big trout come from the deep and smash a giant piece of steak! One of the coolest things to me personally about fishing the Trophy Section is getting to watch the Elk as you fly fish. I’m forever looking the banks and underbrush for them. They tend to graze the fields morning and evening which makes them easy to spot. However mid day they are all in the underbrush along the banks of the river. Just be mindful when moving form place to place along the Trophy Section as you don’t want to accidentally walk up on one or make them feel crowded.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is best fished at lower elevations this time of year. Temperatures at higher elevations are still cold especially at night. You can still have a good productive day by fishing the larger creeks such as Deep Creek, Little River and the Oconaluftee from mid morning until mid afternoon. You may see some some sporadic hatches of little Winter stoneflies and Black Caddis coming off. Occasionally on the over cast days you will find a few BWO’s about as well. Fishing dry flies probably hasn’t been very productive, however dead drifting small dark nymphs deep in the slower runs and pools will produce a few fish.

The weather forecast this week calls for tons of rain. We are expected to get 5 inches plus in the Smokies. Temps are going to cool off and by the end of the week with morning lows are anticipated to be in the 20’s on Friday. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but that’s just Winter here in the Smoky Mountains for you. Dress appropriately in layers and let someone know where you plan to fish before you go! Taking chances is never a good idea, and only magnifies during Winter.

Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 02-11-25

Winter Fly Fishing Smoky Mountains

Posted on December 21, 2024 by eshuler
Winter Fly Fishing Trips Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Sevierville Bryson City Cherokee

 Winter Fly Fishing

Winter Fly Fishing in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee can be fantastic for big trout! Big Fish love Cold Weather! That’s a fact, and we have the pictures to prove it. The Smoky Mountains region have year around trout fishing, however in the Winter is when we see the biggest fish caught by our guests!

Call or Text (828)-421-6378 or Book Online!

Book Online, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Best Trout Fishing Fly Fishing Guides in Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Severville

Be sure to check out our Winter Trophy Trout Special

  • Bryson City Fly Shop, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Fly Fishing Guides Smoky Mountains, Smoky Mountain Brown Trout, Tuckasegee River Fishing Guides

Fly Fishing North Carolina in the Winter

The NC side of the Smoky Mountains has miles of perfect trout filled water. Starting with the Tuckasegee River, which has two distinctive sections of state managed Delayed Harvest areas. These stretches of water are loaded to the max with Brook, Brown, and Rainbow Trout. Catching Grand Slam of all three species is a big possibility! The Tuckasegee River is a wide sprawling Rocky mountain sized tailwater river making trout fishing very near perfect here. During the winter months you can expect between 17,000-18,000 trout per mile. We offer both Wade Trips and Float Trips on this amazing river. The Tuckasegee River is by far the best winter fishery in the South! We have fully stocked Fly Shop located on the banks of the Tuckasegee River in Bryson City!

Trophy Rainbow Trout, Raven Fork Cherokee, Winter Fly Fishing,

Winter Fly Fishing in Cherokee

The hottest destination for big Trout in the Smoky Mountains region is the Raven Fork! Cherokee is home to some awesome fly fishing opportunities, and this time of year we see incredible action. Fishing the Raven Fork is a unique experience offering world class angling for trophy trout while enjoying great stream access and wading in one of the most beautiful settings in the Smoky Mountains. If all of this isn’t enough to convince you, then imagine standing in the river making the perfect cast and having an audience of Elk watch as you fish! It doesn’t get much better than this!

Tennessee Fly Fishing in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

In Tennessee, the Town of Gatlinburg has special Delayed Harvest Regulations until April 1st. What this means for the visiting angler is the water loaded with Trout, most averaging 20 inches in length! This section is Catch and Release ONLY and you have to use artificial lures or flies with a single hook. So in short terms, this place is perfect for fly fishing. While most fishing is done in the midst of the shops and attractions in town, the scenery isn’t bad Gatlinburg is a beautiful place. Plus you’re never too far from a cup of Hot Chocolate. Fly Fishing Gatlinburg in the winter is a great place for those wanting to learn to Fly Fish, it offers easy access to the river, good wading, and plenty of big trout. What more could you want!?

Great Smoky Mountains Fishing Report, Fly Fishing the Smokies

Winter Fly Fishing the Smoky Mountains

Fly Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the winter can be an amazing experience. You will find solitude and spectacular scenery and beautiful wild trout. The streams in the Smokies are home to all wild Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout. The fishing here can be equally as good as other streams, especially during periods of warmer temperatures.

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Fly Fishing guides in Gatlinburg

Fly Fishing the Smokies provides all necessary gear for fly fishing during the winter months. We supply Waders, Wading Boots, Fly Rods, Reel, leaders, tippet, and all flies at no additional charge. All you need to do is bundle up and let us take care of the rest!

So get yourself outside this winter and do the unexpected, come Fly Fishing with the guides at Fly Fishing the Smokies and beat the Winter Time blues.

To book your next trip with Fly Fishing the Smokies, call or text us at (828)-421-6378 

See you on the water!

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Winter Fly Fishing Smoky Mountains

November Fly Fishing Report, Great Smoky Mountains

Posted on November 23, 2024 by eshuler
Fly Fishing the Smokies, November Fly Fishing Report Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg Fly Fishing Guides, Bryson City Fly Fishing Guides

November is one our favorite times to fly fish in the Smoky Mountains region. Big fish start making their appearances in many of the larger creeks and rivers in the mountains. Late Fall and Winter has long been known as being the best time to catch a big Brown trout.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The fishing inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is doing well. Morning subsurface action gives way to some dry fly action in the afternoons. Caddis and BWO’s are mainstays for the moment as we anxiously await Little Winter Stones to start making their appearances in a few weeks. We are seeing many good sized Browns very active in the lower reaches on larger creeks. Brook trout spawning continues in the high elevations and should finish up in the next week or two. Be very aware not to walk on spawning reds. These areas resemble fresh swept gravelly places in the stream bed typically out of heavier current flows. These areas are full of eggs that can be easily crushed if stepped on. Be careful where you step and avoid these areas at all cost. What you step on today could seriously impact generations for several years to come. Also we don’t want to get into the whole ethics debate of fishing over spawning fish, but seriously don’t be a jackass and fish them. Leave em’ alone, let em’ spawn. There’s plenty of other fish that aren’t actively spawning you can cast at.

Tuckasegee River

The Tuckasegee River is absolutely on fire this time of year! The Delayed Harvest sections on the Tuck are some of the best fishing in the south from November until May. Stocked heavily with Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout this river offers incredible action and versatility. You can fish dry flies, nymphs and streamers all day long and find consistent hatches almost every day throughout the season. Our guides are putting clients on both big fish and good numbers of fish each day. Wade trips and Float Trips are both producing great results. The Tuckasegee River is a tail-water and has numerous freestone tributaries feeding its rich bio-diverse waters. Fact is the Tuck is home to more than 72 species of fish and countless species of invertebrates.

Cherokee Trophy Section

The Cherokee Trophy Section is a beautiful and unique fishery. This time of year fishing is fabulous for large trout and combined the added bonus of seeing the elk while casting a fly make Cherokee hard to pass up. The Raven Fork and Oconaluftee River are bordered on one side by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway along the opposite bank. The scenery is just as good as the fishing! Our guides are putting clients on some true fish of a lifetime. Large Rainbows and Browns that will take your reel into the backing and leave you speechless is the order of the day. These big fish will test you every step of the way and provide a challenge for even the most skilled.

Hatches and Flies

Consistent hatches of Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Caddis, Sedge and Stones are still mainstays in the park and across the region. Terrestrials such as flying ants and beetles are also hot tickets. This time of year you cannot overlook the importance of egg patterns. With several species of fish spawning, an egg can be the best morsel of fat and protein a fish may see all day. Streamers continue to produce with great results. Game Changers are absolutely smoking it on the Tuckasegee River and Cherokee Trophy section with smaller offerings such as black woolly’s and natural Zonkers bringing the big boys to net inside the park.

Stop by our fully stocked Fly Shop in Bryson City for a great fly selection and accurate up to the minute stream beta on every stream in the region. We have several quality product lines of gear with the latest offerings from R.L Winston, Moonshine Rods, Ross Reels, Redington, Rio, Renzetti, and many other.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on November Fly Fishing Report, Great Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 6/11/24

Posted on June 11, 2024 by eshuler
Smoky Mountains National Park, Brown Trout, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Fishing Report

The trout fishing is at peak in the Great Smoky Mountains! All the park streams are fishing at their best and water levels are looking great. Most creeks are running full to medium full. Hatches of Yellow Sallies and Light Cahills are driving the trout absolutely crazy. Lots of dry fly action all day long from sun up til sun down. We are also seeing good hatches of Sulphers and Green Drakes that are bringing trout to the surface as well. Brown and Golden Stones are hatching heavy on sunny days and fish will take every opportunity to crush these mighty morsels of food. Caddis of course are hatching on all park stream no matter elevation or temperatures. Patterns in Olive, Tan, Yellow, Brown and Cream are very productive. This time of year trout in the park have an abundance of food and will grow in size as food is readily available all day and night.

Terrestrials are a large part of a trout’s diet this time of year especially inside the park. Lots of inch worms, hoopers, beetles and ants are falling into the streams or being blown into the water from the wind and rain. One of the best times to fish terrestrial patterns is immediately during and after a rain. Rig up a weighted greenie weenie under a hopper pattern and see what happens!

The forecast for this week looks very nice. Its definitely summer time in the Smoky Mountains whether or not the calendar says so. Temps in Gatlinburg are pleasant for the next few days with highs in the mid 70’s, and the weekend will be upper 80’s. The same holds true for Bryson City and Cherokee. However the backcountry in the Smoky Mountains will be roughly 10-12 degrees cooler thankfully!

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing, Brook Trout, Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, Brookiie,

Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing

There are 2910 miles of wild trout streams in the Great Smoky Mountains. With only 900 miles of trails, there is plenty of solitude and areas to explore and a catch a fish! Summer time is a favorite among our staff for the wonderful dry fly fishing opportunities that present themselves in the park. Summer is a great time to learn how to fly fish. You have active fish with a high metabolism that will feed all day long. So there is no wrong time of day to be fishing inside the park!

Fly Fishing the Smokies offers a wide variety of great fly fishing trips and lengths to choose from. We guide folks of all ages and skill levels and have ALL the gear that you need to fish with provided free of charge on your trip!!

We offer guided trips in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee and Bryson City. No matter where you stay in the Smoky Mountains we have guided trips close to you!

For Reservations call (828)-421-6378 or Book Online

Book Online, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Best Trout Fishing Fly Fishing Guides in Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Severville
Hazel Creek Great Smoky Mountains, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Fishing Report,

Hazel Creek Fly Fishing

Fly Fish the legendary Hazel Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fly Fishing the Smokies offers Guided Day Trips on world famous Hazel Creek fly fishing for wild trout! This is the wildest, most scenic trout stream in the Smokies. Widely considered the bucket list stream of the Smoky Mountains and easily the most historically steeped region of the park! Solitude, unrivaled beauty and wild trout sums up a day on Hazel Creek. Click the Link for more information on our Hazel Creek Day Trips

Fly Fishing Fun Trip, Gatlinburg Fly Fishing Guides,

2hr Fly Fishing Trip

Our Fly Fun Fishing Trip is the perfect opportunity to fly fish the top rivers and streams in the Great Smoky Mountains region! The Fly Fishing Fun Trip is located in Cherokee NC inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At 2hrs in length, this is a fantastic trip for sampling the fly fishing around the Smoky Mountains. With prices starting at $75 per person, this is a perfect option for beginners and experts alike. Experience Fly Fishing inside the Great Smoky Mountains and not spend a fortune! We include all the gear and equipment needed at no additional charges. All trips are privately guided with just you and your family, with your own guides!

Little Tennessee River Fishing Trips, Float Trip, Smallmouth Bass fishing,

Little Tennessee River

The Little Tennessee is arguably one of the prettiest rivers in our region. Its a top notch Smallmouth Bass fishery with perfect habitat and an abundance of food for river Smallies. Currently the river is in great shape and the fishing is hot!! Flows are clear and perfect for wading or floating. We are catching them on light tackle and fly both. Tossing shallow running crankbaits and soft plastics are getting great results. If your are a streamer fly junky, this is your place! The Little T was made for fishing streamers and sink-tip lines. Smallmouth here are in abundance, most fish average from 12-18 inches. We occasionally catch some bruisers in the deep holes around mid current rocks and log jams on both fly and spin tackle. These fish will come in around 3-4 pounds. The Little T is widely known for numbers rather than trophy fish. Its the perfect place to have a ton of fun with awesome undeveloped scenery. If you have never fished for smallmouth before, its highly addictive. Pound for pound they fight harder than about anything in freshwater!

Guided Trips for Smoky Mountain Brook Trout

New for Summer of 2024, Backcountry Brook Trout guided trips in the Smoky Mountains with the guides at Fly Fishing the Smokies! We offer exclusive backcountry guided trips for the native Southern Appalachian Brook trout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and various streams outside of the park boundary. This is a specialty Full Day Wade trip for either one or two guests per guide. Join our guides as we take you to some of our most favorite Brook trout streams. All fishing is catch and release!

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 6/11/24

Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 6/04/24

Posted on June 5, 2024 by eshuler
Fly Fishing the Smokies, Salvelinus Fontinalis, Smoky Mountain Fishing Report

Smoky Mountain Fishing Report for June 04, 2024

This week is going to be a good one for fly fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding towns of Gatlinburg and Bryson City. Weather has been about perfect for the first week of June. Highs reaching upper 70’s in the valleys, and low 70’s in the back country with slight chances of showers in the late afternoon through Thursday. This weekend looks spectacular! Overnight, low 60’s will keep stream temps cool and in great shape for the trout. Reports from our guides have all said park streams are fishing in peak form. Stream levels are perfect for this time of year. All creeks inside the park are running full which is a good sign in case of late summer droughts. We are seeing good hatches all day long of yellow sallies, sulphers, light cahills, brown stones, and various species of caddis have kept the dry fly action strong. The terrestrial game has been strong too. We’re starting to see loads of green inch worms falling from the trees and of course small hoppers in tan and olive along the banks. Black ants and beetles are a good option for times between hatches of aquatic insects.

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Gatlinburg Fly Fishing guides, Bryson City Fly Fishing guides, Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing

Great Smoky Mountains Fly Fishing

There are 2910 miles of wild trout streams in the Great Smoky Mountains. With only 900 miles of trails, there is plenty of solitude and areas to explore and a catch a fish! Summer time is a favorite among our staff for the wonderful dry fly fishing opportunities that present themselves in the park. Summer is a great time to learn how to fly fish. You have active fish with a high metabolism that will feed all day long. So there is no wrong time of day to be fishing inside the park!

Fly Fishing the Smokies offers a wide variety of great fly fishing trips and lengths to choose from. We guide folks of all ages and skill levels and have ALL the gear that you need to fish with provided free of charge on your trip!!

We offer guided trips in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee and Bryson City. No matter where you stay in the Smoky Mountains we have guided trips close to you!

Call or Text (828)-421-6378

or Book Online

Book Online, Fly Fishing the Smokies, Best Trout Fishing Fly Fishing Guides in Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Severville

Hazel Creek Fly Fishing

Fly Fish the legendary Hazel Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fly Fishing the Smokies offers Guided Day Trips on world famous Hazel Creek fly fishing for wild trout! This is the wildest, most scenic trout stream in the Smokies. Widely considered the bucket list stream of the Smoky Mountains and easily the most historically steeped region of the park! Solitude, unrivaled beauty and wild trout sums up a day on Hazel Creek. Click the Link for more information on our Hazel Creek Day Trips

Fly Fishing Fun Trip, Gatlinburg Fly Fishing Guides,

2hr Fly Fishing Trip

Our Fly Fun Fishing Trip is the perfect opportunity to fly fish the top rivers and streams in the Great Smoky Mountains region! The Fly Fishing Fun Trip is located in Cherokee NC inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At 2hrs in length, this is a fantastic trip for sampling the fly fishing around the Smoky Mountains. With prices starting at $75 per person, this is a perfect option for beginners and experts alike. Experience Fly Fishing inside the Great Smoky Mountains and not spend a fortune! We include all the gear and equipment needed at no additional charges. All trips are privately guided with just you and your family, with your own guides!

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Smoky Mountain Fishing Report 6/04/24

Smoky Mountain Fishing Report

Posted on April 7, 2024 by eshuler

A little cold weather blast to region the last couple days remind us that winter still gets the last word around the Appalachians.

Old timers here in the Smokies will tell you that we have 5 “Little Winters” And before you roll your eyes, let me tell you they are spot on correct too. This most recent blast is called Redbud Winter and is the first of the 5. Redbud Winter typically hits late March to early April and always catches you off guard because it typically follows on the heels of an almost Summer like warm spell. We typically get some snow with this one in the high elevations and winds that will cut you in half. We saw just exactly that this past week. Easter Sunday was one of the most beautiful days we have had in a really long time. Early week was also simply spectacular. But, by mid week, Redbud Winter blew through here with a vengeance, bringing with it heavy isolated rains, high winds followed by snow and down right cold temps. Thankfully we are going to warm up quickly and temps are expected to be back into the low 70’s by Sunday!

The second, more commonly talked about, “Dogwood Winter” happens in late April around the time the Dogwood trees bloom. With this one we can still get some snow in the high elevations and definitely some heavy frosts in the valley floors that will zap the blooms off trees and flowers alike. Locust Winter is early May, while Blackberry Winter is mid May around Mothers Day with Whippoorwill Winter coming in late May. Time will only tell if we have all five this year, but typically we do!

Fly Fishing the Smokies, Tuckasegee River Float Trips

The fishing this week has been pretty solid. All week long, even despite the cold snap, we saw good hatches of Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Stoneflies and Blue Winged Olives. Early week several of the streams in the Smoky Mountains National Park were actually fishing really good. Lower elevation creeks such as Deep Creek, Little River, Oconaluftee River and Cataloochee Creek all got the thumbs up. Of course once Redbud Winter hit, the Smokies streams shut down pretty quick leaving us with the Tuckasegee River which is not inside the park.

The Tuckasegee River continues to be the very best fishing we have time of year. The Dillsboro stretch of the Tuckasegee got stocked on the 1st and 3rd. The Bryson City section will get stocked on Monday the 8th. Literally thousands of trout per mile were added into the catch and release sections of the Tuckasegee River. Fish range from 12 to 25 inches, with some exceeding the 25 mark. These waters are controlled by hydroelectric dams upstream which provide consistent water temperatures and a variety of rich aquatic insect life. It is in these waters that we see the best insect hatches in the area.

Cherokee tribal waters are now fully open and fishing good as usual. Opening weekend was very busy and has seen a lot of pressure from the catch and keep anglers. The Fly Fishing Only Trophy section has fished pretty good this past week despite the mid week cold snap. Consistent hatches of Blue Quills have kept them looking up in the mid afternoons.

This weeks forecast looks pretty solid. Temps are getting back to normal and we do have a good chance of rain by mid week. We’re not expected to see heavy rainfall totals thankfully. Morning temps are expected to be in the low 50’s with highs reaching into the low 70’s. Chance of rain on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday combined with warm temps have us all thinking about big brown trout and streamer fishing. Overcast and rainy days always see the big Browns coming out in force to feed. Stripping some meat along the edges with that are adjacent to deep water always yield some nice sized fish.

Overall it looks to be a good week here in the mountains. We aren’t expecting to be as busy with tourist and spring breakers as the last several weeks. If you’ve been holding off on coming to the mountains, this will be a good time

We’ll see you on the water

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Smoky Mountain Fishing Report