Fly Fishing the Smokies Summer Float Trips for Smallmouth Bass
Summer in the Smoky Mountains is the perfect time to trade trout water for warm-water action and chase one of the hardest fighting fish in the South — the smallmouth bass. Our Summer Float Trips for Smallmouth Bass are full day guided float trips on two of the most beautiful rivers in Western North Carolina: the Tuckasegee River and the Little Tennessee River.
These trips are a great way to enjoy a full day on the water, take in incredible mountain scenery, and experience the explosive strikes and powerful fights that smallmouth bass are known for. Whether you prefer fly fishing or spin fishing, our guides have you covered.
The Tuckasegee River offers wide, scenic float water with long runs, rocky banks, ledges, and deep pools that make perfect smallmouth habitat. During the summer months, the Tuck becomes a fantastic smallmouth bass fishery, giving anglers a chance to throw streamers, poppers, soft plastics, crankbaits, and other productive patterns and lures. These fish are aggressive, strong, and willing to chase. When a smallmouth eats, there is no mistaking it.
The Little Tennessee River is one of the most scenic float trips in the region. Flowing through a beautiful mountain valley, the river is lined with rolling farmland, wooded banks, mountain views, rocky shoals, and quiet stretches of water that feel far removed from the busy tourist areas. It is a peaceful, historic river with deep roots in the Southern Appalachians.
The Little Tennessee River also carries a rich Cherokee history. Long before it became known as a great fishing destination, this river valley was home to Cherokee towns, travel routes, and gathering places. The river was an important part of daily life, providing food, transportation, and connection between communities. Floating the Little Tennessee gives anglers more than just a fishing trip — it offers a chance to experience a river that has shaped the culture and history of this region for generations.
Smallmouth bass are one of the most exciting fish to target in the summer. They are powerful, aggressive, and known for their hard runs, head shakes, and acrobatic jumps. Pound for pound, smallmouth are one of the best fighting freshwater fish you can catch. They attack flies and lures with attitude and make every hookup exciting.
On fly fishing trips, we target smallmouth with streamers, crayfish patterns, baitfish patterns, and topwater poppers. Watching a smallmouth explode on a popper is one of the best moments in summer fishing. For spin fishing, we use a variety of lures including soft plastics, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwater baits. Both methods are effective, and our guides will match the setup to the water, conditions, and angler experience level.
Our Summer Float Trips for Smallmouth Bass are perfect for beginners, experienced anglers, families, and anyone looking for a fun full day on the river. We provide the gear, equipment, instruction, and local knowledge needed to make the most of your day.
Come spend a summer day with Fly Fishing the Smokies and experience the beauty, history, and hard-fighting smallmouth bass of the Tuckasegee and Little Tennessee Rivers.