Fishing Season: Open year round. Peaks in Spring & Fall

Great Smoky Mountains - NC

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

51

Fightmaster Fly Fishing's Tip of the Week

You'll be better off in lower elevations but high elevations are starting to show a little life. Nymphing mostly with sporadic topwater activity in the afternoon.

Directions open in app

Map of Great Smoky Mountains

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Fightmaster Fly Fishing

5-Day Outlook as of 4/9/21

Rain and thunderstorms are expected Saturday. That could impact water levels so keep an eye on those gauges. Otherwise, the week ahead is looking pretty good.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/9/21

Approach & presentation is the name of the game here. These fish don't often get overly selective on fly patterns, but they spook easily and won't tolerate a bad drift! Fish upstream, dress in earth-tone clothing, and keep a low profile. Stay back and make longer casts in slow pools. Get closer and keep as much line off the water when fishing pocket water.

Local Species Available Open year round. Peaks in Spring & Fall

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbow & brook trout

Fightmaster Fly Fishing's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adams Parachute Dry Fly Natural 20 - 14
Quill Gordon Natural 14 - 12
Blue Quill Natural 18 - 16
Blue Wing Olive Parachute Natural 20 - 18
Pat's Rubber Leg Stone Black/Tan 10 - 8
Prince Nymph Natural 14 - 12
Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph Olive 20 - 16
Bead Head American Pheasant Tail Olive 20 - 16
Pheasant Tail Nymph Natural 16 - 14
Tellico Nymph Natural 14 - 10

Adams Parachute Dry Fly

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Fightmaster Fly Fishing's Recommended Gear

Description: About Great Smoky Mountains

This page details the higher elevation (3000' and above) bodies of water on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Certainly this covers a lot of water but while you may find slight variations in temperature and flow from stream to stream, this should serve as a fairly accurate baseline. Notable high elevation streams on the North Carolina side of the park include the Deep Creek headwaters, Upper Hazel Creek, Upper Bradley Fork and Raven Fork. Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts nearly 800 miles of fishable trout water within its Tennessee and North Carolina boundaries. Brook trout are the native trout in the area and tend to be confined to higher elevation streams. Rainbows and browns were introduced to the area and have been self-sustaining for more than 40 years. Though the climate is quite mild, elevations over 6000', heavy canopy, and ample rainfall allow the Smokies to serve as a rare wild trout sanctuary in the Southeastern United States. While trout measuring 6-12" are what should be expected here, brown trout well exceeding 20" are present in many of the larger rivers and sometimes reward the most patient and diligent of anglers. Streams in the Smokies consist mostly of freestone bottoms with large boulders and numerous cascades providing accents along the way. Snowfall amounts are rarely significant enough to impact the streams with long periods of run-off. Rather, regular rainfall keeps this water flowing, which can cause water levels to routinely fluctuate throughout the year. Streams and rivers in the Smokies are not large enough to be considered viable float destinations. Many rivers can easily be accessed near roadside pull-offs, while many more are only accessed by trail. For non-camping lodging options around the Smokies, there are three primary "gateway" towns: Cherokee, NC, Townsend, TN, and Gatlinburg, TN.

Nearest Airport:

Asheville Regional, Knoxville McGee Tyson

Hatches:

Quill Gordon #14-12 Blue Quill #18-16 Dun Caddis #16 BWO #20-18

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon