The Smoky Mountains is a wilderness paradise in the winter time
with trout fishing supreme. Most people visit the Smokies in the
spring, summer and fall. But the winter time, there is practically
no one around. Our quest for adventure will take us to some of the
beautiful streams on public lands where winter fishing is
extraordinary.
Trout info:
When you think of rainbow, brook or brown trout fishing, what
comes to mind is not just the beautiful coloration of the slim lined
fish but the magnificent scenery that normally towers over the
trout's cold water habitat. The southern Appalachian Mountains is
such a place providing a beautiful back drop for the angler wetting
a line.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
www.nps.gov/grsm
The climax of the Appalachian Mountains is the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park. The Park provides 700 miles of wild trout
streams that meander through the unspoiled forests similar to those
early pioneers found. Fishing is permitted from dawn to dusk year
round in most of the streams in the park. Check park regulations at
a ranger station or visitor's center before you fish. Please note
that possession of any brook trout is prohibited.
Licenses: A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing licenses
is required to fish in the park and both are good throughout the
park. Trout stamps are not required in the park but once you cross
the border of the Park to fish, be sure you have the right state
license and a trout permit. Fishing licenses are not sold in the
park but numerous local stores and outfitters in towns surrounding
the Park have them for sale.
The Appalachian Mountain range extends beyond the Great Smoky
Mountain National Park and outstanding trout fishing can be found on
state and federal lands outside the Park in Tennessee, North
Carolina and Georgia.
States manage some of the streams as natural trout streams and
others are enhanced with excellent stocking programs.
Places to stay near the park:
"Gatlinburg, TN" If you enjoy having numerous places to
shop and eat, you will enjoy the popular tourist town of Gatlinburg.
The town is full of hotels but it is still a good idea to call for
reservations. The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce can be reached at
(423) 436-4178.
 |
"Cherokee,
NC" This town is located on the Cherokee Indian
Reservation offering 47 motels,
28 campgrounds, several attractions and excellent
fishing..see below. For more information contact their
website at www.cherokee-nc.com
or call
1(800) 438-1601. |
Campgrounds:
There are ten developed campgrounds. Cades Cove in Tennessee and
Smokemont in North Carolina are open year round. The other
campgrounds are generally open from late March to early November.
Back country Campsites. Back country camping is free but requires
a permit. Most campsites use self-registration at visitor centers or
ranger stations. Shelters and rationed sites require reservations.
Reservations can be made 30 days in advance by calling (423)
436-1231.
Places to fish outside the park:
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: www.state.tn.us/twra
Just outside the park the Little River runs through the town of
Townsend.
The Cherokee National Forest runs south of the Great Smoky Mountain
National Park where the Tellico River System includes such popular
trout streams as the Tellico River, North River and the
Bald River.
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: www.state.nc.us/Wildlife
Southeast of the Park is the Nantahala National Forest where
you'll find Big Snowbird Creek, Santeetlah Creek and the Nantahala
River.
One of the most heavily stocked areas outside of the park
is in the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina which provides 30
miles of trout fishing waters open to the public from the last
Sunday in March to the last day in February. A daily $5.00 tribal
permit is required to fish these enterprise waters. They say you're
virtually guaranteed to land a trout, perhaps even a trophy up to 15
pounds. The Cherokee Reservation also holds the North Carolina state
records for the brook and brown trout. http://www.cherokee-nc.com/fishing.htm
Names of trout waters include Ravens Fork, Oconaluftee River
(main river that comes out of the park) and Bunches Creek.
Contact: Cherokee Fish and Game Management Enterprise
P.O. Box 302
Cherokee, NC 28719
(704)497-5201
Georgia
Georgia Wildlife Resources Division: www.georgianet.org/dnr/wild
The Appalachian Mountains extend into Georgia as well where
you'll find great trout streams such as Dukes Creek, Jacks River,
and Consauga River in the Chattahooche National Forest and the
Cohutta Wilderness Area.
