On the trail of trout in the Smoky Mountains

Native brook trout have been restored to much of their native range throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most Smoky Mountain brookies are small – a 10-inch fish would be a trophy. But regardless of size they are the jewels of freshwater.

Michigan visitor and U. S. Army veteran Scott Shea fishes GSMNP’s Little River.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts more than 10 million visitors annually. Not all fish but all enjoy the scenery.

Fly selection is important but the real keys to GSMNP trout are stealth, accurate casts and a drag-free fly presentation, says seasonal fishing guide Tim Tipton.

This tool of the trade is painted to match the quarry sought by most GSMNP anglers.

“There’s really no bad place to fish in the park,” says Daniel Drake, manager and part owner of the Little River Outfitters fly shop in Townsend, Tenn., one of the gateways to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The residents are long gone, but Great Smoky Mountains National Park is dotted with reminders of the people who once lived and worked in these ancient mountains.

The ghosts of the mountains take many forms.

GSMNP percolates with flowing water.

Guide Rob Fightmaster and client James Dotson, who regularly plies the GSMNP waters for trout. “I love it here,” said Dotson.

Hundreds of miles of GSMNP rainbow and brown trout waters are easily accessible by car. A hike is required to reach the park’s brook trout waters.

Seasonal GSMNP fishing guide Tim Tipton carefully works Lynn Camp Prong in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park officials estimate about 8% of the park’s 10 million annual visitors fish.