July 3rd-5th

[BlueRaiderFan]

Started off at Metcalf Bottoms. Caught this monster, I call him a "Smoky Mountain Bonefish" :


http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh261/blueraiderfn/SmokysJuly2009/Picture001.jpg

Went up above Treemont and fished a few pools. Only made it about a mile or so before my legs gave out. Met a really nice fellow and his wife and daughters. Talked to them a minute and he gave me some tips on my midge/nymph selection, but I was too disgusted for not having caught anything (and I was about to pass out from hiking), so I didn't linger long before getting back to fishing a few nice pools. Saw some really nice hatches and watched several flies land on the water and stay for a long time with absolutely no rise, so I took off my dry and went to a straight nymph and tried some high sticking. No results. Out of the entire weekend, I saw two rises, by trout, to my flies. One was at MB and the other at the bridge at Treemont. I won't give up thought and will try again in the Fall and definitely next Spring (if I don't have to move to get a new job): http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh261/blueraiderfn/SmokysJuly2009/Picture008.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh261/blueraiderfn/SmokysJuly2009/Picture007.jpg


I saw a wild boar when I was driving up to Treemont (early in the morning). He was black as coal and looked like a bear. Tried to take a picture, but he just blended in.

[BlueRaiderFan]

Went back to Metcalf Bottoms and fished a bit on the second day. Found an interesting mushroom. I guess these are UT mushrooms:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh261/blueraiderfn/SmokysJuly2009/Picture010.jpg

[bigpopper]

BRF,
Great pics man! At least you didnt get skunked!:eek: Thanks for the report, ive been wondering how things were up there in the GSMNP. It looks like the weather was nice too. It sure beats being at home.:smile:

[tlshealy]

Was this what he looked like? I took this above tremont on July 1st.http://i44.tinypic.com/2d285k6.jpg

[Bran]

Nice trip there BRF! I think I caught that same "Bone" at MB last year in July!! I landed a couple down there pushing 12 in..
I fished a little this past week, started the week around Sugarlands and caught and missed a few. We ended up having to leave earlier than planned so I only got to go a couple of times but I did fish Wed. on Roaring fork up close to and above the park and caught 3 little wild bows, pretty colors, about 7 or 8 in. long. Missed a couple there too though, and caught 1 on dropper, others on stimulator.
I'm off again labor day week so I'll give another try then hopefully but we had a good, safe trip this week so you can't ask for more. Tight lines!!

[BlueRaiderFan]

BP, thanks, yeah it was a lot better than being at home.

TLS, yep, looks just like him.

Bran, I should have gone over to that side and tried, but after the hike above Treemont, my legs were smoked.

[flynut]

What are those fish w/ the bumpy heads? I caught a couple of them when I was there...the fish is almost so ugly it's cool.

[Bran]

We call 'em knottyheads at home in VA.

[ACinEastTN]

I have always called them Hornyheads. There is a sign posted at the National Forest entrance to Paint Creek that refers to them as such on the fishing regs. They are usually very agressive on their takes. Interesting looking fish!

[MBB]

Yes, I have heard them called knottyheads and horneyheads. I believe the technical name (non Latin) is Stoneroller. Supposedly, they are quite good to eat. I had an uncle that preferred them to trout. I believe they do compete with trout for food. I think only the males get the knots or horns on their heads.

[Bran]

I've also read that only the males have the spikes. Around here in the flatland reservoirs they are THE preferred bait for huge catfish. The guys at work all fish for the big blue and flathead cats and they enlist me to head to the creeks and rivers and catch knottyheads for them to fish with. In the creek on our farm just about any nymph will catch them, they're not particular at all.

[Jim Casada]

The fish is colloquially known as a knottyhead or hornyhead. They take nymphs with some regularity and are just as partial to clean, cold water as trout. They will sometimes grow to 10+ inches and when that large develop a reddish-pink hue to their gill plates and head. Muskies love 'em and they aren't nearly as plentiful in rivers such as the Tuckasegee, French Broad, and Little Tennessee as they once were. I actively fished for them as a kid (with bait, not flies) and it wasn't unusual to catch a stringer 40 or 50. They are good eating although bony as all get out. I don't know their "real" name but they are almost certainly a member of the sucker family.