My Week in the GSMNP

[BlueRaiderFan]

I will try and add a bit more later. There is a lot more on my blog and I will be adding to it over the next couple of days as well. I managed to catch a few in the 11-12" range this time but never got one on in the 20" range like I wanted to. I do have a few honey spots picked out for next time that I will try and get one on. It's difficult to zone in on them living so far away. A few fish in the 11-12" range that I released (one brown is around 9-10"). I'll see if I missed anything and post more later. Check out the extra stuff on my blog too.


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hNJs-9KSiwY/T53T-iMpoGI/AAAAAAAAAhI/3SmZWvyOw6c/s400/Smokies+April+2012+230b.jpg


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiv__hpmAj4/T53W6RrKYJI/AAAAAAAAAho/dXQqK-zk0bU/s400/Smokies+April+2012+211b.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYmGan3tfY8/T53Tan_EDTI/AAAAAAAAAhA/dzO0AmlhJqA/s320/Smokies+April+2012+233b.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQJsHLV6fVk/T53Y4c7cLkI/AAAAAAAAAiA/B0T-jlDlBG0/s400/Smokies+April+2012+082b.jpg

http://youtu.be/1wdsnmk-4zs

It was fun to watch this bow swim away into the current:

http://youtu.be/hIKg2V35AZs


Hatches:

http://youtu.be/jat0nRiavW0

http://youtu.be/mbDQYtECDbI

Hopefully I learned enough this trip to have a shot at a big fish on my next trip.

[Mac]

Looks like you had a really good week fishing and sounds like you learned some places to visit again on your next visit. You cant bet that for a week on the water.

Oh and "20" range like I wanted to." is always on my list to. ;)

Thanks for posting your photos and sharing your story.

[BlueRaiderFan]

Mac, it was a fun week for the most part. The fishing was off with the weather change. It is amazing how much even a 12" fish pulls in that current. I can't want to go back. Hopefully with even bigger fish to report. Glad you liked it.

[duckypaddler]

Now I have to admit, I'm not nearly as jealous of a week long front country trip, as I was of a week long backcountry, but it looks like you had a good time none the less. We had some weird rain last week that on the TN side. Cataloochee, and Big Creek got huge amounts of rain (Big Creek ran at a kayakable level for 2 days after rain), Greenbrier did OK with rain, and Little & Tremont were barely touched. Definately pays to know your stream & rain gauges.

Don't feel bad about the lack of larger fish. I fish the Smokies maybe 40 times a year, and my largest fish yet has been a 12 3/4 incher:rolleyes:

That Brown was beautiful!

[Knothead]

That Brown was beautiful!
I agree- colors are magnificent! Thanks for sharing the story and pix.

[David Knapp]

Nice report! Wish I could spend a whole week up there. You caught some beautiful fish...

[BlueRaiderFan]

Thanks guys. It was really a treat for me as it's my longest visit yet. Usually I have a 3 day weekend and coming from Nashville I'm pushed for time. I was able to scout the big water better and find some deep runs. No doubt that I'll be back :biggrin:

[tnflyfisher]

Nice fish...

Next time we will have to send you up there with a treasure map for finding your way to a certain stretch of water... ;)

Tight Lines,

[BlueRaiderFan]

Yeah, I need one if I go too far off trail :biggrin:

[GrouseMan77]

Not too shabby. I like that brown.

[BlueRaiderFan]

Thanks, Jason. He was the prettiest brown for me in the park for sure.