need advise

[pastureman]

Hello all, I'm coming up to the park for the first time the weekend of may 2-6. Could anyone give me some patterns and some direction as to some easy to find spots to catch a few fish?

[BlueRaiderFan]

Go to the end of the road at Tremont Institue (it's entrance is on the raod to Cades Cove). Park in the small parking area at the end and fish there to get your feet wet without a lot of effort, but if you really want to catch a few, I would try hiking up the trail at the end for a half mile or so. There are also some decent areas on the way up to the parking lot that you could fish. Try using a pheasant tail/ prince nymph or a Adams Parachute. I just started, so some of this may be a little incorrect, but the directions are good!

[BlueRaiderFan]

Also, I hear that you should bring a rod between 6-8.5 ft and a line between 2-6 weight. After fishing the area a bit with my 8.5ft rod and 6 wt line, I lean more toward a 7.5 ft rod and 4wt line. It can get to be a little tight. The main thing is watch your backcast. Check to make certain that you aren't about to get hung up on anything. I bet I lost about 10 flies (store bought) at Metcalf Bottoms...I figure it cost me about $22 with tax to figure out that if your back casst isn't clear, you really aren't fishing, you're just getting tangled in trees.

[jeffnles1]

Practice up on your roll casts. I think it's impossible for mortals to fish the streams in the smokeys without leaving ornamants hanging around as decorations.

Mainly, have fun, don't get stressed.

Jeff

[Brook Fan]

I see which flies to use but what size is recommended for the park.
I use alot of #20's for the Clinch but what would be best for the park?

[ajh10567]

Most of the flies that I have had sucess with are in the 14 to 16 size. One of the reasons I like to fish in the park is that you can use larger flies and they are easier to see instead of those tiny flies that you have to fish on the tailwaters around here.

[rainshaker]

Also it's been proved that Trout will take the larger food source when feeding.....so henceforth and therefore, I never worry (too much) about fly size

[AKSkim]

Originally Posted by rainshaker

Also it's been proved that Trout will take the larger food source when feeding.....so henceforth and therefore, I never worry (too much) about fly size

So true.

If you go back in time, fly fisherman like Bergman used wet files in size 6.

[Brook Fan]

I'm going to give the larger flies a shot then because its tuff trying to find those little 20's in the current.
Thanks for the park advice I hope to be in there for the 1st time fishing on the 19th. Hoping for my 1st Brook.

[Bran]

Brook,
You will be amazed, no matter how many pictures you've seen, at the experience of holding a wild Brookie for the first time. They are gorgeous little fish. BTW I love your quote there, I've got everything McManus ever wrote, he's a card.