On Topic: The Smokies in late March (plus SWMBO gloat)

On Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:25:18 GMT, "Wayne Harrison"
wrote:

they weren't yankees.)

That's why they lost 80% of the regiment. duh

"Conan The Librarian" wrote in message
oups.com...
Howdy,

SWMBO and I celebrated Valentine's Day last night as she'll be out
of town next week. One of her gifts to me (get yer mind out of the
gutter) is a trip to Nashville in late March to attend a gallery
opening featuring some of her work. The best part is that she wants to
go to the GSMNP for a couple of days after the opening. She has heard
me go on and on about how gorgeous the area was, so she wants me to
take her to some of my favorite spots. She'll take photos while I try
to fool some naive (native?) fish into impaling themselves on my flies.


So it won't be a long trip, but I'll probably get 2+ days fishing in
starting on March 26. So, at that time of year, what should I expect
to find in the way of water levels, weather and dry fly activity? I
understand that it's variable, but I'd appreciate it if some of our NC
gang could give me some of their observations.

We haven't picked out a place to stay yet, so it's possible we might
even be on the Tennessee side of the park, but I'm definitely planning
to hit the NC side for some of the fishing. Also, if you have any
suggestions about lodging on the Tennessee side of the park, I'd be
happy to hear them. (I know how awful Gatlinburg is; we used to drive
to the park almost every fall, and it was horrible back then (in the
sixties/seventies). But I'm not sure it's any more depressing than
Cherokee.)


Chuck Vance


I'm sure you know this link... http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm Cherokee
is depressing in the sense that it is poorly maintained, many area roads
throughout the reservation are well, trashy.

Actually, in Pigeon forge at this time of year you may get a deal on
lodging, don't be afraid to bargain. The intersection at 441 and 19 on the
south side (NC side) is exploding, plenty of hotels there, with busses to
the casino.

It's not the best fishing or the biggest fish, but I have always enjoyed the
West Prong of the Little Pigeon River that runs along 441 as it goes across
the park. I go up to the Chimney Tops Trailhead, turn around and drive down
north to a likely looking pull off, about a half mile or so, then hike down
in to the river. Fish my way up and get out at the bridge, then walk the
roadway down to my car. It's absolutely delightful if the water is not too
high and one of the best low water spots around.

The boulders are gigantic, you can rock hop and not get wet and it's pocket
water all the way. Plenty of small fish and I did nail a 13 inch brookie
once.

Not too long ago an estranged wife was killed by a bear along that stretch,
here husband let her carry the day pack (filled with...?) while they hiked
separately so that may not be a good place for you to go after all. However,
it is very pretty. Photo plus.

You can go on into Bryson City...(is the train running?) and take the road
to Nowhere that dead ends at Nolan Creek. I've had plenty of good fishing
there, plenty of bear sign. There are some monstrous fish in there but they
have seen every fly made.

One of the most picturesque streams, if the light is right is straight
creek, before it enters the reservation. Very Jurassic looking if the ferns
and moss are green.

One of the things I like about the park streams is that there are no
patterns. It seems to me the fish key in on color and size so about half of
my day is the hit or miss of changing colors and sizes. Big yellow and
bushy? Small green and fine? Really fun in my opinion.

Hey, have a good time.

john

"asadi" wrote

Plenty of small fish and I did nail a 13 inch brookie
once.

well, if that was a wild fish, you caught one helluva brook trout. it
would beat the best i ever caught, up high on snowbird, by a couple inches.
but, hell, what should a man expect from one of the greats of the
sport...

yfitons
wayno (come see us this spring--late april, maybe)

asadi wrote:

I'm sure you know this link... http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm Cherokee
is depressing in the sense that it is poorly maintained, many area roads
throughout the reservation are well, trashy.

Yeah, Cherokee struck me as being a remnant of the fifties; the
"motor courts" and such that looked like they were built in that era and
had been left to waste away. Plus the tacky gift shops, etc.

And thanks for the link. I've spent quite a bit of time at that one.

Actually, in Pigeon forge at this time of year you may get a deal on
lodging, don't be afraid to bargain. The intersection at 441 and 19 on the
south side (NC side) is exploding, plenty of hotels there, with busses to
the casino.

I know the exact intersection you are talking about. And it's not
quite what I want in a Smoky Mountain Experience. :-}

It's not the best fishing or the biggest fish, but I have always enjoyed the
West Prong of the Little Pigeon River that runs along 441 as it goes across
the park. I go up to the Chimney Tops Trailhead, turn around and drive down
north to a likely looking pull off, about a half mile or so, then hike down
in to the river. Fish my way up and get out at the bridge, then walk the
roadway down to my car. It's absolutely delightful if the water is not too
high and one of the best low water spots around.

The boulders are gigantic, you can rock hop and not get wet and it's pocket
water all the way. Plenty of small fish and I did nail a 13 inch brookie
once.

When I was there in June, I remembered you posting about this. But
I couldn't recall the specifics, and I was on my way to the Little River
at the time, and din't stop off to explore. Maybe this time.

You can go on into Bryson City...(is the train running?) and take the road
to Nowhere that dead ends at Nolan Creek. I've had plenty of good fishing
there, plenty of bear sign. There are some monstrous fish in there but they
have seen every fly made.

I drove up that road when I was waiting out a thunderstorm. It's on
my list of places to check out in the future.

One of the most picturesque streams, if the light is right is straight
creek, before it enters the reservation. Very Jurassic looking if the ferns
and moss are green.

One of the things I like about the park streams is that there are no
patterns. It seems to me the fish key in on color and size so about half of
my day is the hit or miss of changing colors and sizes. Big yellow and
bushy? Small green and fine? Really fun in my opinion.

Hey, have a good time.

Thanks, John. I plan to. Hopefully SWMBO will as well. I'll have
to walk that fine line between me wanting to spend all my time on the
water, and letting her see some of the sights she's never seen.

Thanks for all the info. It looks like I'm in the same situation I
was in last year (too much to do and too little time to do it in).


Chuck Vance

"Conan The
Thanks for all the info. It looks like I'm in the same situation I was
in last year (too much to do and too little time to do it in).


Chuck Vance

Have you ever done the Cades Cove Loop? All the stops are photo moments and
Abrams Creek...conveniently located in the middle is a fine stream....?

john