The brown trout can be distinguished by its generally brownish-yellow color with orange spots on the sides—although a few are sometimes a silvery tan with dark brown spots. Brown trout prefer slower water than do rainbows, but have been taken in fast waters up to 4,500 feet in elevation in park streams. They spawn in fall.
There is a simple reason brown trout grow larger in the waters of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The secret is their habitat preference compared to that of a rainbow trout. Browns are predators, more comparable to a large snake or lion, and feed only on large items. After feeding, they then retire to digest their prey while remaining inactive. Rainbows are like chickadees, constantly flirting with the current for food, eating only slightly more than it takes to sustain their bulk. The energy saved by the brown trout is channeled to growth, not day-to-day survival.
The Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui)
RIPPING, CARTWHEELING SURFACE antics are Mr. Smalljaw’s calling card. This well-muscled fish’s strength is overshadowed only by its courageous determination to be free and its no-nonsense, aggressive disposition.
The smallmouth bass is a member of the Centrarchidae family of sunfish. Among the thousands who identify themselves as “bass fishermen,” this fighter is their passion, the thing from which sweet dreams are made. The lower reaches of many streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are prime bronzeback country. Recognizing this, the legislature made the smallmouth bass the official fish of the state of Tennessee.
The controversial, world-record smallmouth bass, which weighed 11 pounds, 15 ounces, was caught in Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee in 1955. Actually, the fish was caught so close to the Kentucky state line that both states claim it. Being a good Volunteer State resident, however, I’ll go with the home team!
The presence of smallmouth bass in the streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park comes as a shock to many, including a few lifelong trouters in the region. However, these marvelous game fish, as well as rock bass and even a few largemouth bass, are found in these streams. It is a bit ironic that most fly-fishermen frequenting these streams ignore the brown bass, as it is a far better fighter than any of the trout occurring here.
Part of the reason many fly-fishermen do not pursue the great smallie angling opportunities found in the park is the mistaken impression that these fish can only be caught on hardware such as spinners and small crankbaits. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Smallmouth bass can be enticed to strike a variety of flies, ranging from streamers to nymphs. For the most part, all of the bass in the Smokies are most common in the lower reaches of the largest streams, such as Deep Creek and the East Prong of Little Pigeon River.
During the early years of the park, fly-fishing for smallmouth bass was almost as common as for trout. Lack of shade on many reaches of water (that are now canopied at least half of the year) resulted in prime smallmouth bass habitat. During those days, fly-fishermen used what was known then as fly-rod baits. In most instances, these were scaled-down versions of proven plugs such as Heddon’s Flaptail or South Bend’s Bass Oreno. These bantam-sized plugs were too light to be cast with any tackle of that era other than a fly rod. Modern ultralight tackle will cast these dainty offerings, which are now highly sought after by collectors of vintage fishing tackle.
The smallmouth bass is a member of the black bass clan, the toughest branch of the scrappy sunfish family. They resemble their larger cousins, the largemouth bass, as well as the Kentucky bass. The most notable differences are in body shape and coloration. Smallies are more streamlined and sport amber-to-bronze coloration. Their flanks have vertical bars, or “tiger stripes,” and their eyes are reddish.
Adult smallmouth bass prefer rock-or gravel-bottomed feeding stations, which characterizes most of their habitat in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Three-to five-pound smallmouth bass are trophies from these waters, while a 12-inch rock bass is a true “eyepopper.” Each season, a few larger bass are taken from park waters. In the loosely knit world of black bass fishing, rock bass are often referred to as the “brook trout” of this far-flung clan of alpha sunfish.
Crawfish, which are common to park streams, are key prey items, along with small fish such as darters and sculpins, spring lizards, insects, and other invertebrates. These fish are slightly more meat-conscious than trout, although they will take small flies.
Fly-fishing specifically for smallmouth bass is a challenging sport, but their abundance in the park makes it worthwhile. I could easily devote an entire book to this subject, as the various techniques and awesome array of fishing situations take years to master.
Experienced park smallie fly-fishermen agree that more consistent results are obtained with light tackle and relatively small baits. I like two-to four-pound test tippets, but some fly-fishermen advocated the use of six-to eight-pound test tippets. On occasion, it is possible to use heavier tippets, but because big bronzebacks are so easily startled, the odds are stacked against success.
Favorite smallmouth fly patters include Muddler Minnows, Joe’s Hopper, large stone fly nymphs, and the Wooly Booger. Presented to the rear of pools, these fly patterns are deadly.
One reason many fly-fishing trouters fail to catch smallmouth and rock bass from the streams of the Smokies is they fail to recognize the distinctly different habitat preferences of the sunfish clan. Trout, and especially rainbows, are far more likely to be caught in modestly swift runs. Smallmouth bass shun fast water, preferring to “lay up” in the rear of pools in shaded areas.
Winter is a fine time to fish for brown bass in the park. December water temperatures and normally abundant rainfall help keep these cool-natured fish active. Streamers cannot be beat during this time, when the metabolism of the fish slows down. Streamers worked slowly over dropoffs, saddles, and bars can bring surprising results. Even during the dead of winter, smallie fishing in the streams of the park can be excellent.
Around late February, smallmouth bass begin getting active, and wander. Bottom fly-fishing rock dropoffs with streamers is an old-time tactic that still works.
March and April are exciting months for tangling with Smoky Mountain brownies. In most streams, they can be found shallow in the slow runs. Two-to four-foot depths are not uncommon. Streamers and nymphs retrieved at a brisk pace are met by violent strikes.
Spawning action can be located along sloping gravel-or rock-bottomed areas. Plastic streamers and nymphs bounced through likely bedding cover can net an irate parent fish or two. Following the spawn, the fish spread out along rocky-bottomed areas. During the May-through-August period, great smallie action is available at Abrams Creek and Little River.
Some of the best smallmouth bass angling is found in Fontana Lake, an impoundment with a national reputation for producing lunker-class brownies. Using hair bugs and poppers, surface action is respectable during the spring and early summer months, especially early in the morning and late evening. Using high-density lines, you can expect brisker action on subsurface offerings than at other times of the year.
The West Prong of the Little Pigeon downstream from Gatlinburg to its mouth at the French Broad easily rates among the country’s top three or four smallmouth bass fisheries.
chapter 2
Smoky Mountains Angling: A Historical Overview
THE STORY OF TROUT FISHING in the Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding region has been largely ignored in print. Whether for sport or sustenance, fishing has long been a favorite American pursuit. Trout fishing in the crystal-clear
