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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the crowning jewel of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Beautiful mountains beget beautiful mountain streams, which spawn wonderful fishing opportunities. The Park has more than 2,000 miles of streams and is one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States.

These streams harbor three kinds of trout, but the brook trout (also known as "brookies") is the only one native to the Southern Appalachians. It is a prize among fly anglers, but it has lost nearly 75 percent of its original habitat due to logging in the early twentieth century and to the introduction of rainbow trout.

Since 1987 the Park has been restoring some higher streams that have natural barriers like waterfalls to exclusively brook trout populations. To date there are 11 streams and about 17 miles restored. Brook trout may now be fished and harvested parkwide for the first time since 1976.

A few streams are still closed to fishing due to recovery time after restoration was done. On the Tennessee side of the Park they are Sams Creek at the confluence with Thunderhead Prong and Indian Flats Prong at the Middle Prong Trail crossing.

"The Smokies have about 700 miles of wild trout waters," local fly fishing guide Rob Fightmaster noted. "Even the rainbows and browns are native born."

The West, Middle and East prongs of the Little River are fine habitat for rainbow, brown and brook trout, with the native brookie preferring elevations above 2,500 feet. As the three branches approach the Park boundary, rainbow and brown trout dominate, and warm-water species appear, such as, smallmouth bass, rock bass (redeye), and various shiners, minnows and darters.

From Townsend to Walland the trout habitat is marginal, but rainbows are heavily stocked in the spring and fall by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Summer water temperatures are too warm for stocking. No stocking from fish hatcheries is done in the Park.

Successful trout fishing, especially fly-fishing, is closely tied to the elements of nature.

Fishing guides

For equipment and advice on fishing, Little River Outfitters is the place to go in Townsend. The large two-story log building is located at 7807 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. Co-owners Byron Begley, Paula Begley and Daniel Drake collect vital information on local stream conditions and update it frequently. Entries include: Water volume, water temperatures, water clarity, weather conditions, insect hatches, and expert advice on fly choices. Contact them by telephone 865-448-9459 or go to the Website www.littleriveroutfitters.com.

Fishing guides are an excellent way to get the most out of your fishing day, since they can supply the necessary equipment, know where to go and how to catch 'em. Some guides who come recommended by Little River Outfitters include: Rob Fightmaster, phone (865) 233-0914 or on the Web at www.fightmasterflyfishing.com; Clay Aalders, phone (865) 577-4289 and Website www.mountaingillies.com; Hugh Hartsell, phone (423) 586-6198 and Website www.smokymountainflyguide.com.

A good source for outdoor equipment for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities is Little River Trading Company located in Maryville at 2408 East Lamar Alexander Parkway; phone (865) 681-4141.

Fishing is quite different farther down the Little River. The warmer water is a haven for smallmouth bass, rock bass (redeye), catfish, bluegill and other sunfish. Small boats are useful but shore fishing works fine. Fly fishing, spinning and bait fishing are all popular. Smallmouth are the trophy species, sometimes exceeding 14 inches and five pounds.

No one knows the lower Little River better than John Mollish. Better known as River John, he has lived near the waterway for 35 years. About five years ago he built a large house on a three-acre island in the Little River, where he runs the only outfitter service in the area. It is only a few miles from downtown Maryville at 4134 Cave Mill Road.

River John's most popular feature is shuttling and renting canoes to float the Little River from Peery's Mill Dam downstream to his River Island, a tranquil 7.5-mile trip. The smallmouth fishing is great, especially with topwater plugs. River Island is also available for camping and group meetings large and small.