Where there’s rain, there’s rainbows, so don’t cancel a fishing trip when there’s showers in the forecast, especially if your destination is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP)!
Even on the Tennessee side, where the water levels are lower and clear, we’ve been catching bows after making adjustments. At the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, we reduced our tippet size, sported neutral colors and moved stealthily as we approached the stream, minimizing our movement while wading as well. Once we arrived at the higher-elevation waters—above 3200 feet—the brookies began to strike. We pretty much stuck to nymphing—Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tails—though we also had some luck with Pink Squirmy Worms and Golden Stone Flies. In the Smokies’ section of the Little River, rainbows filled the honey holes at 2500 to 2800 feet.
This weekend, start fishing early, carry a sack lunch and don’t forget your rain jacket. Target the higher-elevation waters and keep moving to cover as much of the stream as possible. After the lunchtime lull, we’d suggest starting cocktail hour with a Light Cahill, and hopefully, that’ll carry you into the sunset.
Have wonderful weekends!