The headwaters of Deep Creek are in the Great Smokies near Newfound Gap Road, South, about 11 miles as the crow flies north of Bryson City. The creek flows southward through the Smokies and then to its mouth at the Tuckasegee River in Bryson City.
Fish Species
Brook Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
What's Special About This Water?
This creek is breathtaking, and there’s easy access to the water from the Deep Creek Trail, which runs a total of about 14 miles along the creek. Deep Creek includes a number of beautiful waterfalls and room for fly fishing from the creek’s banks.
The most common place to access the creek is at the Deep Creek Trailhead, about 3 miles north of Bryson City. The vast majority of the creek is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, minus the tailwaters running through Bryson City and into the Tuckasegee River.
Best Time to Fish
Deep Creek is a year-round fishery. Even in the heat of summer, the creek stays cool, so it’s a great spot to walk and wade during hot days.
Trip Planning
There is so much to do around Deep Creek! Of course there’s fishing, which we focus on here, but the creek also offers excellent spots for camping and incredible trails for biking and hiking. A big draw for hikers along Deep Creek is the Waterfall Loop Trail, which offers close-up views of 3 picturesque waterfalls. It’s an ideal place to bring a group, some of whom want to fish the creek and others who want to hike, bike, or tube.
Latest Fishing Reports
Additional Information
Technique and Tips
Like most streams in the Smokies, casting space can be tight upstream, so roll casting and bow-and-arrow casting are common techniques. Euro nymphing is another effective fly-fishing technique on Deep Creek and other streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Go-To Flies
We fish with wet and dry flies in the creek and occasionally small streamers. Larger streamers are an option in larger waters as you approach the mouth of the creek.
Types of Trips
Deep Creek lends itself to walk-and-wade trips only.
License Requirements
Within the Smokies portion of Deep Creek, you’ll need a valid fishing license from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Once outside the park, in the lower stretches of Deep Creek, you’ll need a valid N.C. fishing license.
Nearby Towns
- Bryson City
- Cherokee
Getting There
From downtown Bryson City, take Depot Street eastbound to Deep Creek Road. Turn left and drive 2.3 miles to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance. Then drive 0.5 miles to the parking area for the Deep Creek Loop trail.