Fly Fishing for Large Brown Trout in the Smokies in the Fall

Ian & Charity Rutter discuss fall fly fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains for large wild brown trout

[@hattonabernathy3050]

This is still the most perfect video there could be representing what the Great Smokey Mountains have to offer for fly fishing. I watch this video every few months jealous of you finding a brown of that caliber in the park. Well done

[@jsanford01]

unbelievable catch! 3 years later and this video is still hot!

[@troyshellhamer9964]

This vid is perfect. Great scenery, detailed info, no excess. Awesome stuff here! Thanks

[@paulmoss7940]

Wow. I'm from this area,was impressed by your great video. Thanx.You guys are real fishers!

[@bryanm2261]

Beautiful stream..and some awesome browns y'all caught there..thx for the video..

[@bobdonaldson445]

Love browns in the fall. Doesn’t get much better. Beautiful ones you captured in this video. Nice vid.

[@kbarney4925]

great video and can feel your passion for the sport,,iv had some great days on small rivers like this in the North of england,,wild trout to 3lb in weight ,..and lots of smaller fish in the most tiny pockets of water....

[@user-ir8bw8hd4z]

Very nice video. Thanks for sharing some beautiful trout water. Added this one to our playlist on the channel.

[@Wildturkeycrb81]

Awesome vid. I didn't expect to see trout this large in the park. Definitely looking forward to trying for one of these guys.

[@650adventure_dad6]

very nice video, love the scenery, can't wait to go back myself

[@Randrflyfishing]

Jesse, That depends upon a number of factors including water conditions and whether or not a hatch is taking place. On an average day the best dry fly to use in the Smokies will often be something that floats well and is easy for you to see. A Parachute Adams is excellent as are Elk Hair Caddis and smaller Stimulators.

[@robbiefishing]

WOW fantastic information. Great video, I loved it. I went to America in 2001 and dream to some day go back. After watching this video, I tginkcthat when I do go back I better go to the Smokeys. Absolutely beautiful.

[@gregbeaver5244]

Finally someone that knows you fish upstream for trout. I fish a lot of really small native trout streams that you have to hide behind rocks to even get a chance to hook one. I also dress in camo. Because if they see you, you can stick a fork in that hole because you're done. Good video SUB

[@johnwsavageknives6759]

Y'all did a great job thank you for sharing I'm a knife maker down here in Alabama I used to sell a lot of my knives in the Smokies may get to see y'all sometime this summer keep an eye out for this old hillbilly I'd be honored to shake out his hands keep up the great work and I'll keep watching

[@fitzpatrickinvestments3756]

Beast Brown for a wild southeastern United States trout. Giant. Rarely do you see a wild trout caught out of GSM's that size. well done

[@troutboynz]

Lovely camera work, looks like a nice place.

[@johnrobbins1250]

Ian and Charity, Great Video. I fish Little River occasionally, but don't catch big browns there like you. Hope to see you at the Fly Fishing Show in Winston Salem in February. Happy New Year.

[@Randrflyfishing]

Thanks for the comment John Robbins. We don't catch them like this all the time but there are certainly more large wild trout in the park than most people think. We'll be hanging closer to home this winter but enjoy the show.

[@nononsensenorseman9991]

*Nice video.* *I really appreciate you just giving facts, observations and .. FISHING.* *Other fisherman, hunters, etc ... get "silly" ... thank you for not being "silly"*

[@Randrflyfishing]

This is Little River, but trout populations are exceptionally high in Abrams Creek upstream of Abrams Falls too.

[@ethanholshouser5648]

They're guides, you moron. They earn their living showing people where the fish are.

[@mandovapehater6988]

Enjoy it while you can. The otters are hot on their trail.🐾🐾🐾

[@garylabrador]

that last two caught?? unreal fish. nice work yall!

[@awaken77]

So beautiful small streams!

[@johnturner6688]

Great video I really enjoyed

[@camodudemtbh7594]

OMG this brown trout is a trout I haven't caught yet, love dry fly fishing.

[@Mind_Funeral]

Man I was a little farther north. Great wildlife and scenery.

[@dennissmathers898]

I am not sure about the population estimates of the Tennessee side of the park, but on the NC side, I think 3000 per mile estimate is a bit generous. In fact, in creeks like Cataloochee and big creek, I would wonder if there are 3000 trout in those particular watersheds.

[@MightyMaxCart]

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing. I added it to my blog to share with my followers.

[@skatir9]

Nice fish, I've never really fished the TN side of the park. I usually prefer to target the smokies to find the biggest brookies in the state; off the beaten path that is.. There is a lot of good water still, and some streams only see a couple of people a year.

[@Drew__4]

Fished the little River this week it was awesome!

[@asdfilk]

i have a trip planned here in May and i can not wait!!

[@karensmith9870]

nice fish..ed smith

[@JP-dz7zu]

Anyone have advice on finding good streams to fish within the park? Going to be doing some hiking with the family in May, going to take the fly rod along.

[@johnt0148]

Good video! I live in Maggie Valley and fish the park from the Fontana Dam to the Cataloochee Creeks and have yet been able to find the big brown.

[@Randrflyfishing]

Stick with it because they're there!

[@MrLineman8144]

John, are you st6ill in Maggie Valley?

[@WildFlyProductions]

Great stuff guys awesome shots!

[@fishingincreeks]

absolutely awesome video Well done so VERY cool

[@simon2776]

That guy is a great caster!

[@robertandersson331]

Beautiful fishes

[@defianceoutfitters5776]

very nice vid!

[@kahcoghlcogh6052]

Nice video..good stuff

[@arrowheadshoss]

That brown was beautiful

[@zeroedinwithzeke4059]

I might head up to Townsend in late October for fall break. What flys would you suggest to catch the trout? I heard you say a BWO works well as well as tiny caddie flys. Also, would Tremont be a good place to fish? We have a friend who works there, and usually fish around there.

[@JamesMcCutcheon]

Where is a good place to tent camp to access streams I am 67 years old I have walked to abrams creek falls 5 miles. I would like camp in the summer or early fall. I have camped at Pigeon forge 30 years ago. But no trout in Little River. If you could point me to a place I would appreciate it. I am just getting back to fly fishing for trout. I live in North Alabama. Thanks great video very enjoyable.

[@chaddanmason]

Great video! Heading to GSMNP for the first time to hike and fish the back country for a few days this weekend. How's Forney and Noland Creeks this time of year?

[@Randrflyfishing]

All streams in the park are good in the fall but they're all running a little high right now. Should be closer to normal in about a week.

[@MIAfishing305]

Awesome vid guys whats your recommendation on dry flies for early January

[@dmk5n1]

beautiful brown!

[@jessedavis7918]

Sweet fishing what do you think is the best dry fly?

[@GALIZAPIKAROBALIZA04]

¡¡Excellent video!!

[@poorechris23]

im a local and Abrams falls in cades cove has pretty good size trout

[@Artisanwoodworks73]

I'm interested in fishing the Oconaluftee NORTH upstream of the homestead area. Is that possible?

[@devingordon6417]

Sweet brown man! What weight fly rod were you using??

[@doneill5306]

What stretch of the Little River is this?

[@ODOYLERULES7777]

a catch and release net might come in handy??

[@andriagreene1252]

Are these all natives?! Beautiful!!!! This isn't the road section I am assuming.

[@wndsrfross]

During the logging era of the Smokies, the brook trout were all but decimated by the destruction of mountain head waters & streams as well as being heavily over fished. From 1934 to 1974 the fishery management program stocked fish for recreational angling. Non-native rainbow, brown trout, & northern strains of brook trout were stocked in most of the streams through the early 1950's. Then from 1950's to 1975, stocking occurred only in heavily fished streams & stream sections adjacent to camping areas. Park management realized that stocking non-native fish went against National Park policies, stocking ended in 1975. So the rainbow & brown today are wild not native, there is a large population of native southern Appalachian brook trout due to restoration that took place from 1976 to 2006. The streams above 3,000 feet in elevation were closed to fishing from 1976-2006 so that the brook trout could re-establish it's numbers. In 2006 all but four of the streams above 3,000 ft. were re-opened to fishing. I believe that as of today those four are now open but I have not checked.

[@hplatt1005]

This is a very interesting summary thanks! I would like to read more on it.

[@wndsrfross]

Here is an article I just came across from March 9, 2015 stating all streams are open to fishing. Also includes some history. local8now.com

[@hplatt1005]

thanks!

[@camodudemtbh7594]

is this public waters?

[@MasonKelemen]

Any suggestions on a cheap beginners fly rod and reel that still will still perform well?

[@herkusr01]

I got a cabelas cahill rod and reel combo. Only cost around 50$ and came with rod, reel, line, and leader

[@superdave54811]

Now I am hungry!

[@gabebriggs4636]

What stream is this?

[@bude-jonnimstric2972]

Today I caught a 1 1/2' channel cat on a fly rod out of my pond

[@nhoutdoorss]

what weight line/ rod are you using for these fish?

[@Randrflyfishing]

We use four weights most commonly, but there are many times when we'll throw bigger nymphs if fish are in deeper water. For that reason we may take a heavier rod. The rod Ian is using in this video is a soft action six weight that does well with small flies and shorter casts. Charity's is a four weight.

[@mxaexm]

Would 5wt be good choice for trout and smallmouth bass? I’m just getting into the sport.

[@briannipps9042]

do you have to fly fush these streams or can you use spinners and jigs?

[@travisfrisk1046]

Net?

[@TennesseeWoodbooger]

Every year I go out I head to Abrams but never catch anything, which stream is this?

[@Randrflyfishing]

This is Little River. It's actually a tougher stream to catch fish than Abrams Creek. Very few brown trout in Abrams Creek but full of rainbows and has the highest trout population of any wild trout stream in the Southeast, over 5,000 per mile.

[@TennesseeWoodbooger]

R&R Fly Fishing well me and my dad fished the campground and we have caught one smallie out of three years of fishing

[@Randrflyfishing]

TennesseeWoodbooger Aha! There aren't any trout in that part of Abrams Creek. You need to be upstream in Cades Cove. Trout start to show up about three miles upstream of the campground and the population grows as you move upstream. All smallmouth and redeyes down there as water temps are in the 70's all summer long.

[@johnathangreen4422]

I would over never been able to get it with out net lol

[@TheTwistedOutdoors]

What is the season in the smokies?

[@jewishcoupon]

Looks early fall.Not all the color is in the trees yet unless it was a dry year

[@jessedavis7918]

I wanna come there are all steams good or do I need to do some reaserch

[@Randrflyfishing]

Most streams are good, but the species found in the different streams will vary.

[@haydenlindquist7006]

According to Trout Unlimited the Davidson River and the Nantahala River are 2 of the 100 best trout streams in the country. I've fished both and I'm a river guide on the Nantahala. Both are excellent and very rarely will you find a stream in the Smokies that doesn't hold trout.

[@jeffreybozeman6245]

What about a creek side Catch &Cook? ... you know they’re meant to be eaten right?

[@audreyscruggs3797]

Jeffrey Bozeman wild fish are a gift and are not to be killed

[@hagenpatterson7617]

What state is this in?

[@Randrflyfishing]

This is on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains.

[@kirkgardner2002]

Is this in TN or NC?

[@Randrflyfishing]

kirk gardner That's the TN side of the park but nearly the same as many locations in NC.

[@kirkgardner2002]

+R&R Fly Fishing I will be fishing in the GSM this week, hopefully we can find some browns like those

[@holyworrier]

Great video. One point, though. Trout don't "eat" the fly. They plan to, but they don't get the chance. All they do is "take" or "hit" the fly. :)

[@markhaven5638]

Beautiful fish. Surprised he didn't spook that fish with all those false casts.

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

Wild Brown? Browns came from Europe? Brook trout?

[@joshjenkins9378]

by wild they mean they reproduce on their own they may have originally came from Europe but alot of these fish aren't stocked in the park. the brook trout as u obviously know are the only trout here that is native but the twra aren't stocking either of these fish they are naturally reproducing

[@blazed1945]

Nice video next time dont pull the browns completely out of the water good video though tight lines👌

[@awaken77]

1:04 that's not a trout, which I'd like not to hook

[@gondusumfin2305]

Fish sticks in their natural habitat

[@charlesecher9592]

Once again catch and release .... As they wipe the slime off the fish with their hands handling them . Causes disease in fish....not cool

[@Bama25C]

Stop handling them so much, with your grubby greasy paws. Use a net

[@pecanjesaaleksandrom1108]

Your river's rivers are full of fish and it's bad in our country because fishermen have stolen everything