- Trout Species: Rainbow Trout
- Angler Type: Wade
- Access Type: Public
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Description
Abrams Creek is found in the Cades Cove area of the GSMNP. Many magazine articles have been written about this stream, and a lot of anglers from around the country have heard of it and it’s great fishing. One of the reasons that Abrams fishes so well is due to the fact that it is partially fed by underwater springs. This keeps Abrams running cooler than other streams that are at similar elevations. Abrams also has more limestone than the other streams in the park, and has a better insect population because of this. The only downside to fishing Abrams is that you have to drive the Cades Cove loop road inorder to access the Abrams Falls Trail that runs along it’s upper reaches. In peak season it can take a good hour to get into and out of Cades Cove. My advice is to sit back enjoy the sights and if your lucky you may see one of the local black bears or big white tail deer that inhabit the cove.
Anglers should also be aware of the two “horse shoes” or sections of river that loop away from the trail. There is good fishing in these sections, but they are better fished with a companion, as there are a few fisherman that have had to spend the night on the river, because they could not get out.
You can also access the lower end of Abrams via Happy Valley Road from Hwy 129 to Abrams Creek Campground. Then you have to hike up the Little Bottoms Trail to it’s intersection with the Abrams Falls Trail. This lower end had good Smallmouth fishing and some anglers report catching larger Rainbow Trout below the Abrams Falls.
Suggested Flies
- January: Blue Wing Olive, Little Black Stone, Midges, Stone Fly Nymphs and Mayfly Nymphs
- Feburary: Blue Wing Olive, Little Black Stone, Midges, Stone Fly Nymphs and Mayfly Nymphs
- March: Blue Wing Olive, Quill Gordon, Blue Quill, Black Stone, Brown Stone, Tan Caddis, Hendrickson
- April: Hendrickson, Quill Gordon, Blue Quill, Brown Stone, March Brown, Yellow Stone Fly, Light Cahill
- May: Yellow Stone Fly, March Brown, Light Cahill, Sulphur, Green Drake
- June: Light Cahill, Yellow Stone Fly, Sulphur, Little Green Stone Fly, Tan Caddis
- July: Light Cahill, Sulphur, Yellow Stone Fly, Terrestrials
- August: Terrestrials, Light Cahill, Sulphur
- September: Terrestrials, Light Cahill, Sulphur
- October: Sulphur, October Caddis, Blue Wing Olive, Midges
- November: Blue Wing Olive, Stone Fly Nymphs and Mayfly Nymphs
- December: Blue Wing Olive, Little Black Stone, Midgesd
Suggested Rods/Reels/Lines
There are many opinions for the right outfit for the park. However something in the middle will get you by with just about any type of fishing that you will encounter in the park. Anything from a 7 foot 6 inch 3wt to a 8 foot 6 inch 5wt will get the job done.
2010 Regulations
Five (5) brook, rainbow or brown trout, smallmouth bass, or a combination of these, each day or in possession, regardless of whether they are fresh, stored in an ice chest, or otherwise preserved. The combined total must not exceed five fish.
- 7 inch minimum on Brook, Rainbow, and Brown trout, as well as Smallmouth Bass
- Fishing is permitted year-round in open waters.
- Fishing is allowed from a half hour before official sunrise to a half hour after official sunset.
- Only artificial flies or lures with a single hook may be used. Dropper flies may be used. Up to two flies on a leader.
- You must have a valid Tennessee or North Carolina Fishing License also
For more information on daily creel limits and additional information please refer to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Fishing website
Click here to purchase a Tennessee Fishing License
Public Access Points
- Abram Falls Trail in Cades Cove (upper end)
- Little Bottoms Trail to Abrams Falls Trail (lower end)
Click here for maps of Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Getting There
From interstate highway I-40 take Exit 407 (Sevierville) to TN-66 South. At the Sevierville intersection, continue straight onto US-441 South. Follow US-441 through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge into park. Then follow Little River Road to it’s intersection with Laurel Creek Road and into Cades Cove. You can also enter the park through the town of Townsend and pick up Laurel Creek Road. Once in the park there look for signs to Cades Cove. To access the lower end, you want to pick up Happy Valley Road just past the intersection of Foothills Parkway and TN Hwy 129
