- Trout Species: Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout
- Angler Type: Wade
- Access Type: Public
Guides
Fly Shops
Lodges/Hotels/Camping
Description
Cataloochee is a great place to camp and fish. It is very secluded from the majority of tourist traffic. The only people you will come across are those that are camping or horse back riding. There are very few day trippers, unless it is Elk mating season. Cataloochee is one of the main strong holds for Elk in the National Park. It is truly amazing to hear them bugle in evening as you are sitting by the campfire. It give you a sense of being back in time before cell phones and other 21st creature comforts. A glimpse at what our fore fathers might have experienced. Cataloochee is an absolute gem and must visit for any true mountain fisherman.
Please practice safe wading practices and be sure to check the conditions before you go.
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
- Cataloochee Campground
Click here for maps of Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Getting There
From interstate highway I-40 into North Carolina. Take exit 20 and head south on highway 276, then turn right onto Cove Creek Mountain Road and follow to Cataloochee Campground.
