- Trout Species: Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout
- Angler Type: Wade
- Access Type: Public
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Description
Cosby Creek is a relatively short watershed. It drains quickly from the Appalachian Trail and many small tributaries come together near Cosby Creek Campground to form the stream. Cosby Creek has a good population of Rainbows in it’s lower reaches and Brook Trout in it’s upper reaches and in some of the tributaries. The stream quickly exits the Park where it forms the eastern boundary of Cherokee Naional Forest. Most of this water outside of the Smokies is private, so please be sure to respect the landowners rights. A short drive will put you on either Greenbrier to the west or Big Creek to the east, which gives you more fishing opportunities if you are camping at the Cosby Creek Campground.
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
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 Gatlinburg, then pick up TN Hwy 321 and head east towards Cosby, TN. Once there follow the signs to Cosby Creek Campground.
