- Trout Species: Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout
- Angler Type: Wade
- Access Type: Public
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Description
The Tremont area as it is referred to encompasses the Middle Prong of Little River before it joins the East Prong at the Park boundaries, plus the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. The Middle Prong follows a paved road for it’s lower reaches and then it turns to gravel just above the Great Smoky Mountain Institute. After the road ends, the river splits into Lynn Camp Prong and Thunderhead Prong to the left. Currently (2010) Lynn Camp Prong is closed for Brook trout restoration work that the Park Service is conducting. The Stream should be open in a few years and when it is. It may be one of the finest Brook Trout streams in the east.
Until Lynn Camp Prong is opened for fishing, anglers are confined to fishing the Middle Prong below the Lynn Camp Trail Head and Thunder Head Prong. Thunder Head, is a small tributary and is very rugged, so be sure you are ready for a workout. Despite the limited amount of water the Middle Prong and fish extremely well in the early part of the year when the Quill Gordon’s begin to hatch.
The West Prong is completely secluded. To access it you must take either West Prong Trail located near the Tremont Institute or Bote Mountain Trail off of Laurel Creek Road. The West Prong is not a steam that you want to fish by yourself, so take a friend.
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
- Middle Prong Road
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 take Little River Road to the intersection of Laurel Creek Road and pick up Middle Prong Road just past the main intersection. You can also enter the park through Townsend, TN and turn right on Laurel Creek Road, then immediately turn left on to Middle Prong Road.
