The wife says we are going this summer and I want to check smallmouth off of my bucket list. Can these be had around there and are there any guides to recommend? Thanks.
The wife says we are going this summer and I want to check smallmouth off of my bucket list. Can these be had around there and are there any guides to recommend? Thanks.
Yes.....Chick, Watts Bar and Ft. Loudon all have quality SM.
Depending on when you come, the river that runs thru Sevierville holds monster SM and they can be caught wading. If interested, google an outfitter in Sevierville and he will be able to tell you if the time you are coming matches with the river fish. Also, ask him about Douglas .....there are SM there but not as well known for them as the others previously mentioned.
AS you get closer to your time, let me know and I’ll keep you informed as to what is going on in the area....
Hope yhou enjoy your time in ETN !!!
Last edited by Big Orange Basser; 02-29-2020 at 05:05 AM.
Thanks for that. We are planning on around July 5-12th.
Douglas is such a beautiful lake but all those lakes in that area are beautiful. My son got hooked on fishing while fishing Douglas.
Ruby Falls is very cool, I’d do that tour while in Chattanooga. Incline is great also.
What is incline?Originally Posted by C130
Sorry, just ride the incline up Lookout mountain. Kinda cool, at least I think it is.
http://www.ridetheincline.com/
So much Civil War stuff also if you enjoy that.
Thank you.
You mentioned Chattanooga. If you want to catch quality smallmouth contact Richard Simms. He can guide you (SAFELY!) below Chickamauga dam and there are some quality smallmouth as well as state record spotted bass there. He is a former game warden there and is a stand-up guy.
https://www.sceniccityfishing.com/
I hear Dale Hollow is good smallmouth lake
1989 Coleman Crawdad
55 lb Minn Kota Endura Max
Hair Jig, how you like Weatherford compared to Chattanooga? I miss Tennessee, hope to move back when I retire.
I will certainly come back to this as we get closer. Thanks all.
Excellent smallmouth lake but not that close to Sevierville/Gatlinburg area. Not a long drive but a 2-3 hours.
Norris lake has a lot of smallmouth too.
Yes, but further north than he is indicating. July = night fishing on DH.
might be looking at night fishing during that time for SM. Norris or Cherokee could also be good options.
Are you bringing a boat?
It has it's good and bad. Weather is better ... not as cold in the winter. People are about the same, friendly and helpful. Hard to get used to not having the river running through town and I miss my old fishing buddies and places. I fished Watts Bar & Chickamauga for 45+ years. Finding a new fishing partner is going to be the hardest thing ..... I'm picky who I spend my time with.
Best advice for quality fishing experience. Mid July will be hot and the smalljaws may be hard to target on the TN River. Richard can put you on catfish the size of an over fed labradoodle if you want that.
2nd also the Little Pigeon running through Pigeon Forge and Sevierville ( near Gatlinburgh)
if you like topwater bite. Toss some popping bugs on a 5 wt. fly rod and wet wade the river.
there’s a walking path all along it. You won’t need a guide.
wild trout in the GSMNP.
little river fly shop in Townsend (20 minute drive) from the Elvis museum in PF
You can lead a horticulture,
but you can't make her think.
One of the best areas in america. hope to get to retire there one day. enjoy your trip!!!!
Lakes will be tough that time of year with smallmouth deep. I would stick to river fishing as others have said.
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