Cades Cove

[Slipster]

I guess that it is time for more of the "lurkers" to come out and post. This board has been very beneficial for me since I started flyfishing last March. I have mainly fished the runs at Jones Bridge, however I would like to expand and try some of the streams in the Smokey's. I was told that Abrams stream in the back of Cades Cove was worth checking out. Has anyone ever fished there or have any recommendations for streams and flys?

Thanks.

[BUDMAN]

While I have not fished Abrams myself i've been told it's an excellent stream especially the warterfall pool and downstream. I would think about any nymph that you normally fish would do. Let us know how you make out. John Kirk has an excellent book out about this area, "Smokey Mountian Trout Streams".

[speckledtrout]

I too have never fished Abrams Creek but have heard great things about it as well as several other streams in the cades cove area. The vistiors center can be of great help and will give you a map and regulations. Good luck and let us know how you do.
speckledtrout

[Drifter]

Slipster comes out of lurk mode and asks about Abrams Creek:

"Has anyone ever fished there or have any recommendations for streams and flys?"

Drifter bites his tongue and reluctantly replies:

Yeah I've fished there many times. That stream is one slick son-of-a-gun! (Drifter inserts tongue in cheek) Don't ask me how I know.

Abrams Creek flows from Cades Cove which sits atop a layer of limestone, hence the somewhat "level" cove. As a result, the water in this stream is low in acid content, which in turn allows for more aquatic life. With greater biom****in the stream, the fish tend to be larger. The stream has an abundance of insect life with caddis being predominant. Although I was there one May and saw a prolific Eastern Green Drake (size 10) hatch. The fish were literally jumping out of the water to snatch these huge insects. This time of year I would think the insects would be of the midge variety. There is an outfitter/convenience store in Townsend that can clue you in on patterns. They also have license. I would suggest a stay at Dock's Motel in Townsend, TN (15 minutes from Abrams, 5 minutes from Little River in the park). The prices are reasonable also.

The waterfall pool is very good with regards to big fish. Downstream from there has never been productive for me personally. I have fished the lower section at the campground and Little Bottoms without much success. Note-the waterfall is about an hours hike from the parking lot. The best section IMHO is just above the falls. Fishing upstream of the falls, you enter "The Horseshoe" which can occupy you for an entire day. This section is in a gorge and really has to be entered at the falls or you can scale a near vertical 100' bank covered in pine needles to get to the stream. The somewhat inaccessability of this section makes for better fishing. The upper section near the parking lot gets more pressure. The milky color of the water is reminiscent of the "chalk streams" of Scotland. At the parking lot, the crystal clear waters of Forge Creek mix with milky Abrams to create a unique fishing situation. Upstream of the parking lot, the stream is silted pretty badly due to cattle grazing in the "cove".

I would rate the fishing here as excellent when the fish are on. They can be fickle as the predominant specie is the finicky Brown Trout. I've had greater success at dawn and dusk in the Spring and Summer. The stream is easly accessable with a well-maintained hiking trail alongside, except for "the horseshoe" section. Don't expect solitude as quite a few hikers go to the falls. Also, Sunday mornings the gate is closed on the road leading to the parking area. This is done by the park service to give bicyclists some time to ride the loop road. I think they open it around noon.

While there, don't miss out on Laurel Creek (alongside the road to Cades Cove, very little fishing pressure) or the Middle Prong of the Little River (some nice Brown Trout).

Don't be discouraged if you find Abrams trout difficult. They are fished over heavily, and are strictly wild. If you can fool a 12" Brown here, you can catch trout anywhere.

Let us know how you do.

The Drifter

[Slipster]

Sorry for the late post, but work has forced a lot of travel and little time for fishing. However, if the rain holds off, I will be able to try Abrams this weekend. Drifter, thanks for the advice. If everything works out, I will leave a posting on any success.