8 inch brook trout caught on
stimulator
stimulator
Headwaters
| Fly Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
Oconaluftee River Watershed - Chasm Prong or the Bradley
Fork Tributary
by: Craig Lancaster
July 15, 2008
Chasm Prong:
Chasm Prong, along with neighboring Gulf Prong, is a major tributary stream that
forms Bradley Fork about 1.6 miles upstream of campsite #49. Campsite #49 is an
ideal location to stay to explore this stream as well as others in the area. The hike
to campsite #49 is a relatively easy one, with a gentle 4.1 mile hike up the Bradley
Fork Trail that will translate into a slightly more difficult, narrower, but shorter 0.7
mile hike up the Cabin Flats Trail. Once you reach the campsite, access is the
major problem prohibiting anglers from fishing this stream as there is no trail
access. The only way to reach Chasm Prong is wading up Bradley Fork through a
seemingly endless parade of swift, and sometimes deep, runs interspersed with
plunging cascades. Wading up to Chasm Prong will take anywhere from 1 ½ to 2
hours depending on your fitness level and wading ability.
Once you reach Chasm Prong, you will find a typical headwater stream with a
rather steep, but not overwhelming, gradient. The stream is wide enough for
casting comfortably, however there is enough rhododendron to keep an angler on
their toes. Brook trout seem to be the only fish you will encounter, however a few
rainbows are present at the mouth of the stream. Most of the fish are average size
for Smoky Mountain brook trout, with an 8” spec most likely proving to be the fish of
the day.
Chasm Prong is one of the many hidden jewels in the Smoky Mountains Bring a
friend with you if you visit this area, you will be fishing in a truly remote area and will
most certainly not encounter any other anglers.
http://highcountryflyfisher.blogspot.com
Copyright 2008 Craig Lancaster
Fork Tributary
by: Craig Lancaster
July 15, 2008
Chasm Prong:
Chasm Prong, along with neighboring Gulf Prong, is a major tributary stream that
forms Bradley Fork about 1.6 miles upstream of campsite #49. Campsite #49 is an
ideal location to stay to explore this stream as well as others in the area. The hike
to campsite #49 is a relatively easy one, with a gentle 4.1 mile hike up the Bradley
Fork Trail that will translate into a slightly more difficult, narrower, but shorter 0.7
mile hike up the Cabin Flats Trail. Once you reach the campsite, access is the
major problem prohibiting anglers from fishing this stream as there is no trail
access. The only way to reach Chasm Prong is wading up Bradley Fork through a
seemingly endless parade of swift, and sometimes deep, runs interspersed with
plunging cascades. Wading up to Chasm Prong will take anywhere from 1 ½ to 2
hours depending on your fitness level and wading ability.
Once you reach Chasm Prong, you will find a typical headwater stream with a
rather steep, but not overwhelming, gradient. The stream is wide enough for
casting comfortably, however there is enough rhododendron to keep an angler on
their toes. Brook trout seem to be the only fish you will encounter, however a few
rainbows are present at the mouth of the stream. Most of the fish are average size
for Smoky Mountain brook trout, with an 8” spec most likely proving to be the fish of
the day.
Chasm Prong is one of the many hidden jewels in the Smoky Mountains Bring a
friend with you if you visit this area, you will be fishing in a truly remote area and will
most certainly not encounter any other anglers.
http://highcountryflyfisher.blogspot.com
Copyright 2008 Craig Lancaster
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Copyright 2008 James Marsh
Cabin Flats Trail
Campsite number 49 on the
banks of the Bradley Fork
banks of the Bradley Fork
Smaller brook trout caught on
a Tennessee Wulff
a Tennessee Wulff
Thumbnails-Click on Image
Thumbnails-Click on Image
Note from James Marsh:
Craig and company caught over 100 trout on this short weekend camping trip. He
was a little discouraged because he did not catch a large brook trout but that is
something that happens to me most every time I fish for any species. I consider the
one over 8 inches a very nice brook trout for this small stream.
As far as I am concerned, the information on this headwater stream is invaluable
for those interested in camping and hiking into the backcountry. I am very thankful
to him for the information and images.
Craig and company caught over 100 trout on this short weekend camping trip. He
was a little discouraged because he did not catch a large brook trout but that is
something that happens to me most every time I fish for any species. I consider the
one over 8 inches a very nice brook trout for this small stream.
As far as I am concerned, the information on this headwater stream is invaluable
for those interested in camping and hiking into the backcountry. I am very thankful
to him for the information and images.
