The West Prong of the Little
River has plenty of rainbows that
average about the size of this one.
River has plenty of rainbows that
average about the size of this one.
West Prong of the Little River:
| Fly Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
Description:
The West Prong of the Little River is a small stream that is overlooked by most
anglers even though the streams borders the Laurel Creek Road to the popular
Cades Coves area for over two miles.
Stream Size:
The West Prong is a small stream even when compared to other streams in the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Species:
The proximity of the Middle Prong of the Little River and the East Prong or main
section of the Little River steers anglers away from its excellent fishing for small,
but very willing population of rainbow trout. You might catch a brown near its
intersection with the Middle Fork but for the most part, it only contains rainbows.
Accessibility:
Several pull offs are available along the road that borders the lower section. The
balance and majority of the stream is only accessible by hiking up the stream or
fishing within its confines. It can also be reached by the West Prong Trail. This is a
good trail to use to access its upper part which offers excellent fishing for the small
rainbows.
Tributary Streams:
Laurel Creek is the only significant tributary stream that is worth fishing. It too
usually contains a good population of small but eager rainbows. Much of the
stream is easily accessed for Laurel Creek road.
Popularity:
You rarely see another angler fishing it although there are usually plenty of sight
seers nearby. Those anglers staying in the Townsend area should give this
stream a try, especially if the East and Middle Prongs of Little River are crowded or
if they are running high after heavy rains. It is also a good stopping off point if you
found Abrams Creek crowded . You will have to pass the West Prong on the way
back unless you leave Cades Cove on one of its two remote gravel roads exits.
Difficulty:
In places, casting can be difficult due to the stream being tightly enclosed with tree
limbs and bushes. Many areas offer plenty of room to cast, so it depends on where
you access the stream. Catching trout is usually easy. They are almost always
eager to attack a fly with vigor. Attractor patterns work very well in this stream.
Comments:
This is a sleeper. It fishes much better than most anglers would think it would fish.
Copyright 2007 James Marsh
The West Prong of the Little River is a small stream that is overlooked by most
anglers even though the streams borders the Laurel Creek Road to the popular
Cades Coves area for over two miles.
Stream Size:
The West Prong is a small stream even when compared to other streams in the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Species:
The proximity of the Middle Prong of the Little River and the East Prong or main
section of the Little River steers anglers away from its excellent fishing for small,
but very willing population of rainbow trout. You might catch a brown near its
intersection with the Middle Fork but for the most part, it only contains rainbows.
Accessibility:
Several pull offs are available along the road that borders the lower section. The
balance and majority of the stream is only accessible by hiking up the stream or
fishing within its confines. It can also be reached by the West Prong Trail. This is a
good trail to use to access its upper part which offers excellent fishing for the small
rainbows.
Tributary Streams:
Laurel Creek is the only significant tributary stream that is worth fishing. It too
usually contains a good population of small but eager rainbows. Much of the
stream is easily accessed for Laurel Creek road.
Popularity:
You rarely see another angler fishing it although there are usually plenty of sight
seers nearby. Those anglers staying in the Townsend area should give this
stream a try, especially if the East and Middle Prongs of Little River are crowded or
if they are running high after heavy rains. It is also a good stopping off point if you
found Abrams Creek crowded . You will have to pass the West Prong on the way
back unless you leave Cades Cove on one of its two remote gravel roads exits.
Difficulty:
In places, casting can be difficult due to the stream being tightly enclosed with tree
limbs and bushes. Many areas offer plenty of room to cast, so it depends on where
you access the stream. Catching trout is usually easy. They are almost always
eager to attack a fly with vigor. Attractor patterns work very well in this stream.
Comments:
This is a sleeper. It fishes much better than most anglers would think it would fish.
Copyright 2007 James Marsh
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A deep run in the West Prong of
the Little River .
the Little River .
Almost every small run (where
the small runs empty into
moderate water) holds rainbows.
the small runs empty into
moderate water) holds rainbows.
Laurel Creek is a very small,
tightly enclosed tributary of the
West Prong of the Little River .
tightly enclosed tributary of the
West Prong of the Little River .
Site Map (Click on Links)
Abrams Creek Fishing Methods Marine Food Species
Anthony Creek Forney Creek Mayflies Spring
Big Creek Freestone Streams Midges Stoneflies
Beginners Recommended Gear Misc N.C. Streams Straight Creek
Caddisflies Hatches Misc Tenn. Streams Streams
Casting Hazel Creek Middle Prong Little Pigeon River Summer Season
Cataloochee Creek Headwater Stream Middle Prong Little River Terrestrials
Cosby Creek Caddisfly Imitations Noland Creek Twenty Mile Creek
Deep Creek Mayfly Imitations Oconaluftee River Wild Trout
Midge Imitations Other Aquatic Insects Winter Season
Eagel Creek Home PH West Prong Little Pigeon River
East Prong Little River Stonefly Imitations Presentation West Prong Little River
Fall Season Streamers Raven Fork Spring Hatch Chart
About Us Terrestrial Imitations Reading Hatch Charts Summer Hatch Chart
Recommended Flies Links Seasons Winter Hatch Chart
Fall Hatch Chart
Abrams Creek Fishing Methods Marine Food Species
Anthony Creek Forney Creek Mayflies Spring
Big Creek Freestone Streams Midges Stoneflies
Beginners Recommended Gear Misc N.C. Streams Straight Creek
Caddisflies Hatches Misc Tenn. Streams Streams
Casting Hazel Creek Middle Prong Little Pigeon River Summer Season
Cataloochee Creek Headwater Stream Middle Prong Little River Terrestrials
Cosby Creek Caddisfly Imitations Noland Creek Twenty Mile Creek
Deep Creek Mayfly Imitations Oconaluftee River Wild Trout
Midge Imitations Other Aquatic Insects Winter Season
Eagel Creek Home PH West Prong Little Pigeon River
East Prong Little River Stonefly Imitations Presentation West Prong Little River
Fall Season Streamers Raven Fork Spring Hatch Chart
About Us Terrestrial Imitations Reading Hatch Charts Summer Hatch Chart
Recommended Flies Links Seasons Winter Hatch Chart
Fall Hatch Chart
