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 stream that's overlooked by most
anglers even though the stream borders the Laurel Creek Road to the popular
Cades Cove area for over two miles.
Stream Size:
The West Prong is a small stream, even when compared to other streams in
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's 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 will 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's also a good stopping
off point if you find 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, but it depends
on where you access the stream.
Catching trout is usually easy. They are almost always eager to attack a fly with
vigor. Although attractor patterns sometimes work very well in this stream,
matching the most plentiful and most available insects in both their nymphal
and adult stages is the best procedure to use.
Comments:
This is a sleeper. It fishes much better than most anglers think it would fish.
Copyright 2011 James Marsh
The West Prong of the Little River is a stream that's overlooked by most
anglers even though the stream borders the Laurel Creek Road to the popular
Cades Cove area for over two miles.
Stream Size:
The West Prong is a small stream, even when compared to other streams in
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's 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 will 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's also a good stopping
off point if you find 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, but it depends
on where you access the stream.
Catching trout is usually easy. They are almost always eager to attack a fly with
vigor. Although attractor patterns sometimes work very well in this stream,
matching the most plentiful and most available insects in both their nymphal
and adult stages is the best procedure to use.
Comments:
This is a sleeper. It fishes much better than most anglers think it would fish.
Copyright 2011 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 .
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