Fly Fishing for Trout among the Rhododendrons in Great Smokey Mountains Park.

We  frequently go to the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area of the The Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  While there, we sometimes fish along Rt. 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee NC.  We also walk up some of the smaller streams seeking the somewhat feisty wild rainbow and brookie trout,  leaving the lower elevations to the brown trout.  It always a beautiful. senic and pleasant trip with one little exception. That being the dreaded, but beautiful rhododendrons.  I can not help but believe that God made rhododendrons; and placed them near mountain streams to preserve the trout population. 

Long ago, I discovered that the branches are just the right size to entrap the hooks, and the leaves are just strong enough to hold the small hook from tearing out!  Notice those large glossy leaves in the picture.