Little River West Prong GSMNP

The only access to the ever popular Cades Cove from Townsend Tennessee or Gatlinburg Tennessee is via the Laurel Creek Road so as a result, the automobile traffic can be heavy during the summer months. Despite that fact, the West Prong of the Little River is the most often overlooked trout stream in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I suspect that it is considered too small and too accessible in the lower part along the road to provide good trout fishing.

 

Fishing the West Prong:

 

If you just want to try your hand at fly fishing in the West Prong, it can be easily done simply by fishing the lower part of the stream anywhere along Laurel Creek Road. There are many pullover parking areas along that road providing easy access. The stream is indeed small even in the lower reaches and the fish are almost all rainbow trout. However, there may be a few browns in the lower part of the stream near the Townsend “Y”. The lower reaches are best fished during the cooler months of the year.

 

The upper section of the West Prong of the Little River is located away from Laurel Creek Road. There are some unofficial trails made by anglers in the lower part where the stream first leaves the road. However, to fish the higher portions of the stream you must hike in using the West Prong Trail. You will see some brook trout but the trout population is mostly rainbows. The rainbows that you find will be very aggressive since it is a freestone stream and they will often succumb to a dry fly dangling about the water cane pole style. Attractor patterns will work very well in the West Prong. 

The West Prong of the Little River is a small stream and fishing can be made somewhat difficult as well as frustrating due to the canopy of limbs overhanging the stream. Often times you may need to resort to the “slingshot” approach often called the “bow and arrow” approach in order to place your fly in some of the pools.

Summer:
The upper headwaters fish well during the summer when attractor flies will be effective.  Mahogany dunns, and cream cahills are good choices.

Fall:
Autumn is also a good season to fish the West Prong. It is a good time to use terrestrials such as hoppers, beetles and ants due to the overhanging tree limbs.  Nymphs will also prove effective.

Winter:
Winter can be a good time to fish the lower section of the stream since the automobile traffic will be somewhat abated.  This might be a good time to dust off those streamers.

Spring:
Spring is the best time to fly fish the West Prong and there will be some nice hatches of blue winged olives.

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