Hazel Creek GSMNP

Hazel Creek has the reputation of being the finest freestone stream in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Hazel Creek also has the distinction of being one of the most remote. Hazel Creek is located in the Southeast portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The headwaters of Hazel Creek start on or under the slopes of Stateline Ridge at an elevation of over 4,000 feet. (Can you say Brookies?)  Hazel Creek is more than 15 miles long, before it empties into Fontana Lake. It has several good tributaries including Sugar Fork, Bone Valley Creek, Walker Creek and Proctor Creek.

 

The only logical access to Hazel Creek is by crossing Fontana Lake by boat or canoe. Boats are available for rent and shuttle trips to Hazel Creek are also available at the Fontana Village Marina. For a small sum, they will deposit you at Hazel Creek and return at a prearranged time to bring you back making day trips as well as longer stays possible.

After leaving the boat at Fontana Lake, you can follow the Hazel Creek Trail about one half mile to Proctor Campsite #86 which is a good destination for use as a base camp. On your way to campsite #86 you may see some of the “Smoky Mountains Pushcarts”. These pushcarts, hand crafted with bicycle wheels, are for the purpose of carrying the angler’s provisions and you may consider something on that order for your hike to #86. The Hazel Creek Trail follows Hazel Creek for about 15 miles providing good access to the stream along the entire way. As you proceed up the trail, you will see campsites in this order: Sawdust Pile #85, Sugar Fork # 84, BoneValley #83 and Calhoun # 82.

 

The lower portions of Hazel Creek are inhabited by wild rainbows and brown trout averaging 8 to 12 inches in length. However, due to the low fishing pressure, there is an occasional opportunity to catch browns in the 16 inch category. After reaching the elevation of 3000 feet, you will begin to see more brook trout “specks”. Not only is the fishing good in Hazel Creek but the tributaries offering some of the finest brook trout fishing in the GSMNP.

 

We were ferried to Hazel Creek and despite our worries about the prearranged meeting for the return trip; we were taken back 3 days later right on schedule. However, be prepared for raccoons as they are thicker than hens teeth and they will try to assault your provisions.

 

Fishing Hazel Creek:

The lower reaches of Hazel Creek are characterized by being somewhat shallow with riffles and small pools, while the upper reaches and the tributaries are markedly different. The upper reaches up to and including the cascades are typical of streams with a rapid descent, containing rapid waters punctuated with small waterfalls and pools. The lower pH of the water on Hazel Creek is more conducive to supporting aquatic life than are most of the freestone streams in the Smokies. Caddis flies are the major early hatch followed with bountiful hatches of the Hendrickson and Sulphers. An 8 ½ to 9 foot rod would be a compromise for all the waters you expect to encounter.

 
Late Winter/Early Spring:

The best fishing will be the late winter or early spring using flies to imitate the Hendrickson mayfly. Start fly fishing with the Hendrickson nymph in the morning because the Hendricksons, like other mayflies, are more susceptible to being eaten by a trout just prior to the hatch in the afternoon. Present the fly on the bottom of the slow side of seams. As with other nymphs, use the short up and across stream cast or late in the day do the longer up and across approach. Note that the browns will be most likely along the banks in the shade or near a fallen tree to provide cover.

 

Summer:

The water will become a little warm in the lower reaches and the better fishing will most probably be in the higher reaches of Hazel Creek and in the tributaries. A dry fly will be a popular choice and the hopper will be a good fly to start with.

 

Fall:

This is an ideal time to fish the Hazel, however, be careful not to upset the spawn of the browns in September and October. In the higher elevations, fish the fast waters or the tail of the small pools for rainbows and brookies. Notice as you continue upstream that the fish are more plentiful but smaller due to the lack of fishing pressure.

 

Hazel Creek Pictures