Little River (East Prong) GSMNP

The East Prong of the Little River starts inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) on the north slope of Clingmans Dome. Clingmans Dome is located directly on the Tennessee-North Carolina boundary. The Appalachian Trail passes over Clingman’s dome, but the Little River is not easily accessible from there. By the way, when you mention the East Prong of the Little River to the local Tennessee and the Tar Heel anglers, you will usually get a puzzled look. This is because it is simply known locally as the Little River.

The Little River is very small until it reaches the confluence of the Fish Camp Prong, Rough Creek and Rich Branch in an area near GSMNP Campsite #24. Little river continues to flow another 4 miles to the Elkmont Campgrounds and the confluence with Jakes Creek. Elkmont was the origional site of a logging camp for the Little River Lumber Company and a station on the Little River Railroad.

After leaving the Elkmont Campgrounds, the Little River flows westward until the confluence of the eastward flowing Middle Prong of the Little River in an area known locally as the Towsend "Y". The Towsend "Y" is a favorite swimming hole during the summer months. Just past the "Y", the Little River exits the GSMNP into Tuckaleechee Cove and Towsend Tennessee.

This section of the Little River follows closely the Little River Road and can be fished from the pullovers along that road. As a consequence, this convenience is rewarded by heavy fishing traffic.

Fishing the Little River:

In the lower section of Little River from the “Y” near Townsend, Tennessee to the confluence of Meigs Creek, the water becomes warmer and often is too warm for trout during the hot summer months. As a consequence the better fishing is found from the Metcalf Bottoms area to the headwaters. The trout fishing in the Metcalf Bottoms area can be good at the cooler times of the year because it has a lot of aquatic insects.

The area upstream from Metcalf Bottoms to the headwaters is a great stretch of water and as a result is probably the most heavily fished portion of the stream. The headwater areas from camp site #24 to camp site #30 contain the native Appalachian Brook Trout.

Several branches and prongs in the area also offer excellent brook trout fishing especially the Fish Camp Prong.

The Little River is among the largest stream in the GSMNP and you can expect the browns to range among the largest with some exceeding 20 inches in length. At the lower elevations the browns can be found in the deeper holes, undercut banks and shady pocket water formed by large boulders.

Spring:
Spring brings about most of the hatches of aquatic insects in Little River and consequently, some of the best dry fly-fishing in the fast pocket water which usually requires only short, upstream casts. However, the fish are usually much easier to catch on a nymph. Some good suggestions are mayfly’s nymphs and duns as well as stoneflies nymphs and adults.

Summer:
Fishing in the lower elevations will slow down, but the higher elevations remain good. Some good suggestions are blue winged olives, slate drakes, and cream cahills.

Fall:
Fall is a great time to be on Little River. The fall season also means the brown trout will be spawning offering the opportunity for some large browns.

Blue winged olives, blue quills and Hendicksons duns remain a good choice along with blue winged and little yellow quill nymphs.

Winter:

The winter season can provide excellent fishing at times. The blue winged olives and late winter stoneflies nymphs are a popular choice along with the sculpin streamers.

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Access:

Little River Trail follows the river from Elkmont Camp all the way up to the headwaters at Camp site #30. Below Elkmont, the Little River Road follows the Little River until the confluence of the Midle Prong of the Little River flowing from the west in an area known locally as the Towsend Y. This section of the Little River follows closely the Little River Road and can be fished from the pullovers along that road. As a consequence, this convenience is rewarded by heavy fishing traffic. Most of th river is easily navigated with not a great deal of overhanging trees to contend with.

Maps:

Check out our full color, waterproof map and fly fishing guide measures 11" x 17"

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Recommended DVDs, Books, etc.:

Recommended DVDs:

Fly Fish Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains Park,

Trout and Their Habitat

Stoneflies Imitating Aquatic Insects

Fly Fishing for Small Stream Brown Trout

Shop our TroutU Store for the “Perfect Fly” line of flies.

Also see Trout University for free classes, Fly fishing Instructional DVDs and much more.

Other Info: National Weather Service