Twentymile Creek GSMNP

Twentymile Creek is probably one of the least visited stream in the Twentymile Creek is probably the least visited stream in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to it rugged terrain and its remote location. Twentymile Creek is located in the extreme southwestern reaches of the GSMNP. due to it rugged terrain and its remote location. Twentymile Creek is located in the extreme southwestern reaches of the GSMNP. It enjoys considerable less pressure than most other streams in the GSMNP because of its geographical location which is not near any convenient major towns. However, when you arrive at the Twentymile Creek it can be fished without a great deal of traffic. (More about in the access portion of this page)

You might expect that the Twentymile Creek derives its name from its length but that would be incorrect as the fishable portion of the stream is probably only about 6 miles in length. It gets its name from being located 20 miles from the confluence of the Little Tennessee River and the TuckasegeeRiver which has since been covered by the FontanaLake.

Twentymile is bounded by WolfRidge, Green Knob, and Twenty Mile Ridge and subsequently flows into CheoahLake. The creek is medium size as far as the GSMNP is concerned and is a Freestone creek. It is primarily inhabited with rainbow trout in the 6 to 10 inch size with an occasional brown trout that can be fooled into hitting your fly. Unlike Abrams Creek, the pH does not support a great deal of larger trout and due to its relatively low elevation going from 1200 feet up to approximately 2800 feet, as well as the competition of the rainbow trout, you will not likely see any brook trout.

The advantages of fishing Twentymile Creek is that you have the opportunity of showing off your casting skills by casting as much as 40 to 50 feet in the lower reaches, you are likely to encounter less fishing pressure, and once you complete the long drive, the stream is easily reached by the Twentymile Creek Trail.

Fishing Twentymile Creek:

The lower reaches of the stream are open and somewhat more flat than the upper reaches. There are a few pools that can be lengthy but mostly there are pocket waters. In the upper portions of the stream it becomes much narrower and the overhead branches will prevent the longer casts. Near the Twentymile Cascades region, you will see plunge pools starting to form due to the rugged terrain. This makes it somewhat more difficult.

Spring:

Spring is the best time to fish Twentymile Creek, and it will be full so if you use dry flies, be sure that they float well.. Good choices for the pocket water are the blue winged olives, Hendricksons, and March browns. In-linje spinners are great if you are not a fly fisherman. As with all freestone streams, pattern is not as important as the presentation of the fly.

Summer:

Summer is not the best time to fish this stream, however you might try blue winged olives, slate drakes and little yellow quils; and with terrestrials being effective in the upper portions of the stream.

Fall:

Terrestrials, including ants and hoppers, play an important part in the fall strategy up to and including October. Streamers can be a good choice for the later weeks of fall.

Winter:

The winter can offer some good fishing using streamers on the warmer days. Since there are no browns, however, you may wish to seek another stream for winter fishing.

Twentymile Creek Pictures

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Access:

Twentymile Creek can be reached by going west on Highway 28 approximately 10 miles from Fontana Village . At the point where the road crosses the stream, take a short gravel road to a parking lot just above the Twentymile Ranger Station. From Tennessee, take Highway 129 Southeast as it snakes it way from the town of chilowee proceeding until you are able to turn on to Highway 28.

Recommended DVDs, Books, etc.:

Recommended DVDs:

Fly Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National 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 and Fontana village Weather

Trail maps are availavle at the GSMNP Visitor Centers.

Recommended Reading: The best book about the GSMNP. Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: An Insider’s Guide to a Pursuit of Passion. by Jim Casada.