Drew, I love that you seem to get just as excited catching our hand-size wild rainbows as you do those big Cutthroats on your western trips. You’re the real deal! Thanks, and keep the videos coming.
This was about day 6 of this trip and almost 2 weeks overall...if I seem anything other than happy...be concerned for me. The adventure is what I chase and I'm happy with any or no fish b/c I know not many have the opportunity to do this!
I'm finding this video a bit late but I found it getting ready for my next trip into the Smokies (GSMNP). I enjoyed a great lunch snack on that cabin porch one Spring a few years ago exploring the streams with fly rod in hand. The secret is safe! Thanks for some good memories. Heading to that area again soon.
I know that creek. The Cabin gave it away. One of my absolute favorite streams in the Smokies. Me and my brother fishes the smokies often. We almost have every steam fished on the NC side.
Can you imagine living in those cabins in the late 1800's? How difficult life was? You guys are fishing with some... very expensive rods, driving a technologically advanced truck, high-tech clothing, normally buy fresh meat and vegetables at the grocery store, French wine (if you want it), high-def GoPro, etc. Nice water. I am heading out for my first trip of the year this weekend. Had to take my daughter to a volleyball tournament over the Michigan trout opener three weeks back. The sacrifices I make for my daughter!! Tight lines Drew.
Nice Video Drew. My wife and I go to Smokies every year for vacation, we want to move there eventually! Nice streams and Rivers in Tennessee! There are more cabins in the National Park! Great History there....
Another great video Drew. I find alot of cool discoveries while hiking and fishing from times past, such as old homes, dynamite shacks and mine entrances.
I’ve always fished saltwater and live in Florida. I’m planning a trip to Tennessee in a couple of weeks. No firm plans, just wander, explore, camp and fish along the way. This has be super excited. I’ll use ultra light spinning gear but wish I had local knowledge like this.
Yup, I cut my teeth on those streams. Younger years. I have to say - where you were is one of the snakiest places I have ever been. Copperhead and Rattlesnake heaven. Zip the tent up. Beautiful area for sure. Best!
What’s cool about the Appalachians is those are some of the oldest streams in the world. It doesn’t affect the fishing, but I think it touches something deep within.
A great place to camp, fish, and practice staying dry. I love the smokies. What dropper fly have you been catching all those fish on? An epic fishing trip. Thanks for the videos.
Nice video. Brought back memories as I hiked back in there in March of this year. I’m guessing you fished upstream from your campsite location. The comment from another poster about the local snakes gives me “bumps” - as I usually bed down under a tarp. Hmmm, might need to rethink that!
From a Smokys local. -- Thanks for not "naming" the area in the title -- let's keep it more of a secret for better future enjoyment. -- For those dreaming of going to fish for big Brookies and Rainbows -- I got bad news. Those days are gone thanks to Otters in this area. Otters are one of only about a dozen species of mammals that kill "for fun" (not just to eat). The big fish have not been able to elude them in the last 5 years. -- so sad. However, as in this video the thrill of catching native fish is in how hard it is to convince them to bite...they are naturally more evasive.
You are absolutely right. Otters have wreaked havoc on trout populations from NC to TN to VA. The NP service & forest service do nothing to control the otter population either, they’re useless. Then you add all of these new people that are going into the parks & forests in Appalachia & just not caring what damage they do while they’re there. The stuff I’ve witnessed in the Pisgah & the Smokies by mostly young people is awful. How could someone be so careless & harmful to such a beautiful place ? They don’t care, they are out there bc it’s a fad, they just want selfies of themselves out there for their FB & IG posts. I’ve fly fished the smokies since I was 12, 36 now & it has declined tremendously. Even the trout don’t look as healthy & vibrant as they used too. It hurts to witness it, to see the trash these people toss in the streams & trails, they’re stupid rock towers that destroy trout & hellbender habitat. Really a terrible shame. Should be a crime.
@@dogsoldier0372 I just want to say sorry as a 24 year old in that same generation... I've got no friends left who don't care about social media, all i want is to go out and explore the world and enjoy what it has to offer...
Now I am 69 years old and have fished every GSMNP stream on the NC side, and a few on the TN side. I dont remember ANY of these streams being loaded with big ANYTHING. Sparse and small has been the order of the day, when even a 7" trout was a good size. I dont think the otters were responsible for the "decline" in the size or amount of fish. Werent many to begin with compared to other streams in WNC.
Drew, nice video as always. What are your thoughts about felt soles being banned in many States? Did you already move to rubber soles? I’m trying to figure out what I’m doing with my boots.
I got away from felt a few years ago because of why most states are banning them. It seemed like a good idea since I'm very likely to be in a different stream every day and maybe even across several states and my boots rarely dry completely. It seemed like the responsible thing to do. I went rubber and later got spikes (this year) which seem to help tremendously. But nothing I've found has the same grip as felt. I had korkers with removable soles and really liked them but the tab on the back wore out before the boots. That was several years ago so I'm hopeful they have fixed that issue. I really liked having several soles...felt for slick, rubber for boats/my kayak, studded for states that ban felt!
The funny thing about that trail is that the picture on the park website has a sign about aggressive bear activity. That should keep some of the pressure off!
Yea, the bears...no way to drive there, no day hike opportunity, camping by permit only will keep the traffic down on this stream. Plus, not many are going to work that hard for 8 inch wild rainbows lol!
I love this guys videos but I hate that he never tells where he is. I hardly believe he is worried that people will be in his spot when he decides to fish. No one will be in his spot. No one will go to the effort this guy does. He walks miles to fishing spots. Those spots are my envy. I don’t watch this channel much anymore because I can’t go where Drew goes cause he won’t tell us where he is. I know he is somewhere I could never go but I would still like to know where he is. His videos are great. He is the trout fisherman we all would like to be. Camping out on weeks of travel to rivers that very few people would walk to. Drew walks to places other people won’t That’s why he makes us all dream of what he does. I certainly do.
People fish that stream all the time and he’s made it quite easy to figure it out. . You don’t name small streams on the internet because it’s bad manners and anglers should have to at least do a little research to find little gems like this one
Drew, I love that you seem to get just as excited catching our hand-size wild rainbows as you do those big Cutthroats on your western trips. You’re the real deal! Thanks, and keep the videos coming.
This was about day 6 of this trip and almost 2 weeks overall...if I seem anything other than happy...be concerned for me. The adventure is what I chase and I'm happy with any or no fish b/c I know not many have the opportunity to do this!
One thing I like so much about the smokies, you never know what kind of old structures you might run into. Enjoyed the video. Tight lines! 👍
Super cool for sure!
I'm finding this video a bit late but I found it getting ready for my next trip into the Smokies (GSMNP). I enjoyed a great lunch snack on that cabin porch one Spring a few years ago exploring the streams with fly rod in hand. The secret is safe! Thanks for some good memories. Heading to that area again soon.
Thanks for sharing your great adventures!! Tight lines, always!
Happy to share the adventure!
I know that creek. The Cabin gave it away. One of my absolute favorite streams in the Smokies. Me and my brother fishes the smokies often. We almost have every steam fished on the NC side.
Can you imagine living in those cabins in the late 1800's? How difficult life was? You guys are fishing with some... very expensive rods, driving a technologically advanced truck, high-tech clothing, normally buy fresh meat and vegetables at the grocery store, French wine (if you want it), high-def GoPro, etc. Nice water. I am heading out for my first trip of the year this weekend. Had to take my daughter to a volleyball tournament over the Michigan trout opener three weeks back. The sacrifices I make for my daughter!! Tight lines Drew.
Definitely a hard life. The terrain is unforgiving...hunting and foraging was work!
This a great place to go I just got back from a three day trip there lots of wildlife and a gorgeous place to be thanks for sharing . Tight lines !!!!
Super cool place to adventure!
Incredibly lush - the old cabins were pretty cool to see as well. I love fishing these types of small streams - great vid Drew! Cheers!
Yea that was a cool surprise and we would have never known had it not been for the guys in camp near us!
Great water. Spring greens. 💙
The best!
Drew that stream is beautiful!! The cabin was a treat!! Love that !!
Definitely a cool surprise for us too!
Along with cabins there are remnants of old homesteads,some old railroad and unfortunately remains of plane crashes in the Smokies.
Thanks Drew. Appreciate the video. Stay safe...
Thanks, you too!
Nice trout for the park. I’ll be up fishing on the Tn side starting Wednesday.
Sounds like a good time1
Nice Video Drew. My wife and I go to Smokies every year for vacation, we want to move there eventually! Nice streams and Rivers in Tennessee! There are more cabins in the National Park! Great History there....
Tons of history which I admit I wasn't aware until I got home! I kind of get narrowly focused on the fishing/camping!
Great area,beauty fish
Super fun!
Thanks for another awesome video!
Happy to share the adventure!
Another great video Drew. I find alot of cool discoveries while hiking and fishing from times past, such as old homes, dynamite shacks and mine entrances.
Those would be cool to find!
I’ve always fished saltwater and live in Florida. I’m planning a trip to Tennessee in a couple of weeks. No firm plans, just wander, explore, camp and fish along the way. This has be super excited. I’ll use ultra light spinning gear but wish I had local knowledge like this.
Another great video. Blessings
Thank you! You too!
Great video!!! 🐈🐾🐈⬛🐾👍👍👍
Thank you very much
Great stuff as always man. Enjoyed it!
Thank u man!
that's awesome!
Definitely fun trip!
Awesome scenery.
It was!
This is a dream property.
Yup, I cut my teeth on those streams. Younger years. I have to say - where you were is one of the snakiest places I have ever been. Copperhead and Rattlesnake heaven. Zip the tent up. Beautiful area for sure. Best!
Looked like a good place for them to be!
Something about small native Rainbows and Brooke Trout that get any Fly fisherman excited 😊😆!! Native Trout and Laurel Bushes for me ☺️☺️!!
What’s cool about the Appalachians is those are some of the oldest streams in the world. It doesn’t affect the fishing, but I think it touches something deep within.
I recognize that Place. Been going there for a measly 15 years. Caught my biggest park bow and brown there.
Super cool area!
A great place to camp, fish, and practice staying dry. I love the smokies. What dropper fly have you been catching all those fish on? An epic fishing trip. Thanks for the videos.
Perdigon has been lethal for me for a long time!
Nice video. Brought back memories as I hiked back in there in March of this year. I’m guessing you fished upstream from your campsite location.
The comment from another poster about the local snakes gives me “bumps” - as I usually bed down under a tarp. Hmmm, might need to rethink that!
Fished a lot of the Smokies, but never that fabled stream. Where you fishing out west this summer?
I'm planning WY, and MT and ID!
Great spot I fished that creek smiler to it
Looks like some well fed trout.
On the see food diet!
From a Smokys local. -- Thanks for not "naming" the area in the title -- let's keep it more of a secret for better future enjoyment. -- For those dreaming of going to fish for big Brookies and Rainbows -- I got bad news. Those days are gone thanks to Otters in this area. Otters are one of only about a dozen species of mammals that kill "for fun" (not just to eat). The big fish have not been able to elude them in the last 5 years. -- so sad. However, as in this video the thrill of catching native fish is in how hard it is to convince them to bite...they are naturally more evasive.
You are absolutely right. Otters have wreaked havoc on trout populations from NC to TN to VA. The NP service & forest service do nothing to control the otter population either, they’re useless. Then you add all of these new people that are going into the parks & forests in Appalachia & just not caring what damage they do while they’re there. The stuff I’ve witnessed in the Pisgah & the Smokies by mostly young people is awful. How could someone be so careless & harmful to such a beautiful place ? They don’t care, they are out there bc it’s a fad, they just want selfies of themselves out there for their FB & IG posts. I’ve fly fished the smokies since I was 12, 36 now & it has declined tremendously. Even the trout don’t look as healthy & vibrant as they used too. It hurts to witness it, to see the trash these people toss in the streams & trails, they’re stupid rock towers that destroy trout & hellbender habitat. Really a terrible shame. Should be a crime.
@@dogsoldier0372 I just want to say sorry as a 24 year old in that same generation... I've got no friends left who don't care about social media, all i want is to go out and explore the world and enjoy what it has to offer...
Now I am 69 years old and have fished every GSMNP stream on the NC side, and a few on the TN side. I dont remember ANY of these streams being loaded with big ANYTHING. Sparse and small has been the order of the day, when even a 7" trout was a good size. I dont think the otters were responsible for the "decline" in the size or amount of fish. Werent many to begin with compared to other streams in WNC.
Drew, nice video as always. What are your thoughts about felt soles being banned in many States? Did you already move to rubber soles? I’m trying to figure out what I’m doing with my boots.
I got away from felt a few years ago because of why most states are banning them. It seemed like a good idea since I'm very likely to be in a different stream every day and maybe even across several states and my boots rarely dry completely. It seemed like the responsible thing to do. I went rubber and later got spikes (this year) which seem to help tremendously. But nothing I've found has the same grip as felt. I had korkers with removable soles and really liked them but the tab on the back wore out before the boots. That was several years ago so I'm hopeful they have fixed that issue. I really liked having several soles...felt for slick, rubber for boats/my kayak, studded for states that ban felt!
Hazel creek bone valley cabin been there many years ago
Good times!
Carter Shields cabin in Cades Coves is our families decedents
Nice stream,nice fishing,but only small fish!❤
Thanks!
I am new, too fiy fishing for wild trout do Hares Ear and scuds work for them
In my opinion the best thing about Tennessee is the small rivers and streams
The funny thing about that trail is that the picture on the park website has a sign about aggressive bear activity. That should keep some of the pressure off!
Yea, the bears...no way to drive there, no day hike opportunity, camping by permit only will keep the traffic down on this stream. Plus, not many are going to work that hard for 8 inch wild rainbows lol!
They not joking, a dude got et while camping around mile 7 I think two or three years ago
Did you take the ferry across Fontana?
Definitely!
You are deep in the park!!! From what direction did you hike in? My 2 older boys and I are going to do that hike. It looks amazing.
The south...using the shuttle from Fontana Marina!
Behind the cabin is where my wife's great grandmother is buried
I always wondered what was in them there Smokey Mtn streams,think Ill save my energy for the Northwest,Thk You!
Fortunate to have energy to do both right now!
Welcome to the jungle
Glad you folks think that's the most remote stream in the smokies....keep it that way
You're probably not in the most remote area if you are only catching rainbows.
I love this guys videos but I hate that he never tells where he is. I hardly believe he is worried that people will be in his spot when he decides to fish. No one will be in his spot. No one will go to the effort this guy does. He walks miles to fishing spots. Those spots are my envy. I don’t watch this channel much anymore because I can’t go where Drew goes cause he won’t tell us where he is. I know he is somewhere I could never go but I would still like to know where he is. His videos are great. He is the trout fisherman we all would like to be. Camping out on weeks of travel to rivers that very few people would walk to. Drew walks to places other people won’t That’s why he makes us all dream of what he does. I certainly do.
He left enough clues that most anyone can figure that spot out.....unfortunately.
People fish that stream all the time and he’s made it quite easy to figure it out. . You don’t name small streams on the internet because it’s bad manners and anglers should have to at least do a little research to find little gems like this one