Fly fishing the Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

August 18-19, 2012
-by Stephen A. Dubberly

On an early Saturday morning before the sun arose over an early Autumn southern landscape, Jeff Purdy, Stephen Dubberly, Greg Bennett and Jeff Miller set out for an adventure in the storied Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After the quick ride from Atlanta we approached the winding mountain-side dirt road leading into the Valley. We are anxious for what lies over the next ridge or around the next corner for we had never camped or fished in the Cataloochee Valley. Driving over the mountain on the two path road seemed to take even longer than the 200 miles we had just driven from our urban confines. Every turn revealed more and more as we descended into the Valley and seemingly back in time.

As we set up camp, we swap stories about things we had read about the historic valley. From bears to trout to elk, we had much to discuss. All of which proved to be as illusive as the cell phone signals we had left on the other side of the mountain. Once settled in we head off to find these native rainbows and brookies we read and heard so much about. We fish away the afternoon enjoying the awesome environment this natural, mostly untouched, habitat has to offer. We spread out to find the water we think hold the best trout. Alone, I trek through several parts of Cataloochee Creek presenting fly after fly and try all my best skills and tricks to only miss a couple of tiny trout before heading to see what the other guys may have accomplished. It appeared as though they had all had similar luck. These fish are tough, clear, skinny water, hard to find fish, hard to catch fish. These fish are pros, we are not in their league. Perhaps with the exception of our guide and fly fishing mentor Jeff Purdy, who had the most luck (or skill) of the entire weekend.

We head over to the Ranger Station to try the creek running through the meadow. Beautiful pocket water with small tumbling rapids over unique Smoky Mountain boulders transitioning into smooth flats just begging for a dry fly. "This it it!", I think to myself. "This is the spot, time to rid the skunk." No such luck, but I enjoyed every bit of this new water and this challenging leg of the adventure.

We drive back to camp after searching much of  the fishable water in this area of the Valley. Purdy's Special marinated ribs on the grill with all the fixin's for dinner and a few night caps and we are off too dream about the trout to be found in the day to come. That is, until the rain started. There was no rain in forecast, but in this valley, all bets are off. Will the fish bite in this weather? Well, according to the ranger in the campground, "Sometimes they like the rain, sometimes they don't." Words to live by. We give it one more shot in hopes that this is one of the times "they like it".

We drive over a long mountain pass in search of the "Second Bridge". We finally arrive after about 40 minutes on the two path road of endless switch-backs. "Are we there yet's" follow "Whoa! Look at the cliff!" The rain has subsided on this side of the mountain and we are once again excited! We are all anxious to try our hand at the fresh water we see flowing crisply and calling to us like a Siren's song from deep down in the gorge below. We step out into the parking area and decide which way to go. Greg and Jeff Miller head downstream, Jeff Purdy & I head upstream. After finally finding the overgrown stream-side trail we are on our way. The only thing I am thinking is, THIS IS BEAR COUNTRY! I had already read the statistic that this area has the highest concentration of bears in the entire GSMNP! That is a large area, and we are in the"bulls-eye" for bears so to speak. I have accepted the fact that we will walk up on one at any second as we trudge through the so-called "trail" yelling, BEAR! YO BEAR! Alas, we have survived and no bear is to be seen. Now, for the record, I'm not deathly afraid of bears. However I would rather see one from a distance than up close and personal in his/her own habitat!

We make our way down to the stream and it proves to be quite different than some of the slower water we had been fishing the day before. Larger boulders, far more pockets requiring a highly tactical approach. A level of fly fishing skill that I surely have not acquired yet. I make the best of the spot that I am in as Purdy treks on up stream further into bear country. We all reconvene near the bridge after a few hours. It appears I am the only one that has not actually landed a trout, I hooked into a couple of tiny, and I mean TINY, ones but I think my #14 Adams was just too big for them to set the hook. No worries, a great time was had by all and lifelong memories were made. While we may not venture to this exact location again any time soon in search of monster trout (we never thought they were actually there, but we can dream!), the majesty of this incredibly preserved valley beckons the call of anyone wanting to step back in time a little and experience a part of this country the way it was before highways & cell phones. Have a look at the video below and relive this remarkable weekend warrior adventure with us.
-Stephen

Click for more info on the Cataloochee Valley.

Great fall days on the ‘Hooch’ DH

For those who are willing to brave a little cold and overcast skies, the delayed harvest area of the Chattahoochee River has been the place to be this fall. With the river conditions being horrible over the last 2 years, with the flood and the last year’s water release of Lake Lanier.

The water and weather have been perfect for the blue wings olives. On days of low water levels and around 35 degrees rising to the mid 50s, the hatches have been epic. One day the blue wings appeared like a great sailboat regatta with sails in the full wind.  However, you really had to work the rising fish because the bug selection was a eat all you want buffet and your fly had to be different or at the right place at the rhythmic rise and fall.

The type and size of your BWO had to be small, yes small. The fly of choice was a 22-26 emerger pattern behind a 20-22 comparadun BWO. A person needs the “huge” front attractor fly just to see the flies in the water.

So the next time you think it’s too cold and not a sunny beautiful day, bundle up with all of your winter gear and hand warmers and have one of the most fun fishing days on the Hooch.

-Jeff

Check out this video of Jeff Purdy & Bob S. hitting the Hooch Delayed Harvest:

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Summer Bass Fishing

With the arrival of the super hot days Georgia Summer days, most of the trout go to hide in the cold depths and tailraces. We ask ourselves a question: What to do with our desire to wet a line. My fishing friends and I head to the lakes, ponds and rivers to chase after bass. One river that we love to fish is the Flint River for the native Shoal Bass. We have purchased kayaks and this river is a great summer place to wet a line in the heat.

Many eager and hungry shoalies attack your top water poppers and my favorite, the black gurgler. These shoalies average 8"-12”, like our stocked trout, but these guys are mean river fish and have a big need to pull you under their hiding rocks. The hotter the better, and the big ones 16-18”attack your fly, and you will be wanting some relief from this apparent monster of the river.

Spending 10-12 hours of fishing on the river, we do sometimes have moments of using, yes, spinning tackle: soft plastics, small topwater poppers.etc….
Many opportunities exist to wade around Sprewell Bluff State Park, if the kayak or canoeing is not for you. Most of the river bank is on private property or state land but very little development. The river is great just to enjoy a day of kayaking.

The only issue you can have on the river is in the summer when the river can get really low if there is no rain. The last two trips we made in September, the river was very low. This makes for great fishing in some areas if you don’t mind dragging your kayak for miles over the rocks. You will then enjoy a wonderful day of shoalies attacking your fly.

Make plans next year to spend a day bass fishing on the Flint River.





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