Box 505 Townsend, Tennessee 37882 865-448-9459 Open 7 Days - Free Ground Shipping . I tie a fly called Byrons Knucklehead. We floated the Pigeon River for smallies a couple of years ago and its been high on the list of places where weve intended to return. There is more angler content on Social Media! is home to some of the nation's best smallmouth bass fishing. It is at lower elevation and gets a tad too warm to sustain trout during the warmer months. I took over the oars and Josh did the same thing. When you hook and fight a smallmouth bass that has been feeding on shad, they will often regurgitate their meal. The thrill of watching a 20 smallmouth rise and sip a lightweight fly from the surface is almost more excitement than I can handle. Sometimes I give them a little twitch. 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Several miles upstream in Pisgah National Forest, its headwaters are pristine with large boulder gardens and dramatic elevation change, making for scenic waterfalls and plunge pools. Be sure to check out the TWRA website for the up-to-the-minute fishing regulations which can change each season. Tournament Ends- 2:00 p.m. I dont know what it is about a Tequeely, but smallmouth bass love them. The French Broad River below Douglas Dam has long been the place to be for sauger, walleye, and crappie. Registration closes at 5:30am on Saturday, June 3. Sometimes, in the evenings you can catch smallmouth bass feeding on the surface in schools of small threadfin shad. The best part was that I got to see her actually hit the bait about 10 feet in front of me in 18 inches of water!!! The Little Pigeon River, which flows throughout the city, is home to some of the nation's best smallmouth bass fishing. First, I move the boat along the shore near trees that have fallen in the water. Most fly anglers use a 5, 6 or 7 weight rod. Byron Begley, Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass by Byron Begley. from a 6,000-foot elevation through boulder-strewn valleys, says Ward. Fish the Little Pigeon through twon, basically anywhere near a bridge will have some good water. Next, and perhaps most important, the scenery is top notch. Theres world-class fishing in our area, says Greg Ward, author of Ultimate Fly-Fishing Guide to the Nice fish and congrats! The Pigeon River or dirty bird begins its descent in NC, and flows northwest into TN, where it terminates into the French Broad River. Tournament Begins- 6:00 a.m. T-rigged Smallie Sweet Beaver Red w/ Black Flk. June 3-4, 2023. October 04, 2010. If you plan to harvest a smallmouth bass, check the TWRA regulations. i used to use trick worms rigged weghtless, senkos would get the same effect. My brother and I will be on a "family" vacation next weekend w/ our women-folk in Sevierville / Pigeon Forge TN area and I was wondering if anybody here has ever packed the waders and a pole and met w/ any success. The rivers you will fish include the Chippewa, Flambeau, and Jump near Lake Holcombe in Rusk County. TN The best fighting fish in fresh water awaits the lucky angler who seeks the brown bass of the river. Fishing Little River from here upstream will yield wild rainbow and brown trout along with the occasional stocked rainbow that swims up from Townsend. Anglers may fish from the shore, by wading, or from a kayak. I can quickly see the contents at a glance. Although Ive since come to the realization that that probably isnt going to happen, theres still no better rush than pulling in a monster smallmouth. Follow us and be up to date with upcoming giveaways & outdoor news! Here's what we know about the victims. Guiding services, transportation, gear, and tackle is provided, but you will need to obtain a valid fishing license before your adventure begins (purchase a single or multiple day pass here). Wild brook and rainbow trout can be caught at high elevation on the West and Middle Here's Paula with a smallie caught on one of those days. 2nd Place- $400 Smallmouth bass and walleye have always been here, but average numbers of fish per We took some pictures, measured it to be 24 inches and put it back in the river where it had lived for so long. Bass Fishing Smallmouth bass and panfish also inhabit the Little Pigeon River, and the waters in the Pigeon Forge area harbor bass in the 3-pound class. Lake Erie with a maximum depth of 210 feet is a great deal shallower but contains the greatest quantity of fish and supports an extensive range of wildlife. National Park Service Small Mouth Bass Streams Much more comfortable. Its flat streets are ideal for exploring on foot. Some of the smaller rivers get runs of smallmouths at certain times of the year, but smallmouths are in the Pigeon River proper at any time of the year. I rarely keep fish though, as I feel it is very important to practice catch and release to preserve the fishery for future generations. I heard behind the outlet mall was a good spot! These three just happen to be close by. I never retrieve these flies. Flowing northward from North Carolina to Tennessee, the Pigeon River itself skirts along the eastern side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is a particularly generous river when it comes to fishing for Tennessees state sport fish the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). We are always waiting in the Spring for the water temperature to rise to 55 degrees. When it comes to having the best brown bass fishing in a variety of habitats, Tennessee's waters, from highland . The river fishes very well all the way through October until it gets too cold.. TWRA also states, In streams, smallmouth bass can live to be 15 years of age, and attain a maximum length of about 21 inches. Thanks so much everybody for all the good advice. Michael "Rocky" Cox primarily guides on the Clinch River, Holston River and Cumberland River for trout. Add in the fact that Then, you have two bass on. Populations explode during smallmouth bass migrations. Smallmouth bass is catch and release in Sevier County, though each angler is able to keep one 106 Town Square Drive P.O. He knows what hes doing too. BASS FISHING IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS Other angling opportunities within the national park include smallmouth bass, which are found in the large lower elevation streams including the first few miles of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and within the first mile of streams flowing into Fontana Lake near the park boundary. Landing a smallmouth bass is tough because they never give up. I use pretty much the same flies I use in the lakes, Wooly Buggers, Byrons Knuckleheads and Kent's Stealth Bombers. Foam poppers produce too. I am one of those anglers. Although I'd rather find a good spot myself without that expense. He loves fishing and all things outdoors. If you drop that fly near the bass that are following the hooked fish, and just let that minnow pattern fall, the bass will take that fly as a dead shad coughed up by the bass that is hooked. Seasons and limits for trout and other species apply. This is Josh Pfeiffer, a smallmouth bass guide with a big fish caught on a tailwater. Be a part of the area's first smallmouth-bass-only, catch-photograph-release event. At that temperature, the bass become more active in the lakes. Ever since I caught my first 6 pound smallmouth, Ive been hooked. Smallmouth Bass Biology Little Pigeon River TN Fishing Reports, Map & Hot Spots Zoom in to view more features on the map Click on a state or zoom in to discover fishing maps. The water levels are up slightly and the water is cloudy. Copyright 1997-2023 The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide LLC All rights reserved. It was designed to catch smallmouth bass that are feeding on the surface. Thanks for watching I really appreciate it!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_riverratproductions_/Dylan's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4gmXxtv6BkLXtl-FxjYfRQ/featuredDylan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bucketmouthproductions/Tags: smallmouth bass fishing,smallmouth,fishing,smallmouth bass,smallmouth fishing,bass fishing,fishing tips,smallmouth bass fishing tips,finesse fishing,little pigeon river,little pigeon river fishing,pigeon forge,tennessee,great smoky mountains,river,river fishing,river fishing for bass,river fishing tips,bank fishing,ned rig,bass fishing tips,spring bass fishing,ned rig setup,river bass fishing,bass fishing videos,west prong little pigeon river The Little Pigeon River is one of Tennessee's premier trout fishing streams, with opportunities to catch stocked rainbow trout as well as wild brook trout. The Pigeon has several great things going for it. When the water is low during the Summer, the bass are usually in deep pools during daylight hours. This material may not be posted on another website. We will use your e-mail address solely to provide information about R&R Fly Fishing. It is at lower elevation I use a Puglisi Threadfin Shad pattern for fishing the jumps. (New rule, always bring the scales). Its an Many major bass tournaments have been held Above Wears Valley only a few miles out of Townsend. Guiding services, transportation, gear, and tackle is provided, but you will need to obtain a valid fishing license before your adventure begins (purchase a single or multiple day pass. Fishing Douglas Lake in the spring can yield a mixed bag. bass waters of the Little Pigeon River in downtown Sevierville.. No slides found, please add at least one Slide Template to the choosen language. This is critical. I caught this pre-spawn female on a black Wooly Bugger in the Spring near the bank. However, smallmouth as large as 2-3 pounds are commonly reported being caught by anglers in the park. Filed Under: Fishing Report, fly fishing, Tennessee. Display as a link instead, When the Spring fun is over, we have different ways to catch smallmouth during the Summer and Fall on the lakes. Throughout its headwaters downstream to Canton, anglers will find both wild and stocked trout. Weve caught smallies on large white poppers, Murdich Minnows, Wiggle Minnows, big foam flies and Tequeely flies. While East Tennessee rivers offer many fishing opportunities, inlets and forks along the Pigeon River are ideal for those who wish to escape the crowds that often surround rivers near the cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. A limited number of anglers will compete to be crowned Seviervilles Smallmouth King of the Smokies! Also, maybe an outfitter you've had luck with? Reproduction Behavior Also, there are few public access points, and fishing on private property requires consent from the owner, so plan accordingly! I probably never will. We love to do. Smallmouth bass inhabit the water as well. Regulations vary from lake to lake or river to river. Water flow on the Pigeon River can vary drastically, as it depends on releases from North Carolinas Walters Hydro-Electric Plant. It seemed that Tims initial surge of action near the boat ramp was the big moment. Fishing is also excellent in Douglas Lake, a high mountain lake The Wooly Bugger works well in the lowland rivers near here, specifically Little River and the Little Pigeon River. The Sevierville Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the third annual Smallmouth King Bass Threadfin shad follow the plankton to the top. Tackle and Outfits. Abrams Creek has a high number of smallmouth bass that are rarely fished due to how difficult it is to access. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 1275 South Patrick Dr. Suite A-9 | Satellite Beach, FL 32937 | 321.777.2773 |, The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of any hellbender (water dogs) to the agency. While anglers can catch smallmouth bass on the Pigeon all year long, fishing rules and regulations do exist and may be updated annually. Out of all the smallmouth I have caught through the years, this one was the biggest. The city sits at the confluence of the rivers Isre and Drac, encircled by the snow-covered Alps. site of this two-day event that allows anglers to fish from the shore, wading, or from a kayak. At this time, I cast the fly close to the bank and retrieve slowly. Over 18 inches! Though smallmouth bass and walleye are often thought of as northern species, Tennessee holds After Labor Day, however, these recordings may not be updated as frequently, and during drought years it is recommended to call and confirm every water release. Your link has been automatically embedded. Fish the Little Pigeon through twon, basically anywhere near a bridge will have some good water. These are some of my fly boxes, loaded with smallmouth bass flies. Maybe it was Tims sixth cast (maybe sooner) with that popper the riffles erupted with a big smallie. I have and will use these flies but I prefer the three patterns mentioned earlier. Once full, the lake will settle. Fly fishermen appear to be targeting smallmouth bass in greater numbers these days. But of course, I didn't take my scales!!!! 731 . On those days you should float the rivers in a canoe or raft. Take your fly fishing vacation in the Smokies and get access to some of the finest trout fishing in Tennessee. SmallmouthKing.com. Paste as plain text instead, The fly is tied on a #6 bass stinger hook, so only the large panfish can actually take it. fall feeding migration takes place every September through November. You can find information pertaining to limits and restrictions (and more) on the TWRA website above, as well as within the current year, Water flow on the Pigeon River can vary drastically, as it depends on releases from North Carolina, s Hydro-Electric Plant. Whether you fish from the bank or from a boat, anglers are often rewarded with a nice mess of crappie for the frying pan. Likewise, the French Broad River and Douglas Lake offer top quality fishing experiences and beautiful views. The Little Pigeon River Fly-fishing with wet or dry flies can be . Flowing northward from North Carolina to Tennessee, the Pigeon River itself skirts along the eastern side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is a particularly generous river when it comes to fishing for Tennessee. I have seen people fishing in the stream that flowing between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Only artificial flies or lures with a single hook may be used. If you are looking for some beautiful scenery and some world-class smallmouth bass fishing, come to East Tennessee in the spring. Ive seen photographs of other smallies that large, caught on a fly. If rafting is more appealing to you, this dam controlled river is divided into two . Amidst the backdrop of the beautiful Smoky Mountains and Cherokee National Forest, the Pigeon River offers some of the countrys most scenic and rewarding fishing opportunities. Other smallmouth bass will follow the fish you are fighting to eat the regurgitated shad. Additionally, the Pigeon, s waters are ideal fishing grounds for smallmouth bass, a member of the, , who prefer exactly what the Pigeon offers: clear, cooler portions of reservoirs, as well as rocky, swift streams with riffles and pools. 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