Here's Paula with a smallie caught on one of those days. Be sure to check out the TWRA website for the up-to-the-minute fishing regulations which can change each season. No matter your skill level, our knowledgeable and professional guides lead you in an intensive instructional course that covers gear selection, casting techniques, reading the river, and more. You can pick up your areas local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. Fishing Douglas Lake in the spring can yield a mixed bag. Above Wears Valley only a few miles out of Townsend. The Little Pigeon River is considered a trophy smallmouth bass fishery. E-Mail - Hagan.wonn@gmail.com. During the months of April, May, and early June, anglers can enjoy some of the best fishing of their lives. These regular high flows increase oxygen content and decrease water temperature, which provide ideal conditions for abundant aquatic life. Fishing regulations and license are on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website at It's a perfect place to drop the drift boat . (New rule, always bring the scales). Do not leave trash along or within the waterways, and always pack out what you bring in. The day started with some mixed weather. Find major attractions on the south side of the Isre River. Knuckleheads are also great flies for largemouth bass and very large bluegill or shellcrackers. The Little Pigeon River and its tributaries will be the Regulations vary from lake to lake or river to river. PO Box 60 Townsend, TN 37882 Although I'd rather find a good spot myself without that expense. I tie a fly called Byrons Knucklehead. Have also seen the fishing from the Sugarland Visitor Center around to Cades Cove where you can get down to the water. In this video, we fish the little pigeon river in Pigeon Forge Tennessee targeting smallmouth bass! 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. With the water being as cloudy as it was, we couldnt see what we had. He is a guide who loves to smallmouth bass fish. 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. site of this two-day event that allows anglers to fish from the shore, wading, or from a kayak. Every turn I had form the casting deck went pretty slow. Prongs of the Little Pigeon River. This is Josh Pfeiffer, a smallmouth bass guide with a big fish caught on a tailwater. Please remember to help keep our waters clean. In rivers, I just let them float with the current. Most fly anglers use a 5, 6 or 7 weight rod. regulations and limits. It is easy to tie. This section of river has it all and historically holds the most diverse fish species of all the Tennessee rivers. This material may not be posted on another website. The 5-weight is used for casting small minnow patterns on a slick water surface. However, the streams of the Great Smoky Mountains do offer other angling opportunities. Sometimes I give them a little twitch. Russian judge rules American journalist Evan Gershkovich to remain in jail. That river is a great urban(ish) fishery that hardly anyone uses! Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below. We catch trout in the lakes doing the same thing with the smallmouth bass. I hardly see anyone fishing with a fly rod on the lakes. Theres world-class fishing in our area, says Greg Ward, author of Ultimate Fly-Fishing Guide to the bass waters of the Little Pigeon River in downtown Sevierville.. During the prime months for smallmouth, I try to go fishing as much as possible. Fish the Little Pigeon through twon, basically anywhere near a bridge will have some good water. Fishing from shore can be just as productive. Wild brook and rainbow trout can be caught at high elevation on the West and Middle They hit the water lightly but the smallies know it is there. Most of the strikes came from bluegills, but smallies started taking swipes as well. Mine was an absolute monster. Located in a very diverse region rich in assets, not only geographically (relief, climate), but also economic and human, the Lyon-Grenoble Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes is the latest INRAE centre to be created. Charity, Tim, and I have been exceptionally busy guiding this spring and summer and have fished very little together. 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). and gets a tad too warm to sustain trout during the warmer months. For more information, visit A Black Wooly Bugger is my go to fly in the Spring. But of course, I didn't take my scales!!!! While water is too high for fishing when this water is released from the dam, the Pigeon. Great smallie water, especially for numbers. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Smallmouth can be found in the first few miles of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, as well as in the first 0.5 -1.0 mile of a few streams flowing into Fontana Lake near the park boundary (i.e., Eagle Creek, Hazel Creek, Noland Creek). Copyright 2021 Little River Outfitters, Inc. from a 6,000-foot elevation through boulder-strewn valleys, says Ward. Select this option to request the document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Sevierville Vacation Planner by mail. 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 Take your fly fishing vacation in the Smokies and get access to some of the finest trout fishing in Tennessee. Now that is when this sport gets to be a lot of fun. Many major bass tournaments have been held The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has about 2,900 miles of streams within its boundaries. Many anglers experience their best days on the water as fish migrate to shallow waters to feed and spawn. Before you can fish on the Pigeon River, or anywhere in Tennessee, be sure to purchase a fishing license from a TWRA regional office, online, or with a licensed agent. Downstream the rivers join to create the world renowned smallmouth Fishing is also excellent in Douglas Lake, a high mountain lake that is the headwaters for the Tennessee River. Throughout its headwaters downstream to Canton, anglers will find both wild and stocked trout. Along with fishing boundaries, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) guidelines will specify minimum length limits for smallmouth bass, creel limits (the number of a particular sport fish you may keep in one days fishing), and more. The Pigeon River or dirty bird begins its descent in NC, and flows northwest into TN, where it terminates into the French Broad River. Click a feature on the map to view its details. Sometimes, in the evenings you can catch smallmouth bass feeding on the surface in schools of small threadfin shad. The Pigeon has several great things going for it. Seasons and limits for trout and other species apply. We consider Rocky a close friend and we are proud to recommend him for your next fly fishing excursion. Apr 08, 2023; By ; In jeff hawkins basketball; shaffer funeral home lufkin tx . That helps me detect a strike when the fly is dropping. (The section of river downstream of Canton, NC, has a tannic water quality, hence the nickname.) 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. This fishing trip with my brother will be a memory that will last forever. I use a 6 weight more often but there is always a 5 and 7 weight rod in the boat for specific circumstances. prong noun A tributary of a stream or river. easy fix, change target species to schooling bass, sunshine bass, big catfish and stringers full of bluegill. Smallmouth Bass Fishing on the Aug 7 2016 Activities in the Smokies Situated in the picturesque forests and foothills between Tennessee and North Carolina's borders, the Pigeon River has what every outdoor adventurer and angler wants sweeping vistas, solitude, and bountiful fishing opportunities! By In fact, the state holds the recognized world record [for smallmouth bass] at 11 pounds, 15 ounces. So, if youre looking for your next fishing adventure, come on over to East Tennessees Pigeon River! We continued our float and Tim and Charity seemed to get most of the action. The river fishes very well all the way through October until it gets too cold.. Sunny. I always prefer days when there has been a decent amount of rain in the preceding days. After lunch we switched to poppers and saw a decided increase in the action. Below Waterville Dam, the Pigeon is a tailwater and considered a trophy smallmouth bass river with fish averaging 1-4 lbs. Byrons Knucklehead is also an excellent fly to use with a dropper. T-rigged Smallie Sweet Beaver Red w/ Black Flk. Nor may it be copied, published, rewritten, or redistributed. Somehow I endure, over and over again. 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. Smallmouth bass reign supreme here. Smallmouth Bass Home In the heavily fished areas, you may need to downsize to small nymphs or midge pupa and lighter tippet. Explosive surface strikes, scenic water, and a drift boat. September 22, 2022 by Brent Pollock. If you want to catch gator trout consistently, youve got to target them. Next, and perhaps most important, the scenery is top notch. Smallmouth bass is catch and release in Sevier County, though each angler is able to keep one Nice fish and congrats! A Knucklehead floats well, even in swift current. Thanks so much everybody for all the good advice. Hagan Wonn. Description: The West Prong of the Little Pigeon River is one of the best trout streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I know, that may not be very sporting but it sure is fun. Before you can fish on the Pigeon River, or anywhere in Tennessee, be sure to purchase a fishing license from a TWRA regional office, , or with a licensed agent. This rule is in place not to deny someone a trophy, Smallmouth bass in our lakes like woody debris in the Summer and Fall. The best park streams for smallmouth fishing include East Prong of Little River from where it enters the park near Townsend to the Sinks and Abrams Creek from its embayment with Chilhowee Reservoir to Abrams Falls. Biggest Fish- $100. Smallmouth Bass Ive never had much luck doing that. I just wanted to post a photo of the smallie I caught a couple weeks ago while wading downstream from the Sevierville City Park in the Pigeon Forge, TN area. populations. I tie mine on a #4 Gamakatsu bass stinger hook and wrap 18 wraps of .020 lead-free wire on the hook shank for weight. The Sevierville Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the annual Smallmouth King Bass Tournament this June in Sevierville, Tennessee. If rafting is more appealing to you, this dam controlled river is divided into two . In this video, we fish the little pigeon river in Pigeon Forge Tennessee targeting smallmouth bass! Fishing license sales, along with hunting licenses and federal excise taxes, form almost 100% of the TWRAs operating funds, all of which help ensure that future recreational fishing opportunities, like fishery management programs, continue to exist. Little Pigeon River Sevier - Tennessee 28 catches 262 followers spots A section of the Little Pigeon River in Sevier County, Tennessee. Along with fishing boundaries, the, (TWRA) guidelines will specify minimum length limits for smallmouth bass, creel limits (the number of a particular sport fish you may keep in one day, s fishing), and more. Other smallmouth bass will follow the fish you are fighting to eat the regurgitated shad. Filed Under: Fishing Report, fly fishing, Tennessee. Catch and release is what I practice for all smallmouth bass. Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Water flow on the Pigeon River can vary drastically, as it depends on releases from North Carolinas Walters Hydro-Electric Plant. Anglers may fish from the shore, by wading, or from a kayak. Its always about now when we start to fish new places for some variety and smallmouth bass are a fun way to still go fishing while doing something a little bit out of the ordinary. The fish jumped a number of times and ran far enough down the river that we had to drift over a ledge to follow. **************ANCHOR WIZARD*************** https://amzn.to/2Dv9L3I:::GEAR USED:::TRIPODhttps://amzn.to/2CaMrH8GO PROhttps://amzn.to/2M3DpjPPFDhttps://amzn.to/2Dc5YbTCANON Power Shothttps://amzn.to/2W39A7pBONAFIDE SS127 KAYAKhttps://amzn.to/2MoH63KYAK ATTACK BLACK PACKhttps://amzn.to/2S8vpUhBENDING BRANCHES KAYAK PADDLEhttps://amzn.to/2TdvQdfKAYAK CARThttps://amzn.to/2Wn93O7WADERShttps://amzn.to/2GsrRWBRODhttps://amzn.to/2EFRD8qABU GARCIA REELhttps://amzn.to/2UbtdckMy FROGGING REEL KASTKINGhttps://amzn.to/2GpOSrC There are many other great smallmouth bass streams in Tennessee. Display as a link instead, Charity with French Broad Smallie. On a lake, the strategy with this fly is to cast it into a likely spot, then wait. I probably never will. According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Smallmouth bass are found in nearly all of Tennessees reservoirs, however substantial populations have only developed in those reservoirs that have clear, cool water habitats. Our state has an abundance of lakes that have those conditions. Great smallie water, especially for numbers. The rivers pools are separated by long riffles, ledges, and chutes. He knows what hes doing too. Seviervilles world-class bass waters. Abrams Creek has a high number of smallmouth bass that are rarely fished due to how difficult it is to access. Overcast or rainy days offer excellent opportunities for smallmouth bass fishing. Gatlinburg, When the Spring fun is over, we have different ways to catch smallmouth during the Summer and Fall on the lakes. West Prong Little Pigeon River is a stream near Sevierville. After fighting the fish for a while, we finally got both of them to the surface. It seemed that Tims initial surge of action near the boat ramp was the big moment. Tomorrow. The lake has healthy Josh has some smallmouth bass flies that would scare the heck out of a smallmouth bass on the Little Tennessee River. Foam poppers produce too. Smallmouth King Bass Tournament I had a couple of Tequeely flies in my box. Smallmouth Bass Diet Smoky Mountains. The Little Pigeon River from the mouth upstream to the Great Smoky Mountains boundary and including the West Prong and and East Fork of the Little Pigeon River are managed as a trophy smallmouth fishery. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. NOTE: There are 6 more pages in this article. Smoky Mtn. trips. Smallmouth bass are known for that. is not as well-known as other fishing destinations, which means odds are good that you can cast your line in uncrowded waters. and at local bait shops and other retailers including Wal-Mart. I rarely keep fish though, as I feel it is very important to practice catch and release to preserve the fishery for future generations. You can find information pertaining to limits and restrictions (and more) on the TWRA website above, as well as within the current years fishing guide (also found on TWRAs site). fall feeding migration takes place every September through November. I encourage my clients to release all smallmouth and largemouth bass. Many fly fishermen use crawfish patterns and nymphs. A limited number of anglers will compete to be crowned Seviervilles Smallmouth King of the Smokies! Then you, ll hit the water in pursuit of the perfect catch, all while your guide leads you to the many riffles, runs, pools, undercuts, and overhanging brush within the Pigeon River. Of fun fishing of their lives a dropper, that may not be very but. Little together decrease water temperature, which provide ideal conditions for abundant life. 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