Where Are the Best Locations for Trout Fly Fishing?

The best trout fly fishing locations worldwide provide anglers with an unforgettable experience. Tennessee is one of the best locations for wild trout fly fishing, including native cutthroat trout, blue-ribbon trout stream, large brown trout, bull trout, and chances of capturing your trophy trout. It is an ideal vacation spot for anyone interested in picturesque landscapes and wild animals, such as big Arctic grayling and large rainbow trout. Let's talk about where are the best locations for trout fly fishing?
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Tennessee offers more world-class fishing waters than one can explore in one lifetime. From luxurious fly-out lodges to remote tent camps, there is truly something special waiting for every angler in Tennessee. Best fly fishing trips can be a remarkable and satisfying experience, so if you are considering giving it a go, here are a few ideal locations to start.
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The Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains boast numerous mountain streams filled with wild and stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Many streams require hiking, yet they can provide an unforgettable trout fly fishing experience.

The Holston River tailwater below Cherokee Dam is an unheralded gem of a brown trout fishery. Boasting cool waters all year, anglers have access to dry fly, nymph, or streamer fishing opportunities on this stretch of river.
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From these local spots, anglers can observe eagles soaring overhead or witness deer coming out of hiding for sustenance from these water sources.

Douglas Lake and French Broad River waters provide a home for channel, blue, and flathead catfish that feed on crayfish, worms, and decayed animal matter and spawn in shallow creeks or rocky ledges.

French Broad River's rocky ledges and gravel bars provide a home to an abundant population of white bass. Each spring, they run to the headwaters of both the reservoir and French Broad River to spawn, devouring lures such as rooster tail lures, grubs, or smaller flies that come their way.
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Tailwater, 30 minutes north of Tennessee, has earned national renown as a destination where native trout can reach monster sizes. Boasting cool waters and state-approved stocking programs to maintain its fishery, Norris Dam serves both wade river flows and drift boat river activities for fishing enthusiasts alike.
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The Clinch River is an extremely clear stream that requires long leaders and fine tippets for large trout to feed on its banks. Trout are opportunistic feeders and will take anything that looks edible—minnow imitations, as well as large streamer flies mimicking sculpins or smelt, are highly successful on this river. However, keep in mind that there are only a few hatches along its course, so your fly must be big enough to attract trout attention.

Midge midges are a popular species in rivers, and their larva, pupa, and adult imitations are among the top producers. Scuds and sowbugs also abound along the river bank; their imitations can also prove successful. A tandem or double rig consisting of larger mayfly nymphs with midge larva or pupa imitations is highly sought after for excellent results in summer terrestrial fly fishing, including beetles or hoppers that offer summer terrestrial fishing opportunities.
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The Little River is a premier trout fly fishing location in the Smoky Mountains. Not only is its water crystal clear back upstream, but brown, rainbow, and brook trout species thrive here, as do wild turkey, deer, and other wildlife that frequent this river system.

Fishing the Little River during fall through spring is ideal when trout stocking occurs, and temperatures are cool enough for anglers to be comfortable. However, remember that many parts of this river are very steep and should only be tackled by experienced waders.
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The Middle Prong of Little River offers trout fishermen an excellent fly fishing option year-round. Springtime provides excellent opportunities for targeting spawning trout, with caddis hatches occurring in late spring creeks. Plunge pools make this river ideal for nymphing and dead drifting streamers, and during heavier hatches in summer, there can also be successful dry fly fishing for browns and rainbows with dry flies.
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Although the Pigeon River is too warm for trout fishing, its tributaries that flow into higher elevations offer ideal trout habitat. Of particular note is the Upper East Fork's clear trout streams flowing beneath boulders and gorge walls - especially during Blue Quill mayfly hatches that last until late October and are followed by quill gordon and needle fly hatches that bring abundant dry fly action!

The Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River (Tremont) offers another outstanding high-elevation trout stream. At the same time, Walker Camp Prong off Newfound Gap Road may provide some solitude regarding the best trout fishing. Both streams are popular with day hikers and backpackers, though those venturing deeper into the wilderness can often find many stretches of trout water.
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