Little Smoky, Fox Creek

[kpfishngame]

Hey'all, I'll most likely be heading to the Fox Creek area and trying my hands at some trout and grayling in the Little Smoky river. I was just curious if this was a good area to start in trying to catch these fish? I've never been to this river before, and thought it would be fun to try catching my first grayling on a fly rod, or maybe a big angry bull!

[mikeym]

can't go wrong by fishing the Little Smoky. it is a great fishing river for grayling, whites and the occasional big bull.

go to the second bridge and take a walk either up or downstream and you will get into some good pools and riffles that hold some pretty decent grayling and whites. once you find out what they are taking, it can be pretty non-stop action.

good luck.
Mike

[Dragless]

What do you use for big bulls something different? Or they will they go for dries like grayling?

[mikeym]

the biggest ugliest streamer you have fished deep and stripped in with a jerking motion. I have the most luck using a white streamer with red in it.

also a lot of times while bringing in a white or grayling, the bulls will attack the hooked fish only letting go when you get them to shore. if you are quick with the net you can probably get two fish with one hook.

Mike

[davesilva]

Isn't good till September I was told

[mikeym]

who ever told you that is lying to keep you off the river in summer. it is a bit better in fall as most of the grayling start migrating to their winter pools, but summer is just as good. you have to walk a bit more as they are spread out but it is just as good fishing in summer in my opinion as in fall.

[davesilva]

Haha that's what I was thinking they won't stop me already have a few spots planned

But it is more productive in fall is what I meant no?

[mikeym]

yes and no. in fall the water level is lower and the water is clearer (except for that tea like tint it always has) so the fishing and wading is easier. also in fall they are beginning to gather in their wintering holes so they are more abundant if you find these holes.

but in summer they are spread out and are more aggressive I find then in fall. also a lot more fly hatches going on in summer so lots more surface action. also since they are spread out more then in fall a lot easier to walk a bit away form the easy access spots and get away from the crowds then in fall when everyone hits up the bridges. been there in Oct where there is 15 - 20 people fishing at the second bridge, but in summer most of the time you might run into one or two other people all day on the river.

[kpfishngame]

Originally Posted by mikeym

can't go wrong by fishing the Little Smoky. it is a great fishing river for grayling, whites and the occasional big bull.

go to the second bridge and take a walk either up or downstream and you will get into some good pools and riffles that hold some pretty decent grayling and whites. once you find out what they are taking, it can be pretty non-stop action.

good luck.
Mike

Thanks a ton! I'll definitely try the area

[chop]

a friend from work is taking me there this weekend for the first time fishing for grayling. what fly's should i buy or do standard trout fly's work fine ?

[davesilva]

Just out of curiosity how many of you guys pack a shotgun or something for bears

[davesilva]

When fishing areas like this*

[grinr]

Originally Posted by chop

a friend from work is taking me there this weekend for the first time fishing for grayling. what fly's should i buy or do standard trout fly's work fine ?

Standard trout stuff is fine,grayling ain't too selective as a rule.Dries,nymphs,soft hackle wets on the swing are deadly.

Originally Posted by davesilva

Just out of curiosity how many of you guys pack a shotgun or something for bears

If I had a more compact shottie,I'd be more apt to lug it.As it is,I carry bear spray and/or an airhorn at times.

[mikeym]

I am not too worried about bears out on the streams. I have fished a lot of streams in a lot of remote areas and have never come across a bear yet on the stream. seen lots of fresh tracks and stuff but no bears.

as long as you are making a lot of noise and stuff, the bears can hear you coming way before you will ever come across them. I am more worried about hunters blindly shooting at the sound of someone coming thru the bushes then bears in most spots.

Mike

[Renegade J]

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