Little River Fly Fishing (Great Smoky Mountains) near Knoxville
Little River Fly Fishing offers enthusiasts an exceptional experience in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Great Smoky Mountains. As an integral part of the local culture, this activity not only provides recreation but also connects anglers with the vibrant ecosystem and historical significance of the area. The combination of clear waters, abundant fish species, and stunning surroundings makes this a must for anyone visiting Knoxville.
Adventure Guide To Little River Fly Fishing (Great Smoky Mountains)
Little River itself: Flowing through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Little River is noted for its wild trout population, particularly rainbow and brook trout. The river’s accessibility and scenic beauty, surrounded by lush forests and cascading waterfalls, provide a unique fishing environment.
Tremont Institute: Located near the river, this educational facility offers guided fly fishing workshops. The knowledgeable staff teaches essential techniques and local ecology, making it special for beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Participants leave with not just fishing skills but also a deeper appreciation of the area’s biodiversity.
Fishing Gear Rentals: Several local shops in Townsend, just a short drive from Knoxville, provide quality gear rentals and expert advice. Rentals include rods, reels, and flies, ensuring that visitors can enjoy fishing without needing to transport their own equipment.
Local Insights
The history of fly fishing in the Smokies dates back to the late 19th century when it became popular among wealthy travelers seeking leisure and the beauty of nature. To fully appreciate the region, recognize that the area is a designated Protected Area, ensuring a pristine environment that continues to be a habitat for diverse wildlife.
Visitor Tips
Best times to visit: Optimal months for fly fishing in Little River are April to November, with peak activity in spring and fall.
What to bring:
Lightweight gear
Sunglasses and sunblock
Snacks and water
Driving directions: From Knoxville, take Highway 441 South to the Townsend entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive is approximately 35 miles and takes about 50 minutes.
Little River Fly Fishing is an enriching way to engage with both nature and local culture.
Adventure Map
Reviews
Warren Pace5 years ago
Love the fly shop! This is definitely a must when traveling to the Smokies to fly fish. All the staff are highly knowledgeable and friendly. They will advise you on local water conditions and flies that are working best for that time of year. Upstairs they have a wide selection of fly tying materials and their prices are extremely reasonable. The shop has lots of fish mounts that are cool to check out as well.
Carter Tallman11 months ago
This place is the absolute best. Moving to the area in July, I've spent a lot of time at the shop. The staff are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, and the shop itself is beautiful. Dave has helped my fiance pick out gifts for me, and Byron has personally helped me choose from their wide vareity of fly tying supplies. It's always an enjoyable experience, and you can tell these guys are really in it for the passion and the love of the sport. They are the friendliest people and are always willing to help anyone of any skill level. Even if you don't fish, it's still worth stopping by to see the beautiful shop!!
Naked Coyote2 months ago
I have used this place for YEARS now and they never fail in terms of knowledge and customer service! I went in looking for a 3wt Redington classic trout with a zero Redington reel with line and backing.
The sales person, to his credit, managed to talk me into going fishing that day with it! Within 45 minutes of leaving the store I was hooked up and managed to land 3 beautiful rainbows! So thank you, sales guy, you made my day!
it was so nice not to be talked out of what I want too! I came in, knowing I wanted a 3wt rod, knowing I wanted a Redington classic trout and knowing I wanted to buy today. Everywhere else I went, someone had an opinion about using a 3wt rod in the smokies; someone wanted to tell me that Redington was no where as good as some other brand for 10 times the money and even go as far as telling me "That's stupid, you need a 5wt rod!". I'm fishing for brookies, using a 5wt for a 5 inch brookie is like using a howitzer for squirrels!
Not these guys! They actually took the time to tell me the benefits of the combo I wanted to put together and even lined it up for me. i ended up spending more money in the shop, just because I ended up wanting to go fishing by the end of the encounter!
Go see these guys! Put a dollar in the Trout Unlimited jar to help the Classroom Trout project and ask these guys where to go!
chris ricketts6 months ago
Have been meaning to stop in to check out their selection for awhile now. And I'm glad I did, by far the best selection of any fly shop around. Also the staff was great, took the time to chat with me and made me feel welcomed. Even spoke with the owner for a few minutes and he seemed to genuinely care about his customers and his business. I will definitely be back.
Suzanne Johnsona month ago
Great shop! Super friendly and helpful people and everything we needed. Plus a few things we didn't know we needed but couldn't resist.
