The Angler's Paradise
For anglers, the Greenbrier area is a sanctuary. While the streams along the main roads in Gatlinburg are pounded by heavy fishing pressure—sometimes with dozens of anglers on a single stream on a summer weekend—the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River in Greenbrier offers a quieter, more authentic trout fishing experience.
This isn't a "secret" in the sense that it's unknown. Serious anglers know about Greenbrier. But it's not famous enough to draw the crowds that flock to more well-known streams. You can often find a run of river all to yourself, which is increasingly rare in the Smokies.
What You'll Catch
The Middle Prong is home to a healthy population of wild trout. These aren't stocked fish—they're wild, native trout that have adapted to this specific stream over generations.
Rainbow Trout: The most common catch in the lower elevations. They're aggressive, colorful, and fun to catch. Average size is 6-10 inches, though larger fish are possible.
Brown Trout: Elusive and often larger than rainbows, lurking in the deeper pools and under the banks. They're more cautious and require more skill to catch, but the reward is a beautiful, larger fish.
Brook Trout: If you hike high enough (towards Ramsey Cascades), you may find the native Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, the prize of the Smokies. These are smaller (4-8 inches) but incredibly beautiful, with red spots and orange fins.
Why Fish Greenbrier?
Easy Access: The road follows the river closely, offering miles of easy access points. You can park at a pull-off and be wading in minutes. You don't have to hike for hours to reach good fishing.
Space: Because it's away from the main tourist strip, you aren't elbow-to-elbow with other fishermen. You can often find a run of river all to yourself.
Beauty: The water here is incredibly clear and scenic, tumbling over large boulders. Fishing here is as much about the experience and the scenery as it is about catching fish.
Healthy Population: The fish population is healthy and diverse. You're not fishing in a depleted stream.
Solitude: This is perhaps the biggest appeal. You can fish in peace, without the noise and chaos of crowded streams.
The Rules (Know Before You Go)
License: You need a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license. You can buy one online at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website or at the hardware store in Gatlinburg. A 3-day license is available if you don't want to buy a full year license.
Lures: The National Park has strict regulations. Single-hook, artificial lures only. No bait (corn, worms, bread) is allowed. This protects the fish population and keeps the stream healthy. Approved lures include small spinners, spoons, and flies.
Limit: 5 trout per day, 7-inch minimum size. This is a generous limit, but practice catch-and-release to preserve the population.
Hours: Fishing is allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
No Treble Hooks: Some lures come with treble hooks. You must replace them with single hooks before fishing.
Gear Recommendations
Rod and Reel:
- •A 9-foot, 4 or 5-weight fly rod is the standard tool for stream fishing in the Smokies.
- •If you're not a fly fisher, a light spinning rod (5-6 feet) with 4-6 pound test line works well.
- •A small baitcasting rod is also effective for small spinners and spoons.
Line:
- •For fly fishing: 4x or 5x tippet (the thin part of the leader).
- •For spinning: 4-6 pound test monofilament or braided line.
Flies (for fly fishing):
- •Dry Flies (spring and fall): Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Light Cahill, Blue-Winged Olive.
- •Nymphs (midday or summer): Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, Copper John, Prince Nymph.
- •Streamers (for larger fish): Woolly Bugger, Black Ghost, Muddler Minnow.
Lures (for spinning):
- •Small spinners (size 0-2): Panther Martin, Mepps, Blue Fox.
- •Small spoons (1/8-1/4 oz): Kastmaster, Acme Phoebe.
Other Gear:
- •Waders (chest waders for deeper water, or just wear water shoes for shallow wading).
- •Vest or pack for carrying gear.
- •Polarized sunglasses (to see fish in the water).
- •Net (optional, but helpful).
- •Creel or cooler (if you plan to keep fish).
Fishing Techniques
Dry Fly Fishing: Cast upstream and let the fly drift naturally downstream. When a fish rises to take the fly, set the hook with a quick upward motion of the rod.
Nymph Fishing: Cast upstream and let the nymph drift downstream near the bottom. Use a strike indicator (a small float) to detect bites.
Spinner Fishing: Cast across and slightly downstream, then retrieve slowly. The spinning blade creates vibrations that attract fish.
Spoon Fishing: Similar to spinner fishing, but with a different lure shape.
Best Fishing Times
Spring (March-May): Good fishing, especially in early morning and late afternoon. Water levels are high from snowmelt.
Summer (June-August): Slower fishing during the day, but good early morning and evening fishing. Midday fishing is tough because the water is warm and clear, and fish are less active.
Fall (September-November): Excellent fishing. Water levels are lower, and fish are more active as they prepare for winter.
Winter (December-February): Fishing is possible, but water is cold and fish are less active. Early afternoon is the best time, when the water warms slightly.
Fishing Etiquette
- •Respect Other Anglers: If you see someone fishing a section of river, move to a different section.
- •Stay Quiet: Loud noise spooks fish. Keep conversation to a minimum.
- •Wade Carefully: Avoid disturbing the riverbed, which can scare fish downstream.
- •Practice Catch-and-Release: Unless you plan to eat the fish, release them carefully to preserve the population.
- •Leave No Trace: Pack out all trash, including fishing line and lures.
Local Fishing Guides
If you want to learn from an expert, consider hiring a local fishing guide. They know the best spots, the best techniques, and the best times to fish. A half-day guide trip usually costs $150-$300.
