[KYratchethead]

Must-Have Reading for Brook Trout Fly Fishing In
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

I got my copy of this book on 02/04/09 and read the complete book on 02/05/09.
This will become "The Bible" on fly fishing for brook Trout in the
Great Smoky National Park!
Written as a expansion companion to Ian and Charity Rutter's
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Angler's Companion (2001),
this exceptional little book picks up where the Angler's Companion left off
with information about the major Brook Trout streams in the GSMNP with their
opening to fly fishing in 2006.
Included are (1.) a map of the GSMNP showing the major waters covered with
camp sites location;
(2.) recommended flies and fly fishing outfits for the GSMNP; and
(3.) detailed information about each Brook Trout stream system covered and
directions on reaching them and the best fishing on each.
If you are planning a Brook Trout fly fishing trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
my advice is to get a copy of this Great Little Book and read it first!
Thanks for the Autographed Copy, Ian and Charity!

This One Gets A FIVE STAR RATING!!!

[fishtaco]

Glad to see they've begun shipping them out. I'm anxious to receive mine.

[ScoutHikerDad]

I'll probably pick up a copy. Just curious, though, is anyone else concerned about all the books out nowadays that all but drive you to the best pools and spot the trout for you?

I suppose the remote, hike-in streams will be okay as long as the National Parks, Wilderness Areas and National Forests are protected. Not so sure abou the more accessible ones. Used to be that a man might spend years, decades even, scouting down the best places, talking to locals, etc. Now just click on a link or buy one of these tell-all books. I should shup up, though I'll buy it and memorize it, probably!

[fishtaco]

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

I'll probably pick up a copy. Just curious, though, is anyone else concerned about all the books out nowadays that all but drive you to the best pools and spot the trout for you?

I suppose the remote, hike-in streams will be okay as long as the National Parks, Wilderness Areas and National Forests are protected. Not so sure abou the more accessible ones. Used to be that a man might spend years, decades even, scouting down the best places, talking to locals, etc. Now just click on a link or buy one of these tell-all books. I should shup up, though I'll buy it and memorize it, probably!

I'm not concerned. It takes a lot of work to get to most of the streams in the book. There's really only so many people willing to put that much effort into catching fish 12" or less.

[ScoutHikerDad]

You're probably right, Fishtaco. A recent Eastern Fly Fishing article on some of the best streams in the Smokies-was it by Jim Casada or someone similar?-suggested the "Igloo Theory," the well-established truism that most fishermen aren't willing to hike much farther than their heavy beer coolers can be dragged. Personally, I prefer my libations after I fish. One of the reasons I like to hike and fish is that it gives me something to look forward to even afterward: that icy-cold draft and slab of pizza or greasy burger in the nearest town!

[MBB]

I am a bit concerned about these kiss and tell books. Thousands of people are moving to North Carolina and this certainly increases the fishing pressure on remote streams. It is a bit disheartening to hike in one of your favorite back country streams and find people fishing ahead of you because they read about your favorite stream in a recent book. I have experienced the difficulty in getting reservations in the Smokies on certain campsites due to the publication of "good trout streams."

While it is true that most anglers will not hike very far, it is also true that there are individuals willing to make the effort and their numbers logically are increasing due to massive migration to North Carolina. It only takes one or two anglers fishing in front of you on a backcountry stream to ruin your day.

Having said all of that, I will probably buy the book. It is a sign of the times and inevitably most all streams will become publicized at some point.

[dropper]

Originally Posted by MBB

I am a bit concerned about these kiss and tell books. Thousands of people are moving to North Carolina and this certainly increases the fishing pressure on remote streams. It is a bit disheartening to hike in one of your favorite back country streams and find people fishing ahead of you because they read about your favorite stream in a recent book. I have experienced the difficulty in getting reservations in the Smokies on certain campsites due to the publication of "good trout streams."

While it is true that most anglers will not hike very far, it is also true that there are individuals willing to make the effort and their numbers logically are increasing due to massive migration to North Carolina. It only takes one or two anglers fishing in front of you on a backcountry stream to ruin your day.

Having said all of that, I will probably buy the book. It is a sign of the times and inevitably most all streams will become publicized at some point.

May i ask how you found out about your favorite trout stream? Did you happen upon it or did someone tell you about it?
The one thing i have never liked or understood is when people are scared like little kids of telling someone about their secret little wild stream. I can understand not letting the word out on a good little stream if it is on private land you have the pleasure of fishing. But to worry about the word getting out on a "NATIONAL PARK" is a little crazy.
Ian and Charities book did not give out any top secret info that is harmfull to our national security. It gave the basic info on brook trout waters in the smokies that are open to the "PUBLIC"
With as many miles of trout water there is in the smokies, i do not think it is going to get to crowded. I do not go too far into the back country.Maybe these books will get more people into the back country and that will mean less around me.

[MBB]

I have never discovered my favorite streams through a book or magazine. All have been discovered personally or through close personal contacts that I personally cultivated over several years. Thus, my discoveries did not come easy or cheaply. They took investment and work. And, I must clarify, there is a vast difference between telling one or two individuals in confidence about a stream and broadcasting a stream to the world via publication.

It is ironic and hypocritical when you state you do not want people around you fishing, yet chastise me for the same desire. That is a significant reason that I generally prefer that brook trout streams not be exposed. To back country fishermen, there is a special ambiance of fishing solo or with a friend. The ambiance is lost when others are present.

Wild trout in the backcountry are not people friendly. Someone fishing ahead will usually ruin fishing for an extended period of time. It may be a minor inconvenience or could be a total waste depending upon the stream. Do you know that it may take only one individual fishing ahead of you to turn a great trip to a fair or poor trip? Can you imagine the frustration after hiking and sweating for hours on a steep trail to see your hopes for great fishing dashed?--time and expense and opportunity lost?

Brook trout are a precious resource. They are few brook trout streams left anymore, even in the GSMNP. Catch and release fly fishermen are not the only people that read these books. It may only take a few with no regard for the law to hurt a brook trout stream.

Granted, it is a free country and anyone can publicize any stream they want. People have exposed streams on this forum and I haven't complained. Regardless, I would prefer that brook trout streams not be exposed to the general population.

[dropper]

Originally Posted by MBB

I have never discovered my favorite streams through a book or magazine. All have been discovered personally or through close personal contacts that I personally cultivated over several years. Thus, my discoveries did not come easy or cheaply. They took investment and work. And, I must clarify, there is a vast difference between telling one or two individuals in confidence about a stream and broadcasting a stream to the world via publication.

It is ironic and hypocritical when you state you do not want people around you fishing, yet chastise me for the same desire. That is a significant reason that I generally prefer that brook trout streams not be exposed. To back country fishermen, there is a special ambiance of fishing solo or with a friend. The ambiance is lost when others are present.

Wild trout in the backcountry are not people friendly. Someone fishing ahead will usually ruin fishing for an extended period of time. It may be a minor inconvenience or could be a total waste depending upon the stream. Do you know that it may take only one individual fishing ahead of you to turn a great trip to a fair or poor trip? Can you imagine the frustration after hiking and sweating for hours on a steep trail to see your hopes for great fishing dashed?--time and expense and opportunity lost?

Brook trout are a precious resource. They are few brook trout streams left anymore, even in the GSMNP. Catch and release fly fishermen are not the only people that read these books. It may only take a few with no regard for the law to hurt a brook trout stream.

Granted, it is a free country and anyone can publicize any stream they want. People have exposed streams on this forum and I haven't complained. Regardless, I would prefer that brook trout streams not be exposed to the general population.

First off, me saying it will keep people away from me was suppose to be a sarcastic joke. Sorry it didnt come off that way! Some of my discoveries has come in the form of a book, by exploring and me just happening upon a nice little quiet back country stream. So i guess you can say some of mine have come cheap. some have come at a cost of spending time in a ER getting sewed up.
I hope Ian does well with his book but im not sure it is a broadcast to the whole world. Some people on this site did not know about it so i am sure the avarage non fishing joe hasnt gone out and picked it up.
Trout fishing for many years i can and do understand your points on the solitude of that quiet stream in the backcountry. That is why i started fly fishing and trout fishing in the first place. I do it by myself which has almost got me in trouble and probably will someday. i have never and never will give out info on a stream some has taken me to in confidence.What i have found out over that time is that most of the people that have decided to take up trout fishing in the smokies is not going to fish unless there is a pull off. They are not going to hike back 5 to 10 miles one way to catch a fish. As we all know you have to pass up a lot of pretty water to get to those back country streams. I will agree with you that the book will give the insight to trout fisherman that may not of thought of going and fishing some of those streams knowlege to do so. It is not the non fisherman i worry about. It is the ones that have been doing this for a long time. I am a catch and release person but not everyone is. I ran into a guy one day( i will not mention names) and i fished a few hours with him. He was one of the best small stream fisherman i had ever met. He could tell you where a fish would be, what fly and how to cast to him. He would cast to places that i could not see. We were catching 8 inch bows when he landed one about 12 inches at the least. Took the fish off the hook and put it in his vest.
I never would of thought it.

[Labrador]

I guess it depends on how specific it is. I haven't seen the book, but will admit to wanting to.

If it names 500 streams I think they are pretty safe, but it if narrows it down to 5 sure bets, then those 5 are probably in trouble.