Below is a short interview with the Smoky Mountain Angler, a fly fishing service based in Gatlinburg, TN. If you’re looking to give fly fishing a try during your next trip to the Smokies be sure and give them a call…
 
1) Can you give everyone a brief background on your business and where to find you?

We have a professional guide service, a complete selection of fly fishing equipment, including locally tired flies, spinning gear, and rental equipment. We are also a TWRA license agent and sell licenses right in our store. Our address is 469 Brookside Village Way (In Winery Square) Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

2) What do you feel makes your business stand out among other similar ones around the Smokies?

We are the oldest fly shop in Sevier County. The Smoky Mountain Angler has been open since 1988. We are also the only fly shop in the area that has a full guide service, offering both wade and float trips. We are open year round and offer guide trips year round. This keeps us up to date on all the fishing conditions, whether it be the flies or lures to use or the river that’s fishing the best.

3) What is it that makes fly fishing so addictive compared to other types of fishing?

Fly fishing is so personal compared to other forms of fishing. When you fly fish, you are in charge. You decide how to cast, what fly to use, and the presentation of the fly. In traditional fishing you are using a heavy lure that casts your line out. While with fly fishing, the way you cast is what gets your fly where it should be. It is so much more than just throwing a lure out and then reeling it back in. You can be involved in every aspect, down to tying your own flies, and there is nothing like catching a trout on a fly pattern you tied yourself!

4) If you all had to pick your 5 favorite areas in the Smokies for fly fishing where would that be?

In no particular order: Little River, Greenbrier, West Prong of The Little Pigeon, Cataloochee Creek, and Abrams Creek.

5) Anything you’d like to tell people out there that have never been fly fishing and why they should give it a try?

I would say refer to question three. Along with a completely new fishing experience, you also get to experience a beautiful scenery and the most beautiful fish. The most peaceful you can feel, is being alone on a quiet mountain stream, with just a fly rod and the fish.
 
The Smoky Mountain Angler
469 Brookside Village Way (Winery Square)
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-8746