Trout · Southeast

Great Smoky Mountains

Townsend, Tennessee / Bryson City, North Carolina · USA

Hundreds of miles of fast, clear freestone streams where you stalk small wild trout, including native southern brook trout.

Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov; summer at high elevation

Target species
Rainbow, brown and native brook trout
Guide day rate
$375–800Full-day wade, 1–2 anglersSource: frontieranglerstn.comChecked October 2026
Trip style
DIY-friendly
Access
Wade
Public access
Good
Crowding
Medium
Difficulty
Intermediate
Fly into
TYS Knoxville45 min

Getting there

Fly into TYS Knoxville, then 45 min. About 24 miles (39 km) by road. Marker at Townsend, the Tennessee entrance; Bryson City is on the North Carolina side.

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