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Today I found myself back up above the GSM Institute at Tremont for a couple hours of fishing. I went to the upper parking lot this time and parked. The lot was fairly full, but I didn't see much activity. Driving up I only noticed one other fisherman (translation: I was either in for a good day because I had the river all to myself or I wasn't going to catch anything because everyone else NOT fishing knows something I don't - the latter is usually the case, but whatever...). I proceeded to walk up the Middle Prong Trail a bit before jumping off to hit the river. I started just below my favorite hole on the Middle Prong in what looked like some good water. It rained heavily in the area on Friday, so I was expecting the flow to be pretty high. It was definitely that, but it wasn't dangerously high. Water is one of my favorite things in the world whether it's a pool (with a diving board of course), the ocean, or rivers/creeks, but I've definitely learned to respect it. I've been in some pretty crazy water with some hydraulics that do whatever they please to a person, and I've seen a river flash flood that changed my opinion of it's magnitude and force to this day. Anyways, I tied on an Elk Hair Caddis first and tossed it out there. I had a couple small fish try to take it, but I couldn't hook up. I had read that there might be some Blue Winged Olives hatching, so I gave one of those a try. That thing was so small and dark I could barely keep up with it, so I decided to just try a little Hares Ear nymph with a bead head to get it deep in the quicker current. This produced my first catch of the day (see picture at the beginning). Leaves. Thanks for playing.Not ready to give up, I waded upstream to my favorite hole. I have no idea what this section is called, but I'm sure there is heavy fishing pressure because...well...it's perfect water. It's actually where I caught my first Smoky Mountain trout on the fly, and where I have had most success (which is very little) altogether. I tied on a Parachute Adam's with a Copper John nymph dropper. The PA is a great fly for the darker areas where light and visibility is low. As soon as I cast it, I had some activity. Again, just a few "slaps" at it from some smaller fish. After about 20 minutes of attempts, and the sun setting quick I hooked up with a Rainbow that measured a whopping 7" at most. Luckily I was using my small rod, so he felt bigger. Really though, that's about the average size fish in these parts. Of course, there are Brown Trout in the 20" plus range, but I'm not anywhere close to being good enough to bring one of those to hand. So, today, that little guy will have to do, and yep, I love him for sacrificing himself for my ego.
Soon afterwards, I was heading back down the trail so I could meet up with some friends when I had my biggest catch of the day. I experienced a moment of peace that I had been in search of for some time now. Can't quite explain it, but it was great. Unfortunately, after I caught the peace, just like that little Rainbow trout, I released it. You better believe that the next time I'm so blessed to experience it, it's coming home with me.
Gold, red, and ORANGE. These are the colors of East Tennessee right now, as I'm sure many others are experiencing around the country. Could it get any better? Let me answer that for you...Yes. Toss in a fourth quarter victory over a storied rival like 'Bama, and it gets no better. If you feel the ground shake in the middle of the night, don't worry, it's just Bear Bryant rolling over in his grave...despite the fact that most Alabama fans still talk like he's alive. Honestly though, they would probably be more productive if they propped him up on the sideline, but I digress...Anyways, after church and lunch with the family, I headed up to Tremont in the GSMNP for a few hours of solitude and trout fishing. The day was great (in the mid-60s, slightly overcast). I hit the water around 3p about one mile above the Institute (not quite sure what they do there, but I think it's educational) on the gravel road. I tried a couple different flies (Blue-Winged Olive and Copper John dropper) first, but nothing. I tied on a Parachute Adams after a while...still nothing (Hey, I said I liked to "fly fish" - but I never said I was good at it). After another half-hour, I tied on an Elk Hair Caddis and gave it a whirl. As soon as it hit the water, I had a trout take a slap ("slap" is a very technical term that only the highest-of-skilled fishermen use) at it, but I was unable to hook up. I threw the fly out there again to try to get another bite...one took it quickly and darted back to the bottom of the river. He was hooked for all of...oh...3 seconds before he got off. After a couple more attempts in the same hole, I continued on upstream. The rest of the afternoon was much like the beginning...a whole lot of nothing. Either way, it was great to get out and check out the leaves changing. There are a bunch of tourists in town this time of year to also get a glimpse Fall. Let's just say that my patience was tested, and that I was reminded that the Park is not here solely for me (even Congressman Duncan agrees - I asked). Oh well, here's some pics from the day. Thanks for stopping by... 
Apparently, there was a huge storm in the Park last weekend with 100+ MPH winds that took down a lot of trees and closed some major roads for a while. I'm assuming this was one of the casualties laying across the Middle Prong. It's interesting how a storm of that magnitude rolled through, and 30 miles away I had no idea...
Today was reminiscent of that old talent TV show, Star Search, where they had a Champion from a previous episode, and several challengers that tried to dethrone the Champion. Today the reigning Champion was none other than Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains. The new Challenger was...me. The mountain received 5 stars (yet again), and I came up with a meager 4. What can I say except, "He beat me...straight up," in my best Teddy KGB Russian accent...
The morning started with a 4:46a wakeup call (yes, I add an extra minute on my alarm to get that added sleep - I'm doing all I can to maintain my beauty). Dad and I were on the road, in separate cars, around 6a, which was later than I wanted, but we all move a little slower at that hour...or at least I do. We dropped my car (it's for sale, any takers?) at the Alum Cave Trail parking area, and dad shuttled me to the top of Newfound Gap in my truck. We made it to and ultra-windy, low-30's (felt like teens) parking area right at the scheduled sunrise of 7:40a, so Dad went up the trail a half mile or so to get a glimpse with me. What a way to start off a day! I felt good, started strong, and made great time to the turnoff from the 2.7 mile section of the Appalachian Trail onto the 5.5 mile Boulevard Trail that leads to the summit of Mt. LeConte. I passed a guy a few miles in named Richard who had spent a cold night at the Ice Water Springs Shelter and was heading over Mt. LeConte and down to Campsite 31 on Porters Creek Tr. He also had a large day ahead of him, but it was nice to see a smiling face on the trail, and wish I had time to talk to him longer. (A note on the side: I love most of the attitudes of folks that I come across on the trail. They, like me, truly understand the significance of getting out in God's creation with others and/or one's own self to be challenged physically, mentally, and spiritually) About a mile later, I ran across a rogue camper who had spent the night on a saddle. He had parked his tent illegally off the trail, but all was well in my book. I made great time to the summit, where I added a rock to the pile (mine is on top - see pic below) and was quickly headed back down by the Lodge and then to the ever-popular, crowded 5.5 mile Alum Cave Tr. to the car. A little less than two hours later, I was in the car hammering some lunch and en route to Gatlinburg...
Eons of traffic, and 45 minutes later, I found myself at the Rainbow Falls and Bullhead Trailhead parking area. I scouted out what is known as a "ditch" and parked the car in it. I still felt fairly well, though I could feel some cramping in my left thigh if I was to put too much stress on that muscle (do chicken legs have muscles? don't answer that). After about 4 miles up Bullhead trail, I hit a wall with my left knee. I have had problems in the past of being too hard on my knees when I am descending, but today, it bothered me to go uphill (which is usually one of my stronger points while hiking). Well, the last .75 miles of Bullhead, I was creeping along and my left knee was basically shocked. At that point, I determined that I would head to LeConte Lodge for a few minutes of break and make a decision to descend 6.5 mile Rainbow Falls Trail and call it a day, or go down 8.9 mile Trillium Gap Trail (original plan), and then ascend Rainbow Falls Tr. for the completion of all five trails in 24 hours. I chose the first one, and I still think that was the right decision. I finished in the dark at around 8:15p, and was soon in the car heading for Townsend for a Phillips-66 slaw dog (without a doubt, the best dog you will find this side of the Mississippi River) and a coffee. It was heaven on earth. Looking back, I just don't think the knee would have held up for another roundtrip to the top. It was one of a few things that concerned me, physically, going into this, but was the only thing that really prohibited me from completing the trails. If my left knee would have felt like the rest of my body, there's no doubt in my mind that it could have been done. I'll settle for four of the five trails for now. But, so it goes, and maybe for another day. No, make that definitely for another day. Thanks for stopping by and reading. I've posted some pics below from the day, and I hope you enjoy. Do hurry back...
The intent of this blog is to share with you my passion for the outdoors. I'm blessed to call East Tennessee my home...and better yet...my birthplace. When I'm fortunate enough to find a moment to take a break from "life," I often find myself lost in the backcountry of the Great Smoky Mountain's National Park (GSMNP) backpacking, dayhiking, or fly fishing. This is where I come alive, and what I want to share you. I hope you get a glimpse of the area, and more importantly, find yourself unlocking the door to something that you are also passionate about...whatever that may be. Feel free to drop me a line with comments or questions.I look forward to posting followups from my visits to the GSMNP, as well as other places I may find myself "lost in the woods." Thanks for visiting, and do hurry back...
Today I found myself back up above the GSM Institute at Tremont for a couple hours of fishing. I went to the upper parking lot this time and parked. The lot was fairly full, but I didn't see much activity. Driving up I only noticed one other fisherman (translation: I was either in for a good day because I had the river all to myself or I wasn't going to catch anything because everyone else NOT fishing knows something I don't - the latter is usually the case, but whatever...). I proceeded to walk up the Middle Prong Trail a bit before jumping off to hit the river. I started just below my favorite hole on the Middle Prong in what looked like some good water. 
