Fly fishing

[Charlie16ga]

My wife and I are starting to learn to fly fish.  Any places in W NC or E TN you’d recommend for people starting out?  I have no plans taking her to remote places, but something with a decent chance of producing success.

[10-Ring]

38 minutes ago, Charlie16ga said:

My wife and I are starting to learn to fly fish.  Any places in W NC or E TN you’d recommend for people starting out?  I have no plans taking her to remote places, but something with a decent chance of producing success.

It's been years since I lived in the area but Citico/Tellico is one of my favorite places on Earth. Not sure it checks the box of not remote, but that's one of the things I like about it. If it helps, I'd call it remote, but you can drive right up too the creek in Citico as the road follows the creek.  Depending on your exact location alive the creek you are no further than maybe 45 minutes from Madisonville or Tellico Plains. 

I see you are in Oak Ridge. I used to live there too. Although I prefer Tellico/Citico the Clinch River is nothing to turn your nose up at. 

[Charlie16ga]

We’ve kicked the tires in the local Trout Unlimited group that meets in Norris.

[rodteague]

This article covers a lot of east Tennessee; and I can attest to the rivers mentioned since I have fly fished the majority of them at least once. Good luck to you and your wife. I hope this helps

13 Best Trout Fishing Streams in Tennessee

Best Regards

Rod

Edited Monday at 09:11 PM by rodteague
Clarity

[leroy]

On 2/8/2025 at 8:09 AM, Charlie16ga said:

My wife and I are starting to learn to fly fish.  Any places in W NC or E TN you’d recommend for people starting out?  I have no plans taking her to remote places, but something with a decent chance of producing success.

I think this is so cool..!  Congratulations...

I'm sure ya know about the area just below the weir below Norris Dam.  World class trout fishing hole.

If ya would like a cool, shirt road trip; try the South Houston at their weir...

Good luck..!

leroy.

[bersaguy]

A couple years back before I taught my son in law learned how much fun Bass fishing is from a Skeeter Bass boat and my daughter said I ruined him she use to have a freezer full of trout all the time and he did most all his Trout fishing in the Caney Fork with great success. You might plan a trip down to the Caney and plan on making a day of it. I thing Tommy(SIL) might be able to give you some tips on that river. Let me know if you want what info I can get from him.

[221 Fireball]

Charlie, if you're just learning the ropes, don't limit yourself to just chasing trout. Bluegill are a blast on a flyrod, and they're spawning now. Find a pond or lake with shallow banks and wear 'em out.

I've flyfished for many years, still do, but tend to chase "other species" nowadays. I've caught redfish in Florida on fly, and poor man's redfish, aka common carp, up here along the banks of the Cumberland river during summer time. My best, a 12 lb carp, is quite the battle on a fly rod!

Edited 20 hours ago by 221 Fireball
pics added