East Tennessee has tailwaters and Appalachian streams galore, but SE Idaho and nearby MT and WY is the epicenter of American fly fishing.
yeasoundsgood on
East TN has amazing wade trout fishing. Iām in WNC and can tell you youāre also in close driving distance of great streams on the NC side. Lots of great public resources to find new spots and lots of wild trout water to check out, I think youāre gonna love it.
ilBrunissimo on
I moved from Bozeman, Montana to Virginia. I get it.
But, the fishing in the Blue Ridge is very good, especially in eastern TN and western NC.
Rivers are smaller, and so are the fish. Brookies are the most common. Plenty of wild and native brookie streams around, and that is some special fishing.
I would say I improved a lot as a fly fisher here. Really dialed in my presentation and accuracy. You have to here. The freestone streams will teach you.
I also went down in rods. A 6wt was my usual in MT. Here itās a 4, but I use a 6 on the smallie rivers.
Everything here is more about finesse. And, in many ways, I actually enjoy it more. I could haul in bows on the Madison all day, but here I have to work a little harder. Different kind of challenge.
YMMV, but I think the Blue Ridge is the best open secret in American fly fishing.
jgross1 on
Prob should just buy a bass boat
Civil-Song7416 on
Honestly, accept it as a new challenge. I cut my teeth on GSMNP streams. Having since fished out west quite a bit, I can say without a doubt, you’re in for some challenges. The fish average smaller, but you’ll have some fun.
tnetennba_4_sale on
Having moved from eastern Idaho to Ohio, I feel your pain.
There are some options, but it will require some adaptation on expectations for sure.
FreudAtheist on
Iām in WNC and enjoy some trips into East TN.
CornDog_Jesus on
Bears are much cuter.Ā
TurdFerg5un on
I was born and raised in the south, grew up trout fishing exclusively. There are plenty of choices, itās not the end of the world. Expectations should be adjusted but getting on small streams along the TN/NC border is awesome, and I miss bushwhacking through the woods of the Appalachians. Go follow TH Angling Society on IG, that guy will give you hope and a little perspective. I love his IG feed and reminds me of home.
Btw Iām in Idaho as well. But I do miss Appalachia and have thought about moving back after 20+ years out west. Look at the bright side, youāll love the housing prices compared to the American west.
EyeofOdin89 on
Moved from SW Montana to Florida. I still fly fish inshore and bought a kayak to extend my range. Redfish, seatrout, tarpon etc. A type of fishing most Western flyfishers don’t even know about. It’s amazing, but I do miss standing in a stream sometimes.
wncfly on
for a wade fisherman – you may be surprised how good the fishing is in East TN/WNC! Tons of small appalachian streams holding native southern appalachian brookies. Lots of hike in opportunities. An underrated part of fishing here is the year round aspect. No snowmelt to keep you off the river! Can fish through the year, winter can be great. Some of the best (if not the best) tailwaters on the east coast in the south holston and watauga in east TN. Lots to look forward to!!
Traditional_Ad_6443 on
Loved fishing in Boone NC not Tennessee but close
Zigglyjiggly on
Hear me out: don’t
that_pizza_boi on
Holler at me when you settle in, Asheville native here. The fishing around here is killer!
15 Comments
Too many people moving to Idaho?
From a fishing perspective, RIP.
East Tennessee has tailwaters and Appalachian streams galore, but SE Idaho and nearby MT and WY is the epicenter of American fly fishing.
East TN has amazing wade trout fishing. Iām in WNC and can tell you youāre also in close driving distance of great streams on the NC side. Lots of great public resources to find new spots and lots of wild trout water to check out, I think youāre gonna love it.
I moved from Bozeman, Montana to Virginia. I get it.
But, the fishing in the Blue Ridge is very good, especially in eastern TN and western NC.
Rivers are smaller, and so are the fish. Brookies are the most common. Plenty of wild and native brookie streams around, and that is some special fishing.
I would say I improved a lot as a fly fisher here. Really dialed in my presentation and accuracy. You have to here. The freestone streams will teach you.
I also went down in rods. A 6wt was my usual in MT. Here itās a 4, but I use a 6 on the smallie rivers.
Everything here is more about finesse. And, in many ways, I actually enjoy it more. I could haul in bows on the Madison all day, but here I have to work a little harder. Different kind of challenge.
YMMV, but I think the Blue Ridge is the best open secret in American fly fishing.
Prob should just buy a bass boat
Honestly, accept it as a new challenge. I cut my teeth on GSMNP streams. Having since fished out west quite a bit, I can say without a doubt, you’re in for some challenges. The fish average smaller, but you’ll have some fun.
Having moved from eastern Idaho to Ohio, I feel your pain.
There are some options, but it will require some adaptation on expectations for sure.
Iām in WNC and enjoy some trips into East TN.
Bears are much cuter.Ā
I was born and raised in the south, grew up trout fishing exclusively. There are plenty of choices, itās not the end of the world. Expectations should be adjusted but getting on small streams along the TN/NC border is awesome, and I miss bushwhacking through the woods of the Appalachians. Go follow TH Angling Society on IG, that guy will give you hope and a little perspective. I love his IG feed and reminds me of home.
Btw Iām in Idaho as well. But I do miss Appalachia and have thought about moving back after 20+ years out west. Look at the bright side, youāll love the housing prices compared to the American west.
Moved from SW Montana to Florida. I still fly fish inshore and bought a kayak to extend my range. Redfish, seatrout, tarpon etc. A type of fishing most Western flyfishers don’t even know about. It’s amazing, but I do miss standing in a stream sometimes.
for a wade fisherman – you may be surprised how good the fishing is in East TN/WNC! Tons of small appalachian streams holding native southern appalachian brookies. Lots of hike in opportunities. An underrated part of fishing here is the year round aspect. No snowmelt to keep you off the river! Can fish through the year, winter can be great. Some of the best (if not the best) tailwaters on the east coast in the south holston and watauga in east TN. Lots to look forward to!!
Loved fishing in Boone NC not Tennessee but close
Hear me out: don’t
Holler at me when you settle in, Asheville native here. The fishing around here is killer!