Big Creek

Big Creek sits at  the very northern end of the Smoky Mountains. The water that  drains into this creek comes from the highest concentration  of tall  mountains in the Smokies. It’s  a large flow for the park and easily the most  beautiful large stream in the Smokies. There  are others  that could vie for that title (Raven Fork, Greenbrier, Fish Camp) but none quite equal Big Creek. Big Creek’s water is a  shade  of blue/green that isn’t seen in other streams in the park – the water is  more akin to videos from  New  Zealand streams. Mouse Creek falls and Midnight Hole are two of the most stunning easy to access waterfalls in the park and the tiny parking lots fill quickly on a warm day. 

The scenery being this incredible does seem to have a trade-off – this isn’t the best fishing stream in the park. In the lower end are a few rainbows of lower than average size. I did catch my first Smoky Mountain rainbow near the campground when I  first started fly fishing – it was all of 7 inches and way overmatched for my 9’ 5wt. Because I caught one here, I came back many times in my early fly fishing days only to be disappointed in the output. 

Big Creek must have some factor that impacts the fishing negatively – clearer water, lack of insects, gradient – I have no idea. At least at the bottom end, Big Creek is challenging fishing for the small and rare rainbow. 

I haven’t fished the upper end yet, but will report back. I have a 23 mile day planned for this spring / summer to explore the upper end of this watershed and fish the high altitude tribs. I’m sure there has to be larger brookies in here. 

Access: Big Creek flows into the Pigeon right at the powerplant. This is the main put-in for rafting companies and kayakers. It’s also within spitting distance of I-40. People coming to the Smokies often stay in the center of the park but this easy access makes it a popular spot for day-trippers. 

Right off the interstate, you can make your way back into the park. Once there, the road ends at a parking lot. This lot is tiny – probably 10 spaces? It fills quickly on most weekends. From the parking lot, you can decide whether you want to hike up the trail a ways or jump in near the campground. 

If you decide to jump in next to the parking lot, know that the trail does not run close to the stream. Jumping out and walking back to your car isn’t easy until much further up the trail (1.5 miles at least). This would be a long day of steep, big-water fishing. It would be dangerous if the water level is even close to high. 

What’s easiest / provides better opportunity for fishing is to hike up the trail until you reach Midnight Hole (you can’t miss it) then get in after that. This is still very dangerous, high-gradient water. My suggestion would be to hike up past the first bridge crossing and start fishing there. This is over 2 miles of walking to get to this point. 

One of the more popular backcountry sites in the park rests 5.3 miles from the parking lot – #37. This spot is typically crowded but there is a close spot in #36 that is mainly used for horse packing but does offer reservations if #37 is full. This is pretty far from a car but pretty easy to walk to – Big Creek trail is gradual and easy to this point. I believe you used to be able to drive a car up to #37 back in the day but it’s only hiking today. 

There are other trails that access this valley but they would be long days of grueling uphill. You could take the Low Gap trail up and over the AT and down the other side to Campsite #37. This almost 5 miles of hiking and Low Gap is no joke going up. 

Any other option would be an overnight – this is a fairly remote valley  hemmed in by some of the most formidable mountains in the East. 

Popularity: I’ve seen other fishermen here. I’ve seen Horse Packers with rods. I don’t imagine it gets as much pressure as the Little River or Hazel but I’m sure people fish here. Now the same as any stream with only hiking access – I’m sure a lot of the fish in the upper reaches have never seen a fly or see 1 or 2 all season.