Trout Fishing In The Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountains Trout Fishing

Trout streams in the Smoky Mountains are much different from those found in the western United States. Here is a winter time photo of one of hundreds of beautiful, but, small streams located throughout the Appalachian Mountain range. Don't underestimate these trout streams. They are very productive and full of rainbow, brown and brook trout.

 

Fish coming from Smoky Mountain rivers are generally much smaller than you see from the big western streams of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington State and Wyoming. While Appalachian trout are generally smaller, the challenges of catching them exceed those you encounter out west. First, the terrain in the Smokies can be extremely challenging. You must content with heavy vegetation and trees that grow right down to the waters edge. This combines for some extremely challenging hikes and overnight camping trips. In addition, fly casting is at it's most challenging given the amout of vegetation you generally must contend with. 

Check out this beautiful Appalachian Mountains trout. There are areas with much larger fish, but, generally those are private sections that require daily fees and guides.

                                

New Mexico Trout

New Mexico Produces Incredible Trout

If you haven't fished in Northern New Mexico yet, you are truly missing out. Fly fishing in the region is excellent and virtually can be enjoyed nearly year round. You may find it a tad cold in January and February, but, truth is, you can always wear more cloths to stay warm. I did some fishing in October at Coopers El Vado Ranch, just outside of Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico and the fishing was great.

More photos from the trip 

The Chama River Flows from the mountains above the town of Chama, New Mexico. The river flows through some of the most scenic mountains anywhere in the continental United States. The red rocks, contrasted against the green trees and river plants, along with the distinct river color is an awesome sight.

During the Summer and early Fall months, the river reeds, sage brush and juniper put off some of the most incredibly wonderful smells you could ever imagine. I have been blessed to enjoy that treat for more than 50 years. Hard to describe, but, absolutely wonderful. I promise you won't forget it, ever :-)

There are some monster native brown trout lurking in these waters.

            

Lein Family Reunions - New Mexico Style

New Mexico - Land Of Enchantment

Not to mention it's also the home of the Brown, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout and the Lein Family!

The state of New Mexico holds so many great memories for the Lein family. We have been camping and fishing at Coopers El Vado Ranch for many, many years. The fishing at the ranch is always great. We routinely catch 20 inch or larger Brown and Rainbow trout.

Even better than the fishing is the opportunity to spend time around David Cooper and his family. They own the ranch and are the most incredible folks you would ever want to meet. The fish in the picture below made for a wonderful fish dinner that evening. Brown trout, fried in an iron skillet, accompanied by Mimi's skillet fried hash brown potato's and Jannie's potato soup. Everyone was able to enjoy fresh fish and wonderful company. I ask you, does it get any better than that?

One thing I dearly love about the state of New Mexico is that it offers so many beautiful scenic vistas. The mountains, rivers and lakes have inspired many an artist (Patricia Lein).

Look closely as this photo includes some of the native inhabitants of New Mexico. In the top of the photo you can see a number of large female elk. The northern New Mexico mountains are home to a rather large herd of elk.

The state also has an incredibly large population of Mule Deer as well. These deer are not the small white tails that you see in other parts of the country. Folks, these Mule Deer are some hefty critters. One mule deer can supply enough meat to feed a New Mexico family all winter. 

New Mexico Produces Trout - Coopers El Vado Ranch

Coopers El Vado Ranch

Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

Rainbow Trout Hauled In

Janice Lein pulls in a nice Rainbow at Coopers El Vado Ranch, in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico.

Coopers is an awesome fishing destination in the New Mexico area. The ranch is highly productive for Rainbow and native Brown Trout. Jan and Husband Mark have been fishing at Coopers for more than 30 years. The river is beautiful and the ranch owner David Cooper is absolutely the most wonderful person you could ever want to meet. Here are a few more fish photos taken while at the ranch. 

Beautiful Native Brown Trout Caught At Coopers El Vado Ranch

Yes, we did cook them up and Yes they were absolutely wonderful.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone National Park

Have you ever seen a more beautiful spot to do some lake fishing? The lake at Yellowstone National Park is absolutely full of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, longnose dace, redside shiners, longnose suckers, and lake chubs. The lake is thought to hold the largest inland population of cutthroat trout found anywhere in the world. Where Yellowstone Lake and Yellowstone River come together, the bottom has a nice gravel bottom. That outlet has been a major spawning area for the Yellowstone cutthroat trout for as long as the park service have been studying the cutthroat trout populations. Years of overfishing in this area had caused a significant decline in cutthroat populations, however, fishing restrictions impossed by the park service have largely corrected that problem. 

For More On The Lake Visit The Yellowstone Park Service Website Below

Link To The National Park System - Yellowstone Lake

More Photos Of Yellowstone Lake

We welcome guest articles from other fishing enthusiasts. Please send your article, photos, or youtube compatible video to flyline@bellsouth.net. Our blog team will review and post all appropriate material.

To read another great article about Yellowstone National Park, visit the link below.

(http://myflyline.blogspot.com/2010/07/early-summer-in-yellowstone-national.html)

For more incredible Wyoming nature photos visit the link below.

(http://www.flylinesearchmarketing.com/Our_Company/Wyoming%20Photo%20Gallery/)

Yellowstone River Cutthroat Trout

Yellowstone River

Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming

Ok, tell me that this picture doesn't make you want to travel to Wyoming and do some fishing in the Yellowstone River? Have you ever seen a prettier place to cast your line? When you arrive at the river you will realize very quickly that there are literally miles and miles of river to fish with very little competition from other fishermen. You may however, find that you have to compete with the local wildlife for some of the best spots.

    

These waters are absolutely teaming with fish and I mean big fish! Check out the Cutthroat Trout in the photo below. There other wonderful thing about fishing at the park is the incredible scenery and variety of wildlife you will likely encounter. All of which makes a trip to the park that much more fun.

In early Spring the water levels are a bit lower, but, the water level rapidly increases as the Snow run off starts to occur. Water levels in this particular gorge below riseramatically as the Snow melt speeds up.

To read another great article about Yellowstone National Park, visit the link below.

(http://myflyline.blogspot.com/2010/07/early-summer-in-yellowstone-national.html)

For more incredible Wyoming nature photos visit the link below.

(http://www.flylinesearchmarketing.com/Our_Company/Wyoming%20Photo%20Gallery/)

Flyline Search Marketing - Social Media Sites



Follow Mark Lein on Twitter, Friend Mark Lein on Facebook, Subscribe to Flyline Search Marketing Youtube Channel, Connect with Mark Lein on Linkedin, Follow Flyline Search Marketing on Twitter, Albuquerque Internet Marketing Blog, Fishing Earth Blog

Arkansas River - Colorado

Arkansas River

Canon City, Colorado

The Arkansas river flows from the Leadville, Colorado area, down through the San Isabel National Forest, past Canon City and Pueblo. There is some great fishing and excellent rafting one this stream. 

The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the mighty Mississippi River. Sporting the reputation of being the sixth longest river in the United States, the Arkansas is more than 1,400 miles long. The River is narrow and fast down to approximately Canon City. Once it reaches Canon City it begins to widen markedly and stays that way down through Pueblo.

There are a number of Fly Fishing shops located in towns along the river from Poncha Springs down through Pueblo. The river is perfect for wading and produces reasonably well from Spring through early Fall.

                               

        Near Canon City, Colorado                                            Headwaters Near Leadville, Colorado


There are plenty of areas around the Arkansas for day trip parking and also lots of overnight camping spots as well. The closer you get to Leadville, the prettier the scenery gets. Good luck and happy fishing.