The higher ranges of the Park are home to the Brookie. This brilliant fish is East Tennessee's only native trout and the locations in which to find them are amazing. Lower elevations of the Park hold Browns and Bows in large numbers as the rivers and tributaries work their way down to Townsend and the Little Pigeon River. Though the fish are small by most standards, with an average length of seven to twelve inches, these fish are difficult to fish if you are not used to fishing wild mountain waters. There are some anglers who will show up in the park fully dressed in camo and be prostrate at the river so as not to spook the fish. If you are going to catch a bunch of trout here in this part of East Tennessee, you had best bring your a game. Though, as stated, most of the fish are not large, fishing the lower sections of the park in the fall can bring some truly monstrous browns out of hiding.

The gear selection for the Park should be based on the skill level of the angler. A 6 foot 3 weight, all the way up to a 9 foot 5 weight can be used, but be mindful that there is zero development so trees and other foliage are right on the shoreline. A quick examination of the branches along the river and the mass of flies and spinners wrapped around branches should be a strong indication of just how much attention you need to pay to your cast.