Few places exist where you can fish for trout with elk looking over your shoulder, and few western North Carolina streams contain more brook trout than rainbows or brown trout. Cataloochee Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is such a place.
Located in western Haywood County, Cataloochee Creek is in Cataloochee Valley, beginning at the junction of Palmer Creek and Caldwell Fork and flowing southeast and east for approximately 16 miles into Waterville Lake on the Pigeon River.
It is a mid-sized valley stream, with long still-water stretches interspersed with swift-water runs, ideal for fly-fishing. From the bridge near the campground to the bridge at the entrance to the group campground is the best fishing, the majority of it wadable. This section contains most the brook trout. Cataloochee brook trout are larger than brook trout in most park streams, averaging seven and eight inches, with an occasional brookie up to 10 inches. The rainbows are in the same size range.
Steve Moore, chief fishery biologist for the park, rates Cataloochee as one of the best native brook trout streams in the park. Brook trout outnumber rainbow trout almost two to one. Although one of the largest brown trout ever caught in the park came out of Cataloochee Creek (32½ inches, 15½ pounds), brown trout numbers have declined in recent years. Anglers who frequently fish Cataloochee say they rarely see browns of any size.
Elk were introduced in the valley in 2001 and thrive in the lush valley with its large, open grassy fields. The herd numbers around 60, and they have free run of the valley, even wandering into the campground, to the dismay of some campers and delight of others. Once native to the area, elk were extirpated in the late 1800s. The introduction of elk was one of the park’s more successful ventures in reintroducing native species. A red wolf reintroduction project in the Cades Cove area on the Tennessee side of the park was abandoned, mostly because of adverse public reaction. Elk, apparently, have a much better public image than wolves.
Best fishing seasons for Cataloochee and its tributaries are spring and fall. Terrestrials, particularly hoppers and inchworms, are very effective in late spring, early summer and early fall. Mayfly hatches are prolific in the spring.
October is one of the prime times to visit the area. Not only are the fish biting, but the bull elk are bugling. Summer fishing is less productive but can be rewarding with patience. Elevation in the park is 2,600 feet, and with heavy bank foliage, the stream stays cool even in the hottest weather.
Palmer Creek and Caldwell Fork, the two small streams that form Cataloochee Creek just above the campground, also offer good fishing. The fish, mostly rainbows, are small but plentiful. While Cataloochee gets moderate fishing pressure, Palmer Creek and Caldwell fork get light pressure because anglers had rather fish the big waters.
The campground is one of the most popular in the park, primarily because of the elk. It is small, 27 sites, and well laid-out, with most sites providing adequate privacy and tall poplars, maples and oaks providing ample shade for all sites. The campground has no electric our sewage outlets. Each site has a large tent-pad, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Fresh drinking water outlets are close to all sites. The campground has one comfort station with flush toilets.
Sites must be reserved; walk-ins are not available any time. Sites may be reserved by calling 877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov. If sites are available, they may be reserved the same day of the visit. The campground is open from mid-March through October. Sites are $20 per night.
The entrance road to Cataloochee Valley is not for the faint-hearted. It is a winding, narrow gravel road with steep drop-offs and no guardrails. Drivers may be required to stop or back their vehicles to allow oncoming motorists to pass. Horse trailer traffic also may be encountered on the road.
The most direct route into the valley is Cove Creek Rd. From I-40 west, take Exit 20, go left 0.2 miles on NC 276, turn right on Cove Creek Rd. and follow the signs to the valley, approximately 11 miles. The access road is paved except for the last three miles. The road in the valley is paved.
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