Benton MacKaye Trail Assn.

Benton MacKaye
Trail Assn.

Fish the BMT

"...leaving a footpath for generations to follow."

This fishy page gives some general information provided by fisherpeople along the BMT.
(Use at your own risk -- it might be a fish story!)

Jack's River, mile 75.8
The catch: Rainbow Trout, a few Redeye Bass
Comments: Fish population appears to have been severely impacted by the Fall 2004 flood.
West Fork Rough Creek, miles 85.5 - 87.3
The catch: Wild Rainbow Trout, small
Comments: In dry season, stream is small and difficult to fish.
Big Lost Creek, miles 104.8 - 108.1
The catch: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass and Chubs
Comments: Easy and pleasant to fish.
Hiwassee River, miles 109.8 - 119.6
The catch: Redbreast, Bluegill, Smallmouth, Largemouth, Trout, and Chubs
Comments: One of the foremost tailwater trout streams in the Southeast. In drought, though, water quality above the powerhouse is degraded.
Kirkland Creek, mile 136.6 (on side trail)
The catch: minimal due to silt
Comments: Though high in the mountains, stream was heavily silted. Access by way of Kirkland Creek Trail (going out of Sandy Gap) is nearly impossible. There is no trail.
Bald River, mile 145.9
The catch: minimal due to silt
Comments: Same conditions as Kirkland Creek (noted below the confluence, not at the Bald River crossing)
Sycamore Creek, miles 150.8 - 152
The catch: Rainbow Trout in lower reaches, Brook Trout near headwaters
Comments: A very clean stream; full of life.
Slickrock Creek, mile 179.2
The catch: Brown trout, some quite large by small stream standards
Comments: Hard to get them on the line due to crystal clear waters.

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