What a Summer! We updated our fly pages with new patterns in several categories and we have had the opportunity to test many of these flies.. Be sure to look at the new patterns that we have placed on our new Wet Flies Page, as well as lots of new selections on the Tailwaters Fly Page. Wet flies and Softhackles were the method that I first learned to fish by, many years ago. It is now making a comeback and I look forward to taking new students out to teach  the methods that were so productive in my youth. Be the first to get enrolled in this new class. We still have many people who are trying our Advanced Nymphing class and learning the use of the tandem rigged nymph setup. The Smoky Mountain Blackbird Softhackle is still the most productive fly in the Park. We look to it again this year to lead us in the best fish catches to be seen in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you're thinking of a guided trip this year, be sure to get in touch with us real soon to reserve a date on the stream for one of our special classes.  We anticipate a great season this year and we invite you to come and share it with us. To contact us to reserve a day for one of these classes, just click here.

   Hugh and Carolyn Hartsell

Smoky Mountain Guide Service is  licensed by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for professional guided trips for fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains Premier streams and tailwaters of East Tennessee.   Two of the most popular Smoky Mountain streams are Little River and Abrams Creek.   Some of our popular Tennessee  tailwater  destinations are the Clinch River, South Holston River, the Wautauga River and the Holston River below Cherokee Dam.  We also offer guided trips for smallmouth bass fishing on the Nolichucky River and the French Broad River. 
                    
                                                                                                                                        

We at Smoky Mountain Guide Service have permits to guide in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and we offer 54 years of experience to the fly fishing community that is second to none.  You will receive instructions at streamside as well as constant attention and supervision while in the stream.  We will cover all of the essential needs to prepare you to have an excellent day on the water.  We specialize in fly casting classes, reading water, and identifying the types of insects that are hatching on the stream.  We have for many years practiced Catch and Release.                                                

We not only fish the bigger lower altitude streams, but you will find us searching out the backcountry for special places that are home to truly large fish that rarely see humans.  Also in the backcountry setting are found the beautiful little Brook Trout.  Our finest trips are into these backcountry locations.  The backcountry locations are listed at the bottom of the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

We can provide you with certain equipment, and we also include the flies for the day's trip.  We go to great lengths to show each client how to identify insects on the stream and how to match flies to that insect.  We will provide snacks and cold drinks on our half day trips.  The long distance full day trips will require backpacks which call for sandwiches and a drink.  We ask that you provide us with information as to your dietary preferences, dislikes and needs.  Please let us know of any medical conditions or special needs, so that we may accommodate you to the best of our ability.

The setting of the backcountry streams in the Smoky Mountains or a long float down one of our beautiful tailwater rivers will be an experience to last for a lifetime.  Our float trips are given using the three seated Drift Boat.  These boats are designed for comfort and safety.  We are CPR certified and First Aid qualified and Carolyn is also a registered nurse.                                                                                                                           

We require a deposit of 50% to reserve a date.  Trips are booked on a first come first serve basis.

 Cancellation Policy: 

Deposit is not refundable. You may  reschedule or move your dates if the dates are available.  Trips may be rescheduled by the guide service due to bad weather conditions.  Every effort will be made to accommodate you and see that your day on the water is as pleasurable and safe as possible.

Back Country Daytrips

Premier back country daytrips are our finest fly fishing trips to secluded areas of the Smokies.  These trips can range from six to fourteen miles in distance and are designed for the more experienced anglers who are in good physical condition.  They can go into the very finest rainbow and brown trout country where the opportunity to catch very large trout exists.  These trips may also go into the fartherest reaches of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where only the beautiful little Brookie lives.  All of these trips will have a sandwich and drink provided as lunch.  Any person going on these trips should take rain gear and possibly a pair of comfortable hiking shoes with a pack to carry fishing boots in.  These trips will tax even the younger fishermen, and a full day from daylight until dark is usually required.  These trips are designed for the most experience seeking angler.  Some of these trips may be rescheduled if weather is a concern.

A partial list of destinations that we offer to the angler seeking the wildest and most remote types
of fishing are as follows:

Abrams Creek:  The Big Horseshoe
Abrams Creek:  The Little Horseshoe
Abrams Creek:  Below Abrams Falls
Abrams Creek:  Little Bottoms                                                                              
Abrams Creek:  Rabbit Creek and beyond
Little River: Upper Little River Trail
Little River:  Fish Camp Prong
Little River:  Rough Creek
Bradley Fork:  Cabin Flats and Chasteen Creek
Raven Fork:
Deep Creek:  All of the waters beyond Indian Creek which include; Indian Creek, Pole Road Creek, Rocky Fork and Left Fork:  excluding Sahlee Creek which is listed in the Closed and Excluded Waters area of the Smoky Mountains.
Noland Creek:                      
Forney Creek:
Hazel Creek:
                                             Special Rates For These Trips Are $295.00 For Each Person Daily