Warmth of the sun on your skin, refreshing cool waters mere feet away, and shimmering rainbow trout swimming all about…yep, spring in the Smokies just wouldn’t be complete without the biannual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament! Pack your best tackle, reserve a riverfront cabin, and head to the Little Pigeon River for fishing fun April 6-7 (2019) in Pigeon Forge, TN. As the largest fishing competition in the Smokies, you’re sure to have a blast with family and friends! Not to mention, there are tons of prizes, including commemorative trophies, brand-new fishing gear, and 2 chances to win a whopping $500! Whether you participate for pure fun, all the prizes, or sheer glory, this family-friendly fishing tourney won’t disappoint.
The Need-to-know
When and where comes top of the list when planning to attend an event, so let’s get into it! The 2019 Spring Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament will be held over the course of 2 days, April 6-7. Competition times are pretty important, so pay close attention.
Begin your trout-fishing excursion 30 minutes before sunrise (around 7:00 a.m.) each day. On Saturday, April 6, the first competition day will wrap up at 4:00 p.m. And on Sunday, April 7, the tourney will come to an end at 2:00 p.m. Fair warning: all fish must be submitted to the weigh-in station at Patriot Park (by traffic light #7 in Pigeon Forge) before the end times each day. Be sure to plan accordingly depending on how far out you venture to fish.
Oh, but don’t venture too far! Every fishing tournament has boundaries after all, and the Smoky Mountain Trout Tourney is no exception. Just before the event, 10,000+ trout will be released into streams ranging over 20 miles — all the more reason to heed the competition parameters. Stay along the West Prong Little Pigeon River and its tributaries (Roaring Fork, LeConte Creek, and Dudley Creek), and fish between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary in Gatlinburg (South) and the Sevierville City Park bridge downstream (North).
The Prizes!
Reel in a big one and a grand prize at the 2019 Spring Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament — boasting over $10,000 in cash and prizes! Each weigh-in will host random drawings, and competition winners will be announced on Sunday as they are determined based on the weight totals from both tournament days. Top prize is $500 to the largest and the smallest rainbow trout caught. Good luck!
What YOU could win:
- $500 (2 chances to win!)
- Trophies
- Amusement Passes
- Fishing Equipment
- Accommodations
- Gift Certificates
The Nitty Gritty
Alright, you can’t enter a competitive tournament without knowing the rules and the regs…if you want to win. The same goes for the 2019 Spring Smoky Mountain Trout Tourney!
- Use 1 handheld rod with a single hook — choose wisely.
- Up to 5 fish may be caught and kept, with rainbow trout as your targets.
- Take good care of your fishy friends as they must have red gills and clear eyes when judged.
- The tiniest catch must be at least 7 inches.
- Fishing on the Friday before the event is not allowed…you don’t want to be disqualified before the tourney even begins!
- Participants must cast their lines with fellow participants only.
- Gatlinburg and state regulations will be adhered to.
- All participants are subject to a polygraph test (yes, it’s that serious).
- If you want to be a winner, you must be present at the weigh-ins.
- Tourney officials reserve the right to disqualify participants at their discretion.
Registration
Secure your spot and register early with Rocky Top Outfitters online, by phone, or in person at The Smoky Mountain Angler.
469 Brookside Village Way
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Late Registration
If you’re running late to the party, register in person (cash only) on Friday, April 5, between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. at Riverside Motor Lodge.
3575 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Any unanswered questions? Email the trout tourney team at [email protected] or give them a call at 865-661-FISH (3474)!
River Cabins for YOU
Get in some good practice a few days (but not Friday!) before the trout tourney with a cabin stay on the river! Cabins for YOU has the ideal riverfront rental you seek — with bonus amenities to boot! Set out your fishing gear on the water’s edge, shoot pool between catches, play with your pooch in the yard, whip up homemade meals in the fully equipped kitchen, soak in the bubbly hot tub, and top off evenings with films on the big screen TV. Prepare early and reserve your preferred riverfront cabin online or over the phone (1.800.684.7865) before another trout tourney participant books it for the competition.
Book your river cabin stay today and prepare to reel in rainbows while competing in the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament this spring in Pigeon Forge, TN!