The Smoky Mountains are a beautiful and exciting place to visit any time of the year, but the beginning of fall is especially chock-full of great things to do. The air is cooling, the leaves are changing, and the water is chilly but invigorating. Bears, deer and other wildlife are active, making for fascinating sight-seeing. There is always plenty of food, music, arts and crafts, and at the end of September, the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament will be making its 12th annual splash into Gatlinburg. This is a wonderful opportunity for father and son or for the whole family to enjoy some friendly competition, or to just relax with a weekend of fishing.
The Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is open to all ages and talent levels, with divisions for adults, children, tourists and locals! Those wishing to participate can register by phone, mail, or online, and the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament website has all the information about rules, regulations and registration. Registration can also be completed at Smoky Mountain Angler on the East Parkway in Gatlinburg’s Winery Square.
This is the largest trout tournament in the Smoky Mountains, with over 10,000 trout stocked in over 20 miles of streams in the area! Prior to the September 24th-25th tournament, organizers will stock local streams with thousands of trout, from tiny to huge, so all participants will have a chance to get in on the fun. There will also be prizes for different categories, including:
- $500 for the largest trout
- $500 for the smallest trout
- Gift Certificates
- Trophies
- Restaurant and hotel vouchers
- Amusement park passes, and many more!
In all, there will be over $10,000 worth of cash and prizes available, so the tournament is sure to be fun and challenging for everyone involved. Even if you miss out on a prize, it will certainly be a weekend of excitement in the beautiful mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. So, grab your favorite pole and lure and head to the Great Smoky Mountains for a refreshing weekend getaway! While you’re here, or if you don’t feel like fishing, don’t forget your bike and your hiking shoes, so you can take advantage of the miles of beautiful trails that wind along next to the cool mountain streams. There is plenty here to do for everyone!