of the stream inside the park is
visited by a lot of people,
fishing can still be rather good
at times
headline species in Deep
Creek – brown trout are.
are plentiful in Deep Creek. Not
very far upstream, brook trout
begin to show up.
above image is low. The image
below shows a more normal
stream level.
Description:
Deep Creek is a relatively large stream located at Bryson City, North Carolina. The stream flows from the park and immediately through Bryson City where it enters the Tuckaseegee River. Deep Creek is one of the better brown trout streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Stream Size:
Compared to other streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Deep Creek is a large stream.
Accessibility:
The first couple of miles of stream inside the park is very accessible. Deep Creek Campground is located just inside the park. From the campground you can follow the Deep Creek Road Trail for just over two miles. From there upstream, you can only access the stream from the Deep Creek Trail. The trail runs alongside the stream off and on for the first two to three miles upstream from the campground. There are eight backcountry campsites along this stream.
Species:
Brown and Rainbow trout are both present in the lower portions of Deep Creek and brook trout in the uppermost portions.
Average Fish Size:
The average size of the trout in Deep Creek and its tributary streams is as large as any in the park. Since the stream has a lot of brown trout, the average size is probably larger than most streams in the smokies.
Popularity:
The lower portion of Deep Creek, the first two miles, is a very popular place for tubers, especially during the warmer months of the year. The first few miles or so upstream from the Deep Creek Trailhead is also very popular. The upper parts of the stream is popular with those that like to camp and fish but is difficult to fish within a day.
Difficulty:
The main feature of Deep Creek, its large brown trout, are difficult to catch as always. The lower sections of the stream is generally more difficult to fish than the uppermost parts. The trout in the uppermost parts and tributary streams are usually easier to catch than those in the lower part of the stream.
Tributary Streams:
Deep Creek has several tributary streams.
Indian Creek:
Indian Creek is a small tributary that enters Deep Creek just over a mile upstream of the campground. It’s accessed from the Indian Creek Trail for the first four miles upstream of its confluence with Deep Creek. The stream has mostly rainbow trout.
Pole Road Creek:
Pole Road Creek is a small tributary stream that is located seven miles upstream of the campground near campground #55. Rainbows are the main species in the stream. It can be accessed from the Pole Road Trail.
Left Fork of Deep Creek:
The Left Fork of Deep Creek is a medium size tributary stream that supplies the main flow of Deep Creek with much of its water. Both brown and rainbows are present in the lower portions of the stream. Brook trout are present in its upper reaches. Campsite #55 is near its confluence with Deep Creek. The left fork has two main tributaries. It’s located just over seven miles upstream of the campground. The stream has no formal trail that follows it.
Rocky Fork:
Rocky Fork is a small tributary stream with brown and rainbow trout. Rocky Fork is accessible from highway #441 via the Deep Creek Trail.
Sahlee Creek:
Sahlee Creek is one of the uppermost tributaries of Deep Creek. It’s accessible from highway #441 which requires about a two mile hike.
Comments:
This is one of the better brown trout streams in the park. Although the lower couple of miles of stream inside the park can be good, we recommend spending some time hiking upstream.
Copyright 2011 James Marsh
