Smallmouths and Beauty at Fall Creek Falls State Park

I love to fish.  I would do it every day (except for deer season) if I could.  I don't own an expensive boat and rarely fish lakes.  I've never liked the idea of putting a worm on a hook and letting it just sit there hoping for a passing fish.  Thats just not active enough for me.  My perfect fishing spot consist of running water, arduous hiking, seclusion, rugged wild scenery, and staying on the move from spot to spot.  I want to get lost in the untamed outdoors and interact with it's wildlife.  To me, thats fishing.  You can have your costly boat and catch record fish.  I would much rather go where there is breathtaking beauty and smaller fish.  Well, I found my nirvana in the heart of Tennessee's Fall Creek Falls State Park.

 

The first time I learned of this state park was about two years ago.  I went their on a camping trip with some friends.  When I first saw Fall Creek waterfall, I was floored!  The water gushes out of Fall Creek and into an emerald pool some 120 feet below (as pictured above).  The surrounding cliffs form a kind of semi-circle around the falls and is covered in lush greenery.  I later found out that it is actually the tallest waterfall in the eastern United States.  I felt as if I was in some far away land but instead was only two hours from Nashville.

We hiked to the bottom of the falls, followed the creek for short distance until it fed into another creek,  then turned right and hiked that rivulet.  No trails, no one else around, and the gorge was stunning.  100 foot bluffs with radiant green laurel that shot out of the rock lined either side of the chasm.  Huge boulders were encompassed by quick white water that reverberated off the gorge walls.  The tremendous pines that burst forth from the ground produced a pleasant aroma.  I was loving it already.

As we moved on I noticed that there were some deeper holes that could potentially hold fish.  I got ahead of the pack and approached the next section of Cane Creek quietly and slowly.  My instinct proved to be right. I observed two smallmouth bass darting off under an outcropping rock.   That was all I needed to see and vowed to come back and fish the stream.

Well it wouldn't be until this spring that I finally got to fish Cane Creek.  My time was limited however and though I caught some fish, I wanted to come back when I could take my time and enjoy the entire section.  Well that day was August  5th, 2008.

This time, I called ahead just to make sure we were actually allowed to do this crazy excursion.  They assured me I could but added that they didn't think we would actually catch anything.  My opinion differed.  So I called up a good friend, grabbed some very light tackle, and set off on adventure.

After a steep hike down to the base of Fall Creek Falls, we followed Falls Creek until it dumps into Cane Creek.  Its there that we find the first fishable hole.  My artificial crawfish hits the water and there's an immediate splash.  My excitement prompted a premature jerk of my pole and the fish was missed.  My fishing partner follows my lead and misses one too.  After a few more cast the small hole is fished out.  Those little bastards got the best of us.

As we approach the next hole, I cast from a good distance away to try and remain unnoticed.  It pays off as I land the first fish.  It is about a six inch crappie.  My friend hasn't done a lot fishing in his life and is intrigued by the rainbow of colors on the crappie.  I admire him as well and then throw the fish back into those cool waters.  

Next cast my companion lands the first smallmouth bass of his life.  He is ecstatic.  I tell him he has to kiss his first fish and snap a pic as he does.  The fish is about seven inches in size.  Average for the area.  No records got broken that day but that is not why we are out there.

  

 

Next hole gave me a fishing first.  As my lure hits the clear water I see two fish converge from opposite sides.  I tug on the lure and catch what feels like a very heavy fish.  As I'm reeling in I realize that I have actually caught both fish!  This time I'm elated and want a picture.  My sidekick calls me lucky but I jokingly tell him its skill.

  

By this time the sizzling southern heat is getting to us and we decide that it's a good time for swim.  A large boulder delivered a 4 foot drop into a 6 foot deep pool of clean, cold water.  We both jumped a couple of times and then chilled to take in the surroundings.  Quiet, secluded, and breathtakingly beautiful.

We continued along catching quite a few fish but nothing of any real size.  I couldn't accept this and knew their had to be some bigger fish.  We eventually came upon a hole that looked perfect.  It was deep, about 8 feet, and had a good current.  I switched to a top water bait because the smallmouth and crappie seemed to hit the bait more when on top of the water than when it was being reeled in.  My comrade did the same and caught a fat 9 inch crappie on his first cast.  

Then finally it happened.  I gave the popper a twitch right below some white water and splash! He was hooked and I knew right away that he was far bigger than anythings else we had caught all day.  After a good fight I pulled a nice 13 inch, 1 pound smallmouth to shore.  I learned a lesson in that moment.  The deeper the hole the bigger the fish it can hold.  My chum and I discussed this very matter over lunch.

We soon there after came to the end of our journey.  It's finale was quite epic.  A 50 ft waterfall called Canes Creek Falls.  Water ushers in from all sides forming a deep, green pool of water.  This area is very popular in the park and the Nature center is located just above the falls.  We take another dip and goof off below the falls.  

We are about to go when I tell my friend that I have to make just a few more cast.  I do so around the edges of the pool but with no luck.  I'm just about to give up when whoosh! My lure gets hit hard atop the water.  I set the hook and engage in what becomes quite the tussle.  

My ally dashes over to see what the commotion is about.  He quickly sees that I have something big on from the bend in my ultra-light and darts to the shore to help me wrangle him in.  After what seemed like an eternity, the fish is within arms reach and my fishing chum gets ahold of his mouth and hoists my trophy up in the air.  This smallie is about 17 inches and weighs probably two pounds.  For this creek, he is truly a dandy.  We snap a pic, I kiss my prize, thank mother nature for her opportunity and a good friend for his help, then release the fish back to his familiar waters.  

Worn out, we retired back to our campsite.  That evening we sipped some whiskey, ate a hot meal, and slept under a million stars.  It was an extraordinary adventure and one I intend to repeat every year.

For more information about Fall Creek Falls State Park check out http://www.state.tn.us/enviroment/parks/FallCreekFalls/