Little Pigeon River (Middle Prong) Map
Little Pigeon River (Middle Prong) Description
The Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River (aka Greenbrier Creek) lies in the Northwest section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Greenbrier Cove. The name "Greenbrier" is a tribute to the thorny vines of the Smilax genus that line its' banks. The Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River flows to meet the better known West Prong at Sevierville and continues to flow northward, along State Route 66, until its confluence with the French Broad River near the Douglas Dam.
Due to the rough terrain, the Greenbrier is a rough, tumbling and fast moving stream prone to many flash floods that sometimes wash away the insects as well as the redds, making it an unpredictable trout stream. This feature as well as the obscure sign on Highway 321 (Tennessee Highway 73) pointing to the Greenbrier Road may account for the reduced angling pressure. The sign is located 6 miles from Gatlinburg where the Greenbrier flows under the highway.
All three species of trout exist in the Greenbrier with a small population of browns in the lower reaches giving way to mixed browns and rainbows at higher elevations; and with bookies (locally known as “specks”) being more prevalent in the headwater streams.
Little Pigeon River (Middle Prong) Access
From I 40, take the exit for The Foothills Parkway, and continue to Cosby, then take a left. After going a couple of miles, turn right onto Highway 321 and proceed to within 6 miles of Gatlinburg where the Greenbrier crosses Highway 321. Then turn left onto Greenbrier Road.
From Gatlinburg, take Highway 321 East toward Cosby Tennessee for about six miles. Watch for a sign indicating Greenbrier Road to the right and turn right onto Greenbrier Road. Note: If you have crossed over Greenbrier River on Highway 321, you have gone too far.
Greenbrier Road is paved for one mile and then proceeds another two and one half miles as a gravel road, providing access to the stream with several pull over parking areas. The Ramsay Cascades Trail will provide access for approximately another 2 miles to the confluence of Ramsay Prong.
For turn-by-turn directions click on the blue icon on the Google map above.
Little Pigeon River Fly Fishing Report
Little Pigeon River Fly Fishing Report (sponsored by Orvis)
Plan a Fly Fishing Trip
Looking for a local fly shop, fly fishing guide or outfitter? Looking for restaurants, lodging or the nearest airport? Give our fly fishing trip planner a try. Enter “Greenbrier Cove, TN” in the Google search box (lower left-hand corner) to center the map on the Little Pigeon River area and then use the Google search box to find what you are looking for. Watch our demo video to learn more about how to use the Fly Fishing Reporter Trip Planner.
Acknowledgments
Additional information about fly fishing Little Pigeon River is available at Trout U who contributed in large part to the Little Pigeon River Fly Fishing Guide - thanks Jerry!
Photo by Brian Stansberry distributed under GNU Free Documentation License