August 8, 2024
Gone Fishing…Just for the “Halibut”!
What does halibut fishing have to do with the Buckhorn Inn? Well, guests often ask us where innkeepers go and what they do on vacation. This summer, Jack and I headed to Homer, Alaska for our first halibut fishing adventure. Alaska is renowned for halibut fishing, with a rich population of the fish in the Cook Inlet.
Our Fishing Adventure
We booked a charter http://North country charters.com, obtained our fishing licenses and off we went! It was a calm, sunny day when we left the dock shortly after 6:30 am. We went out about two hours and saw otters, puffins, and other wild life. When we reached the fishing area, our captain baited our hooks with herring which were larger than any fish I had ever previously caught!
When I got a solid bite, the captain urged me to “Reel, reel, reel!” I reeled for all I was worth! The fish was about 200 feet down and I was reeling in a flat fish with a lot of drag plus the three-pound weight. After awhile the captain steadied my pole so that I could reel with two hands. I felt a bit like The Old (Wo)Man and the Sea! When I finally landed my fish, the captain estimated its weight at 40 lbs. That was a keeper! Jack brought in a 58 lb halibut and we both caught our limit plus some cod.
Our captain recommended a place on the spit to process our fish. They picked it up right from the boat, cut and packaged it, froze it, and shipped it home to us. We now have a freezer full of delicious fish! I have been preparing it in several ways. So far the simplest preparation has turned out to be Jack’s favorite. I hope you enjoy it!
Landing a 40-lb halibut is quite the workout!
Herb-Baked Halibut
3/4 cup panko crumbs
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 6-oz halibut fillets
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the bread crumbs, herbs, oil, and seasonings in a bowl. Rinse fish fillets and pat dry. Place fish on the baking sheet. Spoon the crumb mixture over the fish and lightly press down. Then bake until the topping is lightly browned, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges. Make 4 servings.
April 1, 2019
GSMNP Protects One of Last U.S. Wild Trout Habitats
Did you know that 20% of the 2,900 miles of streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are large enough to support trout populations? The Park offers a variety of fishing experiences, from going after trout in remote, headwater streams to angling for smallmouth bass in large, coolwater streams. Most of these streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish, according to the Park. Therefore, you have a great opportunity to catch these beauties throughout the year!
The Park permits fishing year-round, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset in all streams. Tennessee residents and nonresidents age 13 and older must have a valid fishing license. The daily possession limits are five brook, rainbow, or brown trout or smallmouth bass. Twenty rock bass may be kept in addition to the above limit. Fishermen may use only artificial flies or lures and a single hand-held rod. Additional information is available from the park at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fishing.htm To trout fish in Gatlinburg, you must purchase a special license. The city does not allow fishing on Thursdays.
Fishing is plentiful in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There are 67 different species of fish in the park. Brooks are the only trout native to the Smokies, although rainbows and browns have been introduced and are found in most large streams. Long-term monitoring indicates that fishermen play practically no role in the fish population changes. Major spring floods and summer droughts have much more effect both inside, and outside, the park.
Local Trout Fishing Guides Available
Local outfitters provide everything from rods and reels to professional guides. These local experts can offer tips and insights for any skill level. They know on what the fish are biting on any given day! Spending a day with a local guide can speed up the learning curve. You can research guides on your own, or ask advice from a local fishing shop.
If you are new to fishing, many experts recommend the East Prong and the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. Both areas are easily accessible and offer medium to large fish.
And if fishing is not your thing, just watch our online menu and make a reservation for trout night at Buckhorn Inn!
June 4, 2018
Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Many of our guests are fishing enthusiasts. They find the Buckhorn Inn makes a great base of operations for spending the day on the water and returning home to pampered comfort. Reports are that the fishing is good this spring. Today we welcome guest blogger, CJ Stancil, to give us the latest.
This time of year is a beautiful time to fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not only are the trout biting but the scenery is amazing. The Park has abundant species of wild flowers and plant life that are just now coming into peak. Wildlife that call the Smokies home in its half-million acre wilderness are black bear, whitetail deer, turkey and elk.
Area Known for Good Fishing
The Park has nearly 800 miles of fishable waters that hold trout. Wild brown trout, rainbow trout, and native brook trout are the species you will find here.
The Park has more than 800 miles of fishable water.
The trout here make the Great Smoky Mountains National Park one of the country’s most popular fishing destinations. Even a beginner can expect to catch these wild trout. Heavy rain has made the waters rise recently but the forecast is looking better. Cooler temperatures and sunny weather should last most of the week. Dry flies are getting a lot of action. Try running a dry dropper setup. If the water is high and stained, throw an indicator rig. Work combinations like a pheasant tail, pats rubber let, or a squirmy worm. Make sure you are getting the flies down deep and fast. Good luck and tight lines! CJ Stancil
Many of our guests have fished with CJ and report a great experience. You may contact him to book a trip through the Smoky Mountain Angler http://www.smokymountainangler.com or by email [email protected]. CJ also has offered his phone number 931-801-4204. To see some photos of beautiful trout, be sure to follow him on Instagram at @dancewithtrout.
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