Troutfest-Townsend, Tennessee 2010

Well, once I again, work and fatigue hampered my ability to make it to Troutfest in Townsend, Tn (sponsored bu Little River Outfitters also in Townsend, Tn).  From what I have read via their message board, it was a huge success with famous fly fishermen and women tying flies and holding casting demonstrations etc, such as; Cassie Sulzby, Ray Ball, Sam Barbee, Bob Clouser and Joe Humphreys, among others.  It sounds like it was a ton of fun with old fashioned ice cream machines, canoes and kayaks on display, there was plenty to do, not to mention the surrounding area with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance a couple of miles down the road.  Townsend also offers many great lodges, hotels and cabins to rent as well as restaurants, a coffee shop, a nice grocery store and several craftsmen and women in the area.  There are wood carvers, painters, jewelery makers and instrument makers, just to name a few.  They also have a railroad museum that tells the tale of the railroad line that used to run into nearby park (before it was a park).  Many of those old lines, if not all, are now trails in the park, such as the trail above the Treemont Institute and Elkmont Campground for instance.  Next time you want to have a new fly fishing adventure and aren't sure where to go, head to Townsend and stop by Little River Outfitters.