BY DANNY BLEVINS

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Forest Gump was right when he said, “You just never know what you’re going to get,” especially when it comes to trout fishing in East Tennessee.

While many anglers have stowed away their wading boots, rods, and reels for the year, smart anglers know this is a prime time to catch large trout in some of the most remote trout streams in the mountains.

Streams that are usually fished heavily during the spring and summer months are often abandoned this time of year and the fish are usually hungry and ready to bite any offering that you naturally present to them.

Beaverdam Creek in Johnson County is one of these streams. The creek is one of the premier trout waters in East Tennessee and is located between Shady Valley in Johnson County and Damascus, Virginia.

The stream is considered a trophy trout water and has special rules which apply to much of it.

The headwaters of the creek and the section just above the Backbone Rock Recreation Area to the Virginia Stateline are stocked three months out of each year – from mid-March through mid-June – with around 5,600 rainbow trout.

These sections can be fished with natural baits, spinners, spoons, plugs or flies. Also, small brown trout fingerlings are stocked each year in the headwaters to supplement the already stable brown trout populations.

The “artificial only” section is clearly marked and is not stocked. It can be fished with artificial single hook lures, such as flies, spinners, and spoons. The limit in this area used to be three trout, but it was raised a few years ago to five trout per angler per day by the TWRA.

In the summer when the water warms, the fish hit all varieties of artificial lures and flies, but the winter is an excellent time for the bait anglers. Some of the bigger fish migrate into the bait section and can be a blast to catch.

If you have read any of this column, you know I have no problem catching and releasing fish and I also have no problem fishing for the table.

I love flipping a big chunk of nightcrawler to a big deep hole and waiting for a massive trout to take it. This is the most natural form of fishing and this time of year is the perfect time to fish in this manner on Beaverdam.

Start at the headwaters of the creek, just passed the old Shady Valley Elementary School. Since most of the headwaters are easily accessed, park along this section and start fishing.

Soon you will come to the mid-section of the creek and this area is clearly posted.  This special regulation section goes for just over six miles.

Then you will be in the bait section near Back Bone Rock. This is the fun part. Fish the creek below Back Bone Rock for the next several miles and you will probably hook a big one before the day is out.

What bait do you use? I asked a fisherman of that area that question and he said “Genuine Tobacco Depot 12 pack of nightcrawlers”.

Nightcrawlers and red worms seem to do the trick this time of year especially on the bigger fish. Save the Powerbait, salmon eggs, and corn for another day.

Fish on days that are a little warmer than usual and a little sunny and don’t forget to dress warmly. It does get a little cool on the high mountain stream.

For more information about this creek and its regulations, pick up a copy of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Fishing Guide or go to TWRA.GOV.

Looking for an adventure in trout fishing in the dead of winter?

Try Beaver Dam Creek. You will catch plenty of fish and maybe even one to brag about!