fishing in east tennessee Archives - Y'all Visit the Smokies!

Riverwalk Park: Newport’s Scenic Escape Along the Pigeon River

October 24, 2025 Outdoor Adventures

Discover music, nature, and small-town charm in East Tennessee

If you’re looking for a relaxing place to unwind in downtown Newport, Tennessee, head to Riverwalk Park — a scenic green space that follows the gentle flow of the Pigeon River. This riverside gem is a favorite local spot for walking, fishing, picnicking, and simply taking in the beauty of the Smokies and East Tennessee.

Whether you’re planning a family outing, a peaceful solo stroll, or an evening of live music under the stars, Riverwalk Park is one of Newport’s can’t-miss attractions.

Rhythm on the River: Free Summer Concerts

During the summer months, the park comes alive with Rhythm on the River, a free outdoor concert series that brings live music and community spirit to the heart of downtown. From bluegrass and country to classic rock, each show features local and regional bands performing on the riverside stage.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy an evening surrounded by friendly faces, good music, and the cool breeze off the Pigeon River. It’s a true small-town Tennessee tradition and one of the best free things to do in Newport during summer.

Fish, Stroll, and Picnic by the River

Enjoy the simple pleasures of the outdoors at Riverwalk Park:

Cast a line for smallmouth bass or trout in the Pigeon River.
Take a peaceful walk along the paved Riverwalk Trail, spotting local wildlife and soaking in views of the Smoky Mountain foothills.
Pack a picnic and unwind at shaded tables or open grassy areas — a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Explore Downtown: Shops and Eats Nearby

Just a short stroll from Riverwalk Park, downtown Newport offers a mix of local shopping and dining.

Browse Fruit Jar Alley, a charming boutique known for its Southern-inspired fashion, home décor, and gifts.
Stop by Simpli Café or Snowbird Coffee for a refreshing drink or light bite.
End your day with a casual dinner at Neighborhood Beer House or Debbie’s Drive-In, local favorites that capture Newport’s fri

Plan Your Visit to Riverwalk Park in Newport, TN

With scenic river views, family-friendly fun, and live summer music, Riverwalk Park is a perfect example of what makes Newport, Tennessee such a welcoming destination. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or passing through on your Smoky Mountains adventure, take time to slow down, stroll the river, and experience the rhythm of this riverside town.

Plan your visit to Riverwalk Park today — where music, nature, and community meet along the Pigeon River.

Escape to Cosby Creek: A Fly Fishing Haven

December 1, 2024 Lodging, Outdoor Adventures, trip plans

If you enjoy fishing small streams away from the crowds of bustling towns and tourist spots, consider Cosby Creek in Cosby, Tennessee. Nestled in the north end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this cold-water stream is a peaceful destination for fly fishing enthusiasts seeking trout and smallmouth bass.

The mountain streams of East Tennessee are well-known among experienced anglers for their productive waters. Cosby Creek is no exception, offering shaded pools and quiet banks perfect for fishing. While the larger streams in the Smokies attract more visitors, Cosby Creek provides a serene alternative. It’s especially appealing for beginners, with accessible bank fishing opportunities and manageable terrain.

In the surrounding area, the streams of the Cherokee National Forest and the Smokies are known for consistent fishing success. Higher elevations in these regions often host rainbow trout, brown trout, and native brook trout, making them ideal for adventurous anglers.

Where to Stay
For those planning a multi-day fishing trip, Cosby Creek Cabins offers convenient lodging near the stream. If you’re visiting for just one day, consider staying in nearby Newport, where you’ll find several hotels and motels. After a day on the water, Newport’s downtown restaurants are perfect for a hearty dinner.

Fishing Licenses and Fees
Anglers aged 13 and older must have a valid fishing license from either Tennessee or North Carolina. For visitors, three-day trout licenses are available online or at local outdoor tackle shops and Walmart locations.

The Secret’s Getting Out — Cocke County’s A Winter Fishing Wonderland

November 16, 2023 Outdoor Adventures

It may be old news to some, but newcomers are learning all the time that Newport and the surrounding countryside is an angler’s paradise.

Most local anglers are well aware how good the fishing gets when the weather is warm. But even life-long natives might be surprised to learn that some catches don’t get really hot until the colder temps have driven most people off the water for the year.

November through March is a prime stretch of calendar to bounce jigs for arguably the best-tasting fish swimming in Tennessee Valley waters.“We are getting close to being in some of the best walleye and sauger fishing of the year,” Derek Kinsler, who runs Smoky Mountain Fishing Co. guide service, said as October drew to a close. “And that lasts all the way until April.”

Walleye and sauger are both prehistoric-looking members of the perch family, and are arguably more prized for their plump, delectable filets than any game fish lurking in the waters of North America.

Elusive and wily, walleye and sauger possess darkness-piercing vision that enables them to mercilessly hunt the cold, dark depths of moving and still waters alike. When Smoky Mountain bears start getting sleepy, these fearsome-toothed predators are wide awake and on the prowl all winter long.

Adding to the angling excitement during the season of shorter days is improved trout fishing. Falling water temperatures often stimulate trout feeding activity, and they also start venturing down into lower elevations, making it a choice time of year for fly-casting enthusiasts.

The waters in all directions surrounding the Cocke County seat are renowned for their catches — but what about Newport proper?

“Oh, Lord yeah! We catch a lot of big fish right through downtown Newport,” reveals Kinsler, a born-and-raised East Tennessee lunker hunter who keeps otherwise tight-lipped about the especially fishy places he slips in his boat.

Kinsler is based in Jefferson City and ventures with clients throughout the Volunteer State’s Appalachian mountains and valleys — using either traditional tackle or fly gear. He feels especially at home on the French Broad, Pigeon and Nolichucky Rivers, as well as Douglas Lake.

“We go all over the area,” he said. “I float water all the way from Del Rio to Cosby to Newport to Johnson City, Bristol and Knoxville.”

The vibrant Tennessee Valley guide industry not only plays a vital role in enhancing the experience of visiting anglers, these personal fishing scouts and trainers also nudge clients to sink some dollars in locally owned businesses, especially food and beverage and lodging establishments.

While Kinsler might not reveal his favorite places to put fish in the net, he freely communicates precise destination-coordinates to fellow fisher-folks (or anybody else) angling for a good meal in Cocke County.

Forget for a bit about casting flies or flipping baits and go fox hunting instead, he advises: try tracking down the Fox and Hound in Newport or Del Rio’s Fox Den, which serves “by far the best breakfast in East Tennessee,” Kinsler reports.

Kinsler also counsels hungry clients to take a growling stomach out to The Woodshed in Newport — and when in need of a bite in Bybee, he often gets reeled into CJ Papadops.

To book an unforgettable angling trip with Derek, visit www.smokymountainfishing.com or call 865-310-4076.

Complete your day of angling with a meal and at any of these restaurants.

Fox & Hound: https://www.foxhounds127.com/

The Fox Den: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Fox-Den-Restaurant/100063510372344/

The Woodshed: https://www.facebook.com/thewoodshedrest/

CJ Papadops: https://www.facebook.com/people/CJ-Papadops/100067500487140/