In the backcountry, a map is a guide. You’re “here” and you want to be “there,” and the map helps make that transition possible.

On your living room table, a map is a completely different animal.


I’m killing a lot of time fantasizing over Ian Rutter’s GSMNP fishing map.

It’s not a guide as much as it is an icon of possibility; a window to what can be, if only you had the time, the weather and the legs.

In simplest terms, a map is hope in print form.

With careful planning and a cup of coffee, you can take upwards of a dozen fishing trips — without ever leaving your living room.

Return on Investment

A map offers an exceptional payback for the minimal time invested, and that’s ignoring the trip you actually take.

For the last week, I’ve been jumping between Ian & Charity Rutter’s map of the GSMNP and the stream descriptions in their Smoky Mountains Guide Book.

I’m having a hell of a lot of fun.

It’s blue-lining — but without the sweat, aching feet or 30 pound pack. Sure, it’s nothing like actually being there, but I’ll only get to do that once.

Those who see a map as nothing more than lines and directions might want to rent an imagination prior to planning their next trip, if only to see what they’ve been missing.

Fly Fishing Tennessee’s Backcountry

This year’s trip to Tennessee begins with a half day in the park with Rich Margiotta (the first half of the day will be spent getting a license, etc), followed by a drift trip with Ian and Rich on one of Tennessee’s tailwaters.

Next comes my 3.5-day backpacking trip in the Hazel Creek drainage — and there’s plenty to see and fish there — but Eagle Creek beckons too, though the six-mile one-way hike means an early start and late arrival back at camp.

It also means I’d miss some intriguing blue lines on Hazel Creek.

Decisions, Decisions…

After the backpack trip, I’ve got a half-day to get organized for the final two days of fishing.

I’ve never fished Abrams Creek, so I can’t catch the flight home until I fish what some have described as the crown jewel of the Smokies.

My final day of fishing could end up like the past two years; on the Little River above Elkmont.

In fact, the smaller, upstream version of the Little River could become a last-day tradition, but in this case, it means passing up the tiny, overgrown brookie stream I fished last year (and want to fish again this year).

Can I do that?

Ask me in a couple weeks.

Until then, I’m studying the map. Wonder where I’ll go tomorrow.

See you at the cartography desk, Tom Chandler.

[tags]fly fishing, map, blue lining, smokies, gsmnp, great smoky mountains national park, ian rutter, backpacking[/tags]

Posted in Backcountry, Writing.