Keep in mind that you still must have a city of Gatlinburg permit in addition to regular state licenses. Also, fishing is closed every Thursday year 'round. The best news is that there are three or four stream sections in the Gatlinburg area that are designated as children-only streams. They may be only fished by children age 12 and under.

A Gatlinburg fishing permit is $2.50 per day or $6.50 for a three-day permit. For more information on fishing in the Gatlinburg area, contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce toll free at (800) 568-4748.

THE STATE PARK OPTION
Tennessee has 54 state parks that offer a wide array of outstanding recreational opportunities, and yes, most have fishing for the entire family. We don't have space to hit on them all, but there are two -- one in Middle Tennessee and one in East Tennessee -- that have some associated fishing worth the drive. You can research all of Tennessee's state parks on the official state Web site at State.Tn.us/environment/parks/.

Here are some details on a select few, however:

Fall Creek Falls -- Middle Tennessee
If you're going on a family vacation that features fishing, you might as well have options. Fall Creek Falls State Park features 20 two-bedroom cabins that can sleep eight, and 10 three-bedroom villas, which can sleep 10. All cabins are fully furnished, have central heat/air and are fully equipped for housekeeping with linens, cooking and serving utensils, telephone, cable TV with VCRs provided. Each has either a wood-burning fireplace (with firewood provided during the months of October through May) or gas logs.

Here's where it gets very interesting. The 10 fishermen cabins are two-story cabins located directly on Fall Creek Lake. The 350-acre lake has reportedly yielded state-record bluegills and channel catfish. Also, fishermen cabin guests enjoy outdoor cooking, sunbathing, and fishing from their private porches situated out over the lake. There are also 10 landside cabins located on a hill overlooking the lake, each complete with patio, picnic table and a grill for cooking and dining outdoors. One landside cabin is accessible to persons with disabilities.

No privately owned boats are allowed on the lake, but pedal boats, canoes and aluminum fishing boats may be rented through the park office. Trolling motors are no longer available for rent, so you'll have to bring your own trolling motor and battery.

For those not used to roughing it so to speak, Fall Creek Falls Inn and Restaurant are both situated on scenic Fall Creek Lake. The inn is popular for its comfortable family vacation accommodations. There are 144 rooms featuring both single and double accommodations, as well as a large suite with kitchenette. Most rooms open onto a private patio or balcony overlooking the lake, and each has a phone and color cable TV. The inn also features an outside swimming pool, game room and fitness room.

Fall Creek Falls does have 12 picnic areas scattered throughout the park with individual picnic tables. Grills are provided and water spigots are located nearby. Backcountry camping is allowed, and there are three backcountry campsites (a permit is required). The backcountry also includes some hiking trails for breaks in between fishing outings. Horseback riding can also be enjoyed on two miles of trails.

The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.

Davy Crockett Birthplace -- East Tennessee
Davy Crockett's Birthplace has been preserved by the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as a historic site within the state park system. The site consists of 105 partially wooded acres of land along the Nolichucky River in Greene County. The key as far as we're concerned at this moment is that it's alongside the Nolichucky River.