Brook trout are the only native trout species in the Smokies but were wiped out from much of their range due to the logging practices of the late 1800's through the 1930's. The exceptionally steep nature of the terrain made the logging extra destructive because it displaced so much soil that eventually washed into streams, making them uninhabitable for trout. There were still brook trout in many small tributaries but rainbow trout were brought in from California to speed the recovery of trout in