Well, without seeing it I can only guess at some things.

1. have you tried a lighter at the pilot hood when you first push in on the pilot control knob to see if that works? (The pilot should be blue and strong, with no yellow tips) I say this because if it IS sparking, it could be that the electrode isnt in the correct position to properly ignite the gasses. Or your pilot supply line may not be tight at the bottom of the pilot assembly., causing a majority of the gas to come out below the pilot hood assembly. If it lights right up with a lighter at the pilot hood , then the ceramic ignitor just isnt throwing a long enough spark at the appropriate place on the pilot hood.

try that first, then we can troubleshoot more from there.

In my limited experience, gas fireplaces can be very temperamental. It depends on the kind you have. the diagnostics for a sealed direct vent system would differ from one that has an open chimney.

Having said that, sometimes you need to clear the gas line before lighting the pilot. That means holding the gas line open for about 60 seconds, then try to light the pilot. If it still does not go on, contact the gas company. That should be a free service call, to check to make sure the gas pressure is right.

If that does not work, maybe you should have a chimney guy look at it and give you an opinion.

Except... He said he smells gas. So no need to bleed it anymore. And direct vent, b vent, gas logs, whatever... It wouldn't matter. Gas ignition at the pilot, IS gas ignition at the pilot...And a "chimney guy" won't know where to find the gas valve, let alone the chimney half the time... Any questions, get a hold of me at my website inlandfireplace.com

James.