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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:12 am, the temperature outside is 64.9 degrees. It is raining. The Knoxville Airport reports .79” of rain fell during the past 24 hours. A personal weather station near our home reports .70” during the period.

There is a good chance for rain later today, tomorrow and Monday. Heavy rain is not predicted. The rain will be in the form of scattered thunderstorms. We may see sunshine at times today. Expect high temperatures in the low 80’s through the weekend.

Little River is flowing at 156 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.80 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 211 cfs. The water temperature is 64.6 degrees this morning.

Stream flows, at least in Little River are good this morning. Fishing should be fine, unless a stray thunderstorm drops a lot of water into the river you are fishing. If that happens, move to another stream.

Dry flies are working well. Anglers are catching trout on Light Cahill or Sulphur patterns and Yellow Sally Stonefly imitations. I would use a #16 Neversink Caddis and probably do well. If you decide to fish below the surface, try either Green or Pink Weenies. A Bead Head Pheasant Tail is another good choice.

Smallmouth bass are actively feeding in the lowland rivers and on the lakes. I would use poppers, a Knucklehead, Stealth Bomber, a weighted black Wooly Bugger or a Puglisi Threadfin Shad.

Bluegill and shellcracker fishing is good. They will take poppers on shaded banks and Rubber Legged Dragons fished deep and slow. If it is overcast, you will do well, all day.

Largemouth bass fishing is good in the lakes. Again, if it is cloudy, they will take top water offerings. If it is not cloudy, fish the shaded banks if you can find them.

Try the trout tailwaters. The Clinch and Holston have been fishing well. Check the TVA generation schedules before going.

May is always a great fly fishing month in East Tennessee. Barring heavy rain or excessive generation on the tailwaters, you can usually find excellent fly fishing somewhere.

The rain has ceased for now. It is time to go fishing. Take a rain jacket. There could be more.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
May 19, 2018

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com 

We have an Aquatic Entomology Class scheduled. It is going to be held on Saturday June 16. The price is just $100 for this all day class. Space is limited so give us a call to get your name on the roster. 865-448-9459. Learn more by CLICKING HERE.