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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:22 am, the temperature outside is 68.4 degrees.

Today will be warm. There is low chance for showers and thunderstorms today. Rain chances are fairly high tomorrow, through the weekend and beyond, every day. It will be cooler Thursday and through the weekend.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

Little River is flowing at 496 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.64 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 115 cfs. The water temperature is 64.2 degrees this morning. Rain fell in the Little River watershed yesterday afternoon, slowing the receding trend.

Other streams in the Park are flowing higher than normal, including Little Pigeon, Oconaluftee and Cataloochee Creek. All streams are swift, and care should be taken when wading. These stream flows are more typical of Spring.
     
Some anglers enjoy these higher flows. Others prefer lower water. I like both.

I would fish a small stream, such as, East Prong of Little River above Elkmont, Lynn Camp prong or West Prong of Little River. You may do well for larger brown trout on the big rivers. Typical low August flows tend to keep the browns hidden. They are “spooky” when the streams are low. They are more likely to be out in the rivers, feeding during the day, when the streams are flowing higher.  

The higher flows offer good nymph fishing opportunities. Try Green or Pink Weenies, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph or other reasonable nymph patterns. If you prefer dry fly fishing, try a Yellow Neversink Caddis, Yellow Stimulator, Parachute Adams, or a black foam beetle. Other flies will work. More important than fly choice is presentation, or getting a good drift.

Douglas, Norris and Cherokee Lakes are at full Summer pool. Other lakes probably are too. I didn’t check them all this morning. Lake fishing will be good for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, carp and bluegill. If you prefer floating fly lines, like I do, you will be fly fishing in fairly shallow water. Cloudy days are better. Or, go early or late. Poppers and streamers will work for you. I would use BoogleBug poppers, Knuckleheads or Stealth Bombers on top. Fishing sub-surface, I would use a Puglisi Threadfin Shad or a large Black Wooly Bugger for bass and larger gamefish. Small poppers or Dragons will work for bluegill and shellcrackers.

The lowland rivers are flowing much higher than normal. Fishing is good. Fish the shaded areas unless there is cloud cover. Be careful wading. Some currents are strong. I would use poppers or streamers. Cast to the shaded banks or runs. You may find smallmouth bass or rock bass in the riffles, now that the streams are flowing high.

A man who was swimming at Perry’s Mill on Little River yesterday, came close to drowning. He was found hanging onto lip of the dam. Rescuers were able to save him. One rescuer was swept over the dam, but was plucked from the water below. You can read the story on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.

Another man was stepping from one cabin cruiser to another, that were tethered, fell into Chickamauga Lake and did not re-surface.

That story and more I have read this year, reinforces my decision to always wear a self inflating life vest on the dock or in our boat, from now on. Paula is going to do the same thing. I will also encourage anyone fishing in our boat to wear one.

Fly tyers should come by the shop and see our newly organized fly tying department. The department is well stocked, and re-stocked every week. Everyone in the shop is working as a team to make this happen. A man from North Carolina told me yesterday, “This is the best fly tying department I have ever seen”. That made me feel good. I have been working on it for a month.

We have been writing this fishing report daily, for over 10 years. By daily, I mean every day except four holidays. You can tell I start early. And, I never dread doing it. It’s a great way for me to start my day. I really appreciate your encouragement and the fact that many people read this report. Most readers are in America with a few exceptions. The majority of readers live in the East United States. Thank you.  

I will be working at home today and be off tomorrow and Tuesday. Daniel will be writing the fishing report both days.

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

Byron Begley
August 5, 2018

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com