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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:21 am, the temperature outside is 66.9 degrees.

Thunderstorms are likely this afternoon and tonight. According to the National Weather Service, “Some of these storms could be strong with the main concern being localized heavy rainfall and flooding, and strong gusty winds, frequent lightning and small hail”. The chance for thunderstorms is lower tomorrow, Sunday and Monday.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

It rained at some locations in the foothills yesterday. The Knoxville Airport reported .56 inches. We only got .11 inches in Townsend. Rainfall in the Park raised some of the streams quickly, though they have receded to a lower level now. The Little Pigeon was not affected, but Little River, Oconaluftee River and Cataloochee Creek were.

Little River is flowing at 124 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.70 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 84 cfs. The water temperature is 69.8 degrees.

Today, watch for quickly rising water. If the water becomes stained, rain fell upstream and the water may be rising. If you see that, get out of the stream or at least, close to a bank, should you need to exit.

Also, the streams are warm in the low elevations. Give the trout a break by fishing in the higher elevations where the water temperature does not exceed 65 degrees. If you find the stream you are fishing reaches that point, move further upstream or drive to another higher elevation stream to fish. If you catch and release a trout in warm water, it may die. Dissolved oxygen content is low when the water temperature is above 65 degrees.

Dry flies or nymphs will work. Try terrestrial patterns, like foam beetles or ant patterns. Yellow dry flies that mimic the small stoneflies are a good option. Of course, it is hard to beat a Yellow Stimulator or Parachute Adams. Green Weenies are a good choice for sub-surface fishing. Bead head nymphs, including Pheasant Tail, Prince or Hare’s Ear will work too.

Though most streams are flowing at above normal flow, they are still low. The trout will be hiding in broken water or near cover. Dress to blend with the forest. Try not to wade much. Keep a low profile if you can. Don’t cast a shadow over the water you are fishing.

Pick a tailwater and fish for trout or smallmouth bass.

You may want to try fishing a lake today, especially if it is overcast. It will probably be sunny at times today, and cloudy at other times. Go early or late when the sun is off the water. Hope for clouds through the midday hours. Watch out for those thunderstorms!

Townsend will be busy this weekend. Everyone who lives and works here know, there will be a lot of visitors staying at the campgrounds, motels, lodges and rental cabins. The restaurants and stores will be busy. You will see lot more traffic in town and in the Park.

After this weekend, things will slow down a bit until cooler weather arrives.  That is not far off, maybe two weeks away. Then, the leaves change to Fall colors in October. The visitors will be back in huge numbers.

Fly fishing anglers are waiting for cooler days, as we transition to Fall. I know I am. We all love Fall fly fishing in the Smokies, the tailwaters, lowland rivers, ponds and lakes.

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

Byron Begley
August 31, 2018

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com