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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:53 am, the temperature outside is 60 degrees.

Today will be warm, with a high temperature in the mid-70’s. There is a low chance for showers today and tonight. The wind will be calm. It will be mostly cloudy. This should be a perfect fishing day in the Smokies.

It will rain tomorrow and it will be windy at times. Thunderstorms are possible. A quarter to one half inch of rain is expected. Showers and thunderstorms will continue through Sunday night.

Little River is flowing at 426 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.54 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 290 cfs. The water temperature is 59.9 degrees this morning. A gauge reading of 2.5 feet is on the high side of good, though the water level is higher than normal for this date. You will encounter some swift water, especially in narrow and constricted areas of the river, all three prongs.

Streams in the Little Pigeon watershed are flowing higher than median flow. You will find some swift water in the river and some of the tributaries.

Other than the higher than normal flows, the fishing conditions today are excellent. Water temperatures are warm, and within the trout’s preferred range. Their metabolism is in high gear. The trout will be actively feeding.

It will be overcast. That is always a very good fishing condition. The trout are less likely to see you or your shadow. I believe all fish in shallow water are less spooky on overcast days.

You may do best using heavily weighted nymphs. Try a Pheasant Tail, Tellico, Hare’s Ear or Prince nymph. Use split shot to get your flies down.

But, in some cases, dry flies may work as well or better. I would use dry flies that are reasonable and easy to see. A Light Cahill dun or parachute version is a good choice. A Parachute Adams will probably work. I like an Elk Hair Caddes used as a searching pattern. You might try a Yellow Stimulator.

I think this is going to be a very good fishing day in the Smokies. I’m not so sure about tomorrow.

Check the TVA website to verify what I’m seeing now. It looks like TVA will be generating hardly any water today. This could be a good day to fish the Clinch River.

The lowland rivers are flowing high. I drove along Little River several miles yesterday. The water is beautiful. It is a great level for floating. I still don’t think I would be able to wade much at this level. You could just pick your spots and not move much. I would use a Wooly Bugger or nymphs, to fish for smallmouth bass. Fishing for trout in Townsend is good, but still, it is going to be difficult to wade much, at least for me.

You might try a lake today. I love overcast days on a lake. We have 9 impoundments to choose from nearby. The smallmouth bass should be moving into shallow water by now but I have not heard and I have not been.

The covered bridge project in Townsend is closer to being funded. The old Wilson’s Bridge, also called the Sunshine Bridge is now leased to the City of Townsend. Only bicycles and pedestrians are allowed to use the bridge. When enough money is raised, up to $300,000, the cover will be constructed using timbers with a metal roof. If you enter Townsend, driving from Walland, the bridge is on your left. You can read more about this on the Daily Times website by CLICKING HERE. Scroll through all three photos.

This project was conceived 20 years ago. I was at the first meeting and several others.

Smallmouth bass and trout can be spotted from the bridge at times. It is a nice spot to just stand and enjoy the views.

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

Byron Begley
April 13, 2019

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com