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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:45 am, the temperature is 53.4 degrees.
It will be sunny today, tomorrow and Monday with a high temperature in the middle 80’s each day. Lows at night will be in the middle 50’s. Expect rain Monday night and Tuesday with cooler temperatures.
Little River is flowing at 299 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.27 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 252 cfs. The water temperature is 57.5 degrees this morning.
Streams in the mountains are flowing right at median flow or slightly higher. Water temperatures have been and will continue to be withing the trout’s preferred range.
Fly fishing for trout in the Smokies is very good. We have not had fishing conditions like this in a while.
Trout are taking dry flies, wet flies and nymphs. Their metabolism is elevated by perfect water temperatures and they are searching for food. More important than fly selection is getting a good drift. If your flies are moving downstream at the same rate of speed as the current, and your fly looks like something edible, trout will respond to your offering. Don’t let the trout see you or the game will be over for them.
I would choose a Light Cahill, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis or a small yellow Stimulator. My nymph choices would be Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, Tellico or Prince patterns. You might even try a Green or Pink Weenie. A Squirmy Worm might work.
Fishing for stocked trout in the lowland rivers flowing out of the mountains is also very good. I would use sub-surface flies for the stockers. Fly choices should include nymphs, midges, squirmy worms, mop flies or small streamers.
Further downstream in these rivers, smallmouth bass and panfish are actively feeding. Their activity is driven by warmer water temperatures. Eventually, these fish will turn their attention to top water flies, including foam floaters and poppers. Give them a try. Otherwise, use nymphs, streamers and crayfish patterns.
You should take a look at the generation schedules at the TVA and Corps dams. Grab your gear and head to your tailwater of choice after carefully planning your day based on the schedules. There are many tailwater fishing options today whether you are wading or boating. If you are boating, there are more opportunities.
My guess is, though I have not been this year, lake fishing is improving. Smallmouth bass and other species may be holding in shallow water where we like them to be. This time of the year, I like to hit the rocky banks with large black Wooly Buggers. I tie mine on 2/0 jig hooks and weight them heavily with lead free wire.
I just found out yesterday, the Bamboo Bash is “in session” in Townsend. Cane fly rod makers and enthusiasts have gathered to exchange information, talk about fly fishing, and the art of making these fine rods. I saw some old friends yesterday who are attending. I heard one couple drove here from Vermont.
According to information posted on the Classic Fly Rod Forum, Walter Babb will be the featured speaker at the Tackle Talk Program this morning. I read the program will be held a Docks Motel in the pavilion at 10 am. You can read more about the Bamboo Bash by CLICKING HERE.
We are very busy at the shop. That is to be expected when fishing is as good as it is now. I will be busy all weekend receiving and displaying hundreds of fly tying items that arrived in our weekly shipments. I will also be placing next week’s orders, one of which has already been sent.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
April 23, 2022
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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