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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:33 am, the temperature outside is 67.6 degrees.
We have a slight chance for showers this morning before 8 am. Then, it will be cloudy with gradual clearing later. The high temperature today is predicted to be 78 degrees. Rain will move in tonight and last through at least tomorrow night. It will be cooler over the next few days with highs in the 50’s and 60’s dropping to the 30’s and 40’s at night.
Little River is flowing at 442 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.53 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 254 cfs. The water temperature is 58.8 degrees this morning. We consider 2.5 feet to be on the high side of good.
Streams in the mountains are flowing higher than normal but many are now safe to wade and fish. Water temperatures are excellent in the lower elevations. Nymphs and dry flies will work.
The Park is still temporarily closed. Main roads in the Park will re-open Saturday. Campgrounds, picnic areas, visitor centers and some less traveled roads will remain closed for about two weeks. The Park Service is encouraging visitors to social distance when visiting the Smokies. Avoid crowds. You can read an article on the WBIR website on this subject by CLICKING HERE.
Lowland rivers are receding though they are still flowing higher than normal. Safe wading may be limited depending on the river you are fishing and where on the river you are. Nymphs and streamers will probably work best.
TVA and the Corps are generating around the clock at all of the dams I checked this morning. They are also sluicing at some dams. I didn’t check them all so see if you can work with their generation schedules on your favorite tailwater.
Lake fishing is improving for fly anglers in shallow water. The lakes are warming at least for now. Streamers will work. Mine would be a large heavily weighted black Wooly Bugger. Poppers and foam floating flies could produce strikes as well. That would depend mostly on the water temperature and cloud cover. Go early or late when the sun is off the water.
Fishing conditions are improving and this is very exciting news.
We are planning to open to customers this week. I am not sure of the details right now. The other guys are making those decisions. They work with customers every day and know what is best under these circumstances. We will limit the number of customers in the shop at one time. We will all be practicing social distancing. We will be wearing face masks. They will give me the plan today and I will let you know what our protocols will be. I think our opening day will be Wednesday.
I hope this works. It will depend on how we all adhere to social distancing guidelines. I’m sure most of you and our staff will comply. There may be others who will not. We are hopeful for a safe transition. We will be learning as we go along.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 4, 2020
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |