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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. The sun is shining this morning. We had a fairly rainy weekend but the next several days will be very nice.

The high temperatures for today will only be in the upper 70's. It is going to be a great time to be outside. Rain isn't in the forecast till next weekend.

Water flows got high yesterday peaking out at just over 3 feet. They have recovered quickly and today the gauge is reading 2.48 feet or 396 c.f.s. This is higher than the daily normal of 253 c.f.s. By now the streams should all be flowing clear again.

Water temperatures have been falling over the last several days. This morning the Little River is at 59 F. Cooling water can make fishing a bit slower but it is nice to have the reset. Too warm too early wouldn't be a good thing.

With the drop in water temps you are going to be best off starting with nymphs this morning. I would try a Prince Nymph or Pheasant tail. Other patterns are working well too depending on your preference. Squirmy Worms, Hares Ear, stonefly patterns etc should all do well.

This afternoon try some dry flies. The hatches are lighter in color so look to the Light Cahills, Light Hendrickson, Yellow Parachute Adams, Neversink Caddis, Rob's Hellbender or Smoky Mountain Candy. Sizes range from #12 - #16.

The Clinch is generating today. The Holston below Cherokee Dam should be fishable at times today. Check with TVA for generation schedules.

Smallmouth fishing ought to be getting better. I've seen some nice photos from Josh and Gary with Frontier Anglers. These two guides LOVE to fish for smallmouth. They float the lower stretches of some of the local tailwaters in pursuit of larger smallmouth. Check them out on Instagram @frontieranglerstn

Do you follow us on Instagram? @littleriveroutfitters

This last weekend was one full of learning. We had a Euro Nymphing Class on Saturday and on Sunday we had a FREE Fly Fishing 101. The rain was scattered enough that we were able to work both classes without anyone getting soaked. Classes are a great way to get you started or improve your skills.

Next weekend on the 11th is our Nymphing Tactics Class. This class covers all aspects of fishing nymphs. They cover conventional nymph fishing using strike indicators, tight line fishing, double rigs, etc.

On Saturday May 18th is Aquatic Entomology. This is one of the most fun classes we offer. You will be in the classroom for a couple hours learning about the science of aquatic entomology then it is off to the river to find, collect and identify the bug species that the trout are eating.

There is still space in both classes so give us a call to sign up!

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

Daniel Drake
May 6, 2019

Respond to: info@littleriveroutfitters.com

AUCTION FOR BAMBOO FLY ROD AND GUIDE TRIP | There is a basket with a Walter Babb bamboo fly rod, Walter Babb flies and a Rob Fightmaster guide trip going up for auction outside the Gift Shop at UT Medical Center. Bidding will start on Monday May 6th and will run through Friday May 10th. The rod is 7'9" Paravergne Taper 2 piece for a 5 or 6wt and has an extra tip.