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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:30 am, the temperature outside is 63.5 degrees.
After enduring record high temperatures this month, we will now be enjoying cooler days. Normal high temperatures at this time of the month are in the upper 70’s, with normal lows in the mid-50’s.
Today’s high is predicted to be 75 degrees. Tomorrow will be similar. By Saturday we should hit somewhere in the low 80’s. Lows at night through the period will range in the low to mid 60’s.
It is going to rain. We may get a half on an inch today and tonight, with higher amounts in some thunderstorms. The forecast tomorrow is calling for about the same. The rain will be welcome. The streams are getting low.
Little River is flowing at 149 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.77 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 219 cfs. The water temperature is 64.9 degrees this morning.
Fly fishing for trout in the Smoky Mountains is good and it should continue to be fine this week unless one or more streams are blown out by heavy rain. That could happen. If you are fishing in the mountains, watch for quickly rising water.
Dry flies are working, like we expect in May. A Light Cahill is a good choice for a mayfly imitation. More anglers are using Yellow Sally Stonefly dries right now. There are many that work well. Our customer’s favorite is the Yellow Neversink Caddis #16. You may see Blue Wing Olives, March Browns, larger stoneflies and caddis too.
Trout will take sub-surface nymphs and terrestrial patterns. Two good choices are the Pink and Green Weenies. A Bead Head Pheasant Tail is another good pattern to use.
Trout fishing is good on the tailwaters, the Clinch and Holston Rivers. You may see caddis hatches on the Holston and sulphurs on the Clinch.
This is the best time of the year to fish for smallmouth bass on the lakes and lowland rivers. Top water flies and streamers will work. I always do best using foam floating flies or poppers on cloudy days. Today will be cloudy. I will be working and not fishing.
I have not heard or read any tailwater smallmouth bass news about the Holston or French Broad rivers. I can only assume the bass are taking streamers right now. Maybe I am wrong.
I love catching bluegill and shellcrackers on the lakes. I know many of you do too. Try poppers or Rubber Legged Dragons. Let the Dragons sink, then slowly retrieve. You can catch some big bluegill doing just that. You can see our selection of warmwater flies on the online store by CLICKING HERE. Look at the Carter's Rubber Legged Dragons. I tie mine in many different colors, including rust, which works well.
The farm ponds are fishing well and today would be the perfect day to go. If you hear thunder, head to the truck. If you are in your boat, fishing on a lake, head to the ramp when you hear thunder.
I am always looking for articles to share with you. I found one this morning on the subject of “Drop Shot Rigs”. This is a good one, explaining the different methods for rigging. You can read it by CLICKING HERE. Give it a try. It works.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 16, 2018
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
We have an Aquatic Entomology Class scheduled. It is going to be held on Saturday June 16. The price is just $100 for this all day class. Space is limited so give us a call to get your name on the roster. 865-448-9459. Learn more by CLICKING HERE. |