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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:34 am, the temperature is 58.5 degrees.
We are going to enjoy warm to hot days, fairly cool nights, and no rain through the weekend. Expect a high in the low 80’s today and warming further Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday’s high temperature may reach 90 degrees. Rain chances will increase somewhat next week.
Little River is flowing at 196 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.00 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 210 cfs. The water temperature is 59.7 degrees at the low elevation USGS site near Townsend. Yesterday, the water temperature rose to about 61 degrees at that location.
Other rivers and streams in the Smokies are flowing at normal or slightly above normal.
Water temperatures will rise each day through the weekend. Water levels will slowly fall. Fishing at all elevations will be good this week.
Dry flies are working well. Try Yellow Sally Stonefly, Elk Hair Caddis and Light Cahill dry fly patterns. Nymphs will work too. Fish the choppy water or deep runs. Trout will be hiding and feeding in broken water or near cover. Dress to blend with the forest and try not to let the trout see you. You will catch more.
Lowland river fishing is good for trout (where they are stocked) and smallmouth bass. Nymphs and streamers will work. Poppers and foam floating flies should produce for smallmouth bass, especially later this week. Go early or late when the sun is off the water or fish shaded areas in the rivers.
The generation schedules at area tributary dams will be good for wading tailwater anglers today. Boating anglers can find favorable flows too. Check the TVA website from the links below to find a generation schedule that works for your type of tailwater angling.
Lake fishing in shallow water when fly fishing has improved as surface water temperatures have warmed and will continue to do so through the weekend. Streamers will work for sure. Popper and foam floating fly fishing is improving. Swimming nymphs are also good choices for panfish and other species.
Lake fishing with flies will be best early or late when the sun is off the water. Most lakes are rising to Summer pool and many are already there.
The National Weather Service has changed the climate averages in our region. Average annual rainfall has increased by 4 inches per year. Snowfall averages have fallen by 1.9 inches. Average temperatures have risen by ½ degree. You can read more on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.
Fly fishing is very good in East Tennessee. You have many options right now. We are busy at the shop, which indicates anglers are active. After all, it is May. I have considered May to be the best fishing month of the year for a long time, followed closely by June.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 20, 2021
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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