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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:17 am, the temperature outside is 58.8 degrees.
It will be sunny and pleasant today with a high temperature in the low 80’s and no chance for rain. Tonight’s low will be in the upper 50’s again. Tomorrow will be slightly warmer, in the low to mid-80’s with no rain predicted. Sunday will be about the same but there is a low chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Little River is flowing at 119 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.64 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 157 cfs. The water temperature is 65.7 degrees this morning.
Though Little River is flowing below normal, other streams in the Smokies are flowing at normal or slightly above normal. Water temperatures are falling due to the cool nights and cooler days.
Fishing is good across the Park. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. A good dry fly to use mimics the Yellow Sally Stonefly. I like the Yellow Neversink Caddis or Yellow Stimulator, but there are many other small yellow stones to choose from that will work. Green Weenies, Pink Weenies and Squirmy Worms are good choices for sub-surface fishing. Traditional nymphs, such as Pheasant Tail or Hare’s Ear patterns will produce as well.
I can’t believe I am saying this, but we could use some rain in the Smokies. Fishing in lower water which is normal this time of the year, requires stealth. Dress to blend with the forest and stay low so the trout do not see you and you will catch more. Fish the broken water, where the trout are hiding. If your fly line lands above or near a trout, they probably won’t take your fly. Casting short in choppy water is a good tactic to use when fishing in lower water.
Lowland River fishing is good though some of the rivers are flowing lower now. I would go early or late and fish with streamers or top water flies for smallmouth bass.
Tailwater trout and smallmouth bass fishing conditions keep improving with breaks in the generation at many dams. There are wade fishing and boating options for you today. Check the TVA website to see if you can work with their generation schedules on your favorite tailwater.
Fly fishing on the lakes is good. I would go very early, at daybreak, while the sun is off the water and to avoid boats and jet skis. The lakes are crowded. The ramps and parking lots are packed, from what I am hearing. I would be using top water flies but streamers will work too, especially when the sun is higher.
The tourism business in Townsend appears to be normal again following an awful late March and April. The tourists came back in May and in early June. With schools closed early this year, it appears many younger families took their vacations earlier than normal. I saw families with young kids in early May, which is unusual.
I can’t help but wonder what the Summer will be like, with vacation season spread out over a longer period of time.
Americans will be likely to vacation closer to home this year. I don’t think there is any doubt about that. The Smokies are close to home for many people.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
June 12, 2020
NOTICE:
The following roads and campgrounds re-opened Monday June 8th:
Cades Cove and Smokemont Campgrounds
Abrams Creek Road, Forge Creek Road and Cataloochee Road (To Palmer Chapel)
The following roads and campgrounds will open Monday June 15th:
Elkmont Road
Elkmont Campground
The Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed every Wednesday beginning June 17th to vehicle traffic. The road will be open to pedestrians and bicyclists only. The Wednesday closing to vehicles will continue through September.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |
