Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:46 am, the temperature is 69.8 degrees.
It will be partly sunny and hot today, with a high temperature in the low 90’s. There is a slight chance for thunderstorms early today, then a greater chance this afternoon and evening. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and hot with a high in the low 90’s and a greater chance for thunderstorms. Saturday will be somewhat cooler with a high in the upper 80’s. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday.
Little River is flowing at 64.3 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.42 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 132 cfs. The water temperature at the Townsend gauge is 74.3 degrees.
Some streams in the mountains are flowing at normal or higher than normal. Others are flowing lower. Thunderstorms yesterday and last night affected water levels in some drainages. Tellico River is rising quickly this morning. West Prong of the Little Pigeon rose early yesterday but has receded back to below normal. Davidson River is flowing higher than normal. Oconaluftee River rose early yesterday but has receded to slightly below normal. Little River is flowing low. We will likely see changes in water levels through the end of the week and beyond.
Water temperatures are extremely warm in the low elevations, above what a trout can tolerate. Yesterday, the water temperature in Little River at the low elevation gauge site near Townsend rose to 78 degrees. Water temperatures in the high elevations were chilly.
Seek out cool water in the high elevations. You will be comfortable and the trout will be healthy. Fishing in the high elevations is good. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs.
Lowland river fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is good in some rivers and probably fair in others. And, there are rivers that are flowing high this morning. Others are flowing low. Fish the deeper pools and runs with poppers, foam floating flies, streamers, nymphs or crayfish patterns.
Winds should be calm on the lakes today. There may be cloud cover at times which is beneficial. I would go early, at daybreak, and fish the banks and cover with poppers, foam floating flies, streamers or swimming nymphs. You may see game fish feeding on shad near the surface early, before the sun is high. If you do, cast baitfish patterns in the feeding frenzy. Watch for approaching thunderstorms. Some storms may be severe.
TVA and the Corps will be generating later today at most dams but you have tailwater fishing opportunities early. Check the TVA website to choose a tailwater and determine where you should fish and when.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 7, 2022
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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