If you do not see today’s Fishing Report, please refresh your browser to empty your cache.
Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:42 am, the temperature outside is 71 degrees.
This is going to be a hot week. Highs will be in the upper 80’s to low 90’s. Lows will be in the upper 60’s to slightly over 70 degrees. The chance for rain is low today, but the chance increases tomorrow through the weekend.
Thunderstorms affected the Little River watershed last night. Little River is flowing at 287 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.20 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 125 cfs. The water temperature is 71.4 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River did not get much rain. It is currently flowing at 280 cfs, 1.75 feet, compared to median flow of 330 cfs.
Oconaluftee River got a shot of rain late last night. Flow there is 476 cfs, 1.85 feet, compared to median flow of 319 cfs.
And, rain fell in the Tellico River watershed yesterday afternoon and into the evening. Flow at the Tellico Plains USGS site is 249 cfs, 1.50 feet, compared to median flow of 117 cfs.
Cataloochee Creek got a shot of rain, with flow being 89.2 cfs, 2.51 feet, compared to median flow of 62 cfs.
All USGS gauged streams in the Smokies have above average flow this morning except Little Pigeon River. That is good.
The low elevation streams are warm. Seek higher ground, in the higher elevations, where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures in the 60’s. Fishing will be better and it will be healthier for the trout you catch and release.
I would hike into a backcountry small stream. Lynn Camp Prong is probably a good choice. The East Prong of Little River above Elkmont is certainly an excellent choice. You will be more comfortable and the fishing will be much better in these higher elevation streams. Drink plenty of water this week.
I’m still sticking with the foam beetle and Green Weenie combination for my recommendation this week. Other nymphs and dry flies should work fine, if they are reasonable. The trout are looking for food. They are hungry and active.
Dress to blend with the forest and stay hidden from the trout. If they see you, the game is over. Trout will be hiding in riffles, below plunge pools, in deep runs and near structure.
Fishing will be better in some lowland rivers today, for warmwater species. I would use poppers and go early or late. If you plan to fish during the day, find shaded water.
The lakes are fishing fair to good using poppers and streamers. Go early or late when the sun is off the water.
Flows are angler friendly at some dams and not at others. Check the TVA website from the links below to choose a tailwater to fish today.
I think the crowds of visitors have been reduced some today. Traffic was heavy, by our standards this weekend. If you live in a city, you would consider the traffic we saw this weekend to be light.
Paula and I spent three weeks in Florida and returned May 18th. Since then, I have worked every day. We are having a very busy year at the shop. That being said, I have not traveled outside the Townsend city limits once since, except to go home in the late afternoons. We live two miles from the Townsend city limits. Paula runs our errands to Knoxville, Maryville and Alcoa. So, I don’t really have to go anywhere unless I have a doctor or dentist appointment. I have forgotten what heavy traffic is.
I don’t want to be reminded soon. I love living here.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 8, 2018
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |