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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:49 am, the temperature is 68.9 degrees.

A large thunderstorm passed to our south yesterday but we did get some rain in Townsend amounting to .29 inches. We have a good chance for thunderstorms today with partly sunny conditions and a high temperature in the middle 80’s. The forecast is about the same every day through early next week. Some storms may produce heavy rainfall.

Several mountain streams rose yesterday but most are receding now and fine for fishing. Little River is flowing at 136 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.75 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 129 cfs. The water temperature is 67.8 degrees.

Other mountain streams that have USGS gauge sites are flowing near normal with some flowing slightly higher than normal. Water temperatures are warm in the low elevations. Fish higher where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures in the low to middle 60’s or cooler.

Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Terrestrials are a good choice. A beetle or other land living insect pattern will work for your dry fly. Trail an ant or Green Weenie behind your dry. The trout are looking for food. Presentation and stealth are more important now than fly choice. Stay hidden from the trout and get a good drift. Fish the broken water in riffles, runs and plunge pools.

The lowland rivers flowing out of the mountains are flowing low, which is normal. Smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish can be caught on poppers or foam floating flies. Fish the shaded areas if it is sunny and you have tree canopy on the river. It is a good idea to go early or late to avoid direct sunlight, tubers and swimmers. Fish the deep pools and runs.

TVA and the Corps will be generating at many dams this afternoon but you do have wade fishing opportunities early today. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what your options are.

This could be a good lake fishing day but watch for thunderstorms. I would go early. The lakes may be crowded with recreation boaters later. Fish the shaded banks with poppers, foam floating flies, streamers and swimming nymphs. If there is cloud cover, you may do well later.

I do not mention fly fishing in ponds often but I should. Actually, I began a long journey of learning to fly fish starting out on farm ponds in the early 60’s. I caught my first bass on a fly rod on my 11th birthday. And, I tied the fly myself. It was a streamer. I still remember that day vividly.

Go early or late if you plan to fish on a pond or small lake. I have watched ponds come alive with fish on the surface just before dark. There is no doubt I would be using poppers or foam floating flies. I love watching largemouth bass and bluegill engulf or sip a floating fly from the surface during the darker hours of the day. There is something magical about that. I am almost 70 years old and I still think about those wonderful times.

Find a pond, get permission and go. Summer is prime pond fishing time wherever you live. You don’t need special tackle. Your trout outfit will work fine.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
July 10, 2021

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com