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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:21 am, the temperature outside is 73.0 degrees.
We have a good chance for thunderstorms today, tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow night. It will be cooler during the day, with highs in the mid-80’s through Wednesday. We will likely see cooler nights too, through the period.
Some streams are flowing above normal, while others are flowing below. Rain fell in the Little River watershed yesterday, propping up it’s flow to above normal today. Little Pigeon River is flowing below normal. Rain last night raised both Oconaluftee and Cataloochee Creek on the North Carolina side of the Park. None of these streams appear to be blown out at all, though some streams could be stained.
Little River is flowing at 170 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.85 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 153 cfs. The water temperature is 69.8 degrees this morning.
It is hard to predict what fishing conditions will be through Wednesday. The storms moving through will likely be scattered, affecting one watershed but not another. Watch for rising water wherever you are fishing. Some streams could become stained temporarily. Others may not.
The streams are warm in the low elevations. Seek higher ground where the water is cooler. Look for daytime temperatures of 65 degrees or cooler. Small backcountry streams at mid to high elevations will be good spots to fish.
I would hike above Elkmont or Lynn Camp Prong. The higher you go, the cooler the water will be. The further you go, you will find something close to solitude. The smaller streams are shaded better than the large ones. Sun may not be an issue today or tomorrow, or maybe it will at times.
Dry flies and nymphs will work. I would stick to my favorites, black foam beetles, Yellow Neversink Caddis or a small Yellow Stimulator for my dry fly selection. Both Green and Pink Weenies will produce for you. Try other nymphs and dry flies.
More important, is stealth. Dress to blend in. Hide as best you can from the trout. Get a good drift.
If you plan to fish the lakes this week, watch out for storms and fish shaded banks. Smallmouth and largemouth bass will be more active in the shallows, when the sun is off the water. Streamers and poppers should work for you. Sometimes they bass will take top water offerings and sometimes they won’t. Try different tactics. Pick flies they want.
Smallmouth bass fishing is good on the tailwaters. I floated with friends and guides last week. Most of the smallmouth bass we caught were on streamers and sub-surface flies.
The trout tailwater stretches are fishing well too. Try the Clinch River. Check the TVA website to view the generation schedule.
Lowland rivers are flowing low right now. Go early or late to catch smallmouth bass and other species. The flows and water clarity are subject to change, due to the predicted rain. I don’t like to fish the lowland rivers when the flows are this low.
My choices today would be a backcountry stream, a tailwater or a lake.
I worked all weekend and plan to do the same today and tomorrow. Then, I am going to be off for two days to put new carpet in our boat. That is kind of scary. I’ve never done that before. No fishing for me this week! If I don’t ruin our boat, we’ll be on a lake next week.
The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is seeking volunteers for the annual Clinch River Cleanup. It will be held Saturday, July 21st. This is one way to give back to that beautiful river and excellent trout fishery. Volunteers will be walking, wading, canoe/kayaking and use powerboats to get this done.
The Chapter folks appear to be shorthanded this year and your help is needed. You can read more about he Cleanup by CLICKING HERE. To sign up as a volunteer online, CLICK HERE. Please help by volunteering to continue keeping the river clean. It will be a fun day for you and all involved. Make new friends. Learn more about the Clinch River. Sign up to walk, wade or bring your boat.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 16, 2018
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |