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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:37 am, the temperature is 63.9 degrees.
It will be hot and hazy today, with a high temperature in the upper 80’s and smoke that has blown in from the fires in the western states. It will be hot again tomorrow and every day through the weekend. Expect highs in the lower 90’s. There is a low chance for thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday. The chance for thunderstorms increases beginning Monday.
If you look at the rainfall numbers for the year at the Knoxville Airport, you will see that we are behind normal at 25.48” for the year. Last year on this date, that number was 40.81 inches. Normal was raised this year by NOAA due to the fact that our area has been wetter during the past 10 years or longer. The normal temperature was raised too.
Little River is flowing at 121 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.69 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 125 cfs. The water temperature is 67.5 degrees, and it rose to over 70 degrees yesterday.
Most streams in the mountains are flowing near normal. One exception is Tellico River which is flowing quite a bit higher than normal.
Water temperatures are warm in the low elevations and they will become warmer each day through the weekend. Plan to fish the higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the middle 60’s during the warmest time of the day. Stream thermometers are an essential piece of gear right now.
Dry flies and nymphs will work. Terrestrial patterns are good choices as the land based insects are very active and drawn to the water, then accidentally fall into the streams. Trout are waiting for them. More important than fly choices are stealth and presentation. Stay hidden from the trout and you will catch more. Get a good drift with your flies and you will catch more.
Lowland rivers are flowing near normal. Normal is low in July. If you plan to fish a river exiting the mountains that does not have much tree canopy, fishing will be best early or late. Otherwise, fish the shaded areas. Smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish will be found in the deeper water. Fish the shaded areas with poppers, foam floating flies, streamers or nymphs. A crayfish pattern is a good choice.
You have plenty of tailwater fishing opportunities today, whether you are wading or boating. In many cases, generation early today will be light, with turbines turned on later. Check the TVA website to see what your options are.
If you are planning to fly fish on a lake today, my advice is, be at the ramp launching your craft right now. Fish the banks until the sun is high and shade can’t be found. Start with poppers or foam floating flies and switch to streamers or nymphs if the top water flies are not working. Winds will be light today and it will be hot later.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 22, 2021
WALTER BABB MADE BAMBOO FLY RODS FOR SALE – CLICK HERE
Walter is selling a selection of over 50 bamboo fly rods. All but one was made by him. The other one was custom made for Walter by Walton Powell. Read the description of each rod on the list and contact him if you are interested in buying one or more than one. Even if you are not interested in a purchase, this web page is very interesting to read. Walter has made over 285 bamboo rods over the past 20-years. You will be working directly with Walter on a purchase and you can test cast the rods before you buy one at his home. Or, call him and he will ship a rod to you. His contact information is on the web page he and I created.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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