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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:57 am, the temperature outside is 72.5 degrees.
Expect high temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s today and tomorrow and partly sunny skies. We have a good chance for thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons both days. Moderate to heavy rainfall is possible today. Saturday will be warm again with a fair chance for thunderstorms.
Little River is flowing at 81.8 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.47 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 136 cfs. The water temperature is 72.7degrees at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend.
Little Pigeon River is flowing slightly below normal this morning. Oconaluftee River, Tellico River and Cataloochee Creek are flowing higher than normal.
All streams that have USGS gauges are flowing low, which is normal. July has been drier than normal in many locations. Rainfall at the Knoxville Airport has amounted to .81 inches this month so far. Normal for the period is 3.70 inches, creating a deficit of 2.89 inches. July is historically the second wettest month of the year. June was dry, until the end of the month.
The steams are very warm in the low elevations. Fish in the high elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the mid-60’s. Warm water does not hold dissolved oxygen well. Trout that are caught and released in warm water may die due to the lack of dissolved oxygen.
Stealth is essential to your success. Don’t let the trout see you and you will catch more. They will be hiding in broken water, in riffles, plunge pools and deep runs. A dry and dropper or weighted nymph rig are good choices.
Water levels are low in most lowland rivers. Wamwater species and smallmouth bass will be found in the deep pools. Try poppers, hair bugs and foam floating flies cast to the shaded areas, especially near the banks. If that does not work, switch to streamers or nymphs.
There are tailwater fly fishing opportunities at some dams today. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what is going on at your favorite tailwater. TVA is sluicing at some dams so watch for that warning on the specific page you are viewing.
Fly fishing on the lakes is probably fair. You may find fish feeding on the surface, when the sun is off the water. Otherwise, they will be deeper where the water is cooler. Watch out for thunderstorms.
The $2 billion Great American Outdoors Act has passed the House of Representatives and Senate, and is waiting to be signed by the President. One component of this act will fund a backlog of maintenance work to be done at National Parks over time, including Great Smoky Mountains. This bill also fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund, protecting natural areas, water and recreation areas.
You can read the story and watch a video on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 23, 2020
NOTICE: FLY TYERS WEEKEND HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS YEAR. WE ARE PLANNING FOR THE EVENT TO BE HELD IN 2021.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |