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Welcome to the Fishing Report form Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:58 am, the temperature outside is 66.9 degrees.
Expect a high temperature in the mid 80’s today, with a chance for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. The low temperature tonight is predicted to be in the mid 60’s. It will be sunny and warmer tomorrow and Sunday, with a high temperature in the upper 80’s.
Little River is flowing at 196 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.93 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 117 cfs. The water temperature is 68.7 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River is flowing at 561 cfs or 2.22 feet at the Sevierville gauge. Median flow for this date is 257 cfs.
Oconaluftee River is flowing at 579 cfs, 1.95 feet, compared to median flow of 280 cfs.
Tellico River is flowing at 154 cfs, 1.17 feet, which compares to median flow of 124 cfs.
Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 106 cfs, 2.62 feet, compared to median flow of 56 cfs.
As you can see, the streams in the Smokies are flowing higher than normal and at good fishing levels for the month of August. The streams are warm in the lowest elevations. Fish higher where the water is cooler. Dry flies and nymphs will work for you.
Stealth is essential to your success. I can’t stress that enough. If the trout don’t see you, you will catch more, I promise. Streams in the Smokies are populated with wild trout. They became adults because they are wary, an inherited trait. Humans are not their friend. Dress to blend in and stay low. Hide behind boulders and tree limbs. Fish the broken water where the trout are hiding.
The lowland rivers are flowing fairly well and above normal for August. Fish the deeper and shaded pools with top water flies, streamers, nymphs and crawfish patterns. I would go early or late. Smallmouth bass are one of the most coveted and targeted species in these rivers. The rivers are also populated with rock bass, largemouth bass and sunfishes.
It appears TVA will be generating all day at Norris Dam. There are other choices. The generators will be off at many dams this morning, except for occasional pulsing. They will be generating at most dams this afternoon. Go early and plan accordingly if you want to fish on a tailwater today. Check the flow online before you go.
Lake fishing with flies is fairly good. Go early because you will enjoy better top water fly fishing when the sun is off the water. Or, you could go late for the same reason. During the Summer months, I always start with top water flies, poppers, hair bugs and foam floating flies. Fish the shaded banks. If the fish are not interested in your floating offerings, switch to weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. You may have to fire up your engine to run from a stray thunderstorm this afternoon.
Our fly tying suppliers are fulfilling orders better than they have in months. What a relief that is for me. I don’t know if their business has finally slowed for the Summer, or they have adapted their businesses to operate with less people. For instance, I order from Wapsi, our largest supplier for that department, every four days. Last weekend I had three orders in the process of being filled. This week, they all showed up. I did place another large one yesterday. Most Tiemco hooks are back in stock. Many of those have been unavailable for months.
I expanded our selection some this week. In a few days you will see more colors of silicone legs. I added another Firehole hook style this week. It is not on our online store yet. I will add another next week. There are a pile of Whiting capes on order. Hopefully we’ll get most of them soon.
Our fly tying department has been performing extremely well. We will enlarge the department by about 35% in October, to be prepared for the Winter tying season.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
August 7, 2020
NOTICE: FLY TYER WEEKEND HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS YEAR.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |