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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:39 am, the temperature is 70.0 degrees.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely today. The high temperature will be in the low 80’s. Showers and thunderstorms are likely again tomorrow with a high temperature in the middle 80’s. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high in the middle 80’s and a chance for showers and thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 893 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 3.23 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 107 cfs. The water temperature is 65.1 degrees this morning.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 1,910 cfs, 3.59 feet, compared to median flow of 266 cfs.

Oconaluftee River is flowing at 996 cfs, or 2.56 feet, which compares to median flow of 253 cfs for this date.

Tellico River is flowing at 795 cfs, 2.76 feet, compared to median flow of 112 cfs.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 212 cfs, 3.01 feet, which compares to median flow of 55 cfs for this date.

As you can see from the sample above, most if not all streams in the mountains are flowing much higher than normal. They have been receding quickly. If you go fishing in the mountains today, be careful wading. You may find smaller streams that can be safely fished. Stand in safe water. Weighted nymph rigs will probably work best.

Lowland rivers flowing out of the Smokies are probably all flowing high though they are receding.

There appear to be some tailwater fishing opportunities today below tributary dams in the area. Visit the TVA website from the links below to plan your day.

This could be a good lake fishing day depending on where you go. You may find stained water in some lakes. Others may be clear. It will be overcast, which is a benefit. Thunderstorms are possible. I would plan on casting to the banks with poppers, foam floating flies, streamers or swimming nymphs.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will require reservations to park at the Laurel Falls Trailhead, with a two-hour time limit. The reservation and parking fee will cost $14. I read there is also going to be a shuttle option originating in Gatlinburg. This is a pilot project, to reduce congestion at the trailhead. You can read more about this new management project on the WATE website by CLICKING HERE.

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

Byron Begley
August 19, 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