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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:48 am, the temperature is 67.1 degrees.
It will be warm today, in the mid-80’s falling to the upper 60’s tonight. There is a chance for thunderstorms this afternoon. Tomorrow and Sunday will be cooler with a greater chance for showers and thunderstorms.
The USGS website that reports stream flows is not operating. This is highly unusual. There have been times when one gauge site is not reporting, but I don’t remember anything like this before. Check the flows later. The site will likely be up and running.
Most streams in the Smokies are probably flowing at or near normal, which is fairly low.
Stealth and presentation are paramount to your success, especially when the streams are flowing low like they are now. Dress to blend with the forest and stay low. Fish the choppy water where the trout are hiding from predators. Nymphs and dry flies will work. Get a good drift or you probably won’t catch any trout in the Smokies.
Lowland rivers are flowing low for now. That may change later today and over the weekend as the chance for rain increases. Use hair bugs, foam floating flies and poppers in the deeper pools and runs for smallmouth bass and other species.
The TVA website is working this morning. There are some tailwater fishing options, especially early in the day. The agencies will be generating at some dams late morning through the afternoon. Plan on going early and stay ahead of the rising water if you are wade fishing.
Lake fishing is fair. It may be overcast at times today which is beneficial. I would still plan on launching your boat, canoe or kayak early, when the sun is off the water. Should it become cloudy, that will extend your fishing day. I would start with poppers, hair bugs or foam floating flies. If they are not producing for you, switch to streamers or swimming nymphs.
I have been tying one hair bug each day after work. This is a learning process for me. I always thought it would be difficult, and it was at first. Now, they are looking fairly good, compared to the first 15 or 20 I tied. I’m not spending a lot of time trying to make the bugs look perfect. I’m tying them for fishing, not display.
They used to take two hours to tie. Now, it takes about an hour and I’m going to become quicker. And, I’m gradually tying them on smaller hooks, so they can be used for bass and large bluegill. These things float low in the water. The eyes are clearly visible to the fish. I am using round rubber legs for the tail and legs, which is something I have always done when making poppers from foam cylinders.
Be alert and on the lookout for the tiger roaming around loose in Knoxville. This has been a year when bears are actively looking for food around homes in our area. I didn’t know this was a bad tiger year. I don’t think this is a joke. I saw the story on two news websites this morning. Evidently this is a young tiger. The Knoxville Zoo says all of theirs are present and accounted for. You can read a story about this on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.
It was great watching a football game last night on TV. I can’t wait to see more, especially college football. We fell asleep early in the game but Paula told me this morning the Chiefs won.
Today, we remember the day and the aftermath of the attack on America by terrorists, 19 years ago. That day changed our lives forever. Many of you and I will never forget that day. The news came to us while we were working at the fly shop. It was the worst day I can remember.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
September 11, 2020
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |
