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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:14 am, the temperature outside is 68.7 degrees.

Yesterday was hot! The high temperature recorded at the Knoxville Airport was 95 degrees. That broke a record for the date, which was 92 degrees in 1904.

It will be hot every day until Friday, probably breaking records every day. Expect highs in the low 90’s through Thursday. There is a slight chance for rain today and tomorrow. In a week, it will be cooler, with highs in the 70’s, lows in the 50’s and a greater chance for rain. I’m looking forward to next week. Everyone is.

It appears it rained yesterday in the Little River watershed. The river rose briefly but it has receded back to near yesterday morning’s level. Flow is currently 34.4 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.17 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 83 cfs. The water temperature is 72.7 degrees.

All streams in the Smokies, that have USGS gauge sites, are flowing very low. I have heard some streams described as a trickle. The streams have been flowing much lower in the past, so there are no records being set so far. Fishing is not good. You can catch trout. You will need to stay hidden from the fish to catch them. I would use dry flies with a Green Weenie dropper and hope for the best. Fish the broken water.

Water temperatures are extremely warm in the low elevations. If you catch and release a trout in 70 degree water, the fish might die. Fish the higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures in the 60’s, all day long.

A week from now, the water temperatures will be cooler, giving you more options in the lower elevations.

Little River is very low in town. A friend of mine came by to see me yesterday. He lives on the river, not far from the shop. He didn’t complain about the low water, because he is not seeing people tubing by his house.

You could probably catch some smallmouth bass and other fish in lower Little River and other lowland rivers. The fish will be in the deep pools. Use poppers, foam floating flies, streamers or nymphs.

Lake fishing with fly rods is fair, but you will have to go early or late when the sun is off the water. I would launch my boat at daybreak and plan to be pulling out by 10 am.

If I were planning to fish today, I would figure out where, when and how to fish on a tailwater. You have some options in our area. In some cases, you would need a boat and launch early. Look at the TVA website to see if you can work with their generation schedules on your favorite tailwater.

I will be working today and that makes me happy. Since 1973, I have owned a business. Running a business is enjoyable. It always has been for me. Business is a hobby, a game and a challenge.

I work more than most people I know and I always have. Most of my life, I have worked at least six days a week. This year, I am working more than that. We are having a great year at the shop. If you work hard in a business you own, you will do better than if you don’t.

To work that much, you have to make personal sacrifices. For instance, I have never mowed grass or worked around the house. I always hired someone to do that. Most of my adult life, I had a housekeeper. I’ll never forget the lady who cleaned my house in Nashville. She came twice a week to keep my house clean for many years, until I moved here. She and the man and wife who mowed and kept the outside of my home looking nice were like family.

They did their job so I could work an extra day or more each week. Financially, I know I came out ahead and so did they.

I do clean the rest rooms at the shop, every morning, first thing, way before we open. That is different. That is what I call “good customer service”.

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

Byron Begley
September 30, 2019  

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com