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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:56 am, the temperature is 53.1 degrees.
Today will be sunny and warm with a high in the mid-70’s falling to the low 50’s tonight. The forecast for tomorrow and Thursday are similar though it will be warmer. There is a good chance for rain Friday night through Sunday and beyond.
Little River is flowing at 190 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.94 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 72 cfs. The water temperature is 55.2 degrees this morning.
All streams in the Smokies that have USGS gauge sites are flowing higher than normal. Normal in early October is historically low. Water temperatures are excellent in the low to mid elevations.
Trout are actively feeding. Dry flies or nymphs will work. I would probably start with a Stimulator or Elk Hair Caddis as my dry fly. There would be a Green Weenie or other nymph trailing behind. The fly you use in not as important as stealth and presentation. Show them a fly that is drifting properly and do not show them you or your shadow. You will catch more.
Lowland river fishing is fair to good. Go early or late when the sun is off the water or fish shaded areas. Top water flies might work. If not, switch to streamers or nymphs. Smallmouth bass fishing will improve this week as the water warms. Top water fishing will improve for the same reason.
TVA and the Corps are pushing water through some dams today. Wade fishing options are limited on several tailwaters. If you fish from a boat, you have more choices. Refer to the TVA website from the links below to plan your day.
Lake fishing is fair to good but I would go early today and tomorrow when the sun is off the water. Launch at daybreak and fish until you can’t find shaded banks. I would use top water flies, because that is what I love to do, but you may do well using streamers or swimming nymphs.
When the fishing slows, cruise or paddle around and enjoy your time on the water. We all love being on the water. Those who don’t are reading something else.
We are seeing more visitors in town. The Fall migration to the Smokies has begun. Weekdays seem like Saturdays at the shop. Everyone wants to be outside. People who camp, are camping. People who fish are fishing. Hikers are hiking. The weather is perfect. It feels like Fall and it looks like Fall.
Little River looks great. All the mountain streams and lowland rivers are flowing well. We could not ask for better fishing conditions in early October. If it rains enough this weekend, and early next week, we can expect these good fishing conditions to continue for a while.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
October 6, 2020
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |
