Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:39 am, the temperature is 58 degrees.
We got only a trace of rain yesterday and overnight. The Knoxville Airport reported only about a tenth of an inch of rain fell there.
We have a low chance for rain this morning before clearing later today. The high temperature is predicted to be around 70 degrees, falling to the low 40’s tonight. Tomorrow will be sunny and fairly warm with a high in the middle to upper 60’s. Saturday will be sunny and warmer, with a high in the middle to upper 70’s. There is a chance for showers Sunday and through the night.
Little River is flowing at 42.4 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.25 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 76 cfs. The water temperature is 58.3 degrees at the Townsend gauge.
Streams in the Smokies that have USGS gauge sites are flowing lower than normal. Normal is low in early to middle October. Water temperatures are withing the trout’s preferred range at most elevations.
The water is low and the trout are spooky. I would fish in the lower elevation larger rivers where water levels are higher. Most trout will be hiding in the broken choppy water. Dress to blend with the forest to help you stay hidden from the trout. Nymphs will work for sure and dry flies may too. You may need to make longer casts. Use fine tippets and smaller flies. These conditions will test your low water fly fishing skills.
I talked to a couple who fished in the mountains yesterday and reported fishing was tough.
If you are fishing for stocked trout in the rivers flowing out of the park, nymphs, streamers, midge pupa, egg patterns and squirmy worms are good fly choices. The trout will be packed in the deeper pools and runs.
I heard Little River in Townsend was stocked with rainbow trout two days ago but I have not talked to any anglers who have fished there.
Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers is fair. Fish in the deeper pools using steamers or crayfish patterns.
Fishing on the lakes is fair. Cast to the banks and cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Allow your flies to sink deep as you retrieve slowly. It should be overcast early today, which is a good condition. It may be breezy at times today.
TVA and the Corps will continue to generate for long periods at many dams today. Take a look at the generation schedules at Center Hill and South Holston dams. There are other options if you go early and pick the right spots to fish. Refer to the TVA website to see what tailwater fishing opportunities you have today.
We are very busy at the shop. This has been an incredible late Summer and Fall for us. The store is stocked well which is one good reason. Our suppliers are fulfilling our orders better than they did during the last two years.
I know by talking to customers, they traveled on fishing trips more this year. I spoke with one customer yesterday who is preparing for a steelhead fishing trip to New York. I have talked to a lot of customers who are traveling to the coast to fish.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
October 13, 2022
Note: We have a very large and well stocked fly tying department located on the second floor of our shop. Our fly tying materials and tools can also be found and bought on our online store with Free Shipping.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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