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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:46 am, the temperature outside is 39.0 degrees.
It will be cool today. Temperatures at the high elevations are predicted to be almost the same as in the low elevations. It is normally several degrees colder at Mount LeConte, compared to Townsend for instance. This may be the result of a temperature inversion or the warm upper atmosphere associated with the approaching front.
Expect heavy rain today and tonight. Rainfall today in the low elevations is predicted to be between three quarters of an inch, to one inch. In the higher elevations, the prediction is for one inch to two inches today. Furthermore, rainfall up to 3 inches is possible in some storms. More rain is predicted tonight and tomorrow.
We are not under a flash flood watch or warning yet, and widespread flooding is not predicted, according to the National Weather Service.
If two or three inches of rain fall in the Smokies, there will be very high water and possibly flooding, in my opinion. The streams are already flowing high now and the ground is saturated.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY
LOCATION |
HIGH |
LOW |
TOWNSEND |
48 |
43 |
GATLINBURG |
48 |
43 |
ELKMONT |
48 |
42 |
CADES COVE |
48 |
42 |
NEWFOUND GAP |
46 |
42 |
MOUNT LECONTE |
46 |
42 |
CHEROKEE |
48 |
43 |
SMOKEMONT |
46 |
42 |
BRYSON CITY |
48 |
43 |
MAGGIE VALLEY |
45 |
42 |
COSBY |
47 |
44 |
Little River is flowing at 319 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.31 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 151 cfs. The water temperature is 47.3 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River is flowing at 2.29 feet or 583 cfs.
Oconaluftee is flowing at 512 cfs or 1.89 feet at the Birdtown gauge. Median flow there is 232 cfs for this date. The water temperature is lower than 46 degrees.
The water temperature is 43 degrees at Cataloochee Creek. Flow is 109 cfs, compared to median flow of 52 cfs.
Though we are not under a flash flood watch or warning, be watchful for quickly rising water. If the rainfall predictions are true, we are going to have high water conditions at some point during the next 24 hours. Rainfall is predicted to be “heavy”. So, that is not a good prediction for fishing today.
Additionally, the stream are cool, in the low to upper 40’s. They could warm some today, due to the rain but probably not much.
I think fishing will be fair at best and maybe slow. You may encounter high water and possibly stained water.
If you go, expect to do best with nymphs, weighted and fished deep. Streamers may produce too. Try a Muddler Minnow or a fly that resembles a sculpin. I guess there could be a blue wing olive hatch. Be prepared for that.
I know many of you are off today, the work holiday associated with Veterans Day which was yesterday. Many of you may be planning to fly fish in the Smokies. My advice is, don’t get on the wrong side of the stream from your truck. Quickly rising water could trap you on the other side of the stream. Give fishing a try, you may do well. I hope so. Be careful.
I am prepared for bird feeding at our house. There are new 4 x 4 posts in the basement, painted. We have new bird feeders and squirrel baffles attached. I spray painted all the feeders to match. I dug holes for the posts. Brackets on top of the posts will hold two bird feeders on each. I bought 100 pounds of shelled sunflower seed or “hearts”. All I have to do is put the posts in the holes and pack in the dirt.
Now I’m waiting. Dave asked me yesterday “why”? I told him, “bears”. They are probably still active. I don’t think they have denned. I saw one outside my office window week before last. The mast crop was not good, offering the bears little food. They like to hibernate after heavy feeding. I think it is risky putting the feeders out now. A bear can tear up everything on the post, feeders, brackets and baffles. I put hours of time in the project and don’t want to see it all wasted in a few minutes by a bear.
In most years, the feeders are out by now. I’ve only lost two bird feeders due to bear mauling in 25 years.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
November 12, 2018
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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