Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is another seasonably warm Summer day here at the Shop.

River levels in the Little River watershed are low, but flowing at the normal level for this time of year. The gauge is currently reading 1.76 feet or 139 c.f.s. The daily normal is 131 c.f.s.

Water temperatures are up, but again they are at normal. The gauge on Little River is reading 71.8F. Higher elevations where you should concentrate your fishing this time of year is much cooler. In the brook trout elevations you are likely to find water temperature closer to 60F. Fishing very early in the morning or the last several hours of evening light will give your the best temperature conditions. Going high, either hiking or driving will also get you to cooler water mid-day.

As water temperatures rise disolved oxygen levels drop. Trout will move into the faster, better aerated parts of the stream. Fish your dry fly at the edge of the fastest water and in the middle of the current as it begins to settle out. In these small pockets line control and drift is everything. Make short casts and keep as much line off the water as possible. If you stay low and keep your rod high you can have a direct connection to the fly be it a dry or nymph. Let the fly drift through once or twice then cast to a new pocket. It isn't worth your time to keep casting to the same spot.

Yellow dry flies are the best patterns for "matching the hatch". The Neversink Caddis is an excellent Yellow Sally pattern. This year we have added a rubber legged version called the Tremont Sally. If you aren't having success with yellow, go a different direction. Several anglers who have been in this week have had good success switching to a Parachute Adams. You can also go terrestrial. Beetle patterns can be very effective during these warmer times of the year. They don't generally require a nice, perfect presentation. Sometimes plopping them onto the water can be like ringing the dinner bell.

Nymphs are going to be the standard fare. Pheasant Tails, Hares Ear and Tellico nymphs are all good choices. Fishing them as a dropper can be especially good. Sizes #14 to #16 is good.

Summer in the Smokies means isolated thunderstorms. Thunderstorms can grow out of nothing with lightning and heavy rain. When you are fishing in the mountains your need to be aware of what is happening in the environment around you. Rain can fall hours before and many miles upstream. This can cause water levels to rise quickly. Stay vigilant and if stream conditions change be sure you have a path with which you can exit the stream. Ideally that will be on the road/trailside of the stream so you can get home.

Get out fishing. Enjoy the cool of the river. Enjoy time in nature. Each day is a blessing. Thank you for reading the Report and being part of the Shop!

Daniel Drake
July 9, 2026

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