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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:57 am, the temperature is 36.7 degrees.
Light rain is falling this morning. So far, we have received .15 inches in Townsend. Rain will continue today with up to a quarter of an inch expected. The high temperature today will be in the upper 40’s. Expect clouds early tomorrow before becoming sunny with a high around 50 degrees. It will be sunny Saturday with a high in the upper 40’s.
Little River is flowing at 178 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.88 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 296 cfs. The water temperature is 39.9 degrees this morning and falling.
Most streams in the Smokies are flowing below normal. Water temperatures are in the 30’s at most elevations. Fishing will be slow today. If you decide to give it a try, use weighted nymph rigs fished close to the streambed, drifting at the same rate of speed as the current. You might entice a trout but don’t expect good fishing.
Lowland river fishing is slow due to the cold water temperatures. Try nymph rigs and egg patterns where trout are stocked in these rivers. You might catch a trout or two.
TVA and the Corps will be generating at most of the dams I checked this morning. There will be breaks in the schedules at a couple of dams later this afternoon. Visit the TVA website to see what your tailwater fishing options are today.
It is predicted to be warmer than normal most days and nights through the end of January into early February. Sunday and Monday will be very warm, with lows at night in the middle to upper 40’s. For fishing to improve, we need warmer water and that seems to be in the near future at this point.
It happened 17 years ago and it will occur again this year in East Tennessee. Brood X cicadas will emerge this Spring, millions of them. You can read an article on the WBIR website on the subject by CLICKING HERE.
When these cicadas emerge, fish in lakes, ponds and rivers will be gorging on the large insects that fall into the water. Fly fishing will be incredible. Trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, carp and other species will be going crazy.
Fly tyers should be preparing now. I’m sure the guides are tying cicada patterns. I know some who are. There are many foam creations that mimic the cicada. A Knucklehead is a good imitation. You can see how to tie those by CLICKING HERE. You might want to vary the shape and colors which can easily be done.
This gives us all something to look forward to and prepare for.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
January 21, 2021
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |