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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:58 am, the temperature outside is 45.5 degrees.
Rain fell last night. We got .31” in Townsend. The rain will end this morning. It will be partly sunny later with a high temperature in the mid-50’s. It will be much warmer tomorrow, through Saturday. Rain is not likely until Saturday night and Sunday.
Little River is flowing at 275 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.20 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 347 cfs. The water is still rising slowly. The water temperature is 50.9 degrees this morning.
There is a chance you may find some stained streams this morning, but I doubt it. Any time we have rain, temporary staining is possible.
The water is warm, very good for trout feeding activity. And, it is only going to get better as the week progresses. This is a good week to be fishing in the Smokies.
I saw Doug in the shop yesterday afternoon. He is a friend of mine, who lives near Townsend. He told me he had a good day of fishing. I forgot to ask what bugs he saw on the water. He did make the comment that he is seeing a lot more fly fishermen in the Park than usual.
We both agree, that is because the trout tailwaters are flowing high and not fishable yet.
I would use dry flies or nymphs. I like dry fly fishing in the Smokies so I know I would stick with them for a while. Mine would be a Parachute Adams, #14 or #16. I might drop a Bead Head Pheasant Tail or a Hare’s Ear wet fly off the dry.
If that failed after, I would switch to nymphs. They would also be Bead Head Pheasant Tail nymphs. I like the Quasimodo version, with the short shank hook and the copper colored bead.
Seriously, I see no reason fishing will not be very good this week, or better, on all Southern Appalachian mountain streams.
TVA is still sluicing at Norris and Cherokee dams. They did stop sluicing at Douglas dam. They are reducing the flows at some dams, as the lake levels continue to fall.
We are all hoping, just like you are, that the tailwaters will get back to normal soon.
Many tailwaters in Tennessee offer excellent fly fishing for trout, smallmouth bass and other species. Many of these rivers are large, and can accommodate many anglers. They all have trophy fish, big browns, rainbows and smallies. You can wade or use a boat. You can hire a guide to float you down these rivers. There are many excellent tailwater guides in our area.
I have been learning from guides most of my life, beginning as a youngster. My friends and I hire guides most years. Last year, Frank and I floated the Cumberland River in Kentucky with Hagan Won. We floated two days and had some great fishing. We have fished with Hagan many times.
Frank, Wayne, Mouse and I fished for a day with Josh Pfeiffer and Gary Troutman last year. That was an excellent day. Mouse and I fished in Gary’s raft. He caught a 20” smallmouth bass. I have spent several days on the river with Josh. I really enjoy fly fishing for smallmouth bass with these two guys.
I am really looking forward to getting back on the tailwaters.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
March 26, 2019
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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