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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 7:06 am, the temperature outside is 43 degrees. Yesterday at this time, the temperature was 77 degrees.

The storms yesterday pretty much missed us. They passed to our East and West. I can still see dark clouds in the Park, from my office window. To the West, the sky is mostly clear. I am loving these longer days. Now, when I drive to work, it is dawn, not dark like it was all Winter.

Today will be cool, in the high 50’s. The low tonight will be in the low 40’s. Warmer air will move in tomorrow. Expect highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s through Thursday. There is no rain in the forecast until Thursday night. It is going to rain Friday.

The streams rose some yesterday due to the rainfall in the scattered storms. The water is cooler this morning and the temperature is still falling.

Little River is flowing at 452 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.59 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 301 cfs. The water temperature is 56.7 degrees and falling. A gauge reading of 2.5 feet is on the high side of good for angling.

It looks like more rain fell in the Little Pigeon watershed, compared to Little River. Flow at the Sevierville gauge is 1,560 cfs, 3.33 feet, compared to median flow of 524 cfs.

Oconaluftee River watershed got some significant rain yesterday. Flow at the Birdtown gauge is 1,600 cfs, 3.16 feet, compared to median flow of 632 cfs. The water temperature is 52.3 degrees and falling.

Tellico River’s watershed didn’t get much rain yesterday. Flow at the Tellico Plains gauge is 438 cfs, 1.99 feet, compared to median flow of 325 cfs.

Rain on the east side of the Park hit the Cataloochee Valley. Flow on Cataloochee Creek is 303 cfs, 3.25 feet, compared to median flow of 131 cfs. The water temperature is 51.1 degrees.

So, the water levels are higher in some watershed, than they are in others in the area. Little River and Tellico River look best this morning.

Water temperatures are falling. They should bottom out soon. I would wait to go fishing a little later today, when the streams begin to warm. I think fishing may be fair today, and maybe good, but much better tomorrow and throughout the week until Friday. There is the potential for severe storms Friday. It will be cooler Friday and Saturday.

I would use nymphs this morning, then possibly switch to dry flies this afternoon. Nymph choices for me would include Prince, Tellico, Pheasant Tail or Hare’s Ear. Dry fly choices should include Light Cahill, Adams, Thunderhead, Elk Hair Caddis and small yellow Stimulators. I have not heard from anyone seeing Yellow Sally Stoneflies on the water. It is about time for them to show up.

Some lowland rivers are flowing high. Little Pigeon is one. Fishing a lowland river should be fair today, and much better later this week.

The trout tailwaters have been fishing well and there have been many opportunities lately. A lot of trout anglers around here are thankful for that. The good fishing should continue. Check out the Holston generation schedule this morning. Wow, while you are at it, look at the generation schedule at Norris Dam.

It is beautiful in the valley. The trees are showing new green leaves. That green hue is working its way up the mountains. Soon, the higher peaks will be green. I saw May Apples for the first time this year, yesterday morning. This is a good week to be fishing in the Tennessee Valley.

I read an interesting article about the future of the Foothills Parkway. The new 16-mile section with unbelievable views of Tuckaleechee Cove and Wears Valley is finished and many people are enjoying it.

Some people are thinking, “What is the future of the scenery we see now?” You do see Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That should not change. But you also enjoy looking at privately held land, that will be eventually developed.

Some who are wondering, and I know them personally, are holding a public meeting to discuss the future of the Parkway. The meeting will be held tomorrow at 6:30 pm, at the Heritage Center in Townsend. You can read the article on the Daily Times website by CLICKING HERE.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
April 15, 2019

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com