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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. The sun was trying to peak through the clouds this morning but so far no luck.  Clouds are good for fishing.  They kept the bright full moon hidden behind a vale last night and no glare and shadows on the water today.

Water levels on the Little River are at 1.95 feet or 181 c.f.s.  This is still a bit lower than the daily normal of 258 c.f.s.  Levels are ideal for fishing on all the streams in the Smokies.

Water temperatures have been increasing.  This morning the gauge gives a reading of 58F.  Both bugs and trout should be loving this.

Fishing should be good across the Smokies.  Your choice will be based on how far you want to walk or what you want to fish for.  Lower elevation streams are in good shape and traffic hasn't been too bad.  Walking in for brook trout can be a fun way to enjoy a nice day.

We have been hearing reports of a wide variety of mayflies and other bugs hatching.  They are transitioning to lighter colors.  Time to dust off the Cahills, Sulphurs and Hendricksons.  I've always liked fishing Elk Hair Caddis.  1. I can tie them pretty well.  2. They float like little corks on the water.  3. I can see them.  Having a dry fly that I can see is important to me.  I don't like squinting at the water trying to find my fly.  If I didn't care about seeing it I would tie on a nymph.

Fishing a dry/dropper combo is a great way to fish the Spring.  It hedges your bet and doubles your chance for a catch.  Don't overload your dry with a heavy tungsten bead fly.  Regular pheasant tails or Hare's Ear are a good choice along with Squirmy Worms.  A Soft Hackle fly is also a perfect choice as a dropper.  Give yourself about 18" of tippet between flies.

It is that time of year again.  The Basket Auction for Nurses Week at UT Medical Center is May 3-7. The  baskets will be displayed in the gift shop window At UT Medical Center, in the lobby, and bidding will end Friday, May 7th at noon.

The basket of interest is the "Custom Walter Babb Fly Fishing Basket - Fly Rod and Tied Flies".
Included in the basket is:
Custom 7'9" 2 piece single tip 5 weight bamboo fly rod built by Walter Babb ($850 value, plus a one year wait list for custom rod).  The rod is called the Bradley Fork, a good all-around fly rod for mountain streams or tailwaters.  One of Walter's favorite fly rods.
Hand Tied flies by Walter Babb ($166 value) Includes 4 Dozen Dry Flies: Quill Gordons, Adams, Grey Fox, and Pale Evening Dun (retail value $96). Also includes smallmouth flies with assorted clouser minnows and craw chief (retail value $70).
Total value of the basket: $1,016.

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

Daniel Drake
April 28, 2021

Respond to: daniel@littleriveroutfitters.com