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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. Clouds are blanketing the mountains this morning. Light rain was falling but has stopped now.

The weather forecast is calling for clearing. We are going to have a cooler temperatures over the next several days. Water temps will fall but a cool down could be a good thing. We don't need the streams to get too warm too early.

Little River water levels are on the rise. This morning the gauge is giving a reading of 2.42 feet or 368 c.f.s. The daily normal is 267 c.f.s. I had to go back and correct the readings just in the time since I started the report this morning.

Water temperature didn't drop much overnight. It is currently about 62 F. On days when the sun is out, anglers are starting to wet wade.

If you were to fish today, I would either head towards one of the smaller streams or fish nymphs or streamers along Little River. Be careful of water levels. Off color water conditions can be an advantage. Sometimes the larger trout will feel more confident about being out and will be feeding. Rising water also stirs up the bottom, loosening the insects into the water column. Days like this are a tough call as to how fishing is going to go. It is either going to be slow.....or epic. No way to go unless you go.

Generation schedules on the tailwaters don't look favorable for fishing today.

Customers come in and ask about streamer fishing in the Smokies. I'm not sure why we don't streamer fish more often. Using streamers can be effective and a lot of fun. Cast, strip, cast, strip, wham. Especially when water levels are up and not ideal for dry fly fishing streamers can really produce. Maybe this is something that we at the Shop need to think more about.

Water levels are still climbing but it didn't change enough for me to go back and change all the numbers a third time. If you head out fishing today keep an eye on flows. Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Daniel Drake
May 5, 2019

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AUCTION FOR BAMBOO FLY ROD AND GUIDE TRIP | There is a basket with a Walter Babb bamboo fly rod, Walter Babb flies and a Rob Fightmaster guide trip going up for auction outside the Gift Shop at UT Medical Center. Bidding will start on Monday May 6th and will run through Friday May 10th. The rod is 7'9" Paravergne Taper 2 piece for a 5 or 6wt and has an extra tip.