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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. It looks like today is going to be another one of those days that it will be hard to be stuck inside. So if you don't have to be....don't.

The weather is going to be gorgeous today in the Smokies. The highs will be in the low 80's here in the valley so if you are headed higher in elevation you will want to carry jacket. Rain is in the forecast late in the week.

Water levels on Little River are excellent right now. The gauge is reading 2.31 feet or 319 c.f.s. This is just a little above the daily normal of 233 c.f.s. Water clarity is good.

A cool night has dropped water temperatures down to 58 F this morning. That will warm as the day heats up.

Other streams around the Smokies are higher than normal but in good shape. The Little Pigeon seems to be the highest.

Where to go today will once again depend more on what you want to fish for or how you want to fish. If brook trout are your quarry then hiking up Lynn Camp Prong is your spot. Brown trout, then I would say Elkmont or drive over the mountain to the Oconoluftee. If you just want to catch anything willing to bite....well then....Tremont along the road, Little River up from Metcalf or even West Prong of Little River.

Due to the drop in water temperaures fishing will be a little slower in the mornings. Try some nymphs sunk deep to sluggish trout. As the day warms look for hatches going into the afternoon. Hatches have been lighter colored. Light Cahill, Sulphurs, Yellow Sallies. Try Light Cahills, Yellow Parachute Adams, light colored Elk Hair Caddis, Neversink Caddis, Rob's Hellbenders, and Yellow Stimulators.

I saw a post on Facebook from the TWRA about fraudulent sites claiming to sell Tennessee fishing licenses. The only way to purchase a Tennessee license online is at https://gooutdoorstennessee.com/ You can also purchase them in person at a license agent like us.

The tube shuttles are running. River Rat has upped their game. Last night I saw their new custom designed tube trailer. It had their name in metal work on the back and was shaped to hold the tubes. Sorry that is info that may not improve your day any. Just a heads up that the floatilla has begun.

To me the better fishing is up in the Smokies above the reach of the tube hatch. On small, rocky creeks they aren't much of a concern.

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

Daniel Drake
May 7, 2019

Respond to: info@littleriveroutfitters.com

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.