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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. Spring is on full display in the Smokies. Wild flowers are blooming and the trout are biting. It is still peaceful most days before the crowds of summer arrive.

Fishing conditions are near ideal. This morning the streamflow gauge on Little River is reading 1.95 feet or 199 c.f.s. The daily normal is 24 c.f.s. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is 58F.

The Smokies streams have been fishing well. Water conditions have been very stable which the trout seem to prefer. We have been hearing good reports from all the streams. Dry flies have been working good. Try some lighter colors. Yellow stonefly patterns are really starting to get hot. Rob's Hellbenders, Yellow Stimulators, Yellow Sallies etc. Mayfly patterns like Light Cahill, Yellow Parachute Adams, and Sulphurs are also working well. Sizes are going to range from #12 - #16.

Nymph patterns to try are the old standbys. Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Tellico, Hares Ear, Squirmy Worms. Green Weenies are starting to appear along the streams. These make great dropper flies as the are lightweight and don't need to be on the stream bottom.

Dave Carson is going to at the Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited's meeting this week. The meeting is this Thursday May 10, at 7:00 pm located in the parish hall of St. Francis Episcopal Church, 158 W. Norris Road, Norris. Dave is going to be taking some of the new gear we have in the Shop. You don't need to be a member of Trout Unlimited to attend.

We are blessed to have three very active Trout Unlimited Chapter in our area. They all work well together helping each other with projects. The Little River Chapter meets in Maryville and generally focuses on the Smokies. They work with the National Park doing water sampling, stream surveys and were a major contributor to the brook trout restoration. Trout in the Classroom is a fun educational program in local schools where the students get to see rainbow trout hatch and grow before being released. We have one of the tanks in our Shop so when you stop by check out the fish. The tanks require some specialized equipment, namely a chiller which keeps the water temperatures cold enough for the trout. The Little River Chapter provides the tanks for schools to use so donations go directly to pay for the upkeep.

Clinch River Chapter is, of course, more focused on the Clinch River fishery. They do river cleanups, taking the never ending supply of tires out of the water. Education is a major focus for them. They do fly tying classes and also a big Womens on the Water event later in the summer.

Great Smoky Mountains Chapter does a lot of work with the Smokies. They have events throughout the year. One of the highlights is the Iron Fly Contest held in the winter. This is a crazy, fun tying event with tough competion like tying a fly blindfolded,

We have an Aquatic Entomology Class scheduled. It is going to be on Saturday June 16. The price is just $100 for this all day class. Space is limited so give us a call to get your name on the roster. 865-448-9459.

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

Daniel Drake
May 8, 2018  

Respond to: info@littleriveroutfitters.com