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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:43 am, the temperature is 51.6 degrees.
It will be warm and dry over the next few days. Today will be sunny and warmer with a high temperature in the upper 70’s. Tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday will be sunny and warm with highs in the low to middle 80’s.
Little River is flowing at 431 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.56 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 228 cfs. The water temperature is 54.9 degrees this morning.
Most streams in the Smokies are flowing at or higher than normal. They are receding and will continue to recede over the next few days. Though Little River was flowing higher than some anglers prefer yesterday, fishing was good. I heard reports of good hatches of Yellow Sally Stoneflies, with trout feeding on the adults. This will be a good fishing week in the mountains. Nymphs and dry flies will produce for you.
Fishing is good for stocked trout in the rivers flowing out of the mountains. Nymphs, streamers and midge pupa are good fly choices.
Fishing is good for smallmouth bass and other species in the lowland rivers. Some rivers are flowing fairly high this morning, so wading may be limited. Streamers, nymphs and crayfish patterns will probably work best.
This will be a good lake fishing day. The wind will be calm. We will enjoy bright sunny days this week, so fishing will be best early and late when the sun is off the water. I would launch at daybreak and fish the morning hours. Seek shaded banks as the sun rises. Streamers and swimming nymphs are good fly choices for all game fish and panfish. I would also try foam floating flies. If they are not working yet, they will be soon.
If you are targeting smallmouth bass in the lakes, like I would be, fish the rocky banks where the fish prefer to be this time of the year, prior to, during or after spawning.
The generators will be turned off for long periods at many area dams today. If you are planning to fish on one of the tailwaters, you should be able to wade or boat fish at many. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what your tailwater fishing options are today.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 9, 2022
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CANEY FORK TROUT FISHERY BELOW CENTER HILL DAM!
The US Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input as they are planning to update their Water Control Manual for Center Hill Dam. The manual was last updated in 1998. David Knapp, who guides on the Caney Fork and other rivers, brought this to my attention.
According to David, the current manual requires only one hour of generation during a 24 hour period, which is not enough to provide cold water during the warm months. Years ago, before the dam was repaired, seepage helped maintain much needed cool water that is essential for a sustainable trout fishery. David says that is not the case now. If you love fishing the Caney Fork River tailwater, you should look into this and get involved.
The Corps will be holding a public meeting to discuss changes for the new manual on Thursday May 26th from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Smith County Agricultural center in Carthage, Tennessee.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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