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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:44 am, the temperature is 55.4 degrees.
It will be sunny today with a high temperature in the low to middle 80’s, falling to the middle to upper 50’s tonight. It will be sunny early tomorrow, then showers are likely later in the afternoon. The high temperature tomorrow will be around 80 degrees. Showers are likely Saturday and Sunday.
Little River is flowing at 256 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.16 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 227 cfs. The water temperature is 59.5 degrees.
Most if not all streams in the mountains are flowing at normal levels this morning. Water temperatures are very good. Trout are actively feeding. Fishing is good.
We are recommending Yellow Sally Stonefly imitations of which there are many. There are significant hatches of Yellow Sallies occurring in the mountains. Other aquatic insects are active too.
I talked to Robert yesterday. He asked me if Green Weenies would work. I told him I had not seen any inchworms yet this year. When I got home last evening, an inchworm was hanging right in front of my face, on our deck. So, maybe Green Weenies are also a good fly choice. You might want to trail one behind your Yellow Sally dry fly. Pink Weenies work well too.
Fly fishing for stocked trout in the rivers flowing out of the mountains is good. River fishing conditions are perfect. Nymphs, small streamers, midge pupa and squirmy worms will work. Try a Green Weenie on your nymph rig.
Lowland river fishing for smallmouth bass is good. Streamers and nymphs will probably work best. One of the readers of this report sent me photos of a really nice smallmouth he caught on a Wooly Bugger. He was fishing on the Cumberland Plateau in one of the many streams there. The bass was over 16” long.
The lakes have warmed. Fishing for bass and panfish is heating up. You may will find smallmouth bass on the rocky banks, where they spawn. Streamers and swimming nymphs are good fly choices. Try a large black weighted Wooly Bugger. Retrieve it slow. Let it drop as the water becomes deeper. Speed up the retrieve occasionally. Often, smallmouth bass will grab the fly when you are pulling it out of the water to make another cast. I suppose they have been following the fly, and suddenly, they think it is trying to get away, which triggers a strike. Try foam floating flies too. They may work.
Bluegill and shellcrackers may be spawning in some lakes. May is a prime month to catch these panfish. They could be taking poppers. Swimming nymphs will definitely work for you. When I mention swimming nymphs, I am referring to a damselfly nymph. I tie mine in many different colors. Olive, chartreuse and rust colored damsels work best for me. I tie mine with rubber legs and bead chain eyes for weight. Retrieve them slow.
If you want to fish on a tailwater today, you have many choices. TVA and the Corps are pausing their generation for fairly long periods. Look at the generation schedules, then decide where you need to be and when you should be there.
Today will be another good fishing day. Go if you can.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 12, 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 48 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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