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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:36 am, the temperature is 66.5 degrees.
Rainfall overnight amounted to .70 inches in Townsend.
It will be wet and cooler today with a high temperature around 70 degrees. One to two inches of rain is expected today. Rain is predicted tonight with a low temperature in the upper 50’s. Rain is in the forecast every day this week until Thursday.
Little River is flowing at 222 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.06 feet on the gauge. The river is rising rapidly. Median flow for this date is 183 cfs. The water temperature is 66.4 degrees this morning.
All streams in the mountains have risen to above median flow. Some are still rising. Others have peaked and begun to recede. Some streams may be stained. If we get the amount of rainfall today that is predicted, the streams will rise further.
This will probably not be a good fishing day in the Smokies due to the possibility of high water conditions. If we do not get much more rain, fishing could be good. All the weather websites I visited this morning indicate we will get more rain and it may be heavy.
The same is true for fishing in the streams flowing out of the mountains for stocked trout. Fishing could be good or most likely it will not be good.
Staining is more likely further downstream in these rivers, where you would fish for smallmouth bass and panfish.
If you hope to fish in any of the free flowing rivers and streams today, watch the weather radar and the USGS gauges, then decide.
Fishing could be good on the lakes today. Take your rain gear and make sure your bilge pump is working. It is not supposed to be windy today.
Fishing at a tailwater may be good today. Long pauses in the generation are planned at several dams. Check the TVA website to see what your tailwater fishing options are.
This is going to be an interesting week. We really need the rain we are getting now and over the next few days. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. It looks like the heavy rain will occur today. The chance for rain tomorrow and Wednesday is lower. The chance for rain Thursday is high.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 23, 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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