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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:49 am, the temperature is 66.0 degrees.
It will be very warm again today with a high temperature in the upper 80’s. Stray thunderstorms are possible through the evening. Cooler air will move into the Tennessee Valley tomorrow and gradually cool further through the weekend. We will see highs in the middle 80’s tomorrow and Friday with a high chance for rain and thunderstorms on Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be cooler, with highs in the low 70’ during the day and falling to the low 50’s at night.
Little River is flowing at 139 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.79 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 192 cfs. The water temperature is 64 degrees this morning. Yesterday, the water temperature rose to 66 degrees at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend.
Most streams in the mountains are flowing lower than normal but not by much. Tellico River is flowing slightly higher than normal. Water temperatures are warm in the lowest elevations. Fish higher where the water is cooler today. That won’t be an issue as we move into the weekend and the streams cool.
Fishing is good in the Smokies. Trout are taking dry flies well. You will see Yellow Sally Stoneflies on the water at times, especially early or late. A Yellow Sally dry fly is a very good option. Additionally, Light Cahill, Elk Hair Caddis and Yellow Stimulators are good choices for your dry fly. For sub-surface fishing or used as a dropper off your dry fly, use a small Bead Head Pheasant Tail or Green Weenie.
Lowland river fishing is good for smallmouth bass. Fish the shaded areas if they are available on the river you are fishing, or go early or late when the sun is off the water. Nymphs, streamers, poppers or foam floating flies will work.
TVA and the Corps of Engineers are not generating much or often. There are many opportunities for tailwater anglers who prefer wade fishing today. If you are boating, the afternoons offer more options below some dams.
Lake fishing is good. Fishing will be best during the day when there is cloud cover. Otherwise, go early or late when the sun is off the water. It will be cloudy Friday but you will likely have to deal with rain and possibly strong wind in thunderstorms. Expect heavy boat traffic on the lakes this weekend through Monday. Go early or late to avoid the traffic.
Swimming nymphs, streamers, poppers and foam floating flies will work for you. Watch for cicadas on the water. If that occurs, be ready with black foam floating flies.
Brood X cicadas are emerging and active at the lower elevations in some areas. I have yet to see one personally so far this year.
May is prime fishing time in our region. June is too. Our busiest months at the shop are always May and June based on 26 years of history.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 26, 2021
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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