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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:14 am, the temperature outside is 65.3 degrees.
Another third of an inch of rain fell yesterday in Townsend. And, we have a chance for rain every day this week through Saturday. It will be cooler today, with a high temperature in the upper 70’s. Expect scattered thunderstorms today and tomorrow with a higher chance for rain Friday.
Looking at the long term forecast, the rain should end or the chances will be very low beginning Sunday through at least June 4th. That forecast could change.
Little River is flowing at 507 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.65 feet on the flow gauge. This level is close to the high side of good. Median flow for this date is 205 cfs. The water temperature is 59.4 degrees this morning.
All streams in the Smokies that have USGS gauge sites are flowing higher than normal. Some are flowing twice normal. Little Pigeon River at Sevierville is flowing more than double the normal flow for this date. Most streams are fishable but some are swift, so be careful wading.
Fishing is good. Water temperatures are perfect. Nymphs and dry flies are working. Dry fly recommendations are Yellow Sally, Yellow Neversink Caddis, Light Cahill and Yellow Stimulator patterns. Nymph choices should include Green Weenie, Pink Weenie, Squirmy Worm, Tellico, Hare’s Ear, Prince or Pheasant Tail patterns.
Some lowland rivers are flowing high and wading is limited.
TVA is reporting around the clock generation at most dams. I do not see any tailwater wade fishing opportunities today. I did not check all dams on the TVA site so look yourself to see if one of your favorites is fishable today.
Fly fishing on the lakes is good. Be on the lookout for thunderstorms through Saturday. It should be overcast every day until Sunday, which is a benefit for shallow water anglers. Streamers and top water flies are working.
We need some dry weather conditions. I’m not wishing for a drought. I am hoping for better tailwater fishing. I do not remember a Spring when the dams were generating, sluicing and even spilling this much and it is almost June.
Rainfall at the Knoxville Airport totaled 36.17 inches for the year, through yesterday. Normal is 20.75 inches. Last year that number was 31.59 inches. I think last year was the wettest year on record in the Tennessee Valley. Unless things change, we seem to be headed for another record year. That would be three in a row.
We are busy at the shop. More people are probably fly fishing in the mountains because there are less choices elsewhere. Americans are fishing more. Demand for all tackle, especially conventional tackle, is very high. Supply chains are not keeping up with the demand. More Americans want to go fishing.
Our fly tying department is my baby and I’m trying to keep up with demand. I am having problems getting some items, especially Tiemco and now, Mustad hooks. Some of our suppliers are not able to package and ship materials because they have reduced their workforce. Most fly tying hooks are imported from Japan, Korea and China. Dry fly hackle is very hard to find right now.
This weekend, I placed some of the largest orders for tying materials than I have in a while. I’m trying to overstock but I’m forced to understock due to the lack of fulfillment. What we do know, in our industry, fly tying this year has been over the top.
Over time things will settle down and demand will align with normal. Hopefully our suppliers and manufacturers will catch up. Until then, I will keep trying to keep up with your needs.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
May 27, 2020
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |