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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:34 am, the temperature outside is 57.4 degrees.
It will be hot today, with a high temperature in the upper 80’s, maybe hitting 90 degrees. Saturday and Sunday will be hot with a fair chance for thunderstorms. Scattered thunderstorms will be in the forecast most of next week, with high temperatures in the mid-80’s.
Little River is flowing at 193 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.93 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 153 cfs. The water temperature is 63.7 degrees this morning.
Fishing is very good in the Smoky Mountains. The streams in the lowest elevations are going to be warm at midday, so it will be best for you and the trout, to fish the mid to higher elevations streams. I would fish on the gravel road on the Middle Prong or hike to Lynn Camp Prong to catch brook trout. Thunderhead Prong and its tributaries are a good option for both rainbow and brook trout.
You can park at the Little River Trailhead above Elkmont until 5 pm. Fish upstream for miles for rainbow, brown and brook trout. The trolley service to the area will begin at that time, bringing those who have passes to watch the synchronous fireflies. So, if you go and park there, get out by 5 pm.
You could fish below Elkmont. You may be bothered by swimmers and tubers. Go early or late.
Of course there are many mid to high elevation streams to fish in the Great Smoky Mountains. There will be more people along the roads. Hike into the backcountry for some solitude.
Trout will take dry flies or nymphs. Fishing will be best early and late when the sun is off the water. If you are fishing at midday, concentrate on shaded areas in streams.
My fly choices would be Yellow Neversink Caddis, Yellow Stimulator, any Yellow Sally Stonefly pattern, Green or Pink Weenie (Barbie Bug) or Squirmy Worms in various colors. Pink is a good one to use.
Cherokee, Norris and Douglas Lakes are still higher than TVA would like them to be, but they are getting closer to full Summer pool. Today, they will be generating at those dams and sluicing at Norris Dam. Hopefully we will see lower water flows in the tailwaters this weekend.
Lake fishing is probably good. Today will be sunny, which is not a perfect condition for fly fishing to fish with shallow water tackle. Go early or late and you will do best. The lakes will be busy this weekend with recreation boaters. Go early or late to avoid the crowds.
Fish the lowland rivers early and late for smallmouth bass and rock bass, plus other species. These rivers are getting lower now, at normal for this time of the year. Little River in Townsend and other areas will be packed with people tubing.
Overall, this looks to be a good weekend to fish in the Smoky Mountains. This is tourist season. It is going to be hot. People will be drawn to the streams to swim and tube.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
June 8, 2018
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |