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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 7:13 am, the temperature outside is 66 degrees.
It rained again last night. The Knoxville Airport reported .41 inches. In Townsend we got .24 inches. It is sunny this morning with a light breeze and, it it feels chilly outside.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely today, mainly this afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible. Expect a high temperature in the low 80’s, falling to the mid-60’s tonight. We may see scattered thunderstorms tonight. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a 50% chance for showers and thunderstorms.
Little River is flowing at 209 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.98 feet on the fow gauge. Median flow for this date is 133 cfs. The river is still rising rather quickly. The water temperature is 68.5 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River is flowing at 419 cfs, 2.00 feet, compared to median flow of 264 cfs.
Oconaluftee River is flowing at 525 cfs, 1.93 feet, compared to median flow of 328 cfs. The river is currently rising.
Tellico River is rising quickly. Current flow is 447 cfs, 2.01 feet, compared to median flow of 139 cfs. That watershed must have had some heavy rain.
Cataloochee Creek is rising quickly too. Flow is 93.4 cfs, 2.53 feet, compared to median flow of 71 cfs.
Stream flows are good and the streams are fishable right now. Some streams may keep rising for a while. You can check the stream flows from the links below before going.
It is possible some streams are temporarily stained. They should clear quickly. That depends on how much water is flowing down from the mountains, and not affecting the gauges quite yet. We’ll know more in an hour or so.
I would plan on going fishing in the Smokies today. Rising water, if it is not turbid can offer us some very good fishing. Food will be washing down the streams, to the hungry trout. Come to think about it, I would definitely go.
Be aware, there is a chance for thunderstorms later today. Watch water levels while you are fishing. Look for suddenly stained water. If you see either, head for the bank.
Nymphs may work best but dry flies may work too. Many nymph patterns will work. Try a Green Weenie, Prince, Tellico, Hare’s Ear or Pheasant Tail. If you decide to try dry fly fishing, a black foam beetle, Yellow Stimulator, Yellow Neversink Caddis, Rob’s Hellbender or Smoky Mountain Candy are all good choices.
If the lowland rivers are not stained, fishing should be very good for smallmouth bass, rock bass and trout, where they are stocked. Flows are higher which is good to a point. Some rivers may be flowing high and stained. I would use BoogleBug Poppers or Byron’s Knuckleheads on top. Wooly Buggers will always work below the surface. Cast to the shaded areas of the river unless it becomes overcast later.
This might be a good lake fly fishing day. Watch for storms later. If it becomes overcast, all the better for you. I would start first with poppers or foam top water flies. If the bass are not interested, try big heavily weighted Wooly Buggers. Or, try a Puglisi Threadfin Shad.
Fishing Rubber Legged Dragons deep may score some nice bluegill of shellcrackers for you.
TVA is still blowing water through the turbines at Cherokee Dam, around the clock. They are sluicing at Norris Dam, about 3,300 cfs all day. Generation at Douglas Dam will be continuous today, with one or more generators. The generation schedule at Center Hill Dam looks like it has for a while, which has been good. Generation at Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky is going to be around 14,000 cfs around the clock.
Check the TVA website before going to fish any of our tailwaters.
Two bull elk showed up at the Park Headquarters for the first time. These young bulls came from North Caroling and followed close to Newfound Gap Road down to near Gatlinburg. Now, one of them has arrived at Meigs Falls. Will he make it to Townsend or Cades Cove?
You can read this interesting story on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
June 22, 2019
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |