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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:48 am, the temperature outside is 70.9 degrees.
It will be warm today and through the weekend with high temperatures in the upper 80’s each day. The chance for rain will be low today and tomorrow, but increasing chances are coming Saturday and Sunday.
Little River is flowing at 176 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.86 feet on the flow gauge at Townsend. Median flow for this date is 122 cfs. The water temperature is 67.3 degrees this morning.
All streams that have USGS flow gauge sites are flowing higher than normal. Normal flows are low this time of the year, so what we have now is good news. I noticed Tellico River rose quickly overnight, about one foot, but it is receding now.
Water temperatures are going to be warm in the lowest elevations over the next few days. Fish the mid to higher elevation streams where the water is cooler. Look for water temps in the 60’s.
Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. The trout are hungry and looking for food. Fishing is good. Fly selection is not as important as stealth and presentation. Don’t let the trout see you and you will catch more.
Lowland river fishing is good. The rivers are flowing higher than normal. Poppers, hair bugs, foam floating flies, nymphs and streamers will draw strikes from smallmouth bass and other warm water species.
There are angler friendly generation schedules at some dams today allowing for wade or boat fishing on those tailwaters. Check the schedules from the links below to see what opportunities are available to you.
Fly fishing on the lakes is good. I don’t know what they all look like, but I suspect some areas where creeks enter the impoundments may be stained. We have had some heavy rain lately. Find clear water and go early or late.
Top water flies will work well when the sun is off the water. Try streamers and swimming nymphs too. It’s hard to beat a big heavily weighted Wooly Bugger for your streamer pattern. I tie mine on jig hooks in sizes #2 to 2/0. The hook shank is wrapped with lead free wire. My favorite color is black. Purple and olive are good colors too.
Dragonfly swimming nymphs are always a good choice for bluegill, shellcrackers and bass. My favorite is an adaptation of the Carter’s Rubber Legged Dragon. I weight mine with bead chain eyes, cast them out, let them sink, then slowly retrieve them back. Keep your line and leader tight so you can feel the strikes.
The lakes are going to be packed with boaters this weekend. Go early, at daybreak, and fish until late morning. You probably don’t want to be out there fishing after that this weekend.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 2, 2020
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |
