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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:53 am, the temperature outside is 68 degrees.
It rained last night. We got .84 inches in Townsend while the Knoxville Airport reported .55 inches. Rain fell in the Smokies. Little River and other streams are flowing higher today.
Today will be mostly sunny with a 40% chance for thunderstorms this afternoon. The high temperature is predicted to be 87 degrees. Thunderstorms are likely tomorrow and through the weekend. High temperatures will be in the upper 80’s with lows around 70 degrees each day.
Little River is flowing at 181 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.89 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 118 cfs. The water temperature is 71.2 degrees this morning. The river is still rising.
The Little Pigeon River watershed got some rain last night too. The river is flowing at 321 cfs, 1.83 feet, compared to median flow of 266 cfs. Little Pigeon River is receding at the Sevierville gauge.
Light rain fell in the Oconaluftee River, Tellico River and Cataloochee Creek watersheds. Those streams were not affected much at all by the rain.
Fishing conditions look good this morning, especially Little River and Little Pigeon River. We do not know at what point Little River will peak, but I don’t think it will rise much further. I could be wrong. “Check the flow before you go”.
The water is warm in the low elevations. Fish the mid to high elevation streams where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures in the 60’s.
Most streams are flowing low, which is normal at times during the Summer months. That could change at any time, due to the predicted scattered thunderstorms. When the streams are flowing low, the trout are extra spooky. You fishing success depends on being stealthy. Dress to blend with the forest. Stay low if you can. Hide behind boulders. Fish the choppy water in runs, riffles and plunge pools.
Nymphs or dry flies will work. I would use terrestrials, foam beetles and Green Weenies. Other fly patterns will work. The trout are hungry and looking for food. Get a good drift, don’t spook the trout, and fishing will be fine. If it is sunny, fish the shaded areas of the streams.
That is always good advice when fishing the lowland rivers. Look for shade. I would use poppers for smallmouth bass, rock bass and sunfishes.
And, that is true on the lakes. Fish when and where the sun is off the water. I would not go to a lake today. There will likely be boats everywhere.
There are wade and boat fishing opportunities today on some of the trout tailwaters. Check the TVA website from the links below, to plan your day.
The smaller and beautiful log event center at Tremont Lodge and Resort burned completely night before last. The building is a total loss for the owners and for Townsend. You can read more and see the images on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.
This was not the event center we will be using for Fly Tyers Weekend. This is a large resort and the larger building we will be using is not located close. I drove down and asked if they needed help. I had a leaf blower in my truck and offered to use it to help clean around the pools. Ken said they could handle it but he appreciated me offering.
It is Independence Day. I’m dressed in red, white and blue. Our almost brand new flag will be flying proudly in the breeze.
Paula was planning to smoke ribs all day. But, she was called in to the hospital to sit with a dying person. She belongs to a group of volunteers who do not allow anyone to die alone at Blount Memorial Hospital. So, we’ll celebrate with smoked ribs tomorrow night.
I hope you all enjoy our Independence Day holiday. I am working today and I will enjoy that too.
In case you are wondering, WE ARE OPEN TODAY! There are only four of us here, but we're open.
Have a great one and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 4, 2019
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |