Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:52 am, the temperature is 70.7 degrees.
Today will be mostly sunny and hot with a high temperature in the low 90’s. We have a chance for scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. The chance for thunderstorms increases tomorrow and every day through Friday. Some storms may be strong. Expect high temperatures in the low 90’s each day through Friday.
Little River is flowing at 83.8 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.53 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 125 cfs. The water temperature is 73.4 degrees at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend.
Many streams in the mountains are flowing below normal with Cataloochee Creek, Davidson River and possibly others flowing at or higher than normal. Water temperatures are very warm in the low elevations. Fish in the higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the 60’s.
This is a good time to be fishing in the backcountry. Streams along roads are crowded with people swimming and tubing. The further you walk from the roads, the more solitude you will find. It will also be cooler and more comfortable in these shaded streams.
Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Fish the broken water in plunge pools and runs. A yellow sally stonefly or terrestrial imitation are good dry fly choices. Drop a bead head nymph or Green Weenie off your dry fly.
Fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish is fair in the lowland rivers. Many of the rivers are flowing low. Fish the deeper pools and runs. I would use poppers or foam floating flies. However, streamers, nymphs and crayfish patterns are good choices too.
Lake fishing will be best early when the light is dim and there are less recreation boaters on the water. Launch at daybreak and begin by fishing the banks with poppers, foam floating flies, streamers or swimming nymphs. As the sun rises, seek out shaded banks to fish. Watch for surface action. Bass and other game fish may be feeding in shad schools early. When the sun is shining on the water, that top water action will be over until evening.
There are generation schedules today that tailwater anglers can work with especially early in the day. Choose a tailwater, go early and be in the right place, pre-planned after reviewing the generation schedule. If you are boating or wading, you can work with most of the generation schedules today.
Summer is not my favorite time of the year and so far, this one has been hot and dry. It may not be dry later this week. We may get more rain than we would prefer. This is a good time of the year to be an early riser. Go fishing early. Enjoy the lakes, rivers, streams and ponds during the early morning hours. You will be starting your day in a very good way.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 5, 2022
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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