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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 7:03 am, the temperature outside is 72 degrees.

Today and tomorrow will be warm, in the mid to upper 80’s. We will likely get some scattered thunderstorms today through tomorrow night. It will be sunny to partly sunny, except when storms are in the area.

Little River is flowing low at 96 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.55 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 142 cfs. The water temperature is 73.8 degrees this morning. The temp rose to over 77 degrees yesterday, at the low elevation gauge site in the Park, near the Townsend entrance.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 222 cfs, 1.62 feet, compared to median flow for this date of 271 cfs.

Rain fell in the Oconaluftee River watershed last night. Flow is 414 cfs, 1.74 feet, compared to median flow of 321 cfs at the Birdtown gauge.

Tellico River’s flow jumped last night too. It is receding now. Flow at the Tellico Plains gauge is 283 cfs or 1.60 feet. Median flow is 131 cfs for this date.

Rain affected the flow at Cataloochee Creek. Flow there is 89.2 cfs, 2.51 feet, compared to median flow of 64 cfs.

You have much to consider today if you are planning to fly fish in the Smokies. The water is very warm in the low elevations. You will need to fish in the higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the 60’s.

The rivers along roads are very crowded with swimmers and tubers. Parking spots are rare right now. This is a very busy weekend in the Park. I would go early or late if you plan to fish along roads. A better option is to hike into the backcountry. My choices in this area would be, above Elkmont, Lynn Camp Prong and possibly the West Prong of Little River, from the road to Campsite 18 and beyond. The higher you go, the cooler the water will be.

There are many high elevation streams where the water is cool. But, depending on where you are and how much rain we get, the streams may be flowing low.

Trout are extra spooky when the water is low. Dress to blend with the forest. Hide as much as possible. Don’t wade unless you have to. Fish the choppy water or deep runs.

Fishing will be good, depending on where you fish. And, fishing conditions may change depending on the scattered storms.

I would stay off the lakes this weekend. They will be crowded with pleasure boaters. If you go, make it early or late.

Fishing for smallmouth bass in Little River is probably fair. The river is flowing low. Concentrate on shaded areas with deeper water. I would use poppers. Go early or late. Other lowland rivers such as the Little Pigeon River or possibly Abrams Creek will be flowing higher this morning.

There are some trout and smallmouth bass tailwater fishing opportunities today. Refer to the TVA website generation schedules by clicking on the links below.

Two ambulances just drove by toward the Park with sirens on and the pedal to the metal. I don’t know what happened.

I’m going to water the flowers and blow off the parking lot at the shop now.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
July 6, 2019

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com