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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 7:00 am, the temperature outside is 71 degrees.
The sky is clear right now and there is some fog toward the mountains. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, especially later this afternoon. They say we have a 60% chance, dropping to a 40% chance tonight.
Little River is flowing at 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.57 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 133 cfs. The water temperature is 73.4 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River is flowing at about median flow.
Oconaluftee River is rising due to rain that fell earlier this morning. Flow is 377 cfs, 1.67 feet, compared to median flow of 321 cfs.
Tellico River is flowing at median flow for this date.
Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 85.2 cfs, 2.49 feet, compared to median flow of 65 cfs.
The streams are very warm in the low elevations. Warm water contains low levels of dissolved oxygen. The trout are stressed and fighting one, then releasing it in warm water can be fatal (to the fish).
Therefore, you should fish in the higher elevations where the water is cooler. For instance, the water temperature at Cataloochee Creek is 63 degrees right now, 10 degrees cooler than Little River at the low elevation USGS gauge. Yesterday, Cataloochee Creek warmed to only 65 degrees. Lower Little River warmed to almost 77 degrees yesterday. Streams are cooler in the higher elevations.
You can find cool water in the upper reaches of all prongs of Little River. You may have to do some hiking, to reach the proper elevation and to avoid the crowds in the Park. There are many higher elevation streams to fish in the Smokies. Look for water temperatures in the 60’s.
I was hoping for rain this weekend. We got rain in some drainages, but the water levels are at about normal in most streams. Normal in July is low at times, and high at other times. This is when we see more afternoon thunderstorms and I hope we get plenty this afternoon.
So, the trout will likely be spooky if the stream you are fishing if flowing low. It is very important, to hide from the trout. If they see you, they will be spooked. Dress to blend with the forest. Stay low. Wade as little as possible. Fish the choppy water where the trout are hiding.
I don’t know how many hundreds of times I have given the above advice. I have been writing this daily fishing report for over 10 years. During the Summer, when the streams are flowing low, this is standard advice, to help you catch more trout. Actually, stealth is very important to your success when the water is higher. You never want to be seen by these wild trout.
Wild trout successfully live their lives because they are scared to death of predators, including us. That is an inherited trait, passed down for generations. Trout that are not wary, are much less likely to grow to sexual maturity. By natural selection, only wary trout survive to spawn.
Trout have not been legally stocked in the Smoky Mountains since the early 70’s, many trout generations ago.
I would use a black foam beetle and a Green Weenie dropper today. If you can’t catch them on that, the fish are probably not biting for other reasons. You might also dredge deep runs with heavily weighted nymphs.
You may find fair lowland river fishing for warmwater species today. Go early or late. Fish the shaded water with poppers.
Go early or late on the lakes today to avoid heavy boat traffic and glaring sun.
Some of our trout tailwaters are fishable to wade anglers today, at times. Visit the TVA website from the links below to check your favorite river.
Like many of you, I am preparing to use some of the European nymphing techniques and flies when fishing for trout. Nymphing is a very good method. Trout do most of their feeding below the surface.
Right now, I am tying flies, heavy “anchor” flies, every day. I usually tie two at night and one before coming to work. I am tying them on Hanak competition jig hooks with heavy tungsten slotted beads.
During the past couple of days, the pattern of choice for me is a soft hackle Hare’s Ear. Next, will be several variations of the Prince Nymph. I never met a trout that would not eat a Hare’s Ear or Prince Nymph.
For my flies to be attached to the tag above the anchor fly, I’ll tie some of the same patterns without the beads, and some Green and Pink Weenies for use this Summer.
Though I have been tight line nymphing for decades, this is something that is in some way new to me. Like many of us, I love to try new fly fishing tactics and fly fish for new species.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 7, 2019
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |