Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:34 am, the temperature is 70.2 degrees.
We are under a heat advisory again today. The high temperature will be in the low 90’s. Scattered thunderstorms will be active this afternoon. Thunderstorms are likely tonight. Some storms may be severe with strong winds and heavy rain.
It will be cooler tomorrow with a high in the middle to upper 80’s. Showers and thunderstorms are likely. Sunday will be cooler with a high in the middle 80’s. Showers and thunderstorms are possible Sunday.
Little River is flowing at 78.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.50 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 129 cfs. The water temperature is 73.4 degrees at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend.
Some streams in the mountains are flowing at or higher than normal. Others are flowing below normal. Water temperatures are very warm in the low elevations. Drive to the higher elevations where the water is much cooler and you will be more comfortable. Hike into the backcountry to enjoy some solitude. It is tourist season and it is hot. Rivers and streams flowing along roads will be crowded with swimmers and tubers.
Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Foam beetles and yellow sally stonefly patterns are good dry fly choices. Green Weenies are working well as a dropper off your dry fly.
Fishing for warmwater species in the lowland rivers is fair. Smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish can be caught in the deeper pools and runs. Try poppers and foam floating flies. Cast to the shaded areas. Streamers, nymphs and crayfish patterns may work as well or better than top water offerings. I would go early or late.
The lakes will be crowded, hot and not the place to be should a strong to severe thunderstorm interrupt your day. Go early. Launch at daybreak. As the sun rises, move to shaded banks. Poppers, foam floating flies, swimming nymphs and streamers are all good fly options. You may see game fish feeding on the surface, attacking schools of shad. When the sun rises high, that will be over until late this evening. Watch for approaching thunderstorms.
TVA and the Corps of Engineers will be generating at most dams later this morning or this afternoon. Plan to go tailwater fishing early and pick your fishing location based on the generation schedules.
I know you are looking forward to cooler temperatures, day and night, beginning tomorrow. Me too! The long term weather forecast indicates we will enjoy highs in the 80’s and lows in the 60’s again for several days. Scattered thunderstorms, which are common in July, should continue, helping keep our streams and rivers flowing close to normal.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 8, 2022
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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