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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:10 am, the temperature outside is 61.9 degrees.

It will be sunny and hot today, reaching near 90 degrees, with no chance for rain mentioned in the forecast. Tomorrow will be almost identical, and a little hotter. Rain chances return each day Friday through Sunday.

Little River is flowing low, at 78.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.45 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 139 cfs. The water temperature is 68.9 degrees this morning.

Other streams in the Smokies are flowing at normal or slightly below, including Oconaluftee River, Tellico River and Cataloochee Creek. Little Pigeon River is flowing lower than median flow at the Sevierville gauge.

We have had a short dry spell and the water levels have fallen, temporarily. Hopefully we will get some rain to bring the water back up this weekend. July is the second wettest month here, mostly due to scattered thunderstorms in the afternoons.

Water temps are warm in the low elevations. Fish higher where the water is cooler. Look for water temperatures in the mid-60’s or cooler.

When the water levels are this low, stealth is paramount to your success. If the trout see you, the game is over for them. Dress in muted clothing to blend in. Stay low. Fish the broken water in riffles, plunge pools and deep runs where the trout are hiding. I would choose terrestrial fly patterns, including foam beetles, ants and inchworms.

Lowland rivers are flowing low. I would go early or late and fish the deeper pools where the sun is off the water. Smallmouth bass, rock bass and other warmwater species will be found in the deeper pools and runs. I would stick with top water flies, including hair bugs, poppers and foam floating flies. If they don’t work, try streamers or nymphs.

You have many tailwater fishing choices today, especially early. Check the TVA website to view the scheduled releases at dams then plan accordingly.

Lake fishing is probably at least fair. Today and tomorrow will be sunny. Go early or late when the sun is off the water and there are less recreation boaters. Top water flies will probably work. If not, switch to streamers or swimming nymphs.

I began fly fishing in the early 60’s in Kentucky. I was a kid who for many reasons wanted to fly fish. That was a good choice. I fly fished on farm ponds, some on our family farm and on neighbors ponds. During the Summer months, I loved that special time, just about an hour before dark. The ponds would come alive with bluegill and bass feeding on or near the surface. I spent many nights walking home in the dark. I ate a lot of leftovers back then. The family dinner was lower on my priority list in the warm months. My parents understood.  

I tied flies back then but I didn’t try making poppers until over 20 years ago. Bob Clouser taught me how to make them using foam cylinders. You can read and see the steps to easily make these poppers by CLICKING HERE.

I bought poppers back in those days, mostly from a hardware store in town. Fly fishing gear was hard to find where I lived in the 60’s. Selection was limited. That has changed over the decades. Fly fishing is very popular in Kentucky now. It may have been popular there back then but I didn’t know it.

It was not until the 70’s, that I actually met other people who fly fished. That is when I began to learn about trout. I had moved to Tennessee to open a business and found trout tailwaters, mountain streams and people who loved fly fishing, who lived in Nashville.

That was a life changer for me. Moving to Townsend was another huge life changer. I bought land here in the late 80’s, part of a plan to move here someday. I made it happen and have absolutely no regrets. I didn’t know a fly shop was in my future back then.

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

Byron Begley
July 14, 2020    

NOTICE: FLY TYERS WEEKEND HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS YEAR. WE ARE PLANNING FOR THE EVENT TO BE HELD IN 2021.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com