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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:56 am, the temperature outside is 72.9 degrees.
It will be partly sunny today and hot, with a high in the 90’s. There is a chance for thunderstorms later today. The chance for rain increases tomorrow through Friday. It will be cooler during the period.
Little River is flowing at 69.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.40 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 127 cfs. The water temperature is 74.5 degrees this morning.
It rained overnight in the Little Pigeon River watershed. The river is rising now. Flow is currently 214 cfs compared to median flow of 293 cfs.
Rain affected the water levels in Oconoluftee River. Flow now is 458 cfs, compared to median flow of 287 cfs. The river is receding.
Cataloochee Creek is flowing above normal at 87.2 cfs, compared to median flow of 59 cfs for this date. The creek is receding.
The West Prong of the Little Pigeon River rose before midnight last night but it is receding now. Flow is currently 73.2 cfs compared to median flow of 30 cfs for this date. The stream is receding.
The afternoon thunderstorms are affecting water levels in the Smokies. Unfortunately, Little River was felt out last night. Most streams that have USGS gauge sites are flowing higher than normal. The stream levels will fall this morning.
The water is warm in the low elevations and that will be the case today. Fish the high elevation steams where the water is cooler. Dry and dropper or weighted nymph rigs should work. Pick a stream that is flowing higher and stay hidden from the trout.
Some lowland rivers are flowing higher this morning. It should be partly sunny today so go early when fishing is better. Try topwater flies and fish the deeper pools. Or, use streamers or nymphs.
Many of the dams will be active today. I saw a couple of tailwater fishing opportunities in the list. Check the TVA website from the links below to see what your choices are today.
I would be on my way to the lake right now. Launch at daybreak and hope for overcast skies this morning. That is possible. I would definitely start by casting poppers, hair bugs and foam floating flies to the banks. If that does not work, switch to streamers or swimming nymphs. A heavily weighted larger Wooly Bugger or Puglisis Threadfin Shad are good streamer choices. Any weighted dragonfly pattern is a good choice for your nymph. Cast your nymph or streamer to the bank and let it sink, then begin a slow retrieve. Surface temperatures in most lakes are very warm. Fish may be found in deeper water.
A Puglisi Threadfin Shad is one of the best baitfish patterns I have ever used. They take a while to tie, but they are durable. I have tied some large tarpon Puglisi flies that take an hour to tie. The smaller versions I use around here take about 30 minutes to create. Believe me, they are worth the time. I tie most of mine using white Puglisi EP fibers, then color the fly with pens to make the baitfish species you are interested in using, where you fish. In the south, the threadfin shad is an abundant food source for gamefish in impoundments.
I wrote a step by step tutorial on tying these flies years ago. You can view it by CLICKING HERE.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 20, 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 |
