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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:46 am, the temperature outside is 73 degrees.
A small storm formed and hovered over Townsend and the surrounding area yesterday, at 1:39 pm. It rained like crazy for almost an hour. All total, we got 1.47 inches of rain, in that short period of time.
There is a 40% chance for showers and thunderstorms again today, with a 70% chance tomorrow and a 60% chance Tuesday.
Today will be warm, in the mid 80’s. Temperatures will be falling beginning tomorrow. We may see a high of 81 tomorrow, 76 Tuesday and 79 degrees Wednesday. Lows will fall to the 50’s Tuesday and Wednesday nights. That is going to feel like Fall.
Little River is flowing at 209 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 1.98 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 132 cfs. The water temperature is 70 degrees this morning. Obviously, the Little River watershed, in the Park, didn’t get 1.5 inches of rain.
Rain fell in the Little Pigeon drainage yesterday. This morning, flow at the Sevierville gauge is 580 cfs, 2.25 feet, compared to median flow of 251 cfs.
Oconaluftee River got a shot of rain yesterday. Flow this morning at the Birdtown gauge is 382 cfs, 1.64 feet, compared to median flow of 281 cfs.
Tellico River at the Tellico Plains gauge is flowing at 294 cfs, 1.63 feet, compared to median flow of 110 cfs. They got some rain down there too.
Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 66.5 cfs, 2.39 feet, compared to median flow of 55 cfs.
We have great stream flows today in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trend will continue, unless we get too much rain over the next two days. Right now, it looks good for fly fishing in the Smokies.
Fishing is good, especially in the mid to high elevations where the water is cooler. I would be using terrestrials right now, beetles, ants and inchworm patterns. Or, I might just use weighted nymphs. The trout are active and feeding. Their metabolism is driving their appetite. They need food.
Dress to blend with the forest so you are less likely to spook the trout. That is essential to your success. Present your fly well and get a good drift. You will do best in the choppy water in riffles, plunge pools and deep runs.
You may find some lowland rivers stained today, depending on which river you choose and how far downstream you go. The water should be clear leaving the park, but some tributaries downstream may be stained. If that is the case, drive further upstream to find clear water. Smallmouth bass and sunfishes will take poppers and streamers. The higher than normal flows will be helpful. If the sun is shining brightly, fish the shaded areas.
The same holds true on the lakes. Go early or late to avoid the sun. If it becomes overcast later today, you will do well casting to the banks with poppers, streamers and Dragons.
There are breaks in the generation schedules on many of the trout and smallmouth bass tailwaters today. Check the links below to plan your day.
I think this is going to be a good fishing day overall.
The City of Townsend held an open house at our new Town hall and Community Center Friday. I would have been there but I forgot about it. We are all proud of this city hall, and I’ll stop by soon to check it out. You can read about the event and see photos on the Daily Times website by CLICKING HERE.
The days are getting shorter. I come to work early. This morning, I left before sunrise. That signals a change coming in my work schedule because I hate arriving at work in the dark, like I did all Winter. I ordered a new Mac for my home office. Soon, I will be writing the fishing report from there earlier, at 5:30 am. Then, I can be at the shop at 7:30 am, after sunrise.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 21, 2019
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |
