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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:51 am, the temperature outside is 73 degrees.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely today and tomorrow. We are under a flash flood watch through tomorrow. Some storms could produce heavy rain. Watch for rising water when you are fishing in the Smokies over the next two days. If you see the water become quickly stained, move to the bank and get out. You may not know what is coming your way.  

It will be much cooler. The high today is predicted to be 81 degrees. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be even cooler, with highs in the 70’s. Nights will be chilly, dropping to the 50’s tomorrow and Wednesday nights.

Little River is flowing at 187 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.91 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 125 cfs. The water temperature is 71.1 degrees this morning.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 394 cfs, 1.96 feet, compared to median flow of 247 cfs.

Oconoluftee River rose sharply this morning, but it is receding now. Flow is 403 cfs, 1.68 feet, compared to median flow of 278 cfs.

Tellico River is rising quickly. Flow at the Tellico Plains gauge is currently 233 cfs, 1.45 feet, and that compares to median flow of 107 cfs.

It rained in the Cataloochee watershed this morning. Flow there is 91.3 cfs, 2.52 feet, compared to median flow of 55 cfs.

Right now, the streams look fine in the Smokies. Some could be stained now. Some could rise and be stained later. And, there is the chance for flash flooding. Only time will tell.

If heavy rain does not affect the stream where you are, fishing will be good. It is overcast. Stream flows are great for July. Dry flies and nymphs are working. We will see water temperatures fall over the next few days. That will allow for fishing in the low elevations, if that is what you prefer.

There is a high chance you will encounter stained water in some of the lowland rivers over the next three days. If your favorite lowland river is fishable, fishing will probably be very good. It is overcast. Flows are higher than normal in July. Use poppers or streamers for smallmouth bass and sunfishes.

This could be a very good lake fishing day, thanks to overcast skies. Or, the weather could change from what I’m seeing now. Your enemy could be wind and thunderstorms.

There is quite a bit of generation going on today, affecting fishing on many of our tailwaters. You might squeeze in some fishing time, if you are there now and drifting in a boat or possibly wading too. Check the links below to the TVA website to see the planned generation schedules.

If you are lost or injured in the Smokies, you may be found by Kato. Kato is a search and rescue K-9, black German Sheppard. He is the only K-9 allowed to train and deploy in the Park. This is a great story, that you can find on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.

Kato is one good looking nice dog.

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

Byron Begley
July 22, 2019

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com