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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:45 am, the temperature outside is 71.2 degrees.
Isolated thunderstorms moved through the Smokies late yesterday. More thunderstorms are in the forecast for today through the weekend. It will be a little cooler, with high temperatures in the upper 80’s each day through the period. Some thunderstorms may be strong to severe today, through Friday.
Little River is flowing at 80.0 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.46 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 125 cfs. The water temperature is 73.0 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River is rising and flowing slightly higher than normal. Oconaluftee River is flowing above normal and currently receding. Tellico River is flowing slightly above normal. Cataloochee Creek rose quickly yesterday, but is now receding and flowing above normal. None of the streams that have USGS gauges are flowing too high to fish or safely wade but that could change at any time over the next few days.
Water temperatures are warm in the low elevations. Fish the higher elevation streams where the water is cooler. Look for temperatures in the mid-60’s.
Dry flies and nymphs will work. Try a dry and a dropper or a weighted nymph rig. Fish the broken water in riffles, plunge pools or deep runs.
Lowland rivers are flowing low which is normal in July. If you are targeting smallmouth bass or other warmwater species, fish the shaded areas of deeper pools. Poppers, hair bugs and foam floating flies may work. If not, switch to streamers or nymphs. I would go early.
Check the TVA website to see what tailwater options are available to you today. They will be generating at many later this morning. Additionally, you may find sluicing at Norris Dam at times to maintain recreation flow.
Fly fishing on the lakes is probably fair and maybe good. I would go early and be watchful for thunderstorms today through Friday. You may find cloud cover at times during the period, which is helpful. But, you don’t want to be out there in a severe thunderstorm so be watchful.
When I came home from work yesterday, a bear was standing in our private road near the gardens. He walked out of the road and I stopped my truck just a few feet away from the bear. It showed no fear. This was not a huge bear but he was big enough.
Paula told me the bear had been roaming around our house for a while. She tried to run it off but the bear practically ignored her. A neighbor told her the bear was seen dragging a bag of garbage to their neighbor’s property from a tourist rental cabin nearby.
A bear exhibiting that kind of behavior has the potential to be dangerous. I have been around many bears and have never really felt threatened. This one is worrisome. We will both have pistols nearby when we are outside until the bear issue is resolved.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 22, 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 |
