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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:27 am, the temperature outside is 69.6 degrees.

It will be cool during the days this weekend, but warmer than normal at night. Warmer than average nights have been the norm most of the Summer.

There is a low chance for rain this weekend, breaking with a trend of rain almost every day for weeks. The low chance does not mean it won’t rain. Thunderstorms will be widely scattered.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

It rained in Townsend and in the Smokies yesterday. As far as I can tell this morning, most or all streams in the Park are flowing above normal. Some are flowing way above normal.

Little River is flowing at 543 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.72 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 127 cfs. We consider a gauge reading of 2.5 feet on the high side of good.

The Little Pigeon watershed got a heavy shot of rain yesterday and last night, and the river is flowing high. It is flowing at 2,200 cfs or 3.83 feet on the gauge. Median flow is 248 cfs. That’s a lot of water!

Oconaluftee River looks better, flowing at 765 cfs or 2.25 feet on the gauge. Median flow is 262 cfs.

Tellico River in the Cherokee National Forest is flowing at 335 cfs, compared to median flow of 109 cfs.

Cataloochee is flowing at 143 cfs, compared to median flow of 55 cfs.

It looks like the Little Pigeon watershed got the most rain and you may find swift water in some or all of the tributaries. And, it is still rising this morning.

I would choose a smaller stream to fish this morning. The water may be swift so be careful wading. Try the East Prong of Little River above Elkmont or Lynn Camp Prong. Some streams on the North Carolina side should be fishable.

Except for Little Pigeon, the streams are receding and the chance for more rain is low today.

I would start with nymphs, weighted and fished deep. Brown trout may be active during the day due to the higher water. A Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear or a Green Weenie are all good choices for a nymph today.

Dry flies may work. A black foam beetle would be my first choice, followed by a Yellow Stimulator or a Yellow Neversink Caddis. Try a Parachute Adams. You may want to drop a Green Weenie or an ant off your dry fly.

Other options this weekend include one of the many lakes in our area, or the tailwaters. I think some lowland rivers will be flowing high, especially the Little Pigeon. If you are interested in fishing for smallmouth bass on these rivers, you may want to wait until tomorrow, or, check them out today yourself.

We have a crazy bear in the neighborhood. Diane, one of our neighbors called me. She described the damage this bear caused at their home, just a few hundred yards away from us. The bear moved and destroyed two bags of wet mulch. It stole their door mat. The beast ripped five pieces of cedar shake siding off the house. I think she said it destroyed a garden hose.

Paula and I saw a bear on our driveway last week. That one seemed normal and it was fairly small. Diane said she and Herb have seen several lately.

So, for now, I’m not leaving the garage door at the boat house open. I would hate to think what could happen if a bear went crazy in there. One swipe of the paw could destroy a lot of fly rods hanging on the wall, lined up and ready to go.

I am also looking over my shoulder more often lately while outside. When I walk this morning, I will be alert. This will likely fade from memory soon. Or, maybe it won’t. We’ve had pesky bears before, that stayed for a while. They can’t find food here. We all know better than to leave garbage outside.

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

Byron Begley
August 11, 2018   

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com