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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. A band of rain passed through the area a little while ago. It was moving pretty fast so I'm not expecting it to do much to change water levels. We will just have to see.

The weather forecast for today is calling for scattered rain. Temperatures will be cooler today and the next couple of days. Later this week and this weekend should be beautiful. Time to make some fishing plans!

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

The streamflow gauge on the Little River is giving a reading of 1.81 feet or 159 c.f.s. This is a little higher than the daily normal of 117 c.f.s. Streams have been flowing mostly clear. Rain will muddy the river up but that doesn't usually last long.

Keep an eye on the stream while you are fishing. Rain falling upstream can cause water levels to rise quickly.

Water temperatures across the mountains are great. This morning the Little River is at 68 F. Upper 60's isn't ideal for trout but the streamflow gauge is located in the lower reaches of Little River. It is more of a benchmark indicator. The areas of the river we will be fishing are higher and the water is cooler. The temperature on the streamflow gauge lets us know trends that can be used to make conclusions.

High water temperatures are a concern for trout. They don't survive well when water gets too warm. Oxygen levels drop in warm water. Trout metabolism speeds up in warmer water causing them to feed more but in the warm water they have a harder time breathing....it is a viscious cycle. When streams are warm it is best to land trout quickly and get them back on their way quickly. If you have had to fight a fish for a while, hold it face into the current and let it get settled before sending it on its way. If you hold it lightly in the water it will swim away when it is ready.

I was wondering about water temperatures yesterday afternoon. Other places are plagued by high water temperatures in the summer. Some get so bad that officials close streams for the warmest part of the day to protect the fish. Many of these places are much farther north and higher elevations. I'm not sure why they get hot and the Southern Appalachians stays good. Oh well....I'll just be thankful.

Unstable weather conditions such as we have forecast for today can go either way for the fishing. Some days it has the trout all messed up and they won't eat anything. Other days the water stains up and trout put the feed bag on. We tell people....it could be bad...it could be epic..the only way to know is to go.

Light colored dry flies have been working well. Yellow stimulators have long been my go to summer fly. I like how well they float and they are easy to see. Neversink Caddis and Rob's Hellbenders are also good choices. You might want to try fishing a dropper today. Green Weenies, Barbie Bugs and even Ant patterns are all good choices.

Fishing has been good across the mountains lately. Middle Prong (Tremont) along the gravel road is good. If you have the desire to hike then look at Lynn Camp Prong or the Little River upstream from Elkmont Campground. The main Little River between Metcalf Bottoms and the Elkmont Campground is always a solid choice too.

Most of the tailwaters look to have fishable flows. Always check the website or call the TVA phone number before heading out. Water flows can be changed without warning. One of these years I'll have to spend some more time on the big water. It is hard to leave the mountains though. I like climbing over the rocks and seeing what is up around the bend. There is always one more pool to fish. Maybe I'll save the tailwaters till it is too hard to scramble across the boulders.

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

Daniel Drake
August 21, 2018  

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com