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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:23 am, the temperature outside is 66.4 degrees.

Today will be warm, in the mid-80’s. Tonight will be cool with a low in the low 60’s. Tomorrow will be warmer, with a high temperature around 88 degrees. No rain is predicted through the period.

Little River is flowing at 38.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.34 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 98 cfs. The water temperature is 70.3 degrees.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 131 cfs, 1.31 feet, compared to median flow of 149 cfs.

Oconaluftee River is flowing at 172 cfs, 1.23 feet, and that compares to median flow of 218 cfs. The water temperature is 66.2 degrees.

Tellico River is flowing at 79.8 cfs, .80 feet, compared to median flow of 86 cfs.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 37.5 cfs, 2.22 feet, which compares to median flow of 48 cfs. The water temperature is 62.1 degrees.

As you can see, the streams are flowing lower than normal. Little River is flowing much lower than normal for September. And, September is historically known for low water. Fly fishermen are catching trout, but these conditions are not ideal.

For that reason, stealth is of the utmost importance to your fly fishing success. Dress to blend with the forest.

Anglers who are fishing in the backcountry are probably doing best. I am hearing that from customers. Those smaller streams are shaded, which helps.

Dry flies and nymphs will work. Terrestrials are a good choice. I would use a foam beetle, ant and a Green Weenie dropper. But, other flies are working too. The trout are spooky but they are looking for food.

Fish the choppy water in pockets, plunge pools and deeper runs.

You should also fish the mid to high elevation streams where the water is cooler. Look for water temps in the 60’s.

The lowland rivers are flowing low. Early or late will be best. If the river you are fishing has plenty of canopy, fish the shaded water during the day. I would use foam floating flies.

Fishing will be best on the lakes early or late when the sun is off the water. Foam floating flies, poppers, streamers or Dragons are what I would use.

There are some angler friendly generation schedules today on the tailwaters. Visit the TVA website below to plan your day. They are sluicing at some dams. Pay attention to that.

I have talked to several river guides lately. I usually see them in the fly tying department. Some are having a good year on the large rivers. Hiring a guide to float down the tailwaters is a good idea. Jerry and I are floating with Josh Pfeiffer next week. We will be fishing for smallmouth bass. Josh has the smallies dialed in. His clients are doing well this year, as usual.

Dennis told me yesterday, a bull elk has been spotted lately near Townsend and in Wears Valley. He follows a local Facebook page, where people have been posting photos of elk around town this Summer.

I think it will be great when we have an established herd here. I have not heard of any elk sightings in Cades Cove. It is only a matter of time.

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

Byron Begley
September 7, 2019

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com