Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:16 am, the temperature is 43 degrees.
It will be sunny today with a high temperature near 70 degrees and a low tonight in the low 40’s. Tomorrow will be similar, with a high in the upper 60’s and a low in the low 40’s. Thursday will be slightly warmer. There is no rain predicted today through Thursday. We may have a wet weekend due to the remnants of Hurricane Ian.
Little River is flowing low at 46.9 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.34 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 87 cfs. The lowest recorded flow on this date was 20.2 cfs in 2007. The water temperature is 59.2 degrees and falling.
Many streams in the mountains are flowing lower than normal, with Little River being a good example. There are exceptions, including Little Pigeon River and Davidson River. Water temperatures are within the trout’s preferred range, even in the lowest elevations.
Fishing may be slow this morning as water temperatures plunge. When the temps bottom out and begin to rise, fishing will improve. Fish the choppy broken water where the trout are hiding, in pockets, plunge pools and runs. Weighted nymph rigs are a good choice, especially earlier today. Trout may be taking dry flies later.
Most lowland rivers flowing out of the mountains and meandering through the valleys are flowing low with some exceptions. Now that the water is cooler, fishing for stocked trout is good. Nymphs and streamers will likely work best.
Fishing for smallmouth bass and other species is fair. Try streamers or crayfish patterns. Fish in the deeper pools and runs. Poppers and foam floating flies may work, especially in the shaded areas.
Fishing will be best on the lakes early or late, when the sun is low. Cast to the banks and cover using weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Let your flies sink deep and retrieve slowly. I would try poppers or foam floating flies where and when there is shade or the light is dim. It may be a little breezy today at times.
There will be generators running all day at many dams. Tailwater anglers have some opportunities, especially early. Review the generation schedules on the TVA website. You may find some tailwater fishing opportunities but not many.
Yesterday was fly tying order day for me. I placed orders with Wapsi, Hareline, Umpqua, Firehole and Semperfli. There may have been others I don’t remember. I order from Wapsi and Hareline every Monday. The fly tying department is very busy.
All departments in the shop are busy. I don’t remember a September like this one. The same was true in August. Our store is stocked extremely well. Our suppliers are doing a great job. The guys who do the buying at the shop are doing a great job.
There are four of us doing the buying. Everyone is helping with receiving and displaying.
In our business, doing a good job buying, receiving and displaying are essential to success. You can’t sell out of an empty wagon. Customers enjoy visiting a consistently well-stocked store.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
September 27, 2022
Note: We have a very large and well stocked fly tying department located on the second floor of our shop. Our fly tying materials and tools can also be found and bought on our online store with Free Shipping.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
|
