Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:46 am, the temperature is 53 degrees.
This is going to be a cool cloudy day with a low chance for showers this afternoon. The high temperature will be in the low 60’s, falling to the upper 40’s tonight. Sunshine returns tomorrow with a high around 70 degrees and a low tomorrow night in the middle 40’s. Warmer dry days are predicted through Friday.
The high temperatures in the high elevations will range from a the low to middle 50’s at Newfound Gap and in the middle 40’s at Mount LeConte today.
Little River is flowing at 67.6 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.46 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 81 cfs. The water temperature at the low elevation USGS gauge site near Townsend is 55.2 degrees.
Most streams in the mountains are flowing low, though some are flowing closer to normal due to light rain that fell yesterday. Normal is low in early October. Water temperatures are very good in the low to middle elevations, well within the trout’s preferred range.
I would fish in the lower elevations today, and in the larger streams where there is more flow. Weighted nymph rigs are good fly choices. Dry flies may produce for you today as well.
The lowland rivers are flowing low and cool. Fishing for stocked trout is good. Try nymphs, streamers, egg patterns or squirmy worms.
Fishing for smallmouth bass is fair. Fish in the deeper pools with streamers, nymphs or crayfish patterns.
Overcast days are good lake fishing days and today will be one of those. Winds are predicted to be light. Hit the banks, cover and structure with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Let your flies sink deep and retrieve slowly.
TVA and the Corps will be generating most of the day at some dams while there are pauses at others. You may be able to work with some and fish on a tailwater, either wading or boating. You may need to go early and choose the right location to wade or float. Review your tailwater fishing options on the TVA website from the links below to see what is available today.
It is Fall in the Great Smoky Mountains. Leaves are turning, especially in the high elevations. We are enjoying cooler temperatures. It is Fall break. I saw a lot of kids with parents in the shop yesterday.
We helped a father and son yesterday, set up the eleven year old with new fly tying tools, including a Renzetti Traveler vise. I really enjoyed helping them. I was eleven when I started my fly fishing and fly tying journey 60 years ago. The three of us went back into my office to learn how to start the thread on a hook and use a whip finish tool. The young fella caught on quickly because he really wanted to learn. I enjoy work very much, but especially when I can help new fly tyers. In a way, I was re-living a brief moment in my childhood.
The vises come unassembled in a box. I always offer to assemble new vises for customers. In this case, they accepted and watched closely as the vise came to life. I have no idea how many times I have done that during the past 27 years but it is always a great experience for me.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
October 2, 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
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