Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:44 am, the temperature is 43 degrees.
It will be sunny each day through Monday. Today will be warm with a high in the middle to upper 70’s. Tomorrow and Sunday will be cooler, with highs in the 60’s. The low temperature tomorrow night may dip into the upper 30’s. Columbus Day will be warmer, in the low 70’s.
The forecast for Mount LeConte calls for a low of 30 degrees Saturday night.
This is a typical early October. Temperatures are close to normal. The leaves are turning slowly. The streams are flowing low. What we have is what we expect.
Little River is flowing at 46.9 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.28 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 75 cfs. The water temperature is 53.8 degrees this morning.
All streams in the Smokies that have USGS gauge sites are flowing low. This is a good time to sharpen your low water fly fishing skills. Dress to blend with the forest. Stay low. Most trout are hiding in the broken water, in pockets, plunge pools, deeper runs and near cover.
A few weeks ago, fishing in the larger low elevation rivers was not recommended because the water was too warm. That is not the case now. I would fish in the larger lower elevation rivers. Nymphs, or weighted nymph rigs are working. You might try dry flies, especially later when the water temperatures bottom out and begin to warm.
You may see brown trout in the open water, preparing to spawn.
Many rivers exiting the mountains are stocked with trout. Little River is due to be stocked for the first time this Fall, any day. Maybe TWRA has already stocked. I have not heard. Gatlinburg and Cherokee own their trout hatcheries. Their streams have been stocked. Though the water is low, the water temperatures are fine. You can catch these trout using nymphs, egg patterns, squirmy worms or streamers.
Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers will remain fair to good until the water temperatures fall into the 40’s. The rivers are flowing low so you should concentrate on the deeper pools. Streamers, nymphs or crayfish patterns are good fly choices.
Lake fishing with fly gear will be best early or late when the sun is low. It may be a little breezy today, especially this afternoon. Cast to the banks or cover with weighted streamers or swimming nymphs. Let your flies descend deep and retrieve slowly to keep them there.
TVA and the Corps will be generating for long periods at most dams today with a few exceptions. They are lowering the lakes. There may be more tailwater fishing opportunities this weekend. Check the TVA website to see what tailwater fishing options you have and plan accordingly.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
October 7, 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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