Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:49 am, the temperature is 50 degrees.
Today, tomorrow and Monday will be sunny and cooler. Expect highs in the middle to upper 60’s each day with lows in the low 40’s.
At Newfound Gap, highs will be in the middle to upper 50’s while reaching about 60 degrees Monday. Lows will be in the middle 30’s tonight and tomorrow night.
Little River is flowing at 45.4 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.27 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 87 cfs. The water temperature is 55.9 degrees this morning.
On this date in 2008, Little River was flowing at 18.6 cfs. Now that was low!
All streams in the Smokies are flowing low. Anglers are catching trout. Robert told me yesterday he caught nine trout the day before. Fish in the larger rivers where there is more water. Most trout will be hiding in the broken choppy water in plunge pools, deep runs and pockets. You may see brown trout out in the pools preparing to spawn.
Weighted nymph rigs are working for sure. You may catch trout on dry flies too.
I still have not heard if Little River has been stocked with trout. Fishing in other rivers flowing out of the Park where trout have been stocked will be fair to good. Nymphs, midge pupa, streamers, egg patterns and squirmy worms are good fly choices for catching the stocked trout.
Fishing for smallmouth bass is fair to good in the lowland rivers. Fish in the deeper pools with streamers or crayfish patterns. The bass may take top water flies in the shaded areas.
Fishing on the lakes with fly tackle will be best early or late or in shaded areas. Cast to the banks or cover with weighted streamers and swimming nymphs. Get the flies down deep and keep them there during your retrieve. As your flies reach deeper water, a good tactic is to stop your retrieve and let them sink deeper before resuming your retrieve. Winds are predicted to be calm today.
There will be long pauses in the generation at some dams today, including Center Hill, Cherokee, Wolf Creek and Norris. You may find angler friendly flows at other tailwaters in the region. Check the TVA website to see what tailwater fishing options are available today and plan around the scheduled releases.
I saw some photos taken in the higher elevations online this morning. Leaves are turning in the higher elevations and the photos I saw were beautiful. I read one comment that the colors are sporadic.
I am heading to the shop very early this morning to work a few hours before coming home by noon. Paula and I will be watching the Tennessee vs LSU game today on TV. We are both looking forward to the game.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
October 8, 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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