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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 52 degrees.

It is going to rain today and thunderstorms are possible. Some storms may be strong with gusty winds. The high temperature will be around 70 degrees falling to the middle 40’s tonight. It will be cloudy early tomorrow before clearing with a low chance for rain and a high temperature in the upper 50’s.

Little River is flowing at 89.7 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.58 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 87 cfs. The water temperature is 55.8 degrees this morning.

Streams in the Smokies are flowing at about normal, which is low in late October. Water temperatures are good in the low and middle elevations. Fishing could be good but be aware of possible thunderstorms, rising and stained water, and strong winds at times. That may not happen but it could. Otherwise, fishing should be good. Trout are taking nymphs well. Dry flies may work too.

Lowland rivers are flowing low. Water temperatures are fair for smallmouth bass and very good for trout where they are stocked. Nymphs and streamers will work for both species.

TVA and the Corps of Engineers are planning to generate at every dam I checked this morning, all day. They are sluicing at some dams. I did not see any good tailwater wade fishing options though I usually don’t check the schedule at every dam. You may find a tailwater fishing opportunity by digging further than I did.

This is not what I would consider a good lake fishing day. I would not go. The threat of strong winds is enough to deter me. Thunderstorms don’t sound too good either. Tomorrow will be better, though it may be breezy and chilly. Wednesday looks best for lake fishing.

Yesterday started out no different from every day for me. I drove to the shop at 7:15 am, a ten minute commute. I always walk into the shop, turn on the lights and the computer in my office. Then I prepare a report, showing all online mail orders that came in overnight and have not shipped. Then I take a copy of that report downstairs to the shipping department.

As I walked through the shop I saw movement at the front glass doors. There were two wild turkeys, a jake and a hen, standing there, looking in. That would not be unusual here at our house, but I’ve never seen a turkey at the shop, in the middle of town. I walked to the doors but instead of watching the turkeys leave quickly, they moved closer to the doors and looked straight at me. I went about my business and the turkeys finally left, walking down the sidewalk and around the corner of the building to the fire escape.

Someone in town has been feeding those turkeys. They were looking for a handout.  

I placed fly tying orders yesterday, like I do every Sunday. I ordered several hundred items, which is usual.

We are bringing in some materials that are new to us to stock in the shop and add to our online store. We do that almost every week as we continue to expand our selection in the fly tying  department.

One is a full color selection of Veevus 8/0 thread. We stock some sizes of Veevus thread, but not 8/0. Another is variegated mop fly chenille in several colors. We currently stock mop fly chenille in solid colors. On one order was a good color selection of Midge Diamond Braid. A lot of our customers tie midges so we are always looking for body materials for them.

Before new materials arrive later this week, we will need to re-arrange the wall hooks to make new space for them and print labels for the hook flip tags.

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

Byron Begley
October 25, 2021

WALTER BABB MADE BAMBOO FLY RODS FOR SALE – CLICK HERE

Walter is selling a selection of over 50 bamboo fly rods. All but one was made by him. The other one was custom made for Walter by Walton Powell. Read the description of each rod on the list and contact him if you are interested in buying one or more than one. Even if you are not interested in a purchase, this web page is very interesting to read. Walter has made over 285 bamboo rods over the past 20-years. You will be working directly with Walter on a purchase and you can test cast the rods before you buy one at his home. Or, call him and he will ship a rod to you. His contact information is on the web page he and I created.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com