Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:43 am, the temperature is 51 degrees.
Today will be sunny with a high temperature in the middle 60’s and a low tonight in the low 40’s. Tomorrow and Saturday will be sunny with a high around 70 degrees both days. Showers are likely Saturday night and Sunday. Temperatures will remain warm.
Little River is flowing at 57.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.26 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 85 cfs. The water temperature is 53.6 degrees this morning.
Most streams in the mountains are still flowing lower than normal. Normal in October is low. Water temperatures are well withing the trout’s preferred range in the low to middle elevations and maybe in the higher elevations.
Most trout in the mountains are hiding in the broken water or near cover. Brown trout may be spotted in the open pools, preparing to spawn or spawning.
Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. A dry fly with a weighted nymph dropper is a good tactic right now. Use light tippet and smaller flies. Avoid being seen by the trout and you will catch more.
Fishing for stocked trout in the lowland rivers is fair to good. The trout will be found in the deeper pools due to the low water conditions. Trout will be actively feeding due to the ideal water temperatures. Small nymphs suspended under a strike indicator or dry fly is a good tactic to use. A strike indicator may be a better choice allowing you to vary the depth of your nymph easily.
Fishing for smallmouth bass in the lowland rivers is fair to good. The rivers are warming, and fishing is improving. Fish in the deep pools with nymphs, hellgrammite patterns or crayfish imitations.
Fly fishing on the lakes will be best early or late when the sun is low. Find shaded banks to fish. Cast to the banks or cover using weighted streamers. Let your flies sink deep and retrieve slowly. I would use a weighted Wooly Bugger or threadfin shad imitation.
There will be long breaks in the generation today at some dams, including Center Hill, Norris and South Holston. There may be others. Visit the TVA website from the links below to see what is going on at your favorite tailwater.
Bears are actively feeding on acorns and they are protective of this vital food source. If you come across bears feeding, keep your distance to avoid a confrontation. There are plenty of huge acorns on the ground at our house but we have not seen any bears lately. They are probably feeding here at night.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
October 27, 2022
For the first time since 2019, we will be holding our Free Fly Tying Demonstrations on Saturdays. The demonstrations will begin at 10 am and last until 2 pm. You do not need a reservation. Just show up and enjoy. These demonstrations will kick off November 5th, and last through mid-December. Then, they will resume in January.
Mike Adams will be tying on Saturday November 5th. Mike is a retired fly fishing guide who lives in upper East Tennessee. He is an excellent fly tyer who has come up with some unique trout patterns to share with you. When Mike demonstrates at the shop, we always have a big crowd.
Bill Boyd will be tying on Saturday November 12th, with his granddaughter “Half Hitch”. Bill lives in Dayton Tennessee. He has been a regular, with his dad and wife at many fly tying demonstrations, Troutfest and other fly tying shows. You can learn more about Bill on the Dubbing Teasers website by CLICKING HERE.
Mike Bone will be tying on Saturday November 19th. Mike has been guiding, mostly on the Clinch River and Holston River trout tailwaters for decades. He is also an accomplished smallmouth bass guide. Everyone likes Mike. You will too. CLICK HERE to visit Mike’s website.
Saturday December 3rd - Jimmy Jones will be demonstrating today. Jimmy lives in Maryville. He is an avid Smokies angler and golfer. He ties some very interesting and unique flies that work very well in the Smokies.
I have learned new techniques, watching Jimmy tie.
Saturday December 10th - Walter Babb will be demonstrating his unbelievable fly tying skills. Many of you know Walter. Most people in the southeast have at least heard of him. Walter is a legend. He loves tying Catskills trout patterns. He is also a well known bamboo rod maker. Walter tells good funny stories. This demonstration will be well attended.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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