Welcome to the Fishing Report in Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains. We've got a fishing report full of good news.

Rain is falling as it has been most of the last week.  We haven't seen any substantial accumulation but mostly it has been isolated, slow rains.  This is what has been needed to soften the ground and add humidity back into the air.  According to the Drought Monitor we are in a drought but Mother Nature is trying to correct that.

Rain and cooler weather are still the forecast for the next week.  Rainfall amounts will be very helpful and not a reason to put of fishing.

Water levels on the Little River are still low but improving.  This morning the gauge on Little River is giving a reading of 1.58 feet or 87.7 c.f.s.  The normal flow is 138 c.f.s.  With thunderstorms in the forecast it is important to be aware of stream conditions while you fish.  Water levels can rise rapidly so have an exit plan that puts you on the side of the stream with the trail or road.

Water temperatures are warm but workable.  The gauge is giving a temperature of 70.5F.  Bear in mind that this temperature is taken at low elevation and the areas you should be fishing are much higher and temps are cooler.

Anglers have a habit of planning trips by the calendar.  To me this isn't a great idea because it doesn't take into account the reality of actual conditions.  May is a great time to fish for trout.  Last year (2023), May was really dry and water levels got very low.  July and August are too hot to fish.  In the last several years August has been pretty good fishing with moderate temperatures and enough water.  A lot of factors go into what makes good and bad fishing conditions.  It is never perfect.

The being said, water temperature can be one of the biggest factors in summertime fishing.  Too warm of water is hard of trout.  Dissolved oxygen levels in the stream fall as temps rise.  Extra stress on any species, even us, can cause harm.  Hot weather is also a less pleasant time for a gear-laden angler to fish in.  Early in the morning or late in the evening is much more comfortable times of day to cast a line.  Higher elevation streams have many advantages.  They are higher gradient streams with the turbulent waters giving more oxygenation.  Ambient temperatures are cooler making the stream cooler and the fishing more pleasant.  Also, usually being a bit more difficult to access, usually due to the need for some hiking, you are going to find less non-fishing tourists.  

We have been receiving some good fishing reports.  Anglers are still mostly fishing higher elevation streams but some solid reports are coming in from along the roads.  Fly pattern choices are varied.  There isn't much specific hatch activity going on so it is a good idea to have a variety of patterns with so you can change it up.  A high floating yellow dry fly like a Chubby Chernobyl is a good choice for the top fly in a dropper set up.  Terrestrial patterns like beetles and ants are great choices especially in the warmer times of day.  The Green Weenie is a hard fly to beat for a dropper, but Pheasant Tails, and Squirmy Worms should be in the box also.

The streams around Gatlinburg haven't been being stocked this Summer (yes you still need the extra permit and still can't fish on Thursday) because they are rebuilding the fish hatchery.  Travis sent me a video of water going into their new runs.  Next steps are the roof structure and walkways.  He said they are right on schedule and will be back to stocking this Fall.  Is catching a big Gatlinburg stocker the same as hiking into the mountains and fooling a small wild trout, absolutely not.  Is catching a big Gatlinburg trout going to be a whole lot of fun this Winter.  Absolutely.  And if you have someone that is just getting started and you need to get them excited about fly fishing it is going to be the perfect spot.

The sun is up though hiding behind thick gray clouds so I better wrap up and head to work.  Since the Fishing Report is now weekly, you can always give us a call at the Shop and find out what the most up to date conditions are in the Smokies.

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

Daniel Drake
July 25, 2024

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