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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:52 am, the temperature outside is 63.9 degrees.
It is going to be hot today with a high temperature in the upper 80’s. We have a chance for rain this afternoon. Thunderstorms are likely tonight.
Little River is flowing at 85.7 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.49 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 128 cfs. The water temperature is 70.5 degrees this morning.
Little Pigeon River is flowing below normal. Cataloochee Creek, Tellico River and Oconaluftee River are flowing above normal but not by much. Basically, you will find typical low water in the Smokies today. That calls for stealth. Dress to blend with the forest. You will catch more trout if they don’t see you. Fish the broken water where the trout are hiding, including pockets in riffles, plunge pools and runs.
The streams are very warm in the low elevations. Fish the higher elevation streams where the water is cooler, for the health of the trout you catch and release. Look for water temps in the mid-60’s or cooler.
Dries and nymphs will work. I would use terrestrial patterns, foam beetles and Green Weenies.
The lowland rivers are flowing fairly low. Fishing is fair to good for smallmouth bass and other warmwater species. Try poppers, hair bugs and foam floating flies. If they don’t work, switch to streamers or nymphs. Fish the shaded areas today. You will probably do best early or late when the sun is off the water.
There are many tailwater fishing opportunities today, especially early. Later today, there will be periods of generation at many dams. You can work around that, wading or boating. Check the TVA website to plan your day on a tailwater in the area.
I think the lakes will be very crowded today. I would go early, launch at daybreak, and fish until late morning. Fish the shaded banks with top water flies, streamers or swimming nymphs.
I was off yesterday and we were busy at the shop. I think we had the best day we have had all year. That is unusual in July. Maybe I should be off more often. Yesterday was my birthday. Paula and I hung out and worked in the garden some. Jack came over for a few hours and we both enjoyed talking to him.
Jack has become “Best Gardener of the Year” by my estimate. By comparison, I think I am “Worst Gardener of the Year”. This is new to me. Paula has always tended the vegetable and herb garden at our house. She has hers and I have mine this year. Hers looks great. She is harvesting. I have a few blooms which is exciting.
We watched a doe and very young fawn right outside our back door for a few minutes. They were both about 50 feet away. That was nice. I hope they don’t come back and eat Paula’s garden. Mine will probably be OK because there isn’t much to eat.
Lucky for me I don’t have to make a living by farming.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
July 12, 2020
NOTICE: FLY TYERS WEEKEND HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS YEAR. WE ARE PLANNING THE EVENT FOR 2021.
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com |
