Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains.  It is a new month and we are quickly moving closer to Fall.  

Water levels are still low across the Smokies.  This morning the gauge on Little River is reading 1.23 feet or 30.8 c.f.s.  The daily normal is 99 c.f.s.  Water levels across the Park are low.  

Despite water levels being low, water temperatures are in pretty good shape.  This morning the gauge on Little River is 69F which is right at the average.  Temperatures in higher elevations will be much cooler.

The rain which was in the weather forecast for later this week seems to have dried up.  Cool weather is still in the forecast with highs in the mid 80's and lows in the 50's.  That is for Knoxville so mountains will be even cooler.  Time to start thinking about making sure your waders are still in good condition before it gets cold.

Townsend has been much quieter over the past weeks.  School is back in session in many areas and the number of tourists have thinned out.  Weekends get busier especially when one of the towns has a special event.

I snuck away an spent a bit of time on the water last night.  Not having much time I just ran up Tremont.  Water levels are low and clear.  Water temps are still very comfortable for wet wading.  There is plenty of dry rocks to walk on so I minimized the amount of time I was actually in the water.  I was wearing a pair of Korkers new Stealth Wading boot.  It is a rubber sole and though I've always been a hardcore felt guy I was very impressed.  I did slip a few times but I'm not sure if I still would have slipped in the same place even wearing felt. The rubber was excellent on the dry rocks and especially going up and down the banks.  Rubber sole technology has come a long way in the last year.  Simms vibram soles are much better than older versions.  Orvis's new sole coming out in Spring feels very tacky.  Maybe it is time for me to open my mind to the possibility that times are changing.  Do I think that just using a rubber sole is the answer to the prevention of invasive organisms? No.  A dirty rubber soled boot is just as much a problem as a dirty felt soled boot.  There is too many crevices on all types of wading gear to not spend some time cleaning your gear properly.

I didn't see anyone fishing last night.  There was a truck parked along the road where I decided to make my exit from the stream.  It was in a spot that I figured they were most likely fishing up ahead of where I had been.  My time was up and it was an easy area to make it up the bank back to the road.  

Starting out I tied on a small foam chubby style pattern.  I was getting some action and caught a nice little rainbow.  Figuring that a smaller size fly might be better I switched out for a hi-vis Klinkhammer style pattern.  More rises but between tiny mouths and slow hookset I didn't connect.  After popping that one off in a tree (I don't get caught in trees on my casts, it is the incorrect set straight up into the air hooksets that get me) I went the other direction and tied on a bigger #16 Dry Humper.  I wasn't too sure about it but I could see it in the glare of the water.  To my relief I was actually getting more activity on the larger fly.  Another 6 inch rainbow came to hand.  All in all not bad for the effort I was willing to commit to the endeavor.  I was moving quickly.  Pockets and pools weren't putting up with more than a single missed strike.  It was miss the fish and move.  

Anglers who have been willing to put in the time and hike up trails have been doing well.  On social media I've seen some really nice brook trout with great color and good size.  If we could just get a bit of rain the fishing across the mountains will see some great improvement.  Take advantage of the longer days and get out on the stream.  Before we know it the sun will be setting too early for after work fishing.

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

Daniel Drake
September 5, 2024

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