Well, it is my Friday to write the Fishing Report. Fishing has been very good in the Smokies, in the lowland rivers, in the tailwaters and on the lakes. This has been a wet late Spring following a dry Fall and Winter. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is anticipating the lakes will be at full Summer pool by June 1st, the official beginning of the boating season.

Boy did we get a downpour yesterday! Rainfall amounted to .96 inches in almost exactly one hour starting at 3:04 pm. More rain overnight brought the total to 2.01 inches in Townsend during the 24 hour period.

There is a chance for rain every day this holiday weekend. The rain will mostly be in the form of scattered thunderstorms until Monday, when showers are likely. The chance for rain after Monday and through the end of next week will be low. High temperatures this weekend will be in the middle 80’s, with cooler temperatures predicted beginning on Memorial Day.

Little River is flowing at 225 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.28 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 185 cfs. The river is currently rising. The water temperature is 62.2 degrees this morning.

Since last Friday, stream flows in the free flowing rivers have been higher than normal but slowly receding every day. Most of them are still flowing higher than normal.

May has been a wet month. Through yesterday afternoon, there has been 5.15 inches of rain recorded at the Knoxville Airport this month. That compares to normal of 2.99 inches, up 2.16 inches above normal at this point in May. Rainfall for the year is up 2.75 inches from normal.

Water temperatures have been excellent, just what we would expect in May.

Some streams are rising today. Others rose overnight but are now receding. Some streams may become temporarily too high to safely wade and they could become stained. There is a chance for these conditions this weekend. Keep an eye on the USGS Gauge sites through Monday, when planning to fish in the freestone streams. Be on the lookout for rising water while you are fishing, especially in the mountains.

In the Smokies, the lighter colored mayflies and the yellow sally stoneflies are hatching along with many other species of aquatic insects. Glenn told me this week he has seen green inchworms in the forest.  You know what that means? It is close to Green Weenie time. I would be trying them now. Trout are taking dry flies, nymphs and wet flies.

Of course the cicada emergence is the big news. Unfortunately, we have not seen any around here. They are heavy in Monroe and Loudon Counties and other areas to our west and south. So far, I have not seen one in Townsend.

Bears are everywhere and actively looking for food. Our neighbors are talking about them and sending photos. The two we see near our house are completely different. One is huge, the largest black bear I’ve ever seen in person and not far from our back door. The other one is small. One tore up the electric henhouse fence (with the power turned on) at a neighbor’s house a couple of nights ago. The bear was distracted and deterred by the fence so the hens are fine. I would like to have been there to see that!

This weekend we remember and pray for the brave Americans in our military who gave their life protecting our country and our freedom.

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

Byron Begley
May 24, 2024

WALTER BABB BAMBOO RODS FOR SALE - Buy directly from Walter. CLICK HERE for more information.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com