This July has been a hot one in the Southeast. Daytime highs have been at or about 90 here in Townsend for the past few weeks. That has led to higher water temperatures in some area streams, but fortunately things are far from all doom and gloom. July is typically the wettest month of the year in the Smoky Mountain region because of daily afternoon thunderstorms. Fortunately all of our streams have been well-watered and all the best trout streams have retained healthy conditions through the heat.
Water levels in the Smokies have remained at or above average this summer
Not all streams are really great for fishing in the heat of summer, but the Smokies probably provide more destinations with cold water than most natural fisheries. All of our high quality fisheries begin well above 4000′, some even close to 6000′ in elevation where the days remain very cool and the water is cold. Believe it or not, many high elevation trout streams in the Smokies rarely crack 60 degrees. This certainly warms up as the water descends below 3000′ to the middle elevations where most people fish. The hottest days will see water temperatures getting close to 70, but the areas where you see the 70 degree mark or warmer daily are usually where smallmouth bass are the predominant species, not trout.
Fishing is holding up well this summer if you get far enough upstream to find cold water.
Dry fly fishing for native brook trout is really at a peak right now. Water levels are great! Stream temperatures are warm enough to get the fish hyper active without being detrimental to their health. The biggest thing to prepare for is the likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms. Right now we’re seeing brief but heavy showers somewhere in the mountains everyday. This isn’t everywhere, but happens somewhere. These showers can be extremely heavy and might even raise stream levels by a foot or more in a short period, so be sure you’re paying attention.
Streams at or above 3000′ are always great choices during the heat of summer
Perhaps the best news is that our heat wave is about to break! We’re looking at daytime highs in the low to mid 80’s in Knoxville so that will certainly translate to very mild weather up in the Smokies. Even better, overnight lows should get into the 50’s up high so water temperatures will certainly come down. That will make for ideal fishing in the middle elevations.
It doesn’t have to be spawning season for Smoky Mountain brook trout to have bright colors
