Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. The temperature this morning at 4:57 am is 61 degrees.

That is not a typo. It really is that warm outside this morning. We have had some crazy weather this February. We started the month with a closed store due to a snow storm. Now it is extremely warm for mid-February. Yesterday morning, I heard Spring Peepers singing when I went to work before daybreak. I bet I’ll hear them again this morning.

The wild turkeys around our house have merged into a large flock of hens, jakes and gobblers. I usually see that occur later in the Spring.

Paula heard coyotes howling earlier this morning. We watched a coyote hunting that flock of about 50 turkeys a few days ago, right behind our house. We saw the turkeys walk into the woods in one direction and the coyote eventually ran in the completely opposite direction. I think the coyote had a bad day.

Rain and possibly a thunderstorm is predicted this morning with some sunshine expected this afternoon. The high temperature will be around 73 degrees today, falling to the upper 50’s tonight. It may also rain tonight.

Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high around 70 degrees dropping to the middle 40’s overnight.

Is this an early fly fishing Spring? Not quite. Though Saturday will be warm, in the low 60’s, temperatures will plunge into the low 30’s overnight. The high temperature Sunday will only be in the middle to upper 30’s with a low overnight in the low 20’s. Monday will be cold again, with a high around the freezing mark and a low around 20 degrees.

Then, we will see some warming beginning Tuesday of next week.

I checked the US Drought Monitor. The Smokies are considered to be in a Severe Drought. Much of East Tennessee is classified as either severe or moderate. The monitor will be updated later today.

Streams in the mountains are flowing below normal though some are flowing closer to normal due to recent rainfall.

If you hope to go fishing this week, go today, tomorrow and maybe Saturday. Fishing has likely improved due to the warmer water conditions. Fish in the low elevations where the water is warmer. Rain or thunderstorms could play into the fishing conditions today and tomorrow. Heavy rain is not predicted, except maybe in thunderstorms. It may also be windy in the mountains today and tonight.

Trout will be taking nymphs for sure and possibly dry flies. The trout think it is Spring. Water temperatures around 50 degrees indicate that to us and them.

Fishing for trout in the stocked streams should also be good.  

We have a weekend of free fly tying demonstrations lined up for you. Bill Boyd Jr. and his granddaughter Jocelyne will be tying Saturday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Bill lives in Dayton, Tennessee. He has been conducting fly tying demonstrations for many years.

Guide Tic Smith will be tying on Sunday between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Tic is a professional fly fishing guide and has been for a long time. He started guiding on the Hiwassee River, but he has expanded his range to other tailwaters including the Cumberland River in Kentucky. I have learned much about fly tying and materials from Tic over the years.

You don’t need a reservation to attend our Free Fly Tying Demonstrations. Just show up at the shop.

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

Byron Begley
February 19, 2026  

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