Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:43 am, the temperature is 25 degrees.

Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature in the low to middle 50’s. Showers and strong winds are likely overnight with a low in the low 40’s.

Tomorrow will be warm windy and wet. Strong winds are expected, especially in the higher elevations. The high will be in the upper 50’s with a low in the low 30’s. Heavy rain is possible. Rain showers will continue through the night with a low near 30 degrees.

Little River is flowing at 187 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.95 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 318 cfs. The water temperature is 40.5 degrees and falling.

Most streams in the mountains have receded to below normal. Water temperatures are falling and are below the trout’s preferred range.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, wait until later when the water is warmer. Fish in the low elevations where the water is warmer. Weighted nymph rigs will likely work best.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers has been good. Fishing will be best today later when the water temperatures bottom out and begin to rise. Try nymphs, egg patterns, midge pupa, Squirmy Worms and other sub-surface flies.

There are generation schedules you can work with at some dams today if you plan to fish on a tailwater. Breaks in the generation will occur later today at many dams. Browse through the list of schedules on the TVA website from the links below to see which tailwater will be best for you today.

We have some great Free Fly Tying Demonstrations lined up for you this coming weekend. Jack Gregory will be back Saturday and demonstrating between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Jack is a well-known local angler. He and I have fished together a lot in fresh and salt water, and I consider him to be the best fisherman I know.

Bob Stephan will be demonstrating Sunday January 14th from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. Bob is President of the Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and is a very skilled fly tyer and angler. He is also a very active fly tying instructor.   

You do not need a reservation to attend. Just show up at the shop.

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

Byron Begley
January 8, 2024

We are hold two all-day Beginner Fly Tying Classes on Saturday January 27th and Saturday February 17th. Taking one of these classes will give you a huge jump start into the wonderful hobby of fly tying. The class costs $100, which includes all the materials you will need for the day and the use of our vises and tools. We will also provide lunch for you. Space is limited so call the shop at 865-448-9459 soon to book your spot.

Join us on the weekends during the Winter for our Free Fly Tying Demonstrations.   You don’t need a reservation. Just show up. You can view our schedule by CLICKING HERE.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com