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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:59 am, the temperature outside is 19.6 degrees.

Today will be sunny and warmer. Tonight will much warmer than it is this morning. There is a slight chance for snow tonight and early tomorrow morning. The snow will change to rain in Townsend.

Snow is likely in the higher elevations tomorrow through Monday where accumulations may reach 3 inches.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

Little River is flowing at 332 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.34 feet on the flow gauge. Median flow for this date is 308 cfs. The water temperature is 39.7 degrees this morning.

Most if not all streams in the Park are flowing above median flow. The problem right now is “cold water”. For instance, the water temperature at Oconaluftee River is 38.7 degrees. The gauge at Cataloochee Creek is reporting 35.8 degrees.

Trout become lethargic when the water temperatures are this cold.

But, today will be sunny and warmer. Water temperatures will rise. Fishing will improve later today. I don’t know how warm some of these streams will be, but they will be warmer.

I would fish the lower elevations and wait until later this morning or go this afternoon after the water warms.

Plan on using weighted nymphs and streamers. I would use my favorites, Tellico, Prince, Hare’s Ear or Pheasant Tail nymphs. My streamer choice would be a Muddler Minnow or another sculpin pattern.

Little River Road between Metcalf Bottoms and the Townsend “Y” is still closed due to a rock slide and trees on the road. That probably won’t change until the government shutdown ends.

I would be tempted to park at Metcalf Bottoms and walk downstream on the East Prong of Little River. I probably would not go alone. Go with a fishing friend. There will not be people driving by, which is good in one way but not if you were to fall and hurt yourself.

The Middle Prong of Little River is another good choice. Or, you may fish between Metcalf Bottoms and Elkmont. West Prong of Little River is another option.

The bright sun will be a negative and a positive factor today. I’m not predicting fishing will be good, but you never know. You have a shot at catching a nice brown trout or two.

Come by the shop tomorrow to watch and talk to Ken McCain and Sindy Boyles. They will be tying flies and talking about fly fishing between 10 am and 2 pm. This event is free. All you have to do is show up. We are not expecting slick roads in the valley tomorrow.

I am going to spend the day placing Spring orders, just like yesterday. Tomorrow and Sunday, I plan to photograph more Renzetti vises and tools, then put them on our online store. This has been a Renzetti Winter for us. In fact, this has been a big fly tying Winter. That department is “cranking”. I will be ordering to replenish Monday and Tuesday. It is a weekly cycle.

We are holding a Beginner Fly Tying Class, all day tomorrow. I don’t know if it is full. It could be. If you are interested in taking this class, call the shop at 865-448-9459 to find out. If we have an opening, we’ll get you in. The class is limited to 8 students.

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

Byron Begley
January 11, 2019

Fly Tying Classes January, February and March 2019 Taught by Walter Babb and Brian Courtney Beginner to Advanced CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com