Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:48 am, the temperature in Townsend is 29 degrees.

We are going to enjoy much warmer temperatures including plenty of rain this week. Snow will be melting and saturating the ground. Rain will move through the region with periods of heavy rain expected. Flooding is possible later this week.

Today will be mostly cloudy with a slight chance for rain and a high temperature in the low 50’s. Tonight’s low will drop only to the low 40’s.

Rain is in the forecast tomorrow and each day through Saturday. High temperatures will be in the 60’s each day. Lows will be in the 50’s most nights but in the 40’s Saturday night.

Little River is flowing at 184 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.94 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 294 cfs. The water temperature is 32.0 degrees this morning.

Most rivers and streams in the mountains are flowing lower than normal. That will change over the next few days. The streams are cold this morning. That will also change over the next few days.

According to the Smokies Roads Twitter page, many roads are still closed in the Park due to ice and snow. Surely they will be opening soon! Laurel Creek Road and the Cades Cove Loop Road are open. There may be others.

Fishing will be slow until the streams warm. The warm rain will be helpful. There will be a period when the water temperatures could stop or slow warming temporarily as the snow in the mountains melts. That is normally short lived.

Fishing for stocked trout will be slow until the water warms in the low elevation rivers.

TVA and the Corps are still generating for long periods at many dams. According to a news story I glanced at the morning, the TVA grid is still strained. They are asking customers to conserve energy. I did notice a couple of possible tailwater fishing options today. Check the predicted flows at Center Hill, Dale Hollow and South Holston dams.

We have some great Free Fly Tying Demonstrations planned for next weekend. Bob Nanney and Rex Wilson from western North Carolina will be demonstrating Saturday January 27th between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. These guys are well known long-time Smokies anglers and fly tyers.

Justin Pugh will be demonstrating on Sunday January 28th between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Justin is a fly fishing guide at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain. He is an avid streamer tyer and fisherman.

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

If we need to cancel a demonstration due to bad weather, you can find out on this report.

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

Byron Begley
January 23, 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.

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

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com