Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:10 am, the temperature is 33 degrees.

Today will be sunny with a high temperature in the upper 50’s dropping to the upper 30’s tonight. It will be partly sunny tomorrow and warmer, with a high in the low 60’s and a low in the low 40’s. It will be warm Wednesday through Friday, with rain predicted Wednesday night through Friday.

Little River is flowing at 430 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.54 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 363 cfs. The water temperature is 43.9 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing slightly higher than normal but most are fishable. The rivers are receding and that trend will continue through Wednesday. The water is gradually warming and that will also continue through Thursday. Fishing will improve due to the warming water temperatures.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, plan on using weighted nymphs, tandem nymph rigs or streamers.

Fishing in the low elevation rivers for stocked trout will also improve as the rivers warm this week. Plan on using weighted nymphs, nymph rigs or streamers.

TVA and the Corps will be generating at most dams all day. There are some exceptions. I noticed pauses this afternoon at Center Hill, Wilbur, Dale Hollow and Chatuge dams. There may be others. I don’t check all of them. Visit the TVA website to see if you can work with the generation schedule at your favorite tailwater.

We had a busy weekend at the shop. Free fly tying demonstrations were held Saturday and Sunday. Attendance was good. Anglers are preparing for the coming of Spring fishing, which may not be that far off.

Cody Fischer will be conducting a Free Fly Tying Demonstration at the shop Saturday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Cody owns Tellico Outfitters in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. I have heard he is an excellent fly tyer. You can also learn about his favorite streams in the Cherokee National Forest.

Bob Stephan will be tying Sunday from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. Bob is an excellent fly tyer, who loves to fish on the area tailwaters. He has been heavily involved in fly tying classes for years, held by the Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Project Healing Waters.

You do not 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 6, 2023

Private Instruction Fly Fishing Classes will be offered by us again this year.  If you know someone that has been thinking about getting started and you don't want to be the one untangling their lines while they learn have them give the Shop a call.  Classes are small, limited to two people per instructor.  Our Beginner day consists of half day instruction at the Shop where they will learn casting, knot tying, theory....then in the afternoon the class moves to the stream for practical application of skills learned.  The investment is just $300 for one angler or $400 for two.  We have all the equipment needed.  All the student needs is a fishing license and to dress for the weather.  It is the perfect way to get started.  Call for more info! 865-448-9459.

We also have some more advanced learning options too.  Classes can focus on general nymphing tactics or even a more specific Euro style nymphing class.  Casting instruction for learning new skills like Double Haul or improving distance can also be done.

We are holding a Beginner Fly Tying Class Saturday February 18th starting at 9:00 am. Tools and materials will be furnished for you. The class is limited to 4 students. It will be taught by Brian Courtney, who has been teaching this class for many years. The cost of the class is $100. It will last all day. We will provide lunch for you. You will learn to tie 5 different flies and acquire the skills to tie many more similar patterns. Call the shop at 865-448-9459 to reserve your spot. If the class is full when you call, ask to be put on a waiting list in case there is a cancellation.


FREE FLY TYING DEMONSTRATIONS EACH WEEKEND THROUGH EARLY MARCH

We will be holding many free fly tying demonstrations on the weekends over the next two months, some on Saturdays and others on Sunday afternoons. CLICK HERE to see the list of fly tyers who will be demonstrating, including the dates and times. These demonstrations are free. No reservation is necessary. All you have to do is show up at the shop. This schedule could change due to unforeseeable circumstances, including weather conditions, sickness or other causes. Check this fishing report where any cancellations or changes will be posted.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com