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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a pretty morning despite the heavy frost on the car window. Atleast the sun is shining. We are going to see temperatures in the 60's today. Enjoy it while it lasts. More rain is on the way.

River levels are still high in the Smokies. This morning the stream flow gauge is giving a reading of 3.14 feet or 817 c.f.s. This is quite a way above the daily normal of 300 c.f.s.

Water temperatures are colder this morning at 43F. We should see streams warming up today into tomorrow.

Fishing right now will be difficult at best. Water levels are too high to safely wade. Stay out of the water as much as possible. Some of the smaller streams like West Prong of Little River and Forge Creek could off up some possibilities.

Are you getting your boxes ready for Spring? The first hatches will be Quill Gordons on the large size and Blue Quills on the small size. Once water temperatures remain above 50F for about a week we will start to see these mayflies start to hatch. There will be a variety of mayflies and caddis hatching but all will be in a dark, blue-gray color. Other fly patterns like Adams and dun colored caddis will work also.

The Quill Gordons live in riffled water. When you are looking for the hatches try bigger pools downstream of riffles. The nymphs will be washed down into the slower water where it is easier for them to emerge. Quill Gordons become adults below the surface and swim up through the water before getting to the surface and trying to swim away. This is why wet flies and soft hackles are such effective patterns.

Blue Quills are tiny. Their color makes them difficult to see on the water. Small parachutes are the way to go for me. I need all the help I can get seeing the tiny flies.

It is going to be a rainy weekend. What better time to come by the Shop and watch some fly tying and learn some great fishing info. Josh Pfeiffer and Jimmy Jones will be here starting at 10am.

Josh is arguably one of the best smallmouth fisherman in the area. He guides for smallmouth on the tailwaters and other rivers. If you have never tried smallmouth with a fly rod you are missing out. Think about it...strong fighting fish eating large topwater flies in the rivers and streams. Once you try it you'll be hooked.

Jimmy Jones has a variant of the Neversink Caddis that he is going to be showing. With a simple addition he has made a great pattern even better.

Come by and grab a cup of coffee and a chair. No appointment necessary!

FREE Winter Fly Tying Demos are going on every Saturday until March. You can read more about them and other free demonstrations we are holding this year by CLICKING HERE.

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

Daniel Drake
February 14, 2019

NOTICE: Great Smoky Mountains head fisheries biologist Matt Kulp will be giving the State of the Park Fisheries Address at the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited's February meeting. Date: Tuesday February 26th.

The chapter meetings are held at Barley's Restaurant in downtown Maryville, Tennessee. Social hour begins at 6 pm. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm. You do not have to be a TU member to attend. Newcomers are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited has partnered with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, voluneering and raising funding, since 1993.

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: info@littleriveroutfitters.com