Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:35 am, the temperature is 29 degrees.

Today will be mostly sunny with a high temperature in the middle to upper 60’s and a low tonight around 50 degrees. There is a chance for showers tomorrow and it will be warm, in the upper 60’s to maybe 70 degrees. Temperatures will drop only to the upper 50’s tomorrow night with showers likely.

Thursday will be a rainy day and very warm with a high temperature reaching near 70 degrees. A cold front will move in Thursday night with rain continuing. Rain may be heavy.

Little River is flowing at 242 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.14 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 305 cfs. The water temperature is 43.2 degrees this morning.

Most streams and rivers in the mountains are flowing slightly below normal. Water temperatures are below the trout’s preferred range. Water temperatures will rise over the next few days before falling some by the weekend. Water levels will probably be fine until Friday. Fishing will improve today through Thursday.

If you go fishing in the mountains today, weighted nymphs or nymph rigs will likely work best for you. Fish in the low elevations where the water is warmer.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevations will also improve as the rivers warm this week. Weighted nymphs or nymph rigs are good choices.

You may have some tailwater fishing options today. TVA and the Corps will be generating all day at some dams, with pauses planned this afternoon at others. They will be generating all day at Norris Dam. Check the TVA website to see what tailwater fishing options you have today.

The long term weather forecast through the end of the month is encouraging. It is going to be warm, with the exception of Friday and Saturday this week. The early part of next week is predicted to be warm. It may be somewhat cooler later next week. Of course the weather pattern could change.

What we are waiting for is warm water, which will kick off Spring fly fishing in the Smokies. When water temperatures reach near 50 degrees, fishing for trout will improve and the early aquatic insects will become active. Sometimes that happens in late February. Most years it happens in March.

Anglers are getting ready. We are busy. Our fly tying department has been slammed. I placed some very large fly tying orders yesterday with several of our suppliers.   

We have two free fly tying demonstrations planned this weekend. Ken Long will be tying Saturday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Ken has been a good friend of ours for many years. He is a fly fishing guide and instructor with a history of managing large retail outdoor stores.

Bryan Begbie will be demonstrating Sunday from 1:00 pm until 3 pm. Bryan runs the fly fishing program at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain resorts in Walland, just up the road from Townsend. He and the staff of fly fishing guides are frequent customers at the shop. They are avid anglers and fly tyers. I really enjoy it when they come in to shop in the fly tying department.

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

Byron Begley
February 14, 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. THIS CLASS HAS BEEN FILLED BUT YOU MAY WANT TO CALL TO BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST IF 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