Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is cold out right now but the sun is rising and we are going to have a nice day in East Tennessee.  

Water levels on Little River are still high for fishing but they are improving.  The gauge is currently reading 3.18 feet or 898 c.f.s.  The daily normal is 302 c.f.s.  Flows like this are hazardous for fishing but if you just have to go you can probably find some spots if you search.

Cold overnight temperatures have caused the water temperatures to take a nose dive.  This morning Little River has dropped down to around 43F.  Falling temps generally make the trout less likely to eat.  Let the water start warming up before heading out to the streams.

The weather forecast for this week is showing no rain until Friday night.  Daytime temps will be comfortable warming to the 60's.  Overnight temps are going to still fall to near freezing.  This is going to slow the progression to Spring hatches.  

Yesterday we talked about Quill Gordons.  Today it is their tiny cousins the Blue Quill.  As the first Spring hatches begin you will begin to see the large Quill Gordon but you will also find tiny blue gray mayflies.  Similar in size to BWO but with a blue/gray body instead of olive.  There is a traditional Catskill style pattern for these flies and if you can see that more power to you.  I can't see them out on the water so I don't even try.  Parachutes are my go to.  Small Parachute Adams can work well for this hatch.  When I say small I'm talking #16 to #20.  

If you are going to tie some for your own box it is an easier variation of all parachute flies.  Dun hackle tail.  For the body you can get fancy and do a stripped hackle quill or you can stay simple and just dub it with a fine gray dry fly dubbing.  I would do a hi-vis parachute in a bright color I can see.  Glo-bright floss has always fascinated me for use as a parachute post on tiny flies.  The hackle is just a dun feather.  You can shake things up and tie a comparadun using CDC, short and fine deer, or EP Trigger Point Fiber. 

The fun part of early Spring in the Smokies is that match the hatch actually does matter.  So much of the year general flies work very well but early in the season when hatches are happening and changing often having the "right" fly is important.  The trout will key in on what they want and that is going to change by the section of river you are fishing and which week you are there.  

We've got some more great fly tyers for you this coming weekend.  On Saturday it will be Bill Boyd Jr and his grand daughter "Half Hitch".  on Sunday, Mike Wallace will be here.  Mike loves wet flies which are perfect patterns to be stocking up on for the early Spring hatches.

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

**** THERE IS ONE SPOT LEFT IN THE BEGINNER FLY TYING CLASS THIS SATURDAY! ****

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

Daniel Drake
February 14, 2024

We are holding an all-day Beginner Fly Tying Class on Saturday February 17th. Taking this class 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