Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:44 am, the temperature is 60 degrees.

Today is going to be very warm again, with a high temperature in the low 70’s. There is a slight chance for showers later this afternoon. It will be windy today.

We can expect rain and possibly a thunderstorm tonight. It will be cooler, with a low in the low 40’s. Rain may be heavy with 1 to 2 inches possible. It will be windy.

Tomorrow will be cloudy with a chance for rain early. The high temperature will be in the middle 40’s, falling to the low 20’s overnight.

Friday and Saturday will be sunny and cooler.

Little River is flowing at 218 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.07 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 320 cfs. The water temperature is 50.5 degrees this morning.

At least for now, we have good fishable flows in the rivers and streams. That may change by tomorrow. The last two nights have been warm. It will be warm today. So, water temperatures have risen to within the trout’s preferred range. The streams should warm further today. Trout will be active today, especially in the lower elevations where the water is warmer.

If you go fishing in the Smokies today, weighted nymphs or nymph rigs are a good starting point. You may see aquatic insects on the water. Most will be blue wing olives but under these conditions, anything is possible. You may see blue quills or quill gordons. Trout may not be feeding on the insect adults, but to be prepared, have some Parachute Adams dry flies in your box in various sizes. You should also have some Blue Wing Olive dry flies in your box. Wet flies and emergers should be in your selection. You may not use these flies today, but you will later this Winter or Spring.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers should be good today due to the warmer water conditions and favorable flows. Weighted nymphs or nymph rigs will likely work best. These trout have been fished for heavily this winter. Many have been caught and released, maybe multiple times. If your nymphs are not producing for you, downsize to smaller flies and even midge pupa. You may need to downsize your tippet too.

TVA and the Corps will be generating or sluicing all day at most dams. I did notice pauses at Cherokee and Dale Hollow dams on today’s schedules. Tailwater angling will be limited today unless you are boating. Check the TVA website to possibly plan a tailwater fishing day.

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 3:00 pm. Bryan runs the fly fishing program at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain resorts in Walland, just up the road from Townsend.

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

Byron Begley
February 16, 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.  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.

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