Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:43 am, the temperature is 29 degrees.
It is warmer than was predicted yesterday morning by about 7 degrees. Rainfall totaled right at 2 inches yesterday and the night before in Townsend.
US Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is closed between Sugarlands and Cherokee due to snow and ice. Other roads in the National Park appear to be open this morning.
It will be dry today and tomorrow. The high temperature today will be in the low 50’s dropping to the middle 30’s overnight. Tomorrow’s high will be near 60 degrees with a low in the low 40’s at night. Monday will be warm, in the low 60’s with a low chance for showers.
Little River is flowing at 1,350 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 3.74 feet on the gauge. Yesterday, the river rose to over 6 feet. The water temperature is 43.9 degrees this morning.
Rivers in the Smokies are receding but they are flowing high and swift. This would not be a day I would pick to go fishing in the mountains. If you go, be extremely careful. You might find some smaller streams where you could fish. Stand in safe water casting weighted nymphs or tandem nymph rigs.
Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation rivers will be difficult. They will be dangerous to wade. If you decide to try, stand in safe water casting weighted nymph rigs.
Like yesterday, fishing on the tailwaters offer us more options. There are pauses in the generation planned at several dams, especially later today. Check the predicted flows at Cherokee, Douglas, Norris, Wolf Creek and Chatuge dams. It appears TVA will not be generating at South Holston Dam, but they will be sluicing at 1,500 cfs. Maybe you can work with some of these generation schedules.
We have two free fly tying demonstrations planned this weekend. Ken Long will be tying today from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. He is a fly fishing guide and instructor with a history of managing large retail outdoor stores.
Bryan Begbie will be demonstrating tomorrow 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.
You do not need a reservation to attend these FREE fly tying demonstrations. Just show up at the shop.
We are also holding a Beginner Fly Tying Class today, but the class is filled.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
February 18, 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
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