Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:54 am, the temperature in Townsend is 24 degrees.

Today will begin cloudy before becoming sunny with a high in the upper 50’s and a low tonight in the low 30’s.

Tomorrow will be sunny and warmer with a high in the low 60’s and a low in the low 40’s.

Rain will move in late Thursday with rain likely Thursday night. It will be warm, with a high in the middle 60’s and a low in the middle 40’s

Little River is flowing at 283 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.23 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 362 cfs. The water temperature is 39.6 degrees.

Stream levels are falling gradually. Most are flowing lower than normal, but at very good fishing levels. Fishing has been slow however, due to the cold water temperatures. We will see some warming this week. If you go, wait until the water warms later today. Fish in the low elevations where the water is warmer. Nymphs or weighted nymph rigs will likely work best for you.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevation freestone rivers has been fair to good. Nymphs, egg flies, squirmy worms, caddis pupa, midge pupa and streamers are all good fly choices.

TVA and the Corps are generating for long periods, including around the clock to keep the lake levels down at a reasonable elevation. Most impoundment levels are higher than the water managers prefer right now. I did see a handful of generation schedules with pauses. Click on the TVA website to hopefully find a tailwater to fish today. If you are boating there are more options.

Spring fly fishing may not be far off. It will be warmer than normal later this month and into early March, unless the long term forecast changes. The days are longer. The clocks will spring forward on March 10th. Paula and I spent last week in Sea Pines South Carolina. On our way home, we saw a huge bank of daffodils in full bloom near Asheville on the Interstate.

Sunday, we watched a flock of wild turkeys right behind our house, between 10 and 50 feet away. There were three gobblers and a few hens. Two of the gobblers were fanning and strutting. The hens were not interested. It’s about a month early or longer before the mating season begins.

We are still feeding birds. We have not seen a bear this year. It won’t’ be long.  

We are busy at the shop. I don’t think a lot of our customers are fishing right now, but they are definitely preparing for Spring. The store is stocked very well.

There are two more weekends with planned Free Fly Tying Demonstrations left this Winter. Local fly fishing legend Ray Ball will be demonstrating Saturday February 24th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Ray is a mountain man who has been fly fishing and fly tying in the Smokies for decades. He is excellent at both. Ray’s humor is beyond compare. You don’t want to miss this one.

On Sunday February 25th, Cody Fisher will be tying  between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Cody is the owner of Tellico Outfitters, a great fly shop located in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. Cody will be sharing some of his favorite patterns with you. Cody is a nice guy who has much tying and guiding experience.  

Walter Babb will be tying on Saturday March 2nd and Chris Bean will be demonstrating on Sunday March 3rd.

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

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

Byron Begley
February 20, 2024

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