Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 56 degrees.

It will be mostly sunny today with a high temperature in the middle to upper 60’s, falling to the low 50’s tonight. Tomorrow will be breezy and very warm with a high in the upper 70’s and a low in the low 60’s overnight. There is a chance for showers Thursday with a high in the upper 70’s and a low in the middle 40’s.

Little River is flowing at 539 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.71 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 347 cfs. The water temperature is 50.4 degrees this morning.

Most streams in the Smokies are flowing higher than normal though some are close to normal. Most anglers prefer lower water levels than we have now, but the streams are certainly fishable. Water temperatures are warm, within the trout’s preferred range, especially in the lower elevations.

We will likely see aquatic insects hatching this week due to the warm water temperatures. You may see blue wing olives, blue quills or quill gordons. The hatches will be sporadic. Trout will be actively feeding in the warmer water. They may not be feeding on the surface today, even if there are insects to eat. But, that will likely happen soon. Fishing will improve each day this week, though it will be somewhat cooler this weekend.

If you go fishing in the mountains today, be prepared for about anything that normally happens in the Spring. Nymphs might work best. If you see bugs on the water, with trout feeding on them, switch to dry flies and emergers to mimic the insects you see. A dry fly with a trailing wet fly or emerger is a good tactic if the trout are feeding on top.

This may be the beginning of Spring fly fishing in the Smokies. We will know more in a couple of days as fishing reports from customers come in.

Fishing in the low elevation streams for stocked trout should be good today. The rivers may be higher than you like. The water will be warmer. Trout will be active. Weighted nymphs or tandem nymph rigs are a good choice. Be prepared with dry flies and emergers.

TVA and the Corps are planning to generate, sluice or spill at most dams today. I saw a couple of exceptions when I checked the TVA pages. Visit the TVA website to see if you squeeze in some fishing time on a tailwater in the area.

My close friend Jack Gregory will be holding a Free Fly Tying Demonstration at the shop Saturday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. This is a demonstration and a chance to get to know Jack, something you should not miss. I think he is the best fly fisherman I have fished with.

We have fished in Yellowstone for trout, the lakes in our area for smallmouth bass, for tarpon in Florida, and on the Florida bays for redfish and speckled trout. He has fished for permit in Belize many times. Jack is known as an authority on catching large brown trout in the Smokies. He grew up fly fishing in the Smokies, starting as a youngster. And, he is an excellent fly tyer.

Justin Pugh will be demonstrating Sunday between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Justin is a professional guide at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain resorts in Walland. He and the other guides he works with are avid fly tyers. I see them often in the shop and learn from the time spent with them. They are all experts and very nice people.

You do not need a reservation to attend these free demonstrations. Just show up and the shop and learn from these guys.

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

Byron Begley
February 21, 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