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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:54 am, the temperature outside is 50.7 degrees.

It is raining again! In Townsend, we have had 1.15 inches of rain during the past 24 hours and 3.17 inches since February 19th.

The Knoxville Airport reports 12.42 inches for the year so far, which is 4.75 inches above normal. Since December 1st, 19.92 inches of rain has fallen, which is 7.75 inches above normal.

More rain is predicted today and tonight before ending tomorrow morning. Up to 2 inches is possible. We are under a flood watch today and tonight.

Little River is flowing at 1,610 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 4.14 feet on the flow gauge located near Townsend. Median flow for this date is 353 cfs. The water temperature is 52.5 degrees this morning.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 5,160 cfs, 5.75 feet, compared to median flow of 653 cfs.

Oconaluftee River at the Birdtown guage is flowing at 3,490 cfs, 4.67 feet, and that compares to median flow of 654 cfs for this date.

Tellico River is flowing at 2,320 cfs, 5.76 feet, compared to median flow for the date of 352 cfs.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing at 1,030 cfs, 4.61 feet, which compares to median flow of 136 cfs. The current flow is a record for this date, dating back 74 years.

The streams in the Smokies are “blown out” and it will likely get worse, before it gets better. The rain should end tomorrow morning. We should not get much rain next week, and none is predicted Monday or Tuesday. There is a slight chance for rain Sunday morning.

I know many of you live in areas that have been affected by this rain event, and it could be worse where you live. After watching footage of the flooding and landslides all around the South, I feel bad complaining about what we are experiencing here. I hope you are faring well.

A rock slide has closed a portion of Interstate 40 in North Carolina near the Tennessee border. Traffic is being re-routed around the slide.

Rock and mud slides have occurred more than once this week, closing Highway 321 in Walland. At times, drivers have been re-routed to the Old Walland Highway. Other times, one lane of the road has been closed. I don’t know what the status is this morning. If you drive to Townsend from Maryville, you may be detoured today. Paula told me the detour or delay was not that bad. She has driven to Maryville twice during the past two days.

I bought a flood insurance policy for our building last year, though we are located outside the 500-year flood zone. It was not that expensive, due to our proximity to the river and the elevation of the building. To save money, I bought a policy with a $50,000 deductible. It does give us peace of mind.

I do not know when fishing conditions here will get back to normal. Next week is going to give us a good start.

Plan on visiting the shop today. Steve Gregg and Clayton Gist will be demonstrating fly tying and discussing their fly fishing experiences. They will be tying between 10 am and 2 pm. The event is free. All you have to do is show up. You can learn more about these guys by CLICKING HERE.

Next Saturday, Walter Babb and Jack Gregory will be at the shop conducting free fly tying demonstrations.

We are holding a beginner fly tying class today. And, a class called Smoky Mountain Flies Fly Tying will be held March 23rd. You can see our school schedule by CLICKING HERE. Our fly fishing classes will begin in April.

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

Byron Begley
February 23, 2019

NOTICE: Great Smoky Mountains head fisheries biologist Matt Kulp will be giving the State of the Park Fisheries Address at the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited's February meeting. Date: Tuesday February 26th.

The chapter meetings are held at Barley's Restaurant in downtown Maryville, Tennessee. Social hour begins at 6 pm. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm. You do not have to be a TU member to attend. Newcomers are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited has partnered with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, voluneering and raising funding, since 1993.

Fly Tying Classes January, February and March 2019 Taught by Walter Babb and Brian Courtney Beginner to Advanced CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Respond to: info@littleriveroutfitters.com