Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:41 am, the temperature in Townsend is 43 degrees.

It is going to feel like Spring for three days, cool off a bit, then warm back up. What we are enjoying now is typical early Spring in the Smokies.

Today will be sunny and breezy with a high in the low 70’s and a low tonight in the low 50’s.

Tomorrow will be warm, windy and wet with showers likely in the early half of the day with a high in the low 70’s. There is a chance for rain tomorrow night with a low in the middle to upper 50’s.

Wednesday will be breezy with rain likely and a high in the low 70’s.

Little River is flowing at 295 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.26 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 356 cfs. The water temperature is 44.1 degrees and steady.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing lower than normal but at good fishing levels. Keep an eye on the water temperatures over the next three days. If the streams warm to the upper 40’s or warmer, fishing will be good. That may happen. Nymphs or weighted nymph rigs may work best today. Watch for aquatic insect activity on the surface. Fish in the lower elevations where the water is warmer.

Fishing for stocked trout in the low elevations will be good over the next few days due to the warming water. Hit the river with a good selection of nymphs and streamers.

If you click on the Lake Information and Tailwater Generation Schedules like I just did, you are going to see there will be a lot of generation going on today. I saw a couple of exceptions, Dale Hollow and Tims Ford. There are other tailwater options for those who are boating and maybe even wading.

Next weekend will be the last of our Winter Free Fly Tying Demonstrations until next Fall.

Saturday will feature Walter Babb, who will be tying between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Just about everyone around here has heard of or has met Walter. Many of you have been taught fly tying and beginner fly fishing by Walter at our school. Walter has been fly fishing in the mountains for over 60 years. He is an incredible fly tyer. He is also a bamboo rod maker who creates magnificent works of art used for fly fishing.

Chris Bean will be demonstrating Sunday between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Chris grew up fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains. He loves chasing big brown trout. He is a full time fly fishing guide working at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain. Chris is an extremely knowledgeable fly fisherman and fly tyer. You will learn by spending a couple of hours with him.  

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 26, 2024

WALTER BABB BAMBOO RODS FOR SALE - Buy directly from Walter. CLICK HERE for more information.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com