Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:42 am, the temperature is 52 degrees.
It will be mostly sunny and breezy today with a high temperature in the low 70’s, dropping to the low 50’s tonight. We are under a Wind Advisory today and through the evening. Winds could gust as high as 50 miles per hour. Rain is predicted this afternoon with precipitation amounts up to a quarter of an inch possible.
It will be sunny tomorrow with a high around 70 degrees. The high temperature Wednesday will be in the middle to upper 70’s. Rain will return Wednesday night and remain through Friday.
Little River is flowing at 477 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.63 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 330 cfs. The water temperature is 53.1 degrees this morning.
Most streams in the Smokies are flowing higher than normal. Many streams are fishable, but they may be flowing higher than you prefer. The streams are much warmer than we normally see in late February and they are going to become warmer over the next few days. Water temperatures are within the trout’s preferred range, and the fish are actively feeding. Aquatic insect activity is also unusually high for this time of the year.
If you go fishing in the mountains today, wind may be an issue to deal with. You will do well using weighted nymphs. Sporadic hatches of many Spring aquatic insects are possible. Be prepared. The hatches may include blue wing olives, blue quills, quill gordons or other species.
Fishing in the lowland rivers for stocked trout is good due to the warm water temperatures. Some of these rivers are flowing high so wading may be limited. Sub-surface flies will likely work best though you may encounter hatches and trout rising to the adult insects or emergers.
Smallmouth bass may become active in the lowland rivers as the water gets warmer this week. Streamers or nymphs will probably work best.
TVA and the Corps of Engineers, in their attempt to lower the lakes, will be generating or sluicing at almost every dam today. I checked the generation schedules at several this morning. They are churning a lot of water through the dams. Look yourself. I may have missed something.
The signs of Spring are vividly apparent everywhere you look. Trees and flowers are blooming. Wild turkey gobblers are fanning and strutting. Leaves are appearing on some trees. We heard peepers or tree frogs night before last. Looking ahead through March 13th, it appears there will be a few cool nights, in the 30’s but the days will be mostly warm.
Saturday will be our last Free Fly Tying Demonstration for the Winter season. Our featured fly tyers are Walter Babb and Ray Ball. They will be demonstrating their tying skills and entertaining you from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at the shop.
You should try to attend this event. Walter and Ray are both local fly fishing legends, having spent most of their life fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains. Believe me, they will have some stories to tell. You will enjoy your time with Walter and Ray. They will be demonstrating at different locations in the store.
You do not need a reservation. Just show up at the shop.
Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.
Byron Begley
February 27, 2023
Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com
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