Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:48 am, the temperature in Townsend is 68 degrees.

Showers are likely today with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. It will be windy. We are under a “Wind Advisory” until 1:00 pm. The high temperature will be around 70 degrees by 11:00 am, before falling to the middle 40’s for the remainder of the day. The low temperature will be in the middle 20’s tonight.

Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high in the low 50’s and a low in the 30’s overnight.

Little River is flowing at 256 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.16 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 362 cfs. The water temperature is 52.9 degrees this morning.

The water temperatures are incredible. The trout think it is Spring. Their metabolism and the need for food are in high gear. The problem is, we will see the stream temperatures peak then fall this afternoon and especially overnight. It will be windy early today. Fishing should be good early today but you probably don’t want to be in the forest with the wind blowing like they predict.

Fishing for stocked trout in the lower elevation rivers is good. Try egg patterns, squirmy worms, nymphs, small emergers, midge pupa or streamers.

TVA and the Corps are planning to generate all day at many of their dams. You might be able to squeeze in some tailwater fishing time by wading at a few dams. If you are boating there are more options.

The long term weather forecast looks good in early March. It is going to be warm most days. Some nights will be warm and others will be colder. That is typical during the early Spring. Water temperatures bounce around. Some days will be good and other could be slow.

This coming weekend will be the last of our Winter Free Fly Tying Demonstrations until 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 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 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 28, 2024

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

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com